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The House with Nine Locks
A master forger transforms a young woman’s life – but what will it cost her?
'A page-turner: morally complex and beautifully written' Leonora Nattrass, bestselling author of Blue Water
In post-war Flanders, Adelais de Wolf's family is slowly, inexplicably, falling apart: her mother evermore lost to religious devotion, her father to alcohol. But with the death of a beloved uncle, Adelais finds herself in receipt of an unexpected legacy: a shuttered house in a rundown district and its contents – contents that hold the promise of independence and wealth. All that is required is application, nerve, and a willingness to break the law.
Adelais stifles her doubts and her fortunes are transformed. But with her rise come complications: her victimless crimes may not be as victimless as she supposed. Nor has she counted on the singular fanaticism of Major de Smet of the Federal Gendarmerie, a brutal detective who never forgives and never forgets.
Caught in a dangerous game of cat and mouse, will Adelais find that her new life comes at too high a price?
Cinematic and seductive, The House with Nine Locks is a compelling and sweeping historical novel with characters you won’t soon forget.
'A page-turner: morally complex and beautifully written' Leonora Nattrass, bestselling author of Blue Water
In post-war Flanders, Adelais de Wolf's family is slowly, inexplicably, falling apart: her mother evermore lost to religious devotion, her father to alcohol. But with the death of a beloved uncle, Adelais finds herself in receipt of an unexpected legacy: a shuttered house in a rundown district and its contents – contents that hold the promise of independence and wealth. All that is required is application, nerve, and a willingness to break the law.
Adelais stifles her doubts and her fortunes are transformed. But with her rise come complications: her victimless crimes may not be as victimless as she supposed. Nor has she counted on the singular fanaticism of Major de Smet of the Federal Gendarmerie, a brutal detective who never forgives and never forgets.
Caught in a dangerous game of cat and mouse, will Adelais find that her new life comes at too high a price?
Cinematic and seductive, The House with Nine Locks is a compelling and sweeping historical novel with characters you won’t soon forget.
416 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2025
47 people are currently reading
442 people want to read
About the author
Philip Gray
2 books5 followersGray studied modern history at Cambridge University, and went on to work as a journalist in Madrid, Rome and Lisbon. He has tutored in crime writing at City University in London and serves as a director at an award-winning documentary film company, specialising in science and history.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
January 25, 2025
Loved this book.
Looking at the cover I was expecting something more of a mystery/whodunnit but I was completely wrong.
Adelais de Wolf is a young girl who has a weak leg that means she cannot do all the things other children do. Her parents try to help but the real saviour is her uncle, Cornelis, who refuses to pander to Adelais and instead gifts her a hand operated cycle betting her that she cannot make a long ride. Adelais is not one to shy from a challenge and on one ride she finds herself flung into the rescue of a boy. It changes her whole life.
I loved this book. It starts slow and Adelais suffers all the same problems as any young girl who wants to be something she cannot be - either through birth or physically or choices that are made for her. After she saves the boy's life though she realises she can do anything.
The novel really changes tempo after this and Adelais begins adulthood with a whole new life which brings her into a seedier world that she must hide from all but her closest childhood friend.
The story goes in directions I never saw coming. The plot is unlike anything I've read before. Adelais herself is a likeable and engaging character who you root for throughout (despite the fact that she does not play by the rules - legal or ethical). I cheered her all the way through.
Philip Gray has written a remarkable book that I looked forward to reading. I wanted to finish it but I also wanted it to last longer.
Brilliant. Highly recommended.
Thankyou to Netgalley and Random House for the advance review copy. Very much appreciated.
Looking at the cover I was expecting something more of a mystery/whodunnit but I was completely wrong.
Adelais de Wolf is a young girl who has a weak leg that means she cannot do all the things other children do. Her parents try to help but the real saviour is her uncle, Cornelis, who refuses to pander to Adelais and instead gifts her a hand operated cycle betting her that she cannot make a long ride. Adelais is not one to shy from a challenge and on one ride she finds herself flung into the rescue of a boy. It changes her whole life.
I loved this book. It starts slow and Adelais suffers all the same problems as any young girl who wants to be something she cannot be - either through birth or physically or choices that are made for her. After she saves the boy's life though she realises she can do anything.
The novel really changes tempo after this and Adelais begins adulthood with a whole new life which brings her into a seedier world that she must hide from all but her closest childhood friend.
The story goes in directions I never saw coming. The plot is unlike anything I've read before. Adelais herself is a likeable and engaging character who you root for throughout (despite the fact that she does not play by the rules - legal or ethical). I cheered her all the way through.
Philip Gray has written a remarkable book that I looked forward to reading. I wanted to finish it but I also wanted it to last longer.
Brilliant. Highly recommended.
Thankyou to Netgalley and Random House for the advance review copy. Very much appreciated.
January 24, 2025
Adelais, partially disabled by polio meaning she must wear a leg brace and use a stick, is a determined young woman. Her parents are each increasingly absorbed in their own mental turmoil for reasons she does not fully understand. Her father is neglecting his business and has turned to drink, and her mother has embraced a life of prayer and good works in an effort to seek forgiveness for some unknown sin. Only her Uncle Cornelius recognises Adelais has the necessary spirit to overcome the obstacles she faces, setting her challenges such as learning to use a handcycle. He describes them as kindred spirits and treats her as a kind of protege, seeing in her a strength of will her parents seem no longer to possess.
Adelais’s success gives her the confidence to tackle other challenges, such as learning to dance, although she also has another very particular reason for wanting to do this following a chance encounter. That encounter gives rise to a friendship and a shared dream but one which will require a huge amount of money to achieve. The property she inherits on the death of her uncle which, curiously, given its rundown state is protected by nine sturdy locks and latches, offers a means to achieve this. She sets about acquiring the skills required with the dogged determination her uncle must have hoped and planned for. It’s an activity that involves months of practice to achieve the necessary degree of perfection and, having mastered it, Adelais embarks on a criminal enterprise with the help of her friend Saskia for whom the whole thing is something of a lark. They have success beyond their wildest dreams but slowly things begin to fall apart.
Meanwhile Major de Smet of the Federal Gendarmerie is obsessed with a crime that has frustrated his efforts to solve it for years. It’s become a personal crusade, one he approaches with fanatical zeal spending hours poring over evidence he has accumulated and trying to detect patterns that will lead him to the culprit. His life in other respects has been a failure but solving this could bring him the recognition he craves. His superiors have come to think of it as a lost cause and a waste of police time but he’s determined to prove them wrong.
