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A review by brimelick
The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was thoroughly enjoyable as someone who does not pick up mystery books often. The historical setting of this decrepit sprawling manor in the countryside paints the perfect place for past family trauma to come back and haunt them at a party set up as a murder scene.
What is truly interesting about this narrative is the main character, Aiden Bishop. We know he's there, stuck in the body of eight people involved in this murder. Every day for eight days, he wakes up in those bodies to solve this murder and escape. However, Aiden doesn't remember anything about himself or how long he's been stuck in this loop, so we, as readers, only see him through the lens of the people whose bodies he inhabits. There are twists, murders, secrets, plots, drugs, money, intrigue, blackmail, and unknown identities, all guiding the reader in this enjoyable story. You're not quite sure whether you can trust Aiden or not or if you can trust Anna, the woman who is helping (?) Aiden through this mystery while also being stuck in the loop. I definitely will be reading more mysteries after this one.
What is truly interesting about this narrative is the main character, Aiden Bishop. We know he's there, stuck in the body of eight people involved in this murder. Every day for eight days, he wakes up in those bodies to solve this murder and escape. However, Aiden doesn't remember anything about himself or how long he's been stuck in this loop, so we, as readers, only see him through the lens of the people whose bodies he inhabits. There are twists, murders, secrets, plots, drugs, money, intrigue, blackmail, and unknown identities, all guiding the reader in this enjoyable story. You're not quite sure whether you can trust Aiden or not or if you can trust Anna, the woman who is helping (?) Aiden through this mystery while also being stuck in the loop. I definitely will be reading more mysteries after this one.