A girl at Rotwell's had died the previous week after forgetting to restock her magnesium flares.”
-- Lucy (2 )

Importance: This is one of the early indications of how dangerous it is to be an agent. Lucy recounts several situations in which children are killed, including five children who worked with her she was very young.

Soon both Fittes and Rotwell launched psychic agencies to cope with the demand, leading the way for a host of lesser rivals. Finally, the government itself took action, issuing curfews at nightfall, and rolling out production of ghost-lamps in major cities.”
-- Lucy (5 )

Importance: This is an indication that the ghosts are real and a widespread problem. This is one of many efforts to make the story, situation, and characters seem real.

On the one hand: Anthony Lockwood – vigorous and energetic, eager to throw himself into each new mystery; a boy who was clearly never happier than when walking into a...
-- Lucy (7 )