When William Kennedy is six years old, he sees his Uncle Billy at a family reunion. The only problem is his uncle died 3 weeks ago at an explosion in a Petroleum plant. For William, this is only the start. Nicknamed 'Dead' Kennedy, he realises he can see dead people all around him. With time, this just becomes part of life, although it does have its practical implications - for instance he can't drive a car because he keeps swerving to avoid the ghosts. Now aged 32, Dead Kennedy is approached by a distant cousin who needs help - the ghost of a girl is living in his garage and he thinks William can persuade her to leave. But when William Kennedy arrives at his cousin's house, he discovers that the girl was raped and murdered and that the perpetrator was the very man who is now asking for his help. In a twist, William kills the man and ends up being haunted himself. Meanwhile William is trying to get the rest of his life back on track - his relationship with his 12-ear-old daughter Megan and the ex-wife he is still in love with. Ultimately, FIRECRACKER is a love story, a ghost story, and the tale of a man who has lost his way and trying to find it again.

'An unpredictable ghost story and an unexpected love story... Stewart shifts skillfully between humour and terror.' INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY

Sean Stewart is the author of two short stories and seven previous novels, including the New York Times Notable books Galveston and Resurrection Man. His novels have recieved the Aurora, Arthur Ellis, Canadian Library and World Fantasy Awards. He lives in California with his wife and two daughters.