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Locke and Keye
"Brothers in the art of keeping secrets." This is the mantra Mr. Locke's carefully chosen five employees must repeat together every day before starting work.
If you won't tell them your name for Locke and Keye's ledger, they'll find out. They have their ways--and many of them. Yes, these talented locksmiths can make a new lock and key set for you. They can even make a special padlock for a diary you never want to share with anyone. But just when they make the lock, they keep a key--and it's only a matter of time until they use it.
Day by day, each of these young, single, alone-in-the-world workers is being molded into the family they crave. A family in which each member has his use toward an end he doesn't even know exists.
How do the brotherhood and the town's secrets interlock? Only Mr. Locke holds the key.
Unlock the second book in the Dark Victoriana Collection with Locke and Keye .
As a standalone novel, Locke and Keye 's distinct characters and tense atmosphere create a dark Victorian experience that will stay with you after you turn the final page. As the book immediately following Anatomy of a Darkened Heart , Locke and Keye leads the Dark Victoriana Collection in a whole new psychological direction while expanding familiar characters and scenes to continue the Whitestone legacy.
If you won't tell them your name for Locke and Keye's ledger, they'll find out. They have their ways--and many of them. Yes, these talented locksmiths can make a new lock and key set for you. They can even make a special padlock for a diary you never want to share with anyone. But just when they make the lock, they keep a key--and it's only a matter of time until they use it.
Day by day, each of these young, single, alone-in-the-world workers is being molded into the family they crave. A family in which each member has his use toward an end he doesn't even know exists.
How do the brotherhood and the town's secrets interlock? Only Mr. Locke holds the key.
Unlock the second book in the Dark Victoriana Collection with Locke and Keye .
As a standalone novel, Locke and Keye 's distinct characters and tense atmosphere create a dark Victorian experience that will stay with you after you turn the final page. As the book immediately following Anatomy of a Darkened Heart , Locke and Keye leads the Dark Victoriana Collection in a whole new psychological direction while expanding familiar characters and scenes to continue the Whitestone legacy.
- GenresFiction
230 pages, Paperback
Published September 4, 2017
1 person is currently reading
384 people want to read
About the author
Christie Stratos
12 books134 followersHistorical suspense author, Victorian-era newspaper scourer, voracious reader of all genres, runs on coffee and chocolate.
*
Christie Stratos is an award-winning writer who holds a degree in English Literature. She is the author of the psychological suspense novels Anatomy of a Darkened Heart and Brotherhood of Secrets, the first two books in the Dark Victoriana Collection.
Also a poet and short story writer, Christie has been published in anthologies, literary journals, and magazines. Christie has been featured on the radio, in magazines, and on podcasts, and she has given presentations for writing organizations and at writing conferences. She owns her own editing company, Proof Positive, where she works one-on-one with authors as well as with small presses as a freelance editor, and she has enjoyed working with a rising press as an acquisitions editor.
Christie hosts the well-received podcast Writers Showcase on the Authors on the Air Radio Network. She has interviewed New York Times bestsellers, publishers, and major award-winning authors, including #1 New York Times bestselling author Peter Straub, Hugo Award winner Robert J. Sawyer, BBC correspondent Humphrey Hawksley, and Mary Higgins Clark Award winner Hank Phillippi Ryan.
Visit Christie on her website, christiestratos.com, or find her on Patreon, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, etc.
*
Christie Stratos is an award-winning writer who holds a degree in English Literature. She is the author of the psychological suspense novels Anatomy of a Darkened Heart and Brotherhood of Secrets, the first two books in the Dark Victoriana Collection.
Also a poet and short story writer, Christie has been published in anthologies, literary journals, and magazines. Christie has been featured on the radio, in magazines, and on podcasts, and she has given presentations for writing organizations and at writing conferences. She owns her own editing company, Proof Positive, where she works one-on-one with authors as well as with small presses as a freelance editor, and she has enjoyed working with a rising press as an acquisitions editor.
Christie hosts the well-received podcast Writers Showcase on the Authors on the Air Radio Network. She has interviewed New York Times bestsellers, publishers, and major award-winning authors, including #1 New York Times bestselling author Peter Straub, Hugo Award winner Robert J. Sawyer, BBC correspondent Humphrey Hawksley, and Mary Higgins Clark Award winner Hank Phillippi Ryan.
Visit Christie on her website, christiestratos.com, or find her on Patreon, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, etc.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 9, 2018
Dark psychological crime thriller filled with Victorian references. Weird Mr. Locke owns a secretive business called Locke and Keye. He hires five men to work there and each goes through a thorough vetting process with some strange requirements. With cult-like devotion, each man dedicates themselves to both Locke and his shop, and their stories are soon entwined together. This is no ordinary shop and Mr. Locke is not a standard boss. Something is going on behind the closed doors and with Mr. Locke's influence, the five employees will unlock the secrets behind closed doors. Stratos is able to build mystery and tension to a combustible and satisfying conclusion.
September 10, 2017
The second installment of Statos' Dark Victorian Collection does not disappoint. She kept all the suspense and psychological games that made Anatomy of a Darkened Heart amazing.
Locke and Keye centers around a locksmith shop in the Victorian era and the men who work there. The relationships they develop with each other allows them to justify increasingly odd requests by the owner of the shop. I couldn't put the book down and finished it within 24 hours!
Locke and Keye centers around a locksmith shop in the Victorian era and the men who work there. The relationships they develop with each other allows them to justify increasingly odd requests by the owner of the shop. I couldn't put the book down and finished it within 24 hours!
