Another great release from Ruth Ware. This story keeps you guessing until the bitter end, and has you constantly questioning what is real and what is not. A fun, fairly quick read.

Ruth Ware's The Turn of the key was quite an exciting experience to read. The pace was quick and the suspense was palpable. I found myself not wanting to read this when I was home alone because it was all so very creepy throughout the whole book. The twists were wonderful and not something I figured out immediately. While there were a few details that didn't quite add up I was willing to overlook them because the rest of the book was so suspenseful.

A young, 27 year old woman lives in London and works at Little Nippers. While online looking at something else, she sees an advertisement for a live-in nanny in the isolated Scottish highlands. The money is unbelievable! She decides that she wants this interview very, very much. Without giving anything away, I would say that this is a very spooky, atmospheric read. If you've read the Turn of the Screw, you'll have an idea of the flavor of this book with a modern twist: a smart home. Doors, curtains, shower heads and water temperature, lights are all controlled from a small pad in the room (or from a cell phone or iPad with permissions). There are cameras and speakers everywhere. I finished this the first night my husband was away from home, maybe not the best thing...yikes (but in the best way)!
Thank you, Ruth Ware for the adrenaline!
#Netgalley

Ruth Ware is nothing if not prolific, which always makes me nervous as a reader (Can someone really churn out novels at this pace and keep the quality sufficient? Eek!)

Fortunately, Ware appears to be defying my expectations about overly prolific authors, as her work has for the most part gotten better rather than worse since her first novel was published. I didn’t like The Lying Game, but otherwise Ware’s books have been a case study in honing your craft as your career progresses.

The Turn of the Key is a bit different than Ware’s previous novels. This is modern gothic at its finest, a delight for readers like me who love creepy house/creepy kids/creepy domestic staff tropes. This book had ALL of those along with the stellar pacing and high suspense we’ve come to expect from Ware.

This one was a standout for me among Ware’s work because of the exceptionally rendered high gothic atmosphere. The book also had a good (semi-surprising) solve and employs Ware’s signature gleefully flippant tone, which I find to be a delightful way to lighten a mystery with content that could have become too heavy if handled differently.

Well done as usual, Ms. Ware.

I could not put this book down. But the ending has left me haunted. I may come back and change my stars, but right now I will stick with the three. Thank you NetGalley for an advanced reader copy. I thought the story was excellent.

This is the best book I've read all year! Thank you netgalley for the opportunity to read this book as an ARC. Let me say that I have been anticipating this book for a while, as all of Ruth Ware's books have been amazing, and it did not dissapoint. The idea of a thriller set in a older home with smart home capabilitie is brilliant. Let me say that it had me guessing and I did not expect that ending, at all. It is rare now to read mystery/thrillers where the ending is not obvious but this book was an exception. Well done!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rowen hates working at Little Nippers daycare. She hates that she got passed over for a promotion as head of the baby room. She hates that her roommate has left indefinitely to live at a commune in India. When Rowen stumbles across the advertisement for a dream job, she pulls out all the stops to secure the lucrative position. Doesn’t matter that she’ll be working in an isolated “smart” house in Scotland that’s equipped with surveillance in nearly every room and run by a complicated computer system. Doesn’t matter that she’ll be in charge of four young girls, ranging from an infant to a teenager, who seem to despise her. Doesn’t matter that many of the previous nannies suddenly quit due to supernatural occurrences. Rowan believes she is made of stronger stuff than those women. Immediately, the parents announce an urgent business trip and Rowen is left alone with the girls, and those other nannies’ fears don’t seem quite so farfetched. Then one of her charges is dead, and Rowen is behind bars awaiting trial for murder.

The story is told through correspondence, yet the delivery system never weighs down the story, rather it enhances the mystery and raises more questions.

Ware is a master of suspense. She expertly weaves in clues along with red herrings to keep the reader guessing, while creating a Frankenstein monster of modern and gothic horrors through the spooky setting. The idea of a computer-controlled residence, which has the capability to allow the super users of the system to watch and record everything is a nightmare within itself. Add in a haunted house and kids that bring to mind Regan in the Exorcist and you’re got a trifecta of terror. Meanwhile, Ware pulls the strings, sets the traps, and unleashes the scary.

Rowen makes a great character. She’s relatable and likable. She’s got plenty of flaws, yet she carries on and does her best to live up to her employer’s expectations until things spiral beyond her control.

I’ve read all of Ware’s releases to date, and I swear each one gets better and better. THE TURN OF THE KEY unseated THE DEATH OF MRS. WESTAWAY as my favorite. Kudos to Ware for pulling off such a beautiful blend of modern and gothic horror.

Thanks to NetGalley and Scout Press, an Imprint of Simon & Schuster, Inc., for the opportunity to experience this book in advance of its release.

