The Key to It All

by Joanna Rees

When five random people simultaneously receive ‘the key’, they don’t realize that their lives are about to change forever. Shrouded in secrecy, the mysterious silver key is delivered to each of them along with a code, a web address and a promise that – if used wisely – it can unlock a door to luxury and privilege beyond their wildest dreams. However, as each of them begins to use the key, they are propelled into a world of hazy moral choices, and soon start to question their enigmatic gift. Who is funding the key’s lavish promises? And why have they been chosen to receive it? Only the bravest will use it to seek the truth . . .

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Contemporary, Thriller

420 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 27, 2014

About the author

Joanna Rees cresceu no Essex, em Inglaterra, e licenciou-se em Inglês e Teatro no Goldsmiths College, em Londres. Após uma sucessão de empregos bizarros, que vão desde um negócio de entrega de sandes à escrita de textos promocionais em embalagens de cereais, publicou o seu primeiro romance em 1997, sob o seu nome de solteira, Josie Lloyd. Isto permitiu-lhe conhecer o romancista Emlyn Rees, com quem escreveu vários bestsellers traduzidos para vinte e seis línguas e com quem casou e teve três filhos. A partir de 2007, voltou a escrever a solo.

Reviews

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I struggled initially to relate to the characters I loved the premise. Five people unexpectedly get given a key that gives them access to requesting whatever they want. They can get luxurious places to live, access to the best hotels and restaurants just by showing the key, health care etc. But it doesn't make all of them happy. What is behind it and is it a game only one of them can win. Should they be worried?

It was a slow burn read for me- but I was totally absorbed by the mid way point.

I think I have another book by this author lurking on my bookshelves which I must read soon.

[Sue Gerhardt Griffiths · Rating 4 out of 5]

So good!

Five random people located from different parts of the globe receive a mysterious key from an unknown source, this key will give them anything they require and will change their lives forever.

The premise is fantastic and very well executed. A riveting read that will have you hooked from page one, it is action-packed with twists and turns aplenty, full of intrigue and compelling characters.

A fabulous read!

*Book #71/72 of my 2019 coffee table to-read challenge, cont. 2020

[Tracey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very unusual read . The premise of the story is good , but the writing felt disjointed . The characters were hard to understand to be honest. They needed a bit more depth to them to stand out in the plot.
Kamiko was absolutely crazy , and the others except for Julia and Christian were just plain greedy. .

[Rita Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have given this book four stars because of the enormous amount of work that has gone into creating so many characters and different stories. Given a key to unlock whatever their hearts desire, each of the main players asks for different fantasies. Will they all be selfish and greedy or will they want to help others?

[Prafula · Rating 4 out of 5]

An unusual read,full of intrigue and mystery.
Initially,one struggles to grip the roles of the different characters. However once all the characters come into play,the story unfolds revealing an interesting link between them and the host of the key.
Greed ,love ,glamour, all thicken the plot.
The beauty in the end exhibits that love & satisfaction truimphs over all vices.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Five very different people, located all across the world are the recipients of a key. This key can be the answer to their prayers, or could be the start of a nightmare.
Each of them receive exactly the same key, each of them have exactly the same instructions, and none of them have a clue who sent the key, or why.
It soon becomes clear to these five people that the key will allow them access to riches beyond their belief, it will allow them to become powerful, and famous and noticed by others.

Being the owner of the key will also thrust them into situations where their morals and beliefs are tested, and they will all deal with these challenges in different ways.

The Key To It All is an action-packed story that is intriguing from the start. Each of the five characters are developed excellently, and each of their stories are tightly woven into a plot that is filled with glitz, glamour, violence, terror and the ultimate pay-back.

The reader is transported right across the globe, taking in Rio, London and Cannes amongst others. The descriptions are lush, the characters are real and well-developed. As the individual character stories begin to start to link together, the pace really becomes frantic but more and more compellling.

As well as being a fantastic read, The Key To It All will make readers stop and consider. What would you do if you were offered access to everything you ever wanted? Would you question? Would you accept, not knowing if it would end, or if you would ever have to pay for it?

The Key To It All is racy, it's well-paced and it's a great concept and excellently written. I enjoyed every page - highly recommended.

[Marie (UK) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very character crowded storyline and you really need notebook and pen to keep abreast of it all. I think this leads to some lack of personality in the characterisation. The concept is good and indeed, novel, which i liked. For the most part it moved with pace and the author kept the solution to the keys well under wraps. There were times when my interest dwindled a bit and I just wanted to move a bit quicker but overall it was a good read

[Krystyna Knight · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started well - 5 seemingly unrelated people are given a key that gives them access to whatever they desire. Could have been an interesting morality tale of whether the key was used for good or not. Unfortunately, it went downhill from there - poorly written, one-dimensional characters, totally unbelievable plot.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Five seemingly unrelated people from different parts of the world are each sent a silver key that, when plugged into a computer, grants them whatever they desire. A teacher, stockbroker, doctor, actress, and gamer each use the keys to select things that they think will make them happy. Some of the wishes are altruistic and some are depraved, but all of them get something by using the keys. The question remains; who has sent the keys and for what purpose. One of the five decides to search for answers, but what she finds is completely unexpected.

The Key to It All asks the question, what would you do if you could have whatever you want. None of the characters in the story is flawless, and all of them show signs of greed, but it is clear that they get what they deserve in the end. The plot weaves the mystery of the keys as it tells, chapter by chapter, the story of each character's journey. At times this method is jarring as the reader must jump back and forth between stories, and some of the plot points leave questions that go unanswered. Also, it is difficult to root for any of the characters because none of them seem completely worthy. Overall, The Key to It All is a somewhat depressing novel about greed and good intentions gone wrong. 2 1/2 stars.

[Nathaniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been wanting to read this for aaaaages! The basic premise is that five people are suddenly gifted a special silver key that opens up a world of luxuries and special requests for whatever they desire. Out of the five characters, there's only two initially who are at all sympathetic. One of the others seems to be okay but rapidly turns into a dick and another seems to be a bit of a dick initially but ends up being fleeced so there's some ambiguity over how nice they are which is interesting. It's quite a quick and easy read, I'd got halfway through the book without realising I'd read so much. The blurb says deepest desires fulfilled and darkest secrets revealed but that's not entirely accurate. Most of the desires have been spontaneous ones and there's no sign of any secrets, darkest or otherwise. I wasn't expecting the turn that it took and although it sort of made sense, I wasn't sure that it was a good plot-line. Once it went in that direction, there was really only one way for it to end so that wasn't a surprise.

[Pavni Dua · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a little annoyed after reading this book. I was intrigued by the synopsis on the back, especially the “moral dilemma” aspect, but i was quite let down in that regard. The book is definitely interesting, the writing style is a little lacking but that’s not too much and it doesn’t really get in the way. I do think that some details were truly unnecessary but i did enjoy when everything sort of came together at the end. Having said that the ending frustrated me immensely because it just seemed tied together so loosely. We read in depth about all the characters’ lives yet we received no real conclusion or closure, no real repercussions( atleast Harry’s character deserved SOME) Kamiko’ character is interesting and there was scope for more exploration there I feel. Mack’s monologue at the end felt out of place and like an end to a cheezy disney movie or something. Overall it was definitely intriguing but it had the scope to be so much more and it just wasn’t.

[Paige Clifton · Rating 1 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook version, I just couldn't connect. I saw this on the shelf in Tesco YEARS ago and was longing for the audiobook to come out, I pre-ordered it, and wanted to savour it, so I started it a few years after, couldn't get in to it, should have given up, but I didn't, I started from the beginning and tried to like it, it was all over the place and my brain just couldn't comprehend the switching to different parts of the world and chopping and changing between characters, I thought this was going to be a kind of 'Hunger Games' deal. 5 people get sent to a place and have to fight it out till the end, or a PLL situation, where they have to find out the truth to save everyone. It just wasn't what i expected, and I couldn't connect.

[Lindsey · Rating 1 out of 5]

Introverts retreat

This book has a good premise but it is poorly researched and written. Characters are one dimensional and all tropes. Nearly no one is likable and there are deeper issues that border on racist stereotypes. For one, Kamiko speaks in broken English the whole time, is the least “white” or white passing character and the villain of the whole book. Not only that but facts on japan are immaculate or outdated at best. Things are thrown in to make the plot work that are just not ok. All the women are objects to the men, all of focused on their looks rather than skill. Additionally all the women now to the men regardless of their skill or intelligence.

Please avoid this book

[KylieAtkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read. I didn’t want to put it down. It makes you wonder what you would do in the same situation. Splurge and be greedy as hell or use it sensibly and to better your life (and others). I loved trying to work out the connection to the epilogue story and how it will all unfold. Definitely recommended.

[Shmakhlooq · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is okay, I thought it would be better.
Some characters parts were better than the others.
In general I think this book could have been much more interesting and thrilling and could have shed a bigger light on how some people behave when corrupted by money and luxury.

