The Man With All The Keys

by Mikayla Buckman

Reed has spent his life running from his past and the things he’s done—a past his psychiatrist is determined to dig into during their weekly sessions. Preferring to stay unseen and disconnected, Reed keeps the world at arm’s length. But when something dark begins stalking the halls of his apartment building, he’s forced to confront how much he cares about his neighbors and how far he’s willing to go to save them.

Genres: Horror

274 pages, Paperback

Published October 31, 2025

Reviews

[Leigh.empresselly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reed is managing life while holding the keys to his apartment complex for maintenance purposes. Soon his world shifts, when sinister occurrences start happening in the complex.

Reed holds all the keys…but to which doors?

I was hooked from the beginning. This was a fast read, haunting and disturbing to the last line! The psychological twist was cleverly deceptive. I loved Reed’s story and how it played out from start to finish. It’s a perfect book for horror and psychological thriller lovers!!

Thank you for the opportunity to ARC!

[Steph Adkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seems to start off slow and you’re not really sure where it’s going and then the truth comes out and the ending has your face like 😲. Give this one a shot, it may just shock you!

Suspenseful, mystery, and lots of murder!

Some key triggers;
Childhood trauma/ Mental health
Murder
Child death
Unstable narrator

*I received my copy of this book as an ARC and I am leaving my review voluntarily*

[Bookarazzi Babe- Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I read this book in one day! It’s fast-paced and eerie. If you enjoy psychological horror, this is definitely one to add to your spooky season TBR!

Huge thanks to Mikayla Buckman for the opportunity to read this ARC!

[Katie Dickerson (DeMaio) · Rating 4 out of 5]

(4.5 stars)

* Tropes/themes:
* Psychological horror
* Unreliable/unstable narrator
* Supernatural entity
* Buried trauma

* Intrigued right from the start and it only continued to pull me in the further I read on.
* The claustrophobic-like atmosphere and the interesting characters made for an engaging plot that had me constantly wondering how it would all play out.
* I wasn’t a huge fan of the supernatural entity throughout but once I knew more in the ending reveal, I definitely appreciated its’ presence.
* The metaphors are so creative and wild.
* Psychological horrors like this are the holy grail; the overall twist is shocking and it’s a nicely paced unravel of bombs being dropped as it’s all revealed.
* Thoroughly enjoyed this one, especially during spooky season.

* Content warnings:
* Death
* Murder
* Blood/gore
* Mental illness
* Domestic abuse
* Child abuse
* Drowning
* Violence
* Stalking
* Obsession

Releases 10/31/25!

Special thank you to the author, Mikayla Buckman, for a DRC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[glee book adventures · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Everyone has a monster hiding in them, son. That’s the truth of it. But some of us know how to keep it caged up, only let it out when there’s no other choice.”

Like psychological horrors? this read will be for you. As well entering the mind of Reed....
After I read this book, it wasnt the typical go to the next read. I had to take a good day to process what I had just read. Reed has been through alot. His childhood traumas, everyone dying around him, and barely surviving while working at his apt building/the corner gas station; all while going through a breakup....or is he... is Reed living in reality? or a delusional sense??

I was rooting for his relationship, his healing in his therapy, aching for hia childhood traumas. The black goo?? i was trying to flip back through and find its source. Then the twist at the ending! I did not see coming, and was floored. I had to read the last chapter twice so I made sure I wasn't missing anything. This book mentally wrecked me in all the right ways. The writing, plot, and pace? Devourable, delecticable, perfect pace, and messed up in all the right ways! This is my first read by this author, but her 4th book.

[Liz Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am grateful to have received an advanced reader copy of this book, and am leaving a review voluntarily. This was a quick, interesting, and engaging read. The pace of the writing was wonderful, allowing space to put down the book but not for very long. It also left you thinking about it if you walked away, and wondering what would be exposed next. There were appropriately paced hints about what was happening/going to happen, with a balance of connecting to the main character and empathizing with him, while also recognizing that there is something potentially "wrong" or "evil" within him and wanting to know what that is. It was quite an enjoyable read that is perfect for a rainy day or weekend.

