Twelve-year-old Gabe Williams and eleven-year-old Isabel Diaz are camping on Brown Mountain with the Outdoor Adventures Camping Club. While there are lots of fun things to do, such as riding four-wheelers, hiking, and tubing, neither Gabe nor Isabel wants to be there. Gabe had wanted to stay home and hang out with his friend. Isabel, whose parents had recently died, just wants to be left alone. One night, camp leader Mike tells the campers about the legend of the mysterious Brown Mountain Lights. The kids think the legend is just a made-up story. Later, in the darkness, Gabe and Isabel each have scary encounters with the lights. Then, when a light takes over Isabel's body and makes her do things she would never do, Gabe knows he must be brave and try to rescue her. And Isabel must learn to trust that others care enough to help her.

Each Ameri-Scares novel is based on or inspired by an actual historical event, folktale, or legend specific to the state in which the story is set.