[Suzi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having read 2 of Joanna Rees's books I was really looking forward to this one, but it took me along time to get into, unlike the others.
This one didn't grip me until near the end. Although I enjoyed the story it is my least favourite of her books so far.

[Mandy Robson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like Joanna Rees novels. This one was read in about a week, quite good for me. I read it in paperback as I like to see books on a shelf. I have got a kindle but it is rarely switched on. Just got The Girl from Lace Island to go and then waiting on her next instalment.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me a while to get the book going but I absolutely loved it. It was adventure and intrigue and the characters were excellent. The plot was fantastic and I didn’t envision it going the way it did. First time reader of this author. Very enjoyable.

[Stuart Haining · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than a Brian Cranston autobiography, but it's no Frost! Bit slow to start, great middle, hurried but muddled ending. But worth reading if you like a soppy final page!

[Christine Byrne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t like this book when I commenced reading it but continued to read it & started to get very interested in it. I wanted to see how it finished but was disappointed at the end.

[Cheryll · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not really my kind of book. Don't like reading about murders.

Not really my kind of book. Don't like anything with murders in it.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed it

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Totally unexpected turns from the beginning to the end. Interesting and intriguing.

[Christine Turner · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read over 100 page's cannot read anymore, not my cup of tea. I don't often give up on a book.

[Geraldine Joaquim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable story, good story-telling and characters with the threads all coming together at the end

[Sim Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my best reads ever.. I has it all..

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Five very different people, located all across the world are the recipients of a key. This key can be the answer to their prayers, or could be the start of a nightmare.
Each of them receive exactly the same key, each of them have exactly the same instructions, and none of them have a clue who sent the key, or why.
It soon becomes clear to these five people that the key will allow them access to riches beyond their belief, it will allow them to become powerful, and famous and noticed by others.

Being the owner of the key will also thrust them into situations where their morals and beliefs are tested, and they will all deal with these challenges in different ways.

The Key To It All is an action-packed story that is intriguing from the start. Each of the five characters are developed excellently, and each of their stories are tightly woven into a plot that is filled with glitz, glamour, violence, terror and the ultimate pay-back.

The reader is transported right across the globe, taking in Rio, London and Cannes amongst others. The descriptions are lush, the characters are real and well-developed. As the individual character stories begin to start to link together, the pace really becomes frantic but more and more compellling.

As well as being a fantastic read, The Key To It All will make readers stop and consider. What would you do if you were offered access to everything you ever wanted? Would you question? Would you accept, not knowing if it would end, or if you would ever have to pay for it?

The Key To It All is racy, it's well-paced and it's a great concept and excellently written. I enjoyed every page - highly recommended.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have struggled to rate this book as the story was interesting but there could have been much more development of the idea and there are many things left unexplained.

On the back of the book it mentioned 'moral choices' but there was little indication that this occurred with any characters in the book as they were all a bit self centred and out for what they could get (possibly with the exception of Julia, although she was by no means immune to the promises of the key).

The book disappointed in some places where I felt that it started descending into Jackie Collins and Jilly Cooper territory (fine if you are looking for that genre of book) and the story became rather 'lite'.

The concept of the book was good, however there was so much more that could have been done with the premise. I don't think I will be seeking out any other offerings from this author.

If you are looking for a non taxing, easy holiday read this might well fit the bill as its not dreadful just not my cup of tea.

[Bookread2day · Rating 2 out of 5]

What drawed me into this book was that I liked the cover of the five smartly dressed people look like out of the TV programe gossip girl or 9210 or revenge, and the idea of the plot..Five random people all recieve a key. What the five people do not realize is that it about to change their lives ever. Julie Pires a teacher leaves her school and finds a black wallet full of bank notes. Scooter Black is sent by her agent for a screen test.. I am afaraid I did not relate to the five characters. I thought this might be a novel that I would not be able to put down . But I didnt really like the story. Normally I can get into all kinds of novels, but not this one. I am really glad that many other readers loved this story. After all that is what makes us all different we all like different novels. I hope that many other readers will enjoy this story.

[Tia]

The book- The Key to It All- was superb because it was written in a great level of depth, while not being bored at the same time. At first I was suggesting to stop reading the book, the reason for this was because I had stopped reading the book for a while. It took a short period of time to get into grips with the book, then I couldn't stop reading it. I was reading for hours on end.
My favourite character was Nonie because she was strong when her mum died and was very intelligent. (when she categorised people into different caste systems like hindus)
Thank you Joanna Rees for writing this book, hopefully theres a series because I would love to read it.