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Nina Tanleven #1
The Ghost in the Third Row
In the first book of the Nina Tanleven Mysteries, Nina investigates the ghost of a haunted auditorium
Standing on the Grand Theater’s storied stage, sixth-grader Nina Tanleven is about to audition for the latest local production. But as she launches into song, she sees a mysterious woman dressed all in white appearing out of nowhere. It isn’t until later, after Nina has won a part in the play, that she learns the Fifty years ago, on the Grand’s famous stage, the beautiful actress Lily Larkin—known for her captivating white costumes—was killed by a falling chandelier. Ever since, rumors have swirled that the ghost of Lily Larkin haunts the Grand.
When eerie events start disrupting the play’s rehearsals, Nina knows that Lily is responsible. But what is Lily trying to tell her? Along with her best friend, Chris, Nina decides that the only way she can save the play is to get to the bottom of this decades-old murder mystery.
The Ghost in the Third Row is the first book of the Nina Tanleven Mysteries, which continue with The Ghost Wore Gray and The Ghost in the Big Brass Bed .
This ebook features an illustrated personal history of Bruce Coville including rare images from the author’s collection.
Standing on the Grand Theater’s storied stage, sixth-grader Nina Tanleven is about to audition for the latest local production. But as she launches into song, she sees a mysterious woman dressed all in white appearing out of nowhere. It isn’t until later, after Nina has won a part in the play, that she learns the Fifty years ago, on the Grand’s famous stage, the beautiful actress Lily Larkin—known for her captivating white costumes—was killed by a falling chandelier. Ever since, rumors have swirled that the ghost of Lily Larkin haunts the Grand.
When eerie events start disrupting the play’s rehearsals, Nina knows that Lily is responsible. But what is Lily trying to tell her? Along with her best friend, Chris, Nina decides that the only way she can save the play is to get to the bottom of this decades-old murder mystery.
The Ghost in the Third Row is the first book of the Nina Tanleven Mysteries, which continue with The Ghost Wore Gray and The Ghost in the Big Brass Bed .
This ebook features an illustrated personal history of Bruce Coville including rare images from the author’s collection.
148 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 1987
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
August 16, 2023
Jessica Lopez Illustration
It happened one sunny, carefree summer when Nina wants to try something new. She's eleven, and running and singing are two of her favourite things in the world. So she felt somewhat confident that her upcoming audition for a theater play is a good idea. But why a stage looking so small just half an hour ago seems like growing bigger and bigger? The lines of a song she's prepared should give her focus and energy to stay calm. But wait, who is that woman in the third row sitting beside Nina's Dad? It's true, she looks friendly and pretty but transparency can hardly qualify as a human trait.
3.5 stars! It was quite an enjoyable story taking place during the summer, which I was glad about, since for whatever reason I added the first in the series to my summer list :)
I liked the writing style, it made the theater feel like it's real, and only good writing can convince the mind of a reader to believe in something that is fictional but does seem like it takes place in the real world.
"I was tingling with excitement, and for a moment I had the feeling I was headed for some wonderful adventure—that maybe when I had traveled through this strange, dark passage I would come out in some totally different world."
This image seemed more like the right one for the ghost in the book just because it gave that vibe I was seeing in the story while reading, I found it on Pinterest but there wasn't any information to whom it belongs...
March 30, 2025
Sixth-grader Nina “Nine” Tanleven made the audition for The Woman in White to be held in Syracuse’s Grand Theater. (It’s not the Wilkie Collins’ novel, but a play based on a real-life tragedy in which the lead actress died at the self-same theater.) No surprise that the titular ghost Nine spots in the third row is that poor dead actress, the beautiful Lily Larkin. When one setback after another befalls the play, is the play cursed? Is the ghost seeking revenge? Or is it the fault of someone who’s all too human?
Author Bruce Coville rarely misses, and he certainly doesn’t with this novel that’s become a classic. It’s the first of a trilogy, and I, for one, can’t wait to read the next book. This is a middle-grade book that’s definitely not for kids only!
Author Bruce Coville rarely misses, and he certainly doesn’t with this novel that’s become a classic. It’s the first of a trilogy, and I, for one, can’t wait to read the next book. This is a middle-grade book that’s definitely not for kids only!
