The Beautiful Dead

Something strange is happening at Ellerton High. Phoenix is the fourth teenager to die within a year. His street-fight stabbing follows the deaths of Jonas, Summer, and Arizona in equally strange and sudden circumstances. Rumors of ghosts and strange happenings rip through the small community as it comes to terms with shock and loss.

Darina, Phoenix's grief-stricken girlfriend, is on the verge. She can't escape her intense heartache or the impossible apparitions of those that are meant to be dead. And all the while the sound of beating wings echos inside her head...

And then one day Phoenix appears to Darina. He tells her that she must help Jonas—the first of the four to die—right the wrong linked to his death. Only with her help can Jonas finally rest in peace. Will love conquer death? And if it does, can Darina set it free?

—The Bookbag.

Not alive. Not dead. Somewhere in between lie the Beautiful Dead.

There's been no sign of the Beautiful Dead for weeks. Darina achingly misses Phoenix all over again. Surely he will return to help solve the remaining mysteries. It's been almost a year since Arizona drowned in Hartman Lake.

Suicide, it would seem. But something doesn't add up...Drowning herself in the lake does not sound like strong, confident, Arizona: Ellerton high school's high-maintenance drama queen.

Darina must help Arizona the way she helped Jonas. But invisible wings are beating, the Beautiful Dead are in danger, and time is running out...

"Compelling characters coupled with a powerful mystery. A real page turner."

—Julia Eccleshare, Lovereading4kids

—The Bookbag

Not alive. Not dead. Somewhere in between lie the Beautiful Dead.

It's all been building to this moment...

After everything Darina has been through, she knows it's time. She must expose the secrets behind Phoenix's death and set him free for eternity, even though it means this will be their last good-bye.

With her heart breaking more and more each day, Darina begins to unravel the mystery behind Phoenix's murder and bring him peace. But is she strong enough to defeat death...and live with a broken heart forever?

"Compelling characters coupled with a powerful mystery. A real page turner."

—Julia Eccleshare, Lovereading4kids