THE DEATH OF MRS. WESTAWAY By Ruth Ware
Coming Summer 2018 from Gallery Books
Breaking news: one of my favorite psychological thriller writers, Ruth Ware, has announced her next book! In Summer 2018, Ware’s THE DEATH OF MRS. WESTAWAY by Ruth Ware will release in both the US and UK, and it sounds absolutely fantastic. Ware has quickly become a staple of my personal crime fiction library and my list of go-to book recommendations, and THE DEATH OF MRS. WESTAWAY sounds (if it’s possible) even better than her previous three releases—and that’s saying a lot. Read on for more information about Ware’s forthcoming release, and for details on what exactly I’ve loved about Ware’s previous releases! Expect to see lots of talk about THE DEATH OF MRS. WESTAWAY here on Crime by the Book in 2018.
Book Details: THE DEATH OF MRS. WESTAWAY
THE DEATH OF MRS. WESTAWAY is the fourth book by Ruth Ware, and will release in Summer 2018! A cover isn't available yet for this book, but you can bet I'll be sharing it once it is. The below plot information is quoted from Ruth Ware’s website, which you can check out here. THE DEATH OF MRS. WESTAWAY sounds like yet another brilliant take on an Agatha Christie-inspired plot - if Ware hadn’t yet earned her reputation as a modern day Christie, this book is sure to do it. It’s safe to say this book has just cemented itself as one of my most-anticipated releases of 2018!
Dear Miss Westaway,
Your grandmother, Hester Jane Westaway of Trepassen House, St Piran, passed away on 22nd November, at her home. I appreciate that this news may well come as a shock to you; please accept my sincere condolences on your loss.
In accordance with the wishes of your late grandmother, I am instructed to inform beneficiaries of the details of her funeral. As local accommodation is very limited, family members are invited to stay at Trepassen House where a wake will also be held.
Yours truly,
Robert Treswick
Treswick, Nantes and Dean, Penzance
When Harriet Westaway – better known as Hal – receives a letter from the blue informing her of a substantial inheritance, it seems like the answer to her prayers. The loan shark she borrowed from is becoming increasingly aggressive, and there is no way that her job as a seaside fortune-teller can clear her debts.
There is just one problem: Hester Westaway is not Hal’s grandmother. The letter has been sent to the wrong person.
But Hal is a cold reader, practised in mining her clients for secrets about their lives. If anyone has the skills to turn up at a strange woman’s funeral and claim a bequest they’re not entitled to, it’s her.
With only one way out of her problems, Hal boards a train for Cornwall, and prepares for the con of her life. But something is very, very wrong at Trepassen House. Hal is not the only person with a secret, and it seems that someone may be prepared to do almost anything to keep theirs hidden…
Sounds amazing, right?! This plot alone makes me think that THE DEATH OF MRS. WESTAWAY might take my already-established obsession with Ware’s work to a new level. I don’t know about you, but I’m already counting down the days until this book’s release! I can’t wait to see what the cover for this book will look like, either—I’m betting it will be stunning.
THE DEATH OF MRS. WESTAWAY is available for pre-order now across all US retailers:
Amazon // Barnes & Noble // IndieBound // Books-A-Million
While you wait for THE DEATH OF MRS. WESTAWAY…
Now is the perfect time to explore Ruth Ware’s backlist. Ware has written three outstanding psychological thrillers that make for perfect binge-reading material. Arguably the best thing about Ware’s bibliography? She never writes the same book twice - each of her books is unique and never repetitive - and yet each book is tied to the others stylistically with a distinct, modern-Agatha Christie feel. Whether you love locked room mysteries or long-buried secrets between friends, Ware’s books have you covered!
IN A DARK, DARK WOOD (2015)
Ware’s debut novel centers around a bachelorette party in a cozy, secluded house in the English countryside. Reclusive writer Leonora is apprehensive when her invitation comes in the mail: one of her old friends is getting married, and she’s been invited to the bachelorette celebration. Something feels a bit off to Leonora—she hasn’t been in touch with this friend in years. But she decides to attend - after all, it will do her good to get out into the countryside for a weekend. But as the weekend gets underway, things begin to go awry, and Leonora and the group are forced to confront a shocking realization: they are not alone in the woods.
IN A DARK, DARK WOOD is a strong debut psychological thriller and an excellent taste of what Ware’s books have in store. It’s a spin on the classic “locked room mystery” that Agatha Christie is known for, and it’s the kind of chilling, atmospheric suspense novel that’s perfect for winter reading. In my opinion, this isn’t Ware’s strongest book, but it's still a very strong debut - she's just a superb writer!
THE WOMAN IN CABIN 10 (2016)
Ware’s sophomore novel is my personal favorite of hers. In THE WOMAN IN CABIN 10, Ware takes her classic crime-inspired plotting to the high seas. Travel journalist Lo receives the assignment of a lifetime: one week on a luxury cruise ship through Norway’s fjords. Lo’s trip begins like a dream: opulent accommodations, lavish meals, and elegant travel companions. But one night, Lo’s perfect trip is shattered when she witnesses something horrific: a woman being thrown overboard from the cabin next to hers. Lo sounds the alarm, but things quickly become even stranger, when the ship’s crew insists that everyone on board is accounted for. Who was this woman, and what happened to her? Lo finds herself alone at sea, on board a ship with a killer who no one believes even exists…
THE WOMAN IN CABIN 10 was, for me, one of those reads where once I started it, I just couldn’t stop. Ware’s pacing is pitch-perfect, her plotting is chilling and engaging, and her main character is just unreliable enough to suit my tastes. THE WOMAN IN CABIN 10 also includes some dark and shocking moments that I absolutely loved, even if a few of them are actually a bit difficult to read. Ware keeps the reader hooked throughout with underlying tension and claustrophobia coupled with a beautiful setting and chilling plot. Highly recommended!
THE LYING GAME (2017)
A slight departure from Ware’s more Christie-inspired plots, THE LYING GAME will perfectly suit fans of Pretty Little Liars and readers looking for lighter psychological suspense. THE LYING GAME tells the story of four women who were best friends in their childhood, having met at a boarding school in rural England. While in school together, these girls developed a dark game: The Lying Game. But even childhood games aren’t without consequences… Years later, these women have gone their separate ways, burying their secrets in their past. That is, until one day, when three of the women receive a text from the fourth saying simply “I need you.” A horrific discovery has been made in their former hometown, and the women might now need to answer for their past wrongs…
THE LYING GAME is quite different from Ware’s previous novels, but I absolutely loved that she branched out and tried something new here. I found THE LYING GAME simply fun to read - I happen to be a fan of Pretty Little Liars myself, and found this book to be almost like reading an adult version of that show. This is an engaging character study and addictive examination of past secrets that just refuse to stay buried. Pick this one up for lighter suspense that’s easy to binge-read.
Are you a fan of Ruth Ware's work? I’d love to hear from you if you’re looking forward to her next book! Hit the “like” button or comment below - I’m so eager to hear from those of you counting down the days to her next book! Xx A
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