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Mysteries of Trash and Treasure #3
The Stolen Key
Colin has spent all summer solving mysteries with his friend Nevaeh. But they’ve only ever dealt with other people’s mysteries—ones that are safe for Colin to think about. He’s still stuck on the mystery surrounding his own father, who his mother refuses to talk about and he can’t remember meeting.
Then one morning Colin finds a shoebox on his porch with a note on top: “Your father wanted you to have this.” Inside the box is a key. This new clue makes Colin even more determined to find out the truth about his dad and why his parents split up when he was a baby. Colin and Nevaeh begin investigating Colin’s father in a quest that takes them from eerie storage units to lock-lined bridges to, strangely, secrets in Nevaeh’s family.
But the closer they get to connecting the clues, the more trouble awaits them. A serious accident leaves Nevaeh’s family reeling—and Nevaeh racked with guilt. And digging into Colin’s father’s past may lead Colin and his mom into even more danger. Can Colin and Nevaeh solve the mystery before it's too late?
Then one morning Colin finds a shoebox on his porch with a note on top: “Your father wanted you to have this.” Inside the box is a key. This new clue makes Colin even more determined to find out the truth about his dad and why his parents split up when he was a baby. Colin and Nevaeh begin investigating Colin’s father in a quest that takes them from eerie storage units to lock-lined bridges to, strangely, secrets in Nevaeh’s family.
But the closer they get to connecting the clues, the more trouble awaits them. A serious accident leaves Nevaeh’s family reeling—and Nevaeh racked with guilt. And digging into Colin’s father’s past may lead Colin and his mom into even more danger. Can Colin and Nevaeh solve the mystery before it's too late?
368 pages, Hardcover
Published September 10, 2024
11 people are currently reading
2663 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Peterson Haddix
138 books6,366 followersMargaret Peterson Haddix grew up on a farm near Washington Court House, Ohio. She graduated from Miami University (of Ohio) with degrees in English/journalism, English/creative writing and history. Before her first book was published, she worked as a newspaper copy editor in Fort Wayne, Indiana; a newspaper reporter in Indianapolis; and a community college instructor and freelance writer in Danville, Illinois.
She has since written more than 25 books for kids and teens, including Running Out of Time; Don’t You Dare Read This, Mrs. Dunphrey; Leaving Fishers; Just Ella; Turnabout; Takeoffs and Landings; The Girl with 500 Middle Names; Because of Anya; Escape from Memory; Say What?; The House on the Gulf; Double Identity; Dexter the Tough; Uprising; Palace of Mirrors; Claim to Fame; the Shadow Children series; and the Missing series. She also wrote Into the Gauntlet, the tenth book in the 39 Clues series. Her books have been honored with New York Times bestseller status, the International Reading Association’s Children’s Book Award; American Library Association Best Book and Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers notations; and more than a dozen state reader’s choice awards.
Haddix and her husband, Doug, now live in Columbus, Ohio, with their two children.
She has since written more than 25 books for kids and teens, including Running Out of Time; Don’t You Dare Read This, Mrs. Dunphrey; Leaving Fishers; Just Ella; Turnabout; Takeoffs and Landings; The Girl with 500 Middle Names; Because of Anya; Escape from Memory; Say What?; The House on the Gulf; Double Identity; Dexter the Tough; Uprising; Palace of Mirrors; Claim to Fame; the Shadow Children series; and the Missing series. She also wrote Into the Gauntlet, the tenth book in the 39 Clues series. Her books have been honored with New York Times bestseller status, the International Reading Association’s Children’s Book Award; American Library Association Best Book and Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers notations; and more than a dozen state reader’s choice awards.
Haddix and her husband, Doug, now live in Columbus, Ohio, with their two children.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 27, 2026
I was on page 54 when I picked this up today. I was planning on reading 50 pages or so until tomorrow. Nope! lol couldn’t put it down after that. Kept reading until finished. Great book. Great series.
September 11, 2024
Mysteries Of Trash & Treasure: The Stolen Key is a fun, captivating, action-packed, suspenseful, unpredictable, and delightful story! This is the third book in the Mysteries Of Trash & Treasure series and is recommended for ages eight and up. I truly love this fantastic book. It kept me on my toes the entire time. Although it is labeled a mystery, this book is a beautiful mix of genres.
Colin and Nevaeh are the cutest friends and wonderful sleuths! Book #3 focuses on helping Colin slove his family mystery. Colin knows nothing about his father, but when a note and key appear on his step unraveling the mystery begins. What follows is surprising discoveries, shocking events, and a bit of danger.
Colin and Nevaeh are the cutest friends and wonderful sleuths! Book #3 focuses on helping Colin slove his family mystery. Colin knows nothing about his father, but when a note and key appear on his step unraveling the mystery begins. What follows is surprising discoveries, shocking events, and a bit of danger.
October 1, 2024
Sad that this is only a three book series-trilogy. This one is a bit darker than the other two and I wish the keys led somewhere fun. Seemed like a very grown up ending to a fun idea. Loved the double point of view and the constant cliffhangers
January 1, 2026
Another solid mystery in this series. This one has a very personal emotional hook for Colin. I can see why it won the Edgar award.
September 12, 2024
Public library copy
Tried really hard to avoid spoilers.
Colin and Neveah have become friends despite their parents' competing business in The Secret Letters and The Ghostly Photos. Now, with the death of Colin's father (whom he has never met), it's harder than ever for Colin to talk to Neveah, who is constantly surrounded by her bustling family in Groveview, Ohio. Still, when he gets a wrapped box on his porch in the early morning hours, who does he text at 6 a.m. to help him open it? Colin is suprised that there is a key, but glad that his mother didn't stumble across the box, because she still won't tell him anything about his father. Neveah recognizes the key as one from Steve's Self Storage, and is quick to ask her mother to drive the two of them there, letting her assume they are on an early morning mission from her dad. The key opens a unit filled with empty boxes, but behind that there is a child's nursery. The items look familiar to Colin, and a photo album in the crib has happy family pictures of his mother and father holding him. There's also a key to something on the Schenley Bridge in Pittsburgh. Colin doesn't want another treasure hunt, but Neveah is ready to try to talk her older siblings Prilla and Roddy into doing a college visit to Carnation-Watermelon University. (I may never think of Carnegie-Mellon in any other way!) Before they can put there plans in place, however, they get a phone call from Nevaeh's mother, who has been in a car accident. They call 911, and her mother is soon rescued, escaping with a broken wrist, broken ankle, and two broken ribs. Neveah is devastated and feels guilty, and is very surprised when her parents ask her if she wants to go to Pittsburg with Colin and his mother. Felicia Creedmont had already planned a trip, although she is evasive. Soon, three Creevys and two Creekmans are driving the winding highway to Pittsburgh and staying with an old friend of Felicia, Leia. Bits and pieces of her past surface, like the fact that Leia rented rooms to college students, including Franklin Creekman, Colin's father, who was studying to be a doctor. Leia is under gag orders not to discuss anything more, so Neveah and Colin head off to Schenley Bridge, where they manage to find two locks. The key works for one, and they find a simple note celebrating the Creekmans' marriage, but when they open it, another lock inscribed with Colin's name comes off. Since they don't have the key to it, they take it with them. Colin finds out some startling information about his father, and about why his mother won't talk about him, and when his mother finds out he knows, she is very alarmed. She not only cuts short the trip, but won't take Colin home, claiming it is not safe and they don't know who might be following them. She checks them into a hotel instead, and takes away Colin's phone. This isn't helpful, because Neveah has found out that her father and a young Roddy had met Franklin Creekman... and helped him move the nursery into the storage unit. When they are at Steve's investigating they find some alarming things out, but can't contact Colin. Colin, in the meantime, has the contact information from someone in his father's past, and his mother is again alarmed to find out that he has contacted the person. What is the horrible thing that Colin's father had done, and will it cause him and his mother to have to leave Groveview?Strengths: It's fun to see two such different characters getting along and continuing their friendship, even though we didn't get to see Ree as well. There are a lot of very mysterious things going on, but the pair do a good job of following clues and finding information that Colin desperately wants. It was fun to see Prilla and Roddy on the road trip, and to learn a little bit more about Felicia's background. Don't want to spoil the twists and turns, so sorry to be a little vague! Nevaeh's desire to do more serious detecting work was satisfied by this conclusion to the series! Let's just say that Neveah's mother was wise not to take anything stronger than Tylenol for her broken wrist!
Weaknesses: This felt much darker than the other two books, which my students will ADORE, but which seemed different from the other two books. Also, if Colin's mother had just told him the truth or at least talked to him, there wouldn't have been a story at all. I so enjoyed both families' estate clearing business that I sort of wish we had seen more of that!
