The haunting of Peligan City by Sophie Green

Illus. by Karl James Mountford. Potkin and Stubbs book 2. Picadilly Press, 2019. ISBN: 9781848127630. 384pp., pbk.
(Age: 10-12) Everyone needs a friend like Lil. Dependable, courageous and with a nose for a story, Lil's dream is to write for the underground newspaper, the Klaxon, to report the REAL news. Some ghastly events are happening in Peligan City. It's creepy! Prominent people are simply disappearing. Who is behind it all, what happened to poor Delilah, and is the Doll Hospital really just that? Lil's good buddy, Nedly, makes people shiver when he passes near them. But Nedly has invaluable skills that most people lack, like passing through walls, because he just happens to be . . . a ghost!
Lil 'noses' her way into situations by tagging along with private investigator, Abe Mandrel and his little dog Margaret. Abe is baffled with the furtive happenings and when the Governor is murdered too, Lil knows she must use all her knowledge and experience to assist in solving the shocking crimes.
This book is definitely not for the faint hearted! Nor should it be read late at night or if you are home alone! 10-12 yr olds should enjoy this book.
Joan Smith