A dark tale, but one I struggled to tear myself away from, this is my first book by Mark Tilbury but I feel it will not be my last.
I found the unusual concept intriguing and was impressed that the author was able to resolve it as well as he did, though I did think that the final conclusion was a little too neat. There is a well maintained sense of tension throughout the book, but particularly in the sections set in the past, it is difficult to say more without possibly spoiling the plot.

I’m a big fan of Mark Tilbury’s writing, his books are normally dark and disturbing, and The Key To Death’s Door is definitely both of these things. I should mention this probably isn’t one for the feint hearted there is strong language and violence, but if you dare to read it I’m sure like me, you will find it a riveting read. I’m not going to rehash the plot details as all you need to know is in the book description, but suffice to say with elements of crime, thriller and the paranormal thrown it makes this book an highly original albeit a very disturbing read.

Full review to follow on my blog soon

This author writes some of the darkest and most disturbed books that I have read – but I will admit that I love them and they are becoming to be a guilty pleasure for me!

His writing style is spot on for the genre and they are books that draw you in. The plot in this book was unlike any that I have read and that really made a refreshing change. I had read the blurb so I understood what was happening but if you don’t read this it could be a bit confusing.

The book has a really evil main character and he is one of the worst one that I have read for a long while. He is the kind of person that makes your skin crawl but even though he did make my skin crawl at times, I was compelled to read it.

The plot was gripping and I read the book over a couple of hours. The plot plays on irrational fears, childhood hopes and dreams and some other very dark subjects and he does them very well but again, as with his other books this will not be a book for everyone – you have been warned

This was definitely a five star read for me – very highly recommended but it is not for those that are faint hearted!

Very interesting story. I couldn't put it down once I started it. It deals with life after death and setting things right. It has some violence in parts. The characers seem alive when you read this book. The author did a fine job. I would recommend this book.

After each Mark Tilbury book I have read, I ask myself the question, how can Mark Tilbury do better than that? Yet, he does, and 'The Key To Death's Door' was no exception.
Teenager Lee Hunter and his friend Charlie Finch are on a fishing trip and Lee drowns when he attempts to swim across the river. His spirit enters the body of a boy, Paul Collins from thirty years ago, who along with his family is about to die. Lee as Paul experiences death for a second time, then is brought back to the life of Lee as his friend Charlie successfully carries out CPR. The spirit of Paul and Lee remain inextricably linked, and combine to avenge the murder of Paul's family and protect his friend Charlie Finch.
Mark Tilbury certainly knows how to evoke fear in his readers. It's a fear that most of us will recognise if we dare to look back on our own childhood and remember the irrational fears we had about things that we didn't understand, even if we didn't experience the heinous things that Tilbury put these youngsters through. . It's about fear against evil, and there is none more evil than the man that Lee/Paul is going after. This was breathtaking to read and I could not put it down.

Lee Hunter 14 years old lives at home with his mum, his dad having departed. Mum works long hours as a nurse to compensate for the drop in income. This offers Lee the opportunity to go adventuring with his best friend Charlie Finch. One afternoon they decide to go exploring crossing a nearby river in a flimsy rubber dingy. The following morning the boat has vanished and the boys have no choice but to swim for home. A disaster occurs and Lee sinks to the bottom of the river where an out of body experience see him transported back in time some 30 years.

In this bygone era Lee has been transformed into a teenager known as Paul Collins and has his first painful experience of meeting a young very evil Daryl Finch, Charlie Finch's father. The elder Finch sets about tormenting, and finally destroying the Paul's family because they refused to give him money to set up his own business which in his twisted mind they should have done as he is married to Susan, Paul Collins sister. (I hope you are following this dear readers as it is a little confusing!) The purpose of this transition in time is to instil in Lee how important it is to understand the evil that is Daryl Finch and to eradicate that evil when he once again travels forward to the present. Daryl Finch is truly depraved, anyone or anything who obstructs him he will wipe out. His wife Susan is being systematically destroyed, and tortured by him and events soon reach a bloody conclusion when Lee and Charlie are apprehended by Finch. Can Lee fulfill his destiny and stop the destructive Finch thereby restoring some normality to his young 14 year old life.

What an odd story that seems to spend most of its narrative describing in great detail the gory, plundering murdering rampage that is Daryl Finch. Although this is a novel set in the UK it has a strange American feel both in its language (always referring to policemen as Cops) and location which resembles a rural southern USA. The time travel aspect helped in the overall atmosphere but even that at times was confusing. Quite an enjoyable read showing a world where evil is always present but balanced against this is the importance of friendships and family, with always the hope that goodness will prevail. Many thanks to the good people at netgalley, and the publisher Bloodhound books, for a gratis copy in exchange for an honest review and that is what I have written.

A very different read, I'm not certain of the category but I would say psychological paranormal thriller. I didn't read the blurb and I'm glad I didn't because the revelations are mind blowing, it's gory,violent and tragic.I found myself holding my breath and read swiftly from chapter to chapter. It's not for the faint hearted but if you want a cracking read I can highly recommend.

I really enjoyed the friendship between Lee and Charlie. They are just your typical best friends. After Lee's near death experience the two become tighter than ever.

There is a certain amount of super natural element to the story line with Lee's outer body experience. I was slightly concerned as to whether I would find it believable but that didn't really matter as the story had me well and truly gripped so that I couldn't read through the pages fast enough to see what was going to happen next. I for one am a believer in outer body experiences but at the end of the day it is a work of fiction and a very darn good one at that. 

The Key To Death's Door tackles a few harrowing topics. Some parts make for some highly emotional reading which is something I have come to expect from this authors books. He really has has you feeling a whole array of emotions. I was not only shocked and horrified in parts, I was also deeply saddened and anxious, and yet the friendship between both boys was something so wonderful that made me smile and my heart swell with pride. 

This is another heart breaking and gut wrenching novel that will stick with me for a long time to come. What should be the best years of two young boys lives is turned upside down with discovery and a fight for justice. A story that will send your pulse racing and your heart soaring. Another utterly brilliant novel by one of my favourite authors.