The Ghost in the Third Row

Nina Tanleven joins the cast of a local theater production at the Grand Theater, where strange events begin occurring during rehearsals. As the new actress settles into her role, she encounters what appears to be the ghost of a young woman who died at the theater decades ago. Together with her friend Chris, Nina works to uncover the truth behind the haunting while juggling her responsibilities in the play. The investigation leads them through the theater's history and connects them with people who might hold keys to understanding the supernatural presence. The story blends elements of theater life, friendship, and mystery as Nina and Chris pursue answers about the ghost's identity and unfinished business. Their detective work must be balanced against the pressure of preparing for opening night, with the ghostly encounters intensifying as the performance date approaches. At its core, the book explores themes of justice, the power of truth, and how the past can continue to influence the present until resolution is found.

Readers describe this as a light mystery that maintains interest without being too scary for young readers. Many reviews note it works well as an introduction to ghost stories for ages 8-12. Readers liked: - Theater setting feels authentic - Mix of humor with mild spooky elements - Strong female protagonist Nina - Short length makes it accessible for reluctant readers Readers disliked: - Plot resolution feels rushed - Some side characters lack development - Mystery elements are predictable for older readers Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (1,247 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (31 ratings) "Perfect balance of spooky and fun without giving my 9-year-old nightmares," noted one parent reviewer. Another reader commented, "The theater rehearsal scenes captured what it's really like to put on a school play." Several reviewers mentioned rereading it as adults and finding it holds up, though the mystery feels simpler than they remembered.

The Dollhouse Murders by Betty Ren Wright A twelve-year-old discovers her aunt's dollhouse recreates scenes from an unsolved family murder.

Behind the Attic Wall by Sylvia Cassedy A lonely girl in a boarding school forms a connection with mysterious talking dolls who live behind the walls of her attic room.

The Watcher in the Shadows by Chris Moriarty A girl moves into an old mansion where mechanical toys come to life and reveal dark secrets about the house's past.

The Secret of the Ruby Ring by Sarah Harrison A girl finds an enchanted ring that transports her back in time to solve the mystery of a theater's ghost.

Christina's Ghost by Betty Ren Wright A girl spending time in her uncle's old mansion encounters the spirit of a young woman who died under mysterious circumstances.

📚 Bruce Coville wrote this book as part of his "Nina Tanleven" series, where each story features young Nina investigating different theatrical hauntings. 🎭 The ghost in the story is based on a real theatrical superstition about an actress who died during a performance and whose spirit continues to appear on stage. 👻 The book combines two popular middle-grade genres - theater stories and ghost stories - which was relatively uncommon when it was published in 1987. 🎬 Bruce Coville has had several of his books optioned for films and TV shows, though The Ghost in the Third Row hasn't yet been adapted for screen. 🖋️ Before becoming a full-time writer, Coville worked as a teacher, toymaker, magazine salesman, and gravedigger - experiences that influenced his storytelling style.