The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware is a gripping psychological thriller set in the idyllic seaside town of Brighton, England.
The story follows Hal, an antique tarot card reader struggling to make ends meet, who receives a letter from a solicitor informing her that she is the beneficiary of a substantial inheritance.
Against her better judgment, Hal decides to travel to the solicitor’s office and claim what she believes to be rightfully hers. Little does she know that this decision will lead her down a treacherous path of lies, deceit, and danger.
Plot
The Death of Mrs. Westaway opens with Hal, an antique tarot card reader struggling to make ends meet, receiving a letter from a solicitor informing her that she is the beneficiary of a significant inheritance.
Hal, desperate for money, decides to travel to the solicitor’s office and claim what she believes to be rightfully hers. However, once she arrives, she quickly discovers that the inheritance was left to her by a woman she has never heard of: Mrs. Westaway.
Despite her misgivings, Hal decides to press on and claim the inheritance, only to find herself embroiled in a mystery that threatens to expose her carefully constructed lies.
As Hal delves deeper into the mystery, she finds herself in a dangerous game of cat and mouse with the long-buried secrets of Mrs. Westaway’s past.
Writing Style
Ruth Ware’s writing style is gripping and suspenseful. Her descriptive language paints vivid images in the reader’s mind, making the world of The Death of Mrs. Westaway come alive.
Ware has a knack for creating tense and suspenseful scenes that keep the reader on the edge of their seat. She also does a great job of creating intriguing and complicated characters who are easy to root for and keep the story moving forward.
Characters
The Death of Mrs. Westaway features a cast of complex and interesting characters. Hal is a sympathetic protagonist who the reader roots for as she navigates the treacherous waters of the inheritance.
She is a survivor who does whatever it takes to make ends meet. The other characters in the novel are equally compelling, each with their own motivations and secrets.
Conclusion
The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware is an intense and enthralling novel that will keep readers guessing until the very end. With suspenseful writing and intriguing characters, this psychological thriller is sure to keep you turning the pages until the very last one. Highly recommended.