October 21, 2019
Nina wasn't likable at all and she ruined it for me. The minute she met Chris at the audition, they tore apart the other kids who were trying out. She got up there to sing the same song almost all the other girls had. "And I was good." I can't stand people who are conceited about their abilities. Then she wanted to kill the beautiful girl named Heidi because she was sitting too close to the cute manager, Edgar. She said "Yuck--what an awful name" about Alan Bland, the scriptwriter.
Melissa said Nina was singing flat because she was only 11 and Nina wanted to send her a mental blast to fry her brains out. Whoa, that's severe. Nina wanted the ceiling to fall in on Melissa.
She wanted to crawl under a rock and die. She wanted to die of embarrassment. Everything was soo dramatic and I was insulted the entire time that he thinks this is how girls think and act: dramatic, catty, and vindictive. And he has children behaving like this!
"..squashed-looking file cabinets. Not squashed as if they had been sat on by an elephant--just squashed as in being about twice as wide and half as tall as the ones I was used to. You see people shaped like that sometimes, too. It's always a real shock."
How can you say that?
During her audition, Nina had spotted a see-through woman sitting beside her dad that caused her to mess up while singing. This play is called The Woman in White based on a tragedy that occurred in the theater. Two men in a troupe had fallen in love with an actress named Lily and courted her. She had fallen in love with Edward, and Andrew couldn't accept it and decided no one could have her if he couldn't. He sent a chandelier falling onto her during a performance and she died.
The leading lady fainted in the theater after she spotted the ghost. Nina's curiosity got the better of her and she snuck up into the off-limits balcony and got a view of the lady dancing across the stage.
Nina had trouble with one note in a song and Melissa was nice enough to tell her to take a breath beforehand because that would help.
It was such an eye-roll moment when Nina told Chris she had seen the ghost, and Chris shared that she had seen her too. Neither wanted anyone to think they were crazy so they didn't mention it. Of course.
Chris spilled the beans to Nina's dad that they'd seen the ghost, and Nina thought of a way to kill Chris without getting caught. So violent.
I was beyond irritated when they went to the library to research the murder, to determine the ghost's demeanor and motive, and Nina fell head over kills for the young librarian. She called him "the Hunk," interjected that they were there to look at his eyes, and dubbed him "BBEG, (Blond, Blue-Eyed and Gorgeous)."
I refused to call her Nine, the nickname she went by because her name is Nina Tanleven, so Nine makes her sound like her full name goes Nine Ten Eleven. Not cool or good. What person wants to be called by a number?
Her dad revealed that according to legend the woman in white only reveals herself to those who truly love the theater. So Lydia, surprisingly, had seen her, and Chris and Nina, but not Melissa of course.
They had a meeting about the ghost once Lydia's dress turned up torn. Marilyn said Lydia had said the ghost didn't want them to do the play, and Melissa told the girls that Marilyn was just saying that because she'd get Lydia's role. Nina was like "Leave it to Melissa to think something like that." And she didn't like thinking of people that way. Why, because you just like killing them?? You're constantly thinking of killing others and having violent things happen to them, and you're condemning Melissa for making a valid point?
It irritated me how any time Melissa said anything, Nina would get all up in arms about it like Melissa was completely rotten and Nina was a saint who never had a bad thought about anybody. At the same meeting Gwendolyn gave a long speech about how the theater was haunted by memory and emotion and performances, and Melissa commented on what a performance it was, meaning it was fake. Nina wondered what was wrong with that. "Was it wrong for Gwendolyn to use her skills to persuade us?" She's lying to you and you ask if it's wrong? She's so stupid!
Melissa noticed they were looking at something in the theater and deduced that it was the ghost and she announced it in front of everyone. Gwendolyn was mad at them but they revealed that the ghost shows herself to young women who love the theater, and the harsh and angry Gwendolyn had seen her when she was young. Of course...
I knew as soon as or shortly after Pop came into the story that he was one of the men involved with the actress. I didn't know which one but I was strongly leaning towards the bad one because that would be why the ghost was coming back, to make her murderer pay. So it was no surprise at all that when they went in Pop's office, she saw the missing newspaper article saying that Andrew was accused in the murder. He warned them away from saying anything.