Although we always know more than both characters, the tension comes from Adelais never realising quite how close she becomes to being discovered and de Smet never quite realising how close he is to solving the case, or how easy it is to be distracted by prior assumptions.
By this time in the book you may have forgotten the events of the opening chapter but in a series of revelations we discover the answers to many things. It’s a brilliantly constructed bringing together of many threads in the story. But for Adelais, it sheds an entirely new – and unwelcome – light on the enterprise she has been engaged in leaving her with some difficult moral choices.
The House with Nine Locks is an enthralling historical mystery. I loved Adelais and the skilfully crafted plot kept me turning the pages, including looking out for the items that feature on the cover.
Adelais’s success gives her the confidence to tackle other challenges, such as learning to dance, although she also has another very particular reason for wanting to do this following a chance encounter. That encounter gives rise to a friendship and a shared dream but one which will require a huge amount of money to achieve. The property she inherits on the death of her uncle which, curiously, given its rundown state is protected by nine sturdy locks and latches, offers a means to achieve this. She sets about acquiring the skills required with the dogged determination her uncle must have hoped and planned for. It’s an activity that involves months of practice to achieve the necessary degree of perfection and, having mastered it, Adelais embarks on a criminal enterprise with the help of her friend Saskia for whom the whole thing is something of a lark. They have success beyond their wildest dreams but slowly things begin to fall apart.
Meanwhile Major de Smet of the Federal Gendarmerie is obsessed with a crime that has frustrated his efforts to solve it for years. It’s become a personal crusade, one he approaches with fanatical zeal spending hours poring over evidence he has accumulated and trying to detect patterns that will lead him to the culprit. His life in other respects has been a failure but solving this could bring him the recognition he craves. His superiors have come to think of it as a lost cause and a waste of police time but he’s determined to prove them wrong.
Although we always know more than both characters, the tension comes from Adelais never realising quite how close she becomes to being discovered and de Smet never quite realising how close he is to solving the case, or how easy it is to be distracted by prior assumptions.
By this time in the book you may have forgotten the events of the opening chapter but in a series of revelations we discover the answers to many things. It’s a brilliantly constructed bringing together of many threads in the story. But for Adelais, it sheds an entirely new – and unwelcome – light on the enterprise she has been engaged in leaving her with some difficult moral choices.
The House with Nine Locks is an enthralling historical mystery. I loved Adelais and the skilfully crafted plot kept me turning the pages, including looking out for the items that feature on the cover.
December 5, 2024
'It's a fairytale...Little Red Riding Hood...You think you know who you're dealing with. You think it's your old grandma. But it isn't...it's the big bad wolf'.
Adelais de Wolf, only child, left with a limp after suffering polio as a child, living in post WW2 Belgium. It's a rather grey, humdrum existence but the one shining light is her Uncle Cornelius. He believes in her, he adores her, he thinks they're kindred spirits. However, some unexplained rift causes her to not only lose contact with Cornelius, it also seems to push her parents away from her and away from each other. Life looks very bleak indeed, until a mysterious inheritance looks to change her fortunes but in a house with nine locks, nothing is very straightforward, '...once you know something, you can't go back to not knowing it. And sometimes you wish you could'.
This story has so many layers to it. It is historical fiction, a coming of age, a romance, a mystery and a cat-and-mouse thriller. Written with the same patience and skill as the very crimes being committed, this dual POV book keeps you wondering which way it will turn next. With such complexity, many will find it well worth a read.
'When a break comes your way, you grab it with both hands, even if you don't know where it will take you'.
Adelais de Wolf, only child, left with a limp after suffering polio as a child, living in post WW2 Belgium. It's a rather grey, humdrum existence but the one shining light is her Uncle Cornelius. He believes in her, he adores her, he thinks they're kindred spirits. However, some unexplained rift causes her to not only lose contact with Cornelius, it also seems to push her parents away from her and away from each other. Life looks very bleak indeed, until a mysterious inheritance looks to change her fortunes but in a house with nine locks, nothing is very straightforward, '...once you know something, you can't go back to not knowing it. And sometimes you wish you could'.
This story has so many layers to it. It is historical fiction, a coming of age, a romance, a mystery and a cat-and-mouse thriller. Written with the same patience and skill as the very crimes being committed, this dual POV book keeps you wondering which way it will turn next. With such complexity, many will find it well worth a read.
'When a break comes your way, you grab it with both hands, even if you don't know where it will take you'.
May 19, 2025
A masterpiece I would tell everyone about by shouting it from the rooftops if I could! A magnificent mixture of intriguing story, compelling characters and a testimony of the trials and tribulations that come from trying to do the right thing. A tale that shows life as often being anything but straight black-and-white, the grey areas that we navigate daily, trying to do our best with what we're given. Uplifting, thought provoking and written in a beautiful writing style with no unnecessary padding, this is a book I will look forward to re-reading many times. Thanks to the author for a superb read!
March 5, 2025
I adored this book. It is beautifully paced, the story is intricately woven throughout every page and the characters are unforgettable. The entire book is a delight to read, and one that I will remember for a long time to come.
The story is told from the viewpoint of two different characters: Adelais de Wolf is a young girl at the start of the book, living with her parents in Flanders. Her mother is increasingly becoming more and more devout within her religion, and her father is turning to alcohol. The shining light in life is her Uncle and growing friendships with Sebastian and Saskia. At home, there are things that her parents are keeping from her. She knows they are protecting her, but she can't help wondering what they are hiding from her.
When her Uncle dies suddenly, she discovers that he has left her something in his will. It is a house in a remote area. Within the house with nine locks is the opportunity to turn her life around. But there is a great big catch.
The second character viewpoint is from Major de Smet, a relentless detective with the Federal Gendarmerie. He is investigating a string of forged bank notes, and will not stop until he has the culprit behind bars. Whatever it takes.
What joins these two stories together? Does Adelais take the opportunities presented to her in the house bequeathed by her Uncle? What links Adelais to the detective?
Do yourself a huge favour and grab a copy of this book. You won't regret it.
The story is told from the viewpoint of two different characters: Adelais de Wolf is a young girl at the start of the book, living with her parents in Flanders. Her mother is increasingly becoming more and more devout within her religion, and her father is turning to alcohol. The shining light in life is her Uncle and growing friendships with Sebastian and Saskia. At home, there are things that her parents are keeping from her. She knows they are protecting her, but she can't help wondering what they are hiding from her.
