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The Keeper of the Key
There are a thousand things sixteen-year-old Rachel would rather do than upend her life to move into Morgan House, an old, run-down mansion owned by her mom’s boyfriend, Geoff.
But when her mother announces they’re relocating to St. Mary, Virginia to live with him, Rachel’s cut off from her friends and life as she knows it. St. Mary is a remote, lonely place, and the best thing about it is Nick, a guy she knows is worth keeping when he takes her to a cemetery on their first date.
Rachel struggles to get along with Geoff and his mile-long list of annoying house rules—in particular, his bizarre insistence that she stay out of the basement. But something in Morgan House plays by its own rules. At night, an unknown force pulls Rachel down to that forbidden cellar, showing her harrowing visions of a strangely familiar man lurking in the shadows. When a sudden tragedy strikes her family, those visions become more frequent—and more violent.
The dead issue urgent warnings, and if Rachel doesn’t heed them, she’ll become part of Morgan House forever.
From the author of the Bram Stoker Award-nominated Tidepool comes a chilling new gothic horror novel that will sink into your bones.
But when her mother announces they’re relocating to St. Mary, Virginia to live with him, Rachel’s cut off from her friends and life as she knows it. St. Mary is a remote, lonely place, and the best thing about it is Nick, a guy she knows is worth keeping when he takes her to a cemetery on their first date.
Rachel struggles to get along with Geoff and his mile-long list of annoying house rules—in particular, his bizarre insistence that she stay out of the basement. But something in Morgan House plays by its own rules. At night, an unknown force pulls Rachel down to that forbidden cellar, showing her harrowing visions of a strangely familiar man lurking in the shadows. When a sudden tragedy strikes her family, those visions become more frequent—and more violent.
The dead issue urgent warnings, and if Rachel doesn’t heed them, she’ll become part of Morgan House forever.
From the author of the Bram Stoker Award-nominated Tidepool comes a chilling new gothic horror novel that will sink into your bones.
ebook
Published November 12, 2024
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318 people want to read
About the author
Nicole Willson
7 books141 followersNicole Willson has been a frequent visitor to small coastal towns located along the Eastern seaboard but has yet to see anything truly alarming emerge from those waters, much to her disappointment. She’s hopeful that her lifelong aversion to eating fish or seafood might earn her a little mercy when the hungry ocean gods finally start coming ashore.
Her Bram Stoker Award-nominated debut novel "Tidepool" is out from Parliament House Press. Her novella "The Shadow Dancers of Brixton Hill" is coming from Cemetery Gates Media in 2023, and her YA novel "The Keeper of the Key" is forthcoming in Fall 2024.
Her short fiction has appeared in Cemetery Gates Media and on Medium.
Her Bram Stoker Award-nominated debut novel "Tidepool" is out from Parliament House Press. Her novella "The Shadow Dancers of Brixton Hill" is coming from Cemetery Gates Media in 2023, and her YA novel "The Keeper of the Key" is forthcoming in Fall 2024.
Her short fiction has appeared in Cemetery Gates Media and on Medium.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
November 8, 2024
⋅˚₊‧ ୨୧ ‧₊˚ ⋅ 4★ ⋅˚₊‧ ୨୧ ‧₊˚ ⋅
“The key isn’t about Nick. It’s about my reminder that you can’t hide the truth forever. It will always come crashing through whatever barriers you’ve set up to keep it away, no matter how many you build.”
I did have a good time reading this book but I personally will say that this is not a horror book but more like a thriller book. Unless I don’t understand the difference between the two but yeah. I really loved the plot line though if we were to ignore the ending. I feel like the ending just came out of nowhere, like there wasn’t a lot of build up to it. I would’ve loved to have her go through more stuff at the end like the way she ended it was just so disappointing like it didn’t seem thrilling at all.
: ̗̀➛ Rachel
I honestly felt bad for her that no one in the house believed her what was happening. My heart was just breaking for her. The things she went through in the house were honestly so damn awful. I want to wrap her in a bubble wrap and just keep her safe.
: ̗̀➛ Nick
He’s the love interest that comes into the book quite early and it’s an insta love type of thing. He did annoy me so much, like he’s very manipulative and always wanting to go to the Morgan House with Rachel or any other place where there won’t be any people around them for the ‘alone time’ which I did find very weird.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
⋆.˚🦋༘⋆ preread
a ya gothic horror book? sign me up!!
“The key isn’t about Nick. It’s about my reminder that you can’t hide the truth forever. It will always come crashing through whatever barriers you’ve set up to keep it away, no matter how many you build.”
I did have a good time reading this book but I personally will say that this is not a horror book but more like a thriller book. Unless I don’t understand the difference between the two but yeah. I really loved the plot line though if we were to ignore the ending. I feel like the ending just came out of nowhere, like there wasn’t a lot of build up to it. I would’ve loved to have her go through more stuff at the end like the way she ended it was just so disappointing like it didn’t seem thrilling at all.
: ̗̀➛ Rachel
I honestly felt bad for her that no one in the house believed her what was happening. My heart was just breaking for her. The things she went through in the house were honestly so damn awful. I want to wrap her in a bubble wrap and just keep her safe.
: ̗̀➛ Nick
He’s the love interest that comes into the book quite early and it’s an insta love type of thing. He did annoy me so much, like he’s very manipulative and always wanting to go to the Morgan House with Rachel or any other place where there won’t be any people around them for the ‘alone time’ which I did find very weird.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
⋆.˚🦋༘⋆ preread
a ya gothic horror book? sign me up!!
August 22, 2024
Thank you to Parliament House Press and NetGalley for the ARC :)
This would make a fun spooky movie.
A fast paced YA haunted house story, The Keeper of the Key sits at a very balanced spot between classic and subversive, not really bringing in ideas out of the ordinary but developing them in an original, satisfying way.
A very subjective issue I had with a part of the plot:
Throughout the novel, we’re in a bad situation and want to get out of there. The issue is that, instead of a real thing stopping the characters from leaving, we have them just decided to keep going. Are the decisions understandable? Maybe. But in this very specific plot, there were multiple moments where we were give out and no one took them (MC’s mother tells her that if she doesn’t want to, they don’t have to move; tells her she will call off the engagement if MC wants her to, etc.).‘’I’ll do this to keep my mom happy’’ is not enough when we’re dealing with a shady guy and very obviously shit house. It stressed me out in a non-thrilling, but annoying way. I would have much rather have external circumstances that prevented the characters from leaving, be them supernatural or not, instead of reading the ‘’oh well, guess I’ll have to pretend I’m okay with this’’ monologue time and time again.
However, it ''redeems'' itself as the events of the 70% go on.
The characters are not the most developed but I don't expect them to be in a less-than-300 page book; they're good enough, and the teenager we follow is both a... well, dumb teen, and the ill-mannered voice of reason I like to have as a main character.
This would make a fun spooky movie.