His take on ghosts wasn't realistic. Every time they saw the ghost, one of them wound spot her first, and then there would be time for them to nudge the other and get her to look. Lily would put her finger to her lips to get them to be quiet about her presence. At one point she beckoned the girls to follow her, and Nina wondered how she was moving, so she got right down on the floor in the middle of it all and tilted her head to see her feet. Indeed Lily's feet were moving as if she was really walking...I don't believe that a ghost could/would move freely like that and make gestures and move their feet and be present long enough for someone to follow them through a theater and see their feet moving. No. I just don't believe any of it.
The girls followed Lily to Pop's office where they perused the whole album which turned out to be more about the theater and not specifically Lily. It raised more questions for them but the author kept us out of the loop as he didn't share one thing they had read or their suspicions.
They heard footsteps and hid downstairs in a room that was getting smaller, the ceiling appearing to cave in. But Lily appeared riding the elevator platform and got them to get on and ride up to the stage through a trap door.
That's when Gwendolyn appeared demanding to know who was trying to sabotage the play. She had found all the play's papers burning in her trashcan in her locked office. No one came forward but she produced matches from a nearby restaurant that made Nina figure the identify of the saboteur out. Naturally, we were not in on the discovery.
Stupidly, Nina went up into the balcony with all her evidence, thereby making her easy prey for the bad guy. Surprisingly, Lydia showed up demanding to know how she'd figured it out. She had seen Lydia at that restaurant. She knew the ghost wouldn't rip a dress up, and she remembered Lydia had gone into Gwendolyn's office, so she had access to the key. But the biggest thing was that Lydia Crane was similar to Andrew Heron because crane is another name for heron...yeah, like a kid would figure that out. Get real.
Lydia tried to push her over the edge and Pop showed up. She was crazy and accused him of killing Lily and framing her dad for the murder. She fought him and lost her balance and he went to help her and they both fell over the edge. But Lydia survived and he died. Thanks for killing a good character...good move.
It was a nice moment at the end when Lily was dancing sadly on the stage to that song, but then the music became happy and a young Edward joined her and they danced together. But Nina saw it alone and Chris wasn't even there. She should have been included in that moment because she was such a big part of them getting anywhere in the mystery. Without her Nina wouldn't have done much.
I found this to be on the dark side, especially for a kid’s novel. All of the things he had Nina think and say were not okay. I didn’t like the writing style either. All of the foreshadowing was so irritating. Nina was constantly dropping bombs on how things turned out to be a fatal mistake, a bad decision, etc. The play aspect was a fail. They somehow produced a play with a couple of singing lessons and one scene acted out. By the end I couldn't even remember what her part was. We didn’t even get to experience the play because it was brushed over.
This is yet another example to me to read a book in a series first without going ahead and adding the rest before trying one out. I'm regretting that I hit to-read on the others. I don't think I will be a fan of this author based on the writing style and the choices made. Also, the whole theater ghost has been done before so it was nothing new.
Melissa said Nina was singing flat because she was only 11 and Nina wanted to send her a mental blast to fry her brains out. Whoa, that's severe. Nina wanted the ceiling to fall in on Melissa.
She wanted to crawl under a rock and die. She wanted to die of embarrassment. Everything was soo dramatic and I was insulted the entire time that he thinks this is how girls think and act: dramatic, catty, and vindictive. And he has children behaving like this!
"..squashed-looking file cabinets. Not squashed as if they had been sat on by an elephant--just squashed as in being about twice as wide and half as tall as the ones I was used to. You see people shaped like that sometimes, too. It's always a real shock."
How can you say that?
During her audition, Nina had spotted a see-through woman sitting beside her dad that caused her to mess up while singing. This play is called The Woman in White based on a tragedy that occurred in the theater. Two men in a troupe had fallen in love with an actress named Lily and courted her. She had fallen in love with Edward, and Andrew couldn't accept it and decided no one could have her if he couldn't. He sent a chandelier falling onto her during a performance and she died.
The leading lady fainted in the theater after she spotted the ghost. Nina's curiosity got the better of her and she snuck up into the off-limits balcony and got a view of the lady dancing across the stage.
Nina had trouble with one note in a song and Melissa was nice enough to tell her to take a breath beforehand because that would help.
It was such an eye-roll moment when Nina told Chris she had seen the ghost, and Chris shared that she had seen her too. Neither wanted anyone to think they were crazy so they didn't mention it. Of course.
