The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, Stuart Turton

The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton is a novel you can completely lose yourself in — but not because of plot holes or confusion caused by poor writing.

This book is a true gem, remarkable for its original and intricately constructed story, skillfully blending crime fiction, gothic atmosphere, mystery, and speculative fiction into something genuinely unforgettable.

The murder of Evelyn Hardcastle at the end of the evening during a grand ball at the Blackheath estate is inevitable.

And Aiden Bishop has exactly eight days to identify the killer if he ever wants to escape Blackheath.

There is, however, one major complication:

Every morning he wakes up in the body of a different guest staying at the manor.

Worse still, he has no memory of who he truly is or why he ended up at Blackheath in the first place.

Aiden eventually finds an unexpected ally in the mysterious Anna, who is also trying to uncover the truth behind Evelyn’s death. But they are far from alone in this deadly competition orchestrated by a terrifying figure wearing the mask of a plague doctor.

And instead of merely solving the murder, Aiden becomes obsessed with preventing Evelyn’s death altogether.

At first glance, all the body-switching might sound difficult to follow, but each “host” possesses distinct traits, personalities, and relationships with Evelyn and her family, making every perspective feel unique and purposeful.

This is an unconventional story told through a nonlinear structure. To put it simply — Stuart Turton has built an entire universe governed by its own internal rules, and somehow it works flawlessly.

But beyond the central murder mystery lies a much deeper layer that gradually becomes even more compelling.

For example, on the first morning Aiden awakens in the body of Doctor Sebastian Bell and instinctively accepts Bell’s identity as his own. Yet once he discovers Bell’s involvement in the illegal sale of opiates, he is horrified by the life he has inherited.

Until he realizes something important:

Perhaps losing his memories is also an opportunity to become someone different.

Beyond identity, the novel also explores guilt, sacrifice, and forgiveness — both toward yourself and toward someone who has caused unbearable pain.

BOOKLOVERS Rating: 5/5

As mentioned at the beginning, this is truly a novel you can get lost inside.

For a long time I wasn’t entirely sure what exactly I was reading — but perhaps that was precisely why I couldn’t stop turning the pages.