The 7 ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle

I’ll admit it — the title caught me first. How can someone die seven times… and a half? Even after finishing, I’m not sure I fully know — but that’s part of what makes The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle so brilliantly maddening.

I went in with low expectations after hearing mixed reviews from my school book club, but it surprised me. This isn’t a casual read; it’s a thinking book — full of twists, hidden clues, and small details that seem meaningless until everything clicks into place.

The story starts slow, but once it finds its rhythm, it’s hard to stop reading. I loved how the author slips answers into the story before you even know the question. Every revelation makes you rethink what you thought you knew.

Edward Dance quickly became my favorite character — sharp, calculating, and the first to make you realize how carefully everything was built. The writing itself feels elegant and immersive, like stepping into an old mansion during a thunderstorm. Even the leaves on the ground seem alive.

This isn’t a romance or fantasy — it’s a puzzle, a mystery you live inside. And if you’re patient, it rewards you with that perfect aha! moment at the end.

Quick Snapshot

📖 Best for readers who: Love complex, layered mysteries that make your brain work overtime
☕ Perfect setting: A rainy day with a blanket and tea while thunder rolls outside
💭 One-sentence takeaway: A beautifully confusing mystery that’s equal parts frustrating and genius — worth every twist.

Ratings
⭐ Overall: 4.2/5
📖 Story: 4.5/5
🧍 Characters: 5/5
✍️ Writing: 5/5
💫 Enjoyment: 4.7/5

— Kate, My Sister My Books

The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle

By Stuart Turton
📚 Mystery / Fiction / Thriller

458 pages

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.2/5)

“It’s one of those rare stories that confuses you completely — yet somehow makes perfect sense.”