From windswept Ireland to wartime Norway, a journey of secrets . . .
In Ireland, Maggie has grown up hearing her mother tell her the bedtime story of The Glass Key.
It’s a Nordic fairytale passed down by Maggie’s grandmother Anna Swan, who mysteriously left her home one stormy night years ago, never to return.Now Maggie’s grandfather has died and going through his things, Maggie is shocked to discover a faded wartime letter, asking him to take in a baby.
In that moment she realises that Anna Swan was a woman of many secrets.
Only by travelling to Norway and discovering the story of four brave young women whose lives were forever changed by the occupation of their tiny islands, can Maggie uncover the shocking truth about her family – and finally unlock the mystery of the glass key…
The Glass Key by Amanda Geard
Published by Headline on 18 June 2026
You can find out more about the book on Amazon, Goodreads and The StoryGraph.
Sincere thanks to Headline Review and NetGalley for providing an advanced digital review copy.
About The Author
Amanda Geard is an Irish-based novelist, geologist and explorer whose stories are inspired by the remarkable places she has called home and the hidden histories she uncovers. Her debut novel, The Midnight House, was selected for the Richard & Judy Book Club and has been translated into multiple languages. Her second novel, The Moon Gate, spans Tasmania, London and Ireland, weaving together family secrets and historical mysteries.
Drawing on her experiences exploring remote locations around the world, Amanda brings a strong sense of place and discovery to her fiction. The Glass Key, inspired in part by a Norwegian Arctic island she and her husband purchased when they were just twenty-nine, combines her love of history, landscape and compelling human stories.
You can find out more about Amanda, her books and upcoming projects via the links below:
My Review
Amanda Geard was a new author to me, and The Glass Key provided an enjoyable introduction to her work.
Set across dual timelines and spanning Ireland and Norway, this is a beautifully written historical novel that combines family secrets, wartime resilience and an emotional journey of discovery. When Maggie uncovers a faded wartime letter among her grandfather’s belongings, she begins to question everything she thought she knew about her grandmother, Anna Swan, who disappeared one stormy night many years before. Her search for answers leads her to Norway and the story of four young women whose lives were forever changed by the German occupation.
I enjoyed following Maggie’s search for answers, and the gradual uncovering of long-buried secrets kept me turning the pages. The descriptions of Norway are particularly evocative, bringing the remote island setting vividly to life and creating a strong sense of place throughout the novel.
The themes of friendship, love, courage and resilience run throughout the story, particularly in the wartime narrative where the strength and determination of the women shine through. There is mystery at the heart of the novel, and although I occasionally found myself momentarily confused by some of the characters, everything comes together clearly as the story unfolds. By the end, the various strands of the story are woven together in a way that feels both satisfying and moving.
Beautifully written and rich in atmosphere, The Glass Key combines family secrets, historical events and emotional storytelling to create a compelling read. The Norwegian setting is particularly memorable, and the carefully woven connections between past and present lead to a conclusion that brings the story together in a thoughtful and satisfying way.
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#Headline #NetGalley
See About My Reviews and Review FAQ for full star rating explanations and review guidelines. This review may also appear on my social media channels and selected book platforms. All links were correct at the time of publication. DISCLOSURE: I received a review copy of this book via NetGalley. As always, my thoughts are honest and my own. This review is original content. Please credit and link back if you wish to quote.
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