I haven't read nearly enough middlegrade yet this year, but I'm glad I did at least pick up this one. I love a spooky middlegrade, because they're not usually outright scary and I tend to love the vibes. I've always loved the idea of a ghost companion, so that worked really well for me, although I would have liked to spend a little more time with Arlo to establish his character and his connection with Nero before the story got started. I still really enjoyed this though, as everything felt fast-paced but still fleshed out enough and I liked the characters. The mystery was very interesting to me, and I loved seeing it resolved.

A beautifully written queer spooky middle grade, that’ll make you question the things that go bump in the night. Also a book that 12-year old me would’ve loved and appreciated, but most importantly would’ve felt seen.

Okay I absolutely loved this book. I really appreciated the relationship that developed between Nero and Emily especially. The dynamic of your best (only) friend being a ghost is so representative of so many queer childhoods, feeling so strange about your life that you keep all your problems hidden. I also really liked the different "grown up" characters and their relationships to the protagonists and also to each other. Italian grandmother's always be doing this.
I know there isn't really a reality where Arlo comes back and everything goes back to normal in the end, but I wish it could because I really wanted more sassy goofy moments between Nero and Arlo. Also needed more Flick. Really I guess what I'm saying is that we need a prequel and maybe also a Flick spinoff and you know what give Emily a short story too she's earned it.