Retired New York police detective Mr. Watson is on his way around the world, heading for England, after inheriting 20,000 pounds. In California, he is invited to stay at the home of millionaire Gilson Hibbs. The home is unusual: it's a castle that Hibbs bought in Scotland and moved piece by piece to the southern California coast. Indeed, rumor has it that a ghost came with it from Scotland. Other house guests are Sir John Bleasdale, former owner of the castle; his nephew Larry; movie stars Lorena Lorton and Monty Monkhouse; Dr. Wilmot; and Mr. and Mrs. Ross. Hibbs' niece Kirstie and aunt Albertina live with him. The tension is high between Sir John and Hibbs, with Sir John accusing Hibbs of stealing an old trunk when he bought the castle and of lying about the ghost. Sir John, denying any ghost exists, agrees to spend 10 minutes in the room that the ghost frequents. No one will be surprised to learn that Sir John doesn't make it out of the room alive. Mr. Watson pledges to himself to find the true killer when Larry is arrested for the murder.

I liked Mr. Watson quite a bit, even though it's hard to believe from his reactions to some events that he was ever a police detective. ( )