Book review: The Turn of the Key

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By Ruth Ware
Published by Harvill Secker

 Synopsis: 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…

 How did this book end up in my hands? I read a serialisation of this novel via The Pigeonhole app.

 Was it a page-turner? Definitely. I could hardly wait to read on. I love book serialisations but the wait is especially tough at times!

 Did the book meet my expectations? Yes, it did. I loved the letter format and I loved being kept on my toes, even if I had to check what was behind me quite a few times while reading. Sufficiently spooky to make your rational mind take a step back and leave other, more supernatural, possibilities open. And the ending… oh, that ending… brilliant!

 Three words to describe it. Creepy. Unsettling. Unpredictable.

 Do I like the cover? Not my favourite but it does set the scene quite nicely.

 Have I read any other books by the same author? No, but there some good titles in her bibliography so I’m sure I will.

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