May 2023 - The Turn of the Key

[Sandra, Moderator]

One of the group reads for May is The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware Please discuss the book in this thread.

Fiona will be leading the discussion.

In order to receive a badge you must:
1. have read the book before or during May 2023.
2. discussed it in this thread. Discussion must be more than "I read the book and I liked it". Discussion requires something more substantial and analytical of what you read, for example, thoughts, opinions, impact it had on you, what was your favorite part, was it what you expected it to be like etc. You may also like to review the book and post a link to the review in this thread. Please refer to our group spoiler policy for further information.
3. Report that you have read AND discussed the book in the reporting thread (include a brief summary of what you thought of the book).

A note on discussion: Discussion must be more than "I read the book and I liked it". Discussion requires something more substantial and analytical of what you read, for example, thoughts, opinions, impact it had on you, what was your favorite part, was it what you expected it to be like etc.

In addition to this, the group reads are meant to be a "read along" so it is preferable that you discuss the book as you read rather than wait until you've finished the book.

And finally, discussion is not about just listing your thoughts. Please interact with the other group members, comment on their thoughts, and if they comment on yours, respond to them. This is what makes a good book discussion!

You may also like to review the book and post a link to the review in this thread.

Please refer to our group spoiler policy for further information.

General Rules:
1. Please mark your spoilers with the spoiler tags along with mentioning what stage of the book you are at so other's don't get a nasty shock. Chapter numbers/titles are generally best as they are the same across all formats and editions. See our spoiler policy
2. The book may be combined with the Year Long Challenge, Topplers, and Monthly Challenges.

Happy reading!

[Fiona]

I’m so excited for this book! I’ve been wanting to read this for ages. Will probably start tomorrow :)

[Marnie]

I started today. I have the audio which is not broken up by chapters. Each section is titled by the first line so I will be talking in percentages.

It’s read by Imogen Church who has a wonderful voice.

The opening starts well (view spoiler)[ It starts with our main character writing a letter to an attorney. We know the basics but will need the story to fill in the details. (hide spoiler)]

20%

The house (view spoiler)[ The details of the house sound like trouble. In my personal experience the more computers you have the more room for screwups or manipulation. I would not want a computer to turn on the shower! It sounds cool but nope. (hide spoiler)]

[Sharon]

I will be starting tomorrow. I have had this on my shelf forever!

[Katrisa]

I didn't think I would get this one in time because the library hold said 6 weeks - but lo and behold I got it today! I have a couple books I am finishing right now but I will be able to start by Wednesday at least

[Sharon]

I have read through p. 74, About 20% into the story. I am used to the chapter breaks although there are no headings or numbers so it is a bit hard to judge how much and where I am to report.

The beginning has captured my attention, the plot being told in a series of letters. (view spoiler)[ Rowan, the MC, is writing to a Mr. Wexford in the hope that he will represent her for the murder of assumingely one of the children in her charge. Rowan is in the Scottish Woman’s Prison. (hide spoiler)]

The next part as told in the letters describes Rowan’s visit to Heatherbane House. (view spoiler)[ As Rowan describes the visit, we are introduced to Jack, the handsome handyman; Sandra, the mom and 3/4 of the children, all girls: Maddie, Ellie, and Petra. The house is a smart house which is very comprehensive and a bit creepy. Rowan wonders if Sandra was looking in on her throughout the initial visit. Does she get the job of nanny? It hasn’t said yet, but seems to be a done deal, even with Maddie’s warning that “the ghosts won’t like it.” No foreshadowing there!

About Rowan: She seems to have a sliding ethics scale which she admits to the reader. I am not sure she really likes children as much as she professes to, and she seems rather self centered and selfish. Time will tell. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura (Lclwags)]

I hope to join this discussion, but I'm on the waiting list to borrow the book from my library. 🤞 I get it in time!

[Nistha]

I have read about 30% now and quite enjoying it so far. I love the atmosphere and creepiness.

(view spoiler)[ The smart home seems so annoying when our natural instinct is to use basic devices for mundane tasks. That too it is kind of in the middle of nowhere. I still don't buy her motivation of taking up the job, despite the salary, especially when she already experience the warnings. (hide spoiler)]

[Fiona]

My audiobook is divided by chapters and I listened to the first two so far.

