Thank you #NetGalley & #RuthWare for my ARC!
Ruth Ware is BACK & has written a book that I could not stop reading until I finished the book!

A young woman starts a new job & things don’t seem right: she can’t sleep, she can’t focus & things seem out of reality. The Turn of the Key is a new thriller by the amazing Ruth Ware & it’s one of the best books of 2019!

Ruth Ware strikes again with her newest novel, The Turn of the Key. For fans of The Lying Game and The Death of Mrs. Westaway, Ware’s fifth novel will satisfy any domestic thriller fan with every twist of the plot...and household keys.

This novel opens with an experienced childcare provider, Rowan Caine, writing from prison. She explains her crime after she applied for a private nanny position with the family who lives in a secluded, magical Scottish Highlands smart-home, Heatherbrae House. Looking for a new start after working at a dead end job, Rowan ignores the successive nannies who have mysteriously left their positions after short periods in with this family. With a series of events that arise in relation to a past crime committed in the home by a previous owner, Ware’s latest endeavor draws questions about the family unit and what extent relations go to make things seem perfect and put together.

I am having a difficult time reviewing this book in great detail without pulling the most intriguing parts of the novel out and spilling on the twists and turns. This is a novel that should be experienced with blind expectations so each twist, turn, and red herring hits readers like it did the main character/narrator. The elements of intensity and mystery are well-suited to remain more anonymous until readers have the privilege of reading them in time.

It will be well worth it. Ware is an expert author of the modern gothic thriller that encompasses both the contemporary relevance of high profile authors in her genre and the by-gone brilliance of mystery authors of the past like Edgar Allan Poe.

Thank you Netgalley, Ruth Ware, and Gallery, Pocket Books for an advanced copy of this ebook in exchange for my honest review.

This novel is set to be released on August 6, 2019.

I want to thank NetGalley for my ARC.

Once again, Ruth Ware has written a book that I simply could not put down.

A young woman takes a job, but things aren't quite what they seem. Things start to confuse her, she can't sleep, what's real?

If you enjoy a great thriller, please give The Turn of the Key a try. It's possibly the best book of 2019.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The novel was captivating and mysterious.. The ending threw me for a loop--I had many possible scenarios in my mind, but that was not among them.

Ruth Ware never fails me. Excellent read.

This newest installment has a bit more of a “spooky” vibe than her previous stories. As with most of Ware’s books, this one is a slow burn. It starts off innocuous enough, but with each passing chapter Ware drops hints that something is not quite right. These bits build up and soon you feel just as confused and paranoid as Rowan. Some of the reveals were easy to predict, others were definitely unexpected; it leaves you surprised without feeling like it came out of left field.

The problem with The Turn of the Key, and the thriller genre in general, is that with such great build up comes great responsibility to end it satisfyingly. Rarely does this happen. In this instance, the ending felt rushed and a little deflated. There was a quick paragraph of exposition of how everything worked and that was kind of the end to all of the set up that Ware created. Side note, too many sentences contained "with a sigh".

However, it is a generally enjoyable read for anyone who likes thrillers or who is already a fan of Ware

Ruth Ware is BACK!

After not really liking her last two books, this one brought her back into my "favorites" list! This is a creepy thriller. It mixes old-fashioned ghost stories with cutting-edge technology to make one amazing book. I never saw the twists coming!

Do yourself a big favor and read this one! You won't be disappointed.

This was a really good thriller and mystery. You never saw the twists coming. Ruth Ware us an exceptional writer and keeps you guessing all the way through.

The Turn of the Key is a wonderful, dark and incredibly rich mystery/thriller novel, so well built and fast paced that I wasn't able to put it down till I reached the end. I was absolutely captivated by the atmosphere, and the characters.

This novel submerges the reader in a landscape so imaginative and detailed that the information of the world building/plot never feels forced, and is never difficult to understand or picture in one's mind.

Ruth Ware has become an automatic buy for me!

I’ve read all of Ruth Ware’s books, and this one has been my favorite so far! A very twisted and ominous story that will capture your attention immediately and leave you wanting more. A dream job as a nanny takes a turn for the worst for Rowan Caine. She is isolated in an old Victorian house with four young girls left to her care, while soon learning about the house’s sinister past. The plot build up and eerie suspense was superb. This book has a dark edge and complex plot that I cannot recommend enough!

I absolutely loved it! THE TURN OF THE KEY is creepy, twisted, and disturbing, and totally absorbing — a modern-day The Turn of the Screw, but far more entertaining.

The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware starts out in a letter written from a Scotland jail by Rowan Caine, a former nanny, to Mr. Wrexham, an attorney. She's pleading for him to represent her in court as she's been accused of murdering a child, her former charge.

Rowan then goes on to tell the story of how she got her nanny job with the Elincourts at their supposedly haunted estate, Heatherbrae House. There are several references to the Victorian, which I can't help but think is a nod to similarly styled books that came before this one such as Jane Eyre or Turn of the Screw.

Nanny position? Check. High salary? Check. Creepy, secluded location? Check. Possibly haunted? Check.

The characterization is spot-on and the suspense, especially at the chapter breaks is skillful. What puts a modern twist on this seemingly Gothic, Victorian inspired novel is the technology Rowan has to deal with at Heatherbrae House. The father of the house is a technology buff and has installed a very Big Brother-esque system called Happy that basically runs the place. There are cameras everywhere to track Rowan's every move as well as thumbprint locks and other devices.
I read Ware's In a Dark, Dark Wood and it wasn't my favorite book. With The Turn of the Key, she has really come into her own as a true master writer of suspense and thrillers. There are certain scenes that are so gripping and terrifying that I could not stop reading. I just have to add that I never thought footsteps could be so scary.