When her Uncle dies suddenly, she discovers that he has left her something in his will. It is a house in a remote area. Within the house with nine locks is the opportunity to turn her life around. But there is a great big catch.
The second character viewpoint is from Major de Smet, a relentless detective with the Federal Gendarmerie. He is investigating a string of forged bank notes, and will not stop until he has the culprit behind bars. Whatever it takes.
What joins these two stories together? Does Adelais take the opportunities presented to her in the house bequeathed by her Uncle? What links Adelais to the detective?
Do yourself a huge favour and grab a copy of this book. You won't regret it.
March 13, 2025
Two Storm Wood by the same author was one of my favourite novels of the past few years, so I was very keen to read his new tale. It does not disappoint.
It's Flanders in the 1950s and there is a police hunt for a master forger, who for years has escaped detection and arrest. A young woman, disabled with polio, finds herself heir to the forger's equipment and takes up his mantle. Little does she know that there is a detective committed to the point of obsession in unmasking the elusive forger.
The tale is an ingenious page turner, owing much to the period novels of Simenon, one of which is closely referenced in the text. If you like the darker stories of Simenon you will enjoy this. However, the Maigret type detective, for all his cleverness, does not conform to expectation. It's a terrific story with a twisting and clever plot. I particularly enjoyed the ending, which again defies expectation.
It's Flanders in the 1950s and there is a police hunt for a master forger, who for years has escaped detection and arrest. A young woman, disabled with polio, finds herself heir to the forger's equipment and takes up his mantle. Little does she know that there is a detective committed to the point of obsession in unmasking the elusive forger.
The tale is an ingenious page turner, owing much to the period novels of Simenon, one of which is closely referenced in the text. If you like the darker stories of Simenon you will enjoy this. However, the Maigret type detective, for all his cleverness, does not conform to expectation. It's a terrific story with a twisting and clever plot. I particularly enjoyed the ending, which again defies expectation.
June 14, 2025
Having never heard anything about this author before I was so surprised to read something that was just so good from start to finish.
The story felt really original and was so clever and well put together I couldn’t wait to go back to it.
The characters were so well written and also hugely likeable.
Due to all the twists and turns I don’t want to give anything away, but read this as soon as possible as I think you’ll be astounded that this author is not better known.
Can’t wait for more books by them.
The story felt really original and was so clever and well put together I couldn’t wait to go back to it.
The characters were so well written and also hugely likeable.
Due to all the twists and turns I don’t want to give anything away, but read this as soon as possible as I think you’ll be astounded that this author is not better known.
Can’t wait for more books by them.
December 29, 2024
Read this in three settings (one of them being a plane) because I just couldn't stop thinking about the characters and how they all fit around the plot and each other.
Constructed with care, a little nesting doll of a novel. Bonus fun activity is finding the Easter eggs depicted on the cover
Constructed with care, a little nesting doll of a novel. Bonus fun activity is finding the Easter eggs depicted on the cover
April 5, 2025
This book proves you should never judge a book by its cover! I expected a paint by numbers murder mystery and instead was gifted a complex character driven drama that hooked me from start to finish.
I had no idea what would happen to these characters and found myself drawn into their web of lies, love, and survival.
I did find the first third my favourite part as you got to learn about life in post-WW2 Flanders and just what difficulties Adelais de Wolf faced as her mother decides to follow God and abandon the family, as her father decides to drown in booze and her uncle disappears...
I was not expecting all the twists and turns, and towards the end, I just hoped for a happy ending for Adelais and frantically read page after page to see if she got it.
Excellent and a wonderful period read, thanks to Netgalley and Random House for my copy.
I had no idea what would happen to these characters and found myself drawn into their web of lies, love, and survival.
I did find the first third my favourite part as you got to learn about life in post-WW2 Flanders and just what difficulties Adelais de Wolf faced as her mother decides to follow God and abandon the family, as her father decides to drown in booze and her uncle disappears...
I was not expecting all the twists and turns, and towards the end, I just hoped for a happy ending for Adelais and frantically read page after page to see if she got it.
Excellent and a wonderful period read, thanks to Netgalley and Random House for my copy.
January 28, 2025
haven't been able to put this book down since I started reading it a few days ago. I loved it!
It had such an unusual plot but with well written and unforgettable characters and a complex historical mystery.
The story centres around Adelais de Wolf, who lives in post-war Flanders. Adelais is forced to grow up in difficult family circumstances. Her father is an alcoholic and her mother is gradually away from home involved in religious devotion. When her uncle dies, Adelais inherits a shuttered house in a rundown district. She slowly becomes drawn in to what has been left behind in this house and into a life of crime with her childhood friend Saskia.
Major de Smet of the Federal Gendarmerie is investigating the death of a nightwatchman. Before long Major Smet's investigation starts to overlap with parts of Adelais' new life.
Caught in a dangerous game of cat and mouse, will Adelais find that her new life comes at too high a price? What secrets were her family hiding from her that ultimately led to their downfall?
It is hard to say too much about it without giving the plot away. I actually loved going into it blind. There are some brilliant plot twists in the second half that I didn't predict at all.
If you enjoy crime/historical mysteries, I would highly recommend this original novel. This will definitely be one of my favourite books of the year!
It had such an unusual plot but with well written and unforgettable characters and a complex historical mystery.
The story centres around Adelais de Wolf, who lives in post-war Flanders. Adelais is forced to grow up in difficult family circumstances. Her father is an alcoholic and her mother is gradually away from home involved in religious devotion. When her uncle dies, Adelais inherits a shuttered house in a rundown district. She slowly becomes drawn in to what has been left behind in this house and into a life of crime with her childhood friend Saskia.
Major de Smet of the Federal Gendarmerie is investigating the death of a nightwatchman. Before long Major Smet's investigation starts to overlap with parts of Adelais' new life.
Caught in a dangerous game of cat and mouse, will Adelais find that her new life comes at too high a price? What secrets were her family hiding from her that ultimately led to their downfall?
It is hard to say too much about it without giving the plot away. I actually loved going into it blind. There are some brilliant plot twists in the second half that I didn't predict at all.
If you enjoy crime/historical mysteries, I would highly recommend this original novel. This will definitely be one of my favourite books of the year!
January 6, 2025
This was a real delight to read, well written, well paced and with plenty of twists and at no point did I lose track of what was happening.
The story starts in Flanders shortly after the war with an arson attack leaving a young widow, the policeman investigating is sure there is more than just some political opportunism, when forged 500 franc notes start to turn up he is convinced. Here starts a game of cat and mouse covering several years.
