A fun mix of the Caulder books by Blue Balliett. Willy Wonka, and Mr. Lemoncello. It’s a mystery, but it’s a treasure hunt. Garrison Griswald is very excited about his new game. It will be a treasure hunt with real treasure at the end. But one day on his way to the office he is gunned down and the only version of clue number one gets hidden behind the trash in the BART station by accident. However serendipity ensures when the book is found by Emily who soon realizes that she holds a golden ticket in the form of the Golden Scarab.

Emily is new to San Francisco. Her parents have this crazy idea to live and work in all 50 states, but this new location is different. She has her first real friend in James, the kid in the apartment above hers, and the nomadic life is wearing thin. They find common ground in puzzles both mathematical and literary, and a crazy adventure ensues.

I really liked how the author used real events such as the book Masquerade and its treasure hunt, as well as real characters like Poe, Hammett, and Karuack. This fun romp was not as fast paced as Lemoncello, but allowed itself to be funny in ways that are missing from Blue. Overall this was a fun book that would make for great classroom activities or book club discussions. I look forward to reading the sequels.