Beth Underdown Press Reviews
The Key in the Lock is an absolute triumph! Dark, clever and utterly enthralling, this is historical fiction - and storytelling - at its absolute best. I can't wait to read whatever Beth Underdown writes next -- Elizabeth Macneal, author of THE DOLL FACTORY and CIRCUS OF WONDERS
Underdown's latest is a gothic mystery of the highest order. Chilling, sad, beautiful, and so elegantly conjured, it's a story that summons du Maurier but retains ghosts all its own. I raced through it, my heart in my mouth. Superb -- Emma Stonex, author of THE LAMPLIGHTERS
The Key in the Lock is the perfect gothic novel. It has secrets, guilt, brilliant characters, and a grand old house built on a terrible past. An absolute corker -- Stuart Turton, author of THE SEVEN DEATHS OF EVELYN HARDCASTLE
Absorbing, beautifully written . . . Everything I enjoy in a gothic mystery -- Rosie Andrews, author of THE LEVIATHAN
This is a novel of true elegance, deftly and satisfyingly plotted. I expect impeccable prose from Beth Underdown but The Key In The Lock is also wise, thoughtful, and profoundly moving -- Imogen Hermes Gowar, author of THE MERMAID AND MR HANCOCK
The Key in the Lock will enthral fans of The Witchfinder's Sister. A brooding Cornish tale of a grieving mother obsessively unpicking the lies around the death of the child of the man she secretly loves, it'll also recruit fans of Du Maurier & Waters. -- Patrick Gale, author of NOTES FROM AN EXHIBITION
Deliciously intriguing from the very first sentence, with shades of Du Maurier and Dunmore. I was hooked by this exquisitely written tale of secrets and lies -- Sara Collins, author of THE CONFESSIONS OF FRANNIE LANGTON
A smouldering gothic mystery that slowly envelopes you, The Key in the Lock is a novel of repressed desire and well-tended grief - getting to the very heart of the grudges we hold against ourselves -- Joseph Knox, author of TRUE CRIME STORY
Brilliantly twisty, dripping with mystery and utterly heartbreaking -- Emily Koch, author of IF I DIE BEFORE I WAKE and KEEP HIM CLOSE
I was completely enthralled by this poetic, beautifully conceived and executed mystery full of secrets and subtlety -- Imogen Robertson, author of KING OF KINGS
Reads as if a classic. Eerie, immersive and compelling. This is a book to savour -- Essie Fox, author of THE LAST DAYS OF LEDA GREY
A Cornish landscape evocative of Daphne du Maurier . . . brilliantly plotted -- Louise Hare, author of THIS LOVELY CITY
The perfect read for an autumnal weekend. Atmospheric and rich with evocative detail, I found myself in tears by the end -- Harriet Tyce
Engrossing . . . conveys emotion and excitement so elegantly -- Adele Geras
Captivating and elegant and undoubtedly a future classic -- Lucie McKnight Hardy, author of WATER SHALL REFUSE THEM
I was captivated by the characters, the story and the sinuous, seamless plotting -- Sarah Hilary, author of FRAGILE and the D.I. Marnie Rome series
It's eerie, claustrophobic atmosphere is reminiscent of Du Maurier . . . there's a poignancy to the writing that's so beautiful -- Emma Carroll, author of LETTERS FROM THE LIGHTHOUSE
Atmospheric, dark and compelling: an exquisitely crafted mystery' -- Tammy Cohen, author of THE WEDDING PARTY
Marvellous . . . gorgeously taut -- Will Menmuir, author of THE MANY
A dark and poignant Cornish tale of grief, love and the unpicking of long-buried secrets. Set in 1888 and 1918 with shades of Du Maurier and Sarah Waters -- Anna Mazzola, author of THE CLOCKWORK GIRL
Beth Underdown has created a brilliantly plotted mystery, a compelling gothic tale that kept me guessing to the end -- Louise Hare, author of THIS LOVELY CITY
