The Skeleton Key - Pre-Reading Discussion

[John]

This area is for any discussion about the March 2024 "Female Author Spotlight" book selection, The Skeleton Key, before we begin reading it.

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Summer, 2021. Nell has come home at her family's insistence to celebrate an anniversary. Fifty years ago, her father wrote The Golden Bones. Part picture book, part treasure hunt, Sir Frank Churcher created a fairy story about Elinore, a murdered woman whose skeleton was scattered all over England. Clues and puzzles in the pages of The Golden Bones led readers to seven sites where jewels were buried – gold and precious stones, each a different part of a skeleton. One by one, the tiny golden bones were dug up until only Elinore's pelvis remained hidden.

The book was a sensation. A community of treasure hunters called the Bonehunters formed, in frenzied competition, obsessed to a dangerous degree. People sold their homes to travel to England and search for Elinore. Marriages broke down as the quest consumed people. A man died. The book made Frank a rich man. Stalked by fans who could not tell fantasy from reality, his daughter, Nell, became a recluse.

But now the Churchers must be reunited. The book is being reissued along with a new treasure hunt and a documentary crew are charting everything that follows. Nell is appalled, and terrified. During the filming, Frank finally reveals the whereabouts of the missing golden bone. And then all hell breaks loose.

[John]

I read this one as an ARC. Enjoyed it. I hope others will too.

At the time, I characterized it as "a mystery built inside of a mystery."

Will post full review later in the month (though it's in Goodreads...not really a secret.) :)

[Dawn]

I bought the book and look forward to the discussion.

[Tiffany]

I am a little behind but I'm excited to read this one.

[Pat of Rocks]

I just found this book on limited time sale on Amazon discounted 94% in ebook format.

[Dawn]

I am trying to get through the book and hope it gets better. I have not given up on reading it though . It has a slow start in my opinion.

[Tiffany]

I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the relationships.

[John]

Tiffany wrote: "I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around the relationships."

I read it a while ago---but no doubt its a web of relationships. You are not alone.

[Tiffany]

That makes me feel better. Thank you.

[Alicia]

I have already started reading it about aweek ago. I'm about 10% in

[Tiffany]

Alicia, if you decide you wanna discuss as you read, please let me know. I just finished it.