The 7 ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton (2018)

Laura’s Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

This was a book I discovered while browsing in a bookstore and actually bought for myself. The “Groundhog Day” concept mixed with a murder mystery results in a puzzle that unfolds with a new spin each day. It is one of my favorite books I have read in the past 6 months.

The Analysis:

Fantastic and unique book! I want to start by saying that this book is not for everyone because it has a very complex and layered plot. However, if you can follow along and focus, it is worth it!  My advice would be to read this book for longer stretches (30 min+ at a time) and/or try not to take too long (multiple weeks, months, etc) to complete it. This is because the timeline and character relationships get complicated, which is necessary for the plot, but it would be hard to remember all the details with long breaks in between reading. Despite this, the way this book is crafted is genius and it is so original! Also, I very much appreciated the character list included in the beginning and I referred back to it multiple times.

Author Stuart Turton masterfully creates the singular setting of Blackheath in such a way that it exists on another plane separate from society. He makes it feel like the entire universe within the book is composed of the estate and surrounding area. There are many rich details about the setting and characters, which help the reader to create a clear mental picture of the story. Without giving too much away, the author does an excellent job of giving each character particular defining characteristics. This is how the reader can both learn about each character’s personality and also identify how each of their distinct ways of thinking affect the narrator.

The 7 ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle has the feeling of a great, classic mystery with the bonus of a modern twist. The truth behind Blackheath was not what I expected but it did not disappoint. I have to admit that some of my friends and family who read the book were not impressed quite to the same level as me, but this book really stood out for me. So many times, I feel like I am reading variations of the same stories but this book was truly original. The unique story made for a very refreshing read. I very much recommend this book, specifically for avid readers and mystery lovers.