I’m a huge Ruth Ware fan and have read and enjoyed all of her books, but this was by far my favorite. Right from the start, we learn that the protagonist, Rowan, is in prison writing to employ the help of a solicitor to help her overturn the charge of murder for which she is incarcerated. And then she dives right into her story. I was captivated from the very start and would have read this straight through had I unlimited time to read.

Rowan travels to isolated northern Scotland to become a nanny for a rich and eccentric family. The remote location, including old gothic architecture and an actual poison garden on the grounds, has a very creepy vibe which immediately sets the unreliable narrator, along with the reader, on edge right up to the end of the book. Ware brilliantly executes multiple twists, none of which I saw coming. From start to finish, this was an absolute, pulse-pounding joy to read.

Many thanks to Netgalley, Gallery/Scout Press and Ruth Ware for my complimentary e-copy ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Somewhat disappointing. I have enjoyed most of Ruth Ware's other books, especially In a Dark, Dark Wood and The Death of Mrs. Westaway. For the positives here, the environment and characters definitely lent well to the creepy environment of the house. The main plot (a child who the nanny is in charge of is dead and she has been charged with the murder, but swears she is innocent). is compelling, and it is not one of those predictable thrillers where you see the twists coming a mile away. My main complaint here is the pacing of this book. NOTHING at all happens except a bunch of creepy things in the house for the first 85% of the book. Then in the last 50 or so pages, everything happens and the truth is revealed. And also in the last few pages there is a big "twist" but said twist has absolutely no bearing on the rest of the plot, which is a huge pet peeve of mine.

I adore Ruth Ware's books and this immediately became my favorite as I read it in one sitting! It has all her classic features: suspense, unreliable, often unlikable characters, a masterful and intricate plot, and gothic elements for the creep factor we readers have come to know and love! When Rowan applies for a nanny job in Scotland, she is lured by the money as well as the promise that the house and grounds are magnificent. And yes, it is a "smart" house with all the requisite bells and whistles...and cameras, lights, and music all controlled by an app. The children are a handful which is not surprising as she learns that at least four previous nannies haven't lasted. Then as she begins to hear strange noises above her bedroom, she suspects all is not as it seems. And of course it never is with Ware's novels! Needless to say, this book will keep you hooked until the very end and I can guarantee you will not see it coming! Run, don't walk to pre-order this one out in early August!

The Turn of the Key was a 5 star read for so many reasons. It was the perfect suspense novel that had me jumping at every sound and gave me chills multiple times. Ruth Ware is the master of creating a tense atmosphere with an overwhelming feeling that you’re trapped right along with the characters.

The story opens with our protagonist writing to an attorney from prison. She has been accused of a terrible crime and is claiming innocence. The story unravels in her letters, her finding a perfect nannying job in the countryside of Scotland, yet four other nannies have come and gone just before her. She settles into Heatherbrae House, a Victorian mansion turned into a smart house, and is left alone with the three girls after the first night. It is immediately clear there is something sinister at work that has been driving these nannies out. As Rowan spends more time at the house, she learns more about its disturbing past and she is kept from sleep by bizarre noises and interruptions of blasting music or freezing cold temperatures in the night. Is it a malfunction with the house or something else entirely more terrifying? So sleep deprived she feels like she’s going mad, Rowan continues down this spiral until the unimaginable happens and one of the girls winds up dead. Ruth Ware writes suspense with a skilled hand, each detail laced with a dark edge. She also has the unique ability to describe the house in a way it feels like a character in itself. I love everything Ruth Ware writes, but this one surpassed In a Dark, Dark Wood as my favorite of hers.