Belladonna Johnson can see ghosts. ItтАЩs a trait sheтАЩs inherited from her motherтАЩs side of the family, like blue eyes or straight hair. And itтАЩs a trait she could do without, because what twelve-year-old wants to be caught talking to someone invisible? It is convenient, though, after BelladonnaтАЩs parents are killed in a car accident. They can live with her the same as always, watching the same old TV shows in their same old house. Nothing has changed . . . until everything changes.
One night, with no warning, they vanish into thin airтАФalong with every other ghost in the world. ItтАЩs what some people think ghosts are supposed to do, but Belladonna knows itтАЩs all wrong. They may not be living, but theyтАЩre not supposed to be gone.
With the help of her classmate Steve, a master of sneaking and spying, Belladonna is left to uncover whatтАЩs become of the spirits and to navigate a whole world her parents have kept well-hidden. If she canтАЩt find her way, sheтАЩll lose them againтАФthis time for good.