Loved it! This is going to make an awesome movie someday! It is the perfect amount of creepy and who-dun-it. I was hooked from the beginning, maybe since I've been a nanny and daycare teacher before. Lots of twists and turns, all the way to the last page.

Taking a hint from the classic “Turn of the Screw,” Turn of the Key” tells the story of a nanny in an isolated house that may or may not be haunted. The story is told primarily via the nanny’s letters to an attorney she hopes will step in to help her and I appreciated this viewpoint, rather than an all-knowing narrator, as we were only allowed to know as much as the protagonist did (although there was a twist she hid til the end). I enjoyed this book and would recommend it.

When Rowan Caine accepted a nanny position for the Elincourt children, she did not envision that it would led to her sitting in prison awaiting trial on the death of a child in her care. Heatherbrae House, located in a remote part of Scottish Highlands, seduced Rowan with luxuriously remodeled modern interior and high tech features which controlled everything from curtains to temperature. Just voice your command, and the ever listening home would make it so. But who else was listening? Who was terrorizing the children at night? Ghosts? Having almost immediately been left alone with the children for several weeks with only a cook (who does not care for Rowan at all) and Jack, the grounds caretaker, Rowan has no one to turn to for support. The once luxurious house, is now a frightening place of captivity.

Ruth Ware keeps the tension and suspense going throughout the story. The house, itself, is a major character. It takes on a life of its own as commands are ignored, voices suddenly start speaking from a phone,that does not ring and the ever present cameras that are always watching. The reader feels the fear that Rowan has in trying to determine who she can trust as she tries to protect both herself and the children from the malevolent energy that inhabits the house and property.

The ending is a bit quick to lay out the answers after such a fine job of the slow building suspense. The Turn of the Key is an enjoyable read overall. I read it in little more than two sittings, because I did not want to put it down.

True to form, Ware constructed another brilliant, unputdownable story, full of mystery, sacrifice and wonder. The characters in the story are multidimensional and interesting, even when you’d like to slap them. The plot is thick with creepy occurrences, deeply rooted mystery and budding relationships that ensnares you quickly. Trying to figure this one out may take some effort, but when all is revealed, your mouth will be hanging open and your heart may break just a bit. Fans of Ware will not be disappointed, and newcomers to this masterful author will be filled with awe.

It was pretty clear how this book would play out, and ok, the correspondence thing is ok. The scene is set, distant parents, mysterious people lurking about,too much tech and a set up on both sides.
Its was painful to see it unfold, the hints of 'worse to come' and 'awful secret to know the stage for what will inevitably bring grief to way too many people. Kind of like watching a trainwreck in slo-mo. There were hints of the paranormal, deep secrets, abuse and cruelty.
It was a little tough to follow it to the end, but the reveals were shocking to me, for sure. And so sad.
Well written but almost Shakespearean in the sorrow.

This was a very intriguing book. Written in the letter style, Rowan's story is one of mystery, secrets and misconception.

Rowan couldn't believe her luck. She stumbled upon the job advertisement at the perfect time. This is the change that she has been seeking and she couldn't be more excited.

Upon taking the job Rowan is pretty much thrown right into it. Having to handle three children she barely knows, her nerves are frying pretty easily or at least that's what she's telling herself. I mean the noises that she's hearing can't be real right? Ghosts don't exist, so it must be the sudden stress that's making her so frazzled and scared.

As the story progresses you find out what exactly goes on at Heatherbrae House and exactly what's hidden inside the modern walls. You'll also learn whether Rowan is as innocent as she claims or if she herself has skeletons in the closet.

Oh boy, there was a lot going on. While I've been familiar with Ruth Ware for awhile, this was somehow the first of her books I've read.

The story centers around Rowan, who is writing to a lawyer from prison, trying to convince him that she's innocent... of something. Clearly, something very bad has happened at a remote house where she becomes the live-in nanny, but we don't know what. Through her letters, we go back to the beginning of the story, when she first gets the nanny job. And... things are weird. The family is weird, the house is weird, something is going on with the other hired help. Everyone is suspicious or has something strange going on, even the children.

The story was wholly modern (technology, we'll just say, abounds), yet had a classical feel to me for some reason.

There was a lot here, and I happily kept reading late into the night to keep unraveling the mystery. Fun, twisty read.

Ware tackles an interesting style by having the entire novel written as a series of letters and does an excellent job of balancing what other characters know with the intricate details so that the reader attempts to figure out exactly what happened. Well done suspense.

