NetGalley Buddy Readers discussion

Under Lock & Skeleton Key (Secret Staircase Mystery, #1)
This topic is about Under Lock & Skeleton Key
17 views
Buddy Reads > Under Lock & Skeleton Key

Comments Showing 1-28 of 28 (28 new)    post a comment »
dateUp arrow    newest »

message 1: by Elyse (last edited Oct 15, 2021 04:21AM) (new) - rated it 3 stars

Elyse (winesaboutbooks) | 1523 comments We will be doing a buddy read of Under Lock & Skeleton Key in January and all are welcome to join in! Official start date TBD. This is the first book in a new cozy mystery series.

Goodreads synopsis:
"An impossible crime. A family legacy. The intrigue of hidden rooms and secret staircases.

After a disastrous accident derails Tempest Raj’s career, and life, she heads back to her childhood home in California to comfort herself with her grandfather’s Indian home-cooked meals. Though she resists, every day brings her closer to the inevitable: working for her father’s company. Secret Staircase Construction specializes in bringing the magic of childhood to all by transforming clients’ homes with sliding bookcases, intricate locks, backyard treehouses, and hidden reading nooks.

When Tempest visits her dad’s latest renovation project, her former stage double is discovered dead inside a wall that’s supposedly been sealed for more than a century. Fearing she was the intended victim, it’s up to Tempest to solve this seemingly impossible crime. But as she delves further into the mystery, Tempest can’t help but wonder if the Raj family curse that’s plagued her family for generations—something she used to swear didn’t exist—has finally come for her."


Tasha I'm looking forward to it!


Tasha I like that it's a start to a new series as well. Hopeful that it's one I will want to continue on with as they get released.


Elyse (winesaboutbooks) | 1523 comments Tasha wrote: "I like that it's a start to a new series as well. Hopeful that it's one I will want to continue on with as they get released."

Yes! My problem is that I get the ARC, then completely forget about the series because it takes even longer for the second book to come out because ARC. Then I remember a few years down the road and do I re-read or continue on or skip over? lol. Reading quandaries.


Tasha absolutely, reader problems! lol

Maybe if we end up liking it and have discussed it here, we will be less likely to forget. haha


Elyse (winesaboutbooks) | 1523 comments Tasha wrote: "absolutely, reader problems! lol

Maybe if we end up liking it and have discussed it here, we will be less likely to forget. haha"


Hopefully! Or it's so good that we can't stop thinking about it! lol.


Tasha Lol, yes, let's hope that's the case and not a dud. ;)


Elyse (winesaboutbooks) | 1523 comments Tasha, do you want to start this Feb 1?


Tasha Sure! :)


Elyse (winesaboutbooks) | 1523 comments I should be ready to go on Feb 1, assuming I finish my currents reads this weekend and as there will be a huge snowstorm it's the perfect excuse!


message 11: by Tasha (last edited Jan 28, 2022 07:38AM) (new) - rated it 2 stars

Tasha I'll be ready too! We have a storm heading our way as well but I think the bulk of it is going to miss us. Stay cozy and have fun!


Elyse (winesaboutbooks) | 1523 comments I read Ch 1. This house sounds amazing!! Reminds me of the Winchester house in CA with all the hidden rooms and such. So fun! https://www.winchestermysteryhouse.com/


Tasha ooh, sounds intriguing! I'll be starting tonight, I just have a little more to finish up with the NG BR with Kristie. I'm glad you like it so far.


message 14: by Tasha (last edited Feb 01, 2022 07:17AM) (new) - rated it 2 stars

Tasha That Winchester house is on a lot of haunted lists! Have you been in that house, Elyse?


Elyse (winesaboutbooks) | 1523 comments Tasha wrote: "That Winchester house is on a lot of haunted lists! Have you been in that house, Elyse?"

No but I would love to!


Elyse (winesaboutbooks) | 1523 comments I just hit Ch 3 and it's repetitive so far! (view spoiler)


Tasha Is that good or bad? lol


Elyse (winesaboutbooks) | 1523 comments Tasha wrote: "Is that good or bad? lol"

Umm bad because I'm like wait, didn't she just say that? lol.


Tasha Got it. I wasn't sure if it was something to do with the story but I see it seems it's not a tactic, lol. I read the first chapter this afternoon so I'm moving into that area later today.


Tasha I only got through a little of the second chapter before I fell asleep. Too early in but I'm really curious how I'm going to feel about this one. It seems quirky and almost like a cozy mystery, although I don't read much of those so can't say for sure.


Elyse (winesaboutbooks) | 1523 comments Tasha wrote: "I only got through a little of the second chapter before I fell asleep. Too early in but I'm really curious how I'm going to feel about this one. It seems quirky and almost like a cozy mystery, alt..."

Super quirky! And I was under the impression that it is a cozy mystery but it definitely starts out differently!


Tasha I won't be online much in the next few days, fyi. I will be reading though and will touch base later over the weekend.


Tasha This is not going well for me, I'm not enjoying it at all. Just about a 1/4 left to go and it's going to be 2 stars for me. I'm really curious what you think about this one, Elyse.


Elyse (winesaboutbooks) | 1523 comments Oh no!! I'm only 20% through. I've been juggling a hefty currently reading list! But I've finished my other e-books and physical books so I can finally read just this one. Now I'm just juggling 3 audiobooks. 🤣


Tasha I skimmed the last couple chapters, I was just so done. 2 stars for me. I am going to do the review today and pretty much just say it wasn't for me. The writing style just felt so clunky and I can definitely see why you commented about repetition. I felt the characters were so one dimensional, things seemed to jump around with little connection to previous things and it just never ended up clicking for me, it never made sense to me. I did look through reviews and lots of people really like it so I think I'm in the minority. I'm really curious to see what you think about it now. lol


Tasha And no pressure to buddy read it now if you don't want to, I have not much to say about it!


message 27: by Elyse (last edited Nov 19, 2022 10:26AM) (new) - rated it 3 stars

Elyse (winesaboutbooks) | 1523 comments I finished it the other day. I gave it 3 stars. I didn't dislike it quite as much as you did but yeah, it was a bit messy! And some parts were extremely unbelievable. I won't be continuing the series. I may try one of her other series though, just to see if it's her or just this series.

My review


Tasha I won't be continuing the series either. I'd love to know if you end up liking her other stuff or if it was just this series.


back to top