Luis Barnavelt i mroczny cień

The dark, mysterious tone really drew me in, but I'm curious whether it was inspired by classic horror stories or something else. Did the author aim to evoke a certain feeling in young readers?

The book manages to be creepy without being too scary, which is perfect for middle-grade readers. How did the author decide where to draw that line?

The quiet, shadowy town feels like a character itself, adding to the sense of mystery. I wonder if the author based it on a real place or created it from imagination.