Secret Notes: What They Say, Rewards they Give – Stardew Valley
Stardew Valley 1.3 features a number of new items to gather including both the Magnifying Glass and Secret Notes. By having the Magnifying Glass in their wallet, players are able to collect Secret Notes which contain useful information or sometimes rewards. Here’s what you need to know about Secret Notes in Stardew Valley.
Important: You need to collect the Secret Notes for things relating to items before being able to do the activity.
What are Secret Notes?
Secret Notes are a new addition to Stardew Valley in the recent 1.3 update. These new collectibles can be acquired AFTER you’ve unlocked the Magnifying Glass item. Once you have this item you are able to gather Secret Notes off of various sources including mining, killing enemies, cutting down trees, fishing, and digging up worms. The purpose of Secret Notes is twofold: first some notes are simply informational and will help you with relationships; second some notes are mini-treasure maps which lead to some interesting items. Keep in mind that note drops are random.
In total there are 23 Secret Notes to collect. To help you keep track of all of them, I’ve listed each note and it’s content/quest down below. Obvious spoilers follow.
Secret Note #1: Abigail’s Diary Entry
Text: “It’s a page from Abigail’s Diary – ‘Things I love: the smell of carved pumpkin, keeping an amethyst under my pillow, chocolate cake, the thrill of spicy eel, and the comfort of Mom’s blackberry cobbler (I like to eat!)'”
Purpose: Tells us what gifts to give Abigail. She like the items Chocolate Cake, Spicy Eel, Amethyst, and Blackberry Cobbler.
Secret Note #2: Sam’s Holiday Shopping List
Text: “It’s Sam’s holiday shopping list-‘Everyone’s favourites:
- Sebastian = Frozen Tear, Sashimi
- Penny = Emerald, Poppy
- Vincent = Grape, Cranberry Candy
- Mom = Crispy Bass, Pancakes
- Dad = Risotto, Roasted Hazelnuts
- Me = Cactus, Maple Bar, Pizza. “
Purpose: Tells us a number of liked gifts for various residents of Stardew Valley.
Secret Note #3: Leah’s Note
Text: “It’s written in Leah’s handwriting-‘My idea of a perfect dinner would be salad, goat cheese, truffle, and wine. For dessert I’d need a poppyseed muffin. Yum! If someone gave me one of these things, I’d melt.”
Purpose: Tells us a number of liked gifts for Leah.
Secret Note #4: Maru’s Note
Text: “It’s a note of Maru’s-Parts still needed for my greatest invention yet!:
- Gold Bar
- Iridium Bar
- Battery Pack
- Diamond
- Strawberries”
Purpose: Tells us a number of liked gifts for Maru.
Secret Note #5: Penny’s Note
Text: “It’s Penny’s handwriting-I want to get everyone something they love!:
- Mom: Parsnip, Glazed Yams, NO BEER!
- Jas: Fairy Rose, Plum Pudding
- Vincent: Pink Cake
- Mr. Mullner: Leek, Fried Mushroom
- Granny Mullner: Beet, Tulip”
Purpose: Tells us a number of liked gifts for various residents of Stardew Valley.
Secret Note #6: Stardrop Saloon Special Orders
Text: “Stardrop Saloon Special Orders:
- Mayor Lewis: Autumn’s Bounty (Double order of high-fiber bread on the side)
- Marnie: Pumpkin Pie (extra whipped cream)
- Demetrius: Bean Hotpot (Make it spicy)
- Caroline: Fish Taco (she wants triple the sauce! Better throw in a few extra napkins…)”
Purpose: Tells us a number of liked gifts for various residents of Stardew Valley.
Secret Note #7: A Page From Someone’s Diary
Text: “It’s a page from someone’s diary…
- There are only a few ‘older’ bachelors in town, and none of them are perfect! Harvey is really anxious and weak, but I know he would make a loyal and devoted husband. He likes coffee and pickles.
- Elliott is a bit foppish and melodramatic, but he does have a nice chin. He likes crab cakes and pomegranates.
- Shane is messy and anti-social. But I think his gruff exterior is a defense mechanism, insulating his softness from the world. He likes, Beer, Pizza, and Pepper Poppers.”
Purpose: Tells us a number of liked gifts for the various bachelors of Stardew Valley.
Secret Note #8: From Haley and Emily’s Parents
Text: “To Haley and Emily. Hope you two are doing well! We’ve sent you your favorite gifts: Pink Cake and Sunflowers for Haley, Gemstones and Wool for Emily! – Love Mom and Dad”
Purpose: Tells us a couple of liked gifts for Haley and Emily.
Secret Note #9: Alex’s Strength Training Diet
Text: “Alex’s Strength Training Diet:
- Complete Breakfast
- Salmon Dinner
(I’ve learned to love this food… I can feel the protein!)”
Purpose: Tells us a couple of liked gifts for Alex.
Secret Note #10: Skull Cavern Note
Text: “Someone is waiting for you on level 100 in the Skull Cavern…”
Purpose: Unlocks the Cryptic Note mission. This quest tasks you with reaching level 100 in the Skull Cavern. When you reach level 100 you will be met by Mister Qi. He will reward you for completing the quest with some Iridium Snake Milk, this causes you to gain an additional 25 to your HP.
Secret Note #11: Old Photo
Text: N/A – Old Photo
Purpose: Establishes the relationship of Marnie and Jaas?
