ElsBeth and the Call of the Castle Ghosties, Book III in the Cape Cod Witch Series

By J Bean Palmer, Chris Palmer and Melanie Therrien

Recipient of the prestigious Mom's Choice Award honoring excellence, a Moonbeam Children's Book Award medal winner and a 2015-2016 New Book Award winner, and described by Midwest Book Review as "about as fine a middle school fantasy as you could get: vivid, packed with ghosts and mystery, and yet tempered with an attention to interpersonal depth that is rare and inviting."

ElsBeth and the Call of the Castle Ghosties is set in the present on Cape Cod and the Scottish Highlands and is the coming-of-age tale of a young witch with a family legacy to protect the natural world.

When their ancestral lands in the Highlands are threatened, three ancient ghosts of the castle need one of their clan from the living world. They call the young Cape witch across the sea.

ElsBeth has a personal calling to protect the natural world, and her own need to know more about the family line. Drawn deep into the present danger, and into the mysteries of the old country and of her family heritage, she is in well above her magic level. Includes seventeen original color illustrations.

Storyteller Ink: "I want to very highly recommend ElsBeth and the Call of the Castle Ghosties. I found it humorous and entertaining. The story caught my interest quickly due to the character development. There is a sense of adventure, responsibility and fun in this book.

One of my favorite things was the way the kids in the story worked together to understand and solve a problem, which helped others. I love stories that have a positive outcome due to the inventiveness and courage of kids! And this book is rich in this quality. Read it and spread the word. This one is really enjoyable!!!"

• Language: English
• Publisher: eBookIt.com
• Release date: Apr 26, 2016
• ISBN: 9781456620806

Book preview

THE CALL

Present Time, Scottish Highlands, the Castle

Durst was not upset about being dead.

But he was upset, mightily so.

His homeland was threatened.

Not for the first time over the ages. But while past threats had come from fierce soldiers he had fought with fiery passion and honor, this danger came in the smooth words and slippery smile from the one known as Gorgeous. And though Durst was now a cold ghost, it chilled him.

From a rough-hewn cavern beneath the dungeon, Durst’s vaporous form rose up and up, until he was high above the tower walls. Below him the castle’s grey stones gleamed softly in the weak moonlight.

A fog lifted slowly from the rocky cliff that bordered his land and overlooked a restless inland sea.

An owl swooped past in search of prey. A lone wolf howled. Other creatures of the night went about their quiet business.

This land must not be destroyed!

***

Durst returned to his solitary chamber deep underground.

He rubbed the flat edge of his stone knife back and forth, back and forth, against his pale blue cheek.

Done then with thinking, he stabbed the blade overhead, and a single crash of thunder quaked the Highland dark, summoning two other unearthly guardians of the castle.

In their own times and in their own ways each of them had devoted their living days to these lands — the proud mountains and their valleys of sweet heather, on which even a god could lie and rest his head and drink from bottomless, clear lakes.

The ghosts shifted in the small space, uncomfortable together. They were not friends. But they were bound by a love of their homeland that could not be bounded by a short earthly life.

Now they needed one from the living world. One with the purpose ... and the magic ... to protect this sacred place.

Durst took up the length of sapwood from the sacred alder tree on which he had carved the old symbols, and with the stone knife cut the final notch of a simple flute.

The three touched, a spark flew, and it grew until their shimmering forms blazed in a cold, white-gold fire.

Durst’s ancient ghostly lips met the living wood.

He breathed in all their hopes and fears, and sent forth to the Four Winds a sweet, sharp song. His command was clear: Carry here the youngest of the clan, the youngest Thistle.

A future was cast.

Chapter 1

Boys Versus Girls

Present Time, Cape Cod

ElsBeth Amelia Thistle caught two-year-old Winston as he ran past and lifted him high in the air. He laughed and reached over into her thick, dark-blonde hair. His fingers stuck, and she didn’t think the stickiness was from something in her hair. But she laughed, too, taking in his sweat-and-sweet-strawberry, little boy scent, before she set him down and left to join her friends.

Having survived their weekly morning at Library Story Hour, the four exhausted volunteers waved to Mrs. Wattle, the librarian, who kept a gentle but firm hand on the wickedly grinning, two-foot-tall Mr. Winston Nickerson, everyone’s favorite toddler terror.

ElsBeth blew him a kiss good-bye.

She and her friends stepped down the cobblestone walk in a bubble of chatter, when a cold breeze suddenly chilled her, and ElsBeth felt a shift in the space she thought of as her world.

