Review of "The Creeping Shadow" by Jonathan Stroud

Review by Aidan O.

This review was written by a volunteer teen book reviewer and may contain spoilers of the reviewed novel.
For more information on how to become a teen book reviewer, email [email protected].

Overall rating: 4.5/5 stars

The Creeping Shadow is the fourth book in Jonathan Stroud’s New York Times bestselling pentalogy, "Lockwood & Co." It is set in modern-day London, in a world very similar to ours, but with one key difference- the Problem. The Problem is that the dead are coming back as ghosts to plague the living, and they are very dangerous. To fight the restless dead, agencies have sprung up around the city. People pay agencies to exterminate ghosts. Each ghost is a new case. However, only the young are capable of seeing and interacting with the dead, so they are the agents.
The book follows the story of 15-year old agent Lucy. Having recently left her agency, Lockwood & Co., Lucy is a freelance agent who agencies hire to help them on cases. Partner to her is a ghost contained in a jar with the rare quality of being able to speak with the living. Ironically, her former agency needs help and hires Lucy for a case. Returning to her apartment afterwards, Lucy discovers she has been robbed of her partner in trade- the ghost in a jar. She has a suspect and seeks him out. There, she gleans the information that he wasn’t the thief, but he told some anonymous men of the jar’s whereabouts for money. Lucy teams up with her former colleagues from Lockwood and Co.(Anthony, George, and Holly) to find the ghost. As a form of advance payment, Lucy agrees to help them with a case. They discover the source of the ghost to be in a facility owned by the prestigious Rotwell agency. To eliminate a ghost, you must eliminate its source. Lucy and her companions sneak in and discover a group of many different sources together, among them Lucy’s stolen ghost, which she retrieves. As a source is a link between the worlds of the living and the dead, a cluster of them forms a hole to the other side. Exploring the other side is extremely dangerous and very illegal; Anthony alerts the authorities and the Rotwell agency is shut down. Lucy rejoins the company. While taking on the case, Lockwood & Co. learns a few things about the other side, and discovers a dark secret of Penelope Fittes, head of the largest agency in London…

  I thought The Creeping Shadow was a worthy addition to the series. Its suspense and mystery are very alluring and balanced out by witty humor and fascinating tidbits about a world with the Problem. It summits with a jaw-dropping cliffhanger that makes me want to read the next book.

  I would recommend this book to young adult readers who are fans of fantasy, action packed novels and imagination. The Creeping Shadow not only tells a story but introduces the reader to an imaginative, creative, intriguing world. It has a creepy edge, but this is balanced out by dry humor.

On Tuesday, January 15, 2019 at 1:59 a.m. the Aurora Police Department Public Safety Communications Department received a 911 call from an occupant of a residence at 1473 South Kenton Street, who was reporting a party inside the home was armed with a firearm and acting erratically.

 As officers arrived they could hear active gunfire. Officers were confronted by an armed adult male who was wearing body armor. The armed male exchanged gunfire with officers. The armed party was struck by gunfire which stopped the ongoing and active threat.

 Soon thereafter, officers discovered another adult male suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.

 Both the armed party and injured adult male found lying on the floor were transported to a local hospital where they both succumbed to their injuries.

The decedents will be positively identified by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office after notifications are made to next of kin.

Officers present at the scene were equipped with and properly utilized department issued body-worn cameras.

 This investigation is being handled by the Major Crimes/Homicide Unit in conjunction with the Denver Police Department. This is due to the passage of Senate Bill 15-219 which requires law enforcement agencies to team up with neighboring agencies to investigate officer involved shootings.

 Police are asking anyone who might have witnessed this incident to call Agent Randy Hansen with the Major Crimes/Homicide Unit at 303-739-6710.

If further information becomes available for public release we will provide an update on this news blog.

Aurora Police Department  
Public Information Officer
Anthony Camacho
[email protected]

On December 30th at about 6:12 PM, Aurora Police and Fire responded to the intersection of S. Chambers Rd and E. Belleview Ave for a crash.   

Responding units found that a Toyota van and a Lincoln SUV had collided in the intersection.  The van was occupied by two people and the Lincoln had one occupant.  They were all transported to local hospitals.  The passenger of the Toyota died as a result of injuries sustained in the crash. 

Investigators from the Aurora Police Traffic Unit are working to determine the cause of the crash.  At this time it appears that the Toyota was traveling south on Chambers and the Lincoln was turning left from northbound Chambers onto westbound Belleview.  The investigation will focus on determining which vehicle had the right-of-way.  Neither speed nor intoxication appear to be factors in the crash.  

 The identities of the people involved are not being released at this time.  The Arapahoe County Coroner may release the identity of the deceased at a later date.

Sergeant Christopher Carleton
Aurora Police Traffic Unit

On December 30, 2018 at about 6:42 AM, Aurora Police and Fire responded to E. 33^rd Ave. and N. Oakland St. on a report of a crash involving a pickup and a RTD bus.  Once on scene they found that the pickup had been traveling east in the westbound lanes of traffic and struck the bus head-on.  Two people from the bus were transported to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries.  The female driver and only occupant of the pickup appears to have died as a result of injuries sustained in the crash.

