"The 7 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle"
by Stuart Turton
For a moment you feel this book is about Evelyn second, you feel this will actually include a new birth as a new person every day. Is it the same or some new mystery totally and completely out of this world? You will know when you read this book. It is a murder mystery mixed with a fantasy. A little confusing in the beginning but you get a hold when you push a little ahead. It also goes flat at some places in the middle and those are the times when you need to force your self to proceed. But at most of the times you are always on the edge and since the behavior of the character keeps changing you keep focus on each and every one of them. I have read several mysteries but nowhere have I been so desperate to understand what is happening.
Looking back in time to things such as Lantern, Horses, Stable master feels different and you feel you are in whole another world. While reading this I could have been easily transported into some period drama or play. I started liking this book once I finished around 20% of it. I liked the story line and the concept a lot. It seems all characters are puppets who are being pushed and pulled by an invisible hand and you just keep racking your brains on what will happen next and who will do it. It does require a lot of attention though. The many names get confusing after a while and you forget who was who. Many times I have actually gone back to refer who was this person in the past.
The story is such that you feel the whole plot is actually work of devil himself. To top it all the devil is making everyone go through all horrors again and again and also taking notes while doing it. Period drama, mystery, sitting on edge --- an attempt at Agatha Christie and not a bad one.
Few sections that I like in the book which hold so true in everyday world.
"Tomorrow can be whatever I want it to be which means I can actually look forward to it. Instead of being something to fear, it can be a promise I make myself" "You can forget everything but how can you forget yourself. Looking at yourself for the first time can be disappointing""How lost do you have to be to let the devil lead you home"
Overall Rating: 4.5
Grip Factor: 4.5
Writing Style: 4
Engaging Plot: 5
Characters: 3.5
Satisfying End: 4
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