What's the Name of That Book??? discussion

It is set either in New England or on an island in one of the lakes. The book starts out with an excavation of where the hotel used to stand. The girl is there with a relative (maybe her father) and the boy is there but would rather not be. Someone discovers a bit of melted crystal from the chandler and that is where the adventure/mystery begins. I don't remember the author, but I read it sometime between 1996-2000 - wish I could narrow it down more on that. I am guessing that the book itself was written sometime in the 1980s or early 1990s. I cant recall any character names, but the cover illustration that was on the particular edition I read had the two leads with flashlights in a dark hallway/entry hall/lobby area.
If anyone knows the title I would be very grateful!! Many thanks!

Katie ~~
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Katie, could it be a mansion, not a hotel?

How old are the kids? Are they related? Are the kids on vacation or do they live nearby?

Any fantasy elements?

It definitely is an old hotel. But it looks like a mansion/described as a mansion.

The kids i would say are about 10-12 - I don't think they are teenagers.

It is summertime. The girl is at a dig with I believe her father and the boy is there as some sort of punishment. He doesn't want to be there.

This isn’t Belle Ruin by Martha Grimes is it ?

Link for Jake's suggestion - Belle Ruin by Martha Grimes

Kris wrote: "Link for Jake's suggestion - Belle Ruin by Martha Grimes"

Sadly no, it's too recent. This book was probably published sometime in the 1980's or 1990's although I am very intrigued by this book.

This book published in 1994 came up searching "novel" "hotel" "burned down" "excavation":
Phantom Victory by Pamela F. Service


A teenage boy and girl, aided by ancestral ghosts, embark on a treasure hunt to find an heirloom necklace hidden years earlier by a guest at South Bass Island's historic Victory Hotel.

Mai wrote: "This book published in 1994 came up searching "novel" "hotel" "burned down" "excavation":
Phantom Victory by Pamela F. Service


A tee..."


Yes!!! Thank you so much for finding this for me!!!! :D

You're welcome! You have a good memory, I can't even remember the cover of the book on my nighstand :-P
I hope you can find a copy!

Mai wrote: "You're welcome! You have a good memory, I can't even remember the cover of the book on my nighstand :-P
I hope you can find a copy!"

:D I am too visual a person. I knew the cover instantly - slightly different in terms of clothes and color but the same positioning.
I have already started to look :) I hope I can find one too!