Secret Note #12: Linus Garbage Tips
Text: “I’ve found some good things by looking the the garbage cans, on lucky days. Sometimes you’ll find the ‘dish of the day’ behind the saloon…usually fresh! For dessert, I’ll check the Mullner’s can for cookies. For treasures, check the cans by the blacksmith and museum.”
Purpose: Tells us a little something about looking in garbage cans. If we look on lucky days, we have a chance of finding some interesting items at the locations Linus mentions.
Secret Note #13: Season End Meeting
Text: “12 o’ clock noon SHARP. Last day of the season. Check the bush above the playground”
Purpose: Head to the bush above the playground at 12:00 PM on the last day of the season (I did it in winter). You will get a Junimo Plush as a reward.
Secret Note #14: Location of Hidden Item
Text: “I hid something behind the community center.”
Purpose: Directions to a hidden item behind the community center. The item can be found on the eastside of the community center beside the fence. You will need to walk directly into the back of the community center and click around wildly to grab it. Item you receive is the Stone Junimo garden art.
Secret Note #15: Mermaid Show Puzzle Solution
Text: “Mermaid Show: 1-5-4-2-3”
Purpose: Use this sequence on the shells at the Mermaid Show in the Night Market. Completing the puzzle earns you a Pearl.
Secret Note #16: Treasure Location Map
Text: N/A – Treasure Map
Purpose: A treasure map highlighting a dig spot behind the hot springs. Head here and dig up the spot to receive a Treasure Chest (sells for 5000g).
Secret Note #17: Treasure Map Location 2
Text: N/A – Treasure Map
Purpose: A treasure map highlighting a dig spot on the east banks of the river beside the community center. Head here and dig up the spot to receive a Strange Doll artifact (item I received).
Secret Note #18: Treasure Map Location 3
Text: N/A – Treasure Map
Purpose: A treasure map highlighting a dig spot in the Calico Desert. Head to the desert and make your way to the bench in the lower southeast corner. Dig up the spot to receive a Strange Doll artifact (item I received).
Secret Note #19: Follow the Directions
Text: N/A – Follow Directions
Purpose: Follow the directions on the Secret Note starting from Jodi’s house and you will eventually arrive at the back of the Mayor’s house. Click around the circled area (pictured) to get the Solid Gold Lewis statue. If you want you can display it in the Town Square to make 750g, or keep it on your farm.
Secret Note #20: Follow the Directions 2
Text: N/A – Follow Directions
Purpose: Starting in the Town Square, follow the directions on Secret Note #20. Eventually you will end up at the Truck beside Joja Mart. Approach the driver’s side door and interact with it. The Joja Truck Driver will ask for a Luck Rabbit’s Foot. Give it to them and you will receive the Special Charm which increases your base luck.
Secret Note #21: Follow the Directions 3
Text: N/A – Follow Directions
Purpose: Shake the bush indicated in the note (beside the bridge to the beach) at exactly 12:40 AM to reveal Marnie and Mayor inside. This adds a little bit extra to the story of them having a romance together.
Secret Note #22: Mister Qi Questline (Casino)
Text: N/A – Follow Directions
Purpose: This is a nice little addition to the Mister Qi questline.
Secret Note #23: Maple Syrup Request
Text: “If you can read dis… come to secret wuds. Please bring may-pal surrup.”
Purpose: Once you’ve acquired Maple Syrup, make your way to the Secret Woods to meet Bear. The bear will give you Bear’s Knowledge which increase the sale price Blackberries and Salmonberries sell for by 3X (thanks Ben!).
Update 1.4 Secret Notes Below
Secret Note #24: M. Jasper’s Book
Text: “It’s a page from M. Jasper’s book: …the creatures, known by some as “Forest Spirits” or “Junimos”, are said to appear in abandoned buildings after they’ve “gone to seed”. As a general rule…when humans leave, and nature begins to reclaim her territory, the Junimos will undoubtedly appear. Folk wisdom holds that the Junimos display some kind of resonant affinity with gemstones that are placed inside their little huts… Of course, all these claims come from dubious, unverified sources…As far as I know, even the mere existence of these creatures has never been proven!”
Purpose: placing gems inside the Junimo Huts changes the color of the Junimo that harvest your crops.
Secret Note #25: Note from Abigail
Text: I ‘borrowed’ a necklace from Mom, but lost it somewhere near the bath house.. She’s going to freak out if she notices it’s missing.
Purpose: Clue to help you find the lost necklace. To find the necklace fish outside in the water outside the Bathhouse to get the Ornate Necklace. Give the necklace to Caroline (+50 Friendship) or Abigail (+100 Friendship).
You can put the golden lewis statue outside, it will be replaced with a rotten plant. But if you go into Lewis’ house after he sends you the letter and pays you, you can pick the statue up from his room and put it on your farm anyway.
The Mermaid show combination is incorrect. Actual combination is 1-4-5-3-2. Spent a while at this one and didn’t get anywhere until I accidentally stumbled on the right combination, as opposed to the one mentioned in the secret note. Other way to tell is by the background melody, that gives you the right tones to the five notes.
Thanks for letting us know!
Hmmm I used the one from the above post “1,5,4,2,3” and it worked. Maybe it’s different per system you are playing on. I’m on the Switch
Um, with the golden mayor Lewie statue, I placed it in the square, and the next day it had become a rotten plant. Bug?
Yes. You should get a letter from the mayor after this happens.
When I found a secret note, it registered the note as an item not as part of the collection. How do I fix this?
You need to put iy in your hotbar and right-click.
the purpose of number 23 is to triple the amount of gold salmon berries an black berries are sol for