The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth WareMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is my first book by Ruth Ware and overall, I enjoyed it. The story was very well written and kept me avidly reading. It centers around Harriet, Hal, Westaway, who is in dire straits when she receives a letter from a lawyer advising her that her heretofore unknown grandmother has passed away and she will receive an inheritance. She doesn’t believe it to be true (no spoilers here), but she’s in danger where she’s at and could use the money.
Hal manages to get to the funeral, where she meets the lawyer and her previously unknown uncles. Back at the house, she also meets the somewhat creepy and very grumpy housekeeper, Mrs Warren. She suspects that all is not right and over time, we learn this is the case.
This does have a gothic feel to it, mostly from the house. The story itself is set around 2018, but I never got that feel. I always felt like it was more of the early 1900’s or a little later, due to the house and utter lack of amenities (Cell phones and computers are in the story, but it still didn’t feel like 2018 to me). The family stays at the family home, Trepassen. Hal is given a tiny, unheated room in the attic (the house doesn’t have heat), Mrs Warren is a dreadful cook, but no one else (including an aunt) steps in to take care of meals (even take out) or snacks or anything. It was a little weird. There was a town nearby, so it wasn’t like they couldn’t. The mystery unfolds somewhat organically and over a short period of time, but I think it could have moved a little quicker. I also figured out some, but not all of the mystery. The ending is very climatic (perhaps too climatic) and then it just sort of ends. I would have liked to have a more robust wrap-up. Still, we get our answers.
Having said that, I did enjoy the book and recommend it for those that like a good, somewhat gothic mystery.
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