Thank you to Gallery/Scout Press and NetGalley for the advanced readers’ copy.

4.5 Stars

Rowan feels like the luckiest nanny to land the perfect job in Scotland. She is employed by an architectural couple living in a “smart” house who grant her a lucrative position. Or is it too good to be true?

Another good read – interesting characters, great setting, fast-paced plot without being overdone, and the letter format was a nice change. The subject matter can be dark at times but Ware does a good job keeping the story moving along. She keeps you guessing all along and the possible answers seem to be coming from all angles right up to the end.

Ware delivers again - looking forward to the next one!

Ruth Ware is my new favorite author. The Turn of the Key is an intriguing tale of a nanny in a smart house located in the wilds of Scotland. Nothing goes right from the minute Rowan Caine arrives. First she discovers there are already been four nannies in fewer than two years, then with only one day to get acquainted with the three younger children, the parents leave for a business trip. The girls regale her with the house's haunted history and about the girl who died. Rowan cannot figure out the buttons that operate the lights, appliances and just about everything else. She feels as if she is being spied upon. Full of surprises and suspense.

The first thriller I ever read was Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. After finishing all of her books, I was on the hunt for some more thrilling mysterious novels. I quickly discovered the genius that is Ruth Ware. I have since loved every work of her’s I have read, and was beyond ecstatic when I was granted access to an ARC of The Turn of the Key.

The story is told in the form of letters to a barrister from a woman in jail for the murder of a young child she was nannying for. The story starts out with Rowan coming across a nannying position in a remote house in Scotland. The catch – four of the past nannies didn’t make it longer than a week in the house before leaving, claiming it was haunted. Rowan interviews for the position and gets the job, and on the second day in the house is left alone with three young girls while the parents are away on business.

As a reader, I quickly started wondering what happened to the child? Which child was murdered? I also became increasingly paranoid that there were really ghosts in the house. I started to question the integrity of anyone Rowan interacted with… However, I could not have predicted the twist at the end.

Of course, Ruth Ware is always responsible for a thrilling ride through a novel. I loved every minute of The Turn of the Key, savoring each page and taking my sweet time. Five out of five stars for this novel seems fair, and I already am anxiously awaiting Ware’s next masterpiece.

*Important Note* I was given a digital Advanced Readers Copy of this book thanks to the author, NetGalley and Gallery Pocket Books and Gallery/Scout Press. All opinions are my own. Cover art was obtained from NetGalley.

I was generously provided a copy to review via Netgalley.

Sarah, a young woman, is stagnating at her position at a local daycare and applies for a position that is almost too good to be true-an residential nanny position for a wealthy family in their beautiful, secluded home in Scotland. When she applies, she doesn't think she ever had a real shot at getting the position, but feels compelled to apply, not wanting to miss any chance she may have. Once she arrives at the stately Heatherbrae House, she knows she must do whatever she can to get this position, but everything isn't quite as iddylic as it seemed on the surface. She finds that the children aren't quite as well behaved and the position not quite as cush as previously presented. That must be why the previous nannies had fled so quickly. Right? It couldn't be the bloody past of the beautiful home and that the rumors of hauntings had any real merit, could it? Yet, Sarah finds herself questioning everything she assumed about the home and those possibilities, unravelling to a dramatic and heart-wrenching conclusion.

This novel may be one of the best I have read in the recent past. Absolutely compelling, the narrative takes you directly into the mind of Sarah, yet still doesn't divulge too much. Even when you think you've figured something out, it's only the very tip of the iceberg. The novel starts as a domestic mystery/suspense novel about a nanny accused of murder before morphing into a stunningly well written and we'll paced Gothic novel. The book saves it's biggest reveals for the final few pages, falling like dominos, racing toward even reveals that somehow build in ability to shock the reader while never feeling unbelievable or contrived. Once revealed, everything slides into place that each twist makes absolute perfect sense and you find yourself stunned that you didn't see it before because it just feels so RIGHT. Ruth Ware proves to be a master of captivating her audience and ensuring they are so concentrated on the trees that they don't see the forest she is leading your through.

I really loved this book. I feel Ruth Ware is a terrific writer and have always enjoyed her books( save The Death of Mrs. Westerway). This was about a young woman hired to be a nanny to a family living in Scotland in the middle of nowhere. There are 4 daughters aged 18 months to 14 years, and two dogs. As soon as she arrives, the parents leave the country and her in charge of everything. It is one part horror story, one part romance, one part crazy unexplained noises etc and all parts very readable. I’d like to thank NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read and review this book!

Thank you Netgalley. A super twisted, thrilling pager turner! Fast paced. I have read all of Ruth Ware's books and this one did not disappoint. Loved it!

The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware was one of my highly anticipated summer reads. I have really enjoyed her writing in the past and the Woman in Cabin 10 left me on the edge of my seat with anticipation. The summary of the book sounded right up my alley and I was intrigued by the idea of it being written in letter format.

I found that the story was a slow build and didn't totally engage me right away but I stuck with it. I think Ware is a fantastic author who really knows how to keep you guessing and The Turn of The Key had all the elements of a Gothic tale...a faraway vacation home, a nanny, a garden and house filled with secrets, mysterious characters, and haunting happenings.

