The Death of Mrs Westaway by Ruth Ware

Description from Goodreads:

"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."

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I finally got around to picking up The Death of Mrs Westaway by Ruth Ware after it spent years buried on my to-be-read pile. It feels like I am slowly conquering the mountain of books I have ignored for far too long and this was a great one to finally tick off the list as it was a really atmospheric read.

The story follows Hal who is a tarot reader struggling to make ends meet when she receives a mysterious letter claiming she has inherited a substantial estate from her grandmother. Hal knows it must be a mistake but she decides to use her skills to try and claim the money anyway. It’s a great setup and it quickly turns into a classic gothic mystery when she arrives at the creepy and dilapidated Trepassen House for the funeral.

What I really enjoyed about this one was the sense of dread and the setting. The house itself feels like a character and it’s full of secrets and cold rooms which kept the tension high. It definitely has a slow burn feel to it and while some parts felt a little drawn out I found the mystery behind the Westaway family quite compelling. The details about tarot reading were an interesting touch and added a bit of a different flavour to the usual thriller format.

Overall it’s a very well written and moody mystery that kept me guessing until the final reveal. Even though it took me a long time to get around to it I’m glad I did as it’s a solid read if you like a story with a lot of atmosphere and family secrets.

Many thanks to the author, Random House UK, Vintage and NetGalley for the chance to read and share my thoughts on this one.

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In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware

Description from Goodreads:

"Sometimes the only thing to fear…is yourself.

When reclusive writer Leonora is invited to the English countryside for a weekend away, she reluctantly agrees to make the trip. But as the first night falls, revelations unfold among friends old and new, an unnerving memory shatters Leonora’s reserve, and a haunting realization creeps in: the party is not alone in the woods."

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I can't believe I have had this book on my "to-be-read" pile for years!  This was Ruth Ware's debut novel way back in 2015!  Where have I been living?  Under a rock?  She has written nearly ten massive bestsellers since then—including The Woman in Cabin 10 which I have recently watched on NetFlix® and reminded me I had In a Dark, Dark Wood waiting to dive into.

If you love a psychological thriller that uses atmosphere and isolation to build  tension, In a Dark, Dark Wood, is a triumph. The isolated glass house in the Northumbrian woods acts like a character itself, maximising the sense of dread as a forced reunion of old friends brings resentment to the surface.

The novel's brilliance lies in its use of Lee as an amnesiac narrator. We are forced to piece together the disastrous hen party alongside her, which quickly ramps the suspense to a fever pitch. Every dangerous flashback increases the tension, leading to a genuinely shocking conclusion.

Overall, this atmospheric, sharp and addictive book is a great debut (albeit I am late to the party!) and the perfect thriller for a dark evening.

Many thanks to the author, Random House UK, Vintage and NetGalley for enabling me to read and share my thoughts of this compelling book.

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