Title: The Dead Key
Author: D.M. Pulley
First published March 1, 2015
477 pages, Kindle Edition
Rating: 3.86
Overview
The First Bank of Cleveland has been abandoned for years, with its secrets only known to speculations. It was Cleveland’s largest bank, sold in the middle of the night, amid staff disappearances, allegations of fraud, panicking investors, and a looming federal investigation.
The keys to the vault’s safe-deposit boxes were lost, and the truth was buried by wealthy businessmen in the abandoned high-rise. But when a young engineer, Iris Latch, stumbles upon the ransacked offices and forgotten safe-deposit boxes during a renovation survey, what begins as a welcome break from her daily routine becomes an obsession.
Iris unravels the sordid past of the bank, following the looming shadow of the past deeper into the vault. As each haunting revelation is brought to light, Iris realizes that the key to the mystery comes at an astonishing price.
Discover the secrets of The First Bank of Cleveland with Iris and prepare for a thrilling ride.
About the Author
D.M. Pulley is an author who resides in northeast Ohio with her husband, two children, and a furry companion named Hobo. Prior to pursuing her writing career, Pulley worked as a Professional Engineer, specializing in the rehabilitation of historic structures and conducting forensic investigations on building failures.
During her structural survey of an empty building in Cleveland, Pulley was inspired to write her first novel, The Dead Key, which went on to win the 2014 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award. Since then, Pulley has sold over half a million copies of her books worldwide, which have been translated into eight different languages.
Pulley’s novels delve into historical mysteries, exposing the grittier side of life in the Midwest during the twentieth century, when cities such as Detroit and Cleveland were fighting to survive. Her newest book, No One’s Home, which is set to be released on September 1, 2019, uncovers the unsettling history of an ancient mansion that is plagued with family secrets, financial ruin, and murder.
Pulley continues to be inspired by the abandoned buildings, haunted houses, and forgotten past of the Rust Belt, which serve as the backdrop for her captivating stories.
Editoral Review
D.M. Pulley’s debut novel, The Dead Key, is a gripping and suspenseful mystery that explores the themes of corporate greed, corruption, and the impact of technology on society. Published in March 2015, the book is a blend of historical fiction and contemporary thriller, set in Cleveland, Ohio, in two different time periods: 1978 and 1998.
The story follows two women, both of whom work at the same bank building, but decades apart. In 1978, Iris Latch, a young engineer, is hired to work on a secret project in the bank’s basement, where she discovers a mysterious vault that is locked and abandoned.
In 1998, Beatrice Baker, a temp worker, is assigned to clean up the now-defunct building before it is sold off, and she stumbles upon the same vault, which contains a dead body and a stack of old keys.
As Beatrice tries to unravel the mystery of the dead key, she becomes entangled in a dangerous web of deceit, cover-ups, and murder, while Iris’s story reveals the corrupt practices and hidden agendas of the bank’s executives and the government officials who collude with them. The two narratives converge in a thrilling climax that exposes the truth behind the dead key and its connection to the characters’ past and present.
Pulley’s writing is vivid and atmospheric, evoking the gritty urban landscape of Cleveland and the eerie atmosphere of the abandoned bank building. She also deftly weaves in historical details about the city’s decline and the impact of the oil crisis and the Cold War on its economy and society, adding depth and authenticity to the plot.
The characters are well-drawn and complex, with their own motivations, flaws, and secrets. Iris is a sympathetic and intelligent protagonist who struggles to navigate the male-dominated engineering field and the corrupt corporate culture.
Beatrice is a plucky and resourceful heroine who uses her wits and skills to uncover the truth and face the danger head-on. The supporting cast, including the bank executives, the government agents, and the workers, are equally compelling and memorable, each with their own stake in the story.
The pacing of the novel is brisk and suspenseful, with plenty of twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the end. Pulley’s use of alternating timelines and perspectives adds complexity and depth to the plot, as well as a sense of urgency and tension.
However, the book is not without its flaws. The ending feels rushed and abrupt, with some loose ends left dangling and some plot points left unexplained.
The dialogue can also be clunky and exposition-heavy at times, detracting from the natural flow of the narrative.
Overall, The Dead Key is a well-crafted and engaging mystery that will appeal to fans of historical fiction, thrillers, and suspense. It offers a unique perspective on the intersection of technology, finance, and power, and raises important questions about the legacy of greed and corruption in our society.
While it may not be a perfect novel, it is a promising debut from a talented author who shows great potential for future works.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
