Book Review: the Death of Mrs.Westaway by Ruth Ware

December 9, 2020

This book was unexpected. I have recently read The Woman in Cabin 10 and I expected this book to be very similar to that, and boy was I wrong. Ruth Ware takes her time in developing the characters in this book far longer than she does with Lo and her story in The Woman in Cabin 10. Right off the bat we get to know Hal and her struggles, rather than the shock of a break in on the very first page. This being said, it did not lack any of the mystery Ware is known for. While not quite as fast paced as The Woman in cabin 10, I think this may be my favorite Ruth Ware book I have read so far.

The Death of Mrs. Westaway allows you to get to know this sweet girl, Hal, that Ware has made very relatable while still giving her an edge. Ware writes in a way that makes the reader feel the desperation with Hal as well as the love she has for late mother and the life that she built for them, no matter how tough it had been. Ware writes very dynamic and realistic characters, making the reading of her books very immersive and interesting. Just when you feel like you have the whole thing figured out, she pulls the rug out from under your feet and  *boom *  there is an even crazier ending than before. 

We find Hal in the bit of a situation, she had borrowed money from a sketchy lender that was giving her a number of days to get the money back to them before they took matters into their own hands, and this seems like it is going to be what the mystery is, but it’s not even close to the mysteries that get uncovered in the pages of this book. There are twists and turns tucked in between the messiness that is the love of family. 

I would highly recommend this book to any mystery lovers.