A fast paced YA haunted house story, The Keeper of the Key sits at a very balanced spot between classic and subversive, not really bringing in ideas out of the ordinary but developing them in an original, satisfying way.
A very subjective issue I had with a part of the plot:
Throughout the novel, we’re in a bad situation and want to get out of there. The issue is that, instead of a real thing stopping the characters from leaving, we have them just decided to keep going. Are the decisions understandable? Maybe. But in this very specific plot, there were multiple moments where we were give out and no one took them (MC’s mother tells her that if she doesn’t want to, they don’t have to move; tells her she will call off the engagement if MC wants her to, etc.).‘’I’ll do this to keep my mom happy’’ is not enough when we’re dealing with a shady guy and very obviously shit house. It stressed me out in a non-thrilling, but annoying way. I would have much rather have external circumstances that prevented the characters from leaving, be them supernatural or not, instead of reading the ‘’oh well, guess I’ll have to pretend I’m okay with this’’ monologue time and time again.
However, it ''redeems'' itself as the events of the 70% go on.
The characters are not the most developed but I don't expect them to be in a less-than-300 page book; they're good enough, and the teenager we follow is both a... well, dumb teen, and the ill-mannered voice of reason I like to have as a main character.
August 4, 2024
Rating: ★★★★☆
A thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing me a copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.
”The key isn’t about Nick. It’s about my reminder that you can’t hide the truth forever. It will always come crashing through whatever barriers you’ve set up to keep it away, no matter how many you build.”
I’m not big on teen/young adult books anymore but there was something about the synopsis of this book that really pulled me in. In The Keeper of the Key we meet Rachel, a 16 year old who is being dragged out of her town to go live with her mom’s new boyfriend in a big creepy house. The thing is, it’s not just any house; Rachel hears, sees and feels paranormal entities that won’t leave her alone.
The writing felt very eery and magical at the same time. It was extremely easy to follow the story along, especially because the author keeps playing with the readers curiosity to find out what’s happening inside the house.
I feel like some readers might find Rachel a tad bit annoying but her way of thinking and doing things felt extremely real. The character resembles a real life teenage girl and i could feel my inner 16 year old relating to Rachel a lot.
The story in itself is very interesting. We learn more about the town, the people and the house as the book takes us on a spooky ride. I would’ve enjoyed it more if the horror aspect shined a bit more, some scenes felt a bit bland and repetitive, but i can understand the decision - after all, it’s meant to be read and enjoyed by teens too.
I definitely recommend The Keeper of the Key to gothic horror fans who want something a little tamer but still fun nonetheless. If you like trying out new things this is absolutely the read for you!
A thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing me a copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased and honest review.
”The key isn’t about Nick. It’s about my reminder that you can’t hide the truth forever. It will always come crashing through whatever barriers you’ve set up to keep it away, no matter how many you build.”
I’m not big on teen/young adult books anymore but there was something about the synopsis of this book that really pulled me in. In The Keeper of the Key we meet Rachel, a 16 year old who is being dragged out of her town to go live with her mom’s new boyfriend in a big creepy house. The thing is, it’s not just any house; Rachel hears, sees and feels paranormal entities that won’t leave her alone.
The writing felt very eery and magical at the same time. It was extremely easy to follow the story along, especially because the author keeps playing with the readers curiosity to find out what’s happening inside the house.
I feel like some readers might find Rachel a tad bit annoying but her way of thinking and doing things felt extremely real. The character resembles a real life teenage girl and i could feel my inner 16 year old relating to Rachel a lot.
The story in itself is very interesting. We learn more about the town, the people and the house as the book takes us on a spooky ride. I would’ve enjoyed it more if the horror aspect shined a bit more, some scenes felt a bit bland and repetitive, but i can understand the decision - after all, it’s meant to be read and enjoyed by teens too.
I definitely recommend The Keeper of the Key to gothic horror fans who want something a little tamer but still fun nonetheless. If you like trying out new things this is absolutely the read for you!
September 1, 2024
⋆₊ ⊹✉️ Thank you to Parliament House Press and Netgalley for the arc!
2 ☆ | infrequent language, violence, blood, gore | ♥︎♡♡♡♡
↳ 16 +
By the wonderful premise of this book, I thought I'd enjoy it. But unfortunately, that was not the case. The characters were honestly meh and I got annoyed with them very easily. I'm glad this book was relatively short otherwise I think I may have been tempted to dnf it. The beginning was really good, it immediately hooked me from the first line. My issues with this began at around 30%. Now I am not a big fan of the insta-love I saw coming from the first time Rachel met Nick.
That leads to my biggest gripe, the romance. I despised it so much, Nick was so toxic and Rachel was so naive to see that. That bothered me a lot. I feel like this could've been fine without the romance, the ending still would've been possible without it in my opinion.
I gave it 2 stars because it did not fail to creep me out which previous books like this I've read didn't. The writing was a bit lacking in description, I couldn't imagine the setting much at all. Overall this isn't a bad book, just not for me.
───────── 🗝️ ─────────
guide to my reviews
pre-order the book here
pre-read: 08/09/24
Thank you so much to Parliament House Press and Netgalley for my first arc! I'm so excited for this especially since the last "gothic" book I read unfortunately let me down. If this looks to you too, it’s available to read now on NetGalley!
post read: 08/09/24
Oh boy…well I’m gonna have some things to say. Rtc!
2 ☆ | infrequent language, violence, blood, gore | ♥︎♡♡♡♡
↳ 16 +
By the wonderful premise of this book, I thought I'd enjoy it. But unfortunately, that was not the case. The characters were honestly meh and I got annoyed with them very easily. I'm glad this book was relatively short otherwise I think I may have been tempted to dnf it. The beginning was really good, it immediately hooked me from the first line. My issues with this began at around 30%. Now I am not a big fan of the insta-love I saw coming from the first time Rachel met Nick.
That leads to my biggest gripe, the romance. I despised it so much, Nick was so toxic and Rachel was so naive to see that. That bothered me a lot. I feel like this could've been fine without the romance, the ending still would've been possible without it in my opinion.
I gave it 2 stars because it did not fail to creep me out which previous books like this I've read didn't. The writing was a bit lacking in description, I couldn't imagine the setting much at all. Overall this isn't a bad book, just not for me.
───────── 🗝️ ─────────
guide to my reviews
pre-order the book here
pre-read: 08/09/24
Thank you so much to Parliament House Press and Netgalley for my first arc! I'm so excited for this especially since the last "gothic" book I read unfortunately let me down. If this looks to you too, it’s available to read now on NetGalley!
post read: 08/09/24
Oh boy…well I’m gonna have some things to say. Rtc!
dnf
September 15, 2024Dnf @22%
I tried really hard with this book. I hate to dnf, but I’m so bored and it’s just not interesting me. Also, the mention of the grandma leaving her husband to get with that woman, Margaret, was the beginning of this books downfall..