We also meet Adelaide, a young girl affected by polio, gifted a hand operated tricycle by her uncle, she finds her freedom, leading her to save a boys life, forming a firm friendship with Sebastian, whose life she saved when he fell off his bike into the canal.
Her uncle leaves her the lease to a building, which is secured with nine locks, the reason for the security is soon clear, inside is a treasure trove.
A great read and I thank NetGalley for the chance to read it.
The story starts in Flanders shortly after the war with an arson attack leaving a young widow, the policeman investigating is sure there is more than just some political opportunism, when forged 500 franc notes start to turn up he is convinced. Here starts a game of cat and mouse covering several years.
We also meet Adelaide, a young girl affected by polio, gifted a hand operated tricycle by her uncle, she finds her freedom, leading her to save a boys life, forming a firm friendship with Sebastian, whose life she saved when he fell off his bike into the canal.
Her uncle leaves her the lease to a building, which is secured with nine locks, the reason for the security is soon clear, inside is a treasure trove.
A great read and I thank NetGalley for the chance to read it.
March 13, 2025
Life for Adelais de Wolf is changing rapidly, family dramas and then an unexpected inheritance. The world of forgery is soon upon our leading lady and a dangerous game unfolds. I was swept along with this historical crime drama - the atmospheric writing, the well-rounded characters, the clever plot all combine for powerful punch after punch.
There was a lot of complexity to the heroine and the family backstory really added to this story in so many ways. I could easily see this being turned into an adventure on the big screen, but I’ll be very protective of Adelais such as the connection Philip Gray created between her and the reader. Fab stuff.
There was a lot of complexity to the heroine and the family backstory really added to this story in so many ways. I could easily see this being turned into an adventure on the big screen, but I’ll be very protective of Adelais such as the connection Philip Gray created between her and the reader. Fab stuff.
September 11, 2025
This was a really interesting, unique story. I liked the main character, understood her feelings and decisions - even bad ones - and was rooting for her the entire time. The characters had clear motives and personalities, it made the whole story feel real. Saskia seemed like she really loved Adalais, was jealous of her feelings towards Sebastian and her only motive was adventure/curiosity. Seeing them grow up, become more confident and professional was satisfying and the ending felt inevitable but hopeful. I think the ending felt right for each character and the story was wrapped up well.
November 14, 2024
I really enjoyed reading this one! I found the plot so intriguing and the way it all came together was so clever.
Keeping track of events and characters was a bit confusing at first but it does all soon make sense so if you find that, just keep going!
Adelais is such a likeable main character and her character development throughout the book was just incredible.
Thank you so much Vintage Books for the arc!
Keeping track of events and characters was a bit confusing at first but it does all soon make sense so if you find that, just keep going!
Adelais is such a likeable main character and her character development throughout the book was just incredible.
Thank you so much Vintage Books for the arc!
December 31, 2024
The House with Nine Locks is an intricately woven thriller of glamour, intrigue, and deception that had me hooked from the start. Set in post-war Belgium, the cat-and-mouse dynamic at the heart of the story is brisk and exciting, with each twist and turn elevating my anxiety.
When a notorious forgery operation comes to light, de Smet, a relentless investigator is drawn into a dangerous game of cat and mouse. At the centre of it all stand two fascinating women. One a master manipulator hiding a past she’s desperate to out-run and one, a brilliant yet underestimated player determined to thrive on her own, away from her wealthy family.
The theme of forgery was particularly fascinating, its complexity and the high stakes it carries added a unique tension to the plot. I really enjoyed the dual storylines which were brilliantly executed, overlapping seamlessly to create a narrative that feels both expansive and yet tightly controlled. A wonderful example of how a narrative can start wide, building a rich web of intrigue, only to narrow as the hunter closes in on his target. This gradual tightening creates a sense of inevitability that made the conclusion all the more impactful.
The House with Nine Locks is a clever, well-executed thriller that I would recommended for readers who enjoy sophisticated mysteries with strong, interesting women at their centre.
Thank you to the author and @vintagebooks for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review. Publication date 23rd January 2025.
When a notorious forgery operation comes to light, de Smet, a relentless investigator is drawn into a dangerous game of cat and mouse. At the centre of it all stand two fascinating women. One a master manipulator hiding a past she’s desperate to out-run and one, a brilliant yet underestimated player determined to thrive on her own, away from her wealthy family.
The theme of forgery was particularly fascinating, its complexity and the high stakes it carries added a unique tension to the plot. I really enjoyed the dual storylines which were brilliantly executed, overlapping seamlessly to create a narrative that feels both expansive and yet tightly controlled. A wonderful example of how a narrative can start wide, building a rich web of intrigue, only to narrow as the hunter closes in on his target. This gradual tightening creates a sense of inevitability that made the conclusion all the more impactful.
The House with Nine Locks is a clever, well-executed thriller that I would recommended for readers who enjoy sophisticated mysteries with strong, interesting women at their centre.
Thank you to the author and @vintagebooks for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review. Publication date 23rd January 2025.
January 2, 2025
This is a wonderful, very different, crime detective story. I was initially lost, when a few chapters in there was a seeming jump in the story line. But reading on I was captivated and drawn into Adelais’ life, and found I had a hard time putting the book down. Soon all becomes clear as the story moves forward, and the tension starts to rise. Thank you to Random House UK, Vintage and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.
April 13, 2025
Loved it from start to finish
I devoured this lovely book in two days. I read the sample first which intrigued me. I bought the book and it intrigued me more and delighted me until the end ….
I devoured this lovely book in two days. I read the sample first which intrigued me. I bought the book and it intrigued me more and delighted me until the end ….
July 15, 2025
a real page-turner. loved it. kept me guessing as to how it would end. dramatically of course. will read again.
April 17, 2025
A complex mystery beautifully unraveled like the best crafted Fabergé Egg.
Criminal activity abounds and inspirational detectives pursue the trail of forged bank notes. Meanwhile the story focuses on a young girl recovering from polio, as she struggles to become someone special.
Bright and resourceful her life potentially changes when she risked all to save a young cyclist.
Delightfully written, centred on believable characters who initially face disappointment and stoically seek to overcome each setback. The storytelling is so engaging, yet withdrawn and hiding a clear link or association between the past; the passing of forged bank notes and Adelais’ family struggling financially, with alcoholism and a crisis of faith.
Adelais is the one beacon of hope but her dreams are dashed and her hopes unrealised against the background of debt, and family secrets.
