Member Reviews
This story has elements that resemble that of Clue and Doctor Who with all the poise and structure of an Agatha Christie novel. The entire story and plot are extremely well developed there are so many details and storylines that are woven together so intricately that it is truly mesmerizing to read. There are so many characters within this story and every single one of them have unique personalities and backstories. There was one character in particular that pissed me off so much that I actually wanted to throw my Kindle across the room at a couple points, but that’s what the character was meant to make you feel and that’s damn good writing. I can’t imagine the length of time and amount of effort it took for Stuart Turton to make each one of them stand out as an individual. The way Seven Deaths is written makes you feel like you’ve been transported back to the late 1800’s despite it supposedly being set in the 1920’s (the cover gives me Great Gatsby vibes) but either way, the fact that an author can make you feel transported with something so simple as writing style blows my mind. I don’t want to give away any spoilers for anyone who hasn’t read this yet or plans on reading it when it comes out in the U.S. in September so there’s a lot that I can’t discuss at length until it officially releases, but I will say that there are so many plot twists in this book that I truly never saw coming and that’s hard to do when it comes to me.
Overall, this is an absolutely fantastic book that I can’t possibly recommend enough to anyone looking for a detailed and complex thriller/mystery. The only piece of advice that I would give to anyone who plans on reading it is to try to finish it within a set number of sittings and don’t get halfway through (or even a quarter of the way through) and set it down for an extensive amount of time because once you pick it back up you will be confused, and it will take a while before you remember who everyone is and their part in this novel. But if you’re anything like me, you won’t be able to put it down and will end up binge reading it so you won’t have a problem with forgetting any details.
I fell in love with this book from the beginning. Though it is an investigation of a murder, it is unlike any you have likely read. Before the main character can solve the murder, he must first solve the mystery of who he is. He relives the day of the murder eight times, each time in a different person, seeing different aspects of the day and the people invited to the ruined mansion for a party..
**Review will be published to blog closer to publication date, i.e. last week of August**
I chose this book because:
of the title. How does one die 7 1/2 times? Where does the 1/2 come from? Tell me more! (Update: With a bit of research, I found out that this book was originally published in the UK as The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, but due to the title being too similar to the unrelated book The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid, was renamed for the US publication.)
I’m fascinated by second chances in life (maybe even seventh chances) and often ask myself what I’d do differently (I never arrive at a conclusive answer). The premise of this story reminds me of Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver, but a thriller version.
Upon reading it:
I don’t know if it’s because of the writing or because I was reading an epub on my iPhone, but I wasn’t really immersed in this story (it was probably both). I was hooked at the very beginning, got bored rather quickly, and may have dropped it altogether if not for the fact that I wanted to know the step by step of how Evelyn Hardcastle was murdered. As for the peripheral information — the setting, the characters, their wandering thoughts, their internal conflicts, any other descriptions — I didn’t really care. However, the story did pick back up in the last 15% and the end was surprising, which is what gave the rating for this book its third star. It was a cool concept, but I wouldn’t have gotten to it if I had decided to drop the book.
To be fair, in my opinion, the two main concepts of this book are difficult to execute. Especially if they’re part of the mysterious element of the story, which means that the reader is confused, or has a hint that something’s up but can’t pinpoint what, up until the reveal. Perhaps it’s one of those things that might be better/make more sense/be more enriching on the reread. I also think that the shock factor/”omg” moment upon realising these two concepts is what most readers rave about when reviewing this book. Unfortunately for me, the drag leading up to those points weren’t made up by those moments. There are several other books I’ve read with similar concepts that have worked to varying degrees (the ones that didn’t work for me were A Guide for Murdered Children by Sarah Sparrow and The Memory Agent by Matthew BJ Delaney, and the ones that did work for me were Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver and The Blinds by Adam Sternbergh).
(For hints to what these concepts are, highlight to reveal. First concept: [[inhabiting bodies]]. Second concept: [[virtual prisons]].)
