Finn McAllister wasn’t trying to do a fancy stunt on his bike before he died. A malicious black van chased him off Ridge Rim Road and over a ravine, just like in a Stephen King movie!

Finn’s parents are super safety conscious and have never let Finn leap into the local lake with his friends or use his brand new boogie board in the sea. His bike is fluorescent orange to try and prevent any accidents, and now they can’t comprehend how he could’ve been so reckless.

Being a ghost and watching his family and friends so upset is tough, so Finn sets himself a mission – find out who forced him so callously off the road.

First he has some fun as a ghost at school, where he meets another ghost – a girl who went missing months before. Isabella Rojas isn’t having any fun though. She tells him she is just as invisible alive as she is dead. No-one is looking for her.

Finn and Isabella team up to investigate who was driving and why he was run off the road, and to find Isabella’s body.

Finn’s sleuthing doesn’t go smoothly. His Grandpa keeps popping up saying “It’s time!” wanting to walk him into the light, but Finn is determined to solve his mystery first. What he does discover is why his parents are so risk averse around water and outdoors, and that their fears had become his fears, moulding the way he lived every day.

Isabella is impressed with Finn’s determination and decides to do something about her lonely and aimless time as a ghost. She must convince her mother she is gone and not just off at a swanky boarding school after running away to her wealthy father.

Watching Finn’s friends and following the clues Isabella has remembered about her own death, they finally discover the answers they need, but only after seeing his friends in terrible danger too. Finn has to face his fears and the truth, and Isabella finally achieves the freedom she needs.

This is a story about making the most of friendships and family and not letting your fears (or anyone else’s) control your life. Finn’s paranoia is his downfall and it’s not until it’s too late that he realises these life lessons – or maybe it’s not?

This isn’t a funny story, but it’s not all tears and tissues either. Finn and his friends are fun and his time exploring his town as a ghost will make you smile. Helping Isabella is sobering but satisfying as she finally gets the help and attention she needed as a girl, but as a ghost.

Anyway, who knows – maybe Finn and Isabella will meet again…?

Author – James Patterson/Chris Grabenstein

Age – 8+

Read more reviews of James Patterson Books here

Check out the Best Nerds Forever Activity Guide here

(2021, Penguin Random House, Friendship, Nerds, Acceptance, Mystery, Ghosts, Closure, Family, Loss, Grief, Fears, Humour, Funny, Sad, Understanding, Loneliness, Twist in the tale, Bullies)