Chapter 1
(view spoiler)[I find it very interesting that the books starts with letters from within a prison and especially that the MC rewrites the letters again and again.
I'm wondering how reliable the character is and if she is actually innocent?
We learn a little bit so far - the MC went to work as a nanny for a family and one of their children died.
I love that the house is supposedly haunted. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 2
(view spoiler)[When it was said that the home owner is interested in technology I immediately thought: What if the technology actually killed the child?
I really think that it is important to tell possible candidates that you have dogs. They could be allergic to the dogs or even scared, so I do think it should be said in the job advertisement. (hide spoiler)]

[Nistha]

Fiona wrote: "My audiobook is divided by chapters and I listened to the first two so far.


I agree with you Fiona, I had thought of the same thing. (view spoiler)[ I have Cynophobia myself and there have been so many incidences when I have not been warned / pets were not on a leash initially when I visited etc. It becomes more difficult when they expect you to have a particular reaction to friendly dogs and it's not, almost like its embarrassing to mention the fear, haha.

I wonder if there's something about the dogs as they did not mention it in the advert when describing their living situation. (hide spoiler)]

[Marnie]

I’m listening to this on a plane today. Will read spoilers when I land. I’m enjoying it. Lots of atmosphere which I enjoy.

[Sharon]

I have finished up to page 171 so 50% of the book. It is a very atmospheric story. I quite enjoy how Ware builds tension in her stories.
(view spoiler)[ I am still not sure that I fully trust Rowan. Certainly she has characteristics that I don’t find appealing. I was disgusted with Bill, his obvious come ons and as smooth as he was, I’m pretty sure this wasn’t the first time! I found the whole idea that there was possibly a camera in the room very disconcerting. I would NOT like that at all!

So, what is Maddie’s motivation. Is she trying to harm or save Rowan from what is going on at the house? The whole key thing made for an anxious moment. You do stat second guessing yourself when things like that happen. Why did Jack find the key so easily? Did Jack hide it? The ghost? Maddie?

The poison garden thing was just plain creepy. I’m not so sure that Maddie doesn’t have an ulterior motive. And then to find out that a previous wonders child died in the garden. Is Maddie possessed or just behaving like this on her own? That whole comment, “People do go mad, you know, if you stop them from sleeping for long enough. They go mad and then they die?” I mean, what 8 year old talks like that?? Is this foreshadowing?

I am also wary about the technology portrayed in the book. It seems a bit obsessive and would make one feel powerless I would think.

I do agree that people should be made aware of the dogs in the house. While not afraid of dogs, I am very allergic to cats and that would be a deal breaker. (hide spoiler)]

[Marnie]

I finished.

I took notes on the plane but I don’t remember where everything was so to be extra careful I’ll put it all under a spoiler.

(view spoiler)[
The toothpaste spat with Maddie was so realistically described. I felt for Rowan. I’ve had a similar incident with my girl over a pair of socks. Closes I’ve ever come to losing it. She’s an adult now but dang did she try my patience.

I like that the story is written in letter form. I remember at the beginning of the book Rowan was complaining that no one would let her tell the full story. She does take a while to get to the heart of the matter.

And I found the ending disturbing. Will wait to chat about it until others finish. (hide spoiler)]

[Marnie]

About the smart house... as someone who lives where major storms happen this would make me insane. Does the power never go out?

[Fiona]

Chapter 3
(view spoiler)[The house's technology is scaring me a lot. I don't know about y'all but I find it so creepy. Anyone with me on that?
I find it highly suspiscious that Rowan is lying about her driver's license. Why would she do that? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 4
(view spoiler)[I don't like that Rowan went to the baby's bed in the evening. As someone who doesn't work there yet and has never met the children, I really don't find that okay.
The house continues to creep me out. The shower with the saved programs for every former nanny is really really creepy.
Does anyone know if having cameras in every room is illegal or not? Because technically it's their house. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 5
(view spoiler)[Maddie seems to know something about some ghosts. My guess is that the house isn't actually haunted but there is something fishy about the technology in it. (hide spoiler)]

[Fiona]

Nistha wrote:

Oh my, that must be horrible, Nistha. (view spoiler)[I'm not sure about the dogs. To be honest, I don't think there's something about them. Maybe they just forgot to mention them. I think we will soon find out - or not. (hide spoiler)]

[Fiona]

Marnie wrote: "I started today. I have the audio which is not broken up by chapters. Each section is titled by the first line so I will be talking in percentages.

It’s read by Imogen Church who has a wonderful ..."

I totally agree with you about the house, Marnie. (view spoiler)[And to be honest, I do think that someone is manipulating the technology in the house and that's why all the former nannies went away. (hide spoiler)]

[Fiona]

Sharon wrote: "I have read through p. 74, About 20% into the story. I am used to the chapter breaks although there are no headings or numbers so it is a bit hard to judge how much and where I am to report.