Let me try to be more articulate about what didn’t work for me. First, the pacing was odd. The beginning, and even the middle, were really dragged out. But to get even more specific, [[the first host was really dragged out, and then the rest were just flipped through. I was about to drop the book within the first host so that’s how I felt about that pacing]]. And then everything happened in the last 15%. That’s not uncommon in thrillers, in books and TV shows too (I’m looking at you How To Get Away with Murder post-season 1). But I still don’t like it. Second, it felt like the Plague Doctor was playing God with the whole situation (who the Plague Doctor is doesn’t matter for now, just that there’s a character that plays God with the whole situation). Because of that, it felt like there were no real rules; whatever the Plague Doctor said, went. And so I had no expectations and I was never shocked. If the Plague Doctor mentioned another constraint or revealed something, my reaction was just, “Okay that happened.” Third, I felt like Aiden’s character could have been more developed. He didn’t feel like a main character. I didn’t empathise with him. He felt like a shell, [[even though it’s his hosts that are the shells hah]].
However, many readers found this book engaging the whole way through, so maybe it’s just my iPhone screen to blame.
just finished this book and all I can say is wow. What a unique concept. I remember I read a summary for this book last November and I was excited about it, but I really couldn’t remember the exact premise of the story. I jumped at the chance when I saw an opportunity to get an ARC of this book, and then dove in blindly. I’m so glad I did.
Going in blind, I started out just as confused as Sebastian Bell as he wakes up running through the forest shouting the name “Anna!” and suffering from complete amnesia. I loved experiencing the twists and turns of the story with him as we both learned who he was and what’s doing at Blackheath. I found myself reading late into the night on this one.
So what exactly is this book about? At the end of my copy there is “A Conversation with the Author.” One question asks about his inspiration. Mr. Turton's Answer: "I love time travel, Agatha Christie, and the eighties classic Quantum Leap, and over time a book emerged from hat beautiful quagmire."
I really don’t want to say any more here. I don’t want to give anything away. If you want to know more of what the book is about before you pick it up (what?! you don’t trust me?), check out the summary on Goodreads. It does have some minor spoilers to the creativity of the plot. I will go as far as to say that I’m adding this book to my Time Travel 101 curriculum.
Fantastic concept, great setting, and interesting characters. Don’t miss this mystery.
The psychological crime genre is currently choking with derivations of Gone Girls, Missing Girls, Husbands Behaving Badly, and People Who Aren't Who They Say They Are. Not so this incredible novel that defies genre tropes and expectations, leading to a reading experience that grabs your attention and refuses to let go. This is not just a murder mystery, but an exploration of identity, redemption, and free will. The plot device of using 8 different characters' perspectives on the same crime is uniquely fascinating and such a refreshing and unconventional way to explore these themes. The comparison to Agatha Chrisitie is inevitable, but this is no ordinary country manse--it could easily be housed in an episode of Black Mirror or Quantum Leap. While I wanted more details about Aiden and Anna's past, but I the vagueness of it makes sense within the context of the book's themes. Take a chance on this wonderfully constructed novel!
*I received this novel from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in return for a review.
I was really interested in this book and was really looking forward to reading it after reading the description. However I struggled to get into this book, it may have been things going on in my life but I struggled to WANT to read more than a couple of pages a night.
The very beginning is a bit confusing you are just plopped in the middle of something which is actually how the character is feeling so it is apt.
After getting to 50% I was finally able to get stuck into the story and got addicted to reading it. But that took a long time and I can see people losing interest.
The story was compelling and I loved the whodunnit side of the story. I personally wasn’t sure about the ending but I also wanted to hear more about the outside world.
I think I need to re read it again as it is hard to keep track of all the characters and how they relate to everything!
1 Star and almost a DNF
A gala party is being thrown at the (formerly) grand estate of the Hardcastles. The date is the anniversary of their son Thomas's murder and also a homecoming party for their daughter Evelyn. The invitees are the same group of people who were present at the estate at the time of Thomas's murder. At 11pm Evelyn will be murdered. It's up to Aiden Bishop to solve the mystery of who kills her. It's not that simple however. Aiden will inhabit the bodies of 7 different hosts in order to solve the murder. Each host will have the same amount of time to help Aiden with their observations and particular character traits. Not everything (or everyone) is as it seems and this murder will take a lot of skill and memory is order to solve it.
I really struggled to get through this book. The premise was interesting and the murder was very cleverly crafted, however there were too many characters and names to keep track of for me. Looking at the reviews it seems as though you either love this book and can't put it down, or you can barely finish it. I'm with that second group. I just wanted it to end so I could move on to a better read. Maybe it would have been helpful if there was a short description of each character in the beginning of the story.
This was so intricate and well written! All the hosts and characters intertwine so well together. It takes a little getting used to it as its written in a style that ive never come across before but i really enjoyed it and loved the mystery of it all
The first 50% was a lot better than the second half, i found it did drag a little but the mystery and constant twists kept me interested and pushed me to finish!
