The Key (Elfgren and Strandberg novel)

The Key is a Swedish horror novel written by Mats Strandberg and Sara Bergmark Elfgren, published in 2024. It is a standalone novel, unrelated to the authors' previously acclaimed Engelsfors trilogy.

The novel tells the story of Vera, a young woman who returns to her childhood home, a crumbling seaside hotel called Gullviken. Haunted by the disappearance of her mother years prior, Vera seeks to uncover the truth behind the unsolved mystery. Her investigation leads her to a hidden key, which unlocks not only physical doors within the hotel but also long-buried secrets and a malevolent force connected to Gullviken's dark history.

The Key is characterized by its atmospheric setting, focusing on the isolation and decay of the hotel and the surrounding coastal landscape. It blends elements of psychological horror with suspense and a touch of the supernatural, exploring themes of family secrets, trauma, and the weight of the past. The novel received positive reviews in Sweden for its intricate plot, well-developed characters, and chilling atmosphere.