"This area, in County Limerick, is supposed to be the most haunted of all Ireland. " Donald Butler, twelve, perks up at these words from his father. But not enough to get over his anger and despair at his parents and annoying sister, Heather, nine. He didn't want to visit Ireland for the summer. He is still trying to get over his close friend's sudden, violent death. But soon Donald, who believes in only facts and science, is caught up with Corey, twelve, his second cousin, and Heather in a search for the Royal Cat and its treasure to save Corey's home, Clareton Court. Corey's yellow cat, the split-tailed, Mirabelle, is also involved. Donald sets out to find answers to the sundials and their mysterious mottoes, surrounding the manor. Are there connections between an old book, the mottoes, the Royal Cat and a megalith, the center stone of a large stone circle? The answer to these questions changes Donald's summer and his life.