A mystery that has a very spooky setting with lots of twists and surprises. The setting in rural Scotland, a small village, a father that has a wondering hand, a mother too busy to notice her children behavior, and the inability to keep a nanny are just a few of the circumstances that set this story apart. the story is slow moving and it took me a while to get into it. Once I became involved in the story i had to finish it.
The ending is a shocker and I was left wanting more.

The Turn of the Key was a deliciously atmospheric read. A creepy house with bratty children? Disappearing nannies? A poison garden? Yes, please!

I am there for every gothic detail in this book. From beginning to end, I couldn't put this book down.

Easily my favorite Ware novel so far.

Every time I get a new Ruth Ware novel on my "shelf", there's quite a bit of anxious excitement -- will The Turn of the Key keep me as glued to the story as Woman in Cabin 10, The Lying Game, and the The Death of Mrs. Westaway? Well, fellow readers, I'm happy to report that I was hooked from very beginning and couldn't do anything work-related or productive until I finished it! The plot twists are some I never saw coming -- are the friendly characters hiding something? Are the rough-around-the-edges characters actually genuine folks? Is the renovated smart house harboring generations of secrets? When Rowan interviews with the Elincourt family for a position as a live-in nanny, she knows nothing about the history of Heatherbrae House. Since the last few nannies have left abruptly, readers follow Rowan's journey as she too experiences unexplainable sights and sounds that lead her to paranoia and a high level of mistrust. Chilling and masterfully constructed, Ruth Ware has clearly written another bestseller!

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC of this book. I read a lot when I can’t sleep and I totally don’t recommend this book for that! It terrified me! However, I mean that in a good way! I completely enjoyed it. It has been a long time since I read a book that scared me as much as that one!
Good read!

This is the third book of Ware's I have read (Woman in Cabin 10 and The Death of Mrs. Westaway). This is my favorite so far! The story does contain some gothic mystery cliches but these were easily overlooked because the pacing and plot were so good. The setting in the remote Scottish countryside in a half-Victorian, half-super high tech house blended modern and gothic aspects very well. I really didn't know how it would end until the very last few pages. Ware just gets better and better!

Another engaging novel from one of my favorite authors!

The story starts with Rowan, a former babysitter who is now imprisoned, we do not know the details of how she got there but she's writing a letter to an attorney asking for help. In the letter she slowly reveals the events that led her to where she is now.

I love Ruth Ware's books because they have a classic feel to it, the stories have gothic undertones and she reveals pieces of the story in a way that keeps you interested and wanting to know more. At the end, I wanted to go back and reread some sections, the pieces have fallen onto their places and wow, I did not see it coming.

The first half of the novel is a bit slow but once you past the midway point it's a pageturner. Overall, I enjoyed it recommend it to readers of mysteries/thrillers and contemporary fiction.

Received ARC from publisher via Netgalley

*** Will publish on blog closer to pub date ***

This is not a literary masterpiece, but then it is not supposed to be. It is a good solid "mystery" with an unexpected twist. It is well written and well edited (a miracle nowadays) and keeps the reader's interest until the end (another miracle nowadays).

Ahhh I absolutely loved this book! It had so many twists my head is spinning! I have loved everyone of Ruth Ware's books but this is hands down my favorite one yet!! Creepy, twisty, emotional and a absolute must read!!!

The Turn of the Key is my favorite Ruth Ware book to date. The book is full of creepy plot twists and turns and many surprises, which keep coming and coming as the story unfolds. What I like about this author's writing is the realism of the characters.

I know I've stumbled upon a good book when I can't figure out the mystery. The story is not a cookie cutter mystery, and it is not obvious what is happening; the story is suspenseful and unpredictable.

Writing to her lawyer from prison, Rowan struggles to explain the events that led to her incarceration. The plot weaves through the creepiness of the technology-enhanced house to unexplained events and previous owners and their history and when the reader thinks the story is going one way, then "bam" the plot turns and goes down a different path.

A good book overall, and the ending, for me, was shocking (4.5 stars)

Ruth Ware does it again. This book is a fantastic story that messes with your head the entire time you are reading it. The setting in the Scottish Highlands makes the story even more creepy and thrilling. I highly recommend this book!

This book was very atmospheric. Chilling in parts and even made me feel nervous at times wondering what was going on. In many ways a great book. The one choice I can't get over is how the main charecter is writing to her lawyer. It interrupts the stories flow, sometimes jarringly so.
That being said, I love Ruth Wares books and can't wait to see what she does next.. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

Ruth Ware is back on form! This novel is so much better then her last two books in my opinion. The first half of the book is exciting with plenty of of possibilities in this almost gothic psychological thriller. Only complaint is that the answers only come on the last few pages and feel a little rushed rather than the slow reveal to the big twists I was expecting. Still, thoroughly enjoyed it!