Chris spilled the beans to Nina's dad that they'd seen the ghost, and Nina thought of a way to kill Chris without getting caught. So violent.
I was beyond irritated when they went to the library to research the murder, to determine the ghost's demeanor and motive, and Nina fell head over kills for the young librarian. She called him "the Hunk," interjected that they were there to look at his eyes, and dubbed him "BBEG, (Blond, Blue-Eyed and Gorgeous)."
I refused to call her Nine, the nickname she went by because her name is Nina Tanleven, so Nine makes her sound like her full name goes Nine Ten Eleven. Not cool or good. What person wants to be called by a number?
Her dad revealed that according to legend the woman in white only reveals herself to those who truly love the theater. So Lydia, surprisingly, had seen her, and Chris and Nina, but not Melissa of course.
They had a meeting about the ghost once Lydia's dress turned up torn. Marilyn said Lydia had said the ghost didn't want them to do the play, and Melissa told the girls that Marilyn was just saying that because she'd get Lydia's role. Nina was like "Leave it to Melissa to think something like that." And she didn't like thinking of people that way. Why, because you just like killing them?? You're constantly thinking of killing others and having violent things happen to them, and you're condemning Melissa for making a valid point?
It irritated me how any time Melissa said anything, Nina would get all up in arms about it like Melissa was completely rotten and Nina was a saint who never had a bad thought about anybody. At the same meeting Gwendolyn gave a long speech about how the theater was haunted by memory and emotion and performances, and Melissa commented on what a performance it was, meaning it was fake. Nina wondered what was wrong with that. "Was it wrong for Gwendolyn to use her skills to persuade us?" She's lying to you and you ask if it's wrong? She's so stupid!
Melissa noticed they were looking at something in the theater and deduced that it was the ghost and she announced it in front of everyone. Gwendolyn was mad at them but they revealed that the ghost shows herself to young women who love the theater, and the harsh and angry Gwendolyn had seen her when she was young. Of course...
I knew as soon as or shortly after Pop came into the story that he was one of the men involved with the actress. I didn't know which one but I was strongly leaning towards the bad one because that would be why the ghost was coming back, to make her murderer pay. So it was no surprise at all that when they went in Pop's office, she saw the missing newspaper article saying that Andrew was accused in the murder. He warned them away from saying anything.
His take on ghosts wasn't realistic. Every time they saw the ghost, one of them wound spot her first, and then there would be time for them to nudge the other and get her to look. Lily would put her finger to her lips to get them to be quiet about her presence. At one point she beckoned the girls to follow her, and Nina wondered how she was moving, so she got right down on the floor in the middle of it all and tilted her head to see her feet. Indeed Lily's feet were moving as if she was really walking...I don't believe that a ghost could/would move freely like that and make gestures and move their feet and be present long enough for someone to follow them through a theater and see their feet moving. No. I just don't believe any of it.
The girls followed Lily to Pop's office where they perused the whole album which turned out to be more about the theater and not specifically Lily. It raised more questions for them but the author kept us out of the loop as he didn't share one thing they had read or their suspicions.
They heard footsteps and hid downstairs in a room that was getting smaller, the ceiling appearing to cave in. But Lily appeared riding the elevator platform and got them to get on and ride up to the stage through a trap door.
That's when Gwendolyn appeared demanding to know who was trying to sabotage the play. She had found all the play's papers burning in her trashcan in her locked office. No one came forward but she produced matches from a nearby restaurant that made Nina figure the identify of the saboteur out. Naturally, we were not in on the discovery.
Stupidly, Nina went up into the balcony with all her evidence, thereby making her easy prey for the bad guy. Surprisingly, Lydia showed up demanding to know how she'd figured it out. She had seen Lydia at that restaurant. She knew the ghost wouldn't rip a dress up, and she remembered Lydia had gone into Gwendolyn's office, so she had access to the key. But the biggest thing was that Lydia Crane was similar to Andrew Heron because crane is another name for heron...yeah, like a kid would figure that out. Get real.
Lydia tried to push her over the edge and Pop showed up. She was crazy and accused him of killing Lily and framing her dad for the murder. She fought him and lost her balance and he went to help her and they both fell over the edge. But Lydia survived and he died. Thanks for killing a good character...good move.
