A great modern day gothic gem

⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑  Of all the Ruth Ware books I have had the pleasure to read, this has to be my favorite. To be fair, The Lying Game is a very, very close second. The Death of Mrs. Westaway, though, feels just as intimate and comfortable yet more twisted in an 'ohhh, right' kind of way. With plenty of misleading turns that eventually deliver a satisfying ending. This would be a fab beach read for a summer holiday.

Hal is a character the reader swiftly warms to; her predicament is understandable. Possibly less so the deception she decides to try, but hey, she's a tarot card reader on Brighton pier so who am I to judge? Her life soon changes with the delivery of a letter telling her of a possible bequest from a mysterious grandmother she knows is not hers. Being hard up for dosh to pay back a shady loan, she decides to go to darkest Cornwall in winter to see what she can get. She has no idea that what lies ahead is a slow-burn gothic tale of secrets long buried awaiting her inquisitive search for answers.

The brilliance of this novel lies in the classic, old school style whodunit structure. It's cold, dark and creepy at Trepassen, the Westaway family's rundown estate, and that atmosphere drives this tale flawlessly. It reminds me strongly of Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier with a crusty, ill tempered housekeeper to ratchet up the tension for poor Hal. I liked the slow reveal that seemingly lays the cards out for all to see but it is not as it appears. I loved the twist! Of all the books Ms. Ware has written, this seems the most plausible ending, which I greatly appreciate. The Death of Mrs. Westaway is a likeable story with genuine characters and a great mystery. Well worth a read.