The b..."

Re selfish and self-centered (view spoiler)[I wouldn't necessarily call it that, I don't think. But she definitely seems to hide something that happened in her past and seems to bend the truth a bit so it doesn't get out. (hide spoiler)]

[Sharon]

Today, I am about a 3/4 of the way through, having read to page 252. The book continues to build suspense and an impending sense of something being very wrong.
(view spoiler)[ The whole hidden room which is accessed through Rowan’s bedroom is ominous and makes me wonder. With all of the renovations done to the house, how could that be overlooked? I, too found the idea of all the previous Nannie’s names a bit creepy. Why not just erase them? When Rowan was awakened by the screaming music and lights and couldn’t turn it all off, I felt desperate myself. That would be terrible and if that could happen with the technology then it would have to go. (My daughter and son in law have a smart home. Certain things are nice like being able to see who is at the door, and they can access ‘Alexis’ to add things to the grocery list as well as controlling the lights by voice command, but why? Maybe I am just old…) I would hate having to feel like I had to look over my shoulder and watch every little thing I do because someone could be watching me. Yuck! Even with all that has happened with the technology, the fact that the very scary glass doll’s head ended up in Rowan’s lap leads me to think there is certainly a human element at work! And, they don’t have Rowan’s best interest at heart! There are also clues from Rowan herself that she isn’t who she seems. That would help us understand what the problem is with the driver’s license.Finally, I just have to ask…is Rhiannon’s behavior typical for a 14 year old? It wasn’t for my child, but she is 40 now, so it has been a minute. I wanted to slap her! What a mouth and attitude! (hide spoiler)]

[Nistha]

I finished now, quite engaging.

(view spoiler)[
I think I liked most of the book, up until the very end. I thought it would be something more sinister. The reveal did not do much for me. But I was gripped till the last page!

The simplicity of the ending made it believable but the setting was so good, that I felt a little bit dissatisfied. But overall, a nice read.

(hide spoiler)]

[Katrisa]

I only got through about an hour of the audiobook (8%). I ended up on the phone for almost all of my commute home so I didn't get as far as I was hoping today - however I was immediately drawn right in! I am looking forward to more tomorrow.

[Fiona]

Chapter 6
(view spoiler)[I really dislike Bill. What he did was absolutely not okay.
The sounds Rowan is hearing - I think it's Bill doing something with the technology in the house.
If I had the same kind of first day as Rowan did, I'd go crazy there. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 7
(view spoiler)[I found myself wondering if the girls locked their door to keep Rowan out or if that had something to do with the ghosts.
Sandra "calling" right when the nanny topic came up was extremely creepy and highly suspicious in my opinion. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 8
(view spoiler)[I don't know why but I'm pretty sure now that Bill and/or Sandra are messing with the nannies in terms of light, sounds etc.
Wild theory here: Whenever Bill gets rejected by one of the nannies, he's starting this ghost thing with the house's technology to get revenge. (hide spoiler)]

I really hope to finish the book today but since the beginning of the week I have a new colleague and I don't have the office to myself anymore, so listening to audiobooks while working is a little difficult.

[Fiona]

Sharon wrote: "I have finished up to page 171 so 50% of the book. It is a very atmospheric story. I quite enjoy how Ware builds tension in her stories.
"

The key thing (view spoiler)[was really weird. I also found myself questioning if maybe Jack had it all along. It would definitely be a possibility that he took it before leaving in the evening and then "found" it under the washing machine. How did he immediately know where to look when there were probably other places to look first? He seems so nice, so could it really have been him? Then again, it's often the nice people who turn out to be monsters. (hide spoiler)]

[Sharon]

I have finished. I have to agree with Fiona? It is often nice people who turn out to be monsters!

(view spoiler)[ As it turns out, although Jack wasn’t the one doing these things, he was still a bit of a louse. Married with a small child and he thought it was ok to lead Rowan/Rachel on?

I really didn’t see Rachel being Bill’s child from a previous relationship but that explained a lot. It seems to me that he got off easy. Although Maddie died, I am not sure that was punishment for him. Creep! I do feel a bit sorry for Sandra though.

I figured out that Maddie was the one doing things, but it was all very sad. Rachel was wrong in what she did but her conversation with Rhiannon kind of shed a light on things and I hope that she is exonerated from murder. Here I thought that the technology was going to be the culprit and it was simply used as a tool.

