The Apple Tree

Lockwood & Co. #0.5

by Jonathan Stroud

A ghost story for Christmas.

Posted on Jonathan Stroud's Twitter.

Genres: Fantasy, Short Stories, Horror, Young Adult, Ghosts, Paranormal, Mystery

ebook

Published December 25, 2024

About the author

Jonathan Anthony Stroud is an author of fantasy books, mainly for children and youths.

Stroud grew up in St Albans where he enjoyed reading books, drawing pictures, and writing stories. Between the ages seven and nine he was often ill, so he spent most of his days in the hospital or in his bed at home. To escape boredom he would occupy himself with books and stories. After he completed his studies of English literature at the University of York, he worked in London as an editor for the Walker Books store. He worked with different types of books there and this soon led to the writing of his own books. During the 1990s, he started publishing his own works and quickly gained success.

In May 1999, Stroud published his first children's novel, Buried Fire, which was the first of a line of fantasy/mythology children's books.

Among his most prominent works are the bestselling Bartimaeus Trilogy. A special feature of these novels compared to others of their genre is that Stroud examines the stereotypes and ethics of the magician class and the enslaved demons. This is done by examining the perspective of the sarcastic and slightly egomaniacal djinni Bartimaeus. The books in this series are The Amulet of Samarkand, The Golem's Eye, and Ptolemy's Gate, his first books to be published in the United States.

Stroud lives in St Albans, Hertfordshire, with his two children, Isabelle and Arthur, and his wife Gina, an illustrator of children's books.

Reviews

[Cas ♛ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another year another #SaveLockwoodandCo plea.

[Jim C · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an extremely short story that is part of a series. In fact it is so short the author posted it on his twitter page and it was screenshots. In this one we explore an incident that has been referred to during the series.

Let me first say I am a fan of this series and that is a factor for the enjoyment of this short story. Even though it is short and it is on his twitter page it is impactful. I was surprised at how much impact it had on me as I was not expecting much. Not that I do not love the author's writing and the series. It was the length and I did not expect any purpose to the story. I was so wrong. The story has a purpose and it is dealing with loss of loved ones. I have to give serious props to the author for giving me "the feels" in a story where he had very little room to operate. I will say that this is aimed at fans of the series and the fans will eat this up.

Goodreads has this listed as the very first offering in this series. While technically correct because of the timeline I would not recommend reading it first. It would be a disservice to read this as in introduction. I would read the main offerings to get a connection to the characters first. If you do this story will hit home and you will most likely enjoy this short story.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this little story on Christmas Eve last year and I felt betrayed (in a good way) because it broke my heart into pieces. So I had to re-read the story from the previous year.

[Maddie Metzler · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love this backstory but man did it break my heart 😭

lockwood went through so much and it hurts me so bad

[Hanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gave myself the Lockwood & Co. Legacy Box for Christmas, and I am beyond ecstatic that these short stories are actually printed inside! I adore every single detail… it’s utterly, breathtakingly perfect!

And this one made me cry.🥹

[hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

at first i thought this was really sweet and then suddenly it wasn’t

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jonathan Stroud made me cry on Christmas

[alva :• · Rating 5 out of 5]

just a silly little novella, but i am partial and love it all the same. the lockwood family breaks my heart.

[Aristotle Blasi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though I knew what was happening it was still sad all the same. Here's to the Lockwood family.

[Chloe Booth-Dobson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, sweet and very very sad! I can’t wait to get more stuck into this world!

[✨️Isi✨️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

These 4 pages made me cry but I love it so much. Lockwood is so dear to my heart right now and I am only on the second book. I lovr this series and better ever I am going to be in London next week. I am so excited

[✮Luna✮ · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I'll never leave you" ouch🥲

[Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a big emotional punch for such a short story. Especially after you have read the series. Anthony Lockwood is a favorite character of all time. The story can be found on the authors instagram. It is a beautiful read. But I wouldn’t read it until you finished the original series even if it is a prequel. I think it spoils some plot twists

SPOILERS and book notes:
I can see Anthony’s personality shining. His parents were gone a lot. This short story shows the beautiful relationship between Anthony and his sister Jess. It made me sob. He thought fighting with a sword was important, and she thought research was important. Anthony Lockwood was the first to know of his parents death bc they appeared as ghosts under his favorite apple tree. “The nanny quit within the week. The child's Talent unnerved her. More to the
point, who was going to pay her wage?
But the little boy's sister held him close, that night and for many nights afterwards. "Don't be scared, Anthony," she said. "We'll always be together. I'll never
leave you." And now I am sobbing. This makes Jess death 100% sadder.

[Rebekah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very short, found the screen captured images of the 4 pages. (It was released on social media Christmas of ‘24) tell the story of Anthony’s loss of his parents. and OMG so sad.

But there is another hint… a sister 6 years his senior with possibly no “talent”. I can only assume more will come about related to her.

[Soňa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love stories about Lockwood, Lucy, George, the skull, Quill Kipps and others... gosh, total fangirling :)
However, this is too brief and unsatisfactory, I'm sorry to say. It's like I'm in a desert dying of thirst and I see a cup full of water... but just see it ... you get the idea :D
I offer 3 unhappy ghostly kitties

[Juli · Rating 5 out of 5]

These 4 pages managed to make me the happiest person alive last Christmas.
It was nostalgic and sad but it made me feel such joy <3
I will forever cherish anything Lockwood & Co. related, especially if it's linked to Lockwood's personal grief and struggles

[morus alba · Rating 4 out of 5]

Передісторія головного героя серії: коротко і зрозуміло.

Я насправді не розумію, яким боком це підліткові книги... ну або ж я страхопуд...
(це вже з "досвіду" прочитання кількох десятків сторінок наступної частини)

[Sammm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was a super effing sad story to read during holiday season lol.

[ultravioletype · Rating 4 out of 5]

💔

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, this is short and sweet and tragic.

[Mayor · Rating 4 out of 5]

My HEART. . . !! ? . , ! > > ?

[Stiby (María MV) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ostia no me esperaba algo tan crudo. Me ha gustado. Pobre Anthony :( Sobre todo porque sabemos que la promesa de su hermana no se cumplirá TT

[Rosie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breadcrumbs, but lovely sad ones

[ivana · Rating 5 out of 5]

oh my sweet little baby 😭

[Mrithika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poor baby Lockwood :(

What a mischievous child. His relationship with Jessica is just so heartwarming. And his parents :(((

[لمى · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is so sad 😞

[Alejandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

wild

[Diyyan :)) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it a bit too early lol but nvm

[Anna Rold · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a weird and slightly disconnected way, I get you Anthony Lockwood

[lady bird · Rating 4 out of 5]

my shaylaaaas