The Keeper of the Key by Nicole WillsonReleased November 12 2024
Rachel is a red haired teen whose truly easy-going nature belies her black-dyed teen angst. Her mom has moved them both in to live her new boyfriend Geoff and even if he has a creaky old mansion in the woods outside of a quaint little town he is bossy, weird, and more than a little creepy himself. There is definitely something creepy about his locked basement too. Even the cute boy, Nick, who hangs around the hip cafe doesn’t soothe the sting of being forced to move to Saint Mary, Virginia.
Halfway through reading this book something changes. It is not subtle, and you will absolutely know what I mean when you get there. There is an event that changes the plot on a dime that will also adjust your suspicions, the mood of the book, the characters motivations and drive, and even characters personalities. I would not say this is a plot twist as much as a life event, and that is when I also realized how invested in the story I’d become.
While this is listed as young adult fiction, and geared toward the 15 to 18 year age range, it is not as hard-boiled as all that. What often elevates a young-adult horror to being easily enjoyed by an older audience is believable and relatable adult characters. Adam Caesar does this well for his YA horror, enjoying mass appeal with older audiences, and Darcy Coates does this in her adult novels that easily skew younger.
I’ve loved every book Nicole Willson has put out, starting with Tidepool and her novella The Shadow Dancers of Brixton Hill. Even if you are new to her work, this is fine entry point for the young or old.