This is a slow build- slow burn. I really enjoyed Ruby’s letters. I was so intrigued by her story and her past and what the real story was that she was telling. I also found myself wanted to get to those parts.

I think this was very atmospheric and mysterious. But not super thrilling either.

I enjoyed the story but wasn’t super surprised by the ending.

I’ve read every Rachel Hawkins book and this one did not disappoint! I never see her twists coming, and the books’ plots are always so inventive. Parts of this one were a little slow for me, but overall, I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Thank you Netgalley & St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read Rachel Hawkin’s new release in exchange for an honest review. Easy 5 stars as flew through it like all her other novels.

I enjoyed the multiple povs especially the glamorous heiress herself, Ruby Mctarvish. She gave off an Evelyn Hugo vibes with all the husbands, but with a murder vibe. I also really enjoyed the twist at the end I did not see it coming. It all tied up nicely at the end. Highly recommend reading this one!

Rachel Hawkins constructs a twisted family web in her latest book, “The Heiress.”

In 1943, the young daughter of Mason and Anna McTavish goes missing from a family picnic in the mountains surrounding their lavish home in Tavistock, North Carolina.

Later she is discovered living with another family that had apparently kidnapped her to replace their daughter who had recently passed away. The mother continues to claim that Ruby is really her child, though, and this claim will haunt both families for the rest of their lives.

Fast forward to current day when Ruby’s adopted son, Camden, must return to the family home to reckon with his and his family’s past, and all it has wrought.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher St. Martin’s Press, and the author Rachel Hawkins for the Uncorrected Digital Galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins is an example of what would happen if The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo was written by Riley Sager or Lisa Jewell. (And I mean that positively, as an adoring fan of all three.) But, Hawkins has proven to be a stellar author in her own rite.
The Heiress explores the secrets of wealth and family money when Camden returns to Ashby House, his estranged family's mansion in the North Carolina Mountains. As the adoptive son of the late Ruby McTavish, Heiress of Ashby House, Camden is set to inherit not only the grounds, but basically the entire surrounding town. But Camden's familial strains and rough upbringing keep him from wanting anything to do with the family. If not for the interest of his wife, Jules, Camden may have never returned to Ashby House. But as Jules continues to dig through the secrets the family holds, twists and lies seem to come out of every corner. I really liked this novel. It was fast paced, creepy, and surprising. And who can avoid a sick twisted love for Ruby?

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of this title in review for my honest opinion.

WOW! This book kept me guessing until the very last page! felt like I couldn't stop reading because I had to know what happened next! This book made me feel like I was on a roller coaster with all the twists and turns of the family drama. I highly recommend this book to anyone that loves a tale that keeps you on the edge of your seat wondering what will happen next. This book made me feel every emotion that each character was feeling and going through. Do yourself a favor and read this book!!! Itś gonna be a hit!!!

Written in the past tense through letters and present tense, this book captured my attention almost immediately. The characters were established early on and a mystery presented itself quickly. The landscape and architecture was so well described that I felt as though I was there. However, once the scene was set and the players established, I felt as though aside from Ruby’s detailed letters, the story remained fairly stagnant. The build up felt so strong but then lingered for quite a while to end fairly abruptly. I enjoyed the mystery and the different timelines, though Jules became a character I quickly disliked and I had a hard time understanding if that was intentional or not. Overall, the story was intriguing, though I wish the final reveal had been a bit more shocking.

I cannot wait for the next book!! A must read! The author really worked hard on the plot and developing the characters! You got to read this.

I love each and every one of Rachel Hawkins books. This one had such a beautiful cover too!! It drew me in and had such a thrilling premise. I couldn’t put it down. Each and every one of the characters had me questioning where the story would go. This was one of my favorite works by this author. A great summer thriller!!

I enjoy how Hawkins writes and has twists throughout her books.
This one was a slow build, but it is a good read. Family drama ensues.
Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.

Rachel Hawkins has done it again! This is a difficult to put down mystery about a family that’s full of secrets. The matriarch, Ruby Mc Tavish disappeared as a child and turned up 8 months later across the country living with another family. We follow her account of her life and her four marriages that all resulted in the death of the husbands through her letters as her adopted son and his wife return to the McTavish estate in North Carolina. Hawkins’ writing will keep you sucked in to the very last second. And *tiny spoiler alert* look for a small detail that tells us her last novel takes place in the same universe as this one.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC.

If you are expecting a thriller as I was, The Heiress is bound to disappoint you. If you are looking for family drama, however, The Heiress will deliver--and then some....

