The Key: a stunning psychological thriller full of mystery and suspense

by Sarah Sheridan

You don't want to know what happens behind closed doors.

At a Cornish castle, a writer finds a promising story, a surprising family connection—and a deadly threat . . .

Grace Haythorpe’s family has claimed for generations that they’re somehow related to the scandalous Trengrouse clan who live in Godwyne Castle. Grace thinks their history would make a great book and hopes to earn some money from the project.

After being welcomed as a guest at Godwyne, Grace soon gets to know the household staff, the elderly Lady Alexandra, and several of her descendants. But just as Grace is finding some interesting leads about the Trengrouses’ past, Lady Alexandra takes a suspicious, fatal fall from a window. Should Grace keep trying to unlock the layers of secrets surrounding this eccentric clan? Or does she need to flee for her life?



Sarah Sheridan is also the bestselling author of The Girl In Bed Three. The Key is a stunning psychological thriller that will appeal to fans of authors of K.L. Slater and Lisa Jewell.

Genres: Mystery Thriller, Thriller

220 pages, Paperback

First published June 22, 2023

About the author

Sarah was born in London and now lives in a village in South Northamptonshire. She gained a Masters degree in Eighteenth-Century French and English art from the Courtauld Institute of Art, before teaching art in secondary schools for thirteen years. After working with human rights organisations that protect minority groups from institutional abuse, Sarah worked towards a PhD at The Open University, researching the effect of secrecy on marginalised people, specifically the biological children of Roman Catholic priests. She has spoken about her research on various news programmes for the BBC and other media outlets around the world. It was this sense of secrecy and silencing that became the inspiration for her first crime novel, The Convent.

Sarah is hugely obsessed with reading and is amassing such an unrealistically large book collection that some of it is now in storage. She is also addicted to writing, and after inventing stories (mostly in secret) from a young age and having various articles and short stories published, she wrote a children's book, The Top Secret Diary of Davina Dupree - inspired by her daughter - in 2013. Overjoyed to hear that young readers were enjoying the story, she went on to write a series about Davina Dupree.

When she is not looking after her three children and menagerie of pets, or going for long walks with her wonderful partner Rich, Sarah can be found writing, while consuming large amounts of chocolate.

Reviews

[Lin Perrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Bloodhound books for the advance copy in exchange for a honest review. Grace knows she has a historical link to the family at Godwyne Castle when she arrives to do research for her up and coming book. She is welcomed by staff and family. Lady Alexandra Trengrouse tells her she needs to talk to her and invites her to her room later that evening. Before Grace can visit her Lady Alexandra has a fatal fall. As Grace digs further into the family history she wonders if it was an accident or murder. Several attempts are made to get rid of Grace. She uncovers her link to the family but who can she trusts?

[Faye Ridpath · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book for free from Bloodhound Books.

This book was suspenseful and kept me guessing.

I enjoyed the interactions between Jesse and Grace.

This seems like it could develop into a mystery series.

[Eva Edge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bloodhound Books kindly gave me an Advance Reader Copie of The Key by Sarah Sheridan in exchange for an honest review.
It was a brilliant story, full of mystery. Grace Haythorpe arrives at Godwyne Castle to complete some research as she is planning to write a book about Lord Archie and his wife Lady Cordelia's social appearances in 1900. All Grace need is a successful book that would generate a good advance payment to help her niece travel to America for medical treatment. Unfortunately, things go dramatically wrong. Not everyone believes that she is so innocent, and not everyone welcomes her to the castle. Things get harder when the Trengrouse family discovers that there is an old legend that claimed Grace could be distantly related to the family.
An exciting storyline that kept me turning page after page. Lots of legends to unwrap, to understand what is the truth behind them. Who Grace can trust? Nearly everyone feels suspicious when Lady Alexandra takes a suspicious, fatal fall from a window. Is that truly an accident or someone is behind this? Is this a warning for Grace to leave research behind and go back home?
I had my ideas of who is behind things but the final twist left me with an open mouth! It was a perfectly hidden twist and made perfect sense!
Definitely highly recommend this book! The expected publication day is June 25, 2023, but you can preorder your copy from Amazon already now!
The only reason it's 4 stars from me - is too much repetition, for example, if something happened, you read all the details but then the involved person tells others and goes through all the details again so some of the actions you need to read again, again and again. If cross out that - absolutely brilliant book!
After finishing this book I developed my interest to try some more books by Sarah Sheridan and starting A Perfect Family now :)

[Cinnomen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic murder mystery. You do find yourself worrying for the safety of Grace, our main character. She's the author tasked with telling the story of Lord Archie and Lady Cordelia, with undertones of 'is she related to them?' and what will happen when the family find out this possibility?
Central to this is how on earth did Lady Alexandria end up dead below a window. Fall or pushed? And by whom?
You'll love figuring out who you can trust and who you can't. A solid read.