It was a nice moment at the end when Lily was dancing sadly on the stage to that song, but then the music became happy and a young Edward joined her and they danced together. But Nina saw it alone and Chris wasn't even there. She should have been included in that moment because she was such a big part of them getting anywhere in the mystery. Without her Nina wouldn't have done much.
I found this to be on the dark side, especially for a kid’s novel. All of the things he had Nina think and say were not okay. I didn’t like the writing style either. All of the foreshadowing was so irritating. Nina was constantly dropping bombs on how things turned out to be a fatal mistake, a bad decision, etc. The play aspect was a fail. They somehow produced a play with a couple of singing lessons and one scene acted out. By the end I couldn't even remember what her part was. We didn’t even get to experience the play because it was brushed over.
This is yet another example to me to read a book in a series first without going ahead and adding the rest before trying one out. I'm regretting that I hit to-read on the others. I don't think I will be a fan of this author based on the writing style and the choices made. Also, the whole theater ghost has been done before so it was nothing new.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2013
Childhood favorite via 1988. I'm glad I saved my copy because it isn't even available anymore. My boys have really started liking mystery ghost stories. This is a nice one that is not too scary but keeps them guessing. My youngest was very happy with the ending because "Even though it was sad, it was happy."
March 10, 2015
I remember seeing this book and this series in the bookstore when I was reading all of Bruce Coville's other books as a kid. I never picked them up for some reason. Maybe because they were about ghosts instead of aliens or magic. I think my young self would have liked them. My adult self sure enjoyed the quick read, and I'm looking forward to the other two books in the series.
June 6, 2020
This was the book that started my love of reading in second grade. I loved the main character, Nina Tanleven, a curious girl with a great voice. It had everything, mystery, suspense, friendship, hated rivals, and a beautiful backstory involving the old theater where they were performing.
Thank you, Bruce Coville, for writing this remarkable story and opening my love of reading.
Thank you, Bruce Coville, for writing this remarkable story and opening my love of reading.
November 1, 2022
A fun ghost story
This does read like a mid eighties story (because it is), but it was fun. I liked Nine and Chris and the story of the ghost. The mystery was fun, too.
This does read like a mid eighties story (because it is), but it was fun. I liked Nine and Chris and the story of the ghost. The mystery was fun, too.
Read
September 7, 2021What a fantastic book!
It's rare I love mystery novels because I usually guess the ending within the first few chapters and all the rest is boring. This one I still guessed (mostly) but still really enjoyed the book overall.
This follows our main protagonist Nina (Nine) Tanleven, who is trying out for a play that is taking place at an old and mysterious theatre where a young actress was murdered 50 years ago. And as rehearsals continue, and the show's opening looms, the past and the actress' ghost is haunting the theatre and Nine and her friend Chris have to figure out what's happening and why.
I didn't pay too much attention to the writing in this one, but I was pulled in from the second I started reading and didn't want to put it down and the pacing was very well done too.
The setting of this book primarily takes place in the theatre, but there were side trips to places like the library and Nine and Chris's houses that were fun to explore. I loved the setting of the theatre and the mystery surrounding it. It set the scene really well.
The plot was also fun. The murder from 50 years ago was described in an almost Phantom of the Opera-esque way, which I loved, and I loved seeing what Nine got up to and seeing her delve into the past and get up to all kinds of crazy shenanigans was great.
Finally, the characters. I loved Nine a lot, and I loved Chris a lot. Their dynamic was really fun to watch unfold. Melissa was frustrating, but a great addition to the book for so many reasons. I just loved seeing all of the characters interact.
All in all, a fantastic read and I look forward to picking up more of Coville's works in the future.
TW/CW: death, murder, grief, mental illness mention
It's rare I love mystery novels because I usually guess the ending within the first few chapters and all the rest is boring. This one I still guessed (mostly) but still really enjoyed the book overall.
This follows our main protagonist Nina (Nine) Tanleven, who is trying out for a play that is taking place at an old and mysterious theatre where a young actress was murdered 50 years ago. And as rehearsals continue, and the show's opening looms, the past and the actress' ghost is haunting the theatre and Nine and her friend Chris have to figure out what's happening and why.