February 22, 2021
If you enjoy great writing with masterful suspense and lots of drama, you’ll find it tough to put this one down! The author spins a shocking, suspenseful, and fast-paced novel set in the Victorian era. So well done! Looking forward to the next book in this collection!
April 21, 2018
A nice 5 star read with an average rating of: 9.25/10
My rating system:
1 star: 1.0-2.9/10
2 stars: 3.0-5.4/10
3 stars: 5.5-7.0/10
4 stars: 7.1-9.0/10
5 stars: 9.1-10/10
I’ll give my opinions based on plot, characters, and writing. Weighing the writing twice, because it is such a big part in my experience of the book.
Plot:
8/10
Mr. Locke opens up a new lock store in town called Locke and Keye. We know nothing about him or his past, only that he is looking for new personnel. The book starts off with a short summary of the first month the store is open by giving us Mr. Locke’s opinions of all the applicants and we see he has a thing with lonely people. The ones without a family. Then we get an introduction to each point of view and our dive into Mr. Locke’s plan starts. He is trying to build a cult-like ‘family’ with his four employees and apprentice. Meanwhile murders start happening, and not of your regular random person, but of men who violently mistreat their women. We might or might not know who did this, as well as the why, but this isn’t the focus of the plot. Although it felt at least a little bit inspired by Jack the Ripper stories.
There isn’t a lot more to the plot, but that’s also not needed as this is a character driven book with the minimal amount of plot needed to make the book not only be driven forward by the character dynamics. Nonetheless it was really well done and everything was very beautifully intertwined and tied up in the end.
Characters:
10/10
Like I wrote before, we have got a multi-perspective novel here. This can go two ways: extremely well with every character adding to the overall plot or dynamic, or very badly with a lot of redundant scenes. In this case it was definitely the former. Everything added another layer and perspective. Every character brought in very well thought out experiences.
In this book we have six perspectives in total: Mr. Locke, Jude, Matthew, Timothy, John, and Luke. With different personalities, and, for the careful onlooker, the name of a biblical apostle (or a reference to it).
Now let me dive into each of these characters a bit.
Mr. Locke
I’ll leave this one alone, you know what you need to know. This character is mysterious in everything. You don’t know a thing about his past, his motives, or his way of thinking except for the things you get at the beginning and the few lines he gets in the other character’s perspectives. Telling more would spoil the mystery of what is actually going on. Which would be a shame to do.
Jude
Mr. Locke’s favorite, but we don’t know why until the end. Jude is a very violent man who can’t stand mistreatment. He also suffers from what seems like PTSD. This, in turn, leads him into dissociative psychoses. It was done so well it felt real. The loosing of control and having no idea where you are or what you did. And if you remember, it’s a complete misrepresentation of what truly happened. It was so painfully accurate and the reason why was so sad and painful. But it does explain his tendency to follow Mr. Locke, who at least seems to know what he doing and what purpose he has. The outcome of this could only be predicted by John.
John
A very kindhearted, patient man who mentors Timothy in becoming a locksmith and also in how to think critically and ask the right questions. He is most suspicious of what is happening around him and seems the only who doesn’t trust it from the beginning. His decisions are weighed and seem to always be what the situation asks for. Through his kindness and patience he tries to help everyone who directly and indirectly asks for it.
Timothy
The orphan apprentice in to lock shop. He is only fourteen years old and very shy. He also doubts what he should say and when and how throughout most of the book as well as doubting the situation they’re in. By John’s mentoring he learns to be more critical and to understand social behavior more. Critical thinking, the thing might be worth having so you don’t need to follow others all the time.
Because of this he starts to feel more and more comfortable asking questions about how things normally work. He also becomes more comfortable in identifying his own discomfort in situations. But does this help him in any way?
Matthew and Luke
I would mention these two separately, but pretty early on in the book they form a deep connection when Luke helps Matthew out. They tell one another what happened and why they still hurt and their joined development starts there. With the very insecure and mentally small. He grows and understands more of his wants and needs with Luke’s help. He also can finally express and accept his pains from the past. This is also where Matthew helps Luke. He seems to become caring again, where all his capacity for giving and wanting to feel any kind of love seemed to have been shut off. At the end I couldn’t help eye-rolling at Matthew’s decision still, even though it totally was in character and somehow understandable from his perspective. I just didn’t get it.
All in all I loved the development of the characters and the way they didn’t seem to change for convenience (sometimes happens on accident when not intended). I also loved the way we just got enough of Mr. Locke (including not knowing his first name until the ending) to become curious about him and somewhat annoyed about not knowing his intentions without getting annoyed with the book for now showing me anything.
Writing
9.5/10
First out with the negatives (which aren’t really there, except for some small things). I have just two. Near the end the word merciless is used and I have nothing against the word choice, but it seemed like it was an adjective and should’ve said: mercilessly.
The other one is: blood doesn’t smell. You know what scene I’m talking about when you’ve read the book. The room smelling of blood is only mentioned once. But fresh blood doesn’t smell and neither does older blood that hasn’t yet clotted (fully). Clotted blood also doesn’t have a smell. This misconception needs to go. Looking and smelling gruesome/disgusting isn’t the same.
Now on the actual writing of the book: wow. One of the few I’ve read in my life I was fully immersed in all the time. Even in the train and outside. From the moment I picked it up until I had to put it down. I wanted to keep on reading because the buildup suspense just made me wonder what Locke’s intentions were and what it would lead to next. It’s all down to setting and choice of words creating an almost perfect, if not perfect setting and atmosphere for this story to happen.
