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perfectcupoftea's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Suicide, Abortion, and Pandemic/Epidemic
bonestheartist's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I really loved how the mystery took you down different theories, as if you were with the main character Nell trying to uncover the secrets held close within her two families. Absolutely loved this!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body horror, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Stalking, Abortion, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Moderate: Pandemic/Epidemic
fairymoo83's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, and Alcohol
hobbithopeful's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
A thrilling and mysterious tale about two families, a picture book, and the dangers of obsession, The Skeleton Key was full of twists and reveals that had me frantically reading till the very last page.
At its heart this is a book about obsession, the lengths people will go to get what they want, and the horrible impact it has on innocent people.
Frank Churcher wrote an ambitious children's book 50 years ago that inspired an obsessive cult following, and made him a very rich man, all at the expense of his and his best friend's family. Now with the help of his son, they are releasing an app for a new generation of cluefinders and treasure hunters, but the big day goes south very quickly. When instead of treasure comes a human bone out of a tree, the family must face secrets long buried.
Even after finishing this book, I can't get it out of my head! I have so many different theories and ideas, the characters were all so complex and morally grey. The main character, Nell, is probably the one that I feel most conflicted about.
In all honesty the way I feel about her can be summarized by a few incidents, starting with the smallest.
1. She had her hair briefly in dreadlocks. If that doesn't say privileged white artist, I don't know what else does.
2. It takes a certain type of upbringing to seek independence in the way Nell so desperately did. She refused her family's blood money, even at the cost how it could help her (basically) daughter Billie. I have really only typically seen this reaction to people who have a golden parachute, and have grown up very rich. She mentions how proud she is of Billie for sitting on the freezing docks trying to get a wifi signal to do her classes. (LIKE THE F***) I was so glad Billie chasisted her for her privilege, but wish Nell had shown more growth there. (As much as she hates her family she is a lot like them.)
3. My biggest issue with Nell was her reaction to finding out her Father groomed and abused Rose when she was a child, and in essence her sister. She took on such a holier than thou persona, and by god was her high horse high. For me it was the worst possible reaction she could have had. She kept saying it wasn't justice to frame Frank for murder, and this wasn't right. Listen here Nell, you have never been victim of assault by parental grooming sit your ass down! I am glad they framed Frank, he was a horrible person who ruined so many lives. Even if Rose did come forward about everything that had happened, it would have sucked her children back into it. Not to mention I doubt Frank would have gotten any jail time. (Love the fact that grooming and assault is like nothing in jail compared to murder) I think she was in completely the right mind to try to blackmail Nell. I feel like Nell was incredibly selfish. And then to cut off her whole family? They were just trying to keep the pieces together and Nell just cut them off. She also went and told Frank everything in jail, and barely seemed angry about him. She never told him she was not going to keep him in her life. (selfish Nell) Yes I get the fact a girl was murdered and Cora is technically responsible, but I feel Cora's life with Frank had been punishment enough. Nell would never admit this, but I believe she is just as bad as the rest of her family. (If not worse)
This is one of those books that sticks in your brain long after you stop reading it, theories and questions still running through your mind.
Let the record stand that I hate Frank and wish he had suffered greatly. I wish they had found a way to slander his name and reputation and RUIN him.
I don't know if I would read any other of Erin Kelly's books for a few reasons. She doesn't use CONTENT WARNINGS. (Like c'mon really?) She seems to favor morally grey characters and dealing with darker topics, which isn't too bad, I just can't read too many books like this without slumping. If you enjoy treasure hunts, mysteries, and toxic family dynamics, you will enjoy this book!
The Cover
This is one of those covers that follows the trend of doing a bundle of flowers/plants with trinkets around the edges and the title font overlayed on top. If you go into a bookstore you're going to see 10 different books with variations of this cover. There are a lot of flowers, and I guess I can understand the roses, but it doesn't make sense to me. (Why do so many cover artists like putting flowers on the book covers?!) Even the golden skeleton on the front is just mostly the same bone repeated over and over again. I am not a fan of the authors name size, are you selling the author or the quality of the book?
I am also not a fan of the font, it feels very narrow and doesn't match the composition.
Beautiful cover, but very basic and nothing we haven't seen before. Does not match the quality of the book.
Book cover by Andrew Davis and Will Speed
At its heart this is a book about obsession, the lengths people will go to get what they want, and the horrible impact it has on innocent people.
Frank Churcher wrote an ambitious children's book 50 years ago that inspired an obsessive cult following, and made him a very rich man, all at the expense of his and his best friend's family. Now with the help of his son, they are releasing an app for a new generation of cluefinders and treasure hunters, but the big day goes south very quickly. When instead of treasure comes a human bone out of a tree, the family must face secrets long buried.
Even after finishing this book, I can't get it out of my head! I have so many different theories and ideas, the characters were all so complex and morally grey. The main character, Nell, is probably the one that I feel most conflicted about.
In all honesty the way I feel about her can be summarized by a few incidents, starting with the smallest.
1. She had her hair briefly in dreadlocks. If that doesn't say privileged white artist, I don't know what else does.
2. It takes a certain type of upbringing to seek independence in the way Nell so desperately did. She refused her family's blood money, even at the cost how it could help her (basically) daughter Billie. I have really only typically seen this reaction to people who have a golden parachute, and have grown up very rich. She mentions how proud she is of Billie for sitting on the freezing docks trying to get a wifi signal to do her classes. (LIKE THE F***) I was so glad Billie chasisted her for her privilege, but wish Nell had shown more growth there. (As much as she hates her family she is a lot like them.)
3. My biggest issue with Nell was her reaction to finding out
This is one of those books that sticks in your brain long after you stop reading it, theories and questions still running through your mind.
Let the record stand that
I don't know if I would read any other of Erin Kelly's books for a few reasons. She doesn't use CONTENT WARNINGS. (Like c'mon really?) She seems to favor morally grey characters and dealing with darker topics, which isn't too bad, I just can't read too many books like this without slumping. If you enjoy treasure hunts, mysteries, and toxic family dynamics, you will enjoy this book!
The Cover
This is one of those covers that follows the trend of doing a bundle of flowers/plants with trinkets around the edges and the title font overlayed on top. If you go into a bookstore you're going to see 10 different books with variations of this cover. There are a lot of flowers, and I guess I can understand the roses, but it doesn't make sense to me. (Why do so many cover artists like putting flowers on the book covers?!) Even the golden skeleton on the front is just mostly the same bone repeated over and over again. I am not a fan of the authors name size, are you selling the author or the quality of the book?
I am also not a fan of the font, it feels very narrow and doesn't match the composition.
Beautiful cover, but very basic and nothing we haven't seen before. Does not match the quality of the book.
Book cover by Andrew Davis and Will Speed
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Infidelity
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, and Murder
Minor: Pedophilia and Sexual assault
kgeogheghan's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
4.0
This is a fascinating and gripping tale of a treasure hunt book that became a worldwide sensation. The story spans from the creation of the book to the fifty year anniversary, and follows two best friends, their lives and intertwined families, and the repercussions their 'competitive nature' has on the people around them.
The characters and relationships are complex and compelling. The reveals are well laid and paced, making a book that's difficult to put down. Overall, it's a great mystery novel that I highly recommend.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
The characters and relationships are complex and compelling. The reveals are well laid and paced, making a book that's difficult to put down. Overall, it's a great mystery novel that I highly recommend.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Infidelity, and Murder
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, and Stalking
Minor: Drug use, Physical abuse, Suicide, and Abortion