One of the most impressive books I have read, The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle is a genre-bending thriller that will keep you guessing. It’s a book that constantly upheaves your expectations and requires a close eye and patience.
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About The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle
Publisher: Raven Books | Release Date: February 8, 2018 | Pages: 512
Genre: Adult, Mystery, Thriller | Format: eARC | Source: Publisher via Netgalley
Deeply atmospheric and ingeniously plotted, The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle is a highly original debut that will appeal to fans of Kate Atkinson and Agatha Christie.
Also titled as The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle.
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My Review for 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle
Wow. What a wonderful five days I had reading this mind and genre-bending Mystery debut. This is definitely a book that you should go into as blind as possible and for that reason my review will be shorter than typical as this is near impossible to review without spoilers.
“Blackheath seems fertile ground for tragedy.”
Turton managed to create an amazing and contained environment for this story to take place, and his writing is vivid in its descriptions of Blackheath and the people inhabiting it that I feel like I could walk the grounds myself. The atmospheric writing gripped from the first lines to the very last and even managed to make me feel the emotions of the main character.
While this is certainly a mind trip and not a cozy mystery read, the writing is solid and the main character’s voice at times has this sarcastic humor that I just couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
“I hadn’t previously made the connection between [redacted for spoilers], probably because it’s easier to imagine him being delivered onto this earth by a biblical plague.”
The was definitely a 5-star plot for me, but in execution I have it at 4 stars. It took some time and patience to settle into the narrative style, and I think some people will struggle. Just keep in mind that this isn’t a light, cozy mystery.
Blackheath is a place where everyone wears a mask and no one is who they seem. Paying close attention will pay dividends. While I guessed a couple of the reveals due to my pick-apart-everything nature, even I was thrown a couple of curveballs… and I love to be surprised, especially when it is done well.
I love how everything tied up nicely in the end (no loose ends that I noticed) and I think this is a book that would get better with re-reading. Turton managed an inventive, complex, and mesmerizing book for his debut and I look forward to reading his future publications. I highly recommend this book to fans of mysteries, but be prepared to be highly engaged in a web where answers come long before you think to ask the questions. I don’t think this will be for everyone, but this is an absolute gem for the right people.
Many thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me an electronic ARC of this book via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. Quotations were taken from an uncorrected proof and are subject to change upon publication. I have since purchased a finished copy.
Let’s go on another adventure together!
I have a NetGalley copy of this as well, and every review I’ve read has been glowing! I can hardly wait until next month to read it.
Honestly I kind of get chills thinking about it now, haha! Definitely a book I will re-read at some point because I think it will be even better the second time. I can’t wait to hear your thoughts! (Also we literally have the same taste in books and I love it.)
I keep hearing great things about this book, I don’t read mystery but this book is piqued my interest. Great review Kaleena!!
Thanks, Carolina! IT’s definitely a genre-bending book that has the best elements of mystery but also these spooky and fantasy vibes to it. I hope you give it a shot!
Wait what?! It has fantasy elements too? Huh, that’s pretty weird. I think I’m gonna give it a try. Thank you Kaleena 💕
Yea, that’s really the only way I can describe it. It’s an interesting read and so unique! I hope you enjoy it Carolina!
I’m expecting my copy of this in the mail hopefully soon, so I can’t wait to read this.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!!!
I was contemplating if I should go with my request of this book on NetGalley I am kind of glad that I didn’t and kind of regretting it. You mentioned that it takes a little while to get use to the narrative and getting better with rereading which I am not a huge fan of but the synopsis really is hooking. I believe this book will end up in my tbr no matter what hahaha
Honestly the book is amazing and I would recommend it. I struggled a bit with what I can only describe as shifting perspectives early on but settled in pretty quick. This is in intricately plotted mystery with a lot of stuff going on, so if you do read it be prepared to be confused for most of it – but in a good way? Like “WHAT IS GOING ON AHH” I didn’t put this in my review, but if you have ever seen the movie Memento the narrative style is similar to that in the wtf way.
In terms of re-reading, I think that the book definitely is understandable in one read! I just enjoyed it so much and wonder what I would pick up on now that I know what happened, if that makes sense?
Seven Deaths (us in the UK didn’t get an extra half) is such a great book.👍
Yea, I read that they changed the US title because of the uncanny title similarities with the Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, haha! (The half does make sense, though!) I loved this book so much and I just saw the finished copy has a map in it and I need it immediately.
Great review 🙂 I went to the book store today and this book was one of the ones on my “maybe” pile that didn’t get purchased. After reading this review though, I think I’m pushing it to my “heck yes” pile and it’ll get purchased on kobo as ebook. Can’t wait to read it. 🙂
Thank you so much, and I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did! Please tell me what you think on Twitter. 🙂