Unfortunately, I struggled to connect and kept waiting for the mysteries to unravel. When they finally did, they felt like they were really crammed into the last few chapters of the book and many of them just seemed unbelievable. I am not sure if it is just me and maybe I am just thrilled out", but this one just didn't deliver as I had hoped. All in all, this one was just okay for me. Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Gothic thrillers and horror are back in vogue, and this makes me so happy! I grew up reading Barbara Mertz aka Barbara Michaels, who could write a fantastic Gothic tale. Her, Amelia Peabody mysteries, that take place in Egypt is another great series.

Jess and I recently did a podcast over on Books Don’t Review Themselves for Lock Every Door by Riley Sager, where Ruth Ware is quoted on the cover saying, “Move over, Rosemary’s Baby, urban paranoia has a deliciously Gothic new address.” And Ware certainly knows what she is talking about with this Gothic novel that takes place in the more traditional setting of a large house in the middle of nowhere.

While I enjoyed Sager’s book for all the nods to horror movies, Ware’s book actually had me feeling creeped out at times. And me being creeped out really is a high compliment to an author, since it rarely happens.

It could be that I was reading it on the Kindle with all the lights turned off, or because children can really give stories more of a scary vibe, think Children of the Corn, the twins in The Shining, or Gage in Pet Sematary. More likely, it’s because Ware is a fantastic writer that knows how to slowly ratcheted up the fear and paranoia.

The other thing that Gothic is known for is all the secrets, and Ruth revealed them in a slow, steady stream. Just when I thought I knew who the murderer was or who was sabotaging the house, another secret would be revealed that had me changing my mind. What was behind the locked door really had me questioning my previous thoughts.

So lessons learned time and time again. Don’t babysit children in the middle of nowhere or at all. If you start hearing bumps in the night and things are in different places then you left them, burn the house down. Trust no one and become a hermit in the woods. Just make sure you bring enough books with you!

Ruth Ware is excellent at leading her reader down the mysterious path. She is an author I would read again.

Rowan couldn't resist the nanny position that came with a high salary and benefits. She thought living in a modern day mansion run by smart technology could be the fulfillment of her dreams.

But in her dreams, she never imagined she would find herself in prison, accused of murdering a child.

Told in letters to her lawyer, Rowan's story is one of days and nights in an isolated house, full of mysterious noises and terrifying incidents and children who fight her every move. Rowan insists she is innocent, but is she blaming ghosts, or is there someone else out there who brought more death to the home?

This is another amazing book from Ware. She is so good at taking classic mystery situations that I've always loved and adding her own (brilliantly written) spin to them. There were so many twists and turns that were impossible to guess, but made sense looking back. I was never quite sure what was truly going on and the story kept me constantly on my toes.

Also, this was one creepy read. I've always loved gothic horror, and Ware integrates it so well. There is this slow building dread that stays with you through every sentence.

I loved this book, there was nothing not to like.

As soon as this book comes out, I highly recommend everyone go out and get their hands on a copy. I hope so much that Ware continues to write for many, many more years to come.

I really wanted to like this book as I have read some of her other books. However, I found it a bit slow to start. When I read a thriller, I want to be pulled in from the very beginning. I suppose if you don’t mind a slow build, you may enjoy it more than I did. It wasn’t bad, but sadly it wasn’t one I would recommend to my friends as a must read, as I had hoped it would be.

Excellent suspense story. Great psychological thriller. Well written loved the countryside setting. Kept me guessing right up to the end. Crazy little girls

Thank you for the advanced review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

I did not thoroughly enjoy The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware. I found it tedious and boring and there was little to no excitement in it for me.

I read every page of this book and it didn’t start to get interesting until 50-70 percent through and I didn’t particularly care how it ended. I didn’t like any of the characters either.

I really wanted to enjoy this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for access to this book in exchange for my honest review.  I have previously read The Woman In Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware so I was ecstatic when I was approved for an advance reader copy of The Turn Of The Key!

Letters.  This book is one big letter written by Rowan Caine, a nanny accused of murder, to Mr. Wrexham, a lawyer she hopes will take on her case.  Rowan takes us step by step on how she was hired and what happened during her time as nanny at the Heatherbrae House in Scotland. 

Is she unreliable?  Ware wrote this to have the reader going back and forth wondering if Rowan is really innocent as she claims.  Is she just going crazy?  What really is going on?  I don't want to reveal too much more because the less I describe, the better it is for you the reader.

Side note: I couldn't read this at night, there are some pretty scary parts.  There are definitely some creepy parts.  This is a TRUE psychological thriller...I have not read one this spooky in a LONG time.  Talk about a modern ghost story, this one is chilling to the core.  I was flipping through the pages wanting to seek vengeance on who could kill an innocent child as Rowan told us all she knows.

This ending.  THIS ENDING!!!!!!  This book made my head spin and kept me up at night thinking what could be going on.  I never, NEVER suspected the ending...and I loved every second of it.  It is not a let down and it's a shock that will make you gasp out loud.  There's more than meets the eye with The Turn Of The Key.  This was the best book I have read all year and will be hard to top!  