I loved the locations and the realities of the historical mystery where the aftermath of German occupation had an impact on the divided peoples of Belgium. Being a period piece it was delightful to remember the movies our young protagonist and her friend went to see at the cinema. I also smiled at Adelais reading Georges Simenon, a masterful Belgium author of detective fiction, one of my favourite writers.
As readers we go on a roller coaster of a ride, questioning the bonds and ties we have with characters when issues of morality arise. I found this fascinating, that the author was able to spin his protagonists 180 degrees and turning our goodwill into doubts and conflicting hopes of a happy outcome. It is so interesting when a writer can peel back the layers of their creations, mixing good and ill, making labels less appropriate.
Demonstrating the impact of poor decisions, revealing a harder edge, a less supportive friend and a darker nature. In the process the humanity of the characters endures beyond stereotypical two dimensional cutouts.
This story is imbued with genuine people, prone to errors and failings; given over to honest selfless acts or cruel self-serving violence.
Such an enjoyable read; such a blow to reach the end.
But with books such as this one, a story that endures beyond the final page.
Criminal activity abounds and inspirational detectives pursue the trail of forged bank notes. Meanwhile the story focuses on a young girl recovering from polio, as she struggles to become someone special.
Bright and resourceful her life potentially changes when she risked all to save a young cyclist.
Delightfully written, centred on believable characters who initially face disappointment and stoically seek to overcome each setback. The storytelling is so engaging, yet withdrawn and hiding a clear link or association between the past; the passing of forged bank notes and Adelais’ family struggling financially, with alcoholism and a crisis of faith.
Adelais is the one beacon of hope but her dreams are dashed and her hopes unrealised against the background of debt, and family secrets.
I loved the locations and the realities of the historical mystery where the aftermath of German occupation had an impact on the divided peoples of Belgium. Being a period piece it was delightful to remember the movies our young protagonist and her friend went to see at the cinema. I also smiled at Adelais reading Georges Simenon, a masterful Belgium author of detective fiction, one of my favourite writers.
As readers we go on a roller coaster of a ride, questioning the bonds and ties we have with characters when issues of morality arise. I found this fascinating, that the author was able to spin his protagonists 180 degrees and turning our goodwill into doubts and conflicting hopes of a happy outcome. It is so interesting when a writer can peel back the layers of their creations, mixing good and ill, making labels less appropriate.
Demonstrating the impact of poor decisions, revealing a harder edge, a less supportive friend and a darker nature. In the process the humanity of the characters endures beyond stereotypical two dimensional cutouts.
This story is imbued with genuine people, prone to errors and failings; given over to honest selfless acts or cruel self-serving violence.
Such an enjoyable read; such a blow to reach the end.
But with books such as this one, a story that endures beyond the final page.
December 1, 2024
4.5 ⭐️
Firstly, thank you to Vintage Books for sending me a proof in exchange for an honest review.
The House with Nine Locks is a mysterious historical fiction set in Flanders in the 1950s. Adelais de Wolf, a young girl with a leg injured from polio, lives with her alcoholic father and religious-obsessed mother. Following the death of her beloved uncle, she unexpectedly inherits a rundown house in a poor Ghent district and finds that it holds the key to her freedom and independence. But at what cost?
At the beginning of the novel, we also meet a solemn and severe detective, de Smet. His place in the novel became clearer and clearer throughout. However, I did find him to be a stereotypical ‘menacing’ detective, to the point where it was bordering on a trope.
I didn’t know anything further about this book when I started it, and I’m really glad I didn’t. It contributed to the mystery and the gradual unravelling of the story. I would recommend trying to avoid anything else that may spoil the story for you as well.
I don’t think I’ve read any other story set in this area of the world, straddled between France and Holland, so it was really interesting to read about its cultural nuances, specifically after dealing with the fallout of WW2.
Adelais’s character also captivated me. She was incredibly resilient, not only with her disability, but with her family’s situation. I couldn’t help but root for her throughout, even when her moral compass became skewed. She also showed moments of social vulnerability, with an overarching desire to be one thing, and one thing only: free.
As I don’t want to spoil most of the plot, I won’t go into too much detail, but it was brilliantly written and the ending was one of the most satisfying I’ve read.
Keeping up with all of the character names was a bit hard at first, but as soon as I got into it, I couldn’t stop. I had to stay up to 1am to finish it!
This is a fantastic book, and I can’t wait for it to be released to the rest of the world in January.
Firstly, thank you to Vintage Books for sending me a proof in exchange for an honest review.
The House with Nine Locks is a mysterious historical fiction set in Flanders in the 1950s. Adelais de Wolf, a young girl with a leg injured from polio, lives with her alcoholic father and religious-obsessed mother. Following the death of her beloved uncle, she unexpectedly inherits a rundown house in a poor Ghent district and finds that it holds the key to her freedom and independence. But at what cost?
At the beginning of the novel, we also meet a solemn and severe detective, de Smet. His place in the novel became clearer and clearer throughout. However, I did find him to be a stereotypical ‘menacing’ detective, to the point where it was bordering on a trope.
I didn’t know anything further about this book when I started it, and I’m really glad I didn’t. It contributed to the mystery and the gradual unravelling of the story. I would recommend trying to avoid anything else that may spoil the story for you as well.
I don’t think I’ve read any other story set in this area of the world, straddled between France and Holland, so it was really interesting to read about its cultural nuances, specifically after dealing with the fallout of WW2.
Adelais’s character also captivated me. She was incredibly resilient, not only with her disability, but with her family’s situation. I couldn’t help but root for her throughout, even when her moral compass became skewed. She also showed moments of social vulnerability, with an overarching desire to be one thing, and one thing only: free.
As I don’t want to spoil most of the plot, I won’t go into too much detail, but it was brilliantly written and the ending was one of the most satisfying I’ve read.
Keeping up with all of the character names was a bit hard at first, but as soon as I got into it, I couldn’t stop. I had to stay up to 1am to finish it!
This is a fantastic book, and I can’t wait for it to be released to the rest of the world in January.
May 31, 2025
A fantastic Novel. Highly recommended
This Novel of The House with Nine Locks is the second Novel I've read by Philip Gray, and it's fantastic!. Great characters and Story. Never let's up. His style is beautiful. Gets you into the story. I will be looking out for his next Novel's. I can't wait!
This Novel of The House with Nine Locks is the second Novel I've read by Philip Gray, and it's fantastic!. Great characters and Story. Never let's up. His style is beautiful. Gets you into the story. I will be looking out for his next Novel's. I can't wait!
