Definitely dark for all that the wording is light and cheery in places. The idea that a twisted murderous clown could be the main character's only real friend is just sick. How dark and dismal that town must really be if this psycho lightens her world this much. He is both an occasional visitor and constant companion. It seems like Billy Bell the Shaky Clown must be something more than a physical entity. He could be a concept of scary clowns distilled down to the most concentrated. The main character seems addicted to fear.