The Aldens take a paddle-wheel boat down the Mississippi River to visit their friend Cap Lambert in his cabin. But strange things are happening on Cap's property. When they see spooky flickering lights at night, the Boxcar Children must find out if the cabin is haunted!

The Aldens visit their cousins Joe and Alice, who live near an amusement park! The park has games, cotton candy, and a beautiful old carousel with wooden horses. But then Benny notices one horse isn't working and his favorite dapple gray has been damaged. Why would someone sabotage the carousel?

Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny used to live alone in a boxcar. Now they have a home with their grandfather, and they are trying to catch a runaway ghost!   When the Aldens visit their friend Fran in Wisconsin, they can't wait to hear her tell the story of the runaway ghost. Fran's family ghost hasn't been spotted in years, but the Aldens still shiver at the spooky tale of the ghost's bell clanging after dark. Then Violet hears a mysterious ringing