Set in an unnamed Third World country in the not-so-far-off future, this novel introduces readers to a mystery that comes out of the corruption and inequality that often runs rampant in these parts of the world. Raphael is a 14-year-old "dumpsite boy." For those of us not in the know, that makes him someone who sorts through the dumps that edge his small village with the hopes of finding metal, glass, plastic, and other items that can be sold for money to help sort his family.

On one lucky day, Raphael finds a bag that holds the clue to a mystery that will greatly affect everyone in his small world. Inside is a key, a wallet with an i.d., and a map. Everyone knows that a map often leads to treasure, and Raphael hopes that will be the case when he recruits his best friend Gardo, and Rat, another young boy who seems to be orphaned and totally on his own. Together the three work together to try and solve the mystery.

Their hunt becomes even more challenging as the local police set their eyes on the boys while investigating a theft from one of the most important politicians in the country. The amount that has gone missing: $6 million, which would be more than enough to help all three of them get everything in their wildest dreams. The problem is, the police (along with the important politician) are terribly dirty. The money was likely embezzled from international funds to help pay for community development.


As the three boys, along with the help of staff at the local mission school and other folks in the community, get closer to the truth of what happened and locating the money, the danger to them escalates. It will be a race to the finish to see if they are caught or if they are able to get the money. The pace quickens for them and the reader.

The story is told in their three voices, and they are joined by some of the people who assisted them. The book is presented as a written record or deposition of the events as they each saw them. Mulligan does a really good job of presenting each narrator with a unique voice as well as a helpful statement at the beginning of each chapter to allow the narrator to identify him- or herself.

There is no question that this is an interesting story built upon the horrible conditions faced in many of Third World countries of today. Some people are barely getting by, literally living off trash, as those in power lead successful, modern, Western lives that seem lavish in comparison. As the book works to the conclusion, it quickly becomes a candle in the dark for the common person and what should be done to create justice. This is definitely a book for our time.