I tried really hard with this book. I hate to dnf, but I’m so bored and it’s just not interesting me. Also, the mention of the grandma leaving her husband to get with that woman, Margaret, was the beginning of this books downfall..
June 19, 2025
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of The Keeper of the Key in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The Gist
Nicole Willson crafts a gripping and atmospheric tale in The Keeper of the Key, a YA horror/paranormal novel that delivers exactly what I hoped for. From the first chapter, I felt pulled into a world full of eerie charm and unsettling secrets. The setting breathes with life—creepy without becoming cliché, vivid without overexplaining. Fans of haunted mansions and generational curses will find so much to enjoy here.
The Details
The story builds tension with a slow burn that never drags. Every twist hits at just the right moment, and the narrative stays focused from start to finish. Willson keeps the momentum steady, blending suspense with strong character development in a way that feels both natural and satisfying.
The paranormal elements work especially well. They don’t feel added in just to scare—they’re deeply tied to the emotional and psychological stakes. The protagonist stands out as a fully developed, emotionally grounded character. I cared about her journey, and that made the darker moments hit harder.
The Verdict
The Keeper of the Key delivers a well-paced, immersive, and genuinely eerie experience. It avoids cheap jump scares and leans into atmosphere and emotion instead. For readers who love Gothic fiction with a beating heart and real stakes, this one deserves a spot on your shelf.
November 10, 2024
3.5 rounded up to 4
Firstly I want to say that I really did enjoy this book and I thought that the characterisation was spot on. I loved the protagonist Rachel and thought that she was a feisty, independent and believable character navigating her way through this story. My only qualm was that I felt the pacing was a little off and there could have been large parts of the story edited and cut which would have made the reading of the story gain more impact instead of dragging in parts which took away from the ‘drama’ and intensity of the overall plot. Nevertheless an enjoyable read!
Firstly I want to say that I really did enjoy this book and I thought that the characterisation was spot on. I loved the protagonist Rachel and thought that she was a feisty, independent and believable character navigating her way through this story. My only qualm was that I felt the pacing was a little off and there could have been large parts of the story edited and cut which would have made the reading of the story gain more impact instead of dragging in parts which took away from the ‘drama’ and intensity of the overall plot. Nevertheless an enjoyable read!
August 24, 2024
Thank you so much to Parliament House Press, NetGalley, and Nicole Willson for this ARC. I really enjoyed this novel—if you love a good haunted house book with semi-annoying characters, then I would recommend.
August 29, 2024
Very well written YA gothic horror which kept me engrossed throughout.
The writing style is effortless and flows beautifully. The description of the house and hauntings are atmospheric and creepy without being OTT.
The characters are pretty flushed out, yes there is a hint of the stereotypical bad relationship between the new step-parent and the kid, but it serves a large purpose and pushes the storyline. The 16 year old FMC is likeable and a typical teen, depicted through attitude and language, without it being condescending to the target audience.
Overall an enjoyable read that I would recommend
Thankyou to NetGalley, BooksGoSocial and Parliament press for the ARC for review
The writing style is effortless and flows beautifully. The description of the house and hauntings are atmospheric and creepy without being OTT.
The characters are pretty flushed out, yes there is a hint of the stereotypical bad relationship between the new step-parent and the kid, but it serves a large purpose and pushes the storyline. The 16 year old FMC is likeable and a typical teen, depicted through attitude and language, without it being condescending to the target audience.
Overall an enjoyable read that I would recommend
Thankyou to NetGalley, BooksGoSocial and Parliament press for the ARC for review
September 1, 2024
Rachel's mom becomes serious with her partner Geoff and moves 16 year old Rachel into Geoff's home Morgan House. Immediately weird things start to happen in the home like noises and seeing dead women. Geoff and Rachel don't get along and to make matters worse Geoff thinks Rachel is faking the issues with the house to break up her mom and him.
Is Rachel faking or is the house haunted?
Is Rachel faking or is the house haunted?
August 26, 2024
This book, honestly, took a turn that I was not expecting, but was easy enough to put together once the pieces fell into place. But with an intro excerpt from the story of Bluebeard, I thought I knew exactly what I was getting into, and I was pleasantly surprised that that wasn’t the case, when all was said and done.
As thankful as I am that I decided to push through the lull this book experienced at about a quarter in, I wish that The Keeper of the Key got to its point quicker. If it had, this certainly had the potential to be an out of the park 5-star read. But because it didn’t, I feel that the overall ambiance and impact of the book suffered as a result.
What most interested me about this book in particular was the allure of a gothic fiction novel that rested as the unique intersection of gothic and young adult. Gothic fiction having a reputation for being willing to go places that would certainly not be suitable in your average young adult novel, I was curious to see how those themes would playout for a reading population that typically wasn’t the target.
The overall composition of the book was very easy to follow and digest. The writing teetering between typical fiction prose and something otherworldly, which further contributed to the experiences that Wilson was no doubt seeking to elicit throughout the journey into Morgan House and its surrounding township. The issue is that the blurred line between showing and telling became a tad obvious in points of the story where things were often explained outright rather than built up to and experienced wholly by the reader. In this way, a lot of the reactions felt manufactured rather than organic when they arose.
Similarly, it also contributed to a phenomenon where you likely could have skipped several pages in between each one read and still completely understand the story and what happened to our protagonist, Rachel, as she sought to uncover what it was being hidden with Morgan House’s walls.
Rachel, herself, is also a bit insufferable in the way she goes about things, but this can largely be chalked up to her being sixteen years old, which further emphasizes her naivete to a world she thinks she understand, as well as her petulance when things aren’t exactly how she herself thinks they need to be. There were several moments where I, myself, had to remind myself that Rachel was only sixteen, as there were several instances where it read to me like she was intended to be written as an adult with fully formed experiences.
The several horror scenes that did occur were interesting, until they became repetitive. In truth, these scenes when analyzed together gave away the twist of the book long before it was actually revealed and thus made the reveal a bit lackluster, even if some elements of it were interesting.
Beyond Rachel herself, the rest of the characters are fully fleshed out and thus feel wholly secondary to the protagonist and the house that sits and represents the edifice of her ire and curiosity both.
Overall, I wouldn’t say that The Keeper of the Key was a bad book, per se, but it was lacking something that I had gone into it thinking would be there. I enjoyed what was given to me, though not quite as much as I would have liked. For this reason, I’m rating it 4 stars.
I do, however, recommend this book for individuals who like a darker plot in their young adult fiction, for those that enjoy gothic fiction and gothic horror but would prefer to digest something a little more tame, and for individuals who enjoy a love story with a twist.
I also would like to thank NetGalley, Parliament House Press and Nicole Wilson for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Rating: ★★★★ | 4/5
☠️
As thankful as I am that I decided to push through the lull this book experienced at about a quarter in, I wish that The Keeper of the Key got to its point quicker. If it had, this certainly had the potential to be an out of the park 5-star read. But because it didn’t, I feel that the overall ambiance and impact of the book suffered as a result.
