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The Keyhole: a dark psychological thriller

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Annalisa arrives at Rochester Manor, expecting a quiet job as a nanny. Instead, she’s drawn into a dark and dangerous affair with her mysterious employer, Edward Rochester.

By day, Mr. Rochester is distant and formal. By night, he's a beast with depraved, unbridled appetites. The more Annalisa succumbs to his allure, the more she realizes he’s hiding something far worse than his desires. Strange noises, locked doors, and buried secrets leave her questioning not just her lover, but if she’ll make it out of the Manor alive.

Caught in a web of passion, deception, and psychological unraveling, Annalisa must confront the horrifying truth about the man she can’t resist before it destroys her.

Dark. Seductive. Twisted. The Keyhole will grip you from the first page to the last shocking twist.

312 pages, Paperback

Published January 9, 2026

426 people are currently reading
3017 people want to read

About the author

Gigi Styx

7 books2,811 followers

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5 stars
366 (40%)
4 stars
279 (30%)
3 stars
168 (18%)
2 stars
63 (6%)
1 star
31 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 180 reviews
Profile Image for Gina Dart.
12 reviews1 follower
January 11, 2026
well...dam! That was something...and I highly recommend this if you like thrillers. Im now sat here trying to get my head around everything. And with that ending...I hope there is more to come.
Profile Image for Leigh The Spoonie.
163 reviews
January 25, 2026
You know that feeling you get when you get off a really good rollercoaster and you’re still a little dizzy but you can’t wait to do it again? That’s how I felt when I finished this book. It started off quite gently and I thought I knew what I was expecting, story was great, spice level great then bam a vertical drop and the story changed direction and the spice went up a level all in the best ways! Then just as I’m enjoying the ride more unexpected twists and turns. Absolutely thrilling to the very last page! This author does psychological thriller combined with dark romance brilliantly in perfect balance.
Profile Image for Fatima Rezigui.
399 reviews7 followers
January 25, 2026
Oh boy, oh shit!!! this is like a twisted and spicy version of Jane Eyre or something!!! I'm in love with Gig Styx's writing, I love all her books and this one is no difference! I mean, I read it in one sitting so there is that!!

Annalise is running from the law, she committed murder and then she found an ad on Facebook for someone wanting a nanny for their child! She gets there but things are creepy and weird and actually fucked up to say the least!

I like Annalise, she has been through a lot and she only wants someone to show her some affection and cares about her, which makes her the perfect victim for Rochester! I like how feral and unhinged she became in the last chapters!

Edward Rochester is a creep, plain and simple! he lures young women into his estate, forces them to work and then kills them!

I saw the twist coming about the way the book ended a mile away, which is annoying but still, I loved the creepy atmosphere and the humiliation that Annalise was going through! The spice wasn't as good as the previous books but it was delicious enough!

Favourite scene is the way Annalise faced Edward down and yelled at him! that was done well
Profile Image for ThatBookish_deviant.
1,945 reviews16 followers
February 23, 2026
2⭐️2🌶️

Two stars for this flimsy, Jane Eyre-inspired psychological thriller smut-fest. The creepy old mansion vibes were fun and embarrassingly enough, the twist surprised me. Tbh, I wasn’t expecting much creativity or clever plotting so while I knew something was off, I wasn’t trying to deduce what’s what. Mostly I was in it for the dark, spicy, domineering, aggressive, alpha partner vibes and what it served is disappointingly lukewarm and very vanilla.
Profile Image for Brycee.
74 reviews3 followers
February 16, 2026
Gigi girl….. did you really gaslight me this entire book???
Profile Image for Jade White.
30 reviews
February 8, 2026
3.5 rounded up 🌟

The ride this spicy thriller takes you on is mind blowing.

Positives:
Could not put this book down, finished it the same day
Constantly had me on the edge of my seat guessing what was coming next

Negatives:
The dropping in stars is due to me feeling like there was a plot hole towards the end, as one minute she was with one brother who had no beard and then the next went back to the other brother who had a beard or this detail just wasn’t mentioned? Unless I’ve misinterpreted/missed something when reading.. If it wasn’t for this detail it would have been a 4.5 star, potentially even a 5 from me.

I did guess some of the twists but loved the journey this book took me on nonetheless.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
2 reviews
January 27, 2026
Alright, I'd like to start off by saying I LIVE for Gigi's books. Ever since I started Taming Seraphine, all the way down to the Pen Pal Duet, and finally when Stalking Ginevra came out, I've never stopped recommending this woman to anyone.

So I was very excited when the subscribers email came out that The Keyhole was now available! Fun fact; I finished this book in 2 days. I was HOOKED. Didn't expect anything else but to love it, and I sure did. Very unhappy about the ending, but it's creepy enough that I'm definitely hoping for more!

