The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware

 The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware. Scout Press, 2018. Review of Advanced Reader Copy. Adult mystery.

Ware's latest mystery begins like an Agatha Christie tale with a young woman named Harriet and an unexpected letter about a possible inheritance. Harriet, known as Hal, works as a fortune teller and Tarot card reader in a kiosk on the Brighton pier. Her mother died in a recent car accident, the bills are mounting up, and an unscrupulous loan shark is after Hal. Hal is certain that they must have the wrong heir, but she decides to investigate and maybe even get a bit of money to help out.

But, the family that she discovers: Harding and Mitzi and their children, Harding's brothers, Abel and Ezra, and the huge house and gardens are far beyond Hal's imagination. Mrs. Westaway has died and left old Mrs. Warren, the housekeeper, in charge. Mrs. Warren makes Mrs. Danvers in Rebecca look kind! Was Maud, the only daughter really related to Hal? Why happened to Maud to make her leave years ago? How was Maud's friend, Maggie, connected to the family? Will Hal ever figure things out? Or is Hal really in danger as she has begun to believe?

As usual, Ware fills her novel with twisty happenings, people who don't always tell the truth,  and a convoluted plot.  Also, try The Woman in Cabin 10 for suspense at sea if you enjoy Ware's writing.