The Turn of the Key

Written 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 in prison 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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Aug 6, 2019
• ISBN: 9781508284123

Ruth Ware

Ruth Ware worked as a waitress, a bookseller, a teacher of English as a foreign language, and a press officer before settling down as a full-time writer. She now lives with her family in Sussex, on the south coast of England. She is the #1 New York Times and Globe and Mail (Toronto) bestselling author of In a Dark, Dark Wood; The Woman in Cabin 10; The Lying Game; The Death of Mrs. Westaway; The Turn of the Key; One by One; The It Girl; and Zero Days. Visit her at RuthWare.com or follow her on Twitter @RuthWareWriter.

Reviews for The Turn of the Key

[Megan Kaeck · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I love Ruth Ware but this was a bit disappointing. It had a LOT of extra info that, in the end, seemed to be intended to mislead you. The story was good and the plot twist was there but it was just not as captivating as her other novels.

[Mary Jane Lingad · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Just OK, not a fan. Beginning was intriguing. Middle dragged and was so slow. Lots of bits that could be cut out but weren't. Ending felt rushed. Info / reveal dump in the ending.

[Paloma Sanchez · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This book was just meh... Kind of a disappointment rally. The premise is good but for the ending i felt it could have been shorter.

[Nylea · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

3.5. Ware is a master of the build up in suspense with a fast and explanatory ending. I've liked some of them, but found the ending of this one to be very lack luster.

[Maegan Gaudet · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

4.5/5 i love a good ghost story. i recommend.

[EricaBrooks · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved it but the ending leaves me wondering what happened to the main girl...guess we will never know

[Donna Tracy · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I read this book based on all the great reviews and I truly do not understand how so many people would rate it that high. The ending had a twist but was so random and not brought into the storyline until the very end. The story left so many unanswered questions, about almost everything , and the ending had nothing to do with what had been happening in the entire plot line. It almost seemed like we were listening to one book and then all of a sudden the ending of another book was thrown in. I just don't understand how this was rated as highly as it was. I would not recommend this book.

[Dean Goff · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Made it halfway or so and just couldn’t take it anymore. Not a single likable character.

[Sara Alderks · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The narrating was fantastic and the story really well written.

[McKenzie Sims · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I was hooked, yet felt the ending left me wanting.
I needed more, I suppose.
The character of Jack was not well written.
And the true identity of Rowan was odd and felt thrown in.

[Regina Wojtkielewicz · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

The Worst book ever. I’m sorry I wasted my time.

[julie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Some parts of the book did drag on for a bit but it did keep my attention throughout the story, with a good twist at the end. Overall a good book to read or listen to.

[LeAnn Standlee · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The ending was amazing Lots of twists and turns.

[Barbara Reidy · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Fabulous - Page Turner....Read it! Read it! Read it!

[Vladislava · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The story is OK, I guess. At some point I just continued because I wanted to know the end. But I absolutely had no sympathy for the main character who annoyed me most of the time. She is so overreacting to every tiny thing that’s happening around, so over-dramatic and exaggerating, with her exclamation marks, “shits”, “f#cks” and absolutely no competence in doing what she was actually supposed to be doing at the first place (taking care of the children) and most of the time I though “get a grip you stupid bitch” ? which obviously did not increase my pleasure of reading the book

[Jennifer Hartshorn · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

All I can say is WOW!!!!! I did not see that coming!!! The story creeped me out...in the best ways possible. Ruth Ware has truly outdone herself—I think this is her best!!!!!!

[Krystal Gibson · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Honestly I loved the tone of this book and the characters. However, I couldn't leave a really positive review as I absolutely hated the ending.

[Lindsay Godard · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Really enjoyed this. Kept me guessing. Surprise ending!. Would read again

[Kris Williams · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

3.5 stars for the story....10 stars for the narrator! Good listen

[Mukvipa S. · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

this was so creepy!!!
the ending make me cry,I have to admit i was sad about the ending,
a bit too rush but I enjoyed reading this.

[Cory Bazzle · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Really well written and full of suspense! I definitely will be looking up this author and binge listening to any other audiobooks she may have out!

[Cheryl Morrell · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Hated the language.. would have been just as good without it. Great story.

[Gay · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Another great read by Ruth Ware!! Good all the way to the end.

[KATHERINE KINNEY · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow. Surprise ending. Will be listenung to more from this author and narrator.

[Marcy · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It leaves you to make assumptions about the ending. I would prefer to have it wrapped up with more information because there are too many possibilities to conclude. Unless a sequel is in the works......left unsatisfied

[The Book Smugglers · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow this was super great, twisted and terrifying. Awesome narrator too

[salatambuka · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It was intense ,I loved it but ending was dissapointing.

[PhylesiaMickens · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Sort of a slow read until the end. But, I’m glad I completed it as the ending has some nice twists.

I wasn’t a fan of hearing the narrator take such loud swallows.

[Missie Sexton · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What can I say? I love to read Ruth Ware, she burrows in and once she is in, she never leaves. Hauntingly and calmly told by someone you really become invested in. Sit back and enjoy all that is Ruth Ware, she is a master storyteller.

[phkung · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

An old premise w/ a modern twist of technology. too much exposition for me, it really drags down an otherwise great story. (Her protagonists go thru 100 bouts of panic attacks : panting, throat drying/tightening, hands/voice trembling, heart pounding, sweating, headache) She could spend more time on the ending (which is very abrupt. the resolution or non-resolution is unsatisfying. The narrator did a great job in voice acting tho.