SPOILER ALERT

Couple side notes I have to share;
1. What's with the obsession with Analisa's boobs? Why does it need to be extended to the point where it's mentioned in almost every chapter? We get it. She's a busty girl. Nothing wrong with that, but as a busty girl myself, I can guarantee you that they don't "ache from not wearing a sports bra". If anything, it's quite the opposite, freedom!

2. Similar thing goes on with the "unkempt" state of Rowland's beard. WE GET IT. The man is feral. Of COURSE the beard is not gonna be trimmed.

3. This is just my personal opinion of course, but I know my fair share of trauma bonding. The last couple of chapters towards the end really only span over barely 24 hours. And yet, here we have FMC and MMC proclaiming love like they've been infatuated with each other for decades. I'm all for the dramatics, don't get me wrong, but in this particular setting, it did feel a little far-fetched. Calm down people, we've met a couple hours ago.

All in all, I did really enjoy this book, I absolutely loved the increasing creepy horror vibes compared to the other books. And I love that the characters throughout all the stories connect to each other in multiple ways.

This is one more reason for me to keep recommending Gigi Styx to anyone I will ever come across. Whether they like it or not.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Caroline Weston.
50 reviews
February 16, 2026
WELL SHITTTT I did not see that ending coming 🤯
Mr Rochester is an evil genius. What a mindf*ck,
Gigi Plseee Give us more!
Profile Image for Francesca Button.
21 reviews
February 25, 2026
Chat GPT take the housemaid and make it more spicy in a gothic setting & try and make the cover look different to the original.

Profile Image for Hana.
777 reviews18 followers
February 21, 2026
Voto complessivo: ⭐️⭐️.5
Trama: 👍👍.5
Personaggi: 👦👦.5
Page turner: 📖📖.5
Suspense: 😱😱
Plot twist: 💡💡
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Tropes and vibes: thriller - murder mystery - erotic - retelling - gothic vibes


Sapete quando si dice che qualcosa è così brutto da fare il giro e diventare bello passabile? Ecco a voi The Keyhole di Gigi Styx, un contorto pseudo-retelling di Jane Eyre, perché abbiamo sì un Edward Rochester, ma la nostra protagonista è una Annalisa e non una Jane. Non mancano altri richiami qua e là, e, giusto per non farci mancare nulla, ci aggiungiamo anche un pizzico di Psycho.
Non ho ancora capito se questo libro è una ciambella a cui non è riuscito il buco, oppure un divertissement volutamente poco credibile.
Mi sono approcciata alla lettura perché presentato come un thriller erotico, e devo dire che l’idea di fondo ha del potenziale, purtroppo non adeguatamente sviluppato. L’autrice non ha osato abbastanza, tanto che persino lo smut mi è sembrato all’acqua di rose. Il plot twist non plot twista, ma di per sé non sarebbe stato un grosso problema se il resto fosse stato gestito in maniera diversa: un colpo di scena finale intuibile sin dall’inizio non inficia la lettura finché siamo nell’ambito del divertissement; stiamo perdendo in giro le convenzioni di un genere, e a intrattenerci è il viaggio piuttosto che la meta finale. Se invece l’intenzione dell’autrice era giocarsi il tutto per tutto con l’ultima rivelazione, beh, il risultato è decisamente carente.
Profile Image for The_Book_Brat.
963 reviews170 followers
January 26, 2026
*MF
*Contemporary
*Multi-PoV
*Dark
*Psychological Thriller
*Gothic Style
*Midish Burn
*Standalone
Creepy game of cat and mouse!
Honestly this brings out Bluebeards Wife crossed with gothic Jane Eyre vibes 😅 it’s a mix alright which producers a gripping thriller with spicy elements! I personally don’t think the spice is up to what was in her previous books but that fits with this being that psychological rad rather than a romance based one 👍 I was still intrigued by the story and eager to see out the game these two appear to be playing. Our FMC has a past she’s running from where she believe Rochester Island may provide refuge however it has its own secrets with the Jekyll and Hyde Mr Rochester and the mysterious child 😳 the characters bounce of each other well in their interactions and they do have a good depth and back story. I did see the twist coming but some may not and this may alter your engagement. But overall a solid book from one of my must read authors 😄
Profile Image for Avery.
12 reviews
February 11, 2026

The Keyhole felt like a spicier, more unhinged version of The Housemaid with a hint of Haunting Adeline energy. It was easy to get through and definitely kept me curious about what was really going on inside Rochester Manor.

