The Nixons, Kathy 13, Maureen, 11, and Danny, 4, go to spend a holiday at the Gulf of Texas where their young fears and fancies respond to an abandoned castle on a hill and the ghost (or is it a live presence?) on the dunes known as the Sea Witch. A hurricane blows up and, in the evacuation to follow, the children are left behind. They take refuge in the castle where they discover not only many paintings, just like Kathy's, but a lonely recluse... Quivers and shivers, not too menacing, for the youngsters whose taste for terror is still at the peanut butter and jam level. Easily told, and pleasantly illustrated by Velma Ilsley, a very friendly, spooky story.