These links show the original reading lists. Inclusion is not a guarantee of suitability for your child.
Scarlett Dunmore - Author
A horror-comedy sequel with a strongly supernatural setting, school friendships and a continuing threat from Charley’s past. Its appeal lies in combining eerie atmosphere with genre-aware humour and a central relationship marked by betrayal.
HorrorThe available evidence does not establish the book's treatment of this theme. See Confidence & Basis for the evidence gap.DangerThe available evidence does not establish the book's treatment of this theme. See Confidence & Basis for the evidence gap.Self-protectionThe available evidence does not establish the book's treatment of this theme. See Confidence & Basis for the evidence gap.
Consider
Fear and suspenseViolence and harmSocial conflict
Personalised Fit
Sign in to see how this book fits your child and family preferences.
Charley recognises horror patterns, stays alert and tries to protect herself and others while facing killers and supernatural threats.AmbiguousAmbiguous: the book leaves its position open to more than one reasonable reading.Ambiguous: the book leaves its position open to more than one reasonable reading.
How the book presents it: The story appears to make vigilance part of Charley’s survival, while its humour and genre commentary may question familiar horror rules rather than simply endorsing them.
Talk about: Does Charley’s knowledge genuinely help her make choices, or does the story show that horror conventions remain unreliable?
Betrayal and renewed trust
Charley remains affected by a former best friend’s violence, yet the two may need to cooperate when a new threat emerges.MixedMixed: the book presents both supportive and critical signals.Mixed: the book presents both supportive and critical signals.
How the book presents it: The relationship is presented as emotionally complicated rather than simple: past affection and present danger coexist, with cooperation forced by circumstances.
Talk about: If trust is rebuilt at all, what makes it possible, and does the story distinguish cooperation from forgiveness?
Genre conventions and humour
The book uses familiar horror images and expectations, including creepy places, suspicious characters and a returning threat, while describing them with comic and self-aware commentary.CriticalCritical: the book challenges or disapproves of this theme.Critical: the book challenges or disapproves of this theme.
How the book presents it: The publisher explicitly says the book highlights and subverts classic horror sequel tropes, suggesting a playful critique of predictable genre patterns.
Talk about: Which horror expectations does the story invite the reader to recognise, and how does subverting them alter the suspense?
✦
Why It May Be Worth Reading
Readers who enjoy suspense may value the shifting focus from a previous killer to witchcraft, disappearances and a troubled town history. The book also invites attention to how familiar horror rules and sequel expectations are used playfully.
!
What Deserves Attention
Consider whether the mix of murders, missing townspeople, ghosts, witches and a threatening former friend suits the reader’s response to frightening material. Humour may soften some moments, but the overall premise remains horror-focused.
↔
A Conversation Worth Having
How does Charley’s relationship with her former friend change when they face a shared danger, and does the story present trust, loyalty or self-protection as straightforward choices?
◇
Reading Approach
If the reader is new to the series, clarify that this is a sequel and ask whether they want earlier events explained first. Pause after frightening scenes to discuss how humour and horror are working together.
Confidence & Basis
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.
What remains unconfirmed
Fear, survival and agency: The ending and the consequences of Charley’s decisions are not established.
Betrayal and renewed trust: Some details of this treatment remain unclear.
Genre conventions and humour: The specific conventions challenged and the consistency of the comic tone are not fully established.
Suitabook