Reviews

The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware

miguelb's review against another edition

2.0

(Quit 2/3 of the way through)

I find it incredibly frustrating when an author establishes that the protagonist has an expertise and then that same protagonist never uses that expertise in all of the situations in which that expertise would be well suited. Life is too short for frustrating books.

grifmk01's review

3.0

This is the first time I fully read a Ruth Ware novel. I'm not sure why exactly, but I can never seem to get invested in her books. That being said I found this book was just okay. The characters were mostly stock besides Hal. The setting and plot flowed like other mysteries you may have already read before. A lot of time felt like it was devoted to Hal's moral dilemma of whether she should admit she is not actually who everyone thinks she is. It is not until after halfway into the book that the puzzle pieces are lain out for Hal to try and piece together. I wish the actual mystery was either better delved into and researched or there were more mysteries to be solved that the diary gives you as you read along. I'm sure I'm just being finicky, but if you like mysterious mansions in the eerie English countryside, and family feuds over inheritance, pick up a copy.

nickthewelder89's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

namratabatish's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

korpney's review

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

alanaferraro's review

got distracted with The Great Believers - will pick it up again!

kaylee_kdc's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

cisop_sixpence's review

5.0

Fantastic book.

almakos's review

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

swiftlyreadingeverything's review

mysterious tense slow-paced

3.25