This is one of the best books that I have read in a really long time. It is so smart and so well written- the complexity of the plot line is mind-boggling and kept me absolutely entranced until the very last page.
Evelyn Hardcastle will be murdered every day at 11:00 PM. In order to escape Blackheath, Aiden Bishop must solve her murder. He will wake up every day for 8 days inhabiting a different host body. He must use their strengths and the information he has gathered to solve the case. If that was not enough, there are three other people at Blackheath trying to solve the murder and only one will leave. Who is trustworthy and who is trying to lead Aiden astray?
I absolutely love the way that Stuart Turton tells a story. Everything is explained and in hindsight is so clear but, will keep you guessing throughout the entire book. This is a murder mystery but with a twist, and a delightful one at that. An absolute must-read! Definitely my favorite book of the year.
An interesting premise that integrates the complexity of an Agatha Christie mystery novel within a supernatural temporal loop.
The less divulged about the plot the better, as this is truly a tale to be enjoyed by an unspoilt reader savouring the journey into a downward spiral of madness as the plot twists and turns.
A fantastic debut novel by Stuart Turton that is as imaginative as it is complex, a trail of red herrings with clear path of bread crumbs that is a great deal harder to follow than you might initially suspect.
Take Agatha Christie, add a generous pinch of supernatural, a dash of timetravel and some Sartre (albeit it’s a bit far-fetched, admittedly) and you get the story around and about Evelyn Hardcastle. Her deaths, the death of her brother and the many other people roaming the grounds of Blackheath Castle.
It was very atmospheric, confusing, thrilling and in the whole utterly entertaining.
However… personally I thought there had been a stretch in the last third of the book that prolonged the entire mystery/confusion/unrelatable narrator bit unnecessarily. Nevertheless a fantastic and gripping read!
When I found out I had been chosen to review this by Netgalley I was thrilled as I have been hearing so much hype and buzz around this book.
Firstly, I think the concept is great. I really would recommend going in blind and not having your judgement clouded by any other reviews or spoilers as it makes the experience better. One reviewer mentioned it was a video game and part way through the book I thought what a cop out and got annoyed at the writer – only to discover it isn’t a video game! But a future reality and a prison which is a fabulous idea! People are calling this ‘Agatha Christie’ style and I disagree – it isn’t anything like a poirot book.
I actually thought that the murder mystery aspect was fairly obvious in terms of who actually ‘dunnit’ but the overarching concept was great.
The writing itself is beautiful, there are some great quotes but unfortunately it was just sooo slow. The last quarter of the box really picked up the pace but I found some parts tedious and I was making myself read it. It also frustrated me that I had the kindle version because it isn’t as easy to flip back and forth and I did find myself wanting to reread sections. Having read other reviews I’m a bit disappointed because people seem to LOVE this book, and I did but I think people are mistaking having everything thrown at it and lots of different plots as being a punchy, fast paced read – which it is not. I found it to drag at times even though there is A LOT going on.
I also found the chapters a bit confusing, sometimes it said which day we were on and sometimes it didn’t. It might be more helpful to have which host is occupied at the top.
I think if I had read this book in one or two goes I would have enjoyed myself more but I read it before and after work on the tube and I found I ended up having to flick back and re-read sections to remember where I was at and which host Aidan was in. I also found that I didn’t much care about the main character, but this could have been because we find out too late in the book as to who he is and why he is solving the murders plus I just did not get why he was so drawn to Anna after she had killed his sister – a memory that he could remember – even though she had shown some kindness whilst in Blackheath.
There are plot holes, and it was too slow and way too long, it could really have done with some parts being cut down but I enjoyed each hosts character and I thought the overall plot was a great idea. I particularly liked the questions at the end where the author spoke about how he wrote the book – it must have taken an awfully long time and a lot of thought. It is an ingenious idea however it was too slow and didn’t grab my attention.
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
I give so many kudos to the author Stuart Turton. What a crazy writing process it must have taken to keep all of his story lines, timelines, and mysteries straight! I cannot even imagine the nights he spent awake thinking of ways to tie people together and clues to leave for us readers!
