My Key Fits Every Door by Dennis Louis Dyer

A sharp-tongued private eye is pulled into a spiral of chateau intrigue, hired muscle, and dangerous dames in My Key Fits Every Door by Dennis Louis Dyer, a classic, twist-filled PI thriller.

In this noir drama set in the 1940s, Taylor is the gruff and grumbling protagonist with a knack for getting in over his head, and falling into bed with mysterious women. The plot moves almost as fast as the whip-smart conversations and one-liners, while the hotel setting, where much of the action takes place, comes to life through subtle descriptions and immersive narration.

While there is something nostalgic and charming about a rugged ladies’ man who always flirts on the edge of inappropriate, today’s readers may not buy into that trope as easily, particularly coming from the main character. The dialogue understandably reflects this attitude, as the author tries to capture the energy of a slightly arrogant womanizer, but the narration also has misogynistic moments that seem less objective.

That issue aside, the structure of the storytelling is strong, and Dyer is a master at maintaining tension without too much foreshadowing, which keeps readers guessing and flipping pages. Though the author could soften a fair amount of the novel’s callous language, My Key Fits Every Door is a satisfying read for fans of pulp noir fiction.

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