The Secret: A Treasure Hunt

The Secret:  A Treasure Hunt by Ted Mann, Sean Kelly and a host of other collaborators         Hardback Book:  226 pages             Genre:  Non-Fiction   Treasure Hunting with clues to 12 actual hidden treasures

A cross between Chauncer’s Canterbury Tales and J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle Earth tales only this time it is for real.    There are 12 treasures hidden throughout North America and the clues to their whereabouts are written in what one would think medieval verse thoughout the book though in truth the authors put it together and got it published in 1982.    The clues to the locations the treasures are hidden in can be found in the verses within the pages, the illustrations and craftily among the explanations of the Fair Folk who the tale alleges hid the treasures each group (fairy folk, goblins, leprechauns, Giants, etc.) brought over from Europe and buried in various parts of North America.    From the clues I read I don’t necessarily think the treasures were hidden completely within the borders of the United States because there is a lot of arrows pointing to New Foundland,, Nova Scotia  maybe even Iceland and Greenland.   Clear clues also point to Pony Island in the Outer Banks of North Carolina and other clues to the Catskills.     The book is just chock full of wondrous illustrations and discussions of the folk of all cultures that are supernatural to humans.     The writers are basing their fun treasure hunts on the iconic preternatural folk that stories have been told of down through the centuries that each of the 12 treasures seem to relate to.     Codebreakers unite there is treasure to be had if only you can figure out the keys set before you in these pages.    Sounds fun and the forms to fill out if you have found one of the treasures or if you can’t get to it but you think you have figured out where it is hidden you can offer that, too, and they will let you know if you guessed correctly and award you said treasure.    A fun mystery with lots of riddles, and a cartographer’s dream.   Add in a nuclear physicist, oh heck just hand the book over to Sheldon, Leonard, Rahj and Howard and they could likely solve all 12 locations, or at least come up with some unique theories.   A fun read and a delightful dream of finding wealth.   Hope all the treasures are found eventually – the author who originally came up with the idea has passed away, sadly, but all the rest are still out there hoping to meet those who take the quest and solve it.     I recommend this book especially to adventurous souls who would love to go on the adventure.    If you are a fan of Lord of the Rings, Yettis and you think puzzles are the most fun thing in the world this book is made for you.    Well done all involved.    They also give you information on where the treasures are NOT hidden (cemeteries, public monuments, private property, etc.)  and they tell you how deep to dig to find them once you have arrived at the location.    Make like a pirate and find that buried treasure!  (NOTE:  2 have already been found – 1 in Cleveland and one in Grant Park in Kankakee County in Illinois.)

 - Shirley J.