Name: Shidehdeishidi's review of The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware
Item: The Death of Mrs. Westaway
Rating: 3
Author: Shidehdeishidi

Ruth Ware

The fourth novel from Ruth Ware, the Globe and Mail and New York Times bestselling author of In a Dark, Dark Wood, The Woman in Cabin 10, and The Lying Game. Harriet Westaway—better known as Hal—makes ends meet as a tarot reader, but she doesn’t believe in the power of her trade. On a day that begins like any other, she receives a mysterious and unexpected letter bequeathing her a substantial inheritance. She realizes quickly that the letter was sent to the wrong person—but she also knows that she can use her cold reading skills to potentially claim the money. Hal attends the funeral of the deceased and meets the family...but it dawns on her that there is something very, very wrong about this strange situation and that the inheritance is at the center of it. Full of spellbinding menace and told in Ruth Ware’s signature suspenseful style, this is an unputdownable thriller from the Agatha Christie of our time.

The Death of Mrs. Westaway

Diana

'I read this in two lightning-quick sittings...I absolutely adored it' Lisa Jewell HAL MUST KEEP GOING OR RISK LOSING EVERYTHING...EVEN HER LIFE. When Harriet Westaway receives an unexpected letter telling her she's inherited a substantial bequest from her Cornish grandmother, it seems like the answer to her prayers. There's just one problem - Hal's real grandparents died more than twenty years ago. Hal desperately needs the cash and makes a choice that will change her life for ever. She knows that her skills as a seaside fortune teller could help her con her way to getting the money. But once Hal embarks on her deception, there is no going back. _______________ Praise for THE DEATH OF MRS WESTAWAY: 'Ruth Ware's best: a dark and dramatic thriller, part murder mystery, part family drama' A. J. Finn 'Unsettling and brilliant' Heat '[An] explosive claustrophobic family drama laced with a touch of du Maurier' Woman & Home 'Atmospheric and eerie with Agatha Christie vibes' Prima 'Highly atmospheric' The Times 'Unguessably twisty' Louise Candlish

The Death of Mrs Westaway

Perfect for reading or listening in a rainy weekend.

Shidehdeishidi

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER A New York Public Library Best Book of 2019 From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of In a Dark, Dark Wood, The Woman in Cabin 10, and The Lying Game comes Ruth Ware’s fourth novel, “her best yet” (Library Journal, starred review). On a day that begins like any other, Hal receives a mysterious letter bequeathing her a substantial inheritance. She realizes very quickly that the letter was sent to the wrong person—but also that the cold-reading skills she’s honed as a tarot card reader might help her claim the money. Soon, Hal finds herself at the funeral of the deceased…where it dawns on her that there is something very, very wrong about this strange situation and the inheritance at the center of it. Full of spellbinding menace and told in Ruth Ware’s signature suspenseful style, this is an unputdownable thriller from the Agatha Christie of our time.

Bella Koch

Probably my favorite book by Ruth Ware so far. This was a really compelling read without just being edge-of-your-seat scary and I was total unable to predict the ending. I figured out some of the points of the mystery but others completely surprised me. Very fun read

"From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of In a Dark, Dark Wood, The Woman in Cabin 10, and The Lying Game comes Ruth Ware's highly anticipated fourth novel.  On a day that begins like any other, Hal receives a mysterious letter bequeathing her a substantial inheritance. She realizes very quickly that the letter was sent to the wrong person--but also that the cold-reading skills she's honed as a tarot card reader might help her claim the money.  Soon, Hal finds herself at the funeral of the deceased...where it dawns on her that there is something very, very wrong about this strange situation and the inheritance at the center of it. Full of spellbinding menace and told in Ruth Ware's signature suspenseful style, this is an unputdownable thriller from the Agatha Christie of our time"--

The death of Mrs. Westaway

Megan Murray 

Loved the setting and atmosphere of this one. There were a few times where I thought I had worked it all out, just for there to be a twist sending me in a different direction. Thoroughly enjoyed this one, looking forward to reading more by Ruth Ware!

Madison Grady

a very satisfying read i almost dnfed early on but i’m glad i pushed through, didn’t know niggle was a word… what’s going on in the uk???

