The 7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle

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. If you could temporarily occupy the body of any person or historical figure, who would it be, and why?

2. The Plague Doctor serves as a guide and mentor to Aiden, but he also gives only limited information and is unwilling to intervene or actively assist Aiden. When you’ve had mentors and teachers in the past, what were your expectations? Have you ever felt frustrated or disappointed by someone you perceived as a mentor?

3. Aidan and Anna decide to work together even though they are ostensibly pitted against one another. What circumstances do you think tend to foster collaboration versus competition? Do you find that you tend to be more successful when you work alone or with collaborators?

4. The masked ball hosted by Lord Peter and Lady Helena occurs on the anniversary of the death of Thomas, their young son. Have there been significant or sad events in your life that you continue to commemorate long after the fact? What do you think is the significance of ritual and celebration as a way of keeping memory alive?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. Social class and financial status play a significant role in the novel, as there is a distinct divide between the owners of Blackheath, their wealthy guests, and the various working-class individuals employed on the estate. What does the novel suggest about the role of wealth and class in an individual’s ability to “cover up” immoral actions or even crimes? Where do you see this playing out in the real world?

2. Several of the female characters in the novel are eventually revealed to be violent criminals, although Aiden initially feels the impulse to protect them. Do you think that women are less likely to be portrayed as villains or criminals? How might the “average” woman’s motivation to commit a crime differ from the “average” man’s?

3. Redemption and forgiveness are key themes in the novel: Aiden decides to believe that Anna can be redeemed even though she has killed many people, including his own sister. Do you think that people can change and reform their behavior? What factors could facilitate someone’s rehabilitation and reintegration into society?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. The novel unfolds in a disjointed and deliberately confusing narrative structure. How did this structure affect your reading experience? What purposes might it serve with regard to character, theme, etc.?

2. Discuss Evelyn’s trajectory from being portrayed as a victim to a villain. At what points (if any) did you feel sympathy for her? Was it shocking to learn that she was responsible for many grotesque murders? What techniques does the novel use to characterize her?

3. Discuss the symbolism of Blackheath, the country house where the action of the plot takes place. How does this setting contribute to the novel’s themes and mood? Compare Turton’s novel to another “country-house novel” such as The Remains of the Day or Atonement: How does the setting contribute to mystery, secrecy, and misunderstanding?

4. The ending of the novel is ambiguous. Do you think that Aiden and Anna will be able to successfully evade the consequences of Anna’s past? What clues does the novel offer in this respect?