The book had a high suspense level. I did feel a little let down by the ending, but overall, I thought it was a good read. (hide spoiler)]

[Katrisa]

Marnie wrote: "About the smart house... as someone who lives where major storms happen this would make me insane. Does the power never go out?"

Good point Marnie!

[Katrisa]

I am at 30% (view spoiler)[ I am loving the creepy atmosphere. I think they are doing a great job showing how Rowan has some suppressed anger issues with kids. I agree with everyone that the Smart house is creepy in its over-the-top-ness. I am just at the part where Rowan is realizing that she didn't latch Petra's seat properly and she is out of it and is JUST now realizing everything is being recorded? I do understand wanting to have cameras around when leaving your kids with people - but I feel like with creepy dad the cameras are probably places Rowan wouldn't want them. (hide spoiler)]

[Fiona]

Chapter 9
(view spoiler)[The whole poison thing is weird. What is going on with that? Will it play a bigger role later on? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 10
(view spoiler)[The house is going crazy. I would break down and cry.
Jack - is he the saving grace or the root of all chaos? I'm not sure about that yet.
Also, is there a romantic relationship between Rowan and Jack coming our way? I wouldn't like that. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 11
(view spoiler)[I get that they had a really horrible night but it seems very unprofessional to forget that it's a school day. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 12
(view spoiler)[Those creaking sounds are so creepy. I would pack my bags and run away lol (hide spoiler)]

[Fiona]

Katrisa wrote: "I am at 30% [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I don't even want to imagine where the cameras could be and want Bill does with the footage. Very creepy and also disgusting. (hide spoiler)]

[Fiona]

Chapter 13
(view spoiler)[Rhiannon is such a brat, I want to slap her lol (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 14
(view spoiler)[What's up with the weird room in the attic? That is so creepy.
Jack says he isn't related to the previous owner of the house. I am not very sure I can believe that. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 15
(view spoiler)[Rhiannon is still getting on my nerves.
So Rowan is actually Rachel? Wasn't that her roommate? Did she make the roommate up or did she just take on her identity? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 16
(view spoiler)[I'm trying to figure out why Rachel used Rowan's identity.
Jack suggesting it's all Bill's fault: Of course I felt the same from the beginning but now it feels like Jack is trying to get away from the center of attention.
Now they are being intimate with each other. I really don't like that.
Who is good? Who is bad? I'm not sure what to believe. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 17
(view spoiler)[Rowan (or Rachel, whatever) finding the phone and her necklace in the attic was again very creepy.
Bill having affairs definitely seems very fitting.
But - Bill is her father??? Oh please no. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 18
(view spoiler)[It is finally revealed that Maddie died and Ellie's letter uncovered the whole truth. (hide spoiler)]

Overall thoughts
(view spoiler)[I really liked the book and I found it extremely creepy. It kept me hooked and guessing what would happen all the time, which is good. I do find the ending a bit underwhelming, though. I expected something bigger, like a final showdown type of situation. As for Ellie's letter - I don't think I can blame her for doing it. I'm sure she didn't want it to end like that. Overall, I gave the book 3.5 stars. (hide spoiler)]

[Fiona]

Marnie wrote: "I finished.

"

(view spoiler)[I would've lost it at that moment, no doubt about it. I'm glad that I don't have children yet so I have some time to work on my temper lol

What exactly did you find disturbing about the ending? (hide spoiler)]

[Fiona]

Nistha wrote: "I finished now, quite engaging.

"

(view spoiler)[I really do agree with you here. It was a really good book but I expected something bigger and darker at the end. (hide spoiler)]

[Fiona]

Sharon wrote: "I have finished. I have to agree with Fiona? It is often nice people who turn out to be monsters!


(view spoiler)[I'm not too sure about the monster thing. Well, in terms of Maddie being the one who scared the nannies away, yes I guess you can say that. But I definitely wouldn't call Ellie a monster for pushing Maddie. Is that a weird thought to have? I don't know, maybe someone is with me here. (hide spoiler)]

[Katrisa]

I am at 85% now. I think the level of creepy is perfect! I went for a walk in the sprinkling rain and listened to the book - it was lovely:)
(view spoiler)[I do think that I believe that Rowan/Rachel is innocent. I think Ware did a great job giving her enough sketchy personality traits and stealing her roommate's identity to make her suspicious but I don't think she killed anyone. My internal jury is still out on Jack. (hide spoiler)]
I really want to finish the book but my unreasonable husband wants to spend some time with me instead of just letting me listen to books every second I am awake - how rude! But I might be able to finagle some book finishing time tonight, lol.

[Katrisa]

Well I got to finish! (view spoiler)[I just LOVE how Ware makes it seem like a ghost story but it ends up humans - well humans and technology in this case. There were definitely twists I didn't see coming! The fact that she was Bill's daughter and the final revelation was totally unexpected! I was glad that Jack ended up not being responsible. (hide spoiler)]

[Robin]

i read this book recently and really enjoyed it so looking forward to discussing! i have already finished so i dont want to say anything too spoilery but willcut a couple minor thoughts just in case (view spoiler)[

the technology in this smart house seems a little over the top and unnecessary. and everything about it seems creepy between the atmosphere and setting which dont go with the technology!

i had a feeling that Rowan was somehow connected but wasnt sure how at first. i did think she was innocent and protecting someone but wasnt sure why. as the story is revealed, it starts to make sense of course, but i was glad that it wasnt entirely obvious right away. my only gripe is the ambiguous ending where we dont learn exactly what happened, but overall this was a good story and kept me interested the entire time. (hide spoiler)]

[Vicki]

I've started this just now. It sure starts off strong.

[Fiona]

Katrisa wrote: "I am at 85% now. I think the level of creepy is perfect! I went for a walk in the sprinkling rain and listened to the book - it was lovely:)
[spoilers removed]
I really want to finish the book but ..."

How dare your husband do that lol

(view spoiler)[I really thought exactly the way you did. Turns out, Jack wasn't that sweet handyman after all. (hide spoiler)]

[Fiona]

Katrisa wrote: "Well I got to finish! [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I loved it as well but still was a bit disappointed in the ending. It didn't have the kind of dramatic big revelation that I wanted it to have. Do you agree with that or are you happy about how things turned out to be? (hide spoiler)]

[Fiona]

Robin wrote: "i read this book recently and really enjoyed it so looking forward to discussing! i have already finished so i dont want to say anything too spoilery but willcut a couple minor thoughts just in cas..."

I agree with you that it was a good story but (view spoiler)[the ending just didn't do it for me. I need to know what happened and I just needed some final showdown or something like that. (hide spoiler)]

[Fiona]

Vicki wrote: "I've started this just now. It sure starts off strong."

Very excited to see what you say!

[Nistha]

Fiona wrote: "Katrisa wrote: "Well I got to finish! [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

I felt the same way. (view spoiler)[ I was hooked throughout and was really happy till the last few chapters. The twists did not work well for me, I was not like woahh what just happened? Here, I was doubting that everything including the dogs was robots haha. And the main twist was on the father and a bunch of kids being annoying. I feel a bit more into the back story would have helped. Especially, more on her father.

(hide spoiler)]

[Fiona]

Nistha wrote: "Fiona wrote: "Katrisa wrote: "Well I got to finish! [spoilers removed]"


I never thought that (view spoiler)[the dogs could be robots. Honestly though, in this book it wouldn't have been that much of a shock haha (hide spoiler)]

[Vicki]

No chapter #s in my book but I'm on pg 75 / 20%

The beginning set up (view spoiler)[In her initial letters to Mr W. she sounds so unreliable! I wonder if she is guilty or if she has suffered something very traumatic.

I'm also wondering about the letters. Will we ever get a response from the lawyer? I'm not expecting there to be a trial or anything in this book. I am expecting to be surprised. (hide spoiler)]

The dogs (view spoiler)[ I agree that should def be mentioned when you want someone to come live with you! You mention ghosts but not dogs!? I think that a lot of dog owners just assume everyone is a dog lover. And that the book is realistic in this. (hide spoiler)]

The house / family (view spoiler)[ Rowan even calls out that the father not being there to meet the nanny is a red flag! I think he is there and is super creepy. I think he stole her phone charger so she'd use his usb and get her phone compromised. I am so creeped out by the surveillance and technology everywhere. (hide spoiler)]

Not sure what to make of Rhiannon and Maddie (view spoiler)[ We haven't met Rhiannon yet but there was the f bomb on her door? She seems troubled to put it nicely and Maddie might have just warned against ghosts. They're are the two oldest daughters. Did anyone else wonder if they are being abused? (hide spoiler)]

[Fiona]

Vicki wrote: "No chapter #s in my book but I'm on pg 75 / 20%


Re dogs - (view spoiler)[Yes, I think you're right about dog owners believing everyone loves dogs. I don't have any but I love them. Then again, I feel like some dog owners don't know where to draw the line. My boss for example, he brings his dog to work which in and of itself is completely fine with me. What I can't stand though is that the dog is begging for food the whole time and always comes to my office as soon as the door opens and doesn't go away then. I don't know, it just bothers me when I'm trying to concentrate and especially when I'm trying to eat. (hide spoiler)]

Re house - (view spoiler)[I never thought about Bill stealing her charger but that's so clever! And really creepy... (hide spoiler)]

Re Rhiannon - (view spoiler)[I think what's written on her door is just regular rebel teen behavior. I was a bit like that as well and I turned out to be normal as well - at least I hope so lol (hide spoiler)]

[Vicki]

Fiona wrote: "Vicki wrote: "No chapter #s in my book but I'm on pg 75 / 20%


Re dogs - [spoilers removed]

Re house - [spoilers removed]

Re Rhiannon - [spoilers removed]"

I enjoy dogs at work too but I would not want to eat around them, sad your boss is blind to that. I feel for people who do have a problem with dogs at work though as it's probably difficult to speak out about it.

[Vicki]

On page 119 or 35%

We met Bill (view spoiler)[ Yeah that was gross. He wasn't subtle at all! I get the impression that he likes to make people uncomfortable to watch them react, which is what all the cameras are for. I can't decide if Sandra is in on it or not. I think she is since she mentioned the ghosts and they use that excuse to torment nannies? Get a hobby! (hide spoiler)]

Nannying (view spoiler)[ I know nannies, au pairs, governesses are traditional working roles for women but I cannot imagine it. I am so uncomfortable reading about this. They left their kids with a complete stranger! And while Maddie had run off somewhere, that's crazy. I don't like these kids much, I hope we get to like them a bit soon. Also, Rowan seems to barely like kids I don't get the appeal of this job even in a nice house. (hide spoiler)]

[Vicki]

Fiona wrote: "Chapter 6..."

To your ch 7 post. This is where I am at pg 138

(view spoiler)[that was super suspicious "calling" right then when Jack would have answered about the hauntings of the other nannies. I am so spooked out from the key not being on the door frame. Bill and Sandra couldn't have done that. Or could they? So creepy. (hide spoiler)]

[Fiona]

Vicki wrote: "On page 119 or 35%

Nannying [spoilers removed]"

I also find it so weird (view spoiler)[to leave your children with someone you don't know. I had a babysitter as a child, our neighbor. My parents knew her of course and she did an awesome job. Naturally, they would leave me alone with her and everything went well. But giving your children to someone you've seen twice in your life? No, that's not something I could ever do. I would be with them for the first time at least. And yes, Sandra said work is important but sorry, the safety of your children should be your number one priority. Crazy. (hide spoiler)]

[Vicki]

Sharon wrote: "I have finished up to page 171 so 50% of the book. It is a very atmospheric story. I quite enjoy how Ware builds tension in her stories.
[spoilers removed]..."

I am just past pg 200.
I have been wondering this about Maddie too.. (view spoiler)[ Is Maddie possessed? She seemed to genuinely not remember hugging and warning Rowan.

And the garden... Rowan could have died. Maddie seems borderline evil. But then Rowan doesn't seem to take the garden very seriously either. Sure she went back to try to lock it up but why walk around in it and brush all those plants on yourself. Almost dumb horror movie girl actions. (hide spoiler)]

Jack (view spoiler)[ Defenitely suspicious of the same last name. I don't know how Rowan can be thinking of getting with Jack in a time like this. You have enough problems girl and it hasn't even been a week. I don't like her snooping in Bill's drawer. She better not get attracted to him EVER. I think I maybe just don't like Rowan much. (hide spoiler)]

Atmospheric (view spoiler)[ I am enjoying the book. I still think it will be mundane creepy humans with their spyware but I am enjoying the possibilities of ghosts. I find the picture of the house cut in half, old-fashioned and modern to be quite unsettling same as Rowan. (hide spoiler)]

[Vicki]

Page 274 - 80%

(view spoiler)[That attic was nuts. It seems like one of those things that when the next person goes in it will be totally normal. It seems like both the young girls are seeing the ghosts too, I bet we'll be able to write it off as childish imagination if we really wanted too.

So Rowan is a fake name and her real name is Rachel.. I had some inkling that she was hiding an identity but nothing I could really put my finger on. So she must have a criminal history? What is going on. Every page makes me believe more that it is "Rowan" who kills the girl and that she has a mental illness perhaps.

I still don't know which girl dies. I'm guessing it will be Ellie as she is so sweet and trusts Rowan :(
(hide spoiler)]