The tiny, backwoods, town of Hickory Hollow is haunted. It has been since before the Civil War. That is just the way its residents want it. They have configured a mini-theme park around the ghostly goings on and seem to have established an amicable relationship with them. Marc Miller is brought into town when mysterious accidents - some resulting in the death of local residents - begin taking place. Is it the ghostly revenge predicted by the lore? Is it a more worldly activity related to a business takeover? There are teenage ghosts swinging from ropes, bands of galloping ghostly desperados, and suspicious strangers. And then there is the Secret Covenant sworn to by every local resident. Hmm! The story presents a mixture of wonderful characters and, predictably, a variety of twists and turns.