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
natcommon's review against another edition
4.0
Ruth Ware is great at creating atmosphere and making her books bingeable. But again, it could be shorter. Ruth Ware tends to repeat descriptions and feelings and thoughts of her main characters. This one, like her other novels, would make excellent movies.
whovianpnw's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
melli80's review against another edition
5.0
It took me a while but it was great not the truth I was expecting.