The Mysterious Key And what it Opened

A fatal legacy and buried secret haunt the widow and daughter of a rich man who died after a visit from a mysterious stranger. What horrid news did the stranger impart to cause the man's sudden death? And does the young boy who miraculously appears and befriends the family know anything about it? Is his obvious devotion to the widow and young mistress as pure as it seems?<br /><br />If you're at all familiar with Alcott's Little Women, you'll understand what I mean when I say that this story reminds me of the stories that Jo must have written before she was taught that all-important truth of "writing what you know." It's a nicely written suspense story but it certainly does not rival Alcott's better works. For a short (and free!) read, though, it is a good pick!<br />

Richard Trevlyn dies suddenly leaving his pregnant wife behind, but prior to his death she overhears him conversing with someone... Then years later an unusual young man appears on their property...<br /><br />This tale was a good change from the usual 'Little Women' series that Alcott is associated with...

3.5

Highly recommended ! !

3'5 ⭐<br /><br />No solo Mujercitas. <br /><br />Me ha encantado leer a Louisa May Alcott en su versión más gótica. Una historia breve pero muy entretenida y que atrapa desde el principio. <br />Ojalá tuviera unas pocas páginas más porque el final es algo precipitado.

Se suele encasillar, o al menos yo lo he hecho hasta ahora, a Louisa May Alcott, conocida autora de Mujercitas, en este género más romántico y fell good. Nada más lejos de la realidad, en las últimas semanas estoy descubriendo una faceta de la autora más oscura, donde el misterio, con ciertos toques sobrenaturales incluso, está haciendo que me reconcilie con ella. A través de esta serie de novelas cortas, que Louisa publica al inicio de su andadura literaria en varias revistas de la época como medio de subsistencia familiar, nos adentramos en un tipo de narrativa suya más desconocida, pero igual de sobresaliente.<br /><br />Con La llave misteriosa y lo que abrió, estamos ante una obra redonda que engloba todos los elementos de la novela gótica y victoriana: un gran misterio en torno a un secreto familiar, aderezado de su buena dosis de romance. Los Trevlyn, viven, en su gran mansión en plena campiña inglesa, la llegada de su primogénita con gran alegría. La noche del nacimiento, un extraño hace su aparición para desencadenar la tragedia y sembrar un misterio que perdurará hasta que años después, Paul, intentará poner fin a la maldición que ha acechado a la familia durante tanto tiempo. Un pequeño relato cargado de suspense para leer del tirón y dejarnos envolver por su atmósfera misteriosa y opresiva a través de unas descripciones muy cuidadas y naturales, una historia con un plot twist final que nos deja boquiabiertos.<br /><br />De la mano de @editorialfunambulista se ha podido rescatar y editar por primera vez en español, este pequeño relato, que atrapa de principio a fin y que deja tan buen sabor de boca. Una edición cuidada, delicada y preciosa. Novela muy recomendable, y muy imperdonable por mi parte, el no haber descubierto esta novedosa faceta de la autora hasta ahora, está claro que le pondré remedio en los próximos meses.

Una Louisa May Alcott antes de Mujercitas. Un estilo áspero, acartonado. Todo es vertiginoso y falto de suspenso o interés. Es bastante infantil y se nota que es un texto de una escritora que se está iniciando. <br />El personaje de Paul quizás pueda ser un primer bosquejo del Laurie de Mujercitas.

Loved this story!

The Mysterious Key And What It Opened by Louisa May Alcott<br /><br />The story begins with the mysterious death of Sir Richard Trevlyn. All the reader knows is that Richard's wife, Alice, who is pregnant with their first child, listens through a keyhole in the library door to a conversation Richard has with a visitor. What she hears horrifies her, she faints, and a servant, Hester, finds her and helps her to bed. Alice insists Richard not be disturbed, but Hester is worried and goes to the library anyway to tell him his wife is ill. She finds him slumped over his desk, dead.<br /><br /> Twelve years later the child, Lillian, meets a stranger on the grounds, a sixteen year old boy named Paul who applies for work on the estate. He does his job well, advancing in position and earning the affection of family and servants alike. Some of the servants suspect he may be more than a mere gardener or groom, but they like him and when he leaves without a word to anyone they are confused and disappointed.<br /><br />The mysteries of why Richard died, who Paul is and how those things are related are drawn out all the way to the last chapters when all is revealed. The authour does a fine job of building interest and holding the reader's attention. It's a little predictable, but in this book I really didn't mind.<br /><br />I love Alcott's writing. It's....I don't know.....nice. That may not be a great tribute but it's the word that always come to mind when I think about her books. This one is no match for Little Women but it is a pleasant way to pass a few hours. I had actually never heard of this book till I found it free for the ereader, but I'm glad I stumbled across it and I do recommend it.

Louisa May Alcott wrote this mystery in 1867. It is a real departure from the books she is best known for. It was a decent little mystery. Fairly short, read it in one afternoon. It keeps your interest and makes it hard to put down and before you know it you are done! The characters were fairly simple didn't really hook me but the story was intriguing and you just had to find out what in the world had happened that was so terrible and what the key opened. I would recommend it and give it 3 stars <br />http:/peggyannspost.blogspot.com