She glanced back at the library. Instead of the cheery, salmon-pink, converted sea captain’s mansion, she saw a bleak castle, veiled in mist, backed by a darkening sky. She had the idea someone was there ... someone evil, and at the same time ... gorgeous.

She felt nervous. Like some danger had just sailed up and dropped anchor in her future.

Hardly anyone knew she was a witch — this was just something that wasn’t discussed. A good, almost eleven-year-old witch, granted, but a witch nonetheless. She knew her perceptions of the world were sometimes a little different, and they didn’t exactly ask her permission to come in on her. And she definitely didn’t always understand them.

But this wasn’t just different or strange. Something in her world was wrong, and it didn’t feel like it was going to get back to right anytime soon.

She blinked twice, and when she looked back this time there was only the weathered-shingle library, cozy and familiar, precisely where it was supposed to be. 

She felt the solid ground below her feet. She sighed, and lifted her face to another glorious end-of-summer day on the Cape — pale blue skies and puffy white clouds above the distant sparkling blue-green waters, the air salty-fresh.

ElsBeth shook the remnants of the meddlesome castle image from her head and caught up with her friends, who had stopped to wait for her under the gold-lettered street signs at the corner of Main and Sea.

I’m going to the beach, Amy said. I need to lie in the sun for a while. Then I want to get some more shells and sea glass for bracelets. Want to come?

Amy looked like a golden beach herself with long yellow hair, tan skin, and pink blossoms on her sandy-colored dress, just like Cape roses on the dunes. Amy was terribly sweet, but in a good way.

"Like, no, Amy. Shopping, Veronica said. Think about it. There’re only a couple weeks left before school." Hands on hips, Veronica looked at Amy more like she was from an unknowable alien race than one of her best friends since kindergarten.

Amy flushed pink, matching the roses on her dress, but just for a moment. She wasn’t thrown off long by Veronica’s sharpness, which came with the territory. Veronica’s beauty could sometimes make you forget her fierce honesty, but that would be a mistake. Amy smiled, raised a hand in a half-wave, and skipped off.

Lisa Lee pushed square glasses up on her nose and set a smile on her face. ElsBeth could tell the last thing Lisa Lee wanted to do was go shopping.

The marsh ecosystem changes every day, she said to the space between ElsBeth and Veronica. I need to take notes. Her shiny, straight black hair waved good-bye as she turned and made her own way to the shore.

Some people felt Lisa Lee was a know-it-all and didn’t like to hang around with her. But she pretty much did know everything, and that, ElsBeth had found out on more than one occasion, was pretty useful.

Come on. ElsBeth tugged at Veronica. Not everyone loves shopping the way you do.

"That still doesn’t mean they’re right." Veronica grinned, and gave ElsBeth’s wild hair a quick pull.

But ElsBeth ignored her. A small funnel cloud had formed up ahead, swirling together some sand, a few saltwater taffy wrappers, and a cardboard clam roll holder. It danced in the distance, slowly at first then faster and faster.

The pale cloud whipped around and rushed straight at them. Squealing seagulls circled above, beaks snapping.

Veronica squawked and flapped her arms, and the screeching gulls took off.

Nasty things. By end of summer they’re so used to people-food they have no fear.

ElsBeth just stared, still as stone. Something unnatural was definitely in play, but she hadn’t a clue what.

She shook her head again, uneasy now, and moved forward with her friend down the street toward the sea.

***

Not far away, Robert Hillman-Jones and the boys were also out and about this fine morning.

Hillman-Jones turned the corner, shook the longish brown hair off his eyes and frowned. He threw out his arm to halt the others. Guys, it’s Veronica and ElsBeth.

We’d better take the other way to the marina, said Johnny, his Wampanoag friend. Those two will totally want to know what we’re doing.

Yeah, and they’ll want to be involved. Robert squinted at them. "My plans definitely don’t include any girls. Come on."

The pack of wild boys raced down Crescent Drive to Quahog Way, over to Queen Ann Road, and had just turned the corner back toward Main Street when ... smack. Robert ran dead into ElsBeth.

She bounced off him and hit the brick sidewalk. Hard.

Oh, sorry, ElsBeth. Hillman-Jones was so surprised he was actually polite for once.

***

Pooped out from chasing Winston Nickerson and starting to feel hungry, ElsBeth was not feeling polite back.

She was often a little touchy where Hillman-Jones was concerned … and pooped out and cranky, and knocked over by Robert Hillman-Jones, she was pretty near at her worst.   

With ElsBeth Amelia Thistle, at her worst or not, there was always the complicating factor that she was a witch. And though she was mostly a helpful witch — she tried to be anyway — it would have to be said she had a bit of a temper.   

