The 7-1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton

The 7-1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton

Freelance travel journalist Stuart Turton's debut novel, The 7-1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, has a ton of accolades attached to its name. Some of those may be expected: Sunday Times Bestseller, 10 Must Read Books of 2018 by Harper's Bazaar, The Guardian's Best Books of 2018. Some of those accolades are a little more niche: Best Books Like Knives Out, Best Time Loop Books, Books by Authors Like Agatha Christie. None of those are what drew me in, I liked the way the cover looked. The 7-1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle deals with addiction and drug abuse, child death and adult death, including that of a parent, gun violence, infidelity, references to sexual assault, suicide, violence and injury, blood, murder, and classism.

Aiden Bishop has eight days to find out who kills Evelyn Hardcastle. Trapped in Blackheath Manor and reliving the same day over and over again, the day in which Evelyn dies that evening at eleven. But every day that Aiden wakes up, he wakes up as a different guest at the manor - each with their own strengths and weaknesses, each with their own points of view that may help Aiden solve Evelyn's murder. But that's never helped him before. Because if Aiden can't solve the case at the end of eight days, he's doomed to relive them all from the beginning of the loop, as he's done countless times before.

To put it succinctly, this book is unlike anything I've read before and I liked it. The beginning was quite confusing. I was confused, Aiden was confused, he was making me more confused, I began to think I'd made a terrible mistake, but then we started to figure things out. As the day progresses, you learn the rules of Blackheath Manor and what exactly Aiden needs to do to get out of this loop. You get to cycle through a cast of characters, several of which are incredible unlikeable for their own distinct reasons, and use each of your hosts to solve another little piece of the puzzle. The plot progresses quickly, there is never a point in this book where it felt slow, and you're never sure who (if anyone) to trust. I never thought that I had the mystery figured out although I did really like watching as Aiden figured out pieces of the puzzle and how days fit together. Thoroughly enjoyable if sometimes a bit confusing, with an ending that I did not expect. As for the very, very end, I'm not sure I love it but I can live with it.

I'm giving The 7-1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton 4-1/2 stars out of 5. If you like puzzles and mystery novels, give this one a try, just make sure to have a notebook handy - you're going to want to jot things down.

For more from the author, check out https://www.stuturton.com/

Pairs well with cinnamon scones and having your portrait painted.

My favorite quotes:

"Anger's solid; it has weight. You can beat your fists against it. Pity's a fog to become lost within."

"They're all still dancing, they've just changed the steps."

"'You think I'm destined to fail?' 'Destined? No. That would be an excuse...'"

"...but bars can't build better men and misery can only break what goodness remains."