I did not finish this book - started it with great anticipation, and just found it was not for me. Did not get the whole premise, and ended up getting confused. Just not sure what to think about this title. I did not review it on Goodreads because I was not able to finish. Thank you for letting me give it a try.

Stuart Turton is a freelance journalist who cooked up quite a storm with his debut The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle. The book seems to be everywhere. On booktube, on blogs, in the paper and it is raining enthusiast reviews! Ow and don’t get distracted if you hear people talking about the Seven and a half deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle. It is the same book! And the author guarantees you that you get the same amount of murder for your money!
The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle is a very difficult book to describe. But when I tried to describe it to a friend I came up with: Mix Agatha Christie, with Cluedo, add a little bit of Sherlock Holmes, a teaspoon of Doctor Who and a cup of Groundhog Day and you get this book. And to be quite honest… that is all you need to know about this book. Go into blind, it’s the best way to experience it.
Yes, I said experience! You don’t simply read this story! You experience it! If you go into it completely blind you will be as bewildered and disoriented as the main character. And that is actually the way it should be. It might not be the easiest reading experience but it will be the most satisfying way. Step by step you will discover what is going on together with the main character. (And yes, I am not saying any names, because spoilers baby.)
Apart from that it is a very ambitious en complex book. Not a story that will allow you to sit back and relax with a nice cup of tea. No, as it is with Cluedo every small detail is of the utmost importance! As a reader you might even want to take some notes! Because it’s the little things that will matter in the end. And there is quite a large cast of characters. It becomes rather difficult to keep them and their family ties all apart.
It must have been a Titan job for Turton to write this story. Because you clearly see and feel how much work has gone into the whole plot set up. One tiny mistake and the whole plot would fall like a house of cards.
Th Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle is a pretty thick book and it becomes rather repetitive. Especially the middle part of the book is dragging and misses some action. But just preserver! Because the ending will blow you away.

Review will be published on 24/08/2018

Aiden awakens with nothing in his head but the name Anna. He then witnesses a murder, but not the one he must solve to win his freedom. Aiden is trapped in a time loop at the moldering country estate of Blackheath, endlessly reliving a single day that always ends in the death of Evelyn Hardcastle. Find her killer, and he will be released. However, each morning he resets as a different guest. The intricate interlocking timelines are only the start of the delightful madness: an ominous masked figure, plenty of other murders both old and quite recent, blackmail, blackguards, and betrayal turn this unique mystery into a total mind trip.

have....... so many thoughts

So as you have all probably already heard, this book is about a man that wakes up one fine morning in the middle of a forest with no memories. We follow him as he tries to piece together why he is there. It is set in a remote and crumbling English manor where secrets and lies hide in every dusty corner. (Tangent: the actual blurb of the book gives away detail that aren't revealed to the reader for about 100 or so pages. Like I get the blurb needs to create intrigue but it was interesting how the book and the blurb aren't working in tandem.)

Good Things:
I loved all the cliches and tropes from the historical English crime/mystery genre that were brought into being. There is kind of a frame narrative, wherein there is the immediate murder story and then a larger narrative that enframes the previous. I adored the smaller crime story, it was so intricately crafted and once the climax of the story was hit, it kept unravelling in the most satisfying way.

Less Good Things:
First of all, in my opinion, this story was far far far too long. The inner crime narrative, which is the focus for much of the novel, took far too long to be established (as I've said, many aspects of the blurb weren't revealed for about 100 pages). The first half of this book was so very slow because so many features of the book took too long to be established. I venture a good 200 pages could've been cut. This smaller narrative is a crime/mystery narrative, which, in my opinion, is typically centred around the instant gratification involved with the unravelling of the crime. There was little, outside of this mystery, that kept you interested in the present. The prose, while accessible, wasn't something to be revelled in, the protagonist, as someone who has lost his memory, wasn't particularly engaging. The mystery, truly, doesn't pick up steam until about half way through, which was far too late. Secondly.... I wasn't particularly enamoured of the second, more mystical enframing narrative, and I'm glad not too much time was spent with it. This feature felt as if it was too sudden and unexpected. This shift in tone and genre, while vaguely hinted at, was unsatisfying and annoying. It introduced a weird sense of justice and morality that left me unsatisfied and really uneasy. The shift to character development and the shift away from plot was, again, unsatisfying.

