Thank you, Bookish First Team, and Sourcebooks Landmarks Publishers, for the advance copy of THE 7 1/2 DEATHS OF EVELYN HARDCASTLE, BY STUART TURTON, and for the opportunity to share what I like about the book. (I tried to avoid spoilers.)
What first drew me to the book was that I had to know what was meant by 7 1/2 deaths. Does Evelyn Hardcastle die 7 1/2 times, or does she kill 7 1/2 times? That answer proved to be quite elusive. The original title in Great Britain has 7 deaths, and was given the other 1/2 by publishers this side of the pond. But who's counting? Bodies pile up at an alarming rate during a posh gala weekend at a dilapidated and extremely isolated country estate.
The brilliantly-contrived plot is most unusual, with overlapping characters, a very confused narrator, and a whopper of a time loop.
The frequent twists and turns involving delightfully dastardly characters make for an absorbing page turner.
Keeping track of it all was challenging enough for me to take notes and keep lists because it proved to be relevant.
"7 1/2" merits all five stars for superb writing, masterful story-telling, originality, and a most enjoyable reading experience. Book groups will have fun with this new mystery.
What first drew me to the book was that I had to know what was meant by 7 1/2 deaths. Does Evelyn Hardcastle die 7 1/2 times, or does she kill 7 1/2 times? That answer proved to be quite elusive. The original title in Great Britain has 7 deaths, and was given the other 1/2 by publishers this side of the pond. But who's counting? Bodies pile up at an alarming rate during a posh gala weekend at a dilapidated and extremely isolated country estate.
The brilliantly-contrived plot is most unusual, with overlapping characters, a very confused narrator, and a whopper of a time loop.
The frequent twists and turns involving delightfully dastardly characters make for an absorbing page turner.
Keeping track of it all was challenging enough for me to take notes and keep lists because it proved to be relevant.
"7 1/2" merits all five stars for superb writing, masterful story-telling, originality, and a most enjoyable reading experience. Book groups will have fun with this new mystery.