TITLE: The Turn of the Key
AUTHOR: Ruth Ware
PUBLISHER: Gallery/Scout Press
PUB. YEAR: 2019
SETTING: Scottish Highlands
FORMAT: eGalley (print 352 pp.)
FORMAT: eGalley (print 352 pp.)
RATING - 4/5
When Rowan Caine, a child care worker, learns of a job as a live-in nanny that seems too good to be true she decides to apply. Even though it's not the kind of job she wanted, the salary is too good to pass up. Heatherbrae House is a secluded Victorian located in the Scottish Highlands. After an interview with Sandra and brief encounter with husband Bill, she's pretty much hired on the spot to care for their 3 young children (1, 5 and 8) and one daughter, 15, who is away at school.
Almost immediately after being hired the couple who run an architectural firm, is off on a business trip. Rowan is left with the care of the small children and relatively no direction other than a thick binder of instructions and a smart-technology home prone to malfunction. It isn't long before creepy happening begin, some due to technology and other incidents not o easy to explain. The tension increases with odd noises during the night. There's also an unfriendly housekeeper and a handyman who lives on the property whose motives seem unclear. Rowan also learns that several nannies have come and gone abruptly before her and, she is constantly feeling as if she is being watched.
The story begins with Rowan in jail for murder. She is writing a letter to Mr. Wrexham, her solicitor, proclaiming her innocence. Rowan is far from the perfect nanny; she has her share of secrets that are revealed as the story progresses. Ware does a great job structuring this story, leaving clues and creating an eerie atmosphere throughout. Something bad happens in this mystery and you know it early on but, the details are only revealed at the end. I read this book before bed every night for about a week and let me tell you, it does have a very creepy feel at times. I really liked this one even though the ending left me a bit confused at first but, I now think I've finally figured it out.
I've never read Ware but got this one a week or two ago and look forward to reading it.
ReplyDeleteI just got a copy of this book after reading another good review of it. I'm glad you enjoyed it; it does sound creepy so perhaps I'll have to read it during the day.
ReplyDeleteSometimes a bit of creepy is interesting!
ReplyDeleteDiane,
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a gripping story. I'm glad you figured out the somewhat confusing ending.
Always good reads by this author. New one for me.
ReplyDeleteOh this sounds so good. Looking forward to reading this!
ReplyDeleteThis one has been getting some not so great reviews. It sounds like you liked it enough though. Reading it late at night would not be possible with me so I will be okay. Can't stay awake that long. LOL.
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I've been wanting to read this one.
ReplyDeleteGlad to have a review of this one because I have been seeing it everywhere!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this one as well. I liked THE DEATH OF MRS. WESTAWAY better, but everything Ware has written so far has kept me spellbound.
ReplyDelete