[Red Book Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank You to the author for this free digital ARC read in exchange for my honest review of The Man With All The Keys.
Amazing!
Can Reid keep running from his past and the things he has done? What happens when something dark is following the halls of his apartment building? To find out the answers than make sure to pick up this page turning read. I was hooked from the beginning and than the ending blew me away. The author wrote this so well and every character in it was great. Every twist in this was great. I really enjoyed this fast paced spooky read that is perfect for spooky season! Overall, I loved this book a lot and would recommend it to any reader especially to those who love horror reads.

[Chairee Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Mikayla Buckman!
The Man With All of the Keys is full of suspenseful characters. Mikayla keeps her readers wondering what will happen next.
Reed grew up in an undesirable environment and faced some very unusual situations. Reed followed up with therapists frequently who wanted to help him work through these situations. At times it's questionable if Reed really wants to face his past.
Reed seems like he could be a bit of a loner, but does seem to genuinely care about his neighbors in the apartment building where he lives. He also does maintenance there. Although, when strange things start to happen he becomes suspicious of some of them. He also questions his own sanity.

[lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow Reed has quite the tale to tell. First he grew up with an abusive father that he saw on numerous occasions go after his mom. Later on in life his psychiatrist is trying to help him work out what has occurred in his life but he is bound and determined to keep them a secret believing if he says anything they will think he is crazy. When horrific things start happening in the apartment building he lives in and to people that live there he tries to convince them something is going on but no one believes him. He knows what he sees and no one is going to convince him otherwise until he is faced with the past. He is truly the man with all the keys.

[Ali O · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Man With All The Keys by Mikayla Buckman
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟(4.5 rounded up)

This is a very entertaining and intense psychological thriller/horror story!! The book is full of creeps, spooks, twists and turns!
Reed has had a tough life and can’t seem to outrun it. Something dark has come out at the apartment complex he lives and works in. He has keys to all of the apartments for maintenance purposes, but has used them for lots of different purposes!

This book definitely hooked me from the start with the interesting and exciting storyline.
I was lucky to get an arc of this exciting book!!

*It comes out October 31st and I recommend grabbing it!!* 🔑🗝️🔑🗝️🔑🗝️

[Brandy L · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW. I picked this book up and literally did not put it down until I finished it. This is the best book I've read all year.

I don't want to say too much, because you need to take this journey on your own, and see where the path leads you.

Mikayla Buckman places us inside the mind of Reed, I felt his fear and his worry and his love. His story is an important one, allow yourself to be fully immersed within this incredible work of art.

I am not the same person I was at the start of this book. I already wish I could read it again for the first time. Absolutely incredible.

[Jess Bohanick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whoa… this was an incredible psychological horror story unlike anything I’ve ever read. If you’re searching for the perfect spooky season read, this is it, hands down. Reed Finch is such a fascinating character: endearingly awkward, yet deeply unsettling and troubled in all the right ways.

The atmosphere, the characters, the creeping sense that something just isn’t adding up—it all builds beautifully. I couldn’t stop reading, and that twist at the end? Absolutely wild. I’m still thinking about it.

Perfect for fans of psychological horror, eerie tension, and shocking twists.

[Devin Sherman · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up. This took me a little while to get into, I think mostly because I wasn't a huge fan of this authors writing style. I wish there would have been more detail in some part and more setting descriptions, I found it hard to visualize a handful of scenes. That being said, the plot twist and ending of this story made up for all of that. Any confusion or distaste regarding the plot early on went out the window as soon as the twist hit.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this book and had it done within 24 hours! I absolutely could not put it down and honestly had no idea what I was reading! I get a lot of books and then forget what they’re about by the time I read them. That’s what happened here. I went in blind, but man was it a wild ride! So many twist and turns, many times I was questioning myself and for sure questioning Reed.

[Kei-Lei Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC REVIEW✨ The mind of Reed Finch is complicated, dark, scary, and maybe even a little endearing. I couldn’t put this one down! I didn’t know where the story was going at any point and just HAD to keep going and find out. This was so well-written and eerily detailed. Such a great read for spooky season. Thank you, Mikayla Buckman for allowing me the opportunity to read this early!