Denaiir

as usual with Imogen Church, the audiobook version is amazing
I've read a few Ruth Ware now so I kind of knew where this one was going and pieced together a good chunk of the mystery, but it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the story.
4.5 stars

Lara Engle

This one was better than the other Ruth Ware books I've read. It had a heart that In a Dark Dark Wood and Turn of the Key didn't. I may feel that way because I really liked the main character, Hal. Her tragedy felt real and beyond her control, much like real tragedy usually is. My only real annoyance was with the loan shark storyline. It seemed excessive and unnecessary. Still, a good read, even with that shortcoming and a pretty predictable reveal. I hope Hal lives happily ever after.

'The Death of Mrs Westaway is Ruth Ware's best- a dark and dramatic thriller, part murder mystery, part family drama, altogether riveting' AJ FINN, bestselling author of THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW 'If you're an Agatha Christie fan then you'll love this eerie new offering from mega-author Ruth Ware... Dark, unsettling and brilliant.' HEAT ' An explosive claustrophobic family drama laced with a touch of du Maurier.' WOMAN & HOME When Harriet Westaway receives an unexpected letter telling her she's inherited a substantial bequest from her Cornish grandmother, it seems like the answer to her prayers. She owes money to a loan shark and the threats are getting increasingly aggressive- she needs to get her hands on some cash fast. There's just one problem - Hal's real grandparents died more than twenty years ago. The letter has been sent to the wrong person. But Hal knows that the cold-reading techniques she's honed as a seaside fortune teller could help her con her way to getting the money. If anyone has the skills to turn up at a stranger's funeral and claim a bequest they're not entitled to, it's her. Hal makes a choice that will change her life for ever. But once she embarks on her deception, there is no going back. She must keep going or risk losing everything, even her life... The brand new psychological thriller from the Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author of The Woman in Cabin 10.

Jacqueline Englund

To be honest, the first two thirds of the book were quite a drag. Even though I loved how well written and atmospheric it was, I was not impressed by the story line. However the last third definitely made up for it!!

Rachel Kanyid

Oh my goodness, I loved this book! Definitely recommend for a light thriller! I listened to the audiobook and it was wonderfully done!

Jessica Ford

I usually reserve five stars for books that have actual meaning, but I loved this book! The characters were fantastic. The setting was creepy. I loved how the story was told in the third person by the main character, Hal, and also in diary flashbacks by her mother. There were so many twists and turns. I thought I had figured it out, then BAM!, I was wrong. I can't wait to read more books by Ruth Ware.

Gisela Ayala 

Couldn’t put this book down. I thought knew and then I didn’t know. And then I thought I knew again. And then I didn’t know. And then the big reveal at the end! Definitely recommend reading this while it’s raining. I had no choice in the matter. It was raining the past couple of days but it definitely added to the ambience.

Cheri McElroy

I get why some people didn’t love this, it’s a slow-burn, atmospheric mystery. It’s not a thriller and it’s a bit predictable. But I adore environmental/atmospheric books, especially with a gothic feel. This reminds me of Rebecca by du Maurier meets Agatha Christie’s Endless Night, with some Appointment with Death thrown in (I found Mrs Westaway similar to Mrs Boynton in the Christie book). So this was a definite win for me.

kate humphreys 

i’m definitely not angry at this book!! it kept me entertained and i ripped right through it. i figured out some of the twists before they happen which i always hate but nonetheless i really annoyed this! excited to read the turn of the key and be up to date on ruth ware’s stuff!!

Rebecca Self 

The writing was fantastic - I was feeling creeped out a little in the dark. 
I had to read the plot twist a few times to fully understand it, but I thought it was great. 
Enjoyed this book even more because it gave off a lot of Rebecca vibes - a housekeeper like Mrs. Danvers and a boathouse off of the house. 

Very much enjoyed this and definitely recommend!

mevi

Perfect cozy mystery if you want something cliche and stereotypical. It was predictable but I absolutely loved it. Recommend if you like Christie Agatha.

When Harriet "Hal" Westaway receives a letter bequeathing her a substantial inheritance, she realizes very quickly that the letter was sent to the wrong person. But the cold-reading skills she's honed as a tarot card reader might help her claim the money. Soon, Hal finds herself at the funeral of the deceased, where she discovers that there is something very, very wrong about this strange situation-- and the inheritance at the center of it. -- adapted from publisher info

Bianca

Not necessarily a murder mystery, but still a murder mystery. This novel gave me Knives Out vibes, and I loved every second of it! Great twists, and I couldn't stop turning the page.

Sarahi Flores

This book gives you a sense of gothic theme don't it? One of the reason I couldn't help but pick this book. Another reason would be that I've read the other Ware's books and overall I quite enjoyed the stories. Needless to say this was book here I can easily say it was mmm ok.

Hal, the protagonist of this story, is someone who I didn't really get a good sense of person she is. I mean in my opinion she felt kinda distant to warm up to. Her characteristics are different from what I usually used to. Being that she is a tarot card reader, it's a new and different element for me. I mean I'm pretty much skeptical about those things so it was hard to get into the story since she kept referencing her personal situation into her tarot reading skills she has picked up from her mother.

The whole plot twist was a bit confusing for me. It was difficult to remember who is who since I couldn't really connect with some certain characters. Tell me why I had to go back to some pages and re read who is who because once the plot was thickening, I just forgot who and why. Does that make sense? Anyways I was left going back and that left me with an irritating mood. Don't get me wrong, it was good but it didn't left me with a gasp like some of the author's previous books.

I give this book 3 stars. It was a steady pace and being that it is a suspense novel, it didn't really left me surprised. I hope this doesn't discourage anyone, it's only my opinion that is all.

'The Death of Mrs Westaway is Ruth Ware's best: a dark and dramatic thriller, part murder mystery, part family drama, altogether riveting' AJ FINN, bestselling author of THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW When Harriet Westaway receives an unexpected letter telling her she's inherited a substantial bequest from her Cornish grandmother, it seems like the answer to her prayers. She owes money to a loan shark and the threats are getting increasingly aggressive: she needs to get her hands on some cash fast. There's just one problem - Hal's real grandparents died more than twenty years ago. The letter has been sent to the wrong person. But Hal knows that the cold-reading techniques she's honed as a seaside fortune teller could help her con her way to getting the money. If anyone has the skills to turn up at a stranger's funeral and claim a bequest they're not entitled to, it's her. Hal makes a choice that will change her life for ever. But once she embarks on her deception, there is no going back. She must keep going or risk losing everything, even her life... The brand new psychological thriller from the Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author of The Woman in Cabin 10.

Book 4

Madhuri Sridhara

3.5: Not extraordinary but the characters were intriguing especially the protagonist Hal who was relatable and showed so much strength right from the beginning. It's your run of the miller thriller with some gothic elements thrown it. More of what's going on than a whodunnit, it takes you to the house and the place. Interesting read. Hal will stay with me, that's for sure.

Cindy Lieberman

Both this and The Woman in Cabin 10 fall just short of being very good. Inconsistencies and obviousness can seriously derail a mystery. A stronger set of early readers can help with these issues. This novel also suffered in the audiobook version by its excruciatingly slow performance. I mostly listened to this at 1.5 or 1.75 speed to stay awake between pauses. I gave it 3 stars because she can write and the characters and descriptions are enjoyable.

Alexa Jade

DNF. I couldn’t not get into this book at all and I found the “my conscious/part of me said to me” parts so repetitive and annoying.

Marley Wallace

Did not expect to enjoy this as much as I did. I finished it so quickly 

Amy Maddess

I’ve been in a reading slump this month and I DNF’d two books before this so I decided to try and finish this one in case it was just me but it wasn’t and this book was awful and I wish I didn’t put in so much time :( all the exciting parts were revealed to the reader before the characters so there was no suspense. Just no

Fun audio book
Kept me interested but I was able to figure it out way before the end.
Loved the readers voices though.

Caitlin Snyder

(+) I liked Ware's description of tarot card readings. I don't know anything about tarot cards but I liked the perspective that the cards don't guarentee you a certain future, they just present one future that is possible based on the energy you bring to a reading.

(-) I'm really hit or miss with Ware's books. This wasn't a bad book but I don't think it was a particularly good book either. I didn't connect to the characters at all. I thought the twist was pretty obvious (not all the details but the general gist of it). It was just a so-so book which is disappointing since I really like some of her other books.

Ambreen Hasan

What a fun and creepy-ass book. 

I actually hadn't read a mystery in over a year and this was a nice change in pace, especially since the weather is getting colder. The book reads like a classic who dunnit novel but was easy and interesting enough to get into. The pacing was a bit on the slower end but it added to the suspense. I had my theories but they were quickly shattered time and time again which I liked a lot. 

The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars is that I found, Hal, the main protagnist at times a little annoying. The author had like two descriptions for her: cold and her stomach constantly churning. There were also themes that felt repetitive and clearly could of been edited out.

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The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware

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