Whitman Authorized Editions
Summaries

Strange, frightening sounds screech from the nearby ravine.  The mysterious horror has the Kelseys and their farm hand terror-stricken.  When Deanna learns that the Kelseys are considering selling their farm, she vows to discover the source of the sounds.  Mrs. Kelsey agrees to wait one week until making a decision about selling the property.

The group's members have never met each other, so Deanna's presence is not questioned until another young woman arrives for the same duty.  The two young women are asked to await further orders, and during their wait, Deanna meets an unexpected ally.  Ted Allen hopes to thwart the group's plans and shows Deanna a way to get help.

Bonita Granville's inner voice has warned her of danger ever since she agreed to take her friend Juanita's place on Star Island.  Bonita has assumed Juanita's identity and must watch over a girl named Betts until her father returns.  Bonita has to contend with Thelma, the highly superstitious cook, and with the unfriendly new housekeeper, Rena Frey.

Ann and Bop try to tell Mr. Emans that they do not belong, but he refuses to listen.  Ann and Bop search for the key in hope of ending their enforced stay at Nath-Mar Hall.

Jane and Ellin's attention is temporarily distracted by their crushes on the handsome new professor, Mr. Berthon.  Jane and Ellin consider themselves lucky indeed when Ellin's parents invite Jane, Ellin, Mr. Berthon, and his sister, Lucienne, to spend the weekend at their home.

The date ends in tragedy after Miles is brutally attacked and left for dead.  Ginger soon realizes that the scarlet cloak was a signal used by a subversive group and that Miles was somehow caught in the middle.

John realizes that something is wrong.  Strange suspicions cause John to be held captive, not allowed to leave.  At Hawk's Nest, strangers are not welcome!

And yet, how could she know, or even guess, that Gert Engell would bring them to a mansion that was more like a mausoleum?  And then leave them to their fate?  How could she know that the "treasures" here were disappearing mysteriously, that, while they were in the house, the most priceless gem of all, the Amelung bowl, would vanish into thin air?

Greta hears beautiful but eerie violin music that floats softly down from the top of a nearby ridge.  At first Greta thinks that she has the ability to receive radio signals in her mind, but later decides that the violin is played by a phantom or possibly a real person.

Mysterious invitations branded by the Sign of the Sphinx and a friend's acquaintance who has disappeared without a trace are the circumstances that pull Ann Sheridan into a strange mystery. Tess Whitehouse and Gail De Lane are concerned about Gail's sister, Lacey.  Lacey has been distant and withdrawn for several weeks and frequently disappears for hours at a time with no explanation for her actions.  The only clue is the stack of strange invitations, beckoning Lacey to a secret location. 

Jane Withers and her friend, Cokey, find themselves stranded at an unfriendly woman's house after a sudden flood cuts off their only means of escape.  The woman and her family are victims of their superstitious fear of the Swamp Wizard, who lives in a nearby swamp, and according to legend, the Swamp Wizard takes somebody whenever strangers are near.

Judy travels to the home of Myrta Mattis where she discovers that Frederica is held a prisoner by Myrta's relatives, who appear to be attempting to poison Myrta.  Frederica insists that Judy will be held a prisoner as well if her presence becomes known.  Judy devises a plan of escape for herself through the basement and plans to go for help.

Betha's worst nightmare has come true, and she has nobody to lean on except Shirley.  Betha's aunt, uncle, and cousin all hate Betha and appear to have some type of scheme in mind.  Hannah, one of the elderly servants, hears strange noises and insists that the Spirit of Dragonwood is responsible for her employer's disappearance.

Such is the story told to Shirley by Deke Curtis.  Shirley refuses to believe the story, and yet—what of the screaming specter that even she has heard?

Gene believes none of the superstitious nonsense and yet—something has frightened Barbara and Mrs. Van Allen.  Gene feels decidedly out of place during the family crisis and is tempted to leave.  Gene's plans change abruptly when Mrs. Van Allen's housekeeper, Emma, calls, urging Gene to come to Mrs. Van Allen's home.

Can Gregory discover what is really going on?

Betty is further astounded when she is told that before she can claim her inheritance she must stay in Old Luke's house for one week and then must ask his dog a question.  Reluctantly, Betty and her friend, Nesta, begin their one week stay at Old Luke's home.  The girls feel afraid but cannot pinpoint the cause of their alarm.

Dorothy's fears are partially put to rest after she meets Larry and his wife, Eleanor.  The Edmunds are young and friendly, making Dorothy feel welcome.  However, during Dorothy's first night at the lighthouse, she hears strange sounds from within the wall.

This book tells the story of Van's rise to fame.