The Turn of the Key
Rowan Caine takes a live-in nanny job at a high-tech "smart house" in the Scottish Highlands, drawn in by the generous salary and idyllic setting. But the house is filled with surveillance, malfunctioning technology, and troubled children, and Rowan quickly feels trapped in a nightmare. When one of the children dies, Rowan is accused of murder. From prison, she writes her account, insisting she made mistakes and lied to get the job - but swears she isn't guilty of killing a child.
- Rowan - Nanny
- Maddie - Child, age 8
- Ellie - Child, age 5
- Rowan takes a nanny job at Heatherbrae House.
- Strange noises, malfunctions with the house's tech, and the children's odd behavior make Rowan feel the house is haunted.
- Rowan hides a secret: her real name is Rachel, and she isn't a professional nanny but previously worked at a daycare where she was dismissed after a neglect incident.
- The children test and torment Rowan, especially Maddie, who insists the house is cursed and the previous nannies left because of it.
- One night, Maddie falls from a window and dies, and Rowan is arrested for her murder.
- From prison, Rowan writes her lawyer many letters explaining she didn't kill Maddie.
- On the final page, Rowan receives a letter from Ellie, who confesses she pushed Maddie out the window because Maddie was trying to scare Rowan away.
- Ellie explains Maddie orchestrated the "ghost" activity in the house to frighten the nannies off.
- The book ends with Rowan holding Ellie's confession, and it is left unclear whether she will keep the secret or share it with her lawyer.
- Rowan - Alive - In jail for Maddie's death
- Maddie - Dead - Killed by Ellie
- Ellie - Alive - No further details
- Child death
- Sexual harassment
- Infidelity
- Alcohol
- Abandonment
- Sexual abuse
- Incest
Twist
Publisher: Gallery/Scout Press
ISBN: 9781501188770
Publish Date: May 12, 2020
Note: Details are for the original edition. Other formats, editions, and audiobook versions may be available.