This book was so fun! I was hooked from the beginning and I thought about it when I wasn't reading it. The characters, the secrets, and the twists were all incredible!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC!!

Ruby McTavish, heir to a fortune and Ashby House, became famous at a young age due to being kidnapped and missing for almost a year. Later in life she continued with her fame by being widowed four times. When Ruby dies, she leaves her fortune to her adopted son Camden and nothing to her sister’s family, who are allowed to live in Ashby House as part of Ruby’s father’s will. .

Camden doesn’t want the wealth, the house, or anything to do with the McTavish name. He only returns home after receiving a plea from his cousin and with the encouragement from his wife, Jules.

The story is told by Ruby, Camden, and Jules. All may have some secrets to share. It also includes articles from various publications about the McTavishes. It’s a page turner with twists and turns.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC of The Heiress. The publication date is January 23, 2024.

I discovered this author a few years back and have made a point of reading all of her books since then. She doesn't disappoint. This one was good in a twisty kind of way where you knew people were going to be connected somehow, but you weren't sure in which way. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I adored this book. Aqm and his wife live in Colorado and travel to his family estate outside of Ashville, North Caroliba where all kinds of family secrets come to life. With a dual timeline through letters, we see how the seeds of deceit are planted. Well plotted and amazing characters. Highly recommend.

This was one of those books I stayed up until 3am to finish. WOW! Every single twist was so shocking and every time I thought we were done, it got crazier. I absolutely loved it.

This mystery thriller has me stuck. I have never read anything by Rachel and this was great. The story was intense because we all know money can make people do/say ugly things. The plot twist was Everything!

Rachel Hawkins books never disappoint. This one grabbed me from the first page and I read it straight through in one setting. Great characters, snappy dialogue, a fast paced plot, and so many unexpected twists that I lost count. Highly recommended

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced reader copy

The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins had me turning pages late into the night, unable to sleep until I got to the next big reveal and the next and the next. And trust me, they keep coming, all the way to the final page.

The story begins with Jules and Camden, a couple married for 10 years living a quiet life in Colorado until Camden is called back to take care of the family estate he never wanted by family who abhor him. As the adopted son of Ruby McTavish, he inherited Ashby House and more money than could be spent in a lifetime when she died 10 years prior. Although Camden wishes to leave the money untouched and let history remain in the past, Jules can't help but be mesmerized by the estate and the secrets it holds. As decades old stories unfurl and stakes are raised, the two are tested in ways they never could have believed possible.

I fell in love with this story from the get go. Hawkins uses mixed media, varying from newspapers clippings to letters from the deceased Ruby, as well as first person perspective of both Jules and Camden. The eclectic mix of perspectives gave the reader just enough to keep delving further into the mystery, eager to unravel the complex web of secrecy. As I mentioned in the beginning, the reveals kept coming, even to the last page. What I need to highlight, however, is that while some I might have seen coming, others absolutely blew me out of the water. Even now, as I sit here, my mind is going over the events and asking questions. One of my favorite books of the year so far.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

When Camden's rich uncle dies, he is summoned to Ashby House - a McTavish's family compound in North Carolina. As the only surviving heir to Ruby McTavish, he is now the hair to the family fortune. He and his new wife, Jules. Jules herself, has some messy past. We slowly learn about each McTavish's family member, and each is as vile as the other. But are our good friends Cam and Jules innocent? Read and find out.
This is a very quick read, some of the "twists" are easy to predict, but it does not take away from the flow of the story and how fun this read. Probably my favorite of Rachel Hawkins so far.

Big thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and the author for an ARC of this copy; I enjoyed it very much. Mark your calendars everyone, this book gets published on January 9, 2024.

This.book certainly drew me in and made me want to keep reading to find out what happened. The multiple viewpoints and different time periods made it challenging to follow, though. You knew some sort of plot twist was coming, but.honestly it felt anti-climatic for me.

Rachel Hawkins is another one of those authors that I will always seek out to read and am never disappointed. Her newest book though, it completely exceeded my expectations. From the first chapter to the last page I was so engrossed into the story that I didn’t want it to end. The writing was so enjoyable and the story had a great number of interesting twists.

The book flips between different POVs and letters from the past that only added to this story. Camden and Jules are living a basic lifestyle in their rental house in Colorado when Camden gets a message from his cousin that he needs to return to his family home to take care of things. As the story unfolds we see everyone has deep secrets and while not one character is innocent you still find yourself routing for them.

Thank you to Netgalley and to the publishers for allowing me to read this advanced copy.

I had fun with The Heiress but I admit to being a little let down by the twists and turns, which I could see a lot coming.

If you imagine The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, but if Evelyn Hugo killed her husbands instead of divorcing them, that would be this book. It also reminded me a lot of The Only One Left by Riley Sager. It follows an older woman recounting her notorious life in mysterious letters, while also following a present day storyline and how the two overlap.

The story is infinitely readable and was a pretty addicting read but after it was over, it didn't capture me and leave me thinking about anything beyond the black and white of the narrative. Jules and Camden were a couple I was rooting for the whole time, despite some murky decisions from both of them, but I strangely believed in the two of them as a couple and what they found in each other.

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

"The Heiress" by Rachel Hawkins is a captivating and immersive thriller that keeps you glued to its pages from beginning to end. If you're in the mood for a propulsive and compulsively readable story, this book is the perfect choice. With more twists and turns than a rattlesnake, it takes you on a suspenseful journey that will leave you breathless.

The novel is like an interlocking puzzle, and while you may figure out some of the pieces along the way, it does not detract from the locomotive propulsion of the plot. In fact, it only adds to the intrigue as you try to piece together the complex web of secrets and mysteries that surround the characters.

One of the standout features of the book is its use of alternating voices in the chapters. Ruby McTavish, the enigmatic mistress of Ashby House, has a history filled with four marriages and a childhood kidnapping, making her a character with layers of secrets. Cam, her adopted son, is forced to return to his ancestral home after his uncle's death, bringing with him his own set of secrets. And then there's Jules, Cam's wife, who is eager to claim the fortune associated with Ashby House. All three of these central characters have their own hidden truths, and the gradual revelation of these secrets is the core of the book.

The pacing of the secrets' unveiling is emotionally powerful, keeping the reader on pins and needles as they eagerly turn the pages to discover what lies beneath the surface. Rachel Hawkins displays a remarkable talent for ratcheting up the suspense, making the reader feel a constant sense of anticipation and unease. The tension in the narrative is palpable, and it's hard to put the book down until you've unraveled every mystery.

As you reach the final page, you'll likely wish that the suspense and tension could continue, a testament to the author's skill in keeping the reader engaged and invested in the story. "The Heiress" is a must-read for anyone who enjoys thrilling, character-driven novels filled with secrets, unexpected twists, and a relentless sense of anticipation. Rachel Hawkins has crafted a remarkable tale that will keep you guessing until the very end, and it's a book that you won't soon forget.

I've never really been the biggest fan of mystery/thriller books. I like the idea of them, and there have been plenty of mystery movies/tv shows I have enjoyed. But with books, it's never really been something I've gravitated towards. But Rachel Hawkins' "The Heiress" really surpassed my expectations, and helped me delve into the mystery/thriller genre more. I loved the story, the characters, and the whole build-up to the big conclusion.

BRILLIANT!! Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

OH MY GOODNESS!!! RACHEL HAWKINS HAS DONE IT AGAIN!! What incredibly addictive and darkly twisted gothic mystery thriller that kept me completely immersed and flipping the pages until the very end!! It has suspense, drama, tension, greed, dysfunctional family, romance, secrets, lies, kidnapping, murder, passion, love, multiple POV's, unique plot, fast paced, dual timelines, unexpected twists and turns, shocking ending and an isolated creepy old Ashby mansion which is set in the beautiful Appalachian mountains!! Everything I was hoping for and MORE!! I absolutely LOVED it so much and another amazing thriller to add to my favorite list for 2023!!💚💚💚💚💚

When Ruby McTavish Callahan Woodward Miller Kenmore dies, her adopted son, Camden, inherits her family mansion and nine-figure fortune. Surprisingly, he wants nothing to do with the house or the money and flees to start his life over in Colorado. Ten years later, he receives an email from his cousin stating his uncle has passed away and that he should come home to Ashby house. This is the last thing Camden wants to do but his wife, Jules, thinks it would be a great idea to visit! Now the fun really begins!!!

Overall, I was totally engrossed until the very end!! I highly recommend this book and it deserves ALL the stars!!!!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Rachel Hawkins has firmly secured her place on my must-read list. Reading her latest popcorn thriller each January has become a cherished tradition. So, when her publisher offered me a copy of her newest book, The Heiress, I eagerly seized the opportunity. These days, it seems like many thriller authors are exploring the spooky house trope, and Hawkins has now added her unique take to the mix. The Heiress is another gripping page-turner, employing shifting perspectives, a chilling atmosphere, and numerous twists that are sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats.

The story opens in the small town of Tavistock, North Carolina, in 1943. Young Ruby McTavish strays away from her parents while they enjoy a picnic amidst the forests of the Blue Ridge Mountains. In an instant, she disappears. Ruby isn't just any ordinary child; she is the heiress to an immense fortune amassed through her father's prosperous lumber enterprise. Her father spares no expense in enlisting the services of top-tier private detectives. Three years later, Ruby is located, living with a family not too far from her original location. It's revealed that she had been kidnapped, and the individual responsible for her abduction is incarcerated, destined to remain behind bars for the rest of his life. That is until he attempts to break free.

As Ruby matures, she transforms into a prominent figure in high society. With her substantial wealth safely secured, she redirects her focus towards matters of the heart. Yet, the dark cloud of tragedy from her early years appears to cast its shadow over her adult life. In a series of unsettling events, each of Ruby's four husbands meets an unfortunate and premature demise, igniting suspicions among those in her circle about her potential involvement in these deaths. Driven by the need to confront the profound void left by their loss and perhaps even more motivated to safeguard her family's fortune from the grasp of her younger sister, Ruby takes the step of adopting a young child named Camden.

As Camden grew into adulthood, he distanced himself from the McTavish clan. Following Ruby's passing almost a decade ago, he was the primary inheritor of her substantial wealth. However, he consciously chose to disentangle himself from that dysfunctional family. Instead, he departed from the ancestral residence, Ashby House, and crafted a life of relative normalcy, finding love and marrying his wife, Jules. The once-renowned family estate has fallen into disrepair, and his family is summoning him back to oversee its restoration. This means he must finally have an open conversation with Jules and reveal the substantial inheritance he's largely ignored. As the couple embarks on their journey back to Ashby House, they must confront the very past that Camden has tried to evade for the majority of his life.

Rachel Hawkins displays her talent for crafting captivating thrillers once again in The Heiress. The eerie ambiance of the run-down mansion nestled in the wooded mountains creates a thoroughly chilling atmosphere, arguably the most intricate setting among all of Hawkins' previous thrillers. This atmospheric backdrop adds a layer of foreboding to every page. The tale unfolds through the shifting perspectives of Camden, Jules, and the posthumous letters from Ruby. This narrative technique artfully dispenses information, winding up the suspense and providing ample opportunities for surprising twists. Each character in the story is predominantly driven by self-serving motivations. This makes it challenging to anticipate their next moves but hard to wholeheartedly root for any of them. While the plot's twists may not entirely startle, the craftsmanship of weaving the story together is commendable. The Heiress stands as another solid and entertaining read from Hawkins.

I was expecting a thriller and got a slow family drama again. I personally feel these are so over done now. Family dramas with all unlikeable characters seem to be the trend and I'm over it.

The story is slow and you start out with Cam and Jules, a young couple who want nothing to do with the family or the family money or so you think. They end up at the house with all the nasty family members fighting over this house.

The letters that Ruby wrote were my favorite parts of the story. The epilogue seemed to go on forever and actually got confusing or maybe I was just over it at that point.

As a thriller, no. As a family drama, yes. So if that's what you're into, you will enjoy this book.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for the chance to read an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins will be released on January 9th, 2024.

The Heiress follows the story of the McTavish family, spanning from the early days up to the present. We get to meet Ruby, a big part of the story despite her character having passed away before the start of the book, through her journal entries and the new articles written about her. And the Camden, the orphan Ruby adopted as her own (and thus left the entire estate to, much to the displeasure of the other family members) and his wife, Jules.

Camden wants nothing to do with the money, the estate, the family, but he gets pulled back in when his cousin passes away. The story really takes off from here as you unravel why Ruby was given everything and why she then left everything to Camden. As always, Rachel Hawkins doesn’t hesitate to add in some fun little twists.


A few thoughts: Why did she have to use so many big words? It seemed like she was intent on going for as many different words as possible, but hey, at least my vocabulary has grown now.

I really enjoyed the book. I enjoyed the characters. The storyline was more unique than I expected when going into the story which was nice. Rachel Hawkins is just a good author. She writes solid stories and doesn’t jump around, nothing seems out of place.

4.5 rounded down

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for a Netgalley of this one.

This is hands down my favorite Hawkin's books. I really enjoyed the plot of this one. I am not saying every idea here was super fresh, but the story telling was really well done. I was turning pages extremely quick as I was fully engaged in the story. I really enjoyed the characters-- even the unlikable ones.

Highly recommend.

The Heiress was a very addicting book-just enough dark and twisty to keep me hooked. It had flashbacks, multiple narrators with secrets, and a creepy/isolated atmosphere, I loved the subtle reference to her previous book: The Villa. Rachel Hawkins wrote a story that is sure to be a hit. If you like this genre, you will enjoy this book. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.