The Chambermaid’s Key
Graham continues illuminating fascinating facets of Canadian history, upping the ante plotting-wise with her new dual-timeline novel centering on a storied Toronto landmark. In spring 1929, an era of skyscrapers and big dreams, the Dominion Hotel (inspired by the Fairmont Royal York) will soon be opening its doors to its elite clientele. Living with her grandmother in the slum known as The Ward, starry-eyed Rosie Ryan yearns to become a chambermaid there. She’s soon hired by the kindly Mrs. Evans, who insists on her hard work and discretion. Narrating in an open-hearted voice with an Irish lilt revealing her ancestral origins, Rosie, wearing her new black-and-white uniform with pride, expresses awe at the luxurious venue, with over a thousand elegant guestrooms and miles of red carpet. Rosie also catches the eye of Damien Walsh, a waiter with a cheeky grin, and is intrigued despite Mrs. Evans’ warnings about his links to unlawful activities.
In the present day, building inspector Bridget Kelly heads to the subbasement of the historic building to confirm the hotel’s HVAC is working efficiently during its renovation. When hotel staff give her the runaround about stacks of crates that block a door not on the blueprints, her persistence for answers leads her to a charmingly awkward archivist who shares her history obsession. Graham shows her mastery of rising action here: what begins as a teenager’s coming-of-age story escalates into a mystery involving secret passageways, gangsters, and potential smuggling, and then into a thriller about organized crime and an unsolved murder. Bridget’s observations about the Dominion’s construction make her job more interesting than it may sound on paper, and the nonstandard structure (the timelines alternate after multiple chapters) allows greater immersion into both women’s stories. One part of the finale feels contrived, but this engrossing, well-constructed story is strongly recommended, especially for Fiona Davis fans.
