Thank you to Netgalley and Gallery/Scout Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

As a number of reviewers have already mentioned, yes . . . this is a homage to James' The Turn of the Screw. When I see a book like this coming out--a book that is somehow a re-telling of one of my favorite, classic novels--I'm typically filled with anticipation and, simultaneously, with dread. I want to read it but also worry it will be a bust. It's hard to read a re-telling without comparing it to the original. And I should provide full disclosure here: I have a strong affinity with James The Turn of the Screw.. I wrote a chapter of my dissertation on it, I've taught classes on it (and on James himself), I've presented papers on the it, and published on it. So I have pretty strong feelings about the original novella.

And having said all of that, I thought this was fantastic. I think part of the trick is that Ware did not try to just re-tell the story with a modern twist. Instead, while there are clear allusions here (in fact, I'd say the title is my least favorite part--too heavy-handed), the story is its own and doesn't try to simply replicate the original. It's a fun and creepy read. There were several parts that made the hair stand up on the nape of my neck and others that made me doubt the narrator, much like a reader experiences with the Governess in the original tale. I even like the subtle nod to the unnamed narrator in James' original--I won't say more, but it was clever.

If you're looking for a strong literary novel to parallel the original, then you might be disappointed. However, if you've read Ware before and understand she writes in the vein of the domestic noir and thriller, plan to expect the same. I've read two other novels by this author and this is my favorite so far.

I know that many of my patrons will enjoy this book. I myself did not love it...perhaps it was my mood. I have not read her other books either. It was slow and pretty creepy. I felt like it was gothic which is not a favorite genre for me. I do have this book on my list to order and I am sure it will be popular.

I knew that book by Ruth Ware will be good, but I didn’t suspect that it’s going to be sooo good. Creepy, fast pace, twisty and keeping me on the edge from the first to the last page. Hunted house, wired family and one nanny who tries to figure out what is happening around her. Just one day, fantastic read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery/Scout Press for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

I'm torn between 3 and 4 stars, but since it's Ruth Ware (and the fact that I loved the story, for the most part), I'll bump it up. Turn of the Key is Ware's fifth novel, and I'll tell you right now that all five of them are worth binge-reading (well, maybe not The Lying Game hehe). Turn of the Key is the most suspense-driven novel that Ware has provided readers yet; with it's slow building suspense oozing from the pages.

Rowan Caine lives around London, working as a daycare instructor at Little Nippers. Her job is horrible, and she's desperately looking for something to lift her spirits. While scanning the papers for possible job opportunities, she comes across the job of a lifetime. It's a nanny position for a family with four children—£55,000 a year, and room and board with the family at a gorgeous renovated "smart house" mansion in the countryside of Scotland. Rowan can't turn down this opportunity and applies for the job. After she arrives for an interview at the family's Heatherbrae House, she woos over the mother and gets the job immediately. As her stay in Heatherbrae begins, Rowan begins to question why she took this job. The children are rambunctious, to say the least. With the oldest away at boarding school, Rowan's hands are full with these three little girls constantly testing her patience. Rowan's stepping into a nightmare, but what she doesn't know is that it will end in murder.

Turn of the Key 's story takes place as Rowan is writing a letter to a prospective attorney, since she has been accused of the murder, and her possible motive for this crime does not help. Rowan needs to prove her innocence, and by telling her story, she's hoping this lawyer will take her case. I appreciated the originality with Ware's storytelling this way, but it'll be hit or miss with readers, for sure. I'm curious to see how you feel about it, so after you finish the story, please let me know in my comments how you felt about this writing style.

Turn of the Key would have been my favorite Ruth Ware read, because I was literally captivated for 80% of the story. I couldn't put it down, and the story was so suspense driven, I was on the edge of my seat. While Rowan was dealing with the children's crying and outbursts, I felt it was kind of ironic how my neighbor's kid was acting up at the same time. It must've been fate or something, but everything about Turn of the Key is atmospheric and absorbing. I forgot about the real world around me while reading this story. You will not be able to put this book down. All my brain could do was lock into the characters, turn the pages, and bite my nails while I was trying to figure out what was going to happen.

However, the story cops out after 80% with how it wraps up. The way Ware ties up loose ends in Turn of the Key is terribly disappointing, and it really knocked a star completely off my rating just for that. With all the suspense that the story delivers, I felt like a balloon deflated right there, begging for air to fill me right back up.

Overall, go into Turn of the Key with an open mind. I absolutely loved it (for the most part), and I think you will too. The writing is impeccable, as always, and Ruth Ware continues to deliver that atmospheric suspense that she's been made famous for. I continue to be a big fan of Ruth Ware, and you know I'll be impatiently waiting for her next story!

Her best since In A Dark, Dark Wood! What a gripping, creepy thriller! A child is dead and our heroine nanny is in prison but how did we get here? The book is told in epistolary format (which I love) letters from the nanny to the lawyer. It's been a while since I raced to finish a book. This was a lot of fun.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy in exchange for my honest opinion.n.

