The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains discussion of death, child death, and graphic violence. 

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. To what extent can The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle be considered a murder mystery? What other genres seem to have influenced the novel? If someone asked you to describe this novel, how would you characterize it?

2. What were your impressions of Aiden? Did you find him to be a compelling protagonist?

3. How does Turton cultivate a sense of suspense and danger throughout the novel? Did you find any of the scenes in the novel to be especially disturbing or frightening?

4. Have you read any of Turton’s later novels—e.g., The Devil and the Dark Water or The Last Murder at the End of the World? If so, how would you compare them to The 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle? If not, are you more or less likely to read them having read the latter?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Aiden is repeatedly reincarnated into the bodies of different characters in order to look for clues and solve Evelyn’s murder.