Middle Grade Ghost Story

Frannie James and twin brother Jeff have been uprooted from their Iowa home to a farmhouse in rural Oregon. Their father, a bank executive has been transferred to a more lucrative job, and their mother ran away when the twins were very young.

One night, a gray veiled ghost appears to Frannie in her bedroom. The apparition, Thelma Hill, tells Frannie about her murder forty years hence by her deranged husband. All she wants is the man brought to justice and her bones, buried in the farmhouse basement, be buried in a cemetery.

To satisfy Thelma’s request, Frannie needs help. Since she is new to the community, she doesn’t have any friends. She and Jeff are always arguing, and besides, he doesn’t believe in ghosts and will probably call her a ‘whacko’. And forget about help from Dad. He is always too busy and he doesn’t believe in ghosts.

Author Margot Finke presents a very enjoyable read in her middle grade novel, The Revenge of Thelma Hill. In an amusing way, she shows how siblings can get along to accomplish amazing tasks. Along the way, she deals with issues like abandonment, the loss of a parent, moving away from home, sibling rivalry, and of course, murder.

The Revenge of Thelma Hill is a fun read no matter if you’re twelve years old or seventy-two. Margot Finke does an excellent job of character development, setting descriptions, and presents a plot that will keep readers turning pages until the satisfying climax.

About the Author

Margot Finke is an Australian immigrant who has written sixteen middle grade adventure books and rhyming picture books. Currently living in Oregon with her husband, Finke loves to garden, travel, and read. She began her writing career after her youngest left for college. This late start drives her writing, and pushes her to work at it every day. Margot said, “I really envy those who began young, and managed to slip into writing mode between kid fights, diaper changes, household disasters, and outside jobs. You are my heroes!” 

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