There are a number of things I could add but uhh in summary: there were a lot of things I liked (that were sadly not present until the second half of the novel) and a lot of things that really annoyed me.

Many years ago as a teenager, I played a lot of Infocom's text adventure games. Those early computer games put you in the middle of the story - you indicated what direction you wanted to go or what you wanted to do - but were all text. Frequently you had little idea of what a given puzzle was, much less how to solve it, until after you had 'died' several times and had to restore from a previous bookmark.

This book reminds me of those games in many ways. Just as with the text adventure games, the reader is given a little bit of background (in the form of the book blurb or game description), but no details of who the character is, or what needs to be done to solve the puzzle (or even what the puzzle is to be solved). The book starts as the protagonist, Aiden Bishop, wakes up in his first host. He has no idea who he is or what his goal is. He isn't even sure who his friends are, who his other hosts are (or even that he has other hosts), or who his enemies are. And yes - he has enemies; there are two others trying to escape by also identifying the killer of Evelyn Hardcastle, and only the one who figures out first escapes. But as he is unaware of who they are, they are unaware of who he is. If none of them solve the mystery, then the loop starts over again with Aiden starting back in his first host (Mild Spoiler - and yes, it's implied that this loop has happened before).

Another part that reminds of those early text adventures is the looping of the day; you get to see different parts of the day through the eyes of different hosts who had different levels of knowledge of the day's events (although in the games, the loop is more controlled by saving or bookmarking your place at a give point in the action).

I loved how Aiden progressed through his hosts, how he reacted to them - getting frustrated by this one's personality and this one's physical traits. It was also fascinating to see how he starts to lose himself; early hosts he had more control over, but bit by bit, he starts to lose himself to their individual personality traits.

And even with all the looping, there's still room for a twist at the end! All in all, a delightful read - this book was more fun that any I've read in a while. Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley and voluntarily chose to review.

I loved the twists and turns of this book. The writing kept me engaged the whole way through. I could not put this book down. I loved the character, although it was hard at times to keep straight who was who. Especially with the jumping plot lines at times. Overall I’d recommend this book to anyone who loves thrillers or mysteries!

The 7 ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle is a mind bending read that requires an intense amount of concentration and focus. It is not a book to be read over a period of weeks, but instead in a brief enough window that each life and the shifting in time can be remembered. I loved the concept of the book but felt it was a fair amount too long. I would have preferred a little less jumping back and forth and a quicker ending. However, it is a fun and creative read and a very unique concept.

Who will kill Evelyn Hardcastle? Who is the man in the plague doctor mask? Who is Aiden, and why is he living some sort of Momento/Groundhog Day life?

The answers to those questions are eventually answered, as well as many others, but the plot's convolutions may turn off some readers. There are a lot of characters to track here, some with multiple motives, and the closed world setting is a little claustrophobic. None of the characters is fully fleshed out, including our hero, although there is a ton of description to wade through. It was a little interesting to me that our hero never becomes a "downstairs" character, only "upstairs". And some of the plot twists strain credulity.

eARC provided by publisher.

The premise of "Ground Hog Day meets "Quantum Leap" is accurate, creative, and intriguing, but was, for me, very difficult to follow. The action is jarring, the characters numerous, and the story confusing, as the protagonist jumps from one body to another, reliving the same day almost 8 times. I struggled to keep everything straight in my mind. I marvel at the author's skill and ability to stay focused and organized throughout his writing, something that I was unable to do as the reader. Perhaps after some passing of time, I should try reading the story again.

The concept was reminiscent of Groundhog Day and Life After Life, but still very original in how it all came together. I really appreciated that, but I found the execution confusing. There was a LOT going on in this book, and I sometimes struggled to keep track of characters -- especially who Aiden "was" at any given point. It held my interest, but it wasn't "un-put-down-able" for me, maybe because it felt like I had to be super "tuned in" to keep track of what was going on.

