A summer that may be his last, a treasure map, someone who desperately wants it, and friendship! This was a lot of fun.

In this one we meet a boy named Grady. He lives with his dad in a trailer home and is excited when he learns that the town’s oddball was a very far family member and he has inherited something. Well, at first glance I agreed with everyone that it was a bit boring. I mean, here is your inheritance an embroidered piece which may or may not be a treasure map. Oh, and the cats? They get it all, the house and the rest of the money. But I loved that Grady was still curious about it and still wanted to give it a shot. I loved learning more about embroidery and the messages people put into it, and I love reading about the family connections and the history behind the family and the town.

I liked that this wasn’t just a calm summer treasure hunt, but there were stakes as well! Because Grady has lost so much already (his real home, his mom) and is about to lose even more as the book progresses. He NEEDS this treasure. He NEEDS it to be real. And so things got even more exciting and I was just rooting for Grady. Hoping that he would be able to find it. And I was of course hoping that the treasure would be something good. And not some lame message in a box from the 1800s, haha.

And I can tell you, I loved what the treasure was.

Plus, next to the stakes being high for Grady personally there is also extra danger because SOMEONE also wants that piece of embroidery. And they are willing to go very far to get it!

I also loved Clemmie who was such a fun character and so kick-ass. And bonus-points go to Ophelia! The town dog and I just wish I could pet her!

But Thad? Thad can just F off. I found his behaviour annoying, frustrating. Oh nooooo graveyards. Ohhhh noooo crying people. Ohhhhh noooo spoooky noooooisses. rolls eyes Seriously, go away Thad.

But other than Thad I really really enjoyed this book and I loved how we got some history titbits along the way + I loved how our MC didn’t give up but kept on going!