The Empty Grave Summary

A highly talented Listener and a crucial member of Lockwood & Co.

Lucy is the primary narrator and a gifted psychic, possessing an exceptional 'Listener' talent that allows her to hear and interpret the voices of ghosts. She also has a burgeoning 'Touch' talent, enabling her to sense the history of objects. Throughout the series, she grapples with the traumatic loss of her previous team and her evolving relationship with Anthony Lockwood. In 'The Empty Grave,' her abilities are pushed to their absolute limits as she ventures into the Other Side, and she faces profound emotional challenges, particularly regarding Lockwood's safety. She is fiercely loyal, brave, and often the moral compass of the group.

Relationships: Anthony Lockwood (Complicated, deep friendship and unspoken romantic tension, partner); George Cubbins (Close friend, colleague, intellectual sparring partner); Holly Munro (Colleague, initially contentious, later respectful); The Whispering Skull (Reluctant confidante, psychic connection)

Charismatic leader of Lockwood & Co., haunted by his past.

Anthony Lockwood is the enigmatic and charismatic leader of Lockwood & Co. He possesses exceptional sword-fighting skills, a keen intellect, and a mysterious past. He is fiercely independent and often reckless, driven by a desire to prove his agency's worth and to uncover the truth behind the Problem. In 'The Empty Grave,' his hidden psychic talents are revealed to be far greater than previously suspected, and he makes a profound sacrifice to save humanity. He finally confronts and shares the tragic truth about his family, revealing the deep emotional scars he carries.

Relationships: Lucy Carlyle (Complicated, deep friendship and unspoken romantic tension, partner); George Cubbins (Close friend, colleague, intellectual sparring partner); Holly Munro (Colleague, respectful); Jessica Lockwood (Deceased sister, source of his deep trauma)

Brilliant researcher and the brains behind Lockwood & Co.'s operations.

George is the intellectual powerhouse of Lockwood & Co., responsible for research, planning, and tactical analysis. He is highly intelligent, meticulous, and often cynical, but possesses a deep loyalty to his friends. His 'Touch' talent allows him to rapidly process information from objects and spectral traces. In 'The Empty Grave,' George's research is crucial in understanding Marissa Fittes's plan and the nature of the Source. He provides the grounding logic and strategic thinking necessary for the team's survival, often offering a dose of reality to Lockwood's impulsiveness.

Relationships: Anthony Lockwood (Close friend, colleague, intellectual sparring partner); Lucy Carlyle (Close friend, colleague, intellectual sparring partner); Holly Munro (Colleague, respectful, sometimes exasperated)

Efficient administrator and essential support for Lockwood & Co.

Holly is the highly organized and efficient administrator for Lockwood & Co. Initially working for Kipps's agency, she joins Lockwood & Co. and brings a much-needed sense of order to their chaotic lives. While not a field agent, her organizational skills, calm demeanor, and ability to handle paperwork and logistics are invaluable. In 'The Empty Grave,' she provides crucial support from the home base, managing communications and ensuring the smooth running of the agency while the others are on dangerous missions. She represents the practical, grounded aspect of the team.

Relationships: Anthony Lockwood (Colleague, respectful); Lucy Carlyle (Colleague, initially competitive, later friendly); George Cubbins (Colleague, respectful)

Former rival, now an uneasy ally and mentor to Lockwood & Co.

Quill Kipps is a former agent from the Fittes Agency, initially a rival to Lockwood & Co. After being 'cut' from his agency, he becomes an uneasy ally, often acting as a mentor figure to the younger agents. He is experienced, cynical, and highly skilled, though sometimes prone to pessimism. In 'The Empty Grave,' Kipps plays a significant role, joining Lockwood and Lucy on their perilous journey into the Other Side. His combat experience and pragmatic approach are crucial for their survival, and he demonstrates a surprising depth of loyalty and courage.

Relationships: Anthony Lockwood (Former rival, now an uneasy but respectful ally); Lucy Carlyle (Former rival, now a cautious but appreciative ally)

Legendary psychic, secretly alive and orchestrating the Problem.

Marissa Fittes is the legendary founder of the Fittes Agency, believed to be dead for decades. In reality, she is the primary antagonist of 'The Empty Grave,' revealed to be alive and secretly manipulating the Problem. She is an incredibly powerful and ancient psychic, driven by a twisted vision of 'purifying' humanity by unleashing the Source. Her intellect and cunning are immense, and she uses her influence and resources to control events from the shadows. Her actions are rooted in a profound disillusionment with humanity, leading her to believe that only drastic measures can save it.

Relationships: Penelope Fittes (Daughter, manipulated and used); The Source (Ancient psychic entity, which she controls and draws power from)

Current head of the Fittes Agency, unaware of her mother's schemes.

Penelope Fittes is the current formidable head of the Fittes Agency and Marissa's daughter. She is a powerful and respected figure in the ghost-hunting world, dedicated to her agency and maintaining order. Initially, she is an adversary to Lockwood & Co., viewing them as reckless and disruptive. She is unaware of her mother's true nature and schemes, acting as an unwitting pawn in Marissa's grand plan. Her character embodies the established order and the challenges Lockwood & Co. face from within the system.

Relationships: Marissa Fittes (Mother, revered but secretly manipulated by her); Anthony Lockwood (Rival, seen as a nuisance and threat to her agency)

A powerful, sarcastic Type Three ghost trapped in a jar, an unwilling ally.

The Whispering Skull is a highly sarcastic, cynical, and immensely powerful Type Three ghost, trapped within a sealed iron jar at Portland Row. It possesses vast knowledge of the supernatural world and is capable of profound psychic insights. Despite its often mocking and uncooperative nature, it serves as an invaluable, albeit reluctant, source of information for Lockwood & Co. In 'The Empty Grave,' the Skull's true identity and its connection to the ancient history of the Problem are revealed, making it a pivotal guide for the team's journey into the Other Side.

Relationships: Lucy Carlyle (Primary communicator, often verbally sparring); Anthony Lockwood (Reluctant master, target of its sarcasm); Marissa Fittes (Ancient rival, enemy)

Ruthless leader of an independent agency, an uneasy and pragmatic ally.

Steve Rotwell, also known as 'The Golden Blade,' is the highly effective but morally ambiguous leader of a powerful independent ghost-hunting agency. He is a pragmatic and ruthless individual, focused on results, often at any cost. He operates outside the established agency system, making him a formidable, if untrustworthy, ally. In 'The Empty Grave,' he forms an uneasy alliance with Lockwood & Co., providing resources and information, but his motives are always suspect. His presence highlights the complex moral landscape of the ghost-hunting world.

Relationships: Anthony Lockwood (Uneasy, pragmatic ally); Lucy Carlyle (Viewed with suspicion)

Anthony Lockwood's deceased sister, whose death profoundly shaped him.

Jessica Lockwood is Anthony Lockwood's older sister, whose tragic death years prior deeply affected him and led to his secretive nature. She was also a talented psychic, involved in her parents' dangerous experiments. Her death, caused by a powerful psychic artifact, is the root of Lockwood's guilt and his determination to keep his past hidden. Her memory serves as a key motivator for Lockwood, and the revelation of her story provides crucial insight into his character.

Relationships: Anthony Lockwood (Brother, deeply loved and mourned)