The tension, secrets, and overall creepiness pulled me in fast. And that twist? It came out of nowhere and nearly gave me whiplash. I literally sat there thinking, “Wait… what just happened?” I know the explanation is technically there at the end, but I still had to mentally rewind the whole story and piece things together before it fully clicked.

Some scenes and details also felt a bit repetitive, which slowed the momentum in places and made certain moments lose their impact. And while the book definitely leans hard into the spicy side, a few of those scenes made me cringe more than swoon. Some of the dialogue just didn’t sound like how real people talk, which pulled me out of the moment.

Overall, it was a pretty entertaining read, especially if you like dark, messy, and dramatic romances with psychological elements, but it left me more confused than satisfied.
Profile Image for Samantha Silensky.
430 reviews3 followers
January 30, 2026
This book took me for a RIDE. I kept flip flopping between theories, then backtracking and going back to previous theories. I’d cancel them out from details in the book, only to bring them back in the next chapter. The book is the epitome of keeping you at the edge of your seat. And there were some things that happened that I NEVER saw coming. I always love when a book can surprise me bc I usually spoil it for myself by figuring out what’s going to happen via context clues and little hints and breadcrumbs throughout the book. This book kept me genuinely second guessing every single thing that happened. I didn’t want to come up for air. It was such great writing and the characters had so much depth. The story grabbed you in by the ankle, dragged you in, and never let go.
The plot was fantastic. I have read almost all of the books in this world(I think I’m only missing one) and I’m obsessed with every one. I love the tie ins and correlations. I REALLY hope the author writes a second book.
16.8k reviews163 followers
January 30, 2026
Annalisa has arrived at her new job expecting nothing was waiting for her than a job. At night her employer changes into a monster who will treat her as he wants and it is not how she expected at. The longer she stays the more she is drawn into his dark world. See where this intriguing book will lead you if you dare to follow her down that path
Profile Image for Lydia K..
48 reviews1 follower
February 6, 2026
What theeeee

I feel like I have to read this again knowing the ending. Woooow this one had so many twists and was so dark. Family and abuse trauma, murder, twisted love... Just all the good storylines.
2 reviews1 follower
February 1, 2026
She has done it AGAIN!!

Gigi never fails to deliver a spicy nail biter!! The twists and turns of what Annalisa goes through from the moment she arrives at Rochester Manor will have you staying up late for just one more chapter. I devoured this book in 2 days!! After waiting so long for the release, I was not disappointed!! Please read the trigger warnings!! 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Profile Image for Miyawakiss .
338 reviews58 followers
February 9, 2026
So... This was weird. Kind of a super spicy Freida McFadden. 😅

I actually enjoyed it more when Rowland came into the picture. But why did it have to end like that? 😞 The ending ruined it.
Profile Image for Sarah.
519 reviews3 followers
February 10, 2026
Psychological thriller that falls flat

I love Gigi's books and had been looking forward to this one. A gothic mansion, a woman on the run and an aloof employer who may or may not have nefarious things on his mind.
Starting with what I liked, the atmosphere and setting were very creepy and unnerving which perfectly fitted the story.
Annalisa was likable enough and even though her choices were sometimes suspect her being on the run was enough of a reason for her not to leave.
Edward Rochester was definitely a mystery.

What I wasn't so keen on
The ending felt very convoluted and made little sense, Rowland had a beard and Edward didn't so I'm not sure how that ending works given that information.
Annalisa must be the most unobservant person in the world to miss that reveal in Adele's room.
This very much felt like Jane Eyre meets Psycho and it didn't live up to either.

A little disappointed in this one
13 reviews
February 1, 2026
Enjoyed The Keyhole. Plenty of twists and turns. Wasnt the ending i was expecting which was good. not predictable at all.
4.5⭐️
Profile Image for Tiffany.
5 reviews
January 29, 2026
So a knock-off of the housemaid? From the cover to the plot line.
Profile Image for Lauren Sharp.
42 reviews1 follower
February 16, 2026
I almost DNF’ed this book in the first 100 pages but I’m glad I stuck with it because holy shit that was wild!
Profile Image for Jessika Crawford.
14 reviews
January 29, 2026
Not gonna lie, this book made me say WTF on the ending. I have so many questions I need answered! Gave it a 4 instead of a 5 because it left me extremely confused!
Profile Image for Dani's  Shelf Indulgence.
12 reviews
February 22, 2026
I actually don't know what to rate this book because I'm still processing what the heck just happened! 🤯 If you are in the mood for something UNHINGED that has you questioning your sanity and leaving you going WTF?! This book is for you!
Something to note is that The Keyhole is NOT a romance. This is a dark thriller with spice. Did I see the twist coming....yes, but because nothing is revealed until the very end, I was on the edge of my seat, questioning my sanity and why I was having a physical reaction to this book. When I tell you my spidey senses were up for pretty much the second half of the book, but still, the author had me second-guessing myself. To have such a physical recation to this book it has to be a good read! It's been 24 hours since I've finished it, and I'm still just like....Wtf just happened. There is a scene in this book that had me actually saying, "Why was that hot?" *Spoiler* But if you are into feet, then I think you will like this book! There is a bonus chapter at the end of the book when you sign up to the author's mailing list and on the email with the bonus chapter, she says that a sequel could be in the works....so I urge everyone to read this book, let's yap about it, so we can get a sequel, because I really need to read more, I've got to know what is going to happen after that twist!
Profile Image for Jodie | GeauxGetLit.
767 reviews114 followers
January 16, 2026
Widowed gentleman seeking reliable nanny for private estate on Helsing Island. Live-in position, room and board included, competitive salary.

