The Death of Mrs Westaway
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By Ruth Ware
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1 review
THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER
‘The Death of Mrs Westaway is Ruth Ware’s best: a dark and dramatic thriller, part murder mystery, part family drama, altogether riveting’ AJ FINN, bestselling author of THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW
‘If you’re an Agatha Christie fan then you’ll love this eerie new offering from mega-author Ruth Ware… Dark, unsettling and brilliant.’ HEAT
‘[An] explosive claustrophobic family drama laced with a touch of du Maurier.’ WOMAN & HOME
When Harriet Westaway receives an unexpected letter telling her she’s inherited a substantial bequest from her Cornish grandmother, it seems like the answer to her prayers. She owes money to a loan shark and the threats are getting increasingly aggressive: she needs to get her hands on some cash fast.
There’s just one problem – Hal’s real grandparents died more than twenty years ago. The letter has been sent to the wrong person. But Hal knows that the cold-reading techniques she’s honed as a seaside fortune teller could help her con her way to getting the money. If anyone has the skills to turn up at a stranger’s funeral and claim a bequest they’re not entitled to, it’s her.
Hal makes a choice that will change her life for ever. But once she embarks on her deception, there is no going back. She must keep going or risk losing everything, even her life…
The brand new psychological thriller from the Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author of The Woman in Cabin 10.
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My book group has been reading the book and here are some of our thoughts.
This bounces along nicely with an intriguing premise that is 'could you con your way to a bequest in a will'? The big house and the characters within are suitably menacing at times, with a nod to Rebecca here and there, location wise at least. There are odd bits where I was shouting 'use your phone to take a picture!' or 'don't dither, call the police!' but of course it made no difference! The book is very readable and sucks you in from the very first.
MMK
I enjoyed reading ‘The Death of Mrs Westaway’ especially with its twists and turns towards the end. It was a book that was a real page-turner from the very beginning, wondering which decision Hal was going to make, how she would manage and where she actually ‘fit’ into the family. I loved the imagery throughout and could clearly picture each character and Trepassen House. A really good read.
ST
I really enjoyed this book. I am not a big reader but when you mentioned this book I looked on Google to read what it was firstly all about and thought that it was my type of read….and it was. I was a bit confused at the start as I wasn’t sure what the first couple of pages were about but obviously as I read through the book I realised it was someone’s diary. I liked the fact that it had small chapters as it felt like I was getting through the book with speed, which is something that I lack when reading as there always seems to be someone calling me for something or other. I could relate to the locations as I lived in Lancing which was about 10 miles down the road from Brighton and also my nan’s family came from Cornwall so I felt a special link. I enjoyed the fact that the storyline with the housekeeper made you think that she had something to do with the murders. I enjoyed this read so much that I stayed up late to finish it!
AS
I was surprised how quickly I read this. When I found out reviews were needed by by 28th I felt quite pressured, but as it turns out I needn't have worried, because it was an easy and very enjoyable to read. About 3/4 in I guessed the baddy, then realised I was wrong, but I didn't mind because that just kept me reading!
BM
