A review by elliebeemellie
The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton

dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

TW for the book itself: fatphobia and references to sexual assault, addiction, child abuse, classism, and traditional terrible rich person things.

The style of writing in this novel isn't my favorite, and there's something distinctly uncomfortable about marinating in a soup of unequivocally terrible people, but the premise of this book is DELIGHTFUL. I have a soft spot for watching people interact on non-linear timelines, and I also loved watching the main character (Aiden) struggle with his sense of self. 

The tension ratcheted up nicely as Aiden picked apart the mystery, and while I don't think it's totally possible to predict the ending with the clues you're given, I do think that enough clues are scattered about that it feels earned. 

Also, bonus points for where the book landed on the rehabilitation vs permanent incarceration debate.
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