Lock and Key books in order

Q: "How many books are in the Lock and Key series?"

"There are four books in the Lock and Key series, published between 2016 and 2018."

Q: "What is the first book in the Lock and Key series?"

"The first book in the Lock and Key series is The Gadwall Incident, published in 2016."

Q: "Is Lock and Key similar to Kingdom Keepers?"

"Not really. Lock and Key is a more grounded thriller aimed at older readers. There are no fantasy elements -- it is a mystery series set at a boarding school with corporate espionage and family secrets driving the plot."

Reading order

#	Title	Published	Author	Buy on Amazon
1	The Gadwall Incident	2016	Ridley Pearson	Buy
2	The Initiation	2016	Ridley Pearson	Buy
3	The Downward Spiral	2017	Ridley Pearson	Buy
4	The Final Step	2018	Ridley Pearson	Buy

Lock and Key follows James and his friends at a prestigious boarding school where nothing is quite what it seems. The Gadwall Incident serves as a prequel novella, while The Initiation starts the main story in earnest. Secrets about the school and its wealthy backers pull the students into dangerous territory.

Published between 2016 and 2018, the series targets a slightly older audience than Pearson’s Disney books. The plotting draws more from the thriller genre, with twists and conspiracies replacing the supernatural elements of his other series.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books are in the Lock and Key series?

There are four books in the Lock and Key series, published between 2016 and 2018.

What is the first book in the Lock and Key series?

The first book in the Lock and Key series is The Gadwall Incident, published in 2016.

Is Lock and Key similar to Kingdom Keepers?

Not really. Lock and Key is a more grounded thriller aimed at older readers. There are no fantasy elements – it is a mystery series set at a boarding school with corporate espionage and family secrets driving the plot.

Reading order#

Frequently Asked Questions

Reading order