If the ending had blown me away, I might've been able to give it 4 stars, but unfortunately, we were given even more information at the end that I felt wasn't fully explained or wrapped up. It wasn't the satisfying ending a mystery like this deserved.

TL;DR: Interesting concept, engaging writing, but I wish the story had been a little tighter.

I'd be interested in seeing more from this author.

I had a hard time reading this book. It was difficult to get into and care about the characters in the storyline. I kept reading as the description of the book made me want to finish the book but I was uninterested by the midway point in the book.

This book was remarkably creative and intricate. It is basically "Groundhog Day" meets Agatha Christie. Evelyn Hardcastle is going to die and Aiden Bishop has to solve the murder in order to escape this day he keeps reliving.
He is given 8 days. The catch is that each day he wakes up in the body of somebody new. At first the story was somewhat confusing, but then you get into it, and it is just amazing the complexity of the story. I can't imagine the storyboard the author needed to keep up with all the details of all the different days. The story was expertly told with some very interesting twists. Excellent!!

I'm having trouble with this one because for some reason I'm not able to really connect with these characters. I'm really not sure what's going on in this book and that's worrisome for me. I can't say I enjoy this book.

Thanks for the opportunity to review this book.

I am going to start out with my rating, something I don't believe I have ever started a review with. I give this book 3 stars. I think I am the minority when it came to loving this book. Let me explain why...

This is one of the most confusing books I have ever read. There are so many characters, and each chapter is told first-person from a new character. Somehow I was supposed to remember each character from the previous chapter while starting a new chapter. Oh, and it also switches between past and present. It was just too much.

The murder mystery aspect and weird layout of how the story is told did keep me reading though. I needed to find out what the heck was going on. I had to find out. I'm getting ahead of myself. Here is the description of the novel:

At a gala party thrown by her parents, Evelyn Hardcastle will be killed--again. She's been murdered hundreds of times, and each day, Aiden Bishop is too late to save her. Doomed to repeat the same day over and over, Aiden's only escape is to solve Evelyn Hardcastle's murder and conquer the shadows of an enemy he struggles to even comprehend--but nothing and no one are quite what they seem. ~taken from Goodreads

It sounds like an amazing book, right? I fell in love with the premise and was really excited when I was granted access to the early read by Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark. The first few chapters had me hooked! Then, I just got so confused that I got frustrated. I then lost interest and simply read so that I could make it to the end.

Speaking of the ending, it was just "MEH". I remember shaking my head and thinking "I put myself though all this just for it to end like that?". I wasn't fulfilled and actually wished this book that seemed to last forever was actually a bit longer so I could get a full resolution.

I have to give credit to the author. He is obviously brilliant to write this type of a plot in the way he did. It's a very complex set up. I hate to say it, but because there were so many things going on, it might click better in my mind if there were a movie and I could see it all play out.

All that said, I might actually give this another chance and read it again. One of the things that really kept me confused was the main character's back story. Had that been told near the beginning, I could have focused less on "what is happening" and more on getting to know each character and where they fit in the overall story.

Thanks to Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for allowing me an advanced ecopy to read and give my honest review.

"The 7 1/2 Death Of Evelyn Hardcastle" is due to be released here in the U.S. on Sept. 18, 2018. It is available now for pre-order.

Happy Reading!

As reviews have accurately put it: this is a cross between Agatha Christie and Groundhog Day. What most impressed me about this novel is how well the author assembled all of the details. I imagine he had A Beautiful Mind-type wall in his house covered in papers connected by a network of string. The atmosphere was also well drawn.

A word of warning: This book is quite long and has a lot of characters to keep track of. I failed at this and read it over entirely too many weeks. An elaborate guide somewhere would be most helpful.

Things I didn't love: 500 or so pages is a lot for a mystery of this nature, and I didn't feel a deep connection to Aiden Bishop, the main character, mainly because he's never the same person two days in a row and he has no memories of his own. I felt detached from his character. But like Agatha Christie's books, it's the whodunit that matters most. I'd definitely recommend this for people who like trying to put all the details together and craft their own hypothesis.

