"August in a Haunted House" is not your usual type of ghost story. Far from it, in fact. This is a story more about the living than the dead, although a ghost certainly does enter into the tale on more than one occasion ... such as breathing down the back necks of visitors to the house, blowing up Augie''s favorite radio, turning his new radio onto weird stations and playing strange music, and even helping to decorate the family''s Christmas tree for 1950.

So, what is it like to live in a haunted house? What is it like to be told your house has a treasure buried somewhere in the basement?

Those two questions provide a multitude of mysterious adventures for Augie Kruger, his wife, Ruthie, and their daughter, Amelia, as well as for the rest of the Kruger clan, whom readers of the series of August novels have grown to know.

Of course, Augie and his older cousin, Willie, have to find that buried treasure in the basement of Augie''s home. Willie already has his heart set on buying himself a new Cadillac with his share of the treasure.

But, there are complications. A neighbor of Augie''s, by the name of Archie Crane, also has his eyes on the house and its treasure and will do anything to get possession of the house, including taking Augie and his ghost to court.

A ghost in court? That''s a case Augie and his attorney, sly, old Lucas Spivey, must win in order for Augie to keep his home and continue digging for the buried treasure.

When Sheriff Timble delivers the summons for Augie to appear in court, he tells Augie to make sure his ghost wears a clean, white sheet because Judge Strong is a stickler for neatness. You''ll always find humor in Frey''s novels.

It proves to be the most unusual lawsuit ever to be heard by a jury in Jackson Junction. A case that has several twists and turns before coming to a surprise ending.

But, the court case''s surprise ending can''t compare to the surprise ending when Augie and Willie finally do