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A review by ojtheviking
The Death of Mrs Westaway by Ruth Ware
3.5
This novel is a slow burn, and I felt that it was trying to channel old-school mystery novels similar to Agatha Christie's Poirot series (which is actually mentioned at some point too; definitely a respectful nod, there), or the Sherlock Holmes stories, only in a more casual, modern package. The part I feel is successful, is how the story starts out relatively simple, but new layers are unveiled along the way until the main character finds herself involved in the overall mystery in ways she initially hadn't imagined. And we, the readers, see everything through the main character's eyes, thus the plot thickens, as they say, for us too along with her.
One thing that was a bit borderline cheesy, though - and it's hard to precisely explain why without spoilers - was the fact that this story is set in modern times, and some of the family drama revealed along the way seems a bit exaggerated in this day and age, compared to how certain things would be a much greater scandal some decades ago. It makes me wonder if the overall plot would have worked better if it were more of a period piece. Mysterious, old secrets hidden in a big mansion belonging to a rich family ... secrets desperately waiting to come to light ... it somehow feels more fitting to have such a story take place in the late 1800s or early 1900s.
I suppose a good way to put it, is that in terms of the "classic, old-school mystery set in modern time" vibe, where a movie like Knives Out completely nailed it, this book didn't fully do so.
Aside from that, I found it to be a well-written novel, with the slow-burn approach providing a nice build-up that will keep you invested and keep you guessing. It was not without certain clichés, but again, I think those clichés would have been less apparent had the story taken place in a different era. The ensemble of characters is sufficiently fleshed out, and you get a good sense of their different personalities, although they also have that feeling of belonging in another time period.
In short, none of the issues I've pointed out are problematic enough for me to consider this a bad or disappointing read. I ultimately enjoyed it for what it was. And I liked how the main character's experience with being a somewhat deceptive Tarot card reader could be utilized in her emerging quest to drag the truth out of people and generally shed some light on the growing mystery.
One thing that was a bit borderline cheesy, though - and it's hard to precisely explain why without spoilers - was the fact that this story is set in modern times, and some of the family drama revealed along the way seems a bit exaggerated in this day and age, compared to how certain things would be a much greater scandal some decades ago. It makes me wonder if the overall plot would have worked better if it were more of a period piece. Mysterious, old secrets hidden in a big mansion belonging to a rich family ... secrets desperately waiting to come to light ... it somehow feels more fitting to have such a story take place in the late 1800s or early 1900s.
I suppose a good way to put it, is that in terms of the "classic, old-school mystery set in modern time" vibe, where a movie like Knives Out completely nailed it, this book didn't fully do so.
Aside from that, I found it to be a well-written novel, with the slow-burn approach providing a nice build-up that will keep you invested and keep you guessing. It was not without certain clichés, but again, I think those clichés would have been less apparent had the story taken place in a different era. The ensemble of characters is sufficiently fleshed out, and you get a good sense of their different personalities, although they also have that feeling of belonging in another time period.
In short, none of the issues I've pointed out are problematic enough for me to consider this a bad or disappointing read. I ultimately enjoyed it for what it was. And I liked how the main character's experience with being a somewhat deceptive Tarot card reader could be utilized in her emerging quest to drag the truth out of people and generally shed some light on the growing mystery.