Book details
Rosie Talbot - Author
A spooky, character-led mystery about protecting ghosts, confronting fear and forming connections. It offers queer representation, a disabled protagonist and a romance alongside supernatural danger, with Charlie’s personal growth central to the story.
Book Analysis
Sign in to see how this book fits your child and family preferences.
Sign in for personalised guidanceHow the book presents it: The story appears to treat courage as acting despite fear, rather than requiring fearlessness.
Talk about: What helps Charlie move from isolation towards action?
How the book presents it: The book presents this favourably.
Talk about: How do Charlie and Sam’s identities shape their relationships and the way they understand one another?
How the book presents it: The story appears to value connection and shared action, while showing relationships alongside danger and uncertainty.
Talk about: If relationships change after fear or separation, what helps the characters repair or rethink them?
It may appeal to readers who enjoy ghost stories with emotional stakes rather than scares alone. The York setting, group investigation and friendships create opportunities to discuss courage, trust, belonging and how characters respond to vulnerability.
Give particular attention to the intensity of the ghost threats and violent encounters, and to the emotional weight of loss and disappearance. Romance is present, including kissing and developing feelings between queer characters.
How does Charlie’s fear affect the choices he makes, and does working with Sam change his understanding of trust or friendship? What does the story suggest about protecting people whose experiences others cannot see?
Check in before reading about tolerance for ghosts, threats and violence. Pause after a frightening scene to discuss Charlie’s response, then revisit how the mystery, romance and friendships develop without needing to resolve the ending in advance.
Theme indicators describe how the book presents a topic; they are not a verdict on the whole book or your family's values. Confidence reflects how much book-specific material was checked. Only part of the book information was available, so some details remain unconfirmed.
Limited information
Checked: 20 September 2026.
Relevant to: Fear and courage; Queer and disabled identity; Loss, friendship and love
Limited information
Checked: 20 September 2026.
Relevant to: Loss, friendship and love
Benefits, discussion questions and reading approaches are suggestions. Your knowledge of your child remains part of the decision.
These links show the original reading lists. Inclusion is not a guarantee of suitability for your child.
Suitabook