[Natasha Stills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh! This book! Such a great storyline, I wish the book was longer it was so good. Hopefully there is a sequel to this one! If you haven't read this book, then you need to do so. All the unknowns and twists and turns will keep you guessing until the very end where it all comes together. I would suggest reading all of Mikayla's books. They will not disappoint.

[Jewel Roper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good book, spooky and twisted for this spooky season. I’ve loved every book I’ve read by this author and she does not disappoint. It had me guessing on how it would turn out an blew my mind after everything fell into place

[₊⋆ Nyxia ☾ · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖊𝖓𝖉 𝖆𝖑𝖜𝖆𝖞𝖘 𝖈𝖔𝖒𝖊𝖘.

This was intense! This author knows how to freak me out with their writing. There’s a lot of horrific moments, mystery and it’s overall thrilling. Insane twists, it was really good. Perfect for the season!

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not one for a thriller typically, but omg I SWIPED through these pages so fast. The mental twists and turns within this book were soooo good.

[Heather Shower · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dark, gripping thriller that had me hooked from page one! Reed’s story is haunting, full of tension, and packed with twists I never saw coming. The perfect creepy read for spooky season

[Felecia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a story that took you on a ride of what it looks like for someone who lives with a mental health diagnosis everyday and tries their best to bury it. If definitely brings to the forefront what it can do and how therapy can truly help; however, only if one let's them in. This was a heavy book but a good one!

[Casey Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good! It kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. A perfect book for Halloween or really anytime. The characters were well thought out and progressed wonderfully. The plot was incredible and the setting was perfect. A must read.

[Sonia Tomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the supreme opportunity to be an ARC of Mikayla’s latest novel, and, once again, it did not disappoint. Truly engaging from the start, with a first chapter that sent my mind through the roof, The Man With All The Keys hold the key to my mind! What a roller coaster ride to the life, present and past, of a man haunted with demons revealed bit by bit. Amazingly crafted, intelligently built.
Thank you Mikayla. Craving for more!!!

[ScarlettAnomalyReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book, I got to read her last book early, so when I saw she was writing something new, I was pumped.

The thing I loved about this was I wasn’t really sure where this was going to go, is it something in Reed’s head, or was this something a little more real.
I love this ended up revolving around where he lives, I loved a fucked up home space, plus where he works, this guy not a single break to be had lol

This seems like a slow burn situation, but do not give up, the twisty parts make this so worth it and the story itself was well done, grief, sadness and just trying to get on with your life after having a rough back luck type of run.

I felt for Reed, and what felt like a slow decent into crazy just felt so plausible, that you felt like you were Reed sometimes..

This book will have you thinking one think and then bam reality sets in…or does it?

[Patience · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝗠𝗶𝗸𝗮𝘆𝗹𝗮 𝗕𝘂𝗰𝗸𝗺𝗮𝗻, 𝗜 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸!

Reed Finch is wholly relatable and a well-developed character, living as an apartment maintenance man and gas station attendant who prefers to live quietly and stay unnoticed. I found the struggle throughout the storyline to be authentic as he suddenly finds himself forced to decide how far he is willing to go to protect others while trying to preserve his own sanity. As a warped psychological thriller embedded with horror and rooted in trauma, it was an enjoyable read for me. The horror and psychology are balanced in a way that left me uncertain, uncomfortable, and distrusting, while creating an irresistible desire to uncover the next terrifying event.

This horror-oriented psychological thriller kept me turning pages at the speed of light while leaving me unsure if I was ready for the answers I was seeking. A traumatic childhood shaped every piece of Reed, with fear, uncertainty, and distrust that radiates from the pages and envelopes me in his mindset and struggle. The plot is fast-paced and infuses the foundation of horror and thrill with love, loss, grief, and sadness, adding depth and layers to the story. As reality becomes increasingly malleable, I couldn’t fully understand each event as it unfolded, creating an intentional confusion that is enthralling and feeds the desperation to uncover the truth. This book highlights the effects of trauma on mental health and the human psyche, paired with the fear and unpredictability of the world around us all, serving as the perfect focus for a psychological thriller.