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leekaufman's review
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
A cozy, mysterious little novella. A very solid debut from a talented Canadian writer. I wish this had been developed into a full length novel, because I liked the characters, and there was enough there to dig deeper--the overall effect was a bit shallow and left me wanting more.
pomoevareads's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Unlocking is a novella about Louise (Lou)Till, a woman who has inherited a hardware store from her father after a tragic accident. Lou enjoys copying keys in her store and keeps copies for herself unbeknownst to others. When Lou decides to use one of the keys to enter a neighbour’s home to retrieve an unreturned item it doesn’t go as planned. Soon Lou finds herself the victim of blackmail. What Lou doesn’t feel, is the anxiety one would expect when using a key that isn’t yours.
Unlocking takes place in a small town just outside of Calgary, Alberta. Lou is separated from her husband Edward and has twin teens.
This story is primarily plot driven. I liked the mystery within the story but felt like the execution left some to be desired. I would have enjoyed this more if it had been about learning your neighbours secrets by entering their homes and how their public lives differ rather than having an older woman who already knows the secrets.
The role of grief in the story worked for me and the always wondering if what you believe to be true is and seeking out the truth. The character of Euphemia made me chuckle often.
Thanks to @zgstories for my ARC in exchange for my honest reviews. Unlocking is out now.
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