The Seven and a Half Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle is a murder mystery by Stuart Turton. Or is it? Is it actually a science fiction story set in the past where a murder has occurred? Or is it a race against time to reveal all the deceit and lies underpinning both the mystery and the science fiction story? Whatever it is, it’s a phenomenal novel.
A man wakes up in a forest unaware of who he is and what he’s doing. He shouts a name, one word that is his only connection to his past. Upon finding a nearby house, the man discovers he’s Sebastian Bell, a doctor living in the early twentieth century. Sebastian was assaulted the prior night.
Before the day is over, he’s told he isn’t, in fact, really Sebastian Bell, but inhabiting his body. He is truly Adrian Bishop who will inhabit eight people in the next eight days for one purpose – to solve the murder of Evelyn Hardcastle. It’s Evelyn’s homecoming, and family and friends have gathered to welcome her back. Or have they? Everyone seems on edge, grumpy, and a bit ruthless. To make matters worse, not only is Adrian trying to solve Evelyn’s murder, a killer is after him as well.
This is the best book I’ve read from a major publisher all year. Normally, a book of this size would take me at least two weeks to read it. I read it in three days. What fascinated me was how each chapter was a game changer. The reveals kept coming, indicating the complexity of the plot. And yet, the novel is never so complex that it leaves the reader lost.
If you like murder mysteries set in an old English estate filled with a sordid cast of characters, you’re in luck. If you enjoyed the T.V. show Quantum Leap but wanted the main character to jump into a really twisted setup somewhere far in the past, you’re also in luck. Lastly, if you like the concept of Groundhog Day but want it done in something other than the romance or horror genre, guess what? You, too, are in luck.
Every novel’s premise is really about drawing you into a character’s life to explore larger themes. One question I had before I read this was who was Adrian Bishop and why was he trapped in this situation? I expected to find out at the beginning. Sorry, readers, you won’t find it there. What you will find is Adrian learns quickly to distrust nearly everyone. You also discover that when Adrian inhabits one of the characters and is decent to the people around him, they start to become better or share their brokenness with him. The powerful question of whether we’re the people we are by destiny or choice is threaded through most of the book.
Mystery fans who like science fiction, this is a must-buy. Science fiction fans who dabble with a mystery from time to time should also buy it. Everyone else who wants a non-linear tour de force, give it a try. If nothing else, you’ll find out how Evelyn Hardcastle endured a half death.