What most interested me about this book in particular was the allure of a gothic fiction novel that rested as the unique intersection of gothic and young adult. Gothic fiction having a reputation for being willing to go places that would certainly not be suitable in your average young adult novel, I was curious to see how those themes would playout for a reading population that typically wasn’t the target.
The overall composition of the book was very easy to follow and digest. The writing teetering between typical fiction prose and something otherworldly, which further contributed to the experiences that Wilson was no doubt seeking to elicit throughout the journey into Morgan House and its surrounding township. The issue is that the blurred line between showing and telling became a tad obvious in points of the story where things were often explained outright rather than built up to and experienced wholly by the reader. In this way, a lot of the reactions felt manufactured rather than organic when they arose.
Similarly, it also contributed to a phenomenon where you likely could have skipped several pages in between each one read and still completely understand the story and what happened to our protagonist, Rachel, as she sought to uncover what it was being hidden with Morgan House’s walls.
Rachel, herself, is also a bit insufferable in the way she goes about things, but this can largely be chalked up to her being sixteen years old, which further emphasizes her naivete to a world she thinks she understand, as well as her petulance when things aren’t exactly how she herself thinks they need to be. There were several moments where I, myself, had to remind myself that Rachel was only sixteen, as there were several instances where it read to me like she was intended to be written as an adult with fully formed experiences.
The several horror scenes that did occur were interesting, until they became repetitive. In truth, these scenes when analyzed together gave away the twist of the book long before it was actually revealed and thus made the reveal a bit lackluster, even if some elements of it were interesting.
Beyond Rachel herself, the rest of the characters are fully fleshed out and thus feel wholly secondary to the protagonist and the house that sits and represents the edifice of her ire and curiosity both.
Overall, I wouldn’t say that The Keeper of the Key was a bad book, per se, but it was lacking something that I had gone into it thinking would be there. I enjoyed what was given to me, though not quite as much as I would have liked. For this reason, I’m rating it 4 stars.
I do, however, recommend this book for individuals who like a darker plot in their young adult fiction, for those that enjoy gothic fiction and gothic horror but would prefer to digest something a little more tame, and for individuals who enjoy a love story with a twist.
I also would like to thank NetGalley, Parliament House Press and Nicole Wilson for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Rating: ★★★★ | 4/5
☠️
September 8, 2024
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for giving me an ebook copy of “The Keeper of The Key”.
This story centers on our main character, Rachel, a sixteen-year-old who has to leave everything behind after her father’s unexpected death. She loathes her mother’s boyfriend, Geoff, but has no say in moving far from home to St. Mary, Virginia, to live in Morgan House -Geoff’s isolated and dreadful residence. I felt compelled to finish the book the minute I started reading it. I needed to know what the deal was with Morgan House and why the men in this book act so weirdly and annoyingly. While Rachel is no likable character herself, I like how outspoken she is, how stubborn and how well she gets along with her grandmother. What I didn’t like was how unfazed she seemed by the disturbing occurrences that happened to her. I like a courageous MC but I feel like she brushes off quite a lot of terrifying things to the point it makes her less credible.
The house is a character in its own right, doors close of their own volition, things fall and break, and teeth are scattered everywhere. The horror elements are gruesome and what you would expect from a horror read. But I wanted more. The fact that the horrific scenes ended swiftly made them less haunting. The text flows nicely, it is fast-paced but the alternation between “calm” dinner scenes and cold fingers on ankles feels a bit too sudden.
The book would have benefited from a few more pages. The creepy sounds and visions started way too early in the story before I had any time to get used to some sort of normalcy. I would have liked more space for descriptions of the town, the bookstore, the cemetery, or even Morgan House. I couldn’t immerse myself fully in these locations and see them vividly. I wish we had more descriptions of the characters as well. I understand the need to keep an air of mystery around Geoff and Nick, but I felt like Rachel and her mother’s relationship was underdeveloped which made me care less about what might happen to them. Overall, I enjoyed the plot, I enjoyed the characters but I wanted to know more about them so that when the ending hit, I could feel actual worry for them.
I would recommend this book to young adults, 15+ readers that are new to the genre, as it is not a laborious read.
This story centers on our main character, Rachel, a sixteen-year-old who has to leave everything behind after her father’s unexpected death. She loathes her mother’s boyfriend, Geoff, but has no say in moving far from home to St. Mary, Virginia, to live in Morgan House -Geoff’s isolated and dreadful residence. I felt compelled to finish the book the minute I started reading it. I needed to know what the deal was with Morgan House and why the men in this book act so weirdly and annoyingly. While Rachel is no likable character herself, I like how outspoken she is, how stubborn and how well she gets along with her grandmother. What I didn’t like was how unfazed she seemed by the disturbing occurrences that happened to her. I like a courageous MC but I feel like she brushes off quite a lot of terrifying things to the point it makes her less credible.
The house is a character in its own right, doors close of their own volition, things fall and break, and teeth are scattered everywhere. The horror elements are gruesome and what you would expect from a horror read. But I wanted more. The fact that the horrific scenes ended swiftly made them less haunting. The text flows nicely, it is fast-paced but the alternation between “calm” dinner scenes and cold fingers on ankles feels a bit too sudden.
The book would have benefited from a few more pages. The creepy sounds and visions started way too early in the story before I had any time to get used to some sort of normalcy. I would have liked more space for descriptions of the town, the bookstore, the cemetery, or even Morgan House. I couldn’t immerse myself fully in these locations and see them vividly. I wish we had more descriptions of the characters as well. I understand the need to keep an air of mystery around Geoff and Nick, but I felt like Rachel and her mother’s relationship was underdeveloped which made me care less about what might happen to them. Overall, I enjoyed the plot, I enjoyed the characters but I wanted to know more about them so that when the ending hit, I could feel actual worry for them.
I would recommend this book to young adults, 15+ readers that are new to the genre, as it is not a laborious read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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November 11, 2024The Keeper of the Key by Nicole Willson [ad/gifted]🗝️
*thank you to @netgalley, the publisher @parliamentbooks and the author for a free e-arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. despite this book being gifted, all thoughts and opinions in this review are my own*
synopsis: There are a thousand things sixteen-year-old Rachel would rather do than upend her life to move into Morgan House, an old, run-down mansion owned by her mom’s boyfriend, Geoff.
