The Key In The Lock

Our Review

The Key in the Lock by Beth Underdown in a gothic mystery ideal for fans of Jane Eyre and Rebecca. Having said this, Beth Underdown has a style of writing that is entirely her own and brings a sense of the modern world to her tale. 

"I still dream, every night, of Polneath on fire. Smoke unfurling out of an upper window and the terrace bathed in a hectic orange light. And every morning I wake convinced that Tim is under my bed." 

It has been 30 years since the events at Polneath but they still haunt Ivy's dreams, even more so since the death of her beloved son Tim.  

"I have married Richard, given birth to Tim, mothered him and watched him grow, but I see now the decision I made at Polneath was the only decision of my life, everything married in that one dark minute." 

The dark events mentioned begin with the death of a child. Ivy was 19 at the time and often assisted her father, the local doctor with his rounds. One night in the early hours the local coroner knocks to say there has been a fire at 'the big house' at Polneath and their services were needed. When they arrive everyone is horrified to discover the body of a young boy in one of the rooms worst hit by the fire. Ivy is charged with looking after the maid suspected of foul play. 

I ploughed through The Key in the Lock. It was superb.

Our Final Rating...