Updated on January 26th, 2025
Last month I finished listening to the audiobook The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware. Now I wanted to write a more in-depth review of the book.
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One for sorrow, Two for joy, Three for a girl, Four for a boy, Five for silver, Six for gold, Seven for a secret, Never to be told
The Death of Mrs. Westaway is about Hal Westaway a 21-year-old trying to make it on her own after her mother’s death. One day Hal receives an inheritance letter stating her grandmother Hester Westaway passed away, but Hal’s grandmother died 20 years earlier. Hal pretends to be the long-lost granddaughter to receive the inheritance and finally have some financial security she desperately needs.
My Review of The Death of Mrs. Westaway
Hal is a likable character because she is doing everything she can to make it on her own. She does not have any family or friends to fall back on it so I admire her bravery. The rest of the Westaway family, as well as Hester’s housekeeper Mrs. Warren, are well-developed and there are not too many characters to keep track of. It is also not overwhelming when Hal first meets the family at Hester’s funeral. One thing I loved about the audiobook is the narrator changed her voice to match all the characters including the men and children, which made listening to the book much more enjoyable.
The plot itself is interesting, but it is slow-building since the main focus is on whether Hal will successfully get away with the inheritance money and the family drama involved with the will. I also loved the setting of Brighton, where Hal lives, and Cornwall, the location of Hester’s funeral and her estate Trepassen House. Trepassen House is especially creepy and the inclusion of the One for Sorrow nursery rhyme in connection to the magpies at the estate makes it even creepier. Another element that was included in the story was tarot readings since Hal is a tarot reader on Brighton Pier. The tarot readings added depth to the story, and it was a unique way of incorporating symbolism. I did not expect the ending, but it was a good ending that answered the big questions but left me wondering what will happen next.
Overall, I would recommend The Death of Mrs. Westaway if you like mysteries, thrillers, and family dramas or if you have read one of Ruth Ware’s previous books and enjoyed her works.
Thanks for sharing
I thought in the dark dark wood was boring! Perhaps I’ve to try this! Great review
Thanks! I haven’t read in a dark dark wood, but it’s sitting on my shelf. From the reviews I read for the death of Mrs. Westaway people liked it better than IADDW especially since Hal is a strong protagonist 😊
Definitely sounds like my kind of book. As always: great review! 😊😊
Thank you so much! If you don’t already, I definitely recommend listening to audio books since you can do chores & other things while listening 😊
I wasn’t crazy about the story in this one, but I did love Hal as a protagonist.
That’s understandable! The story isn’t for everyone, but I agree Hal is a great protagonist! 😊