A review by bookmarkedbybecky
The Bloodstained Key by Charity Rau

adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

The Bloodstained Key is a Bluebeard retelling.  I wasn’t familiar with the original tale -  a wealthy man murders his wives to gain more riches and power.  Here, Marianna is the latest fiancée to Lord Bludington. She desperately tries to uncover the mysteries in Thunderwell Manor before her curiosity causes her own demise.  

I particularly enjoy the setting at Thunderwell Manor with its creepy hidden passages, locked rooms, eerie paintings, magical keys, and ghost stories. The cliffs on the property where Lord Bludington's previous wives mysteriously disappeared create a sense of isolation and locked-room vibes, which truly adds to the atmospheric setting. The story, though relatively short (~300 pages), left me wanting more time to explore the characters and plot points. However, the epilogue nicely suggests another fairytale retelling from Charity Rau. I look forward to book 2.