Amanda is excited about spending the summer with her cousin Elinore s family， who live in a remote clearing in rural Pennsylvania. There Amanda learns that a mysterious man called Spook Wade lives nearby. Everyone believes that Spook killed little Bucky Mead 10 years ago. Amanda wants to find out the truth about Spook. When Elinore becomes too bossy， Amanda turns to her cousin Nelson and a new friend， Cynthia. Together， the trio sets out to discover the long-hidden secrets in the clearing.