Where to Start: Your Serenity, Iowa Road Map
For readers looking to dive into the delightfully chaotic world of Serenity, Iowa, the best starting point is undisputedly the series debut, Antiques Roadkill (2006). Starting here introduces you to Brandy Borne, her eccentric and theatrical mother Vivian, and their beloved, clues-sniffing shih tzu, Sushi. While each mystery functions perfectly well as a standalone whodunit, the personal relationships, romantic subplots, and the evolution of their antique shop build sequentially. Reading from the beginning allows you to fully appreciate the running jokes, character growth, and Brandy's eventual path toward marriage.
The Trash 'n' Treasures Reading Order
The series is cataloged differently depending on whether you count only full-length novels or include the holiday novellas. In the novel-only sequence, the count reaches 20 with the upcoming release of Antiques Web. Below is the comprehensive combined reading order, including the main novels, standalone novellas, and the collection volume:
- Antiques Roadkill (2006) - The novel that introduces the Borne family and Sushi the Shih Tzu.
- Antiques Maul (2007) - Brandy and Vivian take on murder at the local shopping mall.
- Antiques Flee Market (2008) - Winner of the Romantic Times Toby Bromberg Award for Most Humorous Mystery.
- Antiques Bizarre (2010) - A mystery centered around Serenity's annual town celebration.
- Antiques Knock-Off (2011) - The mother-daughter duo deals with fake goods and real murder.
- Antiques Disposal (2012) - A clean-up project leads to a dirty crime.
- Antiques Chop (2013) - The seventh main novel, involving a lumberjack and local timber disputes.
- Antiques Slay Ride (2013) - The first holiday-themed novella.
- Antiques Con (2014) - An antique convention setting that tests Brandy's patience.
- Antiques Fruitcake (2014) - The second holiday-themed novella.
- Antiques Swap (2015) - A swap meet turns deadly.
- Antiques St. Nicked (2015) - The third holiday-themed novella.
- Antiques Fate (2016) - A fortune-teller themed mystery.
- Antiques Frame (2017) - Brandy and Vivian get framed for a murder they didn't commit.
- Antiques Wanted (2018) - The Bornes hunt down rare items and a killer.
- Antiques Ho-Ho-Homicides (2018) - A special print collection that compiles the three holiday novellas: Slay Ride, Fruitcake, and St. Nicked.
- Antiques Ravin' (2019) - Edgar Allan Poe themes collide with small-town Iowa.
- Antiques Fire Sale (2020) - High stakes and hot tempers in Serenity.
- Antiques Carry On (2021) - Brandy and Vivian try to keep their business afloat.
- Antiques Liquidation (2022) - Clearing out an estate leads to a messy crime scene.
- Antiques Foe (2023) - A rival antiques dealer makes things personal.
- Antiques Slay Belles (2024) - A Christmas-luncheon murder mystery.
- Antiques Round-Up (2025) - Brandy, Vivian, and Sushi travel to Texas for a massive city-wide yard sale.
- Antiques Web (Scheduled for October 2026) - Brandy navigates her first year of marriage while tackling an auction disaster.
Chronological vs. Publication Order: The Novella Dilemma
For the most part, the publication order matches the chronological timeline of the characters' lives. The main complication lies in the three holiday novellas: Antiques Slay Ride, Antiques Fruitcake, and Antiques St. Nicked. These were initially published as digital-first shorts to give fans festive mini-mysteries between the release of the main books. If you prefer to read everything chronologically, insert these novellas directly after the novels they followed in release year (e.g., read Slay Ride after Chop). Alternatively, you can read the first twelve novels and then pick up the 2018 collection, Antiques Ho-Ho-Homicides, to catch up on all the festive fun in one single volume before continuing with Antiques Ravin'.
Behind the Pseudonym: The Dynamic Duo
"Barbara Allan" is the collaborative pen name of Barbara Collins and Max Allan Collins. Max Allan Collins is a celebrated, prolific mystery author known for his gritty historical crime fiction (including Road to Perdition, which was adapted into an Oscar-winning film). Barbara Collins is an accomplished short story writer with a background in humorous and feline-themed fiction. By combining Max's plotting expertise and pacing with Barbara's comedic timing, small-town observations, and love for animals, the couple successfully created a unique voice that stands out in the cozy mystery genre.
Cozy Mystery Elements: Recipes and Shopping Tips
True to cozy mystery tradition, the Trash 'n' Treasures books offer readers more than just a whodunit. Each book concludes with practical, real-world antique shopping tips written from the perspective of Vivian Borne, helping readers spot authentic treasures and avoid common fleamarket scams. Additionally, the authors include a selection of home-style recipes mentioned throughout the story, adding a warm, domestic charm to the reading experience.