Book review: The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware
Title: The Turn of the Key
Author: Ruth Ware
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Publisher: Vintage
Publication date: 8th August 2019
My rating: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
Summary:
“When she stumbles across the advert, she’s looking for something else completely. But it seems like too good an opportunity to miss: a live-in nanny position, with a staggeringly generous salary. And when Rowan 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 her in a cell awaiting trial for murder.
She knows she’s made mistakes. But, she maintains, she’s not guilty – at least not of murder. Which means someone else is.“
My review:
Rowan doesn’t know what to expect on her first day at Heatherbrae House. The job ad seemed perfect and she is already experienced at taking care of young children. The idyllic family home is located in rural Scotland and features contrasting state of the art smart home characteristics which baffle her. When she finds signs from the children and past nannies that the house is not what it seems to be and advice to get out while she still can, Rowan wonders if she perhaps made the wrong choice in coming here after all.
The premise of The Turn of the Key presents a variety of opportunities for suspense and tension and Ruth Ware takes advantage of these possibilities, creating a plot thick with ever increasing tension. The letter format is original and matches the atmosphere well. I am also pleased that the author chose to write the book in first person narrative as there were several uneasy moments where this style perfectly reflected the mood.
Although I had my doubts about Rowan at first as she seemed an unreliable character, as more bizarre events occurred I soon took her side and eventually warmed to her. The letter format help to present her as an innocent and sincere person who seemed to be caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. Some of her decisions aggravated me and there were many missed moments where she didn’t take the lead which made her appear weak and passive. The other minor characters, especially the children, were presented as indifferent to the strange events happening at the house which ultimately made me believe that the whole mystery was somehow linked to Rowan.
I was completely invested in The Turn of the Key until the very end which felt very anticlimactic and rushed. There were many red herrings throughout the book and I thought that at least one of them could have explained the creepy events but the big twist let me down and felt too unbelievable.
An original format and first person narrative makes The Turn of the Key easily digestible and a quick read for anyone looking for a straightforward thriller. Although the ending was ineffective, the build up and suspense was authentic and merits praise.
25 Comments
Stephen Writes
A very thoughtful and well-written review, Darina. A shame about the ending, but the first person narrative does make it seem compelling and unpredictable. I will read this one eventually, but am hoping to get through Ruth Ware’s books in chronological order.
Darina
Thanks, Stephen! Are you enjoying Ruth Ware’s other books? I am not sure if to read any of them now as this one was just average for me.
Stephen Writes
I have read her first two books and they have been decent, but not that special. Some good concepts but not always great execution 🙂
stargazer
Great review! I am still trying to decide whether to read this or not – still not entirely convinced either way! 🙂
Darina
Thank you! I would give it a try, you may like it! 🙂
nsfordwriter
I recently read (and was disappointed by) In a Dark Dark Wood. Do you think I’d like this one any better? 🙂
Darina
I’m sorry to hear that! I haven’t read In a Dark Dark Wood but maybe try this one? I reckon if you like the beginning of it you may enjoy it as the pace and style is the same throughout. I found it pretty good although not amazing.
nsfordwriter
I will look out for this one – I’m always willing to give an author a second chance, especially if they tend to get great reviews 😉
Jules_Writes
A shame about the ending – I have been meaning to read this far ages now!
Darina
I hope you enjoy it! The ending didn’t work for me but I’ve seen reviews where many people think the ending was well written.
Yvo
Wonderful review! A shame the ending didn’t work for you, but I’m happy you managed to enjoy the rest of it. xx
Darina
Thanks, Yvo! I was still able to enjoy it despite the ending 🙂
jennifertarheelreader
You write the most thoughtful and well-balanced reviews, Darina! I haven’t read this one but it’s good to know the ending doesn’t work well because I’m pretty sure I have it on my shelf. I’ve not clicked well with her books, though I want to.
Darina
Thanks so much, Jennifer! <3 I'm sorry to hear that but I would guess that if you didn't like other books by her then maybe this one won't be for you. It's always good to try though as you may end up liking it!
ericarobyn
Awesome review! I still want to get to this one soon! I gotta snag it from my library.
Darina
Thank you! I hope you enjoy it once you’re able to get your hands on it! 😀
Meggy | Chocolate'n'Waffles
I hate it when an ending lets me down because it’s the only thing I take with me after I’ve finished the book! Great review x
Darina
I know, I always feel that way after a disappointing ending too. Thanks!
Shruti | This is Lit
Ooh, I’ve been seeing this book everywhere lately! Sounds like an atmospheric read. ❤️
Darina
It’s a pretty good book, I think you’ll enjoy it!
Lashaan Balasingam @ Bookidote
Awesome review! I enjoyed this one a bit more and I feel like it might have something to do with the timing of this book in my reading schedule (in between huge fantasy tomes) haha But the suspense was pretty neat in this one though! Have you ever tried any of her other books?
Darina
Oh, the suspense was definitely there! I think you may be right that the timing is important as in my case I had read two pretty great thrillers with unexpected endings right before this one which is probably why I felt disappointed with it even though it was solid. I haven’t read any other books by her, are there any you would recommend?
Lashaan Balasingam @ Bookidote
The Death of Mrs. Westaway was the best one of hers for me. So far, I find that she only gets better with each new book she releases. 😛
Darina
Thanks! I might add that one to my TBR in that case 😀
David Worsick
The ending wasn’t solid. It was cliched. Pick the least suspected person as the culprit? No. And an detailed analysis suggests that the victim was unconscious when she fell and that changes everything. As for an unreliable witness? Most unreliable witnesses are too confident, too egoistic, but the heroine had an inferiority complex. She wasn’t the cause. Nothing was. Death was accidental, but the law crucified the innocent woman. Hence the “it doesn’t matter anymore what we do” line at the end of the novel. Very bad ending.