Cover of “Deadly Prospect” by Fleur Beale, showing a motocross rider mid-jump on a bright blue background. A high-action New Zealand teen novel about dirt biking, danger, and decision-making, published by Scholastic. [ Secondhand copy available at TheGravy.nz]

Deadly Prospect – Fleur Beale

$9.00

In Deadly Prospect, Fleur Beale takes us deep into the world of motocross, adolescent angst, and toxic manipulation — a potent combo that still hits hard more than two decades on. This is one of Beale’s tighter, grittier novels, aimed squarely at reluctant teen readers, particularly boys — and it doesn’t sugarcoat. It touches on manipulation, emotional control, and the power dynamics that arise in teenage relationships, making it a standout in the NZ YA canon of the early 2000s.

Condition & Edition for Sale

Edition: Scholastic New Zealand, 2002
Condition: Good vintage reading copy. Light wear to cover edges, a crease on the front and back covers, and general shelf wear — but no loose pages or marks inside. A solid, clean copy.
Notes: Ideal for fans of vintage YA or collectors of NZ children’s fiction.

💸 Buy this copy: $9 NZD — available now from The Gravy Bookshop.

Categories: Fiction, Whanau Tags: 2000s, Fleur Beale, Scholastic

Description
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Description

Author: Fleur Beale
Publisher: Scholastic New Zealand
First Published: 2002
ISBN: 9781869434768
Format: Paperback
Pages: Approx. 160
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Adventure

Summary

In Deadly Prospect, Fleur Beale takes us deep into the world of motocross, adolescent angst, and toxic manipulation — a potent combo that still hits hard more than two decades on.

The story follows a teenage boy, Taine, who’s caught between the thrill of riding his bike and the quiet dread of his real life falling apart. When he meets Keri, a charismatic older girl with a hidden agenda, Taine’s loyalty and judgment are tested to the limit. As the emotional stakes rise, the plot barrels toward a dark corner — with danger not just on the track, but in the blurred lines between friendship and coercion.

This is one of Beale’s tighter, grittier novels, aimed squarely at reluctant teen readers, particularly boys — and it doesn’t sugarcoat. It touches on manipulation, emotional control, and the power dynamics that arise in teenage relationships, making it a standout in the NZ YA canon of the early 2000s.

About the Author

Fleur Beale is one of Aotearoa’s most prolific YA writers, with a knack for spinning sharp psychological insight into unflinching stories that resonate with teens. She’s a former teacher, and it shows — her stories are grounded, direct, and utterly readable.