The World's Largest Public Treasure Hunt

The World's Largest Public Treasure Hunt - Prizes over NZ$3million. US Author in Auckland for interviews on Fri 20 October

With the sequel to best-seller A Treasure's Trove, a new treasure hunt begins for 100 jewelled rings, including a NZD $1.5 million rare red diamond ring: SECRETS OF THE ALCHEMIST DAR

Author Michael Stadther visits Auckland on Friday 20 October to discuss the world's largest public treasure hunt in history for jewelled rings worth NZD $3 million

New Zealanders have the chance to join in a worldwide treasure hunt for 100 jewelled rings worth more than NZD 3 million with the 26 September international release of the fantasy adventure book, Secrets of the Alchemist Dar, written and illustrated by Michael Stadther. The sequel to The New York Times bestseller, A Treasure's Trove, was simultaneously released on four continents with a treasure hunt twice as big as the one inspired by the original—and this time, it will be the world's largest public treasure hunt in history.

Anyone, anywhere in the world, who solves the clues concealed in the books pages, and who meets all of the requirements in the Official Rules of Secrets of the Alchemist Dar, can get one of 100 specially designed Aaron Basha rings.

Like the first book in the series, Secrets of the Alchemist Dar is sure to appeal to children, families, college students and adults. The story is set in an enchanted world with Dark and Good Fairies, spells and eclipses, fortune and hidden treasures. The story is about the evil Alchemist Dar who wants his Dark Fairies to live forever; however to do this he must steal the Good Fairies' Rings of Eternal Life. Using the mysterious Book of Dark Spells, Dar attempts to kill the Good Fairies and capture the rings.

The Treasure: Fairy Rings with Rare Jewels For Secrets of the Alchemist Dar, Michael Stadther worked with internationally renowned jeweller, Aaron Basha, to create a custom-designed collection of 100 jewelled rings valued together at over NZD $3 million.

The 100 Fairy Rings of Eternal Life contain rare, natural coloured diamonds and include:

• One extremely rare Red Diamond Fairy Ring worth NZD 1.5 million, • Three Blue Diamond Fairy Rings worth NZD $170,000 each, • Four Yellow Diamond Fairy Rings worth NZD $72,000 each, • Five Pink Diamond Fairy Rings worth NZD $29,000 each, and • Eighty-seven Yellow Diamond Ladybug Rings worth NZD $8,000 each.

Books Available The English-language version of Secrets of the Alchemist Dar is published by Treasure Trove, Inc. and distributed in New Zealand by Simon and Schuster.

Five new children's activity and colouring books also are available to coincide with the release of Secrets of the Alchemist Dar. Each contains an age-appropriate hidden puzzle that will direct children to the clue in Secrets of the Alchemist Dar. Titles include:

• Doths in Danger • Pook's Tale • What Booger Knows • Wings and Rings • Zac's Forest Friends

A Treasure's Trove Puzzle Book Companion 2: 101 New! Puzzles, Clues, Maps, Tantalizing Tales and Stories of Real Treasure, also written and published by Stadther, is designed to get readers thinking like treasure hunters and acclimating them to seeing things they might not ordinarily notice. The Puzzle Book Companion also contains accounts of historical treasure hunts plus puzzles and brain teasers.

About A Treasure's Trove A Treasure's Trove was first published on November 12, 2004 and rapidly climbed the nation's bestseller lists, where it remained for months, including reaching #2 on The New York Times Best Seller List (Children's Paperbacks) and #1 on Publisher's Weekly Bestsellers List (Children's Picture Books). Treasure Trove, Inc., Stadther's publishing company, sold the film rights to Cruise/Wagner in association with Paramount. For more information, visit http://www.atreasurestrove.com.

For further information on A Treasure's Trove and Secrets of the Alchemist Dar, a review copy, or to request an interview with Michael Stadther when he is in New Zealand on Friday 20th October, please email:

International Release Date: 26 September 2006 RRP: $34.99

Lorraine Steele HarperCollins Publishers (NZ)