The way the theme of family, created or otherwise was entwined in the book from a lot of different dimensions was also something I loved lot. It showed beautifully how the right dynamics and stimulations by your family members can make you grow as a person and make you stronger. It also shows how sometimes the smallest of actions can destroy the psyche of a child and create such thought patterns, convictions, and behaviors that it will never be properly resolved. Not even with the support of a family will the mark be fully gone.
The beauty and destruction people can cause one another (also a theme in Anatomy of a Darkened Heart). And the grim truths it create when not dealt with properly.
It also worked in beautifully described feelings of (in)security, doubt, kindness, love, anger, and utter hate. As well as the way injustice for domestically abused women is brought up in here.
I loved the names of the character too. All employees had the name of an apostle of Jesus, the name that fit that person’s personality traits best. It was done so well that the names can be used to hint yourself of roles later played by these characters. Timothy’s (the apprentice) name seems to a reference to the apostle Thomas. The character traits fit well with that as well.
Of course the secretive Mr. Locke’s name refers to him keeping most, if not all, of himself to himself. We don’t even know his first name until the ending. That first name adds an extra layer to the character as well. We can see its meaning in how he acts a lot of the time.
Finally: the writing flows well and is easy to read, even though the themes are dark and rough. One big YES to me.
My rating system:
1 star: 1.0-2.9/10
2 stars: 3.0-5.4/10
3 stars: 5.5-7.0/10
4 stars: 7.1-9.0/10
5 stars: 9.1-10/10
I’ll give my opinions based on plot, characters, and writing. Weighing the writing twice, because it is such a big part in my experience of the book.
Plot:
8/10
Mr. Locke opens up a new lock store in town called Locke and Keye. We know nothing about him or his past, only that he is looking for new personnel. The book starts off with a short summary of the first month the store is open by giving us Mr. Locke’s opinions of all the applicants and we see he has a thing with lonely people. The ones without a family. Then we get an introduction to each point of view and our dive into Mr. Locke’s plan starts. He is trying to build a cult-like ‘family’ with his four employees and apprentice. Meanwhile murders start happening, and not of your regular random person, but of men who violently mistreat their women. We might or might not know who did this, as well as the why, but this isn’t the focus of the plot. Although it felt at least a little bit inspired by Jack the Ripper stories.
There isn’t a lot more to the plot, but that’s also not needed as this is a character driven book with the minimal amount of plot needed to make the book not only be driven forward by the character dynamics. Nonetheless it was really well done and everything was very beautifully intertwined and tied up in the end.
Characters:
10/10
Like I wrote before, we have got a multi-perspective novel here. This can go two ways: extremely well with every character adding to the overall plot or dynamic, or very badly with a lot of redundant scenes. In this case it was definitely the former. Everything added another layer and perspective. Every character brought in very well thought out experiences.
In this book we have six perspectives in total: Mr. Locke, Jude, Matthew, Timothy, John, and Luke. With different personalities, and, for the careful onlooker, the name of a biblical apostle (or a reference to it).
Now let me dive into each of these characters a bit.
Mr. Locke
I’ll leave this one alone, you know what you need to know. This character is mysterious in everything. You don’t know a thing about his past, his motives, or his way of thinking except for the things you get at the beginning and the few lines he gets in the other character’s perspectives. Telling more would spoil the mystery of what is actually going on. Which would be a shame to do.
Jude
Mr. Locke’s favorite, but we don’t know why until the end. Jude is a very violent man who can’t stand mistreatment. He also suffers from what seems like PTSD. This, in turn, leads him into dissociative psychoses. It was done so well it felt real. The loosing of control and having no idea where you are or what you did. And if you remember, it’s a complete misrepresentation of what truly happened. It was so painfully accurate and the reason why was so sad and painful. But it does explain his tendency to follow Mr. Locke, who at least seems to know what he doing and what purpose he has. The outcome of this could only be predicted by John.
John
A very kindhearted, patient man who mentors Timothy in becoming a locksmith and also in how to think critically and ask the right questions. He is most suspicious of what is happening around him and seems the only who doesn’t trust it from the beginning. His decisions are weighed and seem to always be what the situation asks for. Through his kindness and patience he tries to help everyone who directly and indirectly asks for it.
Timothy
The orphan apprentice in to lock shop. He is only fourteen years old and very shy. He also doubts what he should say and when and how throughout most of the book as well as doubting the situation they’re in. By John’s mentoring he learns to be more critical and to understand social behavior more. Critical thinking, the thing might be worth having so you don’t need to follow others all the time.
Because of this he starts to feel more and more comfortable asking questions about how things normally work. He also becomes more comfortable in identifying his own discomfort in situations. But does this help him in any way?
Matthew and Luke
I would mention these two separately, but pretty early on in the book they form a deep connection when Luke helps Matthew out. They tell one another what happened and why they still hurt and their joined development starts there. With the very insecure and mentally small. He grows and understands more of his wants and needs with Luke’s help. He also can finally express and accept his pains from the past. This is also where Matthew helps Luke. He seems to become caring again, where all his capacity for giving and wanting to feel any kind of love seemed to have been shut off. At the end I couldn’t help eye-rolling at Matthew’s decision still, even though it totally was in character and somehow understandable from his perspective. I just didn’t get it.
All in all I loved the development of the characters and the way they didn’t seem to change for convenience (sometimes happens on accident when not intended). I also loved the way we just got enough of Mr. Locke (including not knowing his first name until the ending) to become curious about him and somewhat annoyed about not knowing his intentions without getting annoyed with the book for now showing me anything.
Writing
9.5/10
First out with the negatives (which aren’t really there, except for some small things). I have just two. Near the end the word merciless is used and I have nothing against the word choice, but it seemed like it was an adjective and should’ve said: mercilessly.
