The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
Tonight, Evelyn Hardcastle will be killed… again.
It is meant to be a celebration but it ends in tragedy. As fireworks explode overhead, Evelyn Hardcastle, the young and beautiful daughter of the house, is killed.
But Evelyn will not die just once. Until Aiden – one of the guests summoned to Blackheath for the party – can solve her murder, the day will repeat itself, over and over again. Every time ending with the fateful pistol shot.
The only way to break this cycle is to identify the killer. But each time the day begins again, Aiden wakes in the body of a different guest. And someone is determined to prevent him ever escaping Blackheath…
Wow. I would love to sit down with Stuart Turton and pick his brain. I am in awe of anyone who is able to write such a detailed and layered story and still have it make sense.
The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle is my kind of mystery. I love that it is set at a spooky manor, it is extremely atmospheric, and it reads like a traditional whodunit with a twist. I am a HUGE fan of magical realism and I thought that way that it was integrated into this mystery was compelling. I will say that, because the main character jumps from one body to another, the timeline can be confusing. There are also a large number of characters that can be difficult to keep track of at times.
I had so many theories and I never knew what was going on, but I love every single second of it. At one point in time I suspected every single character!
I was not expecting this book to raise so many ethical and moral questions, but it really did. I often asked myself what I would do in certain situations, particularly at the end. I love when a book leaves you with something to contemplate- not something I often find in thrillers/mysteries.
It is funny because I have been avoiding picking up The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle because it has the “groundhog day” trope where the same day repeats over and over again. Historically, this has been a trope that absolutely bores me, but it was thrilling in this novel. I think that is because our main character wakes up in a new body every single day, so we see the day through a different lens.
Yes, for the right reader. I have seen mixed reviews for this one and I get it! If you like mysteries that are a slow-burn with a lot of characters then I am confident you will love this one.
Excellent review! I read this as an ARC and it was really dark for me, but the unique story and mystery kept me reading and I too suspected every character.
Thank you! It is definitely dark and can mess with your head a little bit.
I keep seeing good reviews of this everywhere, and I so want to read it ! Thanks for sharing !
It so worth it!!
This sounds interesting! That first line is… well, a killer! lol
It’s so so good!!
YES! I’m so glad you liked this. Great review!
Thank you. I am so glad I finally read it!
I am so glad to read this review! I currently have this one in my Audible library and I cannot wait to jump into it! Brill review!
Thank you. Can’t wait to hear what you think!!
Yay! U finally review one of my favourite books ever! I didn’t think I’d love this but I couldn’t put it down at all
Felt the same way! I just had to know what was happening.
Ikr! Usually that size of a book would often take me a couple of days to finish. I finished it within a day! A day! Just to find out what happens.
This has been on my TBR for ages but I was hesitant to pick it up because of the groundhog day trope, too. But after reading this I’ll happily change my mind. Great review and thanks!
I usually stay far away from the trope but this book was never boring!
This looks like something I’d really enjoy! Great review 🙂
Thank you. In that case I do think you’ll love it!!
I have mixed feelings about groundhog day tropes but the body swapping is an interesting twist
I loved this book when I read it! Great review, I really enjoyed reading your thoughts 🙂
Thank you. It’s a good one!
Really, truly glad you enjoyed this one as I very much did. I actually think it’s a book that I would re-read (and I never do re-reads really) just because of the complexity and layers involved. I feel like I would see something different each time.
It was so hard for me to get into. I’m glad you liked it.
I totally get that!
Sounds like a really interesting book, have heard about it from many. Will surely add it to my TBR!
By the way, I too have a book-ish blog. Would love it if you could check it out. Here is the link to my latest post – https://abookwormparadise.wordpress.com/2020/06/04/animal-farm-by-george-orwell-review/