***WILL BE POSTED AT https://www.donnasreadingchair.home.blog ON MONDAY AUGUST 5TH***

🗝ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

When I was approved for this book- I couldn’t believe my luck. I love Ruth Ware and this is by far her best book to date. Thank you Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for this advance reading copy.

This story begins with a young nanny, Rowan, sitting in jail awaiting the charge for the murder of a little girl, whom she was in charge of. The entire book is told through a series of letters that Rowan has been writing to a lawyer she is hoping will represent her as she hasn’t received much support from her current lawyer. In these letters, Rowan talks about the events leading up to this incident and how she came to learn of this nanny position.

We soon learn this family has gone through several nannies in a short time, some only lasting in the house for one night. The house itself is very peculiar and has quite a past. The house has secrets, the family has secrets and Rowan has secrets of her own. But if she isn’t responsible for the death of this little girl, who is?

The pace of this book was just right and there were so many creepy components to this story. When a book makes you question if you’re losing your mind or the character is, then it’s a must read. Following that, there were many twists I didn’t see coming and although the ending felt a bit rushed, I was truly stunned by the final letter that was revealed.

This book will be published 8/6/19- mark your calendar.

Adequately spooky, this story grips you from the very beginning and doesn't let go! Another winner by Ruth Ware! I enjoyed the unraveling of this story more so than I did a few of her previous books!

This book has got me f*cked up right now.

I started reading at night, stayed up until 4 am because I was hopelessly addicted, then finished first thing in the morning when I woke up. And honestly, I just sat in my quiet house, while everyone else slept, and stared off into space. Then I re-read the ending. Twice.

I fell in love with Ruth Ware when I read The Woman in Cabin 10, and now I’m officially obsessed with her. I’m requesting all her other books from the library immediately because I can’t get enough of her writing.

I can’t find the words to express how I feel right now, but all I can say is that this book was freaking amazing. Ware told a story that was creepy, gripping, chilling and puzzling. I have always been a fan of psychological thrillers, and really all “scary stories.” And if the story is supernatural, even better. So The Turn of the Key had all the components I like all in one book, which is why I loved it so much. Simply put, I. was. HOOKED.

I loved Rowan as a character. The fact that the entire book was written from the point of view of her writing letters to her attorney from prison, telling him the story of what happened at Heatherbrae House, was genius. I can’t think of another book I read like that—so unique.

I loved the girls too—the children that Rowan cared for. They were full of life, each of them different from the other. Sometimes I hated them, other times I wanted to hug them. Basically, they were cute little nightmares.

This book isn’t on sale yet but I’ve already recommended it to everyone I know. I’ve talked about it at work meetings, to friends on the phone, gushed to my husband about it—you name it. So, if you haven’t gotten the picture yet from my review, go read it!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Turn of the Key is another thriller from Ruth Ware with a complicated, damaged female narrator.
"Rowan answers an add for a full-time nanny job out in the country. The house is an old Victorian mansion with a history. The architect couple have transformed it into a modern smart-home with updated technology everywhere. Rowan is left with three young children on her first day and things get weird right away. Noises in the attic - windows and doors opening - snide remarks from the cleaner - and the discovery of a poison garden. Rowan becomes overwhelmed, especially when her secret is found out. And then someone dies..."

This is a slow build. The story is actually a letter from Rowan to a lawyer asking for help and telling her side of the story. About how a child could die, but it wasn't her fault. Ware drops hints that Rowan is not what she says. There are a couple of late twists - one you may guess - the other you won't suspect at all.
The reveal is a little different at the end. I like that Ware tries something a little different, but I think something else might have worked better.
The smart-house technology was pretty creepy. Imagine working with cameras in every room and voices coming from the speakers at unexpected times. And can you get any creepier than a poison garden?
If you're a fan of Ware, you should enjoy this book also.

I'm not sure what it is about rainy weather that makes me long for a cozy read, but a weekend of thunderstorms this July had me reaching for Ruth Ware's newest book, The Turn of the Key.

If you follow this blog, you'll know that I mostly read literary fiction, memoir, and non-fiction books, but autumn (or apparently rainy weather) will often put me in the mood for a good mystery. As a child, I loved John Bellairs, Betty Ren Wright, and Mary Downing Hahn. This book launched me back into that childhood world of ghosts, secrets, and the unknown. Ruth's newest book tells of Rowan Caine who secures herself a very lucrative position as a nanny in the countryside of Scotland. You know from the first pages, that one of the children has died under her care as the book is Rowan's attempt to secure a lawyer and explain herself.

I was surprised by how this book grabbed me. I believe I read it in three or four sittings and, had I timed it right, it easily could have been one. This is a definite one to add to your autumnal TBR!

Talk about suspenseful, this book has so many twists and turns that are impossible to see coming. I loved it! Besides the plot twists, I found myself enthralled by the atmosphere of Heatherbrae House, the creepy renovated smart house in Scotland where the story takes place. I could not turn the pages fast enough to get to the ending that I did not see coming. What a ride! Dive right into this book without reading too much about it, and enjoy what you find when you open The Turn of the Key.