Randy and Oliver Melendy awake one fall morning full of gloom. Their brother and sister are away, the house seems forlorn and empty, and even Cuffy, their adored housekeeper, can't pick up their spirits. Will they have to face a long and lonely winter? But a surprise message in the mailbox starts a trail of excitement and adventure that takes them through the cold season. When summer finally comes around again, the children have found fourteen messages in all, and the end of the search brings them a rich reward. Full of unforgettable moments (like finding a secret note tucked under the dog's collar) and delightful twists of language (the more challenging clues, the better), this fourth book in Elizabeth Enright's Melendy Quartet makes for a grand finale to an equally grand collection of stories.
