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Keys to Love
Book by Francis, Dorothy Brenner
185 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 9, 2022
Plot:
Allison Blue is living in New York working as a commercial artist when she receives a letter from her grandmother, Bunny Blue, in Key West, Florida. Gram is about to sell her historic home, Allamanda House, and is asking Allison to come to Florida and help her pack. Allison is eager to make the trip as both her parents are diplomats and live in other countries and Allison wants to be close to some family. Not only does Allison make the trip but she arranges for her work to transfer her to their Miami office permanently so she can remain close to her grandmother.
Once in Key West Allison learns that her grandmother has taken in four boarders; Vondetta, an 18 year old waitress. Jason, a high school teacher. Ryan, a popular boat captain. and Gilda, an old friend of Grams.
Not long after arriving Allison finds herself in danger. A threatening message is written on her mirror in soap, all the lightbulbs are unscrewed in her room, and a sketch Ryan made of her is torn and impaled on a thorn bush. Not knowing who is responsible for all these things Allison buys a bolt for her door and is suspicious of everyone. Soon Allison's suspicions of Jason wane as the two begin to go on dates and get romantic but this causes her suspicion of Vondetta to grow as Vondetta had made it clear she had her sights on Jason.
When Gilda, who is a sponge fisher, invites Allison to join her for a day of sponging Allison agrees before realizing that this could be trap to lure her alone out to sea...
You can read the rest of this review on my blog: vintagegirlsbooks
Review:
- The first thing I noted about this book when I started it was that it was trying very hard to be scarier than it was. When Allison finds the message on her mirror I rolled my eyes and thought "Vondetta is being childish". It seemed like a dumb prank but Allison acts like it's a horses head in her bed or something terrifying. That happens with a lot of Gilda's pranks, they're not that scary.
- The red herrings were too obvious. Vodetta tells Allison to stay away from Jason, then sees Allison leave on a date with Jason. When Allison returns home she finds the note on her mirror telling her to leave. Obviously anyone would assume the message was by Vondetta but for some reason Allison thinks it could have been Gilda which makes it clear it was Gilda.
I guess I don't have many notes for this book. It was a quick enjoyable read. I really like these Avalon books from the 1970s because they are short and entertaining. They're perfect for reading a book in one sitting which I prefer to do.
Allison Blue is living in New York working as a commercial artist when she receives a letter from her grandmother, Bunny Blue, in Key West, Florida. Gram is about to sell her historic home, Allamanda House, and is asking Allison to come to Florida and help her pack. Allison is eager to make the trip as both her parents are diplomats and live in other countries and Allison wants to be close to some family. Not only does Allison make the trip but she arranges for her work to transfer her to their Miami office permanently so she can remain close to her grandmother.
Once in Key West Allison learns that her grandmother has taken in four boarders; Vondetta, an 18 year old waitress. Jason, a high school teacher. Ryan, a popular boat captain. and Gilda, an old friend of Grams.
Not long after arriving Allison finds herself in danger. A threatening message is written on her mirror in soap, all the lightbulbs are unscrewed in her room, and a sketch Ryan made of her is torn and impaled on a thorn bush. Not knowing who is responsible for all these things Allison buys a bolt for her door and is suspicious of everyone. Soon Allison's suspicions of Jason wane as the two begin to go on dates and get romantic but this causes her suspicion of Vondetta to grow as Vondetta had made it clear she had her sights on Jason.
When Gilda, who is a sponge fisher, invites Allison to join her for a day of sponging Allison agrees before realizing that this could be trap to lure her alone out to sea...
You can read the rest of this review on my blog: vintagegirlsbooks
Review:
- The first thing I noted about this book when I started it was that it was trying very hard to be scarier than it was. When Allison finds the message on her mirror I rolled my eyes and thought "Vondetta is being childish". It seemed like a dumb prank but Allison acts like it's a horses head in her bed or something terrifying. That happens with a lot of Gilda's pranks, they're not that scary.
- The red herrings were too obvious. Vodetta tells Allison to stay away from Jason, then sees Allison leave on a date with Jason. When Allison returns home she finds the note on her mirror telling her to leave. Obviously anyone would assume the message was by Vondetta but for some reason Allison thinks it could have been Gilda which makes it clear it was Gilda.
I guess I don't have many notes for this book. It was a quick enjoyable read. I really like these Avalon books from the 1970s because they are short and entertaining. They're perfect for reading a book in one sitting which I prefer to do.
June 6, 2016
Mediocre mystery with totally unbelievable romance culminating in a marriage proposal.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews