Rating: 5/5
I was contemplating whether this would become one of my favourites as I felt a little conflicted about the ending. BUT. I have to give this a 5/5 and a spot on my all time favourites shelf given how unique, complex and mind blowing this was. I thoroughly enjoyed this and coudn’t put it down.
What I loved
- The unique premise and execution. The complexity and the layers in the plot was amazing. I was so engrossed in the investigation, always kept guessing and throughout there were bread crumbs and discoveries that piqued my curiosity.
- The characters. I find in Whodunit novels, there is typically at least 1 unlikeable and shallow character in an attempt to throw readers in every direction to keep us guessing. However, the characters in this were done so well! They were complex and made more interesting as their personality was mixed between the host and Aiden. Although the host’s personality comes through, we get glimpses of Aiden’s true self as he reacts to his/host’s emotions.
- The last ~20% were non stop twists and revelations, I was absolutely at the edge of my seat and the final reveal was mind blowing. I loved the explanation of Blackheath and Aiden and Anna’s past. I wanted to know more!
What I’m conflicted about:
- The ending. There were some massive revelations that I thought were glossed over too fast and easily.
Summary: Timeline and Ending
I have created a timeline for all of Aiden’s host. The numbers indicate sequence in which he inhabited them. Please note that the timing is a best guess only and I have written the time where possible. What did you think of the ending?
Click here to see spoilers
Evelyn and Felicity
- Evelyn came to Blackheath disguised as a maid called “Madeline” and paid a con artist Felicity Maddox to pretend to be her. This was possible because Evelyn had been living in Paris for 19 years and the only other person who was in on the plan was her brother Michael. Obviously her parents would’ve recognised her but she never saw them during the day and had already murdered her mother Helena in the morning. The only person that did recognise her was Millicent Derby who she murdered and her death was labelled a heart attack by Dickie as he had recognised the poison used and did not want to be implicated.
Thomas and the missing stable boy
- Evelyn killed Thomas because he knew that she had something to do with the stable boy’s disappearance and Thomas was a loose end.
- Thomas’ “accident” was then covered up by Helena and Carver where Carver took the fall. However Helena found out the truth as she had discovered a spare change of clothes, clearly indicating intent.
Michael
- Aiden had discovered that Michael was planning to shoot Evelyn during the fireworks because their plan was going to be revealed anyways.
- Evelyn had accidentally killed Michael because she didn’t tell him that she had poisoned a drink intended for Felicity.
Helena, Peter and Charlie
- Cunningham’s true parents were Helena and Charlie Carver. Originally, Helena had claimed that Peter was the true father, although Peter found out the truth, he kept it a secret because it would have ruined his reputation
Blackheath and the Plague Doctor
- Blackheath is a prison world, punishment equal to the crime committed, as such Daniel and Anna were prisoners. Aiden was not a criminal, he had followed Anna into Blackheath so that we could torture her as Anna had tortured and killed his sister.
- In the end Aiden and Anna escaped Blackheath together because they had solved the murder case.
- The plague doctor helped Aiden because he didn’t belong there. The plague doctor allowed him to inhabit 8 different hosts and retain his memory for those 8 days to maximise his chances of success.
Bell
- Evelyn/Madeline gave Bell a note to meet her in the woods so that she could kill Bell. She had asked for his poison to kill rats; however it was actually intended for Felicity and Peter and her implications would have been made clear.
The Plague Doctor’s Strategy
- Aiden was allowed to experience a full day in 8 different hosts, he could jump in between them when he fell asleep or died or the full day had elapsed. This was made possible because the Plague Doctor had believed that this was the best order to maximise Aiden’s chances. Under normal circumstances he woud’ve arrived in the hosts in the order they woke up throughout the day. For example, Davies should have been his first host as he woke up at 3:18am however had Aiden started there then he wouldn’t have formed the connection with Evelyn and therefore wouldn’t be so determined to solve the case.