Mesmerizing. Difficult to keep up with. The reader as entangled as the main character. So much to consider after the final word has been read.

An excellent choice for a book group. It would engender a lively discussion, no pun intended.

Skillfully written. A book definitely warranting a second reading.

Thanks to the publisher-Source Landmark-for providing an e-ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This book is one of the best books I have read in a long time. It had so much detail, vivid descriptions, memorable characters, and a fantastic twist at the end.

Aiden Bishop wakes up in a body that is not his own. He is confused and frightened. He soon finds out that he has to solve Evelyn Hardcastle’s death or he can’t escape the situation he is in. He is given 8 chances/days which means he is in 8 different bodies on each day.

What follows is an intricate and complex mystery that I could not put down. There were nights I wanted to skip my responsibilities and stay to up to finish. This was such a fantastic and unique book. We need more like it!

I'm going to give this a 3 star review, even though I didn't finish it. It wasn't my cup of tea, but Turton is an adept writer, setting up the atmosphere of the novel beautifully and utilizing genre conventions to great effect. This novel and its characters feel grounded in the 1920's, yet it still feels contemporary and edgy.
That being said, I personally didn't connect. I found it difficult to follow and I just couldn't get attached to any of the characters (all of whom are depicted as being despicable in their own ways, though their negative traits aren't clever or devilishly entertaining). The only character I was interested in was Evelyn, who is conspicuously absent throughout. Based on the other users' reviews, maybe I'd have found its brilliance if I stuck with it through the end, but I have a feeling it's just not for me.

This is one of the most mind-blowing and original books I have read in a while. Turton accomplished something incredible with The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle - a book I recommend going into without reading too far into the synopsis. All you really need to know is that this is a murder mystery where the protagonist gets to relive the same day 8 times, in 8 different bodies in order to solve a 20-year-old murder that took place at an estate. I haven't stayed up late to read in ages, but this book is truly un-putdown-able.

Cast of Characters

There is such a diverse set of characters in this book, both the hosts our protagonist inhabits – and borrows characteristics from – and the supporting cast. They all seem very distinct, despite Aiden being the driving force behind them. You can tell who he’s currently inhabiting, and it’s remarkable how often you’re reading his point of view and not realize how subtly the voice, the style of thinking, has changed. We don’t get to enjoy as much of a view into the minds and motives of our supporting characters, but Aiden more than makes up for this.

Pacing and Plot

I was immediately invested in the story – I had forgotten most of the synopsis, and as such I was just as lost as Aiden as to what was happening. This I felt is the best way to go into it, and I wish I had remembered even less! You’re along for the ride, and the story really draws you in, enticing you to try to solve the mystery together with Aiden. There’s a very speedy pace going throughout the story, and though it covers multiple days they flew by. I can’t imagine how difficult it must have been to keep track of all the different timelines and characters, and making sure everything works in the end, given that so much is connected!

Worldbuilding and Writing Style

Our world is a small one, the house and estate of Blackheath. I immediately got a 1930’s/Agatha Christie sort of vibe, with a house full of party guests and murder on the horizon. The setting felt very cinematic, if that makes sense – I could easily imagine it as a series or movie, the environment very atmospheric. I came across a hardcopy version in the bookstore, and it actually has a map on the inside cover – very informative, and gives off a Clue-vibe! There’s a very easy writing style, I had no trouble whatsoever in following along, and it does change very subtly depending on which host we’re in.

Enjoyment and Evaluation

I highly enjoyed this read – I didn’t want to put it down! I did not figure out the mystery before the twists, and though there were some reveals that felt too jarring compared to the world we’re in, the solution was very in-theme for the murder mystery genre. I would love to go back and reread it at some point, to see if there are clues and hints that I missed the first time. Given the intricacy of the story line I feel like there might have been many a breadcrumb hidden along the way.

As I said before, I would highly recommend going into this story as blind as possible, as sharing the struggle of figuring things out creates a real connection with the main character.

My Rating – 4 out of 5