Tuesday, November 23, 2021

The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, by Stuart Turton

This is one of the best and most original books I've read in years! From the opening chapter where the protoganist wakes up without his memory and immediately fails to stop a murder I was hooked. A mystery set in a crumbling English country manor house, the lead player relives the same day over and over, but waking up in a new body each time. He is eventually told that if he solves the murder he will be released from the time loop. but if he doesn't do it within eight days he'll start over again without any memory of what he has seen or done. And it becomes clear that he has been doing this for decades without success...

The back cover calls this a blend of Agatha Christie, Quantum Leap, Groundhog Day, and Downton Abbey (I'd add a healthy dose of Terry Pratchett into the mix as well), and if anything that undersells the appeal. Clever and entertaining, this is sheer brilliance and I literally couldn't put it down and read it in a single day.

First Sentence:
I forget everything between footsteps.

No comments:

Search This Blog