I received an advance copy of The Turn of a Key. I do enjoy Ruth Ware's books, some better than others. Borrowing descriptors from others, this book is somewhat creepy in place and has a few twists. Best book ever? No, but pretty darn entertaining.

Another compulsively readable novel by Ruth Ware!

The suspense and creep factor kept me turning the pages and the characters and setting were well developed and established. I enjoyed the epistolary narrative as well as the homage to Henry James' The Turn of the Screw. The only drawback for me was the ending, which felt a little rushed as the final twist came on literally the last page, so there was no opportunity for further explanation. But overall, this novel was a big hit with me and one I'd definitely recommend!

Ruth Ware has been on my TBR list for awhile, but this is the first book of hers I've read. The entire story is through the eyes of a nanny who has apparently landed a dream position as a live in with remarkable pay, but this position isnt as perfect as it first appeared to be. The family has recently gone through a string of nannies due to unexplainable activity in the home. As the story is only told through Rowan's eyes, there isnt much development of the other characters in the book. You only get Rowan's point of view and suspicions of the other characters, which makes the mystery a bit tougher to figure out. I found this to be a unique who done it mystery that was easy to read. Overall I give it a 3.5.

A dead child! The nanny in prison! She swears she didn't do it. Rowan moves from London to Scotland to what she thought was her dream job. A private nanny to 4 children and more money than she imagined. An amazing house at first glance, then becomes strange. It's architecture a mixture of old world and ultra modern was enough to throw anyone off kilter but that wasn't enough. High tech equipment including cameras with sound everywhere.
Things quickly change and the chaos begins. This chilling story had me turning the lights on!
The book was a quick read but by no means dull. This is my first book by Ruth Ware. I'm very interested in reading more of her books!



Special thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.

I really liked this one - right up until it ended, rather abruptly and oddly given the lead-in to the resolution. It felt like someone called "TIME, pencil's down!" and the author had ten seconds to resolve everything and did the best she could with the time she had... It made this a 3-star read for me instead of a 4-, and left me feeling oddly unsatisfied, which is all the more frustrating since the slow burning build to the dramatic end is one of the things I usually like most about Ware's writing. It was still an enjoyable read, but the ending left me wanting more and felt like an unfortunate change-up...

I wholeheartedly-on-the-edge-of-my-seat-and-check-a-third-time-that-the-window-is-latched-can't-stop-won't-stop loved this novel.
Having read THE WOMAN IN CABIN 10 and THE DEATH OF MRS WESTAWAY, I am familiar with Ruth Ware's writing, but they both failed to ignite me in the way that this book did. I was with Rowan from the very first page. We know she is in jail for committing a murder, probably a child in her charge as a nanny at Heatherbrae House, but we don't get the full story until literally the last few pages. Quite the slow burn. BUT that doesn't mean that this novel isn't full of creepy moments, the "smart" house is one giant danger zone, and there is a garden that is the thing of nightmares, and dodgy characters, the groundskeeper/handyman, cleaning woman, and neighbor all come to mind.
There is nothing formulaic about this book even though it falls strongly into a gothic mystery category. Ware's writing kept me guessing, and I was very satisfied by the ending. WHY DIDN'T I PUT THE PIECES TOGETHER? She definitely lays them all out there for the reader; it's up to you to put them together correctly.
THE TURN OF THE KEY puts me solidly in Ruth Ware's corner. She has captured my heart with this mystery novel. Rowan is a woman I won't soon forget.
Thank you NetGalley and Gallery, Pocket Books for the ARC.
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Review of “Turn of the Key” by Ruth Ware

I had never read a Ruth Ware novel before, glad I did. Is Ruth a modern day Agatha Christie? Perhaps.
From the start, we know someone was killed, but not “Who” or “How.” Nor do we know “Who” the murderer was.
Since it is written from the point of view of a nanny, already convicted as a killer, the narrative unfolds as the nanny is trying to get a “better” lawyer to represent her. She starts at the beginning and takes the reader through the events and people involved.
The suspense is thick as the truth is slowly revealed.
The red herrings are plentiful.
Having the isolated house ruled by a computer program reminded me of the smart home in “The Girl Before” by J.P. Delaney. Nice modern touch.
I also enjoyed the garden of “antique poisons.”
The ending had several surprises which wrapped up the “Who” was killed and “How” as well as “Who” the murderer was.
There are a few minor loose ends but overall, a good mystery, filled with suspense.

Wow, this is a scare the pants off of you, bump in the night, page turner! I didn't see the end coming at all. I could barely put it down. I've read other titles by Ruth Ware, but I think this is the best one yet. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title.