What I really think: This is a great trilogy, and the Ohio setting warms my heart. At one point when the kids were on campus, they wanted ice cream, but the shops were too expensive. So, of course, they go to CVS ( a drugstore chain) and buy a carton! AS ONE DOES. Definitely purchasing this for school, especially since as I was reading this, a student was waiting for me to return it to the public library! The only question that remains is whether or not I buy a copy for myself to go with the first two books that I own. (I buy VERY few middle grade books to keep!)
Tried really hard to avoid spoilers.
Colin and Neveah have become friends despite their parents' competing business in The Secret Letters and The Ghostly Photos. Now, with the death of Colin's father (whom he has never met), it's harder than ever for Colin to talk to Neveah, who is constantly surrounded by her bustling family in Groveview, Ohio. Still, when he gets a wrapped box on his porch in the early morning hours, who does he text at 6 a.m. to help him open it? Colin is suprised that there is a key, but glad that his mother didn't stumble across the box, because she still won't tell him anything about his father. Neveah recognizes the key as one from Steve's Self Storage, and is quick to ask her mother to drive the two of them there, letting her assume they are on an early morning mission from her dad. The key opens a unit filled with empty boxes, but behind that there is a child's nursery. The items look familiar to Colin, and a photo album in the crib has happy family pictures of his mother and father holding him. There's also a key to something on the Schenley Bridge in Pittsburgh. Colin doesn't want another treasure hunt, but Neveah is ready to try to talk her older siblings Prilla and Roddy into doing a college visit to Carnation-Watermelon University. (I may never think of Carnegie-Mellon in any other way!) Before they can put there plans in place, however, they get a phone call from Nevaeh's mother, who has been in a car accident. They call 911, and her mother is soon rescued, escaping with a broken wrist, broken ankle, and two broken ribs. Neveah is devastated and feels guilty, and is very surprised when her parents ask her if she wants to go to Pittsburg with Colin and his mother. Felicia Creedmont had already planned a trip, although she is evasive. Soon, three Creevys and two Creekmans are driving the winding highway to Pittsburgh and staying with an old friend of Felicia, Leia. Bits and pieces of her past surface, like the fact that Leia rented rooms to college students, including Franklin Creekman, Colin's father, who was studying to be a doctor. Leia is under gag orders not to discuss anything more, so Neveah and Colin head off to Schenley Bridge, where they manage to find two locks. The key works for one, and they find a simple note celebrating the Creekmans' marriage, but when they open it, another lock inscribed with Colin's name comes off. Since they don't have the key to it, they take it with them. Colin finds out some startling information about his father, and about why his mother won't talk about him, and when his mother finds out he knows, she is very alarmed. She not only cuts short the trip, but won't take Colin home, claiming it is not safe and they don't know who might be following them. She checks them into a hotel instead, and takes away Colin's phone. This isn't helpful, because Neveah has found out that her father and a young Roddy had met Franklin Creekman... and helped him move the nursery into the storage unit. When they are at Steve's investigating they find some alarming things out, but can't contact Colin. Colin, in the meantime, has the contact information from someone in his father's past, and his mother is again alarmed to find out that he has contacted the person. What is the horrible thing that Colin's father had done, and will it cause him and his mother to have to leave Groveview?Strengths: It's fun to see two such different characters getting along and continuing their friendship, even though we didn't get to see Ree as well. There are a lot of very mysterious things going on, but the pair do a good job of following clues and finding information that Colin desperately wants. It was fun to see Prilla and Roddy on the road trip, and to learn a little bit more about Felicia's background. Don't want to spoil the twists and turns, so sorry to be a little vague! Nevaeh's desire to do more serious detecting work was satisfied by this conclusion to the series! Let's just say that Neveah's mother was wise not to take anything stronger than Tylenol for her broken wrist!
Weaknesses: This felt much darker than the other two books, which my students will ADORE, but which seemed different from the other two books. Also, if Colin's mother had just told him the truth or at least talked to him, there wouldn't have been a story at all. I so enjoyed both families' estate clearing business that I sort of wish we had seen more of that!
What I really think: This is a great trilogy, and the Ohio setting warms my heart. At one point when the kids were on campus, they wanted ice cream, but the shops were too expensive. So, of course, they go to CVS ( a drugstore chain) and buy a carton! AS ONE DOES. Definitely purchasing this for school, especially since as I was reading this, a student was waiting for me to return it to the public library! The only question that remains is whether or not I buy a copy for myself to go with the first two books that I own. (I buy VERY few middle grade books to keep!)
January 4, 2025
Haddix’s conclusion to the Mysteries of Trash and Treasure series is a great read!