But when her mother announces they’re relocating to St. Mary, Virginia to live with him, Rachel’s cut off from her friends and life as she knows it. St. Mary is a remote, lonely place, and the best thing about it is Nick, a guy she knows is worth keeping when he takes her to a cemetery on their first date. Rachel struggles to get along with Geoff and his mile-long list of annoying house rules—in particular, his bizarre insistence that she stay out of the basement. But something in Morgan House plays by its own rules. At night, an unknown force pulls Rachel down to that forbidden cellar, showing her harrowing visions of a strangely familiar man lurking in the shadows. When a sudden tragedy strikes her family, those visions become more frequent—and more violent. The dead issue urgent warnings, and if Rachel doesn’t heed them, she’ll become part of Morgan House forever..👀
this book sounds so good from the synopsis and I was so excited to dive into a spooky, atmospheric gothic novel, especially in the autumn. however, this book just did not do it for me unfortunately😢
I read 58% of this novel before ultimately deciding to dnf (did not finish). I really liked the atmosphere of the creepy house and the small town vibes but the rest fell flat for me. the beginning was super interesting and felt like it dived straight in to the action but at 58% of the way in, the story started to feel a little repetitive for me and slow moving, which is such a shame as I feel this book has real potential!!🍂
if you like: small town, YA, sentient house novels, spooky atmosphere, ghost stories
and graveyard walks then this is the novel for you! unfortunately for me, it just missed the mark!🖤
*thank you to @netgalley, the publisher @parliamentbooks and the author for a free e-arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. despite this book being gifted, all thoughts and opinions in this review are my own*
synopsis: There are a thousand things sixteen-year-old Rachel would rather do than upend her life to move into Morgan House, an old, run-down mansion owned by her mom’s boyfriend, Geoff.
But when her mother announces they’re relocating to St. Mary, Virginia to live with him, Rachel’s cut off from her friends and life as she knows it. St. Mary is a remote, lonely place, and the best thing about it is Nick, a guy she knows is worth keeping when he takes her to a cemetery on their first date. Rachel struggles to get along with Geoff and his mile-long list of annoying house rules—in particular, his bizarre insistence that she stay out of the basement. But something in Morgan House plays by its own rules. At night, an unknown force pulls Rachel down to that forbidden cellar, showing her harrowing visions of a strangely familiar man lurking in the shadows. When a sudden tragedy strikes her family, those visions become more frequent—and more violent. The dead issue urgent warnings, and if Rachel doesn’t heed them, she’ll become part of Morgan House forever..👀
this book sounds so good from the synopsis and I was so excited to dive into a spooky, atmospheric gothic novel, especially in the autumn. however, this book just did not do it for me unfortunately😢
I read 58% of this novel before ultimately deciding to dnf (did not finish). I really liked the atmosphere of the creepy house and the small town vibes but the rest fell flat for me. the beginning was super interesting and felt like it dived straight in to the action but at 58% of the way in, the story started to feel a little repetitive for me and slow moving, which is such a shame as I feel this book has real potential!!🍂
if you like: small town, YA, sentient house novels, spooky atmosphere, ghost stories
and graveyard walks then this is the novel for you! unfortunately for me, it just missed the mark!🖤
November 12, 2024
There were a couple of reasons why this book caught my attention. Of course the book has a wonderful cover. The colors, the symbolism, the vibe, it made me all really curious about the story. I also love those older classic gothic novels where the line between people going crazy and ghosts is really thin. So, I ended up requesting a review copy via Netgalley and I was really happy that Parliament House Press granted me a copy.
I have mixed feelings after reading this book and I don't think I can explain those mixed feelings without spoilers. If you're not a young adult and if you're planning on reading this book, I'd suggest skipping my review. The book has a great atmosphere and vibe, the situation our heroine is in is a delicious mix of realistic and horrific, and the finale is amazing and really moved me to the edge of my seat.
However, this book is clearly aimed towards teens. And don't get me wrong, I do want them to learn about healthy sex in their YA novels. However, that's part of the issue. The moment the sex scene happens, it's already quite clear for the reader that something about this guy is off. And for me that automatically changed the consent part of the sex scene. Technically the girl can't give consent, because she doesn't know the full truth about her partner, which makes the scene disturbing.
And, the story would have been just as great without the sex. The story would still be scary. I think teens, sadly, will recognize themselves in the heroine and the entire situation with her parents. I do love how the book has our heroine constantly accused of going crazy while she knows that something is really wrong with the house. The writing style will also clearly work for teens. Why would you add a sex scene, adding literally nothing, that eventually feels just wrong?
I have mixed feelings after reading this book and I don't think I can explain those mixed feelings without spoilers. If you're not a young adult and if you're planning on reading this book, I'd suggest skipping my review. The book has a great atmosphere and vibe, the situation our heroine is in is a delicious mix of realistic and horrific, and the finale is amazing and really moved me to the edge of my seat.
However, this book is clearly aimed towards teens. And don't get me wrong, I do want them to learn about healthy sex in their YA novels. However, that's part of the issue. The moment the sex scene happens, it's already quite clear for the reader that something about this guy is off. And for me that automatically changed the consent part of the sex scene. Technically the girl can't give consent, because she doesn't know the full truth about her partner, which makes the scene disturbing.
And, the story would have been just as great without the sex. The story would still be scary. I think teens, sadly, will recognize themselves in the heroine and the entire situation with her parents. I do love how the book has our heroine constantly accused of going crazy while she knows that something is really wrong with the house. The writing style will also clearly work for teens. Why would you add a sex scene, adding literally nothing, that eventually feels just wrong?
August 19, 2024
*Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing this arc*
The premise was really cool, it seemed to me like the usual horror movie plot with some supernatural elements and I was curious to see how it would play out in written form.
The first 50% really hooked me I was very interested. But then it started to drag out a bit too much and I was wondering why we were spending so much time on everything else while the horror scenes were short and repetitive.
The protagonist is sixteen so I excused her naive and petulant behaviour at first, especially because I could understand her being upset over some things. But she was so mad at her mother for moving in with a guy she barely knew (in her opinion) and then spilled all her secrets and got together with a boy she met two days before. I tried to get over her behaviour but after a bit she was just too dumb for me to like her.
The resolution of the mystery didn't do it for me because I was already guessing it since the beginning although I kind of liked the supernatural bit. Some horror scenes were really cool and I liked the way they were described, the problem is that they were all basically the same (because of reasons that I won't spoil). So after a while I knew what was coming and it was all over in a matter of a couple pages.
I don't think it's a bad book but to me it felt predictable and a bit too long and dragged out in some aspects. I would have liked if it had been more descriptive and spent more pages on the creepy parts and less time on other things.
The premise was really cool, it seemed to me like the usual horror movie plot with some supernatural elements and I was curious to see how it would play out in written form.
The first 50% really hooked me I was very interested. But then it started to drag out a bit too much and I was wondering why we were spending so much time on everything else while the horror scenes were short and repetitive.
The protagonist is sixteen so I excused her naive and petulant behaviour at first, especially because I could understand her being upset over some things. But she was so mad at her mother for moving in with a guy she barely knew (in her opinion) and then spilled all her secrets and got together with a boy she met two days before. I tried to get over her behaviour but after a bit she was just too dumb for me to like her.
