Reviews

The Skeleton Key by Erin Kelly

playfulplatypus's review

challenging dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

This was an ambitiously complex story with many characters, but it was written so artfully that I rarely felt lost in the complexity. The exposition of the twists was literally jaw dropping. So much so that I found myself circling back to earlier parts of the story to try to find the clues I must have missed. This was a work of art to read and I’d highly recommend it. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Grief, and Murder

Moderate: Suicide and Stalking

pinkvogue's review against another edition

challenging emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

abalderson's review against another edition

4.0

I loved this book! It was unique and really interesting, took a little while to get into and get my head around all the characters and the different intricacies but was worth it in the end.

The characters were all so different but well developed and worked so well together. The different levels of thought and planning that went into the plot was also amazing. The chapters were really short which was good and added to the fast paced nature of the latter half of the book. The plot twist at the end really shocked me too, just when i thought it was all figured out, it felt like the book did a complete 180. It was also so realistic that I felt like i was almost there with the bone hunters watching the story of the Churcher-Lallys unfold in front of me.

Would highly recommend this for a unique and captivating read

abireads26's review

dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

ra042312's review

adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

eviesreading's review against another edition

dark tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

courteggy's review

dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

tashaaamoore's review against another edition

mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

oh_livia's review

dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

ejam1311's review against another edition

4.0

Definitely recommend this book - I read it on holiday and is quite an easy read with lots of plot twists and mystery that makes you want to keep reading. Was very invested in the book from early on and didn’t take me long to get into it. It is quite long - probably could have been slightly shorter and was dragged out at points. The plot twists towards the end were great. Not the most sophisticated writing style but again I was still enjoying my read. I thought the last chapters or so before the epilogue weren’t the best ending (but did love the epilogue). Overall would recommend.