Four star review only because of the repetitive retelling of things by characters to others, we know, we don't need to be told again and again. Sorry, it is just a personal bug of mine.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received this book as an advanced readers copy. I have never read any books by this author, but I enjoyed this book. It is a good who done it mystery. If you like Agatha Christie books then this book is for you.

[Mrs Bookdragon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book courtesy of Bloodhound Books ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for the opportunity.

The premise of this book sounded intriguing and I soon got stuck in. After all, what is there not to love about a story that includes an ancestral country pile and home of an aristocratic oddball family. Add to that a hint of long lost hidden treasures and things could be perfect in a reader's world.

On the whole I enjoyed this book as a quick read. However, at times I felt the telling of the story to be repetitive and aimed at a somewhat younger audience.

[Alison · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars, but yet another discrepancy at the end has me rounding down.

The plot is ridiculously flimsy and unbelievable. That’s before the discrepancies. Perhaps the worst though is the constant repetition of everything, even of a scene that just ended. Also, events are told to us after the fact. Numerous instances of the author telling instead of showing. It’s a fairly quick read and there are interesting elements but it needs a massive rewrite to turn it into a story that doesn’t have me yelling in frustration.

[Eleanor Jordan O'Farrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first book by Sarah Sheridan and I found it thoroughly enjoyable. It has the feel of an old Agatha Christie type tale. A castle, a rich family, hidden treasure and murder. Highly recommended for the lovers of classic murder mysteries!

[Bobbi Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not my first book by this author but it is one of my favorites by her yet. I enjoy her writing skills as well as her attention to details that made her twists and turns pop. I found this book to be well written and hard to put down. A story where the characters pull you into their world with ease and kept me there until the end. A fast paced story that is full of action and secrets that you don't want to miss what happens. This is a story that has great growth throughout the story that made it easy to read. I really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it.

[odette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grace arrives at Godwyne castle determined to research and write a story surrounding the Trangrouse clan - an aristocratic family she had learned as a child that she had a distant relation to. She had high hopes to write a book that would fund her nieces travel to the US for medical treatment. Upon arriving, she became acquainted with the family and staff around the castle and very quickly found out there were many hidden secrets. She was led to question everyone’s intentions and very soon after revealing how she was related to the family, tragedies began to surface.

This book kept me engaged with the good-paced writing and the constant suspense. There was always something happening and I was finding myself questioning the motive of every character and trying to find out who the true villain is. There is a major plot twist in the end that I didn’t see coming, which made the story tie together well and made so much sense!

There were some aspects of the book that did bring my rating down to a 3. Whilst it started off fast paced and captivating, from midway it began to slow down and drag on a little until the end which then felt rushed. Also, I found that the quality of the internal monologue didn’t quite match the conversational scenes. I felt the conversations came across almost robotic. There were also some repeated moments. For example, when something took place, it would be retold from one character to another leaving us reading the same situation several times.

All in all, it was a quick and interesting read and a good start for someone new to the mystery/thriller genre.

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[Jude Srivalsan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do enjoy Sarah Sheridan's books and this was no exception. A great storyline with good characters; some nice, some not so nice! I couldn't work out if the nice ones were actually nice or just pretending! Lots of subterfuge and a few twists!
Grace is an author and needs a bestseller to help pay for her niece to go to America for treatment for Cerebal Palsy. She decides to research the history of the family at Godwyne Castle, especially as she has been told there is a family link but she doesn't know what it is. When the Grandmother is found dead, Grace needs to determine whether it is an accident or deliberate whilst watching out for attempts at her own life! A great thriller!

[Sonja Charters · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great traditional murder mystery / whodunit which really gave me Agatha Christie vibes.

For years, Grace has been told the stories of her link to the scandalous Trengrouse family. Deciding that it would make a great story for her next book, she visits Godwyne Castle and the family and house staff to get to the bottom of the stories.
Just as things get interesting, Lady Alexandra falls to her death and Grace wonders whether to run or keep digging, even if it puts her in danger...

