The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware is a psychological thriller inspired by Henry James’ The Turn of the Screw. The novel follows Rowan Caine, a young woman who stumbles upon a high-paying nanny job at a remote, high-tech mansion in Scotland. At first, the job seems too good to be true—luxurious accommodations, a generous salary, and seemingly perfect children. However, as Rowan settles in, she begins experiencing eerie events, from malfunctioning smart home technology to unexplained noises and ghostly disturbances. The children behave strangely, and the house has a dark history of past nannies leaving abruptly. The novel is framed as Rowan writing a desperate letter to a lawyer from prison, claiming she is innocent of a crime—one of the children is dead, and she has been accused of murder. As the story unfolds, secrets about the house, the family, and Rowan herself come to light, leading to a shocking and chilling conclusion. With its gothic atmosphere, unreliable narration, and suspenseful twists, The Turn of the Key is a gripping modern take on the classic haunted house story.

ISBN: 9781501188787