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A Key to Many Doors
Nancy Jones--as beautiful as her name was plain--faced a life as spinster nurse to her hopelessly scarred brother until--impulsively--she entered into a strange, loveless marriage with diplomat artist Peter Gerard.
In the cold isolation of a New England village, she kept her part of the bargain until one black night she opened her bedroom door and her heart to this darkly handsome stranger, who was so deeply involved in an international conspiracy.
In the cold isolation of a New England village, she kept her part of the bargain until one black night she opened her bedroom door and her heart to this darkly handsome stranger, who was so deeply involved in an international conspiracy.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 1967
125 people are currently reading
198 people want to read
About the author
Emilie Loring
56 books130 followersAKA Emilie Baker Loring
Emilie Baker was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1864 to George M. Baker and Emily Frances (Boles) Baker. Her father was a playwright and publisher and her mother was a homemaker. Loring married Victor J. Loring, who was a lawyer. She began writing in 1914, published her first novel in 1922 at the age of 56, and continued writing until her death after a long illness in 1951. She was a prolific American romance novelist of the 20th century, known for her "wholesome love" romances and independent, spirited heroines. Beyond romance, her books also explore a selection of topics including, but not limited to marriage, love, American patriotism, freedom, and optimism. She died in Wellesley, Massachusetts on March 13, 1951. At the time of her death, she had sold more than a million copies of her first thirty books.
After her death, her estate was managed by her sons, Selden M. and Robert M. Loring, who, based on a wealth of unfinished material they discovered, published twenty more books under her name until 1972. These books were ghost-written by Elinore Denniston. taken largely from wiki, made some corrections (dates didn't add up) per her biographer
Emilie Loring Wiki Page
Emilie Baker was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1864 to George M. Baker and Emily Frances (Boles) Baker. Her father was a playwright and publisher and her mother was a homemaker. Loring married Victor J. Loring, who was a lawyer. She began writing in 1914, published her first novel in 1922 at the age of 56, and continued writing until her death after a long illness in 1951. She was a prolific American romance novelist of the 20th century, known for her "wholesome love" romances and independent, spirited heroines. Beyond romance, her books also explore a selection of topics including, but not limited to marriage, love, American patriotism, freedom, and optimism. She died in Wellesley, Massachusetts on March 13, 1951. At the time of her death, she had sold more than a million copies of her first thirty books.
After her death, her estate was managed by her sons, Selden M. and Robert M. Loring, who, based on a wealth of unfinished material they discovered, published twenty more books under her name until 1972. These books were ghost-written by Elinore Denniston. taken largely from wiki, made some corrections (dates didn't add up) per her biographer
Emilie Loring Wiki Page
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 39 reviews
July 13, 2010
I have read many of Loring's books but will only write one review. They are all similar but just really fun--squeaky clean romances. The books were published from the 1920's to early 70's and have a lot of social commentary from the time which makes them interesting. The books are not great literature but are entertaining. It is like reading a Ginger Rogers and Fred Estaire movie. Easy and fast to read.
May 21, 2017
I would like to thank NetGalley and Endeavour Press for this copy.
I was caught by the title, it seemed mysterious in a certain way, and the plot sounded interesting enough. I was pleasantly surprised however by how much i enjoyed the story.
It was in fact quite simple: A nice, heartworming romance with an intriguing conspiracy background, set in a New England village in the first half of the last century.
Peter and Nancy got married under the strangest circumstances. She just lied to her sick brother about having a fiancé and desperatly needed one. He just got dumped by his cold-hearted soon to be wife and he promised her he would marry the first girl he would see.
It was a good compromise for both of them. She needed a place to take care of her brother, he needed a good cover, for his secret government work, to be in his country house in the winter.
It was interesting to see how the relationship between Peter and Nancy developed, how they came to trust each other.
The story had a simple, straight forward plot. No unexpected twists or unforseen problems. Yet, in a certain way it was very pleasant to read. I actually finished it in one day.
And for a small village, the characters offered a great deal of variety, and many of them were really funny!
Overall it was an enjoyable book.
I was caught by the title, it seemed mysterious in a certain way, and the plot sounded interesting enough. I was pleasantly surprised however by how much i enjoyed the story.
It was in fact quite simple: A nice, heartworming romance with an intriguing conspiracy background, set in a New England village in the first half of the last century.