I really enjoyed the storyline, following the events of the present and delving into the past to work out the relationships. As the storylines come together there were a few twists and shocks which added interest to the mystery.

I liked Grace's character as she fitted perfectly into her role - but I did find her a bit frustrating at times. Knowing that she couldn't trust anyone, she still found herself giving away too much information to pretty much anyone.

The setting was perfect for this genre. A little bit isolated and alone in the old and sometimes creepy castle. I can just imagine being there and spending the whole time looking over my shoulder.

The writing style was atmospheric and of a good pace. It held my interest and I loved the twists and turns.
This is the first book I've read by this author but would definitely be interested in reading more.

[Becca Ashton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I devoured this book in a day, it kept me gripped from the beginning & I couldn’t put it down. Plenty of twists and turns throughout.

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Key by Sarah Sheridan was brilliant especially as Sarah was a new author to me and I love reading books by new authors. This book was full of good twists and turns that had me guessing till the end which made it am excellent read. If you Enjoy reading murder mystery - Who done it! books especially Agatha Christie or Miss Marple books then this book is for you.

I highly recommend The Key and will be looking out for more books by Sarah Sheridan in the future to read.

Big Thank you Bloodhound books for the advance copy in exchange for a honest review.

[Kairen Harries · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very engaging, easy to read murder mystery in the vein of Agatha Christie. The book is a classic whodunnit and wonderful for it.
The characters are interesting and they are a small cast which allows the story to flow well.
I absolutely loved this book and would recommend it as a good beach or holiday read.

[Sallie Greenhalgh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grace Haythorpe arrives at Godwyne Castle with the intention of doing some research into the Trengrouse family history for her upcoming book. Little did Grace realize that she would become entwined in a murder mystery of her own! Herself, a distant relation of the Trengrouses, Grace discovers that the rumours that the previous Lord Trengrouse, Archie, had buried the family jewels is true and it becomes a race against time for Grace to find the jewels and save her life and her nieces life in the process.

I love all of Sarah Sheridan’s books and this is no exception. It is brilliantly written and the twists and turns keep you on the edge of your seat. I did not see the end coming ……

I was given an ARC of this book but all views expressed are my own.

[Louise Heys · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second Sarah Sheridan book I have read and again it was a very enjoyable read.

It has suspense, drama and mystery. The characters in the story were well written.

It was a little repetitive at times with certain parts of the story being retold to other characters. We’re reading the story so only really need that part once. However, this does not take away from the enjoyment of the story.

Loved the setting of the story as well, Sarah really captured the surroundings well with her descriptions and the setting fitted the story perfectly.

Overall a great read.

[Robin Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovers of gothic fiction will remember the thrills of those two Wilkie Collins classics The Woman In White and The Moonstone, and how the genre was reinvented in the 1960s by Victoria Holt whose books sold millions of copies. Now, Sarah Sheridan is becoming a dab hand at recreating the genre.
The author certainly knows the tropes she needs to use: a Cornish setting ... a centuries old castle ... a long lost relative of the family ... a hidden treasure ... a secret buried in the past ... and, of course, a woman in peril. Put all those ingredients in a mixing pot and bake a perfect plot.
This is an engaging and entertaining novel with plenty of suspense and the sort of characters you might expect to find in a remote Cornish castle where the family inheritance is at risk.

[Nanci · Rating 4 out of 5]

A real page turner and mysterious thriller!! Had read a book by this same author a few years back and thanks to Bloodhound Books and my ARC I am adding more of her titles to my TBR list as this one was just as much to my liking!

The ending really was not something that I had discerned from the whole book so the unexpectedness was refreshing!!

Good, interesting story line different from many thrillers lately so also enjoyable in that sense!

Highly recommend for an intriquing and thrilling read!

[K · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grace is a writer of non-fiction historical books, she arrives at Godwyne Castle in Cornwall to start her next book. She is determined to write a good book as she needs to fund her niece's travel to America to receive medical treatment and also because somewhere in the past she is related to the Trengrouse family who live here.
Things start to go wrong almost from the start with the death of Lady Trengrouse and threats to Grace. Determined to stay and finish her work, not just to prove her link to the family but also to find the rumoured family treasure buried somewhere in the grounds, Grace's life is under threat and she doesn't know who to trust.
In places I felt the writing rushed and sketchy.

