Hallie and the Broken Ghost by Nadine Holland

Book Summary

Hallie Collins is moving again, but the new house hides more than mould and maggoty this new living arrangement comes with an unexpected resident – a broken ghost, who's not your typical, spooky apparition. Instead of spine-chilling scares, this spectral presence is accompanied by nervous farts, rendering his haunting attempts hilariously unsuccessful.

Hallie is determined to help her new spooky sidekick, and so begins an extensive training programme to hopefully alleviate this unique condition. Little does she know, however, that beneath the cellar of her new home lies a buried secret waiting to be unearthed; a treasure which attracts the attention of a devious archaeologist with a penchant for arson, threatening not only Hallie but everything she holds dear.

In order to foil the machinations of this despicable foe, Hallie comes up with a dangerous plan that will rely on fixing her newfound friend. But Hallie will stop at nothing to help her unlikely new companion and uncover the truth – even if it turns her world to ashes.

I couldn't help sympathising with Hallie right from the start. She's already going through so much, having to move house yet again, losing her friends and familiar life. But then she still tries to cheer herself up to make her mum feel less guilty!

Hallie is so brave and caring, and I did find it very refreshing to have a heroine who actually realises the dangers and doesn't just assume she can do everything. Particularly as the villain of the story is so creepy and diabolical. I was quite surprised how he managed to wrangle his way in and was not impressed at all with how oblivious Hallie's mother was. What would she do without Hallie to save the day???

I really enjoyed this gripping adventure. I was on the edge of my seat hoping that Hallie would be victorious, and it had such a sweet, touching ending that I did not expect at all.

Author Bio

Nadine grew up in Devon in the era of leg warmers, cassette tapes and scary public information adverts. The world baffled her a bit and so she preferred to bury her nose in books and one day dreamt of becoming a writer herself – mostly so that she would finally know enough words to beat her Grandad at Scrabble.

However, life had other ideas, and Nadine became a secondary school art teacher instead; where she has spent well over a decade promoting exploration, creativity, and trying (and failing) not to get paint on her clothes.

After her daughter was born, Nadine was drawn to the vibrant and playful world of picture books, and although she had dabbled in poetry, blogging, and flash fiction, it was in children’s literature that she finally found a home for her unquenchable urge to write.

Nadine writes smart and funny rhyming picture books and middle grade novels that explore themes of the paranormal, mythology, and folk lore; because that’s what she was obsessed with growing up. She hopes to inspire the next generation of curious children who dream of things that exist beyond the normal.

She lives in Gloucestershire, surrounded by magical hills and ancient forests, where she lives with her husband, her daughter, two silly cats, and a dog with giant ears.

To make a Green Ghost cocktail, add the following to a shaker with ice - 40ml gin, 10ml Green Chartreuse, 10ml lime juice and a dash of sugar syrup. Shake well and strain into a cocktail glass... delicious!