Because she has grounded the Hunter Moran stories in a strong family unit, Partricia Reilly Giff can allow believable zaniness to abound. Convinced they are on the brink of discovering the treasure long ago buried by their town's founder, Hunter and his twin brother Zack—along with equally charming and annoying Sarah Yulefsky—try deciphering and following the clues found on a tombstone. The three dig first in the school's coal cellar (which leads to Hunter taking up the drums), then at the train station (which produces a surprising, life-saving hero), and finally under the soup pot statue at the town's center. Humor abounds, as should be expected in a story that begins with the family dog carrying a pair of blue underwear throughout the local cemetery. Do all these hijinks lead to a treasure? Yes, but one that enriches life in ways money never could.