Peter and Nancy got married under the strangest circumstances. She just lied to her sick brother about having a fiancé and desperatly needed one. He just got dumped by his cold-hearted soon to be wife and he promised her he would marry the first girl he would see.
It was a good compromise for both of them. She needed a place to take care of her brother, he needed a good cover, for his secret government work, to be in his country house in the winter.
It was interesting to see how the relationship between Peter and Nancy developed, how they came to trust each other.
The story had a simple, straight forward plot. No unexpected twists or unforseen problems. Yet, in a certain way it was very pleasant to read. I actually finished it in one day.
And for a small village, the characters offered a great deal of variety, and many of them were really funny!
Overall it was an enjoyable book.
February 25, 2021
You will like this book if you like:
✅Marriage-of-convenience/Pretend relationship
✅Adorable secondary romance featuring a scarred hero and Pygmalion plot
✅Whodunit - the author gave enough clues to solve the puzzle.
Why not 5⭐️?
✅Marriage-of-convenience/Pretend relationship
✅Adorable secondary romance featuring a scarred hero and Pygmalion plot
✅Whodunit - the author gave enough clues to solve the puzzle.
Why not 5⭐️?
August 6, 2018
This Renewed my joy in Reading. Not one damaged Billionaire in sight.
I am so happy I found this book. It is not a traditional love story. There is no sex or sexual tension between the main characters until the end of the book. But, it is very suspenseful. Who done it?. I won't recap the story, because this has already be done. I read the book without reading the reviews. I think this is why I enjoyed the book so much. I didn't have an clue of what I would find on each page. I will re-read this again, and I haven't felt this way about a book in a long time.
I am so happy I found this book. It is not a traditional love story. There is no sex or sexual tension between the main characters until the end of the book. But, it is very suspenseful. Who done it?. I won't recap the story, because this has already be done. I read the book without reading the reviews. I think this is why I enjoyed the book so much. I didn't have an clue of what I would find on each page. I will re-read this again, and I haven't felt this way about a book in a long time.
August 14, 2017
Emilie Loring was a must read author for me in my teen years, so I was interested to see what I would think of her many years later. This story of Peter Gerard and Nancy Jones was one I enjoyed. It was a little more simplistic than most of what I read now, but I still liked it. The characters were likable and the storyline kept my interest.
I'm glad that I read this one. I'm sure I"ll be rereading some of her others in the future.
I'm glad that I read this one. I'm sure I"ll be rereading some of her others in the future.
January 15, 2018
I know I've read this at least twice before, but it had been a long time. It was okay. I felt that the romance between the hero and heroine was inevitable, of course, but not really earned. They didn't interact enough for the romantic declarations at the end of the novel to feel natural. I liked the "B couple" better, except for the fact that Nancy's brother only falls for his assistant after he's given her a makeover and taken off her glasses. A bit cliche.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2013
Great book! Didn't expect that when I bought it at a second-hand book shop! Exciting plot, exquisite narration, book which creates a great atmosphere. After finishing it you regret you didn't read it slowlier. =)
March 30, 2020
This was the first book I’ve read by this author.
I found myself interested in the main characters from the start. There was mystery and excitement without being overly dramatic, and the romance was just right. Even though there were many suspects, I knew from the start who the villain was, but that was okay. I didn’t know who all the accomplices were though I had my suspicions.
There were several cases of swearing in this book which I didn’t like. They weren’t necessary and only detracted from the story.
This was not a Christian book and there is no mention of church, Bible, or prayer.
I found myself interested in the main characters from the start. There was mystery and excitement without being overly dramatic, and the romance was just right. Even though there were many suspects, I knew from the start who the villain was, but that was okay. I didn’t know who all the accomplices were though I had my suspicions.
There were several cases of swearing in this book which I didn’t like. They weren’t necessary and only detracted from the story.
This was not a Christian book and there is no mention of church, Bible, or prayer.
July 6, 2018
I started reading Emile Loring books when I picked up a paperback from a rack in a hotel lobby (for 50 cents) while on my sister's & my yearly vacation to visit my father. Hooked! I went on to purchase and read every Emilie Loring romance written and available in paperback, not knowing, until Goodreads, that she had died before I was even born. :-)
May 25, 2017
This book was a bit hit-or-miss for me. I love Emilie Loring, but A Key to Many Doors, published after her death, is a hybrid of one of her early serial-stories and a ghost-writer's padding to make it novel length. As a result, it has a rather choppy feel. It's not so much that the ghost-writer's efforts are obvious, but rather that the flow is just not there. It doesn't help that the subplot involving a sinister conspiracy against the government has a bit of a Red Scare feel to it and is short on details about what the group is actually doing that would attract FBI interest (don't think making pamphlets is exactly a crime). But then the subplot doesn't need to rise much above McGuffin status to make the two love stories work, which they mostly did. Not Emilie-Loring-at-her-best level but satisfying enough.