[Jacqueline Moxon · Rating 4 out of 5]

An entertaining, if rather unlikely, whodunnit. I enjoyed reading it and was intrigued enough to keep turning the pages. An interesting plot and a good country house mystery setting. A writer discovers rather more than she expected when she sets out to document the past history of a titled family. Her own, apparently, distant link to the family turns out to be much closer than expected, and there are more skeletons to be unearthed from the family’s cupboard. The characters are not totally convincing, but this is a good, light read, with a satisfying ending

[Sandra Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel come out June 22, 2023. The paperback edition is available June 8, 2023. This a story with a non-fiction writer. Her parents passed away of cancers. She has a sister named Penny, and penny's a single parent of a 10-year-old daughter named, Gabrielle. Grace niece's is ill, and need treatments for her health. This is a good storyline and the plot is fanatic, interesting, compelling, and griping. I enjoyed reading this books.

[Miriam · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting and long story that I felt was dragging. Some parts were repetitive and felt like I read the same part multiple times. Good story but not what I was expecting. Thank you to BloodHound for giving me the opportunity to review.

[Fran · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as an advanced readers copy. This is my first time reading a book by this author. It’s a combination historical fiction/ mystery with many twists and turns. You don’t see the ending coming. An enjoyable read!

[Rachel Chambers · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a review.

I read this book in a day. It's a very easy, fast paced read so if you're looking for a quick holiday read then this is it.

I did however feel that the story lacked some depth and the characters were a little flat. I'd have liked a few more red herrings and twists to keep me guessing but on the whole it was an enjoyable read.

[Marija · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this story filled with mystery, tension, and a dash of romance. I just had to see what would happen on the next page of this who did it a historical mystery that is perfect for every Agatha Christie fan, just like myself. Even though this is my first book by this author, it won't be my last since I like her writing style.

[Keeley Ribchester · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Key by Sarah Sheridan was given to me as ARC courtesy of Bloodhound books here is my honest review.
What a read if you’re an Agatha Christie fan then this could be for you it really felt like a Miss Marple/ Poirot style whodunnit and I loved it !
Needing to raise money to send her Niece Gabby to America for cystic fibrosis treatment Grace begins another book hoping for an advance to cover the treatment. Her genre is historical books and she’s invited to stay at Godwyne House with the Trengrouse family to use the family library for research through old papers about the family. Grace also has a connection thinking she is some long lost cousin 5 times removed so Grace is even more invested in the novel. Things begin to change very quickly and she finds herself thrown in a lot deeper than she ever imagined with her life put in jeopardy, mysterious untimely deaths occurring and the discovery of hidden documents and buried family heirlooms!
Fantastic read loved the writing style and the mystery so I’m glad to have been able to read this book

[Ali W · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first introduction to Sarah Sheridan, and I look forward to reading more of her books. I am a huge fan of murder mystery, and with the addition of a treasure hunt for hidden jewels this was definitely something I would normally read. I enjoyed this book, and it kept me guessing right to the very end.

We meet Grace who arrives at Godwyne Castle in Cornwall which is owed by the Trengrouse family. Grace is there to start researching and writing a book about Lord Archie and his wife Lady Cordelia dating back to the 1900’s. She also has a personal investment, that being to raise enough money to help send her sick niece over to America to receive treatment that could save her life. Grace is also determined to find out whether the stories which have been passed down the generations of her family are actually true - is she related to the Trengrouse family. Just as she starts to get to know the family and the household staff of the castle, she starts unearthing some interesting facts, then old Lady Alexandra takes a suspicious but fatal fall. Will Grace unlock the secrets that lay inside the castle grounds, and was Lady Alexandra’s death accidental?

I received a free copy of this book, and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ruth Matheson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A modern take on a classic whodunnit - mysterious owners, a gloomy castle, a morose butler and a treasure waiting to be found along with a murder......what's not to like about this book. A distant relative turns up to write a family history but nothing goes right from her arrival and she is being pulled into a downward spiral by someone. There is plenty to keep you guessing throughout and if you're a cynic like me, then you don't believe anybody, no matter how nice they appear. Great pace throughout and a good summer read.

Thanks to Bloodhound books for the ARC to review.

[Emma Bevan · Rating 4 out of 5]

At times a little repetitive and first chapter a bit like reading a non fiction book. But get past the first chapter and you get to the twists and the story properly unfolds. I enjoyed the not knowing who, even when I knew why.