I think Ruth Ware is a terrific writer. I loved the Girl in Cabin 10.Her character descriptions are excellent and you connect with them.Her stories are always interesting and full of twists and turns.she never fails to surprise me. She is a master of human nature. I thought the idea of a prisoner telling her story in flashbacks was very clever and effective.This book and her others are must reads. I highly recommend this book!

I'm a huge fan of Ruth Ware books and once again she wrote an amazing story. It was haunting but so good. I had a hard time putting this book down because I wanted to know the ending so bad. I loved he way the book was written in a form of a long letter. I love the main character Rowen and love how her story unfolded. The ending was a shocker but I loved it. All the pieces fit and the ending was perfect.

If you’re looking for a review WiThOuT sPoiLeRs, look no further. You’ve arrived.

Ruth Ware’s new mystery/thriller, The Turn of the Key earned a solid four stars from me. I was almost dissuaded from choosing to read this because of the many reviews alleging that the first half was slow, but I’m so glad I decided to read it anyway. I don’t entirely agree that it starts out slowly. Compared to the conclusion, sure. Absolutely. But it’s not ever boring and it picks up the pace pretty quick off the line.

I think the way in which it was written builds up the anticipation, encourages the reader to invest in the characters, and care about what happens to them. The style of the main character narrating the story through letters to her solicitor maneuvers readers through the events very well. So well in fact, that several times throughout the book, I forgot the story was even being told this way.

I love to be surprised by a mystery or thriller book’s ending... BUT ONLY IF it’s a believable ending. To my delight, I was surprised by the plausible ending. The book concluded with an ending I definitely did not see coming. This is one I’ll be recommending!


Thanks to NetGalley and Gallery, Pocket Books and Scout Press for the opportunity to read this book. My review is honest and unbiased. #NetGalley #TheTurnOfTheKey

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Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god. My new favorite read of ALL TIME. I don’t say that lightly. This book replaced Gone Girl for me and I NEVER thought that would happen.
This is the first Ruth Ware book I have read, but I am hurrying off to buy the rest right now. Holy crap. Stunned.
This book was claustrophobic, breathtaking, completely terrifying, and intense. I kept checking over my shoulder and I can honestly say I had nothing figured out. Not a single twist and boy, there were a lot of them. This author has just become a new favorite. Wow. I am speechless. Read this book! No questions, just read it. 5 HUGE stars!

The Turn of the Key is Ruth Ware's newest thriller. It was a bit of a slow burner, but around the halfway point it picked up so much momentum that it was difficult to put down. From the beginning of the story you know that a child has died, as the bulk of the story unfolds in a letter to her potential solicitor with her accounts of the incident. This letter contains much detail about how she applied to the help wanted ad and eventually was hired for the position of nanny for a well-to-do family. It was an interesting read although it wasn't compelling.

I found myself bored with it during the beginning and would have preferred more character development to let me connect with the characters. However, since it did pick up significantly later on I am giving this 4 stars -- if half star ratings were allowed I would give 3.5.

Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely loved this book. So why 4 stars? The ending! There is a twist in The Turn of the Key that I would never have expected, and really it was a great twist. But it's not the twist I wanted! I know, it's a selfish reason, but I just feel like the twist that is in the book could have been so much better had the ending been creepy rather than logical. But that's just me.

The atmosphere in The Turn of the Key is dark and Gothic and wonderful. It's one of my favorite types of books. I love feeling as if I'm right there with the main character, in this case Rowan the nanny, as she heads down a spiral to madness (perhaps).

As I said before, I love feeling as if I'm either with the main character, or that I am the main character. The Turn of the Key did that for me. I was in Scotland with Rowan watching her every move. Every decision she made, every creepy thing that happened to her...I was right there. And I began wondering about her. You'll see as you read this novel. Some of the decisions she makes are questionable and made me wonder what she was thinking! If I HAD been there with her, I think I would have smacked her upside the head and told her to use her brain!

You see, Rowan is a child caregiver, and is now a nanny. She's been a nanny before too. So, the way she interacts with the children under her care is sometimes suspicious. I mean, I realize she's not a mom and doesn't have mom instincts, but she's got to have some common sense!

Speaking of common sense, the mother who hires her has none! Would you leave your kids for over a week with someone you met once? Yeah, she's a career woman, but come on! You see, she and her husband are a two person architect team, so they're away often and this happens to be a time she's got to be away. I'd tell my husband to forget it and stay with the person I just hired for at least a week! So, the fact that the parents just leave, along with some happenings, made me think that this would end differently.

Like I said, I loved the story, so I do recommend it if you like twisty, Gothic-like novels. I just had a totally different ending planned. I'll bet when you're reading this, you will too.