August 20, 2025
Fantastic book.
December 4, 2024
I'm not usually a mystery fan, but this was great! A compelling main character with a powerful arc, a story with just enough unpredictability, and an immersive setting that I kept thinking about after putting it down. A pleasant surprise.
September 24, 2025
« La maison aux neuf serrures » ouvre les portes de bien des mystères : elle en déploie neuf derrière neuf portes closes. Tous sont reliés entre eux par un réseau d’ombres qui s’étend de Bruxelles à Gand, dans une période d’après-guerre où quelques esprits restent encore marqués par des blessures politiques, sociales ou encore intimes.
Au cœur de « La maison aux neuf serrures », le lecteur rencontre une jeune femme, Adelaïs De Wolf que la vie n’a pas épargnée. En effet, petite, elle a souffert de la polio qui l’oblige désormais à marcher avec une canne. Adelaïs De Wolf ne quémande aucune attention, elle a appris à se débrouiller seule. Les chemins parcourus avec son vélo à bras, faits de pentes de divers degrés, montrent qu’elle est prête à affronter les épreuves qui l’attendent. Vulnérable, mais digne, elle ne quémande rien, même pas l’attention du lecteur. Et pourtant, tout chez elle nous fait tomber amoureux de ce personnage. Lorsqu’elle hérite d’une maison bardée de verrous par son oncle Cornelius, elle comprend rapidement que son existence va changer. D’une simplicité attendrissante, Adelaïs a ceci de fascinant : nous partageons avec elle une forme de complicité.
C’est elle qui donne à « La maison aux neuf serrures » sa couleur émotionnelle. J’ai aimé sa façon d’entrer dans la vie des autres sans jamais en forcer la porte. Chez elle, tout n’est qu’entraide et empathie. Elle panse les blessures du monde sans jamais se plaindre. Parallèlement, elle possède cette forme d’entêtement qui suscite l’admiration. Dans cette maison où les objets ont tant de valeurs qu’ils semblent régner en maître, elle se replace toujours au centre de l’intrigue pour ne pas s’enfermer dans une mécanique de dépendance. Dans ses pas, les secrets de famille sautent, tandis que le texte de Philip Gray prend des allures de polar, puis de chronique sociale et enfin de questionnements des valeurs.
En face, De Smet, commandant de police et fin limier, même s’il refuse la posture du flic génial, enquête sur un incendie, puis sur un réseau de faux-monnayeurs à Gand. Les billets de 500 qui ont circulé dans les rues et finissent par arriver sur son bureau deviennent son obsession. Sa force à lui c’est le temps long de la réflexion, une période propice à la collecte des indices et à l’écoute attentive des « témoins ». Il fonctionne à l’instinct, son flair est tactile : il sent les lieux, écoute les indices, et fait sauter les verrous progressifs qui doivent le mener à la vérité. Et pour cela, il est d’une patience à toute épreuve. Finalement, il aime l’opacité des choses, qu’il faille du temps pour arriver au bout d’une enquête, comme s’il avait besoin de s’y préparer. Avec lui, le lecteur a le temps de penser, et cela est fort agréable dans ce genre de roman où chaque chapitre ne se termine pas sur une révélation fracassante.
Dans les romans de fiction, hautement romanesques, j’aime énormément lorsqu’il est question de maison de famille. « La maison aux neuf serrures » s’inscrit dans cette veine des mystères à percer. Celle-ci renferme une mécanique singulière faite de couloirs, de serrures verrouillées et de cachettes qui cliquètent comme une ponctuation.
En réalité, deux maisons sont au cœur du roman. Celle du rêve de deux adolescents qu’on appelle « la maison du diable » et celle de l’oncle Cornelius, calfeutrée. La première refoule des rumeurs et adresse des avertissements. Elle a ce petit côté gothique qui regorge de zones d’ombre et travaille sur l’imaginaire collectif. Il s’en dégage une atmosphère presque surnaturelle qui excite tous les fantasmes et surtout les peurs. La seconde, guère plus attrayante, condense de nombreuses angoisses et méfiances. Elle dégage une curieuse obsession de sécurité, malgré son apparence, et renvoie une forme de protection assez troublante.
Mais alors que l’enquête progresse, la tendance s’inverse. La maison du diable semble devenir celle qui abrite, et la « La maison aux neuf serrures » l’endroit de tous les dangers. Ce jeu orchestré par Philip Gray m’a procuré un ravissement de lecture difficile à lâcher tant la permutation des émotions est finement trouvée. Toutes deux, prison ou refuge abritent des vivants tout en les mettant sans arrêt à l’épreuve.
Enfin, l’ambiance du roman est tout à fait fascinante et contribue grandement au plaisir que le lecteur tire de ce voyage. Le lieu, la Belgique des années 50, est un choix parfait. Le temps d’après-guerre complète fort bien le tableau. Ainsi l’atmosphère est tendue sans être étouffante, l’espace conditionne les scènes, et non l’inverse. On sent véritablement le temps passer et, curieusement, j’ai aimé ce choix de la lenteur qui n’est pas synonyme d’absence d’action, mais qui est simplement le reflet d’histoires qu’il faut prendre le temps de raconter.
À cette trame matérielle, il faut ajouter les thèmes développés qui sont essentiellement l’émancipation et l’enfermement à travers le personnage Adelaïs. Elle cherche à la fois à se protéger et à se libérer. L’enfermement tient à sa condition familiale, physique, sociale, puis la poursuit dans cette maison léguée. Son émancipation passe par plusieurs étapes qui s’étalent d’un apprentissage de l’autonomie à la négociation des obstacles. Le reste, je vous laisse le découvrir.
Enfin, « La maison aux neuf serrures » pose la question de la moralité, les lignes de conduite sont testées par les conditions et les faits. La loi versus l’éthique démontre que la morale et l’attention qu’on lui porte passent par des conséquences sur les autres. Parfois, la loi ne protège pas le bien commun. La confiance aveugle que l’on peut avoir envers un système est aussi mise à mal lorsque le mensonge et la falsification contribuent à altérer des certitudes. Quant à savoir si l’on peut fabriquer du vrai avec du faux, en être heureux, en jouir, et rester une personne honorable, attachée à ses valeurs, il vous faudra lire le roman pour le découvrir.