  At this time, it is unknown why the pickup crossed into the oncoming traffic lanes.  The Aurora Police Traffic Unit is investigating this crash with assistance from RTD and the Adams County Coroner’s office.   The Adams County Coroner will release the identity of the deceased at a later date.

Sergeant Christopher Carleton
Traffic Operations
Aurora Police Department
Aurora, CO 80012
303-739-6243
[email protected]

On Saturday December 29, 2018, at approximately 9:35 P.M. Aurora Police Department Officers were flagged down and notified of a possible shooting victim in the Walgreens Parking lot located at 12051 East Mississippi Ave.  Officers quickly arrived and found a deceased male in the parking lot. 

The victim will be identified at a later date by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office, pending notification of next of kin. 

The Aurora Police Department Major Crimes/ Homicide Unit has taken over this criminal investigation. If anyone has any information related to this incident they are asked to contact Detective Del Matticks at (303) 739-6367. Tipsters can also remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000 by calling Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at (720) 913-7867.

Ofc. Anthony Camacho
Public Information Officer
Media Relations Unit
720-432-5095

Recent New York Times Bestsellers:

Fiction

		Tom Clancy: Oath of Office by Marc Cameron Borrow: [Print] [eBook] President Jack Ryan must contain the fallout of a flu epidemic and two hijacked Russian nuclear missiles.
		Kingdom of the Blind by Louise Penny Borrow: [Normal Print] [Large Print] [eBook] [eAudiobook] While on suspension, Chief Inspector Armand Gamache is made an executor of a stranger’s will and tries to keep a deadly narcotic off Montreal’s streets.
		Of Blood and Bone by Nora Roberts Borrow: [Normal Print] [Large Print] [eBook] While the people of New Hope face threats, Fallon Swift goes on three quests to discover her powers.

Nonfiction

		The Point of it All by Charles Krauthammer Borrow: [Normal Print] [Large Print] [eBook] A collection of essays, speeches and unpublished writings by the late conservative columnist.
		Trump's Enemies by Corey R. Lewandowski and David N. Bossie Borrow: [Print] [eBook] [eAudiobook] The authors of “Let Trump Be Trump” give their perspectives on the president’s foes.

DVD - New Releases (January):

Caution: Catalog links below are for preorder/placeholder records and may give 'record not found' errors once DVDs are released. DVDs may still be found using a keyword/title search.

		Night School Borrow: [DVD] Kevin Hart and Tiffany Haddish star in Night School, a laugh-out-loud comedy about a group of misfits who are forced to attend adult classes for a chance to pass the GED exam.
		Bad Times at the El Royale Borrow: [DVD] Seven strangers, each with a secret to bury, meet at Lake Tahoe's El Royale, a rundown hotel with a past. During one night, all will have a shot at redemption...before everything goes to hell.
		A.X.L. Borrow: [DVD] A.X.L. is a top-secret, robotic dog who connects with a kind-hearted outsider, Miles, while on the run from the scientists who created him.
		Mid90s Borrow: [DVD] Written and directed by Jonah Hill, Mid90s follows Stevie, a thirteen-year-old in 90s-era LA who spends his summer navigating between his troubled home life and a group of new friends that he meets at a Motor Avenue skate shop.
		Monsters and Men Borrow: [DVD] When a young father witnesses the police shooting of an unarmed black man, the tight-knit community of Bed-Stuy is pushed to the brink in Reinaldo Marcus Green's Sundance Award-winning portrait of race, family and consequence.
		What They Had Borrow: [DVD] Bridget (Hilary Swank) returns home at her brother's (Michael Shannon) request to help with her father (Robert Forster) and her ailing mother (Blythe Danner).
		The Oath Borrow: [DVD] When high-strung Chris (Barinholtz) and his more levelheaded wife Kai (Haddish) learn that citizens are being asked to sign a loyalty oath by Thanksgiving, their refusal to sign-along with the arrival of relatives and two government agents (Cho and Magnussen)-sends an already dysfunctional family dinner completely off the rails.
		Time Freak Borrow: [DVD] A college student builds a time machine to stop his girlfriend from breaking up with him. Based on the short film of the same name.
		Halloween Borrow: [DVD] Witness Laurie Strode's final confrontation with Michael Myers, the masked figure who has haunted her since she escaped his killing spree on Halloween night four decades ago.
		Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween Borrow: [DVD] Two friends find a magical book that brings a ventriloquist's dummy to life just in time for Halloween.
		Jonathan Borrow: [DVD] This sci-fi-tinged drama follows two brothers living very separate lives - inside the same body. Content to live life in shifts with one another, their delicate balance is ruined when they become emotionally involved with the same woman.
		Speed Kills Borrow: [DVD] John Travolta stars as a speedboat racing champion and multimillionaire whose secret life as a drug trafficker lands him in a deadly crossfire between the DEA and the Mob.
		The Hate U Give Borrow: [DVD] In this powerful drama based on the best-selling novel, when a teenager witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood friend, she must find her voice and stand up for what's right.
		Johnny English Strikes Again Borrow: [DVD] Rowan Atkinson returns as the beloved accidental secret agent in Johnny English Strikes Again. On his newest mission, he must overcome the challenges of modern technology.
		Hunter Killer Borrow: [DVD] When an American submarine captain discovers a secret Russian coup is in the offing, he must assemble an elite group of Navy Seals to sneak through enemy waters to stop WWIII.
		The Wife Borrow: [DVD] After nearly forty years of marriage, JOAN and JOE CASTLEMAN (Glenn Close and Jonathan Pryce) are complements. Where Joe is casual, Joan is elegant. Where Joe is vain, Joan is self-effacing. And where Joe enjoys his very public role as Great American Novelist, Joan pours her considerable intellect, grace, charm, and diplomacy into the private role of Great Man's Wife. Joe is about to be awarded the Nobel Prize for his acclaimed and prolific body of work. Joe's literary star has blazed since he and Joan first met in the late 1950s. THE WIFE interweaves the story of the couple's youthful passion and ambition with a portrait of a marriage thirtyplus years later, with a lifetime’s shared compromises.
		Slice Borrow: [DVD] In a spooky small town, when a slew of pizza delivery boys are slain on the job, two daring survivors (Atlanta's Zazie Beetz and Chance the Rapper in a wild film debut) set out to catch the culprits behind the cryptic crime spree.