Colin is determined to learn about his recently deceased father. When he finds a box on his porch, he assumes that it is from Nevaeh, but the note says “Your father wanted you to have this.” The box holds a key. With Nevaeh’s help, Colin discovers that the key opens a storage unit housing a baby’s nursery complete with a crib, toys, a photo album, and another key. The friends continue following the keys as they reveal bits and pieces of Colin's history. Colin’s mom obviously doesn't want him to learn about his dad, especially, when it appears that someone is trying to find her and Colin and the money left by his dad.
Colin and Nevaeh really grow in this story. Colin’s pain and confusion about his dad is the center of the story. Nevaeh learns to really appreciate her big, crazy family. The plot is complex with several subplots. The action flows smoothly with some scary moments. Fans of the first two books will really enjoy this final book. It brings Colin and Nevaeh’s summer experiences to a satisfactory conclusion. This novel is a must have for libraries where the first two books have been popular, but it is not a great stand alone.
This mystery series is a great addition for elementary and middle school libraries. I recommend the series for school and public libraries serving grades three through seven.
M.A.C.
Ret.
Colin is determined to learn about his recently deceased father. When he finds a box on his porch, he assumes that it is from Nevaeh, but the note says “Your father wanted you to have this.” The box holds a key. With Nevaeh’s help, Colin discovers that the key opens a storage unit housing a baby’s nursery complete with a crib, toys, a photo album, and another key. The friends continue following the keys as they reveal bits and pieces of Colin's history. Colin’s mom obviously doesn't want him to learn about his dad, especially, when it appears that someone is trying to find her and Colin and the money left by his dad.
Colin and Nevaeh really grow in this story. Colin’s pain and confusion about his dad is the center of the story. Nevaeh learns to really appreciate her big, crazy family. The plot is complex with several subplots. The action flows smoothly with some scary moments. Fans of the first two books will really enjoy this final book. It brings Colin and Nevaeh’s summer experiences to a satisfactory conclusion. This novel is a must have for libraries where the first two books have been popular, but it is not a great stand alone.
This mystery series is a great addition for elementary and middle school libraries. I recommend the series for school and public libraries serving grades three through seven.
M.A.C.
Ret.
November 21, 2025
Colin and Nevaeh have been investigating mysteries all summer, but they've got a humdinger this time. Colin has never known anything about his father, since his mother flat out refuses to say anything. So when he finds a box on the porch with a note that "Your father wanted you to have this," and there's a key inside, they start on an investigation into who Colin's dad really was--because he's recently died--and why Colin's mother would never say anything about him. Neveah isn't dealing with anything that traumatic, but she does hold herself responsible for an accident her mom got into one morning when she had been driving Neveah and Colin around after her all-night hospital shift. Neveah struggles with how to tell her mother that it's her fault, and sometimes it just seems easier to help Colin. But...they might not like what they find, and it may put Colin and his mom in danger.
I loved the first book in this series, and liked the second one a lot as well. This is quite different, being a lot more serious and immediate, and it's not my favorite although it's well written and structured. The characters are well-drawn and flawed, everyone just trying to get on and do the best they can, which sometimes backfires. Kids who may be in Colin's situation will appreciate seeing it well-represented, and maybe it will give others some insight into what life is like if you are lacking in the family department for reasons beyond your control.
I loved the first book in this series, and liked the second one a lot as well. This is quite different, being a lot more serious and immediate, and it's not my favorite although it's well written and structured. The characters are well-drawn and flawed, everyone just trying to get on and do the best they can, which sometimes backfires. Kids who may be in Colin's situation will appreciate seeing it well-represented, and maybe it will give others some insight into what life is like if you are lacking in the family department for reasons beyond your control.
August 11, 2025
Middle grade mystery. This book is 3rd in a series and I do not think it would be as enjoyable without reading the first two books. Colin and Neveah have spent the summer solving mysteries, so when a key shows up on Colin's porch they are determined to figure out where it came from. Neveah, with her dad's business being junk removal, recognizes the key as belonging to a storage unit. She convinces her mom to drive her and Colin to the storage unit after getting off a night shift.
This story is a bit darker and deeper than the first two in the series, with the mystery here being who was Colin's father, and what really happened all those years ago when Colin's Mom left him. As the mystery unravels, the stakes become a bit higher and Colin starts to question so much that he always knew as true. Thankfully he does not have to question his friendship with Neveah or her family.
I have enjoyed so many of Haddix's books and she is definitely one of my favorite authors. This was another book I started on audio but finished in print because I wanted to know what happened quicker! This book was intense, with interpersonal drama and growth happening alongside the plot. It emphasized the importance of a trusted community, whether that's family biological or found. Trying not to reveal too much here in the way of spoilers!
