The Death of Mrs.Westaway by Ruth Ware, 400 Pages, paperback, £8.99 at Waterstones.
Get out while you still can. Ruth Ware has created a thrilling house with even darker secrets. The Death of Mrs. Westaway begins with Hal and a mysterious inheritance to someone she has never heard of. Pretending all is well, she returns to the estate and realised that this is more than she bargained for.
The pace in this novel is well thought out. It begins rather fast paced, with the introduction to Hal and her need to escape. After the first meeting with the lawyer Mr.Treswick, the novel seemed to slow a little. However this allows the reader to come to terms with what is happening and to explore the grounds and the rest of the characters with Hal. From this point on, the pace continues to build, leaving the reader with sleepless nights of reading.
The plot itself plays to Ware’s strengths as her style cannot be unacknowledged in the plot. Ware’s writing style tends to be located in a location that holds memories and secrets that are carefully revealed one by one. The Death of Mrs.Westaway tends to be the most focused towards a mystery novel, with Hal and the reader being the detective. With this being said, this mystery brings the traditional victorian mystery into the contemporary here and now. Therefore do not expect a predictable read with this book. Whilst you are reading one part, Ware is tweaking with something else in the background.
There is some very significant influences to this novel that are very hard to ignore. The past location of Ezra and the estate itself, are strong influences of Daphne Du Maurie’s Rebecca. Throughout the novel the similarities are uncanny. However Ruth Ware makes sure that you don’t read the same novel twice.
Furthermore superstition also plays a key part in the novel, from tarot cards to magpies that swarm the grounds. This could challenge the reader’s beliefs of what is believed and what is fact. It is this concept that is consistently returned to when trying to uncover the secrets throughout the novel. What are the facts and what is it that you want to believe?
The Death of Mrs.Westaway is a perfect choice for readers who loved Rebecca or are curious about superstition. However if you enjoy a good mystery but would wish they kept you guessing, then again, you’re looking at your next read.
If you are still not entranced by this novel then, through the words of Mrs.Warren Get out while you still can.
Although we already know what you are going to read next, don’t we?
To buy The Death of Mrs. Westaway in hardback click here. The Death of Mrs.Westaway is available to pre order in paperback.
The language that Arden has used is descriptive when it needs to be and lyrical, throughout. The lyrical prose blends itself well to the voice of Vasilisa as it expresses a sense of naivety and purity. The description in the novel appears very similar to that of Jessie Burton’s The Miniaturist. Both texts describe with their senses and it was rather refreshing to read about the winter-king in the peak of summer. Arden’s language also demonstrates her extensive research into Russian fairytales and traditional folklore. It is for this reason that this piece could be described as authentic. Each page oozes droplets of Russian culture whilst allowing the reader to breeze through the novel.
Charlotte Anne Barker 