The Keykeeper

Review of:
The Keykeeper
Part 1
Also available in Dutch:
De sleuteldrager
Writer:
Charlotte de Winter:
is the author of De Sleuteldrager, a magical thriller that was published in May 2023 by Zilverspoor/Zilverbron publishers. She also translated this book in English by the title The Keykeeper. In 2020, her short story Hotel des Doods was shortlisted for the Harland Awards (8th place). In 2023, her short story Van mijn came in 7th place in the Goeken Prize (formerly Zilveren Strop).
Method of reading:
First read and reviewed in Dutch for FB Boeken toer led by Attie Dotinga. Now translated to English due to message on Facebook looking for ARC readers for The Keykeeper by Natascha van Limpt
Publisher:
Zilverspoor/Zilverbron
Genre: thriller fantasy
Cover and blurb:
night blue sky, branches of trees everywhere. Prominent in the middle is a so-called Celtic cross, as an intensely radiant center.
A blurb that immediately tingles your senses and makes you long for the story.
The story:
33-year-old Scottish homicide detective Finlay Reid unexpectedly gains the ability to enter someone's memories and thoughts. With this he must help a Halfweg, a deceased person who continues to wander on earth, to continue.
He stubbornly refuses to use that gift, he has enough on his mind with the investigation into the brutal murder of an English scientist. His wife, Robyn Ashton, is the main suspect, but their first meeting turns out very differently than he expected.
During the investigation, however, he is painfully confronted with Damier, a dangerous criminal, who is not hindered by the fact that he is already dead. Finlay must reluctantly use his gift to understand the plot behind the murder. And to survive it yourself.
My reading experience:
A unique story in which tension and magic fight together for the leading role, but often stand strong together.
What I thought was a shame is that the story changes in place and time without prior notice. For the sake of readability, I would have preferred to see a title or subtitle with the place and time of the action. Then the story would have been even clearer to me.
The writing style is smooth and visual. The various characters are developed in detail. I have become a lot wiser about the magical and spiritual world around us. Fascinatingly beautiful and unique. I also thought the entourage, namely England, and all the history, mysticism, magic and (dark) forces really made a valuable contribution to this story. Because it is written in such a visual way, I actually found myself in the same places as the characters. I learned a lot about England even though I've never been there. This story gave me the intense feeling that after I finished it, I was returning from a trip through beautiful England. I found this interspersed with the picturesque Netherlands refreshing.
Heartbreaking loss is accompanied by inflaming and erotic love. Telepathy that is unprecedented. Help from fellow sufferers is welcome but also confrontational. Caution is required because which person can you trust and which cannot? The truth unravels step by step. Help and new insights from those who embarked on their final journey.
This story continuously fascinates through the cocktail of magic, tension, love, hatred, jealousy, the urge to rule over life and death with the desire for wealth at the expense of everything and everyone. When this comes together in the plot you can feel the sparks flying. I also think it's nice that you want to continue reading in part two. Because how will things continue?
Something I find very admirable that this story, which is explained on all sides, past, present and future, can amaze, entertain and get under my skin as a reader. Although fictional, you often don't believe it.
My opinion:
I give 4 stars:
Magic seeps into the pores of many. All layers, ranks and positions of the population. Is it a gift or a curse to have spiritual awakening? To communicate paranormally, clearly feeling and able to communicate telepathically? After this story I believe even more that there is more between heaven and earth. That the people who went on their last journey in peace or through violence are still visible. I have noticed this myself all my life.
A story that stands as a rock, written visually and cinematically. It penetrates to the core of your being. If the changes in time and place had been shown more clearly, the reading pleasure would have been even more ultimate.
Charlotte de Winter, thank you very much for letting me read your book and for allowing me to share in the lives of Detective Finley and his team, Robyn Ashton and all the others.
I look forward to more stories from you.
I'm eagerly awaiting part 2 in this series.