Just when I thought the book couldn't get any better, it did. At the eleventh hour, we get a big twist that is so salacious, it's almost cathartic. Love her or hate her, you have to be curious about what will end up happening to Rowan, which is really the whole drive of the plot.

There are so many twists and turns, even right up until the end, that truly keep the suspense going. I felt like the ending might not be as satisfying as it was. The whole book is written in an epistolary/frame story style and I loved every bit of it. In true Gothic novel form, the reader is both satiated but still left with a little bit of mystery about nearly every one of the characters. This is a must read for sure.

I have read all of Ruth Ware's books. This one wasn't my favorite, but it certainly kept me starving to know what was going to happen at the end! I just wasn't sure how everything would come together and I will say a few of the surprises were actual surprises to me which is unusual. The quick and dirty: Rowan is a nanny who gets a well paid and prestigious job caring for 4 girls away from her usual city of London. I loved that the story took place in a remote part of Scotland in a home that was both gothic and modern at the same time. I think I expected the "technology" of the house to play a larger role in the overall mystery. I am not sure how, or what I expected, but the revelations for the most part felt separate from that aspect which made me wonder why it was needed at all. The final reveal was what I expected; but by the end of the book with all the other information gathered, helped close the book. I definitely think this is a worthwhile read that will keep you guessing from the start!!!

<i>“‘Don’t come here,’ she whispered, still refusing to look at me. ‘It’s not safe.’”</i>

Like many who adore Ruth Ware’s works, I couldn’t wait to ready The Turn of the Key. Especially after seeing the cover art, I was on a mission to read is as soon as possible. I tried Netgalley and Edelweiss but unfortunately wasn’t approved (understandable since I'm sure it's in high demand!). I was determined enough that I emailed directly to Simon & Schuster via Ruth Ware’s contact page. They were kind enough to email me back the next day and sent me an e-copy. Obviously, The Turn of the Key was moved to my number one priority.

I have not read The Turn of the Screw however, after reading the summary, I could believe it if Ms. Ware had been inspired by it.

There was definitely a feeling of being a contemporary Victorian ghost story. I thought there was a great balance of traditional mystery and modern technology. Ruth Ware is truly the Agatha Christie of our time.

Cover art: Absolutely adore it
Length: Perfect, never a dull moment and it went by so fast
Who I recommend it to: Ruth Ware fans and those who love thrillers
Twistiness: It had the chill factor, there was nothing to suggest the twist, I thought it was brilliant. <spoiler>After the first one and a mention of the fact that Bill had a previous family/family while he was with Sandra, I had a thought maybe Rachel was his daughter but was still surprised when this was true</spoiler>. It's definitely one of those books where you want to go back and read it with the knowledge you have now.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster, Inc. for an ARC through NetGalley!

This my first read of a Ruth Ware book. WOW! The beginning grabs the reader - a 27 year old woman in prison for a child's murder - is pleading to a well-known attorney for help.

Rowan is not happy with her current position at a daycare center. She takes a job with Sandra and Bill as nanny for 4 children (well paid) in the Highlands of Scotland. Though the house is Victorian, there are many computerized devices within. The parents leave for a conference less than 24 hours after Rowan starts working there.

The first day is awful and it doesn't get much better for Rowan. Between the cries of a baby, a 5 year old and a decidedly wicked 8 year old ( the 14 year old will be home soon), Rowan more than has her hands full. Of course, let us not forget that with all of Bill's strange computerization there are few places (if any) that are private.

Luckily ( or we shall see) Rowan befriends the driver/handyman, Jack, who assists her through these early days.

However, why have there been 4 nannys who have left within the past 14 months? ,

A spectacular story - Thanks to Gallery, Pocket Books and NetGalley for a brilliant suspense read !

Ruth Ware should be known in most of households due to her creativity, wonderful writing skills and a great imaginative character as an author. I read most of her books. I loved them. As for this one I liked it a lot, although it was not her best book written. Saying that, I still enjoyed the book a lot! Her wonderful ability to keep us in suspense and uncover piece by piece puzzles to all the story and dusted with some paranormal flare is a wonderful skill that makes me read this author's every published book there is!

This is a creepy, fast-paced, gothic suspense novel by Ruth Ware. I really enjoyed the setting and the character development. I did, however, feel the ending was too abrupt and would have liked more context. Overall, another great read by Ruth Ware! I always enjoy and look forward to reading her books.

Thanks to Ruth Ware, Gallery/Pocket Books, and Netgalley, for providing me with a digital advance copy of The Turn of the Key. Rowan Caine takes a job as a nanny in an isolated Scottish house, which is rumored to be haunted. Will she be scared off like all of the previous nannies? Can she figure out what is really happening? I loved this book and devoured it in less than 24 hours. A Gothic Scottish setting, an old mysterious house, a secret garden, the possibility of ghosts in the attic - what more could one want? This book kept me guessing, and the writing was excellent. Highly recommend.

Ware is a master at building suspense and she succeeds once again with "The Turn of the Key." Ware has an uncanny way of writing situations that cause me to get the shivers and double check the locks on my doors - and I love it! This is a very descriptive, well-plotted title that kept me guessing until the last page; I was truly sad to come to the end. A fast-paced read, although the ending did feel a bit abrupt, and I wish some more context had been provided. Still, this was an exciting, creepy read that will be sure to be popular.

Ruth Ware has made a name for herself the past couple of years with "The Woman in Cabin 10" and "In a Dark, Dark Wood," and she is without a doubt one of the modern=day queens of suspense. Ware really knows how to build suspense and keep the readers engaged with the plot, but there was just something about "The Turn of the Key" that makes me feel like it perhaps not one of her best. Maybe it was that the plot was TOO slow or that some of the plot twists are just a little too unbelievable, but it was not one of my favorites.

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.