I didn't pay too much attention to the writing in this one, but I was pulled in from the second I started reading and didn't want to put it down and the pacing was very well done too.
The setting of this book primarily takes place in the theatre, but there were side trips to places like the library and Nine and Chris's houses that were fun to explore. I loved the setting of the theatre and the mystery surrounding it. It set the scene really well.
The plot was also fun. The murder from 50 years ago was described in an almost Phantom of the Opera-esque way, which I loved, and I loved seeing what Nine got up to and seeing her delve into the past and get up to all kinds of crazy shenanigans was great.
Finally, the characters. I loved Nine a lot, and I loved Chris a lot. Their dynamic was really fun to watch unfold. Melissa was frustrating, but a great addition to the book for so many reasons. I just loved seeing all of the characters interact.
All in all, a fantastic read and I look forward to picking up more of Coville's works in the future.
TW/CW: death, murder, grief, mental illness mention
October 11, 2022
3.5
I'm kind of surprised I'm putting this at less than 4 stars because it's an old childhood favorite. I loooved this book and read it many times as a kid. And don't get me wrong! I still think this is a great middle grade read, would recommend this series. It just didn't quite get up there for me as an adult. Needed a bit more oomph to the plot and the tone. Still has a special place in my heart, though.
I'm kind of surprised I'm putting this at less than 4 stars because it's an old childhood favorite. I loooved this book and read it many times as a kid. And don't get me wrong! I still think this is a great middle grade read, would recommend this series. It just didn't quite get up there for me as an adult. Needed a bit more oomph to the plot and the tone. Still has a special place in my heart, though.
July 2, 2018
This was super fun! I'd never read it as a kid but it felt surprisingly fresh even now. I think it would still have appeal for middle-grade mystery readers (once they get past the microfilm).
http://www.frowl.org/worstbestsellers...
http://www.frowl.org/worstbestsellers...
July 7, 2017
Didn't really enjoy this book. I guess it's about okay.
March 13, 2021
This was a nice little read. Thought the mystery was good and the characters were likeable. Ending was kind of abrupt but overall not enough to detract from the story for me.
June 11, 2016
this is a brill book you read it a and find out
December 17, 2017
So I admit it. I'm reading a bunch of children's books to make up the last few books of my reading challenge this year. (I actually do want to read them, but maybe I wouldn't read them all at once. However, my comparison of several translations of The Analects took much longer than intended.)
Anyway, the book at hand. I actually read The Ghost in the Third Row many years ago. I have no idea when, but it was sometime in the 90s. Maybe this is where my fascination with ghosts and mysteries began. (But actually, I think that may have been innate...) I did not remember the story very well, but it has stuck in my mind for all these many years, and also was the first Bruce Coville book I ever read. The story itself is a pretty decent kid-solving ghost mystery, but also rather predictable. But then again, I'm years passed the target audience now. It's also possible that I remembered it more than I thought I did, which is what made it so predictable. Also, I liked some of the characters a lot. I thought the cool single dad was especially likable. Anyway, four stars seem fair, three for the book, one for the nostalgia.
Anyway, the book at hand. I actually read The Ghost in the Third Row many years ago. I have no idea when, but it was sometime in the 90s. Maybe this is where my fascination with ghosts and mysteries began. (But actually, I think that may have been innate...) I did not remember the story very well, but it has stuck in my mind for all these many years, and also was the first Bruce Coville book I ever read. The story itself is a pretty decent kid-solving ghost mystery, but also rather predictable. But then again, I'm years passed the target audience now. It's also possible that I remembered it more than I thought I did, which is what made it so predictable. Also, I liked some of the characters a lot. I thought the cool single dad was especially likable. Anyway, four stars seem fair, three for the book, one for the nostalgia.
January 17, 2022
17 Jan 2022
1. Girl in theater production keeps seeing a ghost in said theater. Ghostly shenanigans happen. Investigations are made with help of newly made trusted friend.
2. The Nine-Ten-Eleven joke is such a bad joke. Such a dad joke. I groaned when I saw it and I still don't think it's funny at all. But it also made me immediately see the whole book in a more positive light so I guess Bruce Coville wins this round.