The resolution of the mystery didn't do it for me because I was already guessing it since the beginning although I kind of liked the supernatural bit. Some horror scenes were really cool and I liked the way they were described, the problem is that they were all basically the same (because of reasons that I won't spoil). So after a while I knew what was coming and it was all over in a matter of a couple pages.
I don't think it's a bad book but to me it felt predictable and a bit too long and dragged out in some aspects. I would have liked if it had been more descriptive and spent more pages on the creepy parts and less time on other things.
October 31, 2024
I love spooky, haunted houses. I love dumb teenagers who are figuring themselves out and have smart moments when it matters. I love dark forces that won't tell you what they want until it's almost too late.
The writing I thought was a perfect fit for the story that was told. You've got a teenager stuck in creepy old house that seems to have as many issues with her as she has with her mom's boyfriend, who is seemingly the Worst Person Ever. There's nightmarish and unknown things happening in the house, and our FMC Rachel is trying to figure what is going on. Is Geoff hiding something? Why doesn't her mom believe her? Who is the mysterious boy in town? Why oh why does the house seem to want her dead??? We get put right in the middle of all the horrific drama with every paragraph.
I had a teeny issue with how late in the game the title came into play in the story. Yes, it adds to the mystery, but one thing that always keeps me thinking about a book while I read is why it's been given its name, you know?
An enjoyable YA gothic horror story that is sure to keep you up late reading, just to know what happens next.
Thank you to publisher Parliament House Press via NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
The writing I thought was a perfect fit for the story that was told. You've got a teenager stuck in creepy old house that seems to have as many issues with her as she has with her mom's boyfriend, who is seemingly the Worst Person Ever. There's nightmarish and unknown things happening in the house, and our FMC Rachel is trying to figure what is going on. Is Geoff hiding something? Why doesn't her mom believe her? Who is the mysterious boy in town? Why oh why does the house seem to want her dead??? We get put right in the middle of all the horrific drama with every paragraph.
I had a teeny issue with how late in the game the title came into play in the story. Yes, it adds to the mystery, but one thing that always keeps me thinking about a book while I read is why it's been given its name, you know?
An enjoyable YA gothic horror story that is sure to keep you up late reading, just to know what happens next.
Thank you to publisher Parliament House Press via NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
August 14, 2024
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this e-ARC!
2 star
DNF @ 25%
I'll start out by saying I haven't read many gothic/gothic horror books, so I could be wrong in my assessment of things, but this book just didn't work for me. I never got a sense of atmosphere, and part of me feels like that has to do with the writing. It was more surface level and telly than I think worked to create a creepy atmosphere despite creepy things happening. I also wasn't a huge fan of how over the top the boyfriend had to be to make Rachel justified in her hatred. Also, she's mad that her mom is moving too fast by moving in, but apparently they've been together for a year? And after complaining about this instantly falls into intense like for a dude she's just met? I dunno. The dynamic just didn't work well for me, and it made the characters feel less real (even if teenagers definitely have double standards, but it was combined with the bounce off between her and the mom's bf).
There were some interesting threads set up. The Morgan House definitely has history around it, and there's some suspicious vibes coming from the mom's gf. I think if the writing was just a bit more atmospheric and showy, I'd have enjoyed finishing this book and discovering all the secrets.
2 star
DNF @ 25%
I'll start out by saying I haven't read many gothic/gothic horror books, so I could be wrong in my assessment of things, but this book just didn't work for me. I never got a sense of atmosphere, and part of me feels like that has to do with the writing. It was more surface level and telly than I think worked to create a creepy atmosphere despite creepy things happening. I also wasn't a huge fan of how over the top the boyfriend had to be to make Rachel justified in her hatred. Also, she's mad that her mom is moving too fast by moving in, but apparently they've been together for a year? And after complaining about this instantly falls into intense like for a dude she's just met? I dunno. The dynamic just didn't work well for me, and it made the characters feel less real (even if teenagers definitely have double standards, but it was combined with the bounce off between her and the mom's bf).
There were some interesting threads set up. The Morgan House definitely has history around it, and there's some suspicious vibes coming from the mom's gf. I think if the writing was just a bit more atmospheric and showy, I'd have enjoyed finishing this book and discovering all the secrets.
August 17, 2024
Really, really enjoyed this one. The setting was great - sad small town with secrets, secluded, old and creepy house. I also liked our main character, 16-year old Rachel. Sure, her relationship with Nick is super superficial and insta-love. But I didn't mind this at all, when normally I hate romances like this. In this case it seems very believable, since Rachel is only 16 years old, sad and angry, moving to a new town where she knows no one.
Now the horror...haunted house, gothic vibes, unexplainable nightmares and sleepwalking, her mom's creepy new boyfriend and a basement with a dark secret. It really creeped me out but I also could not stop reading, this was a one sitting book for me and I had a lot of fun. Definitely recommend!
Now the horror...haunted house, gothic vibes, unexplainable nightmares and sleepwalking, her mom's creepy new boyfriend and a basement with a dark secret. It really creeped me out but I also could not stop reading, this was a one sitting book for me and I had a lot of fun. Definitely recommend!
October 23, 2024
The Keeper of the Key is an atmospheric YA horror. The gothic mansion setting in a small-town was haunting and beautifully described. We follow the FMC who is a teenager and I felt experiencing the story via this point of view was well done. There are some family dynamics at play that felt realistic and helped to drive the narrative forward. Although slightly predictable overall there are some great moments of horror and peril. Definitely making this a darker YA read. I found it captivating and couldn’t put it down and definitely felt satisfied.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.
August 29, 2024
This was a good atmospheric gothic read. I really felt drawn into the story with all the horror happening in the house.
It has a lot of twists and turns.
If you are looking for a book to read into the night under the covers - this one is for you.
Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this ARC. All opinions are my own.
It has a lot of twists and turns.
If you are looking for a book to read into the night under the covers - this one is for you.
Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this ARC. All opinions are my own.
November 15, 2024
This book was just what I needed & brought me a sense of nostalgia! It reminded me of the ghost stories I used to read as a kid growing up & I’m very pleased I had the opportunity to relive some of those memories. 🖤
I was fully invested & staying up late to finish. I had my suspicions but I did not expect the ending to go the way that it did!
I was fully invested & staying up late to finish. I had my suspicions but I did not expect the ending to go the way that it did!
November 15, 2024
The cover is fantastic and fits the story perfectly! The writing style is unique. This was an entertaining story I enjoyed and would recommend! Special Thank You to Nicole Wilson, Books Go Social and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 24, 2024
Interesting story with some creepy elements, many of which had to do with the relationships within the book rather than the Gothic horror aspects. I enjoyed the scary parts with the things that go bump in the night but the toxic relationships between Rachel and Nick, and Tara and Geoff were just off-putting and took away from the rest of the story for me. Without those, and I realize some of it had to be included to move the story along, but the ghost story would have been better for me.
