The Skeleton Key: A family reunion ends in murder; the Sunday Times top ten bestseller

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Overall, The Skeleton Key is another sophisticated, vivid, creepy tale by Kelly that does a fantastic job of delving into all the complex, dysfunctional dynamics that can occur between family members and reminds us just how toxic and evil, and yet somehow still loyal some of these relationships can truly be. She still sees them, but she’s steadfastly refused any money or help no matter how much she might need it. From the bestselling author of He Said/She Said and Watch Her Fall, this is a taut, mesmerising novel about a daughter haunted by her father’s legacy . With this not being a straightforward story there are many subplots and whilst these were very good for the most part, I did feel the book got a bit lost half way through. I come to really like and admire her especially her frequent wry tone but most especially her love and loyalty to her ‘stepdaughter’ Billie who is a shining light among characters with somewhat dubious morals.

In the late 18th century, Joseph Johnson was arguably the first modern publisher, working with some of the most famous names of the day: William Blake was his chief engraver. Exquisite prose and multilayered characters lift this exceptional novel from British author Kelly ( Watch Her Fall).

However, this is definitely a character-driven novel with a focus on the many, mostly bad, decisions these characters have made throughout the years. Inspired by the author’s love for Masquerade, this is a taut, mesmerising novel of danger and obsession. You get insights and information from different characters' perspectives and across various timelines.

Lizzy Stewart’s first full-length graphic novel reminds me both of the kind of novels I read when I was young (think early Margaret Drabble and Edna O’Brien) as well as some I’ve loved more recently (it has echoes of Tessa Hadley’s Clever Girl). Dan Barbarisi, author of Chasing the Thrill, an account of the Fenn treasure hunt, says that the mindset that makes a good treasure hunter can also mean they go too far. Who could not love and admire Nell for abandoning the claustrophobic craziness and striking out on her own? If you enjoy books drenched in suspense with characters you can never quite be certain of, you're going to love reading The Skeleton Key. In the summer of 2021 the Churcher family gather for a television programme and a 50th anniversary relaunch of “The Golden Bones“ which is based on an old folk song telling the story of Elinore, her lover Tam and her husband who murders her, scattering her bones through the countryside.In this new digital age there will be a new challenge via an app of clues that will lead to skeleton keys.

The book is being reissued, along with a new treasure hunt and a documentary crew are charting the anniversary.He Said/She Said taught me more about solar eclipses than I ever wanted to know, The Poison Tree was ruined by an ignoramus American editor, but I quite liked Watch Her Fall and thought The Burning Air an excellent school revenge story. Her best friend, Jay, is devoted to the art of flamenco but his teacher is almost completely blind, and thus can’t help him with the fact that his dancing is an embarrassing mess.