The other one is: blood doesn’t smell. You know what scene I’m talking about when you’ve read the book. The room smelling of blood is only mentioned once. But fresh blood doesn’t smell and neither does older blood that hasn’t yet clotted (fully). Clotted blood also doesn’t have a smell. This misconception needs to go. Looking and smelling gruesome/disgusting isn’t the same.
Now on the actual writing of the book: wow. One of the few I’ve read in my life I was fully immersed in all the time. Even in the train and outside. From the moment I picked it up until I had to put it down. I wanted to keep on reading because the buildup suspense just made me wonder what Locke’s intentions were and what it would lead to next. It’s all down to setting and choice of words creating an almost perfect, if not perfect setting and atmosphere for this story to happen.
The way the theme of family, created or otherwise was entwined in the book from a lot of different dimensions was also something I loved lot. It showed beautifully how the right dynamics and stimulations by your family members can make you grow as a person and make you stronger. It also shows how sometimes the smallest of actions can destroy the psyche of a child and create such thought patterns, convictions, and behaviors that it will never be properly resolved. Not even with the support of a family will the mark be fully gone.
The beauty and destruction people can cause one another (also a theme in Anatomy of a Darkened Heart). And the grim truths it create when not dealt with properly.
It also worked in beautifully described feelings of (in)security, doubt, kindness, love, anger, and utter hate. As well as the way injustice for domestically abused women is brought up in here.
I loved the names of the character too. All employees had the name of an apostle of Jesus, the name that fit that person’s personality traits best. It was done so well that the names can be used to hint yourself of roles later played by these characters. Timothy’s (the apprentice) name seems to a reference to the apostle Thomas. The character traits fit well with that as well.
Of course the secretive Mr. Locke’s name refers to him keeping most, if not all, of himself to himself. We don’t even know his first name until the ending. That first name adds an extra layer to the character as well. We can see its meaning in how he acts a lot of the time.
Finally: the writing flows well and is easy to read, even though the themes are dark and rough. One big YES to me.
April 1, 2018
Darkly disturbing and utterly compelling.
I was a huge fan of Christie's first novel, Anatomy of a darkened heart. I was eagerly awaiting this, the second in the Dark Victorians collection.
It was well worth the wait.
Locke and Keys tells the story of master locksmith and his five new employees.
The story is written in the style of entries, alternating between each character.
The first few pages describe Mr Locke's initial impression of each employee.
There is just something disturbing about what he has written and the manner of his assessment.
This very clever writing immediately drew me in.
From the first few pages, Mr Locke begins to draw his workers ever closer to him in what appears to be quite disquieting acts.
The characters are all very well written and fleshed out as individuals.
One, if not, the standout character for me was Jude.
A hard and often frightening man who is prone to mental blackouts and violence.
These tendencies could prove useful and that's all I'm going to say to avoid spoilers.
This book was so powerful I finished it in two days.
If it hadn't been for the need to sleep, I would've finished it in one.
I was a huge fan of Christie's first novel, Anatomy of a darkened heart. I was eagerly awaiting this, the second in the Dark Victorians collection.
It was well worth the wait.
Locke and Keys tells the story of master locksmith and his five new employees.
The story is written in the style of entries, alternating between each character.
The first few pages describe Mr Locke's initial impression of each employee.
There is just something disturbing about what he has written and the manner of his assessment.
This very clever writing immediately drew me in.
From the first few pages, Mr Locke begins to draw his workers ever closer to him in what appears to be quite disquieting acts.
The characters are all very well written and fleshed out as individuals.
One, if not, the standout character for me was Jude.
A hard and often frightening man who is prone to mental blackouts and violence.
These tendencies could prove useful and that's all I'm going to say to avoid spoilers.
This book was so powerful I finished it in two days.
If it hadn't been for the need to sleep, I would've finished it in one.
July 6, 2019
‘Church is worship of the Almighty, don’t you see? Is Mr. Locke almighty?’
Author Christie Stratos earned her degree in English Literature and has published poetry and short stories in important anthologies. ANATOMY OF A DARKENED HEART was her debut novel – the first installment in a promised series – The Dark Victoriana Collection – and now Book 2 BROTHERHOOD OF SECRETS, continues to seduce.
As befits her signature style – intrigue blended well with psychological overtones – Christie opens this Part 2 of her Dark Victoriana Collection with a symbol and a note –‘Welcome to Locke and Key, brothers in the art of keeping secrets. We are ready to keep yours. Enter.’ Christie follows this dark greeting with a cleverly scribed ‘letter’ dated February 8, 1849: Dearest Prospective Locke and Keye Employee: I greatly look forward to having you in my employ on a trial basis. Until I choose my permanent employees, you will rotate your work schedule as I require. I know you will be agreeable. It is typical in most locksmith shops to wear a costume of loose shirt and apron, and for the men at the shop’s counter, a waistcoat. However, I ask that you attend in a full suit no matter the job you perform. You may only remove your jacket and waistcoat while working out of sight to make locks and keys and use equipment, in which case you will wear an apron provided to you by Locke and Keye. The apron is to stay in the shop. Please enter and leave the shop fully dressed; lock makers must remove their apron and appear in front of customers with at least a waistcoat. I expect to see you no later than seven o’clock in the morning starting Monday. Sincerely, Mr. Locke’
It is apparent that the author has studied Victorian manners, customs, and inherent mood of darkness in the elegant manner in which she composes her story. For those who have not the advantage of having read Book 1 in this series, this story may indeed stand alone, but it is greatly enhanced with the background set in Book 1. And yes, the Whitestone family is part of the cast – especially Abigail – as the Brotherhood influences the tension.
