The Turn of the Key: the addictive new thriller from the Sunday Times bestselling author

by Ruth Ware

IT WAS THE DREAM JOB. IT WOULD BECOME HER WORST NIGHTMARE.

‘So clever and original . . . from the first gripping page to the last shocking twist’ ERIN KELLY, author of He Said/She Said

'Ruth Ware just gets better and better. The Turn of the Key is her most compelling and addictive to date; I read this in a two sitting frenzy, barely able to turn the pages fast enough' Lisa Jewell, author of The People Upstairs

When Rowan stumbles across the advert, it seems like too good an opportunity to miss: a live-in nanny position, with a very generous salary. And when she arrives at Heatherbrae House, she is smitten by the luxurious ‘smart’ home fitted out with all modern conveniences by a picture-perfect family.

What she doesn’t know is that she’s stepping into a nightmare – one that will end with a child dead and her in cell awaiting trial for murder.

She knows she’s made mistakes. But she’s not guilty – at least not of murder. Which means someone else is…

'Will hold you captive until the brilliant ending' SHARI LAPENA, author of Someone We Know

Full of chilling menace and sinister secrets, The Turn of the Key is a gripping modern-day haunted house novel that will keep you reading through the night.


Everyone loves Ruth Ware’s binge-worthy psychological thrillers:

‘The queen of creepy crime’ Metro

‘Eerie and tense, this left me so spooked that I slept with the light on!’ Prima

‘Powerfully atmospheric, unguessably twisty…I devoured it’ Louise Candlish, bestselling author of Our House

‘Dark and dramatic...part murder mystery, part family drama, altogether riveting’ A.J. Finn, author of The Woman in the Window

'Creepy, engrossing, and oh-so-hard to put down' JP Delaney, author of The Girl Before

‘One of the best thriller writers around’ Independent

‘Agatha Christie meets The Girl on the Train’ The Sun

‘Dark, unsettling, brilliant’ HEAT

‘Deliciously dark and spooky’ Sunday Mirror

• ISBN10: 1787300439
• ISBN13: 9781787300439
• Publish Date: 8 August 2019 (first published 6 August 2019)
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 22 March 2021
• Publish Country: GB
• Publisher: Vintage Publishing
• Imprint: Harvill Secker
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 352
• Language: English

Reviews

[nora]

Nanny with a murky past, a nightmarish smart-house with cameras in every room (except the one that matters), and you're all alone in the remote Scottish countryside. Perfect recipe for a mystery!

Solidly creepy and intriguing, but the ending was not it. A bit rushed, and some relationships in particular seemed more developed than would be realistic in the given time. But I was at least 30% spooked when reading this in bed at night.

Side note, has anyone else ever found themselves loving a book so much that they want to save the last chunk for when you have time to finish the whole thing in one sitting and fully appreciate it, but then the writing suddenly takes a sharp turn and completely changes the pace, and you're left wildly confused and mildly disappointed because this wasn't the story you wanted to immerse yourself in today? Yo same

[Quirky Cat]

The Turn of the Key is Ruth Ware’s latest thriller novel, and it’s been getting a lot of ink lately. I’ve been a fan of hers ever since her second novel and it has been quite the experience watching her grow as an author.
Rowan Caine just got the break of her life. She’s been hired as a live-in nanny for a rich family out in the country. It may not be her dream job – but it certainly is her dream home. And she’s willing to put up with a lot in order to continue living here. Including a couple of spoiled children.
But this is Ruth Ware’s writing we’re talking about, and that means there is more going on behind the scenes. The Heatherbrae House is said to be haunted, and based on some of the events that have been happening around Rowan lately, she’s starting to believe that those rumors may just be right.
The Turn of the Key is a fascinating novel, one that is told through a unique storytelling style. The entire book is written from Rowan’s perspective, as if she was writing a letter (who she’s writing the letter to quickly becomes clear).

“Dear Mr. Wrexham,
You have no idea how many times I have started this letter and screwed up the resulting mess, but I’ve realized there is no magic formula here. There is no way I can make you listen to my case. So I’m just going to have to do my best to set things out. However long it takes, however much I mess it up, I’m just going to keep going and tell the truth.”

The Turn of the Key was a dark and mesmerizing read. It’s evident that Ruth Ware has grown a lot as a writer since she first started out. Her latest decision seems to have paid off; this tale would have gone very differently had it been told in any other format.
It was impossible not to be drawn in by the mystery of the Heatherbrae House. Part of me was actually wishing it was real – that combination of classic architecture and high tech sounds both brilliant and alarming. And that garden – what I wouldn’t give to have a tour there! (Yes, I know that there are real poison gardens out there, and visiting one has been added to my bucket list).
I really enjoyed the writing style in this novel. It wasn’t anything like Ware’s other novels (and I liked those too). It was a risk, and I completely respect that she decided to take it. There’s nothing worse than a stale thriller novel, and it seems like Ware is taking steps to avoid exactly that.
The intrigue and slow buildup of The Turn of the Key was perfection. It was tense and foreboding, while also leaving readers curious for more. For once I found myself unable to make any predictions for what was about to happen, and I couldn’t have been happier about that fact.
As for the ending itself? (Spoiler warning) I rather enjoy that Ruth Ware left a lot more unsaid than said. It’s an interesting and bold move. But it fits in well with the rest of the risks she took in this novel. I won’t say that I love the ending itself, but I will agree that it absolutely fit.

For more reviews check out Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks

[thebookdisciple]

I was 100% all in. Loved the audio, the story was interesting and there were lots of elements going on. But the end...I just don't know what to say. Its not that its bad, but its unsatisfying.

[Berls]

Holy shit! Every time I read a book by Ruth Ware I decide it's my favorite by her. And yeah, it's true of this one too. So damn good. I need to read the rest of her books.

[kimbacaffeinate]

This twistedly shocking tale will hook you from the beginning. It felt so surreal and with each twist and reveal I became further ensnared. Gads it was addictive. One of the best listens of 2019.

I think the synopsis says more than enough, so I will not recap. In all honesty I went into this blind as I do most books in this genre. The Nanny, the smart house, the quirky children, the removed parents it was all so atmospheric, and brilliantly executed.

While I am sure those who read, The Turn of the Key, will be equally spellbound, Imogen Church takes Ware’s story to the next level with her narration. She allowed me to connect with Rowan Caine who is a far cry from Mary Poppins, but not a bad sort either, and while I didn’t always identify with her, I sure as heck felt her emotions, tasted her fears and questioned everything right along with her. The hair on my arms stood on end when darkness fell as, Imogen muttered, “creak, creak” Good lord!

As we neared the end, I began to sweat thinking how is this going to wrap up. What the hell is happened!! Am I going to tell Ware to sod off? LOL It was so nerve-wracking. I had guesses but nothing is as it seems. Let’s just say I removed my headphones and declared Ware, bloody brilliant. Enjoy! This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer