Hester (at the top middle), Maggie, Ezra, Maud, Abel, Edward, Harding, Mitzi (from left to right, second row), Harriet, Richard, Katherine, Freddie (from left to right, third row) — Family tree made by using EdrawMax

She had discovered that the most important truths often lay in what people didn’t say, and learned to read the secrets that they hid in plain sight, in their faces, and in their clothes, and in the expressions that flitted across their faces when they thought no one was watching. This book was so creepy. In a great way. I'm really glad I finally broke down and read a Ruth Ware book. The French phrase “après moi, le déluge” is important in the novel. Discuss its meaning and significance in the story. Ware’s novel is full of twists and turns, and just the right element of mystery and creepiness, so the novel should have been perfect for me. The decrepit estate property truly sets the scene for a fantastic thriller or mystery.The disappointing ending is unfortunate, because Ware is a gifted writer who can evidently create wonderfully spooky atmospheres within her books. The narrator is interesting and refreshing and the premise is intriguing. Despite its faults, “The Death of Mrs. Westaway” has some redeeming qualities.

There's just one problem - Hal's real grandparents died more than twenty years ago. The letter has been sent to the wrong person. But Hal knows that the cold-reading techniques she’s honed as a seaside fortune teller could help her con her way to getting the money. If anyone has the skills to turn up at a stranger's funeral and claim a bequest they’re not entitled to, it’s her. I will say though that I absolutely loved the setting of creepy Trespassen House and the atmosphere of this novel though! I also thoroughly enjoyed Hal and her tarot card readings. I thought the explanations and the meanings behind the cards were quite thought-provoking and had me really interested. However, unfortunately it wasn’t quite enough to make this story really work for me. Even though I feel like I wasn’t quite the right reader for this one, I still recommend giving it a try! I’m not going to hash out all the parts that confuse me, since that could simply be a bit of my fault with getting confused, but I did not find this instance to be that insightful of the novel as a whole, but it did seem to be a bit of a letdown from the eerie atmosphere being built around the family and the home itself.As for the mystery itself, it was enjoyable enough, though it's predicated on the outlandish notion that no one would figure out there are two people with the same name, even when there are pictures of these people.