Again Christie succinctly offers the concept of the story: "Brothers in the art of keeping secrets." This is the mantra Mr. Locke's carefully chosen five employees must repeat together every day before starting work. If you won't tell them your name for Locke and Keye's ledger, they'll find out. They have their ways—and many of them. Yes, these talented locksmiths can make a new lock and key set for you. They can even make a special padlock for a diary you never want to share with anyone. But just remember: when they make the lock, they keep a key—and it's only a matter of time until they use it. Day by day, each of these young, single, alone-in-the-world workers is being molded into the family they crave. A family in which each member has his use toward an end he doesn't even know exists. How do the brotherhood and the town's secrets interlock? Only Mr. Locke holds the key.’
Very skilled and sensitive writing from an author about whom we will doubtless be hearing much more. Highly Recommended!
Author Christie Stratos earned her degree in English Literature and has published poetry and short stories in important anthologies. ANATOMY OF A DARKENED HEART was her debut novel – the first installment in a promised series – The Dark Victoriana Collection – and now Book 2 BROTHERHOOD OF SECRETS, continues to seduce.
As befits her signature style – intrigue blended well with psychological overtones – Christie opens this Part 2 of her Dark Victoriana Collection with a symbol and a note –‘Welcome to Locke and Key, brothers in the art of keeping secrets. We are ready to keep yours. Enter.’ Christie follows this dark greeting with a cleverly scribed ‘letter’ dated February 8, 1849: Dearest Prospective Locke and Keye Employee: I greatly look forward to having you in my employ on a trial basis. Until I choose my permanent employees, you will rotate your work schedule as I require. I know you will be agreeable. It is typical in most locksmith shops to wear a costume of loose shirt and apron, and for the men at the shop’s counter, a waistcoat. However, I ask that you attend in a full suit no matter the job you perform. You may only remove your jacket and waistcoat while working out of sight to make locks and keys and use equipment, in which case you will wear an apron provided to you by Locke and Keye. The apron is to stay in the shop. Please enter and leave the shop fully dressed; lock makers must remove their apron and appear in front of customers with at least a waistcoat. I expect to see you no later than seven o’clock in the morning starting Monday. Sincerely, Mr. Locke’
It is apparent that the author has studied Victorian manners, customs, and inherent mood of darkness in the elegant manner in which she composes her story. For those who have not the advantage of having read Book 1 in this series, this story may indeed stand alone, but it is greatly enhanced with the background set in Book 1. And yes, the Whitestone family is part of the cast – especially Abigail – as the Brotherhood influences the tension.
Again Christie succinctly offers the concept of the story: "Brothers in the art of keeping secrets." This is the mantra Mr. Locke's carefully chosen five employees must repeat together every day before starting work. If you won't tell them your name for Locke and Keye's ledger, they'll find out. They have their ways—and many of them. Yes, these talented locksmiths can make a new lock and key set for you. They can even make a special padlock for a diary you never want to share with anyone. But just remember: when they make the lock, they keep a key—and it's only a matter of time until they use it. Day by day, each of these young, single, alone-in-the-world workers is being molded into the family they crave. A family in which each member has his use toward an end he doesn't even know exists. How do the brotherhood and the town's secrets interlock? Only Mr. Locke holds the key.’
Very skilled and sensitive writing from an author about whom we will doubtless be hearing much more. Highly Recommended!
August 1, 2017
A-maz-ing
I have been waiting for this book to come out for forever. I follow the author on youtube and FB and she keeps us updated with her progress. So I've been getting teased for months now with little teeny tiny hints. I finally got the book yesterday, last night really. After all this build up I was afraid I had built it up too much in mind. So I thought I would do the sensible thing and just read a few chapters before bed. Just dip my toe in the water so to speak.
I am sure the rest of you have made the same mistake so don't judge me too harshly.
Yes, I stayed up all night reading it. I am going to be living on coffee and sugar today. But it was totally worth it. My arms fell asleep as I was reading and it was still worth it.
Each line was so carefully crafted, each character so well chosen and placed, it was like clockwork. Each tick of the clock, each turn of the page, took you deeper into the machinations and down a darkening road. The road became so dark I had no clue where it would end! Because no one except Mr Locke even understood where they were heading, and even he didn't see how far his family would go to protect him.
I have been waiting for this book to come out for forever. I follow the author on youtube and FB and she keeps us updated with her progress. So I've been getting teased for months now with little teeny tiny hints. I finally got the book yesterday, last night really. After all this build up I was afraid I had built it up too much in mind. So I thought I would do the sensible thing and just read a few chapters before bed. Just dip my toe in the water so to speak.
I am sure the rest of you have made the same mistake so don't judge me too harshly.
Yes, I stayed up all night reading it. I am going to be living on coffee and sugar today. But it was totally worth it. My arms fell asleep as I was reading and it was still worth it.
Each line was so carefully crafted, each character so well chosen and placed, it was like clockwork. Each tick of the clock, each turn of the page, took you deeper into the machinations and down a darkening road. The road became so dark I had no clue where it would end! Because no one except Mr Locke even understood where they were heading, and even he didn't see how far his family would go to protect him.
February 28, 2019
Mr. Locke has carefully chosen five men who are alone in the world to work in his new locksmith shop, Locke and Keye. As a small tightknit group, these men must recite a daily mantra crafted for them by their new employer: “Brothers in the art of keeping secrets.” What kinds of secrets must they keep hidden? All five men soon discover that behind locked doors hide many secrets, doors their talents must unlock to uncover the secrets within or to create locks to keep these secrets hidden away forever. As secrets are shared and withheld, these men become a family, yet another secret remains to be shared as each man has a particular use that only Mr. Locke is aware of. What will the newly formed brotherhood discover about the town surrounding their shop and what will they discover about their mysterious employer? Nothing is what it may seem and absolutely no one can be trusted.
