A review by happi_mess
The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware

Did not finish book.

”You can’t influence fate, or change what’s out of your control. But you can choose what you yourself do with the cards you’re dealt.”

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This is the story of Hal, who is struggling financially and was in the verge of getting kicked out of her home. One day, she received a letter telling her that her grandmother passed away and she was one of the beneficiaries left on her will. But the thing was, Hal’s real grandmother passed away years ago.
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Rating: ★ (DNF)

I have heard Alexandra (booktuber) gushed about this book in a reading vlog and I got so excited with the premise. However… I did not think that it would be this E…X…C…R…U…C…I…A…T…I…N…G…L…Y SLOW.

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The things that I like

☽ I loved the premise. Owning up a fortune that was not supposed to be yours? A mysterious house? Yup, count me in.

But count me out on the other aspects.

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The things that I DID NOT like

☾ The narration. I don’t think I’m much of a fan of Hal. I did not connect with her on any levels.

☾ The writing went overboard. I think what made this book slow to progress was the insertion of the things that should have been cut out. I did not need to know about the tarot cards (not unless it was going to be groundbreaking in the end, but I did not stick long enough to find out).

☾ 35% in, and no creepy things were happening. I came here to get spooked and scared. The plotline was very eye-catching. But the execution is not just for me.

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In sum:

I’m glad that other people enjoyed this book. Unfortunately, I am too impatient for it and liked a different way for mystery books to be written.