Sources: The New York Times, Rotten Tomatoes, Amazon, Goodreads, EarlyWord, Novelist, DVDs Release Date

by Assétou Xango

Spoiler Alert: If you have not watched Season 3 Ep 9, put this down.

In the wake of your mid-season finale, I imagine you are experiencing an uproar regarding the hint of demise between Beth and Randall. At least, I hope I’m not the only one freaking out…. I am sure this looks to you like a very good sign. That means good ratings and a stronger fan based.

How can I fault you for this? There is nothing better than making an incredible work of art and having people invested in it. And you have, I hope you know by now, created an incredible work of art. It is the best show on modern television. You have finally made a drama that isn't focus on the "drama". A character doesn't die every episode, we are not put on an epic, unrealistic, journey every 20 seconds (Looking at you “Once Upon a Time”). You have made something real. Something that feels organic and honest and accessible. What you have created is magical and I am so grateful you did.

As a black, gender-queer woman living in the suburbs of Colorado, in terms seeing myself in those around me, the perspective is pretty bleak. I am also a gender-queer black woman growing up in America. Needless to say: bleak. To see a black, married, committed couple like Beth and Randall, means a little color on a dreary day. Here is a couple who has a rhythm. They know each other in a way only years of commitment and heartbreak can grant you. Their quips and wit and intentionality show that they are weathered. I am afraid you have created something so much greater than a television show, more than characters on a page. The closest term I can use to describe it is magic.

Without Beth and Randall, we're basically left with Empire and The Cosby show as our representations of black love. The former depicts a black couple whose "love" drives them to everything short of murdering each other (not for lack of attempts), and the latter stars Bill Cosby…nuf’ said.

The Pearsons are it. What I’ve learned since, about healthy couples, they are pretty covert in real life. Their relationships are rarely flashy or find a need to be public. They have very little to prove. Unless you grow up in their household, your chances of intimately seeing a seasoned relationship with two black people seems near impossible. I did not and do not. They are the only chance we have at seeing what I did not see in my youth. I have never met my father. Until I was old enough to expand my community, I did not even see black couples in my life. When my favorite black couple flash across the screen, my heart is filled with something…healing.

It’s not that I want to see the perfect black couple or gay couple or any marginalized representation all the time. It is not that I want my television to only reflect the underrepresented in a positive light. That is detrimental in its own sort of way. I just want to feel included in the television shows I watch, I want the shows that invest my time and recommendation in to also invest in me.

I don't want to tell you how to run your show. You have created something I look up to and will spend the rest of my career striving for the same level of excellence. I read up on the twist IMMEDIATELY after the flashforward sequence. I read about the integrity of your crew saying that you must show the ups and downs of marriage. That is honorable. I am down for their struggle. I understand that the second half of this season is to be a tumultuous time for them. I understand and I am along for the ride. But I must say, in no uncertain terms, if you have written or planned to write their relationship into separation: undo it.

On December 9th, 2018 at 6:14 am, Aurora Dispatch received a call of a single car rollover accident in the area of East Baranmor Parkway and North Quentin Street in northwest Aurora. When officers and rescue personnel arrived on scene, the lone occupant driver was found ejected from the vehicle. Life saving measures were initiated and the driver was transported to a nearby hospital. The driver was later declared deceased.

Speed does appear to be a factor in this accident, but the involvement of other factors is unknown. The identity of the driver is not being released pending notification of next of kin.

This accident marks the 30th accident related fatality in Aurora for 2018.

Questions or information related to this incident can be directed to:

Sergeant Mike Douglass
Aurora Police Traffic Section
303-739-6293