I flipped back and forth on my rating for this one........ BUT. I'm going 5 stars.

And here is why.

This is a fast paced book. Fast paced in the sense I felt rushed to finish. I felt, subconsciously, that if I didn't finish this book the characters would pass me by, the book would disintegrate in my hands. (ha) I believe I was egged on the way the book was structured. Which I liked, but didn't like at the same time.
The book has many POVs and news articles scattered in between. I felt the news articles were slightly unnecessary, although I can see why the author went that way. When the twists started happening I felt betrayed that some of the characters were lying to the reader, but after going back to rereading some chapters I realized it was just clever writing. You can mislead the reader, but you can't outright lie to us. Hats off to you, Hawkins.
Once I talked the little Karen inside me down and realized Hawkins was not lying to me, I started really enjoying the characters and their story lines. Like these just aren't 'characters' they are chhhhaarraccttterrrsss.
The twist at the end was slightly expected, but loved it none-the-less. Speaking of twists, the amount of twists in this book is staggering, but I'd also say well-balanced.
Overall - I'm sticking with my 5 stars. This is a fast paced, twisty book and I enjoyed every page.

I have not binged a book like this in awhile. The story regards one of the most twisted and convoluted families I've read about in awhile. The book is a multi-narrator book that interleaves present day with the past and follows Ruby, Ruby's adopted son Cam, and his wife Jules.

Just when you think there can't be another twist in the book, another one follows. This is a complex and rich story that will have you guessing the entire time and make you not want to put it down. It is also a story where you're not quite sure who the bad guy is and you're definitely rooting for some of them.

For Hawkin's fans or fans of psychological thrillers in general, this book will be a hit!

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced readers copy!

The Heiress boasts a rich cast of characters, each with their own unique backstories and motives. Cam's internal struggle to come to terms with his place in a family he never felt entirely connected to is both poignant and relatable. Jules, his fiercely supportive wife, adds a layer of depth to the narrative as she tenaciously seeks to claim Cam's rightful inheritance and confront the mysteries surrounding Ruby's past.

The novel's pacing is masterfully crafted, drawing readers deeper into the lavish world of "The Heiress" and the intricate web of relationships between its inhabitants. The setting comes alive with vivid descriptions, transporting readers to the grandeur of the estate and the captivating atmosphere of the surrounding landscapes.

Throughout the book, the author expertly weaves a tapestry of suspense and mystery, keeping readers guessing until the final pages. The persistent rumors surrounding Ruby's childhood disappearance, the untimely deaths of her husbands, and the reasons behind Cam's adoption are all artfully intertwined, building a sense of anticipation and intrigue.

Wow! This suspenseful family drama kept me captivated on every page! The unique POVs of Cam, Jules and Ruby tell the story of what greed and secrets can do to a family. I loved Ruby's sassy tell-all letters. I couldn't put this one down and when I inevitably had to, I couldn't stop thinking about it!

Such a face paced quick read about murder, betrayal, and family drama, what more could you want in a book. This book will keep you guessing until the very end, it was a twist I did not see coming.

I was expecting more of a thriller but this was quite the slow burn. Lots of family drama and some mystery along the way made it a page turner but this wasn’t my favorite of hers. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

I was so excited for this one right off the bat.

Sadly I had trouble from the beginning. It switched way too much between email conversations, newspaper articles and different perspectives right from the start. This caused me to loose interest right away. I have a hard time following books that jump around like that.

Sadly this is a DNF for me.

"The Heiress" by Rachel Hawkins is an exquisitely crafted mystery that immerses readers in a web of family secrets, intrigue, and the enigmatic world of the McTavishes. Hawkins skillfully weaves a tale of suspense and discovery, captivating readers from the first page to the last.

The novel opens with the death of Ruby McTavish Callahan Woodward Miller Kenmore, a woman of immense wealth and an infamous past. As the inheritance passes to her adopted son, Camden, readers are taken on a journey through the breathtaking landscapes of North Carolina's Blue Ridge mountains and the opulence of Ashby House, the McTavish family estate. Yet, what sets "The Heiress" apart is Camden's decision to reject the wealth and the family's dark history, choosing instead to lead a simple life as an English teacher with his wife, Jules.

Hawkins brilliantly explores the complexities of family dynamics as Camden and Jules are drawn back into the fold of Ashby House, where secrets and mysteries abound. The novel delves deep into Ruby's past, her haunting kidnapping, and the puzzling deaths of her four husbands. The author's meticulous plotting and skillful storytelling keep readers guessing, and the revelations about the McTavish family history are nothing short of jaw-dropping.

As the narrative unfolds, Jules emerges as a determined and courageous protagonist, adamant to unravel the truth behind Ruby's intentions and the twisted secrets that surround the McTavish lineage. Her unwavering resolve to uncover the family's hidden past adds depth and emotion to the story, making her a character readers will root for.

Rachel Hawkins masterfully combines atmospheric settings, well-developed characters, and an intricate plot to create a five-star stellar editorial experience. "The Heiress" is a riveting and compelling tale of inheritance, family bonds, and the enduring legacy that spans generations. This thrilling mystery will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the final revelation, leaving them in awe of Hawkins' storytelling prowess.

NetGalley/the publisher approved my request for this ARC and I read it less than 24 hours later. Oooohhh this was SO GOOD!! The twists, the turns, the scheming, the dysfunction!! This is somehow my first Rachel Hawkins - I have her other books on my tbr but hadn’t gotten to buying them yet, but man will I do that ASAP! Everyone in this book kind of sucks, and I LOVED IT!

