A missing piece of history. A mysterious brass key. A trail of clues hidden throughout Givhans Ferry State Park. Zeb, Luke, and Jaz are back for another South Carolina State Park mystery! When they arrive at Givhans Ferry, they learn that an original hand-drawn map of the historic ferry crossing has mysteriously disappeared. Soon, the young detectives find themselves following a trail of ferry symbols, coded messages, hidden tokens, and puzzling clues along the tea-colored waters of the Edisto River. Their search takes them from the historic River House and old ferry crossing to the canoe landing, River Bluff Trail, and structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Along the way, they encounter wildlife, help an injured hiker, meet longtime Edisto paddler Mr. Ben, and discover that someone may know more about the Ferry Master's secret than they first realized.

But when a tiny brass key finally unlocks a secret hidden for generations, the children discover that the real treasure isn't gold or riches at all. It is the history of the people and places that came before them-and the responsibility of preserving those stories for those who come next. Filled with mystery, outdoor adventure, South Carolina history, and real park-inspired learning, The Ferry Master's Secret reminds young readers to stay curious, notice the little things, and remember: Sometimes the greatest treasure is the history we discover along the way.