Holly Hollander is an American teenager who wants to write. She is the daughter of George Henry Hollander, the president of Hollander Safe and Lock. Her mother buys a mysterious locked box at an antiques fair and holds a competition to allow someone to take ownership of the box and it's hidden contents.

When the box is opened the story takes a twist, and the murder mystery tale that follows sees Holly and local criminologist Aladdin Blue, trying to discover the guilty person and the method and motive behind the murders.

This is not sf, fantasy or horror in any way. It is a well-written straightforward mystery story. And given that it came from the pen (or keyboard) of Gene Wolfe, it's a good one. The characters are open and, for the most part, friendly. They ease you into their world and interact with the reader in a 'nice' comfotable manner.

This is never going to be considered a masterpiece of 20th Century fiction, but what it is is an enjoyable read, one that makes few demands on the reader, certainly one that does not require intense concentration. This kind of relaxed read is very necessary from time to time.