June 22, 2019
Picked this up at the Friends of the Library Booksale, totally by chance. Starting to read it was like coming home - the gentle heroine, at first glance a bit too nice to be real, later more and more rounded. The sweet and very innocent love story. The mystery that never gets too scary. I used to read books like this as a child, I think. What a lovely surprise this was.
February 27, 2008
This is one of my favorite Emilie Loring novels--I have read it many times, although not recently. full of wholesome action, intrigue, & romance, it is a thoroughly enjoyable, if old-fashioned, novel. it's worth a read.
July 21, 2008
Emily Loring wrote many books--like a Nancy Drew series amount--and they are fun. Many of her books were published in the 60s. Lots of patriotic, plucky characters. This one is my favorite of hers.
November 11, 2009
Another good book by Emilie Loring, although I think this is actually written by someone else using the Loring pen name. Maybe the plot idea was originally hers; I know after her death some plot concepts were found among her papers.
July 12, 2016
3 1/2 stars for one of my favorite author's pretty good books. (Not her very best, but better than the last one I read of hers.) Satisfying romantic mystery, I love the values she has her main characters stick to!
April 13, 2018
A very enjoyable read
Such a simply sweet romance with mystery. Much nicer to imagine in one’s mind, rather than today’s movies that are so full of vulgar, and explicit content. Thanks, Hollywood politics, for reminding me to read, and foregoing any more theater nights out.
Such a simply sweet romance with mystery. Much nicer to imagine in one’s mind, rather than today’s movies that are so full of vulgar, and explicit content. Thanks, Hollywood politics, for reminding me to read, and foregoing any more theater nights out.
January 14, 2008
One of my favorites of hers! A fun mystery, adventure, hidden identity story. Just fun!
June 23, 2011
I liked Helen more than Nancy. But it was cute.
December 2, 2015
This was my favorite of all of the Emilie Loring books. It is very intriguing and romantic. Her best for sure!
October 15, 2015
3.5 stars
May 5, 2017
A lot of great characters, some good mystery, and a good ending, although I did feel like the ending was a bit rushed.
June 16, 2017
My favorite
This is my favorite E. Loring book and I can't believe they made it an ebook. Yay! Don't stop now. Bring on more.
This is my favorite E. Loring book and I can't believe they made it an ebook. Yay! Don't stop now. Bring on more.
June 19, 2017
One of my favorite Emilie Loring books, it was wonderful to discover it available on Kindle. I only wish more of her books were available that way!
September 7, 2018
Another classic Emilie Loring
True fantasy of the sort that entertains and gives a glimpse of what romantic ideals existed 60 to 70 years ago.
True fantasy of the sort that entertains and gives a glimpse of what romantic ideals existed 60 to 70 years ago.
July 5, 2019
Good book.
March 1, 2015
Loved it. Danger, intrigue,romance they're all here.
September 14, 2021
So, because I’m old, I spent a lot of time reading out-of-copyright ebooks on Project Gutenberg back in the day. The local library was closed for renovations, my college library was a provender of three shelves of popular fiction and endless copies of lengthy Russian epics, and ebooks weren’t a thing yet. But in those bygone days, I never discovered Emilie Loring. Mary Roberts Rinehart, yes. Kathleen Norris? Absolutely. But Emilie Loring's a little too late... and now I find that she has a lot of the same feel.
I have a certain fondness for this kind of old romance novel. The tropes are totally different, the writing can be a little overwrought, but some things are universal - as our heroine dons an evening gown she thinks “thank heavens there are still some dressmakers who make clothes for women who want to look like women,” by which she means “not clothes that look as though a girl were preparing to play tennis!” The hero’s best friend “writes science fiction and he’s awfully good at it.” My kingdom for anyone who can produce a Dick Stowell SF original. I’m going to guess it’s set on Mars and features gunslingers. The heroine hires a maid, who turns out to be on the run from her embittered emotionally abusive husband, and then sets her up with her brother.
