When she was a baby, Cairo was found in a trunk by Agatha Mulch, a mean, thieving auctioneer. Now twelve years old, Cairo is desperate to escape Agatha’s cruelty and find her real parents. She runs away and joins a group who are hunting for the golden scarabs. If she helps them track down the treasure, Cairo could finally discover the truth about her family.

But there are others searching for the scarabs and unless Cairo faces her fears, learns who to trust, and finds the scarabs first, she might never unlock the mystery of her past.

The Trunk of Stars is the first novel in the Stolen Treasures series for readers aged nine to twelve. If you like Lemony Snicket and The Mysterious Benedict Society, you’ll love this action-packed adventure by Susie Dinneen.

Start reading today to see if Cairo can unravel the mystery.

Once again, Cairo is in the clutches of Gran, the cruel woman who taught her to pickpocket when she was a young girl and forced her into a life of crime. Living with Gran is miserable and Cairo is losing hope that she will be reunited with Astrid, the woman who wants to give her a home. 

Desperate to escape, Cairo is shocked when Gran offers her a way out. Cairo can return to Astrid, but only if she steals the Star Spear, a priceless Viking treasure. To succeed, she has to befriend a girl–and then betray her. Cairo doesn’t know if she can, especially once she gets to know her and wants to be her friend. 

When Cairo realises Gran is keeping secrets about the Star Spear, she becomes determined to discover why it’s so important to her. There’s not much time as other dangerous people also want the treasure. 

With the clock counting down, Cairo has to make an impossible choice. If she obeys Gran she’ll have to double-cross her new friend, but if she does what’s right, she’ll be trapped with Gran and never go home to Astrid. 

The Star Spear is the third book in the action-packed Stolen Treasures series and can be read as a standalone. It’s perfect for fans of Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys and The Mysterious Benedict Society. Enjoy this tale of friendship, intrigue and bravery.