Looking for a young lady who values privacy and can work independently. Experience with children preferred but willing to train the right candidate. References appreciated but not required for those seeking a fresh start.

Rochester Manor is situated on over 1,000 acres of private land. It’s peaceful and secluded, ideal for the woman who wants to get away from it all.

Contact via WhatsApp to arrange an interview. Airport pickup provided.

Discretion is essential. Serious inquiries only.

****
Wowsers, this book hooked me from the first page when a woman is on the run from being an accused cop killer. She finds a miracle listing in FB marketplace for a nanny at an excluded island, where she hopes no one will ever find her.
The estate is creepy and the daughter has been quarantined for sickness leaving her with nothing to do, not to mention a masked man has been watching her and she thinks she is losing her mind.
This is a twisted cat and mouse game with haunted house vibes that will left me twisting in knots after reading.
Profile Image for Darcy.
2,171 reviews25 followers
Review of advance copy
January 19, 2026
Holy Smokes! This story is dark and twisted in many ways, but it will absolutely pull you in. When it first started I was definitely a little confused about the certain things. We have Annalisa, she has had so major issues in her life and is just to have a quiet job as a nanny. The seems perfect for her by it including room and being provided for in everything she would need to do the job. Things quickly take a turn and we have her boss being cold and distant during the daytime hours but, at night he has a different personality. Her hours are long and harder than she anticipated. The story has some very shocking twist and turns that only pull you in deeper. You continue to read the story and you absolutely end up not being able to put it down as you have to find out what happens. The story is a journey that will have you gripping your seat in anticipation. You think you know what is going to happen only to have another thing turn around and switch it all up. Then you reach the end and you are in complete shock at how it ends. It is a completely fascinating story. I absolutely cannot wait to see what happens next.
Profile Image for BookSpice_and_EverythingNice | Malika.
222 reviews73 followers
February 9, 2026
This is the definition of, "what the f*ck did I just read."

Annalisa flees her past to become the nanny at rhe mysterious Rochester Manor. Mr. Rochester, her new boss, is dripping in aristocratic charm and mystery. She has no business being attracted to him but she can't help it.

but Rochester Manor is filled with dark and dangerous secrets and Annalisa is now stuck in a dangerous game.

I went in to this super blind and therefore I was SHOCKED several times.

There were soooo many things I really enjoyed about this book and moments where I thought it'd be a 4+ read. But, there were also moments that felt rushed, a bit confusing, and/or didn't hit as hard as I think it could've.

I love the way Gigi writes dark romance and dark romance characters. She is so unapologetic and unique and that's what keeps me coming back. But, this had too much going on and not enough at the same time.

And the ending... shocking isn't a good enough word. But, not necessarily in a good way.
Profile Image for Kyra Stacy .
45 reviews9 followers
February 17, 2026
How do I even review this? 😅😭

Let me just start by saying I really enjoyed this story. 👀

The mystery throughout had me hooked. I needed the truth. Every chapter peeled back just enough to keep me questioning everything, and I love when a dark romance keeps that suspense tight the entire time.

The tension? So good.
The unraveling secrets? Even better.
The vibes? Off in the best way.

Now let’s talk about THAT ending.

Are you kidding me, Gigi?! 😭 What was that?! You cannot just leave us hanging like that. I am going to need a sequel immediately because I refuse to emotionally recover without answers.

Spice-wise, this sits at a solid 3.5 🌶️ for me. It’s there, it’s good, it fits the story, but the real star of this book is the mystery and tension building underneath everything.

If you love:
✨ Dark romance with suspense
✨ A constant “something isn’t right” feeling
✨ Twists that keep you guessing
✨ Endings that emotionally assault you

You’ll eat this up.

Now I just need confirmation that book two is coming because I am not okay. 🫠
Displaying 1 - 30 of 180 reviews

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