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kanncarlson's review against another edition
3.0
I listen to Ruth Ware's books for the narration. Imogen Church is my favorite creepy-vibes narrator. I super enough listening to her tell Ware's stories because, for me, they are about the atmosphere. They don't usually move super quickly but there is a chill of unease going down your spine from the second Church starts narrating.
This story following a young woman who is down on her luck until she received notice that she may be in line for a significant, surprise inheritance. Off she goes to a creepy mansion to meet a family she never knew she had and she begins to uncover secrets about her own and her family's past. I think I actually enjoy the build-up in Ware's books more than the reveals. Questioning what might be going on (even though I never have conclusions) feels more fun for me than learning the truth of things.
This story following a young woman who is down on her luck until she received notice that she may be in line for a significant, surprise inheritance. Off she goes to a creepy mansion to meet a family she never knew she had and she begins to uncover secrets about her own and her family's past. I think I actually enjoy the build-up in Ware's books more than the reveals. Questioning what might be going on (even though I never have conclusions) feels more fun for me than learning the truth of things.
perfectly_pintsized's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
juliamc_corner's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 rounded up because I actually enjoyed this a lot more than the other book I’ve read by her, and I didn’t have the mystery completely figured out before it was revealed
conglomerationofchaos's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
krissy_reads's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars. I don't typically reach for suspense novels, but I have enjoyed all three of Ruth Ware's books that I've read! The plot twists are fun to follow, and I enjoy trying to pick apart the mystery.
amandahop's review against another edition
4.0
This was a good read. A little slow in the beginning and probably 50 pages too long but I enjoyed this one.
librosamo's review against another edition
5.0
5 stars! I started this book around 9:30 pm and basically stayed up until 4:00 am to finish it. Pretty sure I've never done that, especially when it cuts into sleep, haha.
Anyways. Within this book, Ruth Ware has crafted a family with secrets waiting to be discovered. Hal, our main character, is summoned to Trepassen, the house of a family she didn't know she had, for the funeral and subsequent probate of Mrs. Westaway, the family matriarch. When she starts trying to find her place, if there is one, within this family, she discovers more than she thought possible.
This book has everything I love about a thriller: a spooky, gothic setting (seriously, old family homes are amazing); a family with cobwebs and secrets that no one wishes to speak of; a creepy, cranky old housekeeper who knows all (Mrs Danvers, anyone?); lastly, a protagonist who must find the truth of everything to find herself.
I highly recommend this book! For me, it's the best one yet from Ruth Ware.
Anyways. Within this book, Ruth Ware has crafted a family with secrets waiting to be discovered. Hal, our main character, is summoned to Trepassen, the house of a family she didn't know she had, for the funeral and subsequent probate of Mrs. Westaway, the family matriarch. When she starts trying to find her place, if there is one, within this family, she discovers more than she thought possible.
This book has everything I love about a thriller: a spooky, gothic setting (seriously, old family homes are amazing); a family with cobwebs and secrets that no one wishes to speak of; a creepy, cranky old housekeeper who knows all (Mrs Danvers, anyone?); lastly, a protagonist who must find the truth of everything to find herself.
I highly recommend this book! For me, it's the best one yet from Ruth Ware.
briipearl's review against another edition
4.0
Ruth Ware is a hard one for me - I'm divided 50/50 on liking and disliking her style + stories. (It's a complicated relationship.) I definitely preferred The Death of Mrs. Westaway over In a Dark, Dark Wood (that I read a few years ago). TDOMW felt more complete to me, as a whole.
Elements include: tarot, murder, debt, familiar secrets and dysfunction, new starts.
I loved all the magpie imagery and all the tarot insight - I felt those two symbols found a rhythm through the entire story.
I didn't get truly sucked in until maybe the final 30%. Then I HAD to know how it all was going to come together (or fall apart). Solid, creepy read for nighttime though!
Elements include: tarot, murder, debt, familiar secrets and dysfunction, new starts.
I loved all the magpie imagery and all the tarot insight - I felt those two symbols found a rhythm through the entire story.
I didn't get truly sucked in until maybe the final 30%. Then I HAD to know how it all was going to come together (or fall apart). Solid, creepy read for nighttime though!
sleepytchr's review against another edition
3.0
This book took me a very long time to get through because it didn’t hold my interest well. If the main character had about thirty more IQ points, she would’ve figured out what was going on much, much sooner. The real star of this experience for me is the narrator of the Audible version. I both read and listened to this book. The narrator was so entertaining and talented that I stuck it out and finished the book. Ruth Ware fans will not be sorry they read this book, but I don’t think it’s her best work.