When a book is described as a mix between Groundhog Day and Quantum Leap I feel the impulse to pick it up. The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, I am very happy to have made that decision.
The book opens a bit slowly. A man is in the woods lost and unsure who he is. Then slowly he can figure out who he is. At first, he thinks he is one person trying to save someone. Soon enough he, out he is Aiden Bishop, and his task is to solve a murder.
Unknown forces are allowing Aiden to relive the same day multiple times from the view of multiple people. If he can solve the crime he will be set free of the loop. If not the loop resets and he will wake up in the woods unsure of who he is again.
Chapters in the book are a little inconsistent. Some of his hosts are young and fit. These chapters rush past with fights and sneaking around. Other of his hosts are feeble older men. These chapters are much slower with planning and conversation.
Overall the story has some great layers — the time travel element allowing clues to be altered. It also enables some hints to change in meaning due to finding out a new perspective.
As a mystery, there was a good list of possible suspects. Some easy to rule out. Other suspects never entirely presumed innocent till the final reveal. A book that once you are done you know, you will want to re-read later to see if you can pick up on all the clues.
Pick up your copy of The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle on Amazon.
A free review copy of this book was provided via NetGalley for this unbiased review.