Cam and Jules have been married for 10 years, yet she knows little of his childhood or family (really???). So when in the wake of his uncle's death, when Cam's cousin sends an email asking him to come home to tend to the much-neglected family estate, Jules thinks this is the perfect opportunity for her to learn more about him, as well as for them to reclaim his rightful inheritance. The rest of the novel is a neo-Gothic drama, complete with a secluded mansion, high on a hill and a mysterious past full of secrets, lies, and murder. With four dead husbands and past shrouded in mystery, Ruby McTavish Callahan Woodward Miller Kenmore has always been more than she seems. She reigns as a virtual queen over her rural North Carolina town with a million-dollar fortune and a sharp mind and sharper tongue. As her adopted son, Cam inherits everything--both Ruby's fortune and her complicated legacy. But upon her death, he flees the family for Colorado, choosing to turn his back on both his legacy and his money to build an independent life as an English teacher with Jules at his side. But now, as Cam and Jules work to set Ashby House to rights, his cousins plot to keep the family's money for themselves, and perhaps come between Cam and Jules in the process.

This book is all about the family drama. The author's technique of unfolding the secrets of the past bit by bit through newspaper clippings and letters from Ruby is interesting. However, the early stages of book unfold at a very slow pace, and I had a hard time maintaining interest until about halfway through the novel. Many of the twists and turns of the plot were easy to see coming, so there was little to no tension in the narrative. The characters were interesting, but none of them were likeable. Ultimately, this book was just not nearly as good as good as others by the same author, but I'm not sure if this was because I was expecting this one to also be a thriller, or because it just wasn't up to the same standard as the others I've read. Sadly, this one is a pass for me.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book for my honest review.

Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. 🖤

The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins will be published January 9, 2024.

Pro: The twist is good.

Cons: Incredibly slow build up and the reveal is so convoluted.

I wouldn’t consider this a thriller. It’s more like a slow-burn family drama with a little bit of intrigue. It didn’t really keep me on the edge of my seat.

In Rachel Hawkins' masterfully crafted novel, "The Heiress," she weaves a mesmerizing story of mystery and suspense set against the backdrop of the enigmatic Ashby House. With an inheritance fraught with secrets, this gothic tale takes readers on a heart-racing journey through the twisted legacy left behind by North Carolina's most notorious heiress, Ruby McTavish Callahan Woodward Miller Kenmore.

Ruby's life was a captivating blend of wealth, tragedy, and intrigue. Her infamous kidnapping as a child and the untimely deaths of her four husbands earned her a reputation as both a victim and a femme fatale. As she passes away, leaving behind a vast fortune and the Ashby House, her adopted son Camden inherits the tangled web she weaved. But Cam, now leading an ordinary life in Colorado with his wife Jules, wants no part in the eccentric world of the McTavishes and their wealth.

However, fate has other plans, and a summons draws Cam and Jules back to Ashby House, where the stunning views and elegant rooms belie the darkness that has haunted the estate for generations. Jules, intrigued by the family's secrets, becomes determined to unravel the truth behind Ruby's mysterious past. As the couple digs deeper into the enigma of the McTavishes, they find themselves entangled in a web of deceit, betrayal, and long-buried secrets.

Hawkins' writing enthralls readers, creating an atmosphere of palpable tension and suspense that intensifies with every revelation. She skillfully crafts a world where nothing is as it seems, and the legacy of an infamous heiress stretches far beyond the grave. The Ashby House tightens its grip on Jules and Cam, ensnaring them in a labyrinth of intrigue that threatens to consume their very souls.

As the layers of Ruby's past are peeled back, the haunting questions surrounding her life and the fates of her four husbands come to light. With each revelation, the web of secrets grows, and the once-ordinary life of Cam and Jules is thrust into a thrilling and perilous descent into darkness.

"The Heiress" is a stunning triumph of storytelling, blending gothic suspense with family drama and a touch of romantic intrigue. Hawkins masterfully unravels the threads of the McTavish family's history, leaving readers breathless and questioning everything they thought they knew. The characters leap off the page, each harboring their own secrets and motives, and the intricacies of the plot are as complex as the winding corridors of Ashby House itself.

"The Heiress" is a spellbinding and atmospheric tale that captivates readers from the first page to the last. Rachel Hawkins' rich storytelling transports readers to a world of dark secrets, haunting legacies, and the sinister allure of untold wealth. For lovers of gothic suspense and mysteries that leave you questioning every twist and turn, this novel is an absolute must-read. Brace yourself for a riveting and unforgettable journey into the depths of the human heart, where the truth can be as elusive as the shadows that dance upon the walls of Ashby House.

"Rachel Hawkins weaves a mesmerizing tale of secrets, intrigue, and family legacy in 'The Heiress.' A gothic suspense masterpiece that will keep you guessing until the final twist."

"Prepare to be utterly captivated by 'The Heiress.' Hawkins' expert storytelling and hauntingly atmospheric setting create an immersive reading experience that stays with you long after the last page."