Honestly, this was my least favorite of Ruth Ware's books. I was captivated in the beginning- I really like Ruth Ware’s other novels! This one was excellent through about halfway through and then it starts to get weird and unrealistic. It’s not that it's bad... it’s just very anticlimactic. The ending leaves a whole lot to be desired. I love everything else by her, but this book is not my favorite.

Slower-paced suspense with a modern gothic feel. Ruth Ware keeps the reader absorbed with her descriptive writing and eerie plot perspective. Every aspect of this novel, from characters to setting, are dark and twisted, leaving the reader in anticipation the entire way through. The utilization of the slow-burn build only exemplifies the impact of the narrative.

Thank you to #NetGalley and Scout Press for this ARC

This was a great modern version of THE TURN OF THE SCREW by Henry James. Ware did a great job of updating the classic to include modern technology, how it can be burdensome and oppressive, while still relying on the Victorian ghost story at the heart of the original.

Ruth Ware has become one of my favorite authors! When I want to read a good mystery/thriller, she's my go to! I loved every single one of her books and this one doesn't dissapoint. The only bad thing is waiting until her next book comes out! Loved it!!

I found the story did not flow smoothly. It had many impediments to make the reader question the tale with its’vast contradictions. Expecting a haunted house story, especially with the character names being Rowan, Rhiannon, and Sandra, the mother and protector of man, I was left disappointed that it wasn’t so.

Added to my disenchantment was the incomplete ending. Many questions that were part of the main story were left unanswered by the author, leaving me with the feeling that the book was unfinished.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Gallery, Pocket Books for an advance copy of The Turn of the Key.

SO good! I skipped my entire TBR pile and jumped right to this one and read it in a weekend. There are very few authors that I have read every single one of their works: Ruth Ware is one. Ware is a master at the locked-room mystery. She doesn't just give you a basic room - she gives you an entire descriptive, imaginative and immersive world---you feel like you are there alongside the characters. The atmosphere and tension are so artfully intertwined that I felt goosebumps during several points in the book.

Ruth Ware is consistently on top of her game! This is another thrilling novel that not only keeps a perfectly timed pace, but excels at character development and well-balanced atmospheric detail. The twists at the end were unpredictable even for a seasoned suspense lover. And the ending was killer (pun intended)! Fabulous novel!

Creepy and disturbing, smart play on "The Turn of the Screw" and a story that begins at the tragic end.

This book was received as an ARC from Gallery, Pocket Books - Gallery/Scout Press in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

Our community including myself are huge fans of Ruth Ware and her work of mystery books and how they are so captivating and thrilling that you can not put them down. This one did not disappoint to the fact that I read The Turn of the Key in one sitting due to the fact that Ruth left you wanting to know what really happened to the murder and the role Rowan got herself into by taking this nanny job. This book had twists and turns like no other and just when you figured it out, the whole plot takes a new direction. Every page was more interesting than the next and it is worth the time reading in one sitting.

We will consider adding this title to our Mystery collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

As a big fan of Ruth Ware, I was really excited to get an advance copy of this one. It is not a spoiler to say that it opens with a nanny in prison awaiting trial for the murder of a child. She claims to be innocent. How did she end up in this situation? We then flash back to Rowan Caine arriving at Heatherbrae House, interviewing for the nanny position. It seems like the ideal job -- nice family, high salary and a great house in the Scottish Highlands. Things are not always as they seem -- why have all of the previous nannies quit so suddenly? Why do strange things keep happening? I never thought that a high-tech "smart house" could be so creepy. This was twisty and I loved it.

Wow. I am never disappointed in a Ruth Ware novel. They do fill me with anxiety while reading, but mostly in a good way. Ha.

This was enjoyable to read, enough of a thriller, but not too many twists and turns.

Definitely recommend, high 4 stars.

Reminded me of the Woman in Cabin 10 only this time it's a house not a ship. Even though it seems similar there is enough of a difference to make it a good read. The story is told through letters, not my favorite way to read a novel. When you get to the second half the reading gets more interesting.

In my opinion, the BEST Ruth Ware book by far. The pace moves so quickly and did not lose my interest for a moment. While I was able to somewhat guess the ending, it didn't matter. This was a FANTASTIC read!

Thank you #NetGalley for an advanced copy
Of #TheTurnOfTheKey.

I so wanted to love this book. I’ve read a few others by Ruth Ware and really enjoyed them but this one just didn’t do it for me. Overall the pace was a little slow and took until about 79% through the book for something twisty/shocking to happen. I kept waiting for those “wow” moments and to be honest, that didn’t come for me until the Epilogue. This story is about Rowan, a new nanny for the Elincourt family, writing to a lawyer asking for help after she’s been charged with killing one of the little girls she nannies for. There were a lot of supernatural references talking about ghosts and things magically disappearing or reappearing, all of which were frightening Rowan, but to mean seemed a little far-fetched until everything is explained. This just didn’t keep my interested but I stuck with it after reading the ending was really good. If you are a big Ruth Ware fan I would still recommend you give this one a shot!

I. LOVED. THIS. I don't know exactly what it was about this book but it felt like I was reading the script of the next movie thriller. It really was great! Ruth Ware is one I will read anything by but she really outdid herself with this one. If you are looking for a unique thriller with a lot of twists and turns, this is your book!