« La maison aux neuf serrures » a été une très belle surprise et un moment de lecture vraiment très agréable. Là où beaucoup de textes du même genre confondent atmosphère et « loupiote », celui-ci travaille ses zones d’ombres avec une belle maîtrise. Il me reste à espérer un nouvel opus…
Au cœur de « La maison aux neuf serrures », le lecteur rencontre une jeune femme, Adelaïs De Wolf que la vie n’a pas épargnée. En effet, petite, elle a souffert de la polio qui l’oblige désormais à marcher avec une canne. Adelaïs De Wolf ne quémande aucune attention, elle a appris à se débrouiller seule. Les chemins parcourus avec son vélo à bras, faits de pentes de divers degrés, montrent qu’elle est prête à affronter les épreuves qui l’attendent. Vulnérable, mais digne, elle ne quémande rien, même pas l’attention du lecteur. Et pourtant, tout chez elle nous fait tomber amoureux de ce personnage. Lorsqu’elle hérite d’une maison bardée de verrous par son oncle Cornelius, elle comprend rapidement que son existence va changer. D’une simplicité attendrissante, Adelaïs a ceci de fascinant : nous partageons avec elle une forme de complicité.
C’est elle qui donne à « La maison aux neuf serrures » sa couleur émotionnelle. J’ai aimé sa façon d’entrer dans la vie des autres sans jamais en forcer la porte. Chez elle, tout n’est qu’entraide et empathie. Elle panse les blessures du monde sans jamais se plaindre. Parallèlement, elle possède cette forme d’entêtement qui suscite l’admiration. Dans cette maison où les objets ont tant de valeurs qu’ils semblent régner en maître, elle se replace toujours au centre de l’intrigue pour ne pas s’enfermer dans une mécanique de dépendance. Dans ses pas, les secrets de famille sautent, tandis que le texte de Philip Gray prend des allures de polar, puis de chronique sociale et enfin de questionnements des valeurs.
En face, De Smet, commandant de police et fin limier, même s’il refuse la posture du flic génial, enquête sur un incendie, puis sur un réseau de faux-monnayeurs à Gand. Les billets de 500 qui ont circulé dans les rues et finissent par arriver sur son bureau deviennent son obsession. Sa force à lui c’est le temps long de la réflexion, une période propice à la collecte des indices et à l’écoute attentive des « témoins ». Il fonctionne à l’instinct, son flair est tactile : il sent les lieux, écoute les indices, et fait sauter les verrous progressifs qui doivent le mener à la vérité. Et pour cela, il est d’une patience à toute épreuve. Finalement, il aime l’opacité des choses, qu’il faille du temps pour arriver au bout d’une enquête, comme s’il avait besoin de s’y préparer. Avec lui, le lecteur a le temps de penser, et cela est fort agréable dans ce genre de roman où chaque chapitre ne se termine pas sur une révélation fracassante.
Dans les romans de fiction, hautement romanesques, j’aime énormément lorsqu’il est question de maison de famille. « La maison aux neuf serrures » s’inscrit dans cette veine des mystères à percer. Celle-ci renferme une mécanique singulière faite de couloirs, de serrures verrouillées et de cachettes qui cliquètent comme une ponctuation.
En réalité, deux maisons sont au cœur du roman. Celle du rêve de deux adolescents qu’on appelle « la maison du diable » et celle de l’oncle Cornelius, calfeutrée. La première refoule des rumeurs et adresse des avertissements. Elle a ce petit côté gothique qui regorge de zones d’ombre et travaille sur l’imaginaire collectif. Il s’en dégage une atmosphère presque surnaturelle qui excite tous les fantasmes et surtout les peurs. La seconde, guère plus attrayante, condense de nombreuses angoisses et méfiances. Elle dégage une curieuse obsession de sécurité, malgré son apparence, et renvoie une forme de protection assez troublante.
Mais alors que l’enquête progresse, la tendance s’inverse. La maison du diable semble devenir celle qui abrite, et la « La maison aux neuf serrures » l’endroit de tous les dangers. Ce jeu orchestré par Philip Gray m’a procuré un ravissement de lecture difficile à lâcher tant la permutation des émotions est finement trouvée. Toutes deux, prison ou refuge abritent des vivants tout en les mettant sans arrêt à l’épreuve.
Enfin, l’ambiance du roman est tout à fait fascinante et contribue grandement au plaisir que le lecteur tire de ce voyage. Le lieu, la Belgique des années 50, est un choix parfait. Le temps d’après-guerre complète fort bien le tableau. Ainsi l’atmosphère est tendue sans être étouffante, l’espace conditionne les scènes, et non l’inverse. On sent véritablement le temps passer et, curieusement, j’ai aimé ce choix de la lenteur qui n’est pas synonyme d’absence d’action, mais qui est simplement le reflet d’histoires qu’il faut prendre le temps de raconter.
À cette trame matérielle, il faut ajouter les thèmes développés qui sont essentiellement l’émancipation et l’enfermement à travers le personnage Adelaïs. Elle cherche à la fois à se protéger et à se libérer. L’enfermement tient à sa condition familiale, physique, sociale, puis la poursuit dans cette maison léguée. Son émancipation passe par plusieurs étapes qui s’étalent d’un apprentissage de l’autonomie à la négociation des obstacles. Le reste, je vous laisse le découvrir.
Enfin, « La maison aux neuf serrures » pose la question de la moralité, les lignes de conduite sont testées par les conditions et les faits. La loi versus l’éthique démontre que la morale et l’attention qu’on lui porte passent par des conséquences sur les autres. Parfois, la loi ne protège pas le bien commun. La confiance aveugle que l’on peut avoir envers un système est aussi mise à mal lorsque le mensonge et la falsification contribuent à altérer des certitudes. Quant à savoir si l’on peut fabriquer du vrai avec du faux, en être heureux, en jouir, et rester une personne honorable, attachée à ses valeurs, il vous faudra lire le roman pour le découvrir.
« La maison aux neuf serrures » a été une très belle surprise et un moment de lecture vraiment très agréable. Là où beaucoup de textes du même genre confondent atmosphère et « loupiote », celui-ci travaille ses zones d’ombres avec une belle maîtrise. Il me reste à espérer un nouvel opus…
December 1, 2025
I really enjoyed this story as it played out, I can definitely see this as a movie. Characters were memorable, and I appreciated that not everything was wrapped up neatly in a bow at the end. My enjoyment of this crept up slowly, making it a favourite for me.