This book is part And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie, part Clue (the board game and later book series), and part Twilight Zone/Black Mirror. When I first began reading, I was a bit put off by the old timey setting and mystery. I tend to get a bit confused when I am given too many characters and details while I am trying to also gather clues to solve a mystery. But, I let myself just kind of go along for the ride with this one and it kept me guessing until the very last page. I truly enjoyed this book. It was so fun! If you are wondering why I gave it three stars instead of five then, it is because I did feel it was a bit long and I had a hard time keeping some of the rules of Blackheath straight. People who love mysteries will likely rate this five stars compared to my three simply because they enjoyed the confusion and the mystery more than I did.
This was a crazy and wild ride of a mystery story! I’ve never read a book quite like this. I’m honestly not sure what I think of it. It’s confusing and entertaining at the same but you have to pay very close attention or you will be lost forever. I love way the story was narrated but also hated it because I had a hard time knowing for sure what/which narrator I was listening to. Part of me wants to highly recommend this. The other part isn’t so sure. Bottom line, this is an interesting concept and I think the writer pulled it off quite well but this won’t appeal to everyone so I’m giving it 3 stars. By the way, this book is a challenge to review because adding anything beyond what I’ve said would almost be impossible to do without spoilers.
When I first began this novel, I have to admit, I was a bit confused. The setting and time period threw me off, as did the character (the book description lists Aiden Bishop searching for the killer). By 18% (Kindle reader) I was absolutely hooked. The pace, the plot, the characters—this book has it all and is a perfect whodunnit that really does keep you guessing until the very end.
Nineteen years ago there was a party at Evelyn Hardcastle’s family estate where someone died. Now, the same people were all invited back to the estate and this time, Evelyn Hardcastle dies. The only difference is, Aiden Bishop has 8 days, in 8 different bodies, of 8 different guests to find out who murders Evelyn. Every day is the same for Aiden, he just ends up in a new host.
The plot is tricky but easy to follow. The novel is hard to put down and a wonderful read that I will be recommending to everyone that loves a good mystery!!
I’m not quite sure what to think of this one.... it took me a long time to get into, and even once I did I was never completely hooked. Up until the very end, I was convinced I was going to give it 2 stars.... I liked the ending and the plot in general, but it was too long and didn’t make sense until the very end. Generously giving this one 3 stars.
Thanks to , the publisher, Sourcebooks, and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is an excellent murder mystery, a paragon of the genre, and one which captivated me from the first page up until the very end.
I read this during a particularly gloomy and rainy week, unusual weather for the end of June in my climate. The ominous atmosphere of the isolated Blackheath was beautifully and vividly conjured by Stuart Turton's masterful writing. The author managed to create a memorable setting with a believable, deviously tangled history. The reader gets to discover the secrets of Blackheath and its many inhabitants along with the protagonist, a man without identity, who has to inhabit eight hosts in an attempt to solve the murder of Evelyn, the daughter of the mansion's proprietor. He has no memory, except for the name of a woman on his lips as he wakes up, and a strange feeling of a past just outside his mind's grasp.
All eight hosts are fascinating and unique, and the specifics of their personality and character seeping into our protagonist's own mind is the best aspect of this book, in my opinion. I particularly enjoyed Ravencourt and Dance. The plot and timeline and intricate and a bit confusing at times, I imagine the author in front of a murder board trying to forge the hundreds of connections between all the characters and the climactic event. The resolution of the story did not disappoint, and some aspects of it did manage to sincerely surprise me.
I wholeheartedly would recommend this book, it is brilliant, strange and entertaining and I'm sure it will manage to elate even those not fond of the mystery/thriller genre.
A unique mystery. Kind of like Groundhog Day meets a good murder mystery. Or more closely an adult version of Every Day by Levithan meets a good dark Agatha Christie murder mystery.
Where do I possibly start with this book? Maybe by saying Stuart Turton is an absolute genius! That the HYPE is HYPE for a reason! That it isn't like anything I have ever read before and finally that I want to talk to everybody about it!
This is murder mystery at its best! The amount of planning and dedication that must of went into writing this - BLOWS MY MIND! It kept me gripped and guessing from the very first glorious page.
I feel like I want to start my own book club just so I can make everybody read this book and we can all discuss and rave about how blown our minds are.
The only slight criticism I have is it is loooong, I felt like I was never going to finish it at points but I still loved every minute.
Thanks to Netgalley for the free ARC in return for an honest review. I loved it!
Murder mystery at its finest! The 71/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle has the best parts of Everyday by David Levithan and Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie. The main character, Aiden, wakes up in a different body to try and prevent a murder. The book can become somewhat disorienting if not given your full attention due to this fact, so turn off your TV, it's worth it!