Wow. Wow. Wow. I didn’t think anything could surpass The Villa, but I was wrong. This was a complete masterpiece. A masterpiece full of secrets, mysteries, familial toxicity, a hint of Appalachian spookiness, and through it all, genuine love. I was fully immersed from page 1 and stayed up late through the night reading until my eyes were bloodshot and I thought I was hearing things. I love storytelling through letters, especially post mortem. It works great in thrillers to help set the pace and drop clues without providing too much info dumping at once. This novel gave me feelings of the Winchester house (Ashby house and all its secrets) mixed with the Jon Benet Ramsey case (important to note I said *feelings*) mixed with Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (think rich southern gothic vibe).

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the arc! . What a great gothic mystery/thriller. Will definitely recommend. So many twists and turns that were so unexpected to this reader. The author did great with the characters. so many twists to this mystery which will have you thinking what did I just read? In a very good way.
Highly recommend!

“THERE’S NOTHING AS GOOD AS THE RICH GONE BAD!”

Personal review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was easy to fall into, dual points of view; with a cameo from infamous heiress via letters left behind. This novel had a point where the suspense was high and I guessed the ending before it happened, but it was still a fun read. Camden and Jules characters and relationships were more complex than what you thought in the beginning, and Ruby was a HOT MESS. This book was full of rich people drama - which has been a theme of my summer in novels. Ashby House, right outside of Asheville, NC was a fun setting and I loved the aspect of a gothic mansion in current day times.

Synopsis: Gothic suspense about an infamous heiress and the complicated inheritance she left behind

The Heiress has more twists and turns than a corkscrew inversion on your favorite roller coaster. Hawkins has a way of drawing the reader in with a simple set up--a couple heads back to his hometown to settle an inheritance and of course...*of course*...there is going to be family drama surrounding this of who gets what, why they deserve it more than the original recipient, etc.

To quote Stefon from SNL...this book has everything. Backstabbing. Old people dying. Inheritance money. Dan Cortez. Ok, it doesn't really have Dan Cortez, but you get the idea.

Without giving away too much, there are so many layers attached to this book that by the end of the book you're feeling like you're at a tennis match with all the back and forth reveals and truths that come out.

It's a wild ride that doesn't let up until the very last page. Definitely worthy of a read, especially if you're a fan of the previous two books Hawkins published.

Highly recommended.

When you take a very dysfunctional family who has a lot of money, you get a whole lot of drama and this book definitely provided that.

Due to the death of a family member Camden and his wife travel to his family home where he is not been a part of that family for years because he dislikes them immensely.

Throughout the course of the book, you are told the story of the family's history told in multiple generations.

I really liked how we got a first person narrative of past events to help tie into the mystery that was going on in the book.

Thank you to netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I really do just love everything Rachel Hawkins writes! This book is about a wealthy North Carolina woman named Ruby who has a history of losing husbands. After her passing she leaves her enormous estate and money to her adopted son. After what his family put him through he wants nothing to do with it.

I really enjoyed this book. It reminded me a lot of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. It’s written in present tense but also talks about Ruby’s life through a series of letters she left. There are some twists and turns that I did not see coming! I loved the two characters Camden and Jules. I love seeing a genuinely happy couple! Ruby is just a total boss. It’s so fun to read about the lavish lifestyles but it also had all of the family drama. It was an interesting book and I definitely recommend!

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the Arc!

Do you love a good murder mystery? Do you love a good chase? Do you love a slow burn?

This book is one for you! Hawkins does an amazing job at the slow burn with the twist ending. I wasn't seeing it coming at all! I don't know what I expected when I picked this up, this was my first from Hawkins and I loved it! It got a little slow but it was worth the wait in the end! I am impressed by it all and how much I love the two main characters. I connected with Jules a lot! Wanting to make sure my partner was always happy and trying to make myself happy at the same time! It was an amazing task to do that and Hawkins showed it well with these two. I would say if you love a good mystery with a slow burn this one is for you! It's got murder and mystery with a strange but alluring house! Pick it up soon! So you don't miss out on the who done it!

Compelling and interesting read. Thoroughly enjoyed the characters in this book.
Well written. Kept me interested in what was going to happen next.

Jules and Cameron McTavish have been married for 10 years when he is summoned to his family home in the North Carolina forrest. His adopted mother, Ruby McTavish has died. After years of drama, including a kidnapping and four dead husbands, she has passed away leaving everything to Cameron. What unfolds is a family mystery with dramatic twists and turns throughout.

The Good:
I loved the letters written by Ruby explaining her life growing up, her kidnapping, her marriages and the deaths of her four husbands. It gave her a similar air to that of Evelyn Hugo, or Elizabeth Taylor. It kept me hooked throughout wondering who she was writing to, and why she was being so honest and forthcoming. It added a human element to her character and her relationship with Cameron that kept me turning the pages!

The Bad:
As with many thrillers, I’m not a huge fan of the major twists. They are so necessary to the plot but because they are also written in a trope-like manner, I find them predictable and often take away from the character development. I do think that there is an honesty in the relationship between Jules and Cameron that the twist reveals, and I’m so glad that their connection was saved in the twists and turns of this book!

The Verdict:
I really enjoyed it! I will be reading more of Rachel Hawkins books, amidst a thriller dense literary world, her characters jumped off the page and had me wanting to spend more time with them!

Scandal, greed, and one crazy family! It was full of twists and turns. It quickly became one of my favorite books of the year. I couldn’t get enough! Thanks NetGallery!

Money, greed, family secrets and murder.

When the death of one of their own forces the family to reach out to the sole heir, Camden, he’s reluctant to return home. Camden has avoided everything McTavish since he left North Carolina 10 years ago. Now, he and his wife Jules make the grueling trek “home” to Ashby House and all the secrets it holds.