The Key In The Lock: A haunting historical mystery steeped in explosive secrets and lost love

In the aftermath of World War I, Ivy seeks answers about her son's disappearance while her husband wants to forget. When a man from her past reappears, he may hold the key to her son's fate. A gripping gothic mystery that uncovers long-buried secrets and the price of forgiveness.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 02 February 2023
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

"Inside Lies a Secret That Won't Stay Hidden"

The Great War is drawing to a close, but it has claimed Ivy's son. Ivy is consumed with finding out what happened to her boy out there in the trenches, while her husband wants to forget. Then a man enters Ivy's life who can help her find out. A man who once stole Ivy's heart. A man who also lost his son to tragedy. A man whose name she hasn't spoken in thirty years.

As Ivy questions her role in the fire at Polneath House, she unlocks a secret that has been burning ever since. But will the truth destroy her or set her free?

"It Will Recruit Fans of Du Maurier and Waters"

Patrick Gale's novel is a story of smoldering secrets, lingering guilt, and hidden love. The Daily Express calls it the perfect gothic novel, while Stuart Turton praises it for its true elegance and deft plotting. Imogen Hermes Gowar describes it as atmospheric and rich with evocative detail, while Harriet Tyce calls it an intriguing, elegantly constructed gothic mystery. The Sunday Times praises it as a smoldering gothic mystery that slowly envelopes you, while Joseph Knox calls it a haunting, vivid, and urgent novel.

"A Story of Smouldering Secrets, Lingering Guilt, and Hidden Love"

The novel follows Ivy, who is consumed with finding out what happened to her son during the Great War. Her husband wants to forget, but a man enters her life who can help her uncover the truth. The man is a former lover who also lost his son to tragedy. Ivy must confront her past and unlock the secrets that have been burning ever since the fire at Polneath House.

"The Perfect Gothic Novel"

The novel is praised for its gothic elements, including the atmospheric setting and the lingering guilt and secrets that drive the plot. The characters are well-developed, and the plot is intricate and satisfying. The novel will appeal to fans of Du Maurier and Waters, as well as those who enjoy gothic mysteries.

"A Novel of True Elegance, Deftly and Satisfyingly Plotted"

The novel is praised for its elegant writing and intricate plot. The characters are well-developed, and the story is paced well. The novel is described as atmospheric and rich with evocative detail, and the reader is drawn into the world of Ivy and her family.

"An Atmospheric and Rich with Evocative Detail"

The novel is praised for its atmospheric writing and rich with evocative detail. The characters are well-developed, and the setting is vivid and immersive. The novel is described as a gothic mystery that slowly envelopes the reader, and the reader is left with a sense of mystery and intrigue.

"An Intriguing, Elegantly Constructed Gothic Mystery"

The novel is praised for its intriguing plot and elegant construction. The characters are well-developed, and the story is paced well. The novel is described as a gothic mystery that slowly unfolds, and the reader is left with a sense of mystery and intrigue.

"A Smouldering Gothic Mystery That Slowly Envelopes You"

The novel is praised for its smoldering gothic mystery that slowly envelopes the reader. The characters are well-developed, and the plot is intricate and satisfying. The novel is described as a gothic mystery that keeps the reader guessing until the end, and the reader is left with a sense of mystery and intrigue.

"A Story of Smouldering Secrets, Lingering Guilt, and Hidden Love"

The novel follows Ivy, who is consumed with finding out what happened to her son during the Great War. Her husband wants to forget, but a man enters her life who can help her uncover the truth. The man is a former lover who also lost his son to tragedy. Ivy must confront her past and unlock the secrets that have been burning ever since the fire at Polneath House.

"The Perfect Gothic Novel"

The novel is praised for its gothic elements, including the atmospheric setting and the lingering guilt and secrets that drive the plot. The characters are well-developed, and the plot is intricate and satisfying. The novel will appeal to fans of Du Maurier and Waters, as well as those who enjoy gothic mysteries.

"A Novel of True Elegance, Deftly and Satisfyingly Plotted"

The novel is praised for its elegant writing and intricate plot. The characters are well-developed, and the story is paced well. The novel is described as atmospheric and rich with evocative detail, and the reader is drawn into the world of Ivy and her family.

"An Atmospheric and Rich with Evocative Detail"

The novel is praised for its atmospheric writing and rich with evocative detail. The characters are well-developed, and the setting is vivid and immersive. The novel is described as a gothic mystery that slowly envelopes the reader, and the reader is left with a sense of mystery and intrigue.

"An Intriguing, Elegantly Constructed Gothic Mystery"

The novel is praised for its intriguing plot and elegant construction. The characters are well-developed, and the story is paced well. The novel is described as a gothic mystery that slowly unfolds, and the reader is left with a sense of mystery and intrigue.

"A Smouldering Gothic Mystery That Slowly Envelopes You"

The novel is praised for its smoldering gothic mystery that slowly envelopes the reader. The characters are well-developed, and the plot is intricate and satisfying. The novel is described as a gothic mystery that keeps the reader guessing until the end, and the reader is left with a sense of mystery and intrigue.

Weight: 202g
Dimension: 198 x 129 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780241991732