Stuart Turton
Aiden Smith has eight days to solve the murder of Evelyn Hardcastle at a decrepit estate called Blackheath.
Each day is a reliving of the day of the murder that Aiden must navigate as a different host. Every host is of varying physical abilities and personality traits.
Aiden doesn’t remember anything from his past or why he ended up in Blackheath. However, Aiden can carry memories from the previous days as he progresses through the eight hosts.
Each of his actions has consequences for future days.
Aiden is not alone.
Two other hosts are attempting to solve the murder, and only the person who solves the murder will get to leave Blackheath. To make matters worse, a knife-wielding footman is hunting them down.
If Aiden fails to solve the murder, he must start over from day one without any recollection of his previous cycles.
This book is a page-turner.
I read this book in two days over 11 hours. That is the strength of this crime novel from first-time author Stuart Turton. Although I’m conflicted on my review for this book, I tore through it. Yet, I found myself frustrated during my reading.
The plot was confusing.
The nature of the format leaves us with dull characters that are difficult to differentiate. The book jumps from different days lived out through different characters, and it is hard to follow. There are so many clues, notes, and times to remember that it can be overwhelming.
The characters lack depth.
Specifically, Aiden, because we know little to nothing about him and his past. We have no reason to route for him to solve the murder. We have to trust Turton.
Fewer characters and plot twists could have benefited the book in this case.
The strength of the novel is how Turton manages all of the moving parts.
It is up to the reader to determine which plot developments are lies and which are truths. Each character has a secret or motive that adds to the mystery.
Despite this book’s shortcomings, near the end, I was on the edge of my seat. I couldn’t wait for Aiden to solve the mystery.
I would recommend this book to fans of murder mysteries, crime novels and whodunnits.
5/10
Keep an eye out for a Netflix series based on the book that is in production.
The book’s title was changed in America to “The 7 1/2 deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle” because the title was too similar to “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid.
Grab the book:
