Where to Start with the Trash ‘N’ Treasures Mysteries
For the best reading experience, you should start the Trash ‘N’ Treasures Mysteries from the very beginning with Antiques Roadkill (2006). While each installment functions well as a standalone murder mystery, the series relies heavily on character development, evolving relationships, and long-running subplots in the small town of Serenity, Iowa. Reading the books in order allows you to appreciate Brandy Borne’s growth from a recently divorced, reluctant sleuth into a confident investigator, alongside the increasingly hilarious antics of her mother, Vivian, and their lovable Shih Tzu, Sushi.
The Core Reading Order (Publication & Chronological Order)
The main series flows chronologically in the order of its publication. Below is the complete listing of the Trash ‘N’ Treasures Mysteries in their recommended reading sequence based on the original release timeline:
- Antiques Roadkill (2006) – The book that starts it all. Brandy returns to Iowa and finds herself and Vivian suspected of a hit-and-run murder tied to an antiques dealer.
- Antiques Maul (2007) – Brandy and Vivian open their own antiques booth, only for a corpse to turn up at the local mall.
- Antiques Flee Market (2008) – A rare comic book sparks a murder investigation at a flea market. This fan-favorite won the 2008 Romantic Times Toby Bromberg Award for Most Humorous Mystery.
- Antiques Bizarre (2010) – The duo investigates a local collector's suspicious estate sale.
- Antiques Knock-Off (2011) – Vivian and Brandy find themselves entangled in a web of counterfeit antiques and crime.
- Antiques Disposal (2012) – A junk dealer's untimely demise forces our sleuths to dig through the trash for clues.
- Antiques Chop (2013) – A killer strikes down a rival woodcarver, forcing the Bornes to chip away at a list of suspects.
- Antiques Slay Ride (2013) – The first festive novella, set during the Christmas season.
- Antiques Con (2014) – A trip to a New York comic convention turns deadly when a stolen Superman sketch leads to murder.
- Antiques Fruitcake (2014) – The second holiday-themed novella, where a local baker's recipe turns out to be lethal.
- Antiques Swap (2015) – The town's flea market exchange becomes the backdrop for an unexpected homicide.
- Antiques St. Nicked (2015) – The third Christmas novella, featuring a stolen Santa statue and a seasonal crime.
- Antiques Fate (2016) – A fortune teller's predictions lead to a real-life murder in Serenity.
- Antiques Frame (2018) – A local art gallery opening turns into a crime scene, framing the Bornes.
- Antiques Wanted (2018) – A wanted criminal brings high stakes and danger to the Borne household.
- Antiques Ho-Ho-Homicides (2018) – A print collection compiling the three previously released Christmas novellas: Antiques Slay Ride, Antiques Fruitcake, and Antiques St. Nicked.
- Antiques Ravin' (2019) – Edgar Allan Poe-themed estate mysteries bring literary murder to town.
- Antiques Fire Sale (2020) – A devastating fire at a local landmark hides a darker criminal conspiracy.
- Antiques Carry on (2021) – The pandemic arrives in Serenity, but quarantines can't stop Brandy and Vivian from hunting down a killer.
- Antiques Liquidation (2022) – The liquidators of a prominent estate find more than just dusty old furniture.
- Antiques Foe (2023) – A bitter rival pushes Vivian to her limits in a duel of wits and antiques.
- Antiques Slay Belles (2024) – A holiday mystery featuring pageants, secrets, and a festive murder.
Understanding the Holiday Novellas & Collections
In addition to the full-length novels, the husband-and-wife writing team Max Allan Collins and Barbara Collins (writing as Barbara Allan) introduced several Christmas-themed stories to the series. If you are reading the series chronologically, these novellas fit neatly between the major novels:
- Antiques Slay Ride serves as book 7.5 and should be read between Antiques Chop and Antiques Con.
- Antiques Fruitcake serves as book 8.5 and is best enjoyed between Antiques Con and Antiques Swap.
- Antiques St. Nicked is book 9.5, fitting between Antiques Swap and Antiques Fate.
- Antiques Ho-Ho-Homicides is not a new story but rather a convenient physical compilation of Slay Ride, Fruitcake, and St. Nicked. If you own this compilation, you can read it as a whole after Antiques Fate, or dip in at the appropriate chronological breaks.
These stories have developed a life of their own outside of print. Notably, the novella Antiques Fruitcake was adapted into the 2026 feature film Death by Fruitcake, directed by Max Allan Collins and produced by Barbara Collins.
What to Know Before You Start
The Trash ‘N’ Treasures Mysteries are the definition of a "cozy" mystery. The series features minimal gore and violence, focusing instead on comedic mother-daughter dynamics, small-town gossip, and antique hunting. A unique feature of the series is the inclusion of real antique-hunting tips, grading guides, and valuation trivia interspersed throughout the chapters. Fans of antiques, thrift shopping, and flea markets will find these details especially rewarding. The books are written from Brandy’s first-person perspective, providing a grounded, often exasperated contrast to Vivian’s larger-than-life, dramatic behavior.