I have a love/hate relationship with Ruth Ware's books. Her first few I didn't care for. She focused on one aspect and just about hammered the reader over the head with it (which ended up not having anything to do with the ending). Then her last book (before this one) was great. I cheered throughout it and hoped she didn't mess up the ending (she didn't). She gave me exactly what I had been wanting in her earlier books. This one had me guessing until the end (and I'm not sure anyone would have been able to guess who did it). I liked how it was basically a letter to a lawyer and Rowan telling her story. The end seemed very rushed to me and I didn't care for how it ended. At least, she got away from hammering home some obscure part, but I still didn't get what I was wanting from this one.

Ruth Ware has become a favorite of mine in recent years and I couldn't wait to dive into this new one. Thanks for the advance reading copy!
We start off with a letter from prison asking a "barrister" to review the case of a child murder again since no one else will listen. We then dive headfirst into the story of the creepy "smart" house where Rowan takes a dream nanny gig as the latest in a string failed nannies in said house. We quickly meet the children, the home caretaker and the main headservant, as well as the quirky parents who immediately leave Rowan in charge as they have a work trip. What borders on a supernatural tale at times, left me riveted to find out what would happen next and how Rowan ended up in prison.
Loved this book - Ruth Ware did not disappoint!

The ending made up for the slow pace of the book. A who done it with an impossible plot- not Ruths best book.

When things go bump in the night (or creak along the floor above your bedroom), you desperately want to believe there's a logical explanation-a settling house, loose floorboards, or a wayward rodent. But a haunted house-ghosts-making those noises? Even the most superstitious person might have a hard time accepting that-but Ruth Ware sure makes a compelling case for it with The Turn of the Key. Since her debut novel- In a Dark, Dark Wood- Ms. Ware has mastered the art of making the unbelievable seem possible-even probable-especially when it involves an old house in a desolate location. The Turn of the Key is set in the Scottish Highlands, and the house has a macabre and tragic past. When the current owners place an ad looking for a nanny for their four children, Rowan jumps at the chance. You know from the beginning something is "off" about Rowan-her motives for wanting the job seem less than sincere-despite a sterling resume that makes Rowan appear perfect for the job. Alone in the house with the children on her first night (who in the world leaves their kids for weeks in the care of a person they just met???) things go immediately wrong. Strange sounds, flashing lights and blaring music-with everything controlled by "smart home" technology NASA scientists might struggle with-how could they be going on and off at will? On top of that, one of the girls tells Rowan it's not safe in their house and "the ghosts" won't like her being there. Told in flashback format as letters to a lawyer Rowan is trying to convince help her avoid a murder conviction (the identity of the victim is not known till the end), most of the major revelations take place in the last few chapters and several are total curve balls. Creepy but concise, with short chapters that barely give you a chance to catch your breath-The Turn of the Key suspends reality in satisfying ways. The Turn of the Key adds another notch to Ruth Ware's literary belt-it continues her winning streak of gothically themed suspense thrillers that keep you guessing until the last page.

This book was honestly the most amazing thriller that I have read in a long time. I literally was glued to my kindle and scared sh*tless until the very end! I don't know where to start with this book, I don't want to give anything away so listen just believe me when I say this book was amazing! The storyline was wow just wow. And don't forget "the ghosts won't like it" 😳😳😳😳 Must Read!!!!!

This book! 😱😱😱 ⁣
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In The Turn Of The Key, Rowan interviews for a nanny job for three little girls and a teenager. The job seems perfect, but as she’s leaving the interview, one of the little girls gives Rowan a tight hug and whispers: ⁣
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“Don’t come here. It’s not safe. The ghosts wouldn’t like it.” ⁣
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This is a creepy, suspenseful story and is my new favorite book from Ruth Ware. It was a 5/5 for me! It will be hitting stores on August 6th! ⁣
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Thank you to @netgalley and @ruthwarewriter for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. ⁣
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#bookreview #currentlyreading #theturnofthekey #ruthware #booksharks

The Turn of the Key is a page-turner that you won't be able to put down--at least, I wasn't able to. I read this in one long marathon reading session well into the night.

Readers of Ruth Ware will not be surprised to find that this thriller focuses on a competent, through unreliable, woman narrator. The book is framed as a letter to a solicitor, who the main character, Rowan, begs to take on her capital murder case. The letter (book) is her opportunity to tell what really happened to the child within her care, who Rowan is accused of killing.

This book makes me think about relationships, family, privacy, and technology. Even though I finished it nearly a week ago, I'm still thinking about the twists at the end as well as the permissions I give to the technology & apps I use.

For readers who are frustrated with an ambiguous ending, Ware does reveal the truth about what happened.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

NUMBER OF HEARTS: 3 1/2
The Turn of the Key is was a very interesting book. Ms. Ware formatted this book is in a series of letters from Rowen Caine to a Mr. Wrexham. In those letters Rowen recounts the events the lead up to her being put in prison for murder. Rowen hopes that with these letters Mr. Wrexham will be able to help her.
The events that lead Rowen to become the nanny and being charged with murder are both shocking and sad. I enjoyed this book even if they ending leaving me with the What the heck feeling.
This is my first book by Ruth Ware and I am looking forward to reading more of her works. If you are a fan of Ruth Ware I think you will be pleased with this story.


Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley & Gallery/Scout Press, Pocket Books in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and write an honest review of this book.


This book is written in the form of a letter to a lawyer from a young woman in prison. It describes her experiences employed as a nanny, with a family of four children. The young woman travels from London to take the job in a remote part of Scotland. She learns that she follows a long line of nannies,
none of which seem to stay very long. The mother of the children implies that supernatural episodes in the house precipitated the departure of the previous nannies. All characters in this novel have secrets, including the children. The nanny is in prison for the murder of one of the children. Did she do it or is someone or “something” else responsible? Once you start this book, you will have trouble putting it down until you find some answers.

In The Turn of the Key, a spooky, decrepit old manor house with a dark history gets gutted and revamped by a strange, super-wealthy family obsessed with all the latest in high-tech security - the house is creepy in all kinds of different ways, which is brilliant. Add to this the fact that the family is dysfunctional in all kinds of different ways, too, and you'll understand why they can't seem to keep a nanny more than a few weeks at most. There are plenty of reasons you wouldn't want this job, and it all comes together very tightly in the end.

The story is told through letters written by the last live-in nanny, who is writing from jail after she's been accused of killing one of the children. She swears she is innocent, but you soon wonder if she herself isn't hiding something. I would describe this as a modern gothic with an unreliable narrator, which made this book right up my alley.

Ruth Ware is a writer I really enjoy following, because (in my opinion) each one of her books has been increasingly better than the ones before. She is a strong writer who obviously puts a lot of time and effort into her work - it's nice to see someone who continues to develop their craft after already achieving a high level of success.

After reading “The Woman in Cabin 10,” I had so many questions. The novel didn’t seem to cover everything I wanted it to. I suppose I don’t feel the same about “The Turn of the Key.” There’s nothing really here to question, except maybe why Ware decided to use the letter structure. It really doesn’t work. No one puts excessive dialogue in letters. The letter to the lawyer is just a cheap contrivance and totally unnecessary. Once you get to the end you see why it was used. But that seems lazy in so many ways. The whole time I was reading I was thinking this is NOT a letter. It pulled me out time and again.

But I wouldn’t say it wasn’t an enjoyable read because it was at certain points. It wasn’t until about 60% in that I wanted to get to the end. Overall, though, the story lacks some serious … depth? Especially considering it deals with the death of a child. I mean the plot is admittedly ripped off from Henry James (obviously, the title tells us so) and there are hints of Hawthorne’s “Rappaccini’s Daughter” here too with the poisonous garden, but Ware’s novel just doesn’t stand up to those sublime and spooky tales.

Her main character is a shadow compared to James’s governess. She’s also inconsistent and self-absorbed and shallow, much like Lo from Cabin. I don’t think she’s likable, not even at the end when we know the *truth* of the matter. To be honest, I only really liked Jack Grant. He seemed consistent as a character, as well as a pretty good version of the brooding, handsome savior who wouldn’t hurt a fly -- he isn’t that, but he stood out as such. But, ugh, Sandra and Bill were horrible, which isn’t necessarily their fault. I don’t think Ware really developed either one of them. They were stereotypes and didn’t behave in realistic ways. And the children were … yucky in a lot of ways. They, too, were stereotypes. And Rowan is just so inconsistent with her feelings about them that I don’t think the reveal works.

I suppose the overall premise had potential, and I did stick with it, but the end was underwhelming and kind of made me question the opening and build-up. It’s almost like Ware started with something in mind and veered off, unable to get to where she wanted to go. There wasn’t enough character development and plot excavation for me. It was shallow and came across as Ware throwing darts at a board. I guess I found it inconsistent as far as mysteries go. Because it really is just a mystery. Not scary or thrilling. Just a plain old “who dunnit” with a bit of a Scooby Doo feel.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Simon & Schuster through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

“Someone in this house, someone or something, was driving the nannies away, in a deliberate and sustained campaign of persecution.” The book begins with protagonist, “Rowan”, writing a communication to an attorney professing her innocence in a murder. Written from Rowen’s point of view, she shares her story as the nanny in the Elincourt case. Elincourts are architects who have updated an old Victorian home with many new technological aspects. Four nannies have left the household prior to Rowan. The story has many twists and turns and keeps the reader guessing.

I really enjoyed this book. In true Ruth Ware form, it is suspenseful and keeps the reader guessing.

This is one of those books that you read past bedtime. Ms. Ware deftly weaves an increasingly tense plot that will keep you pushing forward until its surprising ending. Plays a bit with the notion of a smart home also being a surveillance home, but ultimately it all comes down to human frailty. Good read - great for a plane ride!
I provided an honest review in exchange for a free advance reader's copy.