This book is the first in a series of stories detailing the exploits of four school-aged friends spending their summer days along the shores of a deepwater, tidal river. The story is set in and around the environs of the southeast coast. Rich descriptions of the beauty and mystery found along the edges of expansive marsh grass and swift moving tidal creeks set the stage as the children begin a quest.

In this adventure, the children hatch a bold plan to solve the mysterious legend started by an eccentric grandfather. Papa had described the eerie sounds and potential danger of the Wampus Cat every time the kids came to the river house. This time they decide to face their fear of the creature and they end up learning valuable lessons.

This story would be an engaging means of addressing Language Arts and Science academic standards for third and fourth grade students in many southeastern coastal states.