The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle

This book kept me on the edge of the page with its twists and turns and interesting plot. There were some moments that I found confusing, but overall, the story was very unique. The last quarter of the book felt like it haphazardly came together, however I would still recommend for an intriguing murder mystery story.

"My rage can't make sense of anything but itself" If you love mysteries, especially English countryside mysteries with old decaying mansions and gruff service staff, a gothic feel, rich characters, and a puzzle to sort out, read this book. But if you choose to read The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, just read it. Don't read detailed reviews or the blurbs on the back cover. Just pick it up and crack it open, I doubt you'll be disappointed. I love all of those things listed above. I also love stuffy butlers, grumpy cooks, and characters who aren't always who or what they seem, and I love The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle. It may have been written specifically for me. Sure, I read mysteries all the time, but not since Agatha Christie's Ten Little Indians (yeah I'm using that title because that's the edition I read) have I read one that is so unique. While I've read plenty of great mysteries through the years, this one stands apart. It's tough to write my opinions on the book without giving spoilers or hints to the story, but I'll try my best. The basics:. A guy has to solve a mystery -that sorta hasn't occurred yet- to gain his freedom. He must do so with no memory, no Watson to his Holmes, no Hastings to his Poirot, no real clues, and he must deal with unknown enemies who will do anything to thwart his efforts. All he is armed with is his power of observation, the physical abilities in his body, and his character, that frankly he can't really remember much about. The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle is filled with vivid characters. Deplorable, deceitful, callus, mysterious characters. Sympathetic, deep, thoughtful, damaged characters. A whole cast of characters, and you will spend plenty of time getting to know them and their schemes. One thing this book is NOT, is simple. At times there is so much going on and so many things to remember or sort through that it seems you are in a bit of a fog. In a weird way the fog fed into my enjoyment of the book. I can't really explain it to anyone who hasn't read it, but throughout the book I felt like the protagonist, Aiden Bishop. Up, down, confused, re-reading, re-discovering, trying to keep my footing. I loved it. I can't remember the last time a book made my reading experience feel so much like the main character. I was immersed. So if you love mysteries, read this book. If you love atmospheric chills, read this book. If you love unique, read this book. If you love puzzles, read this book. If you don't like any of these things, I'd probably recommend reading this book anyway. "The leaves and twigs are so demoralized by the earlier rain they don't have the heart to cry out beneath my feet".

I really wanted to love everything about this book. To it's credit, it's an amazing concept and brilliantly executed. The writing flows - although I did find it a bit too flowery at times - and the plot is so tight and keeps you guessing. I loved this book right up until the very end. I was disappointed when the murderer was revealed. It made no sense to me - it seemed unnecessarily complicated, it was "too" much. It all just seemed a bit over the top in the end. But perhaps that's just me.

I do recommend this book, because despite the ending I did really enjoy it and I do believe it's an amazing plot.

The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle is an extremely well written, intricate mystery that kept me guessing until the end. It's like an old Agatha Christie meets Clue meets Quantum Leap. There are a lot of details to keep track of, especially jumping from one “host” to another in combination with time travel. Several women in my book club complained it was too confusing.

Tedious.