When I saw on Netgalley that Ruth Ware had a new one coming out, of course I immediately requested it. But when I got a response to the request? I was denied! I’m not sure why, but it always slightly stings when I get turned down on an e-galley request. It brings back memories of not getting picked in gym class. But between us, I shouldn’t have ever gotten picked. I was terrible at all sports.
But I digress. When life gives you lemons, put it on hold at the library. I think that’s how the saying goes? But I was patient and received the book maybe a week after release. And at least I’m getting this one reviewed before the pub month is over.
Ruth Ware is a master. When her first book came out, In a Dark, Dark Wood, I was slightly underwhelmed. It was a good book but it was so hyped that I think it’s hard for anything to quite live up. But I really feel that her books started out good and have gotten even better. I’m all in!
From the Publisher:
When she stumbles across the ad, she’s looking for something else completely. But it seems like too good an opportunity to miss—a live-in nannying post, with a staggeringly generous salary. And when Rowan Caine arrives at Heatherbrae House, she is smitten—by the luxurious “smart” home fitted out with all modern conveniences, by the beautiful Scottish Highlands, and by this picture-perfect family.
What she doesn’t know is that she’s stepping into a nightmare—one that will end with a child dead and herself in prison awaiting trial for murder.
Writing to her lawyer from prison, she struggles to explain the unravelling events that led to her incarceration. It wasn’t just the constant surveillance from the cameras installed around the house, or the malfunctioning technology that woke the household with booming music, or turned the lights off at the worst possible time. It wasn’t just the girls, who turned out to be a far cry from the immaculately behaved model children she met at her interview. It wasn’t even the way she was left alone for weeks at a time, with no adults around apart from the enigmatic handyman, Jack Grant.
It was everything.
She knows she’s made mistakes. She admits that she lied to obtain the post, and that her behavior toward the children wasn’t always ideal. She’s not innocent, by any means. But, she maintains, she’s not guilty—at least not of murder. Which means someone else is.
My Review:
When Rowan Caine takes a job nannying at an old, but modernly renovated home, she walks into it with her eyes wide open. She’s been warned. She knows that other nannies have not worked out. She knows the oldest child, Maddie, is a bit strange, and she knows that she will be isolated from the rest of the world.
But the home, owned by two architects, is amazing. It’s old with all the creepy old attributes you’ll find, but it’s also amazing and brand new and even the shower is the most amazing shower of Rowan’s life. Every room has cameras and an intercom. And it’s amazing, or is it?
Rowan has worked in childcare for over 10 years. Normally I applaud people who are able to do this. It’s just not me. I love my kids, I love my kid’s friends, but I really don’t love babysitting. But the strange thing is, Rowan doesn’t really seem to like nannying either. And from the beginning, we know something is up. We just don’t know what.
Full disclosure, I started reading this book at 7:00 pm one night. I put it down to sleep and finished it the next morning around 8:00 am. So that was kind of one sitting? Ware’s writing just gets me and once I’m into the story I have to find out what is going to happen. It’s a rare author that can keep me captivated like that.
I was a little confused by the ending, I had to go back and re-read it and I’m still not completely sure I’m satisfied, but that’s life sometimes, right? And actually, it probably lends itself to an AMAZING book club read. It’s always more fun to discuss a book that people have opinions on.
The fact that it was such an amazing page-turner and kept me so engaged is what sold me on this one. If you are a fan of Ware or horror/psychological suspense, you have got to check this one out. Then let’s discuss! This one released on August 6. Get your copy!
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