The Death of Mrs Westaway {Book Review}

Another day, another book! I am so excited that in this digital age, books are still being published faster than I can read them! A few weeks ago I got a book delivery from Penguin Books and I was really intrigued after reading the press release and the back cover. Don’t you feel like the back cover can make or break your interest in a book? Eve of Man is a book where the back cover has me wanting to dive right into that book! That however is a review for another day! Today I’m reviewing a book titled ‘The Death of Mrs Westaway‘ by Ruth Ware.

What is this book about?

When Harriet Westaway receives an unexpected letter telling her she’s inherited a substantial bequest from her Cornish grandmother, it seems like the answer to her prayers. She owes money to a loan shark and the threats are getting increasingly aggressive: she needs to get her hands on some cash fast. There’s just one problem: Hal’s real grandparents died more than 20 years ago. The letter has been sent to the wrong person. But Hal knows that the cold-reading techniques she’s honed as a seaside fortune teller could help her con her way to getting the money. If anyone has the skills to turn up at a stranger’s funeral and claim a bequest they’re not entitled to, it’s her. Hal makes a choice that will change her life for ever. But once she embarks on her deception, there is no going back. She must keep going or risk losing everything, even her life…

My thoughts

The book starts with a ‘flashback’ of sorts….and immediately you’re wondering, who this flashback is about? How does it tie in with the book? Upon meeting Harriet….urgh, as a mother…my heart just breaks for her. She’s had some hard luck in life and I literally just want to give her a hug…and I’m not even a hugger! As I read this book….I’m thinking…Hal…..Harriet, you deserve a break, so let’s go for the money!

Ruth’s writing style has me sitting there, right in that scene. I can hear the cockney (not my favourite so I try to read fast! lol) accents, I can feel the cold, wet rain. I can feel the cold dark room….. I love that about her writing style. The story also moves at a good pace. I enjoy the ‘flashbacks’ as we develop more of a history for the characters we will never actually ‘meet’, but who set this story in motion.

Will she pull it off? And what’s the mystery….how did they confuse her for somebody else….is Harriet possibly the one being conned? Also, that awful room in the attic….what happened there??? So many questions…you’ll have to read for yourself if you need the answers!

The Death of Mrs Westaway is currently retailing for around R209 on the Takealot website! Does this sound like your kind of book? Also make sure you’re keeping an eye on the Penguin Random House SA Facebook page, as they regularly update on new releases and AMAZING book GIVEAWAYS!