The Turn of the Key

Ruth Ware’s latest novel, The Turn of the Key, is written in epistolary form. The main character, a nanny, writes to an attorney from prison. It is clear from the beginning that a child is dead and the nanny is to blame. The nanny’s letters are incredibly detailed, making the letter-writing form feel forced and awkward. No one writes letters as if they are writing a novel. Ignoring the awkwardness of the form, though, I found the story to be intriguing and the novel a quick read. I guessed some of the twists but was surprised by the ending and even forgave the letter writing by the last chapter.