"A delicious blend of old-world gothic and modern suspense. 'The Heiress' is a gripping page-turner that explores the dark corners of human nature and keeps readers on the edge of their seats."

"Rachel Hawkins proves herself a master of suspense in 'The Heiress.' With a labyrinth of secrets and a cast of unforgettable characters, this novel will satisfy fans of classic gothic mysteries and contemporary thrillers alike."

"Prepare to lose yourself in the haunting beauty of Ashby House. 'The Heiress' is a spellbinding novel that deftly explores the complexities of family ties and the chilling allure of an enigmatic legacy."

"Hawkins' storytelling prowess is on full display in 'The Heiress.' A compelling blend of chilling mystery and emotional depth that will leave readers both breathless and emotionally invested in the characters."

"A tour de force in gothic suspense. 'The Heiress' keeps you guessing until the very end, with twists and turns that will leave you stunned. An absolute must-read for fans of haunting mysteries."

"Rachel Hawkins' latest novel is a haunting exploration of dark family secrets and the price of inheritance. 'The Heiress' is a mesmerizing and elegantly written tale that lingers long after you've closed the book."

"Prepare to be transported to the atmospheric world of Ashby House. 'The Heiress' is an intricately plotted gothic gem that grabs hold of your imagination and never lets go."

"In 'The Heiress,' Rachel Hawkins expertly weaves intrigue, deception, and dark family secrets. A gripping and beautifully crafted novel that will keep you turning pages late into the night."

If you love a twisty plot line that follows rich people behaving badly, murder, and endings that throw the read for a loop, then look no further than The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins!.The Heiress is a fast-paced, propulsive novel. It kept me turning the pages and staying up late!

The novel follows a thirty-something couple loving in Colorado and living a pretty average lifestyle. The husband, Cameron, is a heir to a large estate in North Carolina, but has nothing to do with his remaining family back East and has essentially turned his back on the estate left solely to him when his adopted mother, Ruby McTavish Callahan Woodward Miller Kenmore, died over ten years ago. He has not returned to the town or estate since. He has also never opened up to his wife, Jules, about why he has cut ties. Along comes a letter from his N.C. family begging him to return briefly to attend to the crumbling estate as he is the only ones with the power and funds to do so. Intrigued and perhaps wanting a piece of the pie herself, Jules encourages him to return with her in tow for a quick trip to take care of business. They head East and the plot thickens...betrayal, murder, and mistaken identity ensues.

The story is told in alternating perspectives: Ruby, Cameron, and Jules. The author uses letters, newspaper and magazine clippings to tell Ruby's story.

Thanks to St.Martin's Press and Netgalley for this ARC.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC of The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins. Although this isn’t her first book, it’s the first I have read by her and I really enjoyed it. It begins with the death of Ruby McTavish, who happens to be this North Carolina town’s richest, most notorious member. She leaves her vast fortune to her son, Cam, who wants nothing to do with it. Cam settles in a small town and marries Jules. Years later when his uncle dies, the two are drawn back to Ruby’s hometown. As Jules learns more and more about Ruby and the McTavish family, she realizes there is much more to this story than Cam realized. A fast-paced story and one that was hard to put down.

This story was so fun! I loved the use flashbacks and letters to further flesh out the characters and plot. There were some great twists that I did not see coming! I flew through this, couldn’t put it down! I will look forward to the next by this author!

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a copy in exchange for a review.

I found this book to be incredibly fast-paced and interesting. The character development was well-done, and the twists were fantastic!

Overall, this was a quick and engaging mystery/thriller and I really enjoyed it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance ARC!

3.5 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my ARC in exchange for my honest review. This book will be published January 9, 2024.

This is the 4th book I’ve read by this author. This was not quite the thriller I was expecting based on initial reviews. It’s more a drama about a very dysfunctional, messed up, incredibly wealthy family. The characters are so evil, so full of revenge, it’s easy to hate them. The only normal ones are Camden and his wife Jules, who want nothing to do with the family fortune.

The book wasn’t as fast-paced as I was hoping but it did really pick up the last quarter of the book with shocking twists.

My biggest complaint was how the story unfolded. In hindsight it was clever but it felt a bit clunky with all the different chapters told from different points of views and also letters.

This may be my favorite Rachel Hawkins novel in a very long time. Instantly engaging, quick paced, easy to read and get lost in. I loved it! Edge of your seat, page turning twisty thriller following a young girl who is just never quite comfortable growing up in her surroundings. We learn of her life through letters she wrote as an elderly woman before she passes and the family members she plans to leave her estate to. Written through multiple POV, this was the release from Rachel I have been missing in the last few novels. Ashby house and Ruby mark her confident return to thriller author royalty. 5/5 stars!