Buzz
Reading can be for enjoyment—or it can be for uncovering hidden riches.
For those interested in the thrill of discovery, there are numerous books filled with secret clues that guide readers to buried treasures or cash rewards. This unique category is often known as 'armchair treasure hunts,' and yes, my latest book, The Puzzler, features one such hunt.
Below are three of the most legendary armchair treasure hunts ever created—along with the fascinating backstory of the $10,000 challenge in my book.
1. Masquerade
Kit Williams And Frank Dunlop | Graham Turner/GettyImagesThe stunning 1979 British publication, Masquerade, marked the beginning of contemporary armchair treasure hunts. Created by artist Kit Williams, the book features a collection of enchanting illustrations—like the sun waltzing with the moon—that concealed hints to the whereabouts of an actual treasure buried in England: a golden rabbit, roughly the size of a paperback and valued at thousands of pounds. This quest captivated a significant segment of the global audience.
According to an article in Hazlitt, the frenzy led to “Masqueraders excavating vast stretches of land, journeying countless miles … and sometimes finding themselves stranded on cliffs or detained by authorities for trespassing on heritage sites.” Williams received an overwhelming number of letters from treasure hunters, ranging from praise to threats. Some enthusiasts even showed up at his home in the dead of night, while others sent unsettling items, like a blood-stained plastic hand.
Following two years of widespread digging, the golden rabbit was unearthed in a Bedfordshire park near a monument dedicated to Catherine of Aragon, precisely where her shadow pointed at noon on the equinox. However, the discovery was tainted by controversy, as the finder allegedly obtained insider knowledge about the treasure's location from Williams’s former partner. Skepticism lingered, as noted by Bamber Gascoigne in his book Quest for the Golden Hare, where he described how some hunters persisted in their quest, convinced their theories were irrefutable despite the treasure being found.
2. The Secret
Published in 1982,
To date, only three of the treasures have been unearthed: one in Cleveland, another in Chicago, and the most recent in Boston in 2019. This leaves nine treasures still hidden, fueling the passion of dedicated treasure hunters.
The hunt for these treasures has sparked a vibrant online community, with enthusiasts sharing theories on websites, podcasts, YouTube channels, and even reality TV shows. Although Preiss passed away in a car accident years ago, his legacy lives on as thousands continue to decode his clues. However, the pursuit isn't without its controversies, including heated debates and occasional conflicts.
The hunt has seen its share of hoaxes, with individuals falsely claiming to have found a treasure, and trolls who disrupt online forums. One anonymous Secret hunter, who agreed to correspond with me under the condition of anonymity, shared, 'While most treasure hunters are perfectly sane, there are a few who are unhinged yet tech-savvy enough to cause chaos online.'
The intense passion surrounding these hunts may stem from the complexity of the clues. As one treasure hunter explained, 'Byron Preiss's mind operated in rather enigmatic ways.' For instance, the Boston treasure was discovered in a waterfront park by deciphering cryptic hints such as 'All the letters Are here to see,' which seemingly pointed to the A-to-Z signal flags of Old Ironsides, a ship docked nearby.
3. David Blaine’s Mysterious Stranger: A Book of Magic
David Blaine Performs At O2 Apollo, Manchester | Shirlaine Forrest/GettyImagesIn 2002, magician and endurance artist David Blaine released Mysterious Stranger: A Book of Magic, a blend of personal memoir and the history of magic. Beyond its narrative, the book concealed clues within its text and images leading to a $100,000 treasure.
The intricate hidden clues in the book were crafted by Cliff Johnson, the mastermind behind the iconic puzzle video game 'The Fool’s Errand.'
To illustrate the complexity: Extracting specific portions of the text revealed the phrase 'Horrible Imp Costume,' which is an anagram for 'Cherubim Metropolis,' a cryptic reference to Los Angeles (as cherubim symbolize angels). This indicated the treasure's location. Another clue, 'Murder Be Man,' translated to 'Numbered Arm,' directing readers to examine the tattoo on Blaine’s arm in one of the book’s images. The tattoo’s number corresponded to a house address, near which a tree with a fake rock concealed the treasure—a 24-karat golden orb the size of a gumball—along with a congratulatory note for the $100,000 prize.
A mother-son duo discovered the treasure after approximately 16 months, though they also suffered from poison oak, prompting an apology from Blaine.
4. The Puzzler Hunt
As someone who adored puzzles as a child, I cherished my copy of Masquerade. When I embarked on writing a book exploring the history and science of puzzles, I felt compelled to include a secret contest as a tribute. To avoid property damage, I opted against burying a treasure, instead offering a $10,000 prize.
Initially, my idea was straightforward: embed a secret code in the book’s introduction, and the first person to solve it would win the prize. However, after meeting puzzlemakers at the MIT Mystery Hunt, I was inspired to think bigger. The Mystery Hunt is an annual gathering in Boston where thousands of brilliant minds tackle some of the most challenging puzzles imaginable, often without instructions. For example, one puzzle involved a box of doughnuts with USB flash drives hidden inside, while another featured a yoga tutorial with odd poses labeled with fake Dutch names.
I collaborated with Greg Pliska, a seasoned puzzlemaker, to design original puzzles for The Puzzler and oversee the $10,000 contest. He enlisted four additional puzzle creators, and the project expanded in scope and complexity, growing far beyond its original concept.
The outcome is the Puzzler Hunt. Participants must first uncover the hidden code in the introduction. Once entered on the website, they gain access to a series of intricate and challenging puzzles.
We’re releasing one puzzle each weekday, starting May 3 and concluding June 1. There’s still time to catch up, but solving all 22 puzzles is required to qualify for the final round, which begins at 12:01 p.m. ET on June 4. This final round is a race against the clock, with the first solver claiming the $10,000 prize.
The theme revolves around legendary puzzlers, with the first puzzle paying tribute to Arthur Wynne, the creator of the crossword.
Here’s another puzzle, a mind-bending variation of Wordle.
The introduction is available for free on the website. Purchasing the book isn’t mandatory (though I hope you do, as I believe you’d find it enjoyable). Otherwise, it might be classified as an illegal lottery, potentially landing me at Rikers Island. Complete rules are available at contest.thepuzzlerbook.com.
The puzzles were designed by Greg Pliska, Matt Gruskin, Guy Jacobson, Tanis O’Connor, and Max Woghiren.
Over 1500 participants have already joined (including at least one billionaire!). However, it’s not too late to participate—you can catch up on previously released puzzles at your own pace. Even if you don’t win the prize, the experience is rewarding. The aha moments are priceless.
For more historical insights and puzzles like these, explore A.J. Jacobs’s book The Puzzler, available now from Crown Publishing. You can order it here. right A.J. Jacobs. All rights reserved.