Author Christie Stratos beautifully blends together suspense and mystery in a Victorian era setting while also throwing in a healthy dose of the strange and the macabre in her latest book Brotherhood of Secrets. While this is the second book of her Dark Victoriana Collection, it is one that can most certainly stand on its own and successfully captures the attention of any reader who picks it up. Stratos is to be commended on how she crafts her story for she tackles many different elements and successfully weaves them together to create one uniquely enticing tale. Fans of historical fiction will be impressed with how well Stratos writes this time period, making it more of a realistic Victorian London rather than fantasy or steampunk. Fans of mystery will enjoy the many secrets scattered throughout the story’s entirety and fans of suspense will be thrilled once they discover the secrets that are far too dangerous to keep. The suspense and mystery will also reach out to fans of the dark and the strange for Stratos’ storytelling is similar to that of writers such as Neil Gaiman or Tim Burton.
Along with her excellent blend of elements, Stratos also molds a seamless blend of dialog and prose. She gives just the right amount of detail to paint a clear picture within the minds of the readers and writes the perfect amount of dialog to share the character’s thoughts, whether the characters are speaking to one another or expressing their thoughts to the readers. Even with the knowledge of nearly all of the characters’ inner thoughts, many mysteries still abound as unexpected twists and turns leave readers unsure as to what will happen next. The amount of mysteries and secrets most certainly holds true to the story’s title. Even secrets are kept and shared amongst the brotherhood that is formed.
Stratos’ strength lies in her characters for they are the ones who truly carry the story along. Mr. Locke, Timothy, John, Luke, Matthew, and Jude are all strong and complex characters each with his own unique personality. Headstrong, sophisticated, and always the gentleman, Mr. Locke is a man to be admired, yet mystery enshrouds him as he never truly opens up to anyone. Matthew is always trying to be noticed for his deeds and seems to want to be the right-hand man to Mr. Locke. Luke is an observant man who wishes to make a good impression and assists anyone who is in need of help. More observant than Luke is John who notices strange goings-on that he questions and always makes sure to keep his guard up. Timothy is a young lad who is beginning his first career and while he may be naïve, he watches and learns quickly from his colleagues. Jude is the wild card of the group for he seems to have many motives… one is never truly sure if Jude wishes to help or harm.
Each of these characters personalities are introduced and fully examined as the story progresses for there are no chapters in Brotherhood of Secrets, but rather sections that read almost like journal entries told from the perspective of each character. Of the five main Locke and Keye employees, it seems Jude receives most of the attention, but the other characters have a fairly even amount of spotlight time. This allows readers to get a good look into everyone’s personality and motives with the exception of Mr. Locke whose motives are so well-hidden readers will become incredibly curious as to what sort of man he truly is. A rather intriguing fact to discover is, aside from Mr. Locke, the main characters’ names are all names found within the bible. Whether Stratos intended this or not, the names almost seem to follow the characters of the bible and there are even subtle hints to biblical references as the story continues.
Do not let the knowledge of Brotherhood of Secrets being the second of a series stop readers from picking up a copy. One does not need to read its predecessor Anatomy of a Darkened Heart to enjoy this novel that can most certainly stand on its own. Stratos has released a well-crafted story that will reach a wide audience of readers, gripping their attention with suspense and mystery during a dark and strange Victorian era. Brotherhood of Secrets offers an excellent introduction to Stratos for those new to her work as well as an excellent addition to her library for those who have been with her since book one. With only two books currently out for her Dark Victorian Collection, who knows what other captivating works she will release next. Hopefully, readers will not have to wait too long to find out.
*Originally published on my blog Roll Out Reviews on November 8, 2018*
Author Christie Stratos beautifully blends together suspense and mystery in a Victorian era setting while also throwing in a healthy dose of the strange and the macabre in her latest book Brotherhood of Secrets. While this is the second book of her Dark Victoriana Collection, it is one that can most certainly stand on its own and successfully captures the attention of any reader who picks it up. Stratos is to be commended on how she crafts her story for she tackles many different elements and successfully weaves them together to create one uniquely enticing tale. Fans of historical fiction will be impressed with how well Stratos writes this time period, making it more of a realistic Victorian London rather than fantasy or steampunk. Fans of mystery will enjoy the many secrets scattered throughout the story’s entirety and fans of suspense will be thrilled once they discover the secrets that are far too dangerous to keep. The suspense and mystery will also reach out to fans of the dark and the strange for Stratos’ storytelling is similar to that of writers such as Neil Gaiman or Tim Burton.
Along with her excellent blend of elements, Stratos also molds a seamless blend of dialog and prose. She gives just the right amount of detail to paint a clear picture within the minds of the readers and writes the perfect amount of dialog to share the character’s thoughts, whether the characters are speaking to one another or expressing their thoughts to the readers. Even with the knowledge of nearly all of the characters’ inner thoughts, many mysteries still abound as unexpected twists and turns leave readers unsure as to what will happen next. The amount of mysteries and secrets most certainly holds true to the story’s title. Even secrets are kept and shared amongst the brotherhood that is formed.