A young witch with something of a temper, hungry and exhausted from herding toddlers at Library Story Hour, was probably not something any twelve-year-old boy would want to confront. With Robert Hillman-Jones it was trouble times ten. Because ElsBeth and he just didn’t mix. They had a history.

Which probably accounted for her charged reaction, though she carefully withheld casting any spell. Grandmother didn’t allow that, and she tried to do what Grandmother said. Really.

ElsBeth stomped her foot, her hair flew out like electric sparks, she felt her eyes fire up neon bright. She didn’t exactly shout, but her words carried the high voltage of her built-up frustration with this character.

"Robert Hillman-Jones! What do you mean sneaking like that? You jumped out at us on purpose."

She never could understand how he justified his smugness and was pleased to see Robert lean back to avoid her blast ... and not completely succeed.

His smirk, for the moment at least, slipped away.

But then she had the really uncomfortable feeling she was hearing Robert’s thoughts. This hadn’t happened before.

"It’s true I usually do jump out at her and I’m not going to apologize for that. But this time it was an accident — I was trying to avoid them. Which just goes to prove girls are beyond any rational understanding."   

Veronica chose that moment to butt in. She stepped in front of ElsBeth, leaning into the boys’ space. "Yes, what are you boys doing? You look as if you are up to something."

Veronica always looked like a perfect, caramel-colored doll. But everyone knew she set the bar for cranky.

Most of the boys turned various shades of red.

Johnny looked up and asked the sky, How come girls can always make you feel guilty?

Robert recovered quickly, but came back with his usual cover-up. None of your business, Veronica.

Johnny rolled his eyes at Robert — who seemed to realize, too late, that once Veronica got suspicious she’d hang on like an Atlantic blue crab to some especially tasty bait.

ElsBeth held back a giggle. She didn’t want to interrupt Veronica. This was going to be fun.

Veronica whispered to her, "They are up to something."

The boys looked down or away, anywhere but at the girls. Some shuffled nervously.

Nelson Hamm cracked. His ears went crimson and his glasses fogged up, an always-reliable sign Nelson had lost it.

He ran his hand over his unfortunate, new-school-year haircut, which stuck out in all directions. He blurted out, We’re taking Uncle Preston’s yacht.

All heads turned to Nelson.

Awww, Nelson, Hillman-Jones moaned in disgust.

Sorry, guys, Nelson said. Veronica got to me.

ElsBeth nodded to herself. Veronica did have that effect on people. Then it sunk in.

"You’re stealing your Uncle Preston’s yacht?" ElsBeth’s eyebrows shot up like twin peaks.

We’re just going to sail around the islands. Uncle Preston had to go to New York and my parents are in Europe. Nani will think we’re out playing around all day. No big deal.

Robert seemed to have that all figured out, but she felt his thoughts skitter, and they jangled in her head again.

"Will the girls rat on us? I don’t think ElsBeth will, but I’m not sure about Veronica. She’s a wild card."

ElsBeth felt him make a snap decision, like he stood on the brakes.

OK. You can come with us. Robert tried to sound friendly but didn’t.

ElsBeth crossed her arms and eyeballed Hillman-Jones. He continually surprised her. He invited them along, and seemed to think that made it OK to take his uncle’s yacht.

But he did have her attention.

She had to think. Taking the yacht wasn’t exactly honest. And she knew it was of the utmost importance for a witch to be honest. Dishonesty, she knew personally, was a fast road to losing her magic. Still, Uncle Preston did always host the annual summer sail to Martha’s Vineyard for all Robert’s guy friends. And it would be great if the girls finally had a chance to go.   

Before ElsBeth could complete her internal struggle with the rights and wrongs of this opportunity, Veronica weighed in again. We’re going. Amy and Lisa Lee are coming, too.

ElsBeth lost contact with Robert’s exact thoughts but felt a cunning new plan twist through his mind, while a twisted smile crawled across his otherwise bland face.

OK. The marina dock, five a.m. tomorrow. No cell phones. You know I hate those things at sea. And don’t be late, or we sail without you.

Chapter 2

The Launch Party

Four-thirty the next morning at Six Druid Lane, ElsBeth sprawled half-asleep in her cozy captain’s bed. The moon still hung fat in the sky.

She listened to a ghostly sound. From somewhere far away, but not entirely in a dream, a deep, musical voice sang a curious song.

Grave dark has fell on our fair land,

And though the youngest of the clan,

You’re called to lend your spirit bright

And magic to our goodly fight.

You’ll need to make your way alone,

Through earthly storms, with heart your own.

The gifts you gain and yourself give,

Will make it true, Clan spirits live!

