The Death of Mrs. Westaway

Ruth Ware

May 2018 · Sold by Simon and Schuster

About this ebook

A “perfectly executed suspense tale very much in the mode of Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca” (The Washington Post) from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of In a Dark, Dark Wood, The Woman in Cabin 10, The Lying Game, and The Turn of the Key.

On a day that begins like any other, Hal receives a mysterious letter bequeathing her a substantial inheritance. She realizes very quickly that the letter was sent to the wrong person—but also that the cold-reading skills she’s honed as a tarot card reader might help her claim the money.

Soon, Hal finds herself at the funeral of the deceased…where it dawns on her that there is something very, very wrong about this strange situation and the inheritance at the center of it.

Full of spellbinding menace and told in Ruth Ware’s signature suspenseful style, this is a “captivating and eerie page-turner” (The Wall Street Journal) from the Agatha Christie of our time.

Ratings and reviews

The fourth book by the extremely popular Ruth Ware is a twist on a classic mystery trope involving an inheritance/rags-to-riches fantasy. Harriet Westaway, the heroine of The Death of Mrs. Westaway, is isolated and adrift after losing her mother in a tragic accident. She never learned her father’s identity-Harriet and her mother eked out a living by reading fortunes for tourists. She retains their small boardwalk booth after her mother’s death, despite her disbelief in the practice. She feels like she is merely playing a role, appeasing her conscience by detaching herself from her clients’ gullibility. On the brink of financial ruin and deeply in debt to some very dangerous characters, Harriet serendipitously receives a mysterious letter in the mail. It appears that an error has been made, and she has been named an inheritor in a significant estate. She decides to see if she can use her honed perception skills to claim what she hopes will be enough to save her from her collectors. She travels to the funeral of the deceased and upon being embraced by her kind “relatives,” Harriet feels torn between her desperation and guilt. It turns out that the inheritance is far more complicated than she imagined, and she is drawn into some old conflicts and family secrets. Harriet begins to question how long she can sustain her charade, and if the prize is worth the constant vigilance and paranoia of discovery. Harriet is not the only person hiding something at Trepassen, and questions start emerging about her own possible connection to these other Westaways. Fans of both classic mystery and literary fiction would enjoy this book, especially those looking to avoid explicit violence and gore. The novel is very atmospheric and wonderfully paced, with three-dimensional characters written with complexity and nuance. The resolution is unpredictable but believable, twisting in a truly satisfying way. The Death of Mrs. Westaway continues the high-quality work that readers have come to expect from Ware’s books, and is further evidence that her popularity is well-deserved.

Ruth Ware has done it again in her gripping new novel, The Death of Mrs. Westaway. What was described as a spellbinding experience has more than lived up to my expectations. Hal Westaway is struggling to make ends meet reading fortunes on the pier, something she learned from her late mother. When she receives a letter stating she is heir to an inheritance from a recently deceased family member that she didn’t know existed, she is sure it is a case of mistaken identity, but sees it as an opportunity to escape her financial woes. In an attempt to pretend to be the long-lost heir, Hal soon discovers that things in the Westaway home are not as they seem. What will happen if her true identity is discovered? I loved the setting and atmosphere of this book. It was ominous and dangerous, and it was eerily riveting. Unable to put this one down, I was transfixed from page one. It had a bit of real magic mixed in with the tarot card readings. Then, add in the secrets around every turn and plenty of hazards and suspense. I was on the edge of my seat, completely engrossed. The pacing was perfect and I lost myself in the dark all-consuming world of the Westaways. I would highly recommend this book! Unique from any other book I’ve read, and even unparalleled by Ware’s other novels, this one is a must read. If you enjoy a gothic ambience, historical mysteries, or even a psychologically mind-bending thriller, this contemporary spine-tingling mystery will entertain you for hours on end. 5 captivating stars! Review by Amy, Late Night Reviewer for Up All Night with Books Blog

This book had twists and turns like you wouldn't believe. It took a bit to get into it, but I was hooked after that. I literally couldn't put the book down. I finished it in 3 days if that tells you anything. It is very complex and exciting. It is about family dynamics and particularly follows the story from the girls point of view. I highly recommend you read this book. It was very interesting.

About the author

Ruth Ware worked as a waitress, a bookseller, a teacher of English as a foreign language, and a press officer before settling down as a full-time writer. She now lives with her family in Sussex, on the south coast of England. She is the #1 New York Times and Globe and Mail (Toronto) bestselling author of In a Dark, Dark Wood; The Woman in Cabin 10; The Lying Game; The Death of Mrs. Westaway; The Turn of the Key; One by One; The It Girl; and Zero Days. Visit her at RuthWare.com or follow her on Twitter @RuthWareWriter.