Stratos’ strength lies in her characters for they are the ones who truly carry the story along. Mr. Locke, Timothy, John, Luke, Matthew, and Jude are all strong and complex characters each with his own unique personality. Headstrong, sophisticated, and always the gentleman, Mr. Locke is a man to be admired, yet mystery enshrouds him as he never truly opens up to anyone. Matthew is always trying to be noticed for his deeds and seems to want to be the right-hand man to Mr. Locke. Luke is an observant man who wishes to make a good impression and assists anyone who is in need of help. More observant than Luke is John who notices strange goings-on that he questions and always makes sure to keep his guard up. Timothy is a young lad who is beginning his first career and while he may be naïve, he watches and learns quickly from his colleagues. Jude is the wild card of the group for he seems to have many motives… one is never truly sure if Jude wishes to help or harm.
Each of these characters personalities are introduced and fully examined as the story progresses for there are no chapters in Brotherhood of Secrets, but rather sections that read almost like journal entries told from the perspective of each character. Of the five main Locke and Keye employees, it seems Jude receives most of the attention, but the other characters have a fairly even amount of spotlight time. This allows readers to get a good look into everyone’s personality and motives with the exception of Mr. Locke whose motives are so well-hidden readers will become incredibly curious as to what sort of man he truly is. A rather intriguing fact to discover is, aside from Mr. Locke, the main characters’ names are all names found within the bible. Whether Stratos intended this or not, the names almost seem to follow the characters of the bible and there are even subtle hints to biblical references as the story continues.
Do not let the knowledge of Brotherhood of Secrets being the second of a series stop readers from picking up a copy. One does not need to read its predecessor Anatomy of a Darkened Heart to enjoy this novel that can most certainly stand on its own. Stratos has released a well-crafted story that will reach a wide audience of readers, gripping their attention with suspense and mystery during a dark and strange Victorian era. Brotherhood of Secrets offers an excellent introduction to Stratos for those new to her work as well as an excellent addition to her library for those who have been with her since book one. With only two books currently out for her Dark Victorian Collection, who knows what other captivating works she will release next. Hopefully, readers will not have to wait too long to find out.
*Originally published on my blog Roll Out Reviews on November 8, 2018*
September 7, 2017
DEPRAVED ACTS FROM PURE INTENTIONS
Secrets are entrenched and webbed through the American mid-nineteenth century town which forms the setting for Christie Stratos's second excursion into her dark Victoriana collection. Mr Locke, the owner of Locke and Keye locksmiths, brings together five men into his employ, none of whom he believes have family, making them ideal for his murky and morally ambiguous plans.
The idea of family is one of the main themes of the book: that family can damage you in ways you never thought possible, and how this vulnerability can be exploited for wicked purposes. Mr Locke, the father-figure who binds the five men to him, creates a cultish atmosphere in the locksmiths. This has consequences none bar Mr Locke and perhaps John can forsee. His plans for his Locke and Keye business and its family seem to be doom-laden and monstrous. A family out of balance with tradition or expectation is a wonderful theme that ties this book with the author's first book, Anatomy of a Darkened Heart.
But it is Jude, a creepy, psychotic young man who will do anything it takes to please Mr Locke, whom he reveres as some kind of god, lies at the heart of this novel. He is a wonderful character; and Stratos, whose greatest strength as a writer lies in her ability to peel away the decrepit layers of her damaged characters' psyche, does an excellent job of displaying the complexity of Jude's gradual descent into further madness. He is a truly compelling and believable character. His motivations for attempting to make tenuous contact with a young girl were for me the most chilling parts of the book, beautifully and disturbingly played through a brilliant scene in Love's Bloom flower shop. Wow, what an excellent scene that was! Oddly sweet yet full of menace. Jude is one of those characters you'll love to follow. He reminded me of a child-like Raskolnikov. In fact I would make clear comparisons between this book and Crime and Punishment. Bad acts are perpetrated for a higher moral purpose.
In the aforementioned scene in the flower shop we are also treated to another of the author's strengths: symbolism, carefully chosen, which resonates both narratively and psychologically. The novel is soaked in symbolism, be it a Henbane flower, an intricate lock, the uniform they are made to wear, or Mr Locke's house. I also loved the way the footmen seemed to emerge from the walls to serve the food. It reminded me of the surrealism of La Belle et la Bête: the arms coming out the walls clutching candelabras.
If you loved Anatomy of a Darkened Heart as much as I did then you must read Locke and Keye. But it doesn't matter if you haven't read Anatomy either, because this is a separate story and is wonderful in its own right. The prose is clear and concise and precisely measured: each word choice and sentence structure is well-thought-out. The themes are interesting and executed through effective drama. But most of all the quality of the story - that is all from a male point of view, that there is no clear good and evil, the excellent and perspective-changing denouement, and the originality of the story - makes this a novel I highly recommend.
Secrets are entrenched and webbed through the American mid-nineteenth century town which forms the setting for Christie Stratos's second excursion into her dark Victoriana collection. Mr Locke, the owner of Locke and Keye locksmiths, brings together five men into his employ, none of whom he believes have family, making them ideal for his murky and morally ambiguous plans.
The idea of family is one of the main themes of the book: that family can damage you in ways you never thought possible, and how this vulnerability can be exploited for wicked purposes. Mr Locke, the father-figure who binds the five men to him, creates a cultish atmosphere in the locksmiths. This has consequences none bar Mr Locke and perhaps John can forsee. His plans for his Locke and Keye business and its family seem to be doom-laden and monstrous. A family out of balance with tradition or expectation is a wonderful theme that ties this book with the author's first book, Anatomy of a Darkened Heart.
