Fifty years ago, no one could explain mountains. Arguments about their origin were spirited, to say the least. Progressive scientists were ridiculed for their ideas. Most geologists thought the Earth was shrinking. Contracting like a hot ball of iron, shrinking and exposing ridges that became mountains. Others were quite sure the planet was expanding. Growth widened sea basins and raised mountains. There was yet another idea, the theory that the world's crust was broken into big plates that jostled around, drifting until they collided and jarred mountains into existence. That idea was invariably dismissed as pseudo-science. Or "utter damned rot" as one prominent scientist said. But the doubtful theory of plate tectonics prevailed. Mountains, earthquakes, ancient ice ages, even veins of gold and fields of oil are now seen as the offspring of moving tectonic plates. Just half a century ago, most geologists sternly rejected the idea of drifting continents. But a few intrepid champions of plate tectonics dared to differ. The Mountain Mystery tells their story.

Mr. Denis takes the class on a hike up a mountainside to show them something special at the top.

Poppy Gore, a local realtor, discovers the body of a client she had met only once lying on the floor of an isolated cabin on a West Virginia mountaintop with four bullet holes in his chest. Sheriff Billy Jones calls on a fellow law professional, the Chief of the Fairfax Police, who assigns Lieutenant Chase Mansfield of the Criminal Investigations Bureau to the case. The investigation begins with the eccentric Scott family, a clan at war with itself. Mary Scott, the family matriarch, points a finger at Barbara, the tearless widow, and demands that Mansfield arrest the bitch. Barbara indifferently explains that she and Dred Scott, the victim, were legally separated. She denies knowing that Scott had owned a mountain cabin and offers a solid alibi affirmed by a companion, a Russian diplomat with a FBI tail. Before Lieutenant Mansfield can identify the killer, Dreds brother Clayton Scott is murdered in his Fairfax home. High-level corruption, corporate conspiracy, political warfare, and the bitter disintegration of a prominent family greatly complicate the investigation.

Dividing up Melrose Farm, a hotel fire, lost children, a collapsed dam and raging river, hidden tunnels and caves, a plane crash, a potentially unsuccessful business adventure, and an unexpected pregnancy spice up life for members of the family.

Eli Elmar Elephant has made a discovery from a long time ago. He must solve two mysteries before he and his two friends, Parnell Parrot and Mrs. McGooney, go on an adventure that will change their lives.