Suspense | Book Chatter

The Turn of the Key
By Ruth Ware
Gallery/Scout Press, 9781501188770, August 2019, 352pp.

The Short of It:

I needed a book that I could not put down and this was it.

The Rest of It:

Nanny stories are quite popular. Add a supernatural element, difficult kids, weird parents and a big, spooky house and you have a winner. Now add technology. I mean, cameras, apps, smart refrigerators and TVs and you up the creep factor by 100%.

Rowan finds the nanny position of a lifetime. A high-paying, live-in gig that will take her to the beautiful Scottish moors. The house is unique. An old Victorian in the front, but the back half of the house is all gleaming and new, outfitted with the latest technology. At first, Rowan is impressed by this. Sandra and Bill, architects by trade, restored what they could but re-imagined the rest but all of its gadgetry proves to be a bit much for Rowan when she is immediately tasked with watching the children for ten days while the parents are at a business conference.

Did I mention that the last four nannies all left within a two-year period? Or that the house has a history of death and violence? Or that some in the town believe it to be haunted?

This was such a fun book to read. I was completely immersed and could not turn those pages fast enough. It’s sufficiently creepy and keeps you guessing with all its plot twists. The ending felt a tad rushed but overall, I really enjoyed this one and found it to be really entertaining and fun. I read it in one day. A work day, which should tell you something.

Source: Review copy provided by the publisher.
Disclosure: This post contains Indiebound affiliate links.

No Exit
By Taylor Adams
William Morrow, 9780062875655, January 2019, 352pp.

The Short of It:

A fast-paced, tightly-woven tale of survival.

The Rest of It:

On her way to see her dying mother, Darby finds herself stranded in a blizzard, unable to continue. Without snow tires and one broken windshield wiper and no hope of the snow letting up, she stops at a rest stop to ride it out. Inside the rest stop are four strangers. Outside in the parking lot is a van with a young girl caged inside. What should Darby do? What would you do?

This was a terrific read. From the very beginning you find yourself running along with Darby. It’s relentless! It’s twisty in all the right places and some of it, quite honestly, was pretty clever. There are some surprises but the real winner is Darby. Such a likable, tenacious character. You will be rooting for her at every turn.

Adams did a really good job handling all the loose ends too. I was pretty impressed. Plus, it’s just one of those books that make you love reading all over gain. The act of pushing all your commitments aside just so you can enjoy another page or two. You know that feeling?

If you haven’t read No Exit yet, and you like to be held captive by your reading (who doesn’t?), then find a copy and jump in. I read it in a mere three hours on a work day!

Source: Borrowed
Disclosure: This post contains Indiebound affiliate links.

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