The Key In The Lock

The Key In The Lock

2022 • 304 pages

Ratings2

Average rating4

15

A melancholy gothic novel set in two time periods, following the life of one woman. Ivy remembers a tragic fire that happened in the local Manor House and her passion for the son of the owner, whilst she is mourning the loss of her son. There are a number of mysteries and secrets she gradually unravels. This is not a fast moving novel in terms of plot, but the writing is beautifully lyrical and gives a real sense of both periods, particularly how women dealt with the senseless loss of their children during and after the war. Ivy is a well drawn character and I thought having her narrate in the first person was a good choice, particularly in the way she comes to recognise that maybe she saw things in the wrong way as a young woman. The gothic elements are subtle, there are no ghosts and things that go bump in the night, it's more related to the mysterious foreboding house full of secrets.

January 9, 2022Report this review