But it is Jude, a creepy, psychotic young man who will do anything it takes to please Mr Locke, whom he reveres as some kind of god, lies at the heart of this novel. He is a wonderful character; and Stratos, whose greatest strength as a writer lies in her ability to peel away the decrepit layers of her damaged characters' psyche, does an excellent job of displaying the complexity of Jude's gradual descent into further madness. He is a truly compelling and believable character. His motivations for attempting to make tenuous contact with a young girl were for me the most chilling parts of the book, beautifully and disturbingly played through a brilliant scene in Love's Bloom flower shop. Wow, what an excellent scene that was! Oddly sweet yet full of menace. Jude is one of those characters you'll love to follow. He reminded me of a child-like Raskolnikov. In fact I would make clear comparisons between this book and Crime and Punishment. Bad acts are perpetrated for a higher moral purpose.
In the aforementioned scene in the flower shop we are also treated to another of the author's strengths: symbolism, carefully chosen, which resonates both narratively and psychologically. The novel is soaked in symbolism, be it a Henbane flower, an intricate lock, the uniform they are made to wear, or Mr Locke's house. I also loved the way the footmen seemed to emerge from the walls to serve the food. It reminded me of the surrealism of La Belle et la Bête: the arms coming out the walls clutching candelabras.
If you loved Anatomy of a Darkened Heart as much as I did then you must read Locke and Keye. But it doesn't matter if you haven't read Anatomy either, because this is a separate story and is wonderful in its own right. The prose is clear and concise and precisely measured: each word choice and sentence structure is well-thought-out. The themes are interesting and executed through effective drama. But most of all the quality of the story - that is all from a male point of view, that there is no clear good and evil, the excellent and perspective-changing denouement, and the originality of the story - makes this a novel I highly recommend.
April 3, 2019
I love the mix of characters that the author creates in this story. It’s so interesting to me when a book doesn’t have chapters, and moving from one man’s POV to another intensified the complexity of their twisted brotherhood. You KNOW something bad is going to happen, and the tension builds beautifully even though you’re not entirely sure what the deal is. The climax still manages to somehow be very sudden and shocking, not to mention a little heartbreaking.
And the scene that the cover comes from? I literally recoiled from the creepiness.
Extremely well-written with hardly a word wasted, this book feels like it’s from a bygone era of literature.
And the scene that the cover comes from? I literally recoiled from the creepiness.
Extremely well-written with hardly a word wasted, this book feels like it’s from a bygone era of literature.
May 4, 2022
This is my favorite read of the year thus far. The subtleties in this intricately woven tale pulled me in and kept me engaged right up to the final sentence. If you liked Stephen King's, Needful Things, then put this book on your TBR list now. You will not be disappointed.
December 23, 2018
I have said before that Christie Stratos is not just my favorite indie author, but one of my favorite authors. Her second installment in the Dark Victoriana collection proves me right in so many ways. Like Anatomy of a Darkened Heart before it, Brotherhood of Secrets is a dark compelling look into the psychology of a world that seems devoid of safe places. And it is fascinating.
Stratos has an uncanny talent for writing genuine voices that speak with such honest and dark truth, that it's amazing it's fiction. How she weaves the Dark Victoriana world in is a fascinating example of literary brilliance that makes it a definite requirement to read the first book in her collection before this one. Simply put, it will make it an even more rewarding experience.
The setting takes place in a the same town where the Whitestone family from Book 1 in a locksmith shop that is bound by loyalty and secrets. The characters are each unique and fascinating, offering an engaging balance that never let's you guess what will happen next. Mr. Locke himself is calculating, cold, precise in mannerisms, actions, decisions, and words. He took a long time to choose the employees for his shop. Each with a specific skill and role essential to Mr. Locke's vision for the role of his shop in the community. John is noble, a highly skilled locksmith, and goes along with the requests from his employer. His trade has rubbed off on him and he doesn't take a lock or anything at face value. Everything has a mechanism, a purpose, and for every action, there is a counteraction. Matthew looks for approval and is in search of a home. As discreet as he is courteous, his purpose is to serve. Luke has a bond with Matthew because there based on the most genuine trust. Timothy is the apprentice and is assigned to John. A curious youth, eager to learn, though smarter than he is given credit for. Lastly, there is Jude... a dark and fascinating character that more often than not seems to be forcing your hand to turn another page. Each character is carefully crafted, each scene leads into the next and threads an amazing tale that easily ranks among the best reads for the year for me.
Stratos has an uncanny talent for writing genuine voices that speak with such honest and dark truth, that it's amazing it's fiction. How she weaves the Dark Victoriana world in is a fascinating example of literary brilliance that makes it a definite requirement to read the first book in her collection before this one. Simply put, it will make it an even more rewarding experience.
The setting takes place in a the same town where the Whitestone family from Book 1 in a locksmith shop that is bound by loyalty and secrets. The characters are each unique and fascinating, offering an engaging balance that never let's you guess what will happen next. Mr. Locke himself is calculating, cold, precise in mannerisms, actions, decisions, and words. He took a long time to choose the employees for his shop. Each with a specific skill and role essential to Mr. Locke's vision for the role of his shop in the community. John is noble, a highly skilled locksmith, and goes along with the requests from his employer. His trade has rubbed off on him and he doesn't take a lock or anything at face value. Everything has a mechanism, a purpose, and for every action, there is a counteraction. Matthew looks for approval and is in search of a home. As discreet as he is courteous, his purpose is to serve. Luke has a bond with Matthew because there based on the most genuine trust. Timothy is the apprentice and is assigned to John. A curious youth, eager to learn, though smarter than he is given credit for. Lastly, there is Jude... a dark and fascinating character that more often than not seems to be forcing your hand to turn another page. Each character is carefully crafted, each scene leads into the next and threads an amazing tale that easily ranks among the best reads for the year for me.
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