Many Clue cards have a paragraph such as "...and he gives you a Brass Key."

The Brass Key being the item card under the Clue card. It seems fair to give the Item to the Investigators straight away, after all, the Clue card has just said they've been given it. But it seems officially the item is still an unturned Item card that someone must spend an explore action to uncover.

So how are you playing this?

K xx

When you explore, you get all the cards in the room, not just the one on top. So in this case if Clue is on top, Brass Key under it, you'd get Clue, then BK, both with one explore.

"When a player performs an explore action, the keeper flips over
all cards in the room one at a time, starting with the top card in
the pile and working down. He reads each card aloud and then
hands it to the player exploring the room. The player must take
each of these cards and place it faceup next to his Character card
(to mark that he is carrying it)." (p. 9)

Ah, it's good to ask those nagging questions and have someone set you back on the right path!

Much appreciated, Dam.

K xx