When Vivian Howe author of 13 novels and mother of three grown-up children is killed in a hit-and-run incident while jogging near her home she ascends to the Beyond. Because her death was unfair she is allowed to watch what happens below with her children her best friend her ex-husband and a rival novelist whose book is coming out the same day as Vivi's. Vivi is also given the use of three 'nudges' so that she can influence the outcome of events in the world of the living. As Vivi discovers her children's secrets watches the investigation into her own death and worries about a secret from her youth coming to light she must decide what she wants to manipulate.