THE SECRET OF THE UNDERGROUND ROOM

A disappointing addition to a popular series: Much-loved Father Higgins falls prey to the evil spirit of a powerful knight, Masterman. Determined to awaken five of his fellow knights, who exchanged their souls for power centuries ago, Masterman uses Higgins's body to steal what he needs. Trying to intervene, the professor, Johnny Dixon, and Fergie follow the helpless priest to England and then on to one of the Channel Islands where the knights lie hidden underground. Though this is presumably tongue-in-cheek, like the rest of the series, the style grows wearisome here, burdened by too many hackneyed phrases and too much stilted dialogue and deprived of not only characterization but humor. Additional copies of Bellairs's earlier titles would be a better investment.