This story is a bit darker and deeper than the first two in the series, with the mystery here being who was Colin's father, and what really happened all those years ago when Colin's Mom left him. As the mystery unravels, the stakes become a bit higher and Colin starts to question so much that he always knew as true. Thankfully he does not have to question his friendship with Neveah or her family.
I have enjoyed so many of Haddix's books and she is definitely one of my favorite authors. This was another book I started on audio but finished in print because I wanted to know what happened quicker! This book was intense, with interpersonal drama and growth happening alongside the plot. It emphasized the importance of a trusted community, whether that's family biological or found. Trying not to reveal too much here in the way of spoilers!
June 14, 2025
I wanted to read this after hearing the author interviewed on local PBS station. I found it a little dark but well formatted for YA readers. The mystery is nicely paced and the characters are likable. That it's set in central Ohio made it a fun read.
Side note: We should all be grateful to our local PBS station for covering fun and interesting stories and local information. With a dearth of print media and much of radio now given to music format or talking head diatribes (on both ends of the spectrum), where else does one hear what's going on: From local author interviews, to event information, to political news that affects your taxes and roads, etc. (meaning your school, city and state leadership), to weather and emergency updates. We should all support PBS as it truly benefits all of us. **Climbing down from soap box now
Side note: We should all be grateful to our local PBS station for covering fun and interesting stories and local information. With a dearth of print media and much of radio now given to music format or talking head diatribes (on both ends of the spectrum), where else does one hear what's going on: From local author interviews, to event information, to political news that affects your taxes and roads, etc. (meaning your school, city and state leadership), to weather and emergency updates. We should all support PBS as it truly benefits all of us. **Climbing down from soap box now
December 7, 2024
There was more angst between Colin and Nevaeh (friendship kind, not romance) and with Colin and his mom that sometimes I was tempted to skip through.
We do find more out about Colin's dad, although the mystery was less historical than the others.
I do think this was an interesting way to introduce kids to the opioid epidemic, we don't see actual drug use, but we see the effects on families and the danger it poses with drug dealers desperate for their money. Definitely opportunity for conversation.
I liked the ending, but it does seem like she's wrapping this series up and I would like to see more of the mystery solving duo.
We do find more out about Colin's dad, although the mystery was less historical than the others.
I do think this was an interesting way to introduce kids to the opioid epidemic, we don't see actual drug use, but we see the effects on families and the danger it poses with drug dealers desperate for their money. Definitely opportunity for conversation.
I liked the ending, but it does seem like she's wrapping this series up and I would like to see more of the mystery solving duo.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 18, 2024
That was crazy! There was so much drama. I was at the edge of my seat. When I started this series I didn't expect to enjoy this last (assuming) book so much. Hopefully some younger readers will benefit from seeing this. It seems pretty heavy for the age group but I appreciate it not talking down to younger readers.
November 16, 2025
I loved all of the heart fill talks between Colin and neveah and sometimes ree! I was so sad that this was the last book but so happy that I now can tell my friends all about it! So my final thoughts about this? I was so upset that Colin’s dad was actually not framed for the drugs that he gave to patients. I was also sad that his dad did die. But the books are some of my favorites!!!!❤️❤️❤️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 23, 2025
Great ending to the series (even though I missed the second one). Pulled me right in, and like the best TV mysteries, there were enough red herrings and other plot twists to keep me reading...and surprised but pleased by the ending.
January 19, 2026
I think that the first two books were better (though this wasn't 𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦) and that it got a little dramatic. The mystery was also lost along the way and it became very emotional. I didn't hate it and many would like it- I just didn't kike it as much.
April 1, 2025
I was not expecting the twist with this book. Such a great way to approach a tough but relevant topic these days. I love the dynamic between the two families.
May 1, 2025
Such an amazing ending fast paced book that you will keep turning pages till your finished! Love the characters and the story plot
May 6, 2025
Good and yes
July 22, 2025
Not your typical middle grade mystery. Despite some typical elements the end result is far more interesting and realistic.
September 6, 2025
I haven’t read the first two books but that didn’t keep me from enjoying this one.
October 6, 2025
My favorite story in the series and the most “thrilling” (as thrilling as juvenile fiction can get lol). The storyline was different than other books I’ve read in this genre which was cool to see
December 9, 2025
I listened to this one. This was a twisty turny book. The storyline kept my attention well, because the plot just kept thickening. The narrators did a good job.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews