$2 million dollars? Over 4 boxes? Really digging deep for that one, eh? Yeah, right. This screams "ploy to sell books." It feels like a telemarketer promising riches to get you to be curious. No one has found anything, and the "treasure" - if real - is a chest that amounts to less than two years' salary for a college-educated American. Even if you found one, it wouldn’t even pay for a college degree in 2025.
The treasure’s amount seems to be made to entice the same people who are least able to afford the cost of the book without really feeling it. And in that way it’s fucked up. You want to create wonder? Then don’t paywall the clues while making the payout so obviously bottom-bid at the same time. It’s insulting.
All that is to say I get more real wonder from a scratch-off lottery ticket than I do from this book. If Jon Collins-Black is serious about inspiring adventurers, he might want to aim higher. As it stands, this feels like a swing and a miss from a Bitcoin mogul looking to cash in on curiosity. Try again, and much much harder if you want to create any real inspiration here.
If I could leave less then one star I would. This book is a total SCAM! This book is a SELF PUBLISHED SCAM!!!!! DO YOUR RESEARCH BEFORE BUYING! THIS IS NOT A REAL TREASURE HUNT!! LOOK THAT THE TITLE! A "LITERARY" TREASURE HUNT! LOOK UP THE PUBLISHER! FAKE! Definitely a Ghostwriter and if you dig deeper you can find out who. THEY PRETEND TO BE HUNTERS BUT THEY ARE GASLIGHTING PEOPLE THEY ARE INSIDERS AND INVOLVED IN TRICKING PEOPLE TO MAKE YOU THINK ITS REAL! WATCH OUT FOR ANY YOUTUBE CHANNELS THAT START WITH COW! WATCH THE 48 HOURS EPISODE 17 SEASON 34 ON FOREST FENN! 5 PEOPLE DIED FROM THESE FAKE HUNTS! THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT ARE GONNA FIND TREASURE IS THE MASS OF PEOPLE THAT'S IN ON PRETENDING THEY ARE HUNTING FOR THE TREASURE TOO! THEY HAVE A WHOLE COMMUNITY ON DISCORD, FACEBOOK, ALL OTHER FORMS OF SOCIAL MEDIA! THEY HAVE FLOODED THE INTERNET WITH FAKE NEWS PRESS LOOK FOR YOURSELF! DON'T GET FOOLED! HELP WARN PEOPLE ABOUT THIS SCAM!!! DO YOUR RESEARCH! I FELL FOR IT FOR ABOUT A WEEK UNTIL I DID MY RESEARCH!
There’s Treasure Inside presents itself as a modern-day treasure hunt in the spirit of Forrest Fenn’s legendary challenge. Unfortunately, it suffers from the same fundamental flaw—only worse. Rather than a well-structured puzzle that allows for logical deduction, this hunt is a vague guessing game that relies more on brute force and luck than actual problem-solving.
The clues lack any mechanism for confirmation, meaning searchers can follow them perfectly and still have no way to know if they’re even remotely close. Without a system to eliminate incorrect locations, this is not a test of skill—it’s a nationwide scavenger hunt where the only way to “solve” it is to physically check endless possibilities.
In better-designed treasure hunts (Masquerade, The Secret), solvers can verify each step and narrow the search area logically. Here, every clue remains open-ended, ensuring that 99.9% correct is still useless. The author may believe they’ve crafted something clever, but in reality, they’ve created an exercise in confirmation bias rather than a solvable challenge.
Unless the author provides more precise hints to narrow the search, this “puzzle” is not worth your time—unless you enjoy wandering blindly with no way to know if you’re on the right track.
I’ll review this book based on its own merits and not on the hidden treasure clues aspect of it.
In basically every chapter, I assume the author is genuinely offering wise life advice based on his personal experiences. It will come across as preachy to those with a cynical disposition, and will probably earn him lower reviews, but I take him as sincere and appreciate the self-help he is offering to those who may benefit from it.
By far the best part of the book, to me, is the fascinating histories tied to the objects in the treasure. I’ve learned quite a bit from the chapters and new knowledge, to me anyway, is a treasure in and of itself.
1. My friend talked me into this. It’s not my thing. 2. Our next road trip, she’s going to have to listen to lots of 90’s country for payback. 3. Why is it payback? This book is 45 dollars. 45. I can buy whole book series for that. Hence the four stars. 4. I was surprised to enjoy the book. Get into the adventure of life and all that comes with it. 5. I really enjoyed the stories. It had a little for everyone. Lots of culture and history. 6. Treasure or no, I would say this was a great book, had he not priced it so high.
I listened to Chasing the Thrill, and I wanted to get involved in the hunt. Then I found out it had been found. Well, that’s good, because I won’t be going to the Rockies anyway. Then I heard about this, and I ordered the book. Why? I suck at puzzles. I guess for no practical reason at all; it was an impulse buy. And that’s fine. I was happy with it purely for entertainment. It is an easy read, and simple to read, which makes me think the puzzles are pretty tough, because except for the blatant puzzles, I don’t see them. And again, that’s fine. I was happy with reading the book.
This book was so fun! Not only do you have the option to take a real life treasure hunt but it explains in detail the story behind the artifacts coupled with some whimsical life stories from the author. This book was very much off brand for me and I don’t think I’ve read anything I’ve had this much fun with in a long time! I highly suggest the adventure this book sends you on, rather it’s physical or mental adventure is up to you in the end!
Always been a fan of treasure hunts 😊 and the journey to finding it is the best part. Only bad thing I have to say about the book is that all the research and decoding and excitement has taken up all my time 😂 Excited to see who finds it!
Happy hunting, I enjoyed this book. Whether there is treasure or not it is yet to be seen, but an enjoyable read. Although if I don’t have to be a genius, why has no one found anything, are we all geniuses and don’t realize it or are we reading too into the puzzle.
Whether or not you treasure hunt the book is interesting and touches on a broad range of historical and biographical topics. I am not a lover of history but enjoyed learning more about each person/event/item.
Honestly. I live for this kind of stuff. A whole section on Pokemon Go and one on Ready Player One. You couldn’t have lit my fire better. Let it Begin!
I enjoyed the history and the mystery. While I may never go on a treasure hunt, I enjoyed the journey. This book made me think outside the box and about the possibilities.
Really fun book! Perhaps if I was single, or even married but with no kids, this could be purposeful travel. I can’t believe no one’s found any of the chests yet!
After reading this book and focusing on the AT box, I feel this book is full of interesting information and a real life treasure hunt. I just hope that this treasure hunt is real and deserving people find the boxes.
I’m currently reading There's Treasure Inside, and it is such an exciting and unique experience. It’s more than just a book. It makes you feel like you’re part of something much bigger. The adventure and excitement it brings are unmatched, and I love how it combines the thrill of solving clues with learning about fascinating historical pieces.
What’s even more incredible is how it inspires you to get out and explore new places. With the chance to go on your own treasure hunt and find your own small fortune, this book is the perfect blend of excitement, education, and adventure.
If you’re looking for something that’s both meaningful and thrilling, this is definitely a must-read.