I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.
I received a copy from #NetGalley for an honest review.
August 30, 2024
I enjoyed "The Keeper of the Key" right from the start, with its creepy ghost moments and gripping premise that kept me hooked. Although the villain felt a bit predictable and the ending didn’t quite live up to my expectations, it was still a fun read. I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys modern Gothic YA horror.
The story follows 16-year-old Rachel, who reluctantly moves into a creepy mansion with her mom’s boyfriend, Geoff, who insists she stay out of the basement. As Rachel experiences terrifying visions tied to the house, especially after a family tragedy, she must uncover the truth before the house traps her forever.
Thank you, Netgalley and BooksGoSocial, for providing me with this complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.
The story follows 16-year-old Rachel, who reluctantly moves into a creepy mansion with her mom’s boyfriend, Geoff, who insists she stay out of the basement. As Rachel experiences terrifying visions tied to the house, especially after a family tragedy, she must uncover the truth before the house traps her forever.
Thank you, Netgalley and BooksGoSocial, for providing me with this complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.
August 24, 2025
I've technically read worse books
November 18, 2024
Well this was the perfect book to read in October. Has all the spooky vibes.
Rachel’s mom announces over dinner that her new boyfriend wants them to move into his creepy mansion. Rachel, who is 16 of course is pissed. I read reviews that people found Rachel annoying. She’s 16, her father has passed away suddenly, her mom is dating a jerk and now she moves into a creepy mansion. Her actions and behavior is warranted.
Geoff, her mom’s new boyfriend is horrible. But to make matters worse, his house is haunted.
I couldn’t put this book down. Fair warning, it’s YA for those who don’t want to read about a teenager and their angst. I didn’t mind it. I thought the author portrayed the POV of a 16 year old perfectly.
The ending took a turn in the most unexpected way, but it gave all the spooky vibes that I needed for fall.
Thank you to NetGalley for sending the ARC.
Rachel’s mom announces over dinner that her new boyfriend wants them to move into his creepy mansion. Rachel, who is 16 of course is pissed. I read reviews that people found Rachel annoying. She’s 16, her father has passed away suddenly, her mom is dating a jerk and now she moves into a creepy mansion. Her actions and behavior is warranted.
Geoff, her mom’s new boyfriend is horrible. But to make matters worse, his house is haunted.
I couldn’t put this book down. Fair warning, it’s YA for those who don’t want to read about a teenager and their angst. I didn’t mind it. I thought the author portrayed the POV of a 16 year old perfectly.
The ending took a turn in the most unexpected way, but it gave all the spooky vibes that I needed for fall.
Thank you to NetGalley for sending the ARC.
October 11, 2024
First of all I want to talk about how absolutely gorgeous the cover of this book is, definitely one of my favorites and what initially drew me to it. It does read like your standard young adult horror book but that's okay, as a 33 year old I still really enjoyed it. It was very eerie and spooky, the author did a fantastic job with describing the setting. I loved the character of Rachel and how much she stood up to my least favorite character Geoff and I loved the romance she had in this book. I was definitely not expecting some of the twists, some of which I cheered for and some that made me sad. I loved how descriptive the author was for all the spooky things that happened to Rachel, I could actually visualize them in my head which aided in freaking me out more. I'm very excited to continue reading from this author.
Many thanks to Parliament House Press for the gifted copy for my honest review!
Many thanks to Parliament House Press for the gifted copy for my honest review!
May 24, 2024
Nicole Willson’s The Keeper of the Key is a tense and twisty contemporary Gothic that kept me reading late into the night. Supernatural and domestic terrors combine to propel this story, focused on themes of trust and control. Truly frightening imagery and situations here!
August 26, 2024
*thank you to netgalley, the author and the Parliament House Press for the ARC <3*
3.5/4 stars
Oh my god the ending...
*deep breath*
Okay, let’s get started.
In The Keeper of the Key we see things from Rachel’s pov, a 16 year old who has to shift out of her town and go live with her mom’s new boyfriend in a big creepy house in another state. However, it’s not just any house. Rachel hears, sees and feels paranormal activities that won’t leave her alone.
I'll start out by saying I haven't read many gothic or horror books. This was my first book in the gothic/horror genre and according to me it is the perfect gothic read if you want to get started with and explore this genre.
if im being honest, in the start it was very boring. I had to get myself to actually start reading and not just procrastinate about it. It hadn’t got interesting until 40% of the book. I was tempted to DNF this more than once, and I probably would’ve if it hadn’t been a short read.
Coming on to the characters. Rachel was quite annoying after some time. In her defence, I could relate to her more than once and was able to understand where those thoughts came from but at some point they just got to repetitive and I feel that she should could have just tried to understand other’s opinions instead of behaving the way she did. Adding on to this, I don’t feel like we had much character development (for any character) throughout the book, however that is understandable as I don’t expect them to be in a short book as this.
I was really into the story when Nick came into the picture. Many gothic/horror readers don’t like this part but as I usually read romance or fantasy this really helped me continue the story without DNFing it. However Nick was a HUGEred flag RED CARPET and Rachel was just too naive and lovesick to see that. . And this book shouldn't exactly be marketed as YA due to the sexual activity in between the characters.
One thing I really did not understand was that, Rachel was furious at her Mom for moving in with a guy she barely knows, according to her, but on the other hand she was sharing every single thing from what is happening with her family (geoff, mom, gram, etc) to the paranormal activities in her house without know ANYTHING to Nick. The irony.
Moving ahead, OH MY GOD! I WAS IN UTTER SHOCK AFTER BEING 70% IN THE BOOK.
this really intrigued me more into the book and i just couldn't stop reading. And that fact that we got another plot twist just after this? that was just *boom*.
At some point I thought the book was getting repetitive, however that was necessary for the ending to build up so ig that's fine. The writing was a bit lacking in description, I couldn't imagine the setting much at all. I am still a bit clueless on how Morgan House should look from the inside andto some extent the outside as well.
Overall, I enjoyed this book, it was a great introduction for me to the horror and gothic genre. I would recommend this to you if you want to get started with this genre. Otherwise, it was an okay read.
<3
3.5/4 stars
Oh my god the ending...
*deep breath*
Okay, let’s get started.
In The Keeper of the Key we see things from Rachel’s pov, a 16 year old who has to shift out of her town and go live with her mom’s new boyfriend in a big creepy house in another state. However, it’s not just any house. Rachel hears, sees and feels paranormal activities that won’t leave her alone.
I'll start out by saying I haven't read many gothic or horror books. This was my first book in the gothic/horror genre and according to me it is the perfect gothic read if you want to get started with and explore this genre.
if im being honest, in the start it was very boring. I had to get myself to actually start reading and not just procrastinate about it. It hadn’t got interesting until 40% of the book. I was tempted to DNF this more than once, and I probably would’ve if it hadn’t been a short read.