ElsBeth opened heavy eyes and reached for the dream book she kept by her bed. Grandmother said dreams could be important and she always tried to write them down.

Reviews for ElsBeth and the Call of the Castle Ghosties, Book III in the Cape Cod Witch Series

[grgenius_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The third installment of a Middle Grade series filled with magic, mystery, danger, and friendship. It takes us to the upper east coast of the USA and across the seas as we seek to protect a home never known…and a little something more. What at first appears to be merely another adventure with a varied group of kids, furry animals, and some magic thrown in for good measure…which by the way, would have certainly been good enough….turns into a cross seas adventure with a few lessons to learn , a hidden message of conservation and overall ecological responsibility. Who’d have thought, right? Yet, there it is, ready for readers young and old to capture, embrace, and take “the long look” themselves at how our actions and choices shape the world around us in a much BIGGER way.

On the story level, we’re faced with topics such as growing up, uncovering a secret family history, “enemies” we couldn’t fathom having had let alone have them currently seeking us out, challenging friendships, and forgiveness. There is a bit of a mystery to solve as well as a plethora of magical creatures to meet plus a bad guy worth serving up on a platter…with his little henchmen. Her well meaning friends provide many emotional highs and lows throughout the story. My favorite would have to be Johnny Twofeathers and our leading lady, Ms. Elsbeth Thistle, on the human side of things, both for their general character as well as their good intentions. On the side of familiars, Sylvanias wins paws down…gotta love that crazy cat!

In conclusion…a trip to the Cape well worth the travel time with a cast of characters you’ll be glad to have met. Recommended read for girls and boys alike from the Middle Grade set and forward.


**ebook for review received in exchange for my honest review....full review can be seen on my site**

[nolabelsunleashed · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Note: This was given by the authors in exchange for an honest review.

Verdict: 3.75, rounded to a soft 4.

Let’s dive into the pros of ElsBeth and the Call of the Castle Ghosties.

1. Stand Alone Indeed
It was nice to see that this book (as well as the other books) in the Cape Cod Witch series can in fact stand alone.

2. Beautiful Cover
I really love the way this cover was done. Images very crisp and colorful without being overwhelming with content. Balance of text and spacing was wonderful to the eyes. Out of all the covers in the series, this is the one I adored the most.

3. Impressive internal illustrations
All of the illustrations made me smile. I could not pinpoint one that was my absolute favorite because I appreciated them all. I only wished there were a few more of them as it got to the middle and ending of the book.

4. Name brands null and void
One of the major wins for this book in the Cape Cod Witch series is that the author deviated from the mentioning of name brand items. In the previous two books, I found it a bit distracting. With this being left out, it helped to keep the focus on the substance of the contents.

5. Minimal to no use of certain punctuation marks, such as hyphens, long dashes, and parenthesis made for tidier text.

6. Increased strength in the core supporting cast
Robert Hillman-Jones and Johnny Twofeathers in particular really came into their own in the Call of the Castle Ghosties. ElsBeth seemed more of a team supporter than the sole hero. Although there may be some who frown on the shared spotlight, I believe it reinforces the fact that they truly are friends of ElsBeth and have the best intentions at heart.

7. Gives spotlight to real life issues
There were quite a bit of chances to learn in this book. Some of the issues mentioned involved polar bears, stripping the land of its natural resources, and lack of encouragement to think for one’s self in the education system. Since the characters are at about the ten/eleven year old mark, it’s not too unorthodox to provide some type of awareness about these types of things.

Cons

1. The “And” and “But”-o-rama
I still don’t like the heavy dependence of putting “and” as well s “but” at the beginning of sentences, more so in a book tailored towards youth.

2. The weird quotation marks usage.

3. Weird sentence structure in the form of comma splices and commas used a bit too abundantly.

4. More illustrations
I hinted at it previously but the illustrator’s talent is so terrific that I wanted it displayed on each and every chapter. I would have liked to have been shown what the newer characters looked like such as Baird and Effie. Plus, for those who are visual, it would have given a more continuous flow between text and pictures.

5. Imbalanced pacing in spots
Although there was quite a bit of conflict to go around in ElsBeth and the Call of the Castle Ghosties, there were a few chapters where things lulled slightly. It felt like the author realized that and things got rather speedy in the final third of the book. This is not the type of read where you want to get distracted, for you may miss something pertinent if you don’t.

Out of all the books in The Cape Cod Witch series, ElsBeth and the Call of the Castle Ghosties is the strongest representation of a strong story line, balanced conflict, engaging characters, and life lessons for young people to take with them.