Bel Reviews: Tara Moss's - "The Skeleton Key"
I’m a late comer to the Pandora English series by Tara Moss, and since I’m a stickler for reading a series in order and getting the back catalogue read before hitting my review copy, it’s taken me a while to get to The Skeleton Key.
As with the other 2 novels, the cover art is striking and evocative. Each element becoming a little more relevant while reading the book. I’m not usually a huge fan of the colour green, however the use of it on The Skeleton Key is quite pleasing to the eye and not just a little bit creepy. Considering the foe Pandora has to thwart this time around it is incredibly apt.
Pandora is an orphaned 19 year old country bumpkin trying to make her way in the big smoke of New York. Now don’t take this young lady as a simple-minded lass, ’cause she keeps company with some very odd folks, and has taken down some pretty horrendous evil beings in previous books.
This time around Pandora is trying to kibosh the efforts of a strong presence in the mansion she calls home, from sending the world into rack and ruin, starting with Lieutenant Luke.
I enjoyed the positive demeanour of the good people in this series. It was a funk breaker and didn’t fail to put a smile on my face. I’m still tossing up who I like more, great-aunt Celia or Morticia.
Tara is a master of suspenseful writing and there was plenty of breath holding going on in the second half of the book. We find out things about Pandora that make perfect sense, but are still surprises and Jay is back on the scene to add to the budding love triangle.
I hope the series continues to grow and challenge the reader. I want Pandora English to hold her own in saving the world from paranormal events.
However it goes in future, I loved the first 3 books. They’re fun and easy to get through. Perfect for the holidays and those weekends when you just want to unwind.
Paperback, 286 pages
Published December 1st 2012 by Pan Macmillan Australia
ISBN13: 9781742611631
