The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware

The Turn of the Key
Ruth Ware
2019 
3/5 stars

This tribute to James' the Turn of the Screw begins with Rowan writing from a Scottish prison to a solicitor, begging him to help her prove that she is not guilty of the death of a child.  Rowan explains how she took a nannying position that was too-good-to-be-true, and it became a waking nightmare full of deceit, terror, and strangeness, leading to her trial for murder.  

Rowan is an well-written unreliable narrator, and much of the book is creepily atmospheric with some really good twists.  I was hooked from the first sentence, and expected a great psychological thriller, but, while it was good, it didn't deliver what it seemed to promise.  I felt that the ending came too quickly, also, and was actually a bit of a let down.  I did like it, but not enough to recommend it.

I tried but did not finish another book by Ware (the Woman in Cabin 10) and, despite all the glowing reviews, couldn't stand the drunken, whining protagonist.  I don't suppose I'll try any more of her extremely popular novels.  

February 2021 Wrap Up

Books Read:

Jutland Cottage by Angela Thirkell (1953)  5/5 stars
As is always the case with her novels, Jutland Cottage is a charming, gentle read with genuine wit and a bit of snark.  The characters are well developed and the situations believable.  I love this series (which needs to be read in order) and this one has become my new favorite by Thirkell.

The Red House Mystery by A.A. Milne (1922)  4/5 stars

This is a well-written and thoroughly engaging Golden Age mystery.  I knew the how, though not the why, early on, but that is due less to the book than to the fact that after all these years of reading mysteries, I've run across most scenarios already.  The Red House is charming, intelligent, and well plotted.  I regret that Milne wrote only the one.

Audio Books Completed:
The Secret Place by Tana French (2014) 4/5 stars

French is a fantastic author, but this one was a bit of a struggle for me due to it centering around teenage girls and their emotions, relationships, and choices.  I felt uncomfortably like a voyeur part of the time, and yet, due to French's writing/plotting, I had to finish.

The Ivory Dagger by Patricia Wentworth  (1950) 3/5 stars

While the story was entertaining and interesting, the solution was weak and disappointing.  This is certainly not one of the better Miss Silver mysteries.

Sweet Little Lies by Caz Frear (2018)  3/5 stars

This police procedural mystery starts out great.  The case was interesting and the protagonist flawed but likable, making some tough decisions that kept me sympathizing with her.  I stayed intrigued through the first 80% of the novel: then someone walks into a room and, in a type of deus ex machina, the investigation takes on a completely different flavor.  It's hard to explain without spoilers, but suffice it to say that it felt like a cheap out and was extremely disappointing.  Up to that point, I was already planning on purchasing the next in the series; after that it was a struggle just to finish.

The Tooth Tattoo by Peter Lovesey (2013)  3/5 stars

I love the character of Peter Diamond and find Lovesey's plots and prose to be great.  However, this one was neither as credible or as entertaining as the previous novels in the series.

Did Not Finish:

Death Comes to the Village by Catherine Lloyd 

This Regency cozy lacked sparkle, pace, and historical accuracy.