The Turn of the Key

By: Ruth Ware

Narrated by: Imogen Church

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

“A superb suspense writer…Brava, Ruth Ware. I daresay even Henry James would be impressed.” —Maureen Corrigan, author of So We Read On

“This appropriately twisty Turn of the Screw update finds the Woman in Cabin 10 author in her most menacing mode, unfurling a shocking saga of murder and deception.” —Entertainment Weekly

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Lying Game and The Death of Mrs. Westaway comes this thrilling novel that explores the dark side of technology.

When she stumbles across the ad, she’s looking for something else completely. But it seems like too good an opportunity to miss—a live-in nannying post, with a staggeringly generous salary. And when Rowan Caine arrives at Heatherbrae House, she is smitten—by the luxurious “smart” home fitted out with all modern conveniences, by the beautiful Scottish Highlands, and by this 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 herself awaiting trial for murder.

Writing to her lawyer from prison, she struggles to explain the events that led to her incarceration. It wasn’t just the constant surveillance from the home’s cameras, or the malfunctioning technology that woke the household with booming music, or turned the lights off at the worst possible time. It wasn’t just the girls, who turned out to be a far cry from the immaculately behaved model children she met at her interview. It wasn’t even the way she was left alone for weeks at a time, with no adults around apart from the enigmatic handyman.

It was everything.

She knows she’s made mistakes. She admits that she lied to obtain the post, and that her behavior toward the children wasn’t always ideal. She’s not innocent, by any means. But, she maintains, she’s not guilty—at least not of murder—but somebody is.

Full of spellbinding menace and told in Ruth Ware’s signature suspenseful style, The Turn of the Key is an unputdownable thriller from the Agatha Christie of our time.

Dejavu, Henry James

So I really REALLY dislike Henry James despite having to read untold volumes of his work during college. As much as I really like Ruth Ware, the similarities between this and James’ The Turn of the Screw completely ruined it for me because it’s basically the same exact book, but slightly more palatable when not in James’ longwinded rambling style. Ware clearly knows this (see title) and frankly I am a bit horrified that another author blurbed it as being “original”. Original, it is not — but a contemporary retelling of a classic ghost story, sure. Mostly just a bit lazy. Meh.

Ruth Ware is a true storyteller

I love all her books and this one is no exception. Brilliant writing and build-up. Plot twists and turns will keep you engaged until the shocking end.

The F-word is the main character in this book

However- its really a chilling story. I couldn’t wait for it to be over. Am I glad I read it- I can’t say. It’s very disturbing. Still I won’t be asking for my money back - it’s a very dark book! The narrator is AMAZING!!!

Kept me guessing!

I’m not sure why there are so many bad written reviews on this one! The narrator did a beautiful job telling the story. The ending took me by surprise. Just when you think you have it figured out there are more twists and turns.

Love the writing style.

The story was wonderful though it did drag on in the main character's head here and there, but that's a Ruth Ware trait and didn't slow the pace too much. There are a couple of lovely twists, one I was not expecting at all. The very end was a little lackluster and a little too open-ended for me, but pretty gripping up until then. Just wish there was an epilogue.

The narration is great but the baby’s voice at times was a little too much with the whiny cries. It gets pretty annoying and I suggest not listening with headphones on.

It's a three-star book, I just can't seem to bring myself to give it a three-star rating. I am a fan of Ruth Ware and will read anything she puts out... though I am always left wanting at the end.

Another winner for Ruth Ware!

I did not figure this one out! This thriller will keep you guessing & creep you out the entire way!

I love Ruth Ware!

This is my fourth book to read by Ruth and I love it so much. She is such a fantastic suspense writer. I always find myself in the edge of my seat and I can’t stop listening.

Excellent

This book was so much better than I anticipated. I’ve listened to and read many books and I found this one to be very original. Also, the narration is spot on. Great listen that I couldn’t stop listening to until the end.

Fantastic!

Best audio I've listened to in a while. Story was interesting and exciting and kept me gripped. Narrator was perfect and completely on point! Loved it!

Ruth + Imogen = DREAM TEAM

You don’t think it’s possible to be on the edge of your seat, completely invested and hanging on every word for over 12 hours? Well buckle up bc you absolutely will with Turn of the Key. it’s the very best kind of torturous the suspense Ma Ware crafted w this thriller. And Ms Church is a master of her craft. Soooo good! So good!!!