In spite of a long and tedious first half, the finale brings it all into focus with a very satisfying ending.

The time line is straightforward – always a plus in my mind. Most of the characters are pretty well developed and most of the action is reasonable.

Personally, I would have designated this genre as horror, not mystery & thrillers.

I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher, Gallery Scout Press, in exchange for an honest review.

There are strange things happening at Heatherbrae House. Nanny, Rowan Caine has just arrived to care for four girls. Petra an infant, Ellie who is five, Maddie is eight and Rhiannon who is a feisty 14 year old. The house is huge. Part of the original Victorian up-dated to a smart house. A house run by a computer app. It controls the lights, heating, doors, windows, music volume etc. Rowan has a lot to learn in a very short time. The parents will be leaving her in charge for several days. It hasn't gone too bad. Aside from the children disliking her, noises above her room, doorbells going off at all hours, music blaring in the middle of the night. Yes, and then there is the death of a child. Suddenly her scheme to get the nanny job doesn't seem like such a good idea.
Awesome read. Totally takes you by surprise.
Loved it!

As Rachel sits in a prison cell, she attempts many pleading letters to an attorney. It is through these letters and her recollections, that the story is told. Rachel assumes another identity to get the perfect nanny job. A room in a smart house with a generous salary and 8 weeks paid time off was ideal. Bring into the mix an alarming turnover of former nannies, children’s deaths,the paranormal and a poison garden, Rachel finds the ideal position losing its luster. A fast-moving story with new discoveries in each chapter, I could not stop reading. I have received a free copy of this book and I am voluntarily posting my review.

eez Louise! Can Ruth Ware write!!!! I am very happy to report that I now have read all of Ware's books and she is a favorite go-to author!!!

WEH
AT
EU

"We hate you. Somehow, seeing it there in the innocence of Alphabetti Spaghetti was more upsetting than almost anything else."

"I did hate them - in that moment. But I saw myself too. A prickly little girl, full of emotions too big for her small frame, emotions she could not understand or contain."

So, this is the story of Rowan Caine. She stumbles across an ad to work for a well to do family as a nanny at Heatherbrae House. She is not loving her current position and this live in opportunity seems too good to miss out on. It quite possibly might be her dream job? So many ammenities and luxuries she could never hope to have otherwise. She will have to get out of her current job to take the nanny position, but telling a few lies is not that difficult for Rowan. Upon arriving for the interview, in the beautiful Scottish Highlands, she is quite taken with all she sees. It is a smart house and Sandra, the children's mother, is delightful. I would want to work for her too! I can just imagine her being so pretty and welcoming. Always having a big smile for her family and guests. She needs someone quick and well, our eager job seeker, Rowan will do just about anything to seal the deal; secure the position; get the job. It does seem a bit odd that Rowan does not get to meet the children's father in the interview. But still...she wants this job and will do whatever it takes to be hired.

We soon see things unravel for her as she travels the dark path of a nightmare. At the beginning we know that Rowan is in prison for the murder of a child under her care. She is writing letter after letter to a lawyer in hopes of being released. What follows is a page turner of intrigue and suspense as the reader tries to learn what could have possibly happened to her and the children in her care. Is it something sinister? Evil? Or more innocent??? Child's play??

I guess you will have to read to find out for yourself. I can say I enjoyed this immensely. I connected quite a lot to Rowan and the setting was my favorite kind...macbre, full of gothic elements and some ghostly, spookiness..with a secret/poison garden, murder and mayhem.

I am very grateful to Ruth Ware, and the publisher, Simon and Schuster, via NetGalley for an ARC to read for review. I highly recommend this novel. You should read it! Highly anticipated and it delivers.

This novel was a great read, especially because I love being surprised when I least expect it—some things bugged me while I read and I kept wondering whether they were parts the author had overviewed or if I’d read too fast and missed something, or why she’d used twisted certain sentences around and suddenly it all made sense (though this comment might not make a lot of sense if you haven’t read the novel, but there’s no way I can turn it differently without saying too much). There are many twists along the story and they keep it going, almost forbidding you to put the book down. I haven’t read Ruth Ware before—though I’ve heard of her previous novels. Now I will definitely check them up.

Ruth Ware has officially done it again! Ms. Ware's fifth novel is a fast-paced, thriller about a girl who goes to be the live-in nanny for a family with four children. Little does she know, in a few months time, she will be behind bars and one of the children she was nanny to is dead. Written with Ware's signature gothic atmosphere, readers will be unable to put down The Turn of the Key as they try to figure out just what went on in that house. Highly recommended to readers who have enjoyed Ware's previous novels and to those who enjoy a strong psychological suspense.