The Professor's Key — Angeli Perrow

In this 12th book in the Key Mystery Series, Mandy, Nick and friends are working at an archaeological dig in an old river town in Maine. They are searching for artifacts from the 1814 Battle of Hampden which happened there in defense of the ship the USS Adams. As tools and artifacts disappear from the excavation, the children are determined to stop the sabotage.Meanwhile, on the grounds where the battle took place, they see the ghost of a soldier in the Old Burying Ground. They learn about a long ago professor who taught across the road in the historic Hampden Academy. Is his ghost haunting the school? And what is in the mysterious coffin-like box in the cellar? It has never been opened and they are desperate to find the key before time runs out.The Professor's Key, a tantalizing tale of shivers and sabotage, history and mystery, will keep 8-12 year olds reading long after' lights out'!