Rowan is deeply disturbed by the girl in Maddie’s drawing.

Why? Could Jean be the one tormenting Rowan at night, as she suspects?ġ0. The Elincourts’ housekeeper, Jean McKenzie, immediately dislikes Rowan, but it seems to run deeper than their negative first encounter. Are these thoughts reasonable possibilities or delusions based in fear? Imagine how you might respond in her situation.ĩ. After the house goes haywire in the middle of the night, Rowan is sleep-deprived, on edge, and paranoid, and she jumps to several rash conclusions. Describe each of their reactions and the emotions behind them.Ĩ. But when their malicious intent is exposed, Rowan, Maddie, and Ellie all react intensely. Rowan believes she is finally building a relationship with Maddie and Ellie when they show her their secret garden. Look specifically at the interactions on page 131 and 158.ħ. Discuss the kids’ behavior and how Sandra’s constant check-ins affect Rowan’s authority in the house. Sandra and Bill leave Rowan on her first day with the kids and she struggles to reign them all in. Why is her initial reaction so strong? How would you handle the ensuing harassment by an employer?Ħ. Rowan has a very negative first impression of Bill Elincourt and their relationship only gets worse from there. After everything Rowan saw and learned in the previous twenty-four hours, should she have heeded Maddie’s warning? Would you have listened to Maddie?ĥ. Maddie, the second oldest girl, has an unexpected reaction to Rowan’s departure and makes a terrifying proclamation: 'Don’t come here. What do we learn about Rowan as she tries to come up with the perfect answers? Would you say Rowan is trustworthy? What do you learn about Sandra during this initial interaction?Ĥ. The interview with Sandra is standard but revealing. What is your first impression of the house? What aspects were appealing or unappealing to you?ģ. Rowan describes the Elincourt estate in detail when she visits for her interview. Wrexham, would you keep reading? Is there anything she could say that would persuade you to represent her?Ģ. The book opens with Rowan Caine’s desperate plea for help from prison.

Ruth ware the turn of the key