The overarching plot is about someone using the village of Simonton to produce subversive literature, which, okay. Sorry, Emilie, I’m probably on their side. This was published in 1967, so subvert away, Mysterious Evil-Doers. But it registers as just a MacGuffin, the mystery that brings our hero and heroine to their marriage-of-convenience and quaint small town. The Mysterious Evil-Doers could just as easily be producing lurid pornography, or bootleg math textbooks with incorrect answer keys. Our hero happily shares his tale of patriotic woe with seemingly everyone in sight with nary a thought that he might be getting double-crossed. The secondary romance is frankly more interesting than the main one, and when the suspense plot gets going it's mildly ridiculous. All in all, though, this was fun.
I have a certain fondness for this kind of old romance novel. The tropes are totally different, the writing can be a little overwrought, but some things are universal - as our heroine dons an evening gown she thinks “thank heavens there are still some dressmakers who make clothes for women who want to look like women,” by which she means “not clothes that look as though a girl were preparing to play tennis!” The hero’s best friend “writes science fiction and he’s awfully good at it.” My kingdom for anyone who can produce a Dick Stowell SF original. I’m going to guess it’s set on Mars and features gunslingers. The heroine hires a maid, who turns out to be on the run from her embittered emotionally abusive husband, and then sets her up with her brother.
The overarching plot is about someone using the village of Simonton to produce subversive literature, which, okay. Sorry, Emilie, I’m probably on their side. This was published in 1967, so subvert away, Mysterious Evil-Doers. But it registers as just a MacGuffin, the mystery that brings our hero and heroine to their marriage-of-convenience and quaint small town. The Mysterious Evil-Doers could just as easily be producing lurid pornography, or bootleg math textbooks with incorrect answer keys. Our hero happily shares his tale of patriotic woe with seemingly everyone in sight with nary a thought that he might be getting double-crossed. The secondary romance is frankly more interesting than the main one, and when the suspense plot gets going it's mildly ridiculous. All in all, though, this was fun.
September 14, 2024
This is my favorite Emilie Loring. I probably read it when I was in middle school. I likely got it from my Dad's sister...who used to trade Westerns w/him & her romance books to me. It is, first & foremost, a romance. I just re-read it see how it fits in today's political climate (& to enjoy a simple, affectionate romance). First, keep in mind the mid 60s perspective, both relative to women & politics. It will annoy first time readers, but was not out of place when I first read it. Coming out of the Cold War & the Cuban Missle Crisis, the "Reds" or Communists were a real threat to "the American Way of Life". Interestingly enough, the concern fits very well in today's political climate.
The story is primarily a romance, w/the hero a dedicated American who believes our way of life is being threatened by foreign powers. Aided by a "fake" marriage to our heroine, he sets out to locate the origin of the propaganda in a sleepy NE village. It's pretty good at mixing up the suspects. If you look at the language of the "subversives", it matches w/what is being spread in 2024. Just substitute electronics, internet & IT & the story is instantly current. The dangers of the spread of mis-information is bringing us to a place today we haven't been in 60-70 years as Americans.
Overall, it's a lovely romance...and while predictible, it's a fun read w/enjoyable characters. It's descriptive & a quick read..& more current than you might think!
The story is primarily a romance, w/the hero a dedicated American who believes our way of life is being threatened by foreign powers. Aided by a "fake" marriage to our heroine, he sets out to locate the origin of the propaganda in a sleepy NE village. It's pretty good at mixing up the suspects. If you look at the language of the "subversives", it matches w/what is being spread in 2024. Just substitute electronics, internet & IT & the story is instantly current. The dangers of the spread of mis-information is bringing us to a place today we haven't been in 60-70 years as Americans.
Overall, it's a lovely romance...and while predictible, it's a fun read w/enjoyable characters. It's descriptive & a quick read..& more current than you might think!
November 28, 2019
This is the second book by Emilie Loring that I've read. I enjoyed this as much as the first. This is a common theme of two people who don't love each other getting married for convenience. Even though the idea is old, the way that Loring handles the characters and the plot is fresh and original.
Emilie Loring wrote 30 books beginning 1914 at the age of 50. She wrote until her death in 1951. Her two sons found enough material to publish an additional 20 books. If you like clean romances with creative plots, her books are a great place to start.
Emilie Loring wrote 30 books beginning 1914 at the age of 50. She wrote until her death in 1951. Her two sons found enough material to publish an additional 20 books. If you like clean romances with creative plots, her books are a great place to start.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 39 reviews