Long ago, a sorcerer hid the crown treasure of his country when the King was killed, and he enchanted that chamber with safeguards to assure only a true heir could ever re-claim it. Fear of being hunted kept the King's heir in hiding, and the treasure remained untouched until seven enchanted talismans were found six hundred years later. These talismans include a miniature spinning wheel, a strange-looking clock, an animated ship in a bottle, a moving, miniature rocking horse, and a lighted globe.
Jean Trapper, being the student of ancient history that he was, became involved in the hunt, and along with a grandson named Rey, an orphan girl named Zoe, and a friend named Strawtop, he gained possession of the talismans and set off to follow where the trail would lead him. He knew there was a puzzle book that had not yet been found which would be essential to locate the treasure vault. This puzzle book holds the all-important key to the vault, and it requires a specific sequence of actions to be opened. It soon becomes evident it will not be opened easily.
It is up to Zoe to solve more than one puzzle that has eluded her friends. The mysteries and their solutions will satisfy the interest of the most problem-solving enthusiast.
The plot is a unique fusion of mystery, betrayal, and humor, and the satisfying conclusion of success and vindication for an unlikely group of heroes. The story moves quickly through a series of events that culminates with the final conflict. Readers will find it holds their interest through several bizarre plot twists, and elation can flip to anxious alarm with the turn of a page.
