The Secret of the Treasure Keepers

Ruth’s mum is a volunteer archaeologist at the British Museum. Whilst waiting for her mum to complete a job interview, Ruth takes a phone call that will change their lives. The call was intended for her mum’s boss, Mr Knight, who subsequently ignores both Ruth and the call, so she and her mum set off into the wilds to inspect some unearthed treasure.

Their quest leads them to a run-down farm owned by Mrs Sterne, her son Joe, and an ex-Land Girl, Audrey. Here, Mrs Sterne shows them some silver items that she uncovered in one of her fields. Mrs Sterne hopes the treasure will revive the farm’s fortunes, as the bank has threatened foreclosure. Ruth, however, notices that both Joe and Audrey are acting strangely—and oddly enough, so is her own mother.

Eventually, Ruth learns that Joe’s late dad had received the treasure from an amateur archaeologist friend who was fearful that it would be lost during the war and urged him to secretly bury it. Consequently it didn’t come from the farm at all—this is what was puzzling Ruth’s mum.

The treasure is subsequently stolen, and Ruth and Joe’s detective work unearths clues leading to a much more important archaeological find. But can Mr Knight be persuaded to investigate, and will Ruth’s mum be rewarded with a full-time job?

A great little post-war tale which will appeal to all budding treasure hunters. With plot twists, dodgy characters, and a few red herrings along the way, this is a classic mystery with an engaging premise.

post-war Britain, archaeology, buried treasure, mystery, friendship, farm life, detective work, clues

Not applicable.