Coming on to the characters. Rachel was quite annoying after some time. In her defence, I could relate to her more than once and was able to understand where those thoughts came from but at some point they just got to repetitive and I feel that she should could have just tried to understand other’s opinions instead of behaving the way she did. Adding on to this, I don’t feel like we had much character development (for any character) throughout the book, however that is understandable as I don’t expect them to be in a short book as this.
I was really into the story when Nick came into the picture. Many gothic/horror readers don’t like this part but as I usually read romance or fantasy this really helped me continue the story without DNFing it. However Nick was a HUGE
One thing I really did not understand was that, Rachel was furious at her Mom for moving in with a guy she barely knows, according to her, but on the other hand she was sharing every single thing from what is happening with her family (geoff, mom, gram, etc) to the paranormal activities in her house without know ANYTHING to Nick. The irony.
Moving ahead, OH MY GOD! I WAS IN UTTER SHOCK AFTER BEING 70% IN THE BOOK.
this really intrigued me more into the book and i just couldn't stop reading. And that fact that we got another plot twist just after this? that was just *boom*.
At some point I thought the book was getting repetitive, however that was necessary for the ending to build up so ig that's fine. The writing was a bit lacking in description, I couldn't imagine the setting much at all. I am still a bit clueless on how Morgan House should look from the inside and
Overall, I enjoyed this book, it was a great introduction for me to the horror and gothic genre. I would recommend this to you if you want to get started with this genre. Otherwise, it was an okay read.
<3
November 20, 2024
Thank you to Net Galley and BooksGoSocial | Parliament House Press for a free digital copy of the book for review.
The Keeper of the Key fallows Rachel a 16 year old girl who in the past year lost her dad and her home. Rachel and her mother, Tara shared a small flat. And though Rachel is still morning the loss of her dad it seems that Tara is more than ready to move on.
Tara and her boyfriend Geoff decide it is time they all lived under one roof. The problem is that the roof in question is that of Morgan House. While Rachel is willing to give it all a shot for her mothers sake there are more than just creepy vibes in Morgan House, a lot more.
The only thing, or should I say person who make the move worth while for Rachel is a boy in town called Nick. With a morbid personality and long dark hair Nick catches Rachel's interest immediately.
Unfortunately, things in Morgan House go from bad to deadly quite quickly and it seems the only person who is willing to help is Nick. That is until Rachel finds out about Amber. Will Rachel figure out the truth or die trying?
It may seem surprising but the book did cover a lot of topics, grief, loss, change, betrayal, the importance of trust. I was also glad to see how it dealt with over bearing stepparents and feminism. The was also a line by the grandmother that I think prevented the spin of the book from becoming sexist towards men which I found to be a positive.
While there were lots of well handled topics, I felt this book was not a five star.
Perhaps because I am older than the target audience, but a lot of the book seemed predictable.
Tara was made out to be a desperate woman so intent on a relationship that she wilfully ignored the abusive behaviour of Geoff to the point of marrying him despite his abusive treatment of her daughter.
Rachel's constant romanticising of Nick's bad behaviour. And even when he constantly hounds her to have sex with him again. (though his attempt to get her alone could have been to murder her.) It felt as though the character played into the dumb victim cliché.
After so much of the book being about Geoff's toxic behaviour I was annoyed that none of it was cleared up. Yes we know he had a toxic family growing up but honestly his behaviour could have been dealt with better. I feel like it was an over flogged red herring. I'm not sure subtilty had anything to do with this book. While again I am much older than the target audience I think even a teen age me would have seen where this was going.
I think having Nick admit he was living in the house the whole time was a big plot hole. Ghosts I can understand, even poltergeist but were we really to believe that Geoff never realised someone was in the house all those years he lived there?
Rachel realised Geoff had lived with other people just by walking into a room but Tara didn't? and lets remember Rachel was still grieving her father and Tara wasn't. So if Tara's trust issues were so bad why was it Rachel who noticed all of this?
Over all I think it was the atmospheric writing that kept me reading. I did like how Willson wrote a turn of phrase. I do wish they weren't repeated as much as it did become white noise near the end of the book. There were definitely parts where I felt I was there. So I do think I like Willson's writing style, it's just a shame the story was so heavy handed.
Worth a read but not a reread for me.
The Keeper of the Key fallows Rachel a 16 year old girl who in the past year lost her dad and her home. Rachel and her mother, Tara shared a small flat. And though Rachel is still morning the loss of her dad it seems that Tara is more than ready to move on.
Tara and her boyfriend Geoff decide it is time they all lived under one roof. The problem is that the roof in question is that of Morgan House. While Rachel is willing to give it all a shot for her mothers sake there are more than just creepy vibes in Morgan House, a lot more.
The only thing, or should I say person who make the move worth while for Rachel is a boy in town called Nick. With a morbid personality and long dark hair Nick catches Rachel's interest immediately.
Unfortunately, things in Morgan House go from bad to deadly quite quickly and it seems the only person who is willing to help is Nick. That is until Rachel finds out about Amber. Will Rachel figure out the truth or die trying?
It may seem surprising but the book did cover a lot of topics, grief, loss, change, betrayal, the importance of trust. I was also glad to see how it dealt with over bearing stepparents and feminism. The was also a line by the grandmother that I think prevented the spin of the book from becoming sexist towards men which I found to be a positive.
While there were lots of well handled topics, I felt this book was not a five star.
Perhaps because I am older than the target audience, but a lot of the book seemed predictable.
Tara was made out to be a desperate woman so intent on a relationship that she wilfully ignored the abusive behaviour of Geoff to the point of marrying him despite his abusive treatment of her daughter.
Rachel's constant romanticising of Nick's bad behaviour. And even when he constantly hounds her to have sex with him again. (though his attempt to get her alone could have been to murder her.) It felt as though the character played into the dumb victim cliché.
After so much of the book being about Geoff's toxic behaviour I was annoyed that none of it was cleared up. Yes we know he had a toxic family growing up but honestly his behaviour could have been dealt with better. I feel like it was an over flogged red herring. I'm not sure subtilty had anything to do with this book. While again I am much older than the target audience I think even a teen age me would have seen where this was going.
I think having Nick admit he was living in the house the whole time was a big plot hole. Ghosts I can understand, even poltergeist but were we really to believe that Geoff never realised someone was in the house all those years he lived there?
Rachel realised Geoff had lived with other people just by walking into a room but Tara didn't? and lets remember Rachel was still grieving her father and Tara wasn't. So if Tara's trust issues were so bad why was it Rachel who noticed all of this?
Over all I think it was the atmospheric writing that kept me reading. I did like how Willson wrote a turn of phrase. I do wish they weren't repeated as much as it did become white noise near the end of the book. There were definitely parts where I felt I was there. So I do think I like Willson's writing style, it's just a shame the story was so heavy handed.
Worth a read but not a reread for me.
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