A review by whatsmomreading
Death in Her Hands by Ottessa Moshfegh

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Vesta Gul is a widow, entering her Golden Years and reflecting on her life when she stumbles upon a note in the forest on her land alluding to the death (or murder) of a woman named Magda. What follows is Vesta spiraling out of control as she attempts to discern reality from her own imagination. 

I have always joked that my plan once I’m over 70 is to buy a piece of land in the middle of nowhere and have a dog or two, so I immediately had a soft spot for Vesta. Experiencing her unraveling reminded me of how often we can create these stories and “realities” in our own minds based off of little to no information and get wrapped up in them. 

I mentioned in my stories that this was my first time listening to an audiobook and the voice actor does such a brilliant job bringing Vesta to life that I felt completely sucked into the story she was creating, then I’d pause and have to remind myself this was all in Vesta’s head! 🙇🏻‍♀️