February 2, 2025
With a cover like this, I had expected a completely different type of book but, though, surprised by the content, I wholly enjoyed it. The House with Nine Locks delivers two engaging storylines in post war Flanders. One centers around Adelais, a spirited young girl who, struggling with her mobility after suffering from polio, tries to make the most out of a less than desirable home life and Major de Smet of the Federal Gendarmerie, a doggedly determined police inspector, investigates a murder of a night watchman. The narration for both run in parallel as Adelais gets older and gains greater freedom, thanks to her beloved uncle Cornelius, and de Smet's investigation grows into something more.
The sense of place and the unhappy home life Adelais endures, with a mother solely focused on religious matters and doing good works and a drunk father feels authentic and bleak. But just as the reader settles in to the status quo, things shift in a new and interesting way. I enjoyed watching Adelais grow in maturity and confidence as her situation changes and the twists I might have seen coming had I been looking for them added to the richness of story. De Smit felts more an enigma being wholly driven by his work but his contribution to the story added volumes.
This felt like A Gentleman in Moscow crossed with a juicy crime caper. I was hooked, never quite knowing what might happen next, which made it all the more delightful. An engrossing read, The House with Nine Locks most certainly deserves lots of attention for being a cracking yarn.
The sense of place and the unhappy home life Adelais endures, with a mother solely focused on religious matters and doing good works and a drunk father feels authentic and bleak. But just as the reader settles in to the status quo, things shift in a new and interesting way. I enjoyed watching Adelais grow in maturity and confidence as her situation changes and the twists I might have seen coming had I been looking for them added to the richness of story. De Smit felts more an enigma being wholly driven by his work but his contribution to the story added volumes.
This felt like A Gentleman in Moscow crossed with a juicy crime caper. I was hooked, never quite knowing what might happen next, which made it all the more delightful. An engrossing read, The House with Nine Locks most certainly deserves lots of attention for being a cracking yarn.
February 20, 2025
What a great book and not at all what I was expecting from the cover art. Superbly crafted mystery set mainly in post war Flanders in Belgium with fantastic flawed characters who become inveigled in the world of forgery.
Great stuff.
My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own unbiased opinion.
Great stuff.
My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own unbiased opinion.
August 13, 2025
Visiškai aklai nusipirkau knygyne, tikėjausi naujoviško įspūdingo detektyvo, visiškai prašoviau, pasijutau kaip 15-kos, kai pagal viršelį spręsdavau, kad "šita tai jau bus labai entelektuali" :D Užtat dabar žinau, per kiek metų išgaruoja filologyno įdiegti knygų nuspėjimo įgūdžiai, vis šis tas.
Knyga labai miela, populiarus istorinis romanas, pokario Belgija, skurdas, negalia ir pinigų klastojimas, gyvenimas ties teisėtumo riba. Šiaip turbūt labiau young adult (young criminal adult....), personažai yra "gatavi", beveik nesikeičia, jų pokytis yra nebent įvardijamas ir mes turime tuo patikėti. Bet jie visi tokie mieli ir suprantami, kad kai knygos gale tarsi iš niekur nieko atsiranda blogietis, norintis išprievartauti merginą, tai atrodo kaip kieno nors kito prirašytas pigus siužeto triukas. Man patiko, kad niekur neinama A Little Life keliu, kur kančia gimdo kančią; romane kančia, trūkumai ar nelaimės neišsiplėtoja ir neauga, jos išgyvenamos ar prie jų priprantama, bet neprisirišama. Neprisirišama ir literatūriškai, tai netampa siužeto varikliu; labai optimistiškas požiūris, bet skaityti buvo tikrai gera.
Galiausiai daviau 3*, nes supykau, kad viskas baigėsi taip jau teisingai ir taisyklingai, kaip kokia lygtis, kur sprendi per pusę puslapio ir išeina atsakymas sveikas skaičius 24. Nu bet čia jau mano klaidingi lūkesčiai ir nepasiruošimas, o gal jau esu per sena žiežula, kuriai per sunku skaityti young adult. Apie siužetą nieko pasakyt negaliu, nes bet kas yra spoileris 🐸
Knyga labai miela, populiarus istorinis romanas, pokario Belgija, skurdas, negalia ir pinigų klastojimas, gyvenimas ties teisėtumo riba. Šiaip turbūt labiau young adult (young criminal adult....), personažai yra "gatavi", beveik nesikeičia, jų pokytis yra nebent įvardijamas ir mes turime tuo patikėti. Bet jie visi tokie mieli ir suprantami, kad kai knygos gale tarsi iš niekur nieko atsiranda blogietis, norintis išprievartauti merginą, tai atrodo kaip kieno nors kito prirašytas pigus siužeto triukas. Man patiko, kad niekur neinama A Little Life keliu, kur kančia gimdo kančią; romane kančia, trūkumai ar nelaimės neišsiplėtoja ir neauga, jos išgyvenamos ar prie jų priprantama, bet neprisirišama. Neprisirišama ir literatūriškai, tai netampa siužeto varikliu; labai optimistiškas požiūris, bet skaityti buvo tikrai gera.
Galiausiai daviau 3*, nes supykau, kad viskas baigėsi taip jau teisingai ir taisyklingai, kaip kokia lygtis, kur sprendi per pusę puslapio ir išeina atsakymas sveikas skaičius 24. Nu bet čia jau mano klaidingi lūkesčiai ir nepasiruošimas, o gal jau esu per sena žiežula, kuriai per sunku skaityti young adult. Apie siužetą nieko pasakyt negaliu, nes bet kas yra spoileris 🐸
May 17, 2025
I was surprised at how good this was, I don't know why but I was expecting a simple mystery, and instead was treated to this. The plot of this reminded me a lot of Les Misérables, a policeman relentlessly pursuing a criminal, and the moral ambiguity of the actual crime, but this is a lot faster paced and lacks the social turbulence.
It's easy to read, well paced and well plotted. While I wasn't totally convinced by the actions of Major de Smet at the end of the novel, it still managed to tie up his storyline in a satisfactory way.
It's easy to read, well paced and well plotted. While I wasn't totally convinced by the actions of Major de Smet at the end of the novel, it still managed to tie up his storyline in a satisfactory way.
June 5, 2025
This book was so twisted and unpredictable. Author has created such a brilliant plot and mysterious characters. The book will give you suspenseful vibe with all the unthinkable that happens will keep you on the edge. The twists were so unpredictable. There were so many secrets, truth and layers of mystery in this plot. The beginning was a bit slow but then the book picked up and kept me guessing till the end.
Thanks to the Publisher
4.5/5
Thanks to the Publisher
4.5/5
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews