nglofile's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars. Though Ware has built her brand on compromised female narrators somehow caught up in a situation beyond their control, she wisely changes up the formula and this time employs a young woman who walks into trouble with her eyes open, even if she does severely underestimate what might result. Devotees won't be disappointed; there's still the claustrophobic setting, long-buried secrets slowly pushing their way into the light, and the ever-shifting reliability of those around the protagonist.
I clamor for each new collaboration between Ware and narrator Imogen Church (see below). The atmospheric combination of creepy isolation and gradual-but-unrelenting tension is irresistible. When Hal is introduced as a tarot reader, I braced myself to be frustrated, but the way her honed skill of both reading people and reflecting back to them was incorporated throughout the narrative was surprisingly effective. As with other books, I chafe at 'twists' that are telegraphed far too early and obviously, but somehow author and narrator use any such emotion sparked in the reader to feed back into the story's tension. Frankly, I don't know whether to be slightly annoyed or humbly impressed by that trick.
I responded warmly (chillingly?) to the gothic undertones of this novel's choices, including the Mrs. Danvers-like servant. The use of red herrings seemed balanced for reader experience as well, and though the ending might have been a bit explain-y, it doesn't detract from the overall satisfaction of a story well-told.
audiobook note: Once again Imogen Church's reading transforms a good escapist novel into a transportive experience. Her performative interpretation of the text, her ability to convey fathoms with a pause or a syllable, and the shivering delight of tension in character portrayals never fail to inspire a feeling of near grief at the end of her storytelling, tempting me to simply start again.
I clamor for each new collaboration between Ware and narrator Imogen Church (see below). The atmospheric combination of creepy isolation and gradual-but-unrelenting tension is irresistible. When Hal is introduced as a tarot reader, I braced myself to be frustrated, but the way her honed skill of both reading people and reflecting back to them was incorporated throughout the narrative was surprisingly effective. As with other books, I chafe at 'twists' that are telegraphed far too early and obviously, but somehow author and narrator use any such emotion sparked in the reader to feed back into the story's tension. Frankly, I don't know whether to be slightly annoyed or humbly impressed by that trick.
I responded warmly (chillingly?) to the gothic undertones of this novel's choices, including the Mrs. Danvers-like servant. The use of red herrings seemed balanced for reader experience as well, and though the ending might have been a bit explain-y, it doesn't detract from the overall satisfaction of a story well-told.
audiobook note: Once again Imogen Church's reading transforms a good escapist novel into a transportive experience. Her performative interpretation of the text, her ability to convey fathoms with a pause or a syllable, and the shivering delight of tension in character portrayals never fail to inspire a feeling of near grief at the end of her storytelling, tempting me to simply start again.
2karina7's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
traceychick's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
gielle's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars. MC apologizes too much. Plot seemed interesting but I just didn’t enjoy this as much as I liked to.
bookishtory2665's review against another edition
4.0
Mrs. Westaway, largely considered poisonous by her children, is dead and the family gathers one last time to bury her and attend the reading of the will. Among those gathered is the protagonist, Hal (Harriet), who is penniless and on the run from a loan shark. She operates a fortune telling business on the pier, she was orphaned when her mother died shortly before her eighteenth birthday, and is so poor that she's trying to decide which utility she can live without for awhile. An inheritance could get her out from under the debt that's crushing her (she payed 2000 of the original 500 and still owes 3000 -- it's the 'vig' that gets you or so I hear).
Hal is trying to hang onto the past. She lives in the same run down apartment she grew up in; she took over her mother's fortune telling business but is barely making ends meet. She's stuck and 'drowning' but it takes two singular events, the loan shark who breaks into her apartment and an invitation to attend the reading of Mrs. Westaway's will, for her to finally start moving in a different direction.
You know, at the half-way point of this book, I was thinking that it's definitely a two -- and I thought about quitting. I didn't particularly like anyone and I have a fondness where I can root for someone … anyone, you know? But on reflection, and having finished the book, I can honestly admit that the fault was mine. I'd just finished reading a fast-paced series (Lockwood and Co.) and The Death of Mrs. Westaway is well … not.
It's more a slow. burn. Builds slowly. Gives you time to get to know the characters. So, I admit to being a bit too impatient and here at the end, I'm glad I hung in there because the second half was really … good. There was a lot more to Hal than I gave her credit for and I'm happy to have spent the time with her.
Hal is trying to hang onto the past. She lives in the same run down apartment she grew up in; she took over her mother's fortune telling business but is barely making ends meet. She's stuck and 'drowning' but it takes two singular events, the loan shark who breaks into her apartment and an invitation to attend the reading of Mrs. Westaway's will, for her to finally start moving in a different direction.
You know, at the half-way point of this book, I was thinking that it's definitely a two -- and I thought about quitting. I didn't particularly like anyone and I have a fondness where I can root for someone … anyone, you know? But on reflection, and having finished the book, I can honestly admit that the fault was mine. I'd just finished reading a fast-paced series (Lockwood and Co.) and The Death of Mrs. Westaway is well … not.
It's more a slow. burn. Builds slowly. Gives you time to get to know the characters. So, I admit to being a bit too impatient and here at the end, I'm glad I hung in there because the second half was really … good. There was a lot more to Hal than I gave her credit for and I'm happy to have spent the time with her.
goldenas's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
hayese35's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
dannycakez8808's review against another edition
4.0
This was my first Ruth Ware and I was enthralled by it from the first page. I loved the mystery and the Gothic setting of the manor. This book did however have some odd tidbits and things were left a bit open in my opinion. I'd love a sequel!
doubleace2423's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
patwebb88's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
5.0