52 pages • 1 hour read
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
593
Novel • Fiction
Cornwall, England • Contemporary
2018
Adult
18+ years
The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware follows Harriet "Hal" Westaway, a struggling tarot card reader who receives a letter about an inheritance from a woman named Hester Westaway. Despite not knowing Hester, Hal decides to use her tarot reading skills to claim the inheritance. As she delves deeper, she uncovers dark family secrets, connections to her past, and faces dangerous consequences. Topics of death, violence, and financial desperation are present.
Mysterious
Suspenseful
Dark
Unnerving
195,939 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Ruth Ware's The Death of Mrs. Westaway is a gripping psychological thriller that excels in its atmospheric tension and intricate plot. Positive reviews highlight Ware's skillful character development and suspenseful storytelling. However, some readers note a somewhat predictable ending and occasional pacing issues. Overall, it is a compelling read for thriller enthusiasts.
Fans of psychological thrillers and gothic mysteries will enjoy Ruth Ware's The Death of Mrs. Westaway. Readers who appreciate the suspense of Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None and the atmospheric tension of Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca will find this book captivating. Ideal for those who relish dark family secrets and intricate plots.
195,939 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Ezra
A witty and detached member of the Westaway family with a dark history that impacts his interactions and relationships with others.
Abel
The empathetic and kind Westaway brother who works for a children's charity and strives to see the best in people.
Harding
The seemingly well-adjusted Westaway brother with a successful professional life and a family, whose actions demonstrate conflicting emotions about his past.
Hester
The controlling and abusive matriarch of the Westaway family whose actions and decisions deeply affect her children and set the novel's events in motion.
Maud
A caring figure in Hal's life who raised her with love and leaves a lasting impact despite not being her biological parent.
Maggie
A character whose perspective in diary form illustrates her difficult experiences at Trepassen House and influences Hal's understanding of the past.
Mrs. Warren
The long-serving housekeeper at Trepassen House known for her biased treatment towards the Westaway children, particularly favoring Ezra.
Mitzi
Harding's wife, known for her wealth and supportive nature, who develops a meaningful connection with Hal.
593
Novel • Fiction
Cornwall, England • Contemporary
2018
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.