3. I think this was better written than My Teacher Is an Alien. It's the same author, and a lot of things about the prose is very similar. However, this book manages to flesh out the characters much better. I mean, Nine and the people who surround her are not exactly complicated characters, but they are solid and they are funny. I am already fond of the relationship between Nine and her dad, and the tyrannical show producer is a delight. I love her.
4. The show also managed to pointedly drag in themes of mental health and not discriminating against people who have had a hard time of things, and I really did appreciate that. Kudos to the author for immediately and decisively dealing with potential "oh a crazy person" reactions. I also liked how Coville dealt with it- offscreen lectures are tricky territory, but combining it with the kids' reactions afterwards really made it effective.
4. If I have a gripe about this book, it's that the mystery was solved waaay to quickly. That said, if I had to pick between character interactions and more mystery exposition, I'd definitely have picked the character interactions so I don't really have room to complain.
1. Girl in theater production keeps seeing a ghost in said theater. Ghostly shenanigans happen. Investigations are made with help of newly made trusted friend.
2. The Nine-Ten-Eleven joke is such a bad joke. Such a dad joke. I groaned when I saw it and I still don't think it's funny at all. But it also made me immediately see the whole book in a more positive light so I guess Bruce Coville wins this round.
3. I think this was better written than My Teacher Is an Alien. It's the same author, and a lot of things about the prose is very similar. However, this book manages to flesh out the characters much better. I mean, Nine and the people who surround her are not exactly complicated characters, but they are solid and they are funny. I am already fond of the relationship between Nine and her dad, and the tyrannical show producer is a delight. I love her.
4. The show also managed to pointedly drag in themes of mental health and not discriminating against people who have had a hard time of things, and I really did appreciate that. Kudos to the author for immediately and decisively dealing with potential "oh a crazy person" reactions. I also liked how Coville dealt with it- offscreen lectures are tricky territory, but combining it with the kids' reactions afterwards really made it effective.
4. If I have a gripe about this book, it's that the mystery was solved waaay to quickly. That said, if I had to pick between character interactions and more mystery exposition, I'd definitely have picked the character interactions so I don't really have room to complain.
January 2, 2023
This is a young adult mystery. When I'm looking for an audio book, if I indicate "any audience", the Libby site seems to feature books in the young adult genre. I'm ok with that. I enjoyed this one and was surprised by the ending. There are a lot of characters and, of course, a ghost. The author did a pretty good job of steering the reader to come to the wrong conclusion about who was causing the disruptions at the performing arts theater.
November 25, 2024
I wish I’d know about this book when I was a teen, living in Syracuse, NY. My best friend and I spent many hours at “the Grand”, or The Landmark Theatre, as it’s truly known. We were always hoping to catch sight of the lady in white, but were never lucky enough. As someone who grew up riding the bus downtown and exploring behind the scenes at the theatre, this book really spoke to me. I can’t wait to read more in the series.
July 30, 2018
I did not think I was going to like this book alot. I picked it up for 25 cents at a thrift store. I couldn't put it down! Amazing story and plot adorable characters and had an amazing ending I cannot wait to finish the other two in the series!
January 27, 2022
I read this book because a friend was telling me about a line she remembered from the second book. Me being me, I had to read this one first.
Im sure I read this when I was younger, but totally loved it as an adult. I can’t wait for my niece to be old enough to read it.
Im sure I read this when I was younger, but totally loved it as an adult. I can’t wait for my niece to be old enough to read it.
July 29, 2022
I really like this book. My favorite part is the mystery around the ghost. Only people who really loved the theater could see the ghost. It was perfect for me because it wasn't too scary or too boring.
May 25, 2017
How exciting to read a book that takes place in Syracuse, though!
September 8, 2019
cute...
April 14, 2020
My daughter loves these books! Too bad there are only three of them.
We're having a great time reading them together.
We're having a great time reading them together.
October 1, 2020
Read aloud to Jo, which was fun.
May 28, 2022
This ghost mystery novel is set in Syracuse and the Landmark Theater. Super cute kids book.
June 2, 2022
I’ve known about this book for years, glad to have read it. Great kids book!
October 7, 2022
Underwhelming
October 15, 2023
Wish Bruce Coville wrote more ghost stories with Nine and Chris because they are satisfyingly good.
July 3, 2024
An okay little story, but not as good as what I'm used to from Mr. Coville.
November 26, 2024
Cute, corny, very 80s
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews