The Turn of the Screw (1898) is a ghost story written by Henry James. The novella appeared in serial form in Colliers Weekly (an American magazine) between 27 January and 16 April 1898.

A young woman becomes governess for 2 orphaned children who live on a remote estate. Her employment is organised by the children’s uncle.

The governess becomes convinced that there are ghosts on the estate who intend to take the children.

According to some commentators, The Turn of the Screw was influenced by Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre (1847), including the themes of class and gender.

In turn, we can see the influence of The Turn of the Screw in John Boyne’s This House is Haunted.