I loved this book. If you’re into rich people behaving badly & long-standing family secrets, you will too. The description of the house made me wish I could visit it in real life. The ending was satisfying as well.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are mine.

Jules has never cared about her husband Camden’s inheritance, despite knowing that his adoptive mother left him a fortune. Until he receives a message from his cousin, summoning him home to settle the family estate. She finally starts to let herself wonder what their lives could be like in the town of Tavistock, NC, where his family has lived as all but royalty for over a century.

But when they arrive, Jules starts to realize just what lengths this family will go to to protect their fortune from Camden, who they view as an outsider. And there are all those rumors about his mother, Ruby, and how each of her four husbands died… she might just be in over her head with this family, but she’s never been one to give in without a fight.

This might be my favorite of Rachel Hawkins is Gothic mysteries/thrillers! It kept me on the edge of my seat, and was just creepy enough without being “put the book in the freezer“ level creepy.

I enjoyed this mystery from Rachel Hawkins. I have read all of her previous adult thrillers and enjoyed this title more than The Villa. It is a quick, light read. It is an interesting family drama concept with enough twists and turns to keep me guessing, The varied perspectives and letters added a lot to the narrative. Thank you for the ARC.

It’s important to note that this is not a thriller, despite that being this author’s mainstay and the setup that makes it sound like it will be an intriguing mystery. It’s neither of these things.

This is largely a family-saga drama, with some mystery elements therein. It’s incredibly slow moving and I was deeply bored. This is, however, one of the few times where an ending actually redeemed a book - and that was certainly the case here. In the end, this felt juvenile (like intended for a YA audience) and just, honestly, too long.

Read the full review and view a recipe that matches the book here: https://bakingthroughbookclub.com/202...

Ruby Ann McTavish (Callahan Woodward Miller Kenmore) was kidnapped when she was three years old while on a family picnic. Her dad, one of the wealthiest men in North Carolina, offered the highest reward ever offered for information on her disappearance. Eight months after she disappeared, she was found in Spanish Fort, Alabama, living with the Darnell family. Her kidnapper, Jimmy Darnell, died trying to escape from jail before the trial began.

Ruby’s chaotic childhood was a precursor to her tumultuous adulthood. Ruby married four times, and each husband died a mysterious death. On the surface, it appeared as if all of them had died tragically. Her first husband was shot by intruders. Her second husband was electrocuted. Her third husband battled a chronic illness before he finally passed away. And, finally, her fourth husband drowned while out partying on a boat. Even though each death had a plausible story, Ruby still earned the nickname, “Ms. Kill-More.” Were these deaths truly tragedies, or was something more sinister lurking in the shadows?

Ruby’s account of each death was recorded in a series of letters interspersed between the real story, which follows her adopted son, Camden. Ruby died ten years ago and left her estate, Ashby House, and everything she owns to Camden. However, she also left a stipulation in her will that said that her sister, Nell, nephew, Howell, and great nephew and niece, Ben and Libby, could continue to live at Ashby House indefinitely. The rest of the McTavishes are selfish, terrible people who made Camden’s life miserable, so he wanted nothing to do with Ashby House upon Ruby’s death. Even his relationship with Ruby was interesting. He had respect for her, but Ruby was never a warm, caring mother.

Howell, Ruby’s nephew, is an alcoholic who finally wraps his car around a tree one night. When Howell dies, Ben writes Camden a letter begging him to come home and handle the estate once and for all. His wife, Jules, is excited to see this legendary house in all of its glory. Camden agrees to go and soon discovers that all of the McTavishes have hidden secrets…including Jules.

The Heiress is one of those books where the reader is constantly switching back and forth between different characters and storylines. Even though a lot was going on, I never found myself bored or confused. There wasn't a single character that made me think, "Ugh, I'm so tired of this person's story." The book brilliantly wove together in the end, and I love how every single storyline felt complete. I hate when books containing multiple perspectives don't wrap up each character's tale and leave the reader hanging.

I’ve heard grumblings from other thriller lovers that Hawkin’s last two books, Reckless Girls and The Villa, weren’t as good as The Wife Upstairs. I liked The Villa, so I don't agree with those opinions (You can read my review of The Villa at https://bakingthroughbookclub.com/202...). However, I believe that The Heiress might battle The Wife Upstairs for my favorite Rachel Hawkins book. I’d love to hear what you think!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Heiress
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

If you want a mystery/“light” thriller, this is your book. Written in such an interesting and captivating way, you get the point of view from multiple people throughout the book. Right when I thought the ending was going to be “eh,” she threw one last twist in there. Big fan of Rachel Hawkins and I felt like this was one of her better books in my opinion. I could see where you can easily read this in a day.

First of all thank you Net Galley and St.Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

This is very much a slow burn thriller that’s filled with unlikeable characters. I found the first half of this book very slow. It was hard to get into, but it’s not a bad book. Personally, I’m just not a fan of slow burns. On the other hand, these unlikeable characters did have my attention and I wanted to know the secrets that they kept. I really like that we can read from Ruby’s POV. That’s probably my favorite chapters of the book. Ruby’s story had my attention the most. I truly didn’t care for the other main characters. As usual, Rachel Hawkins is going to give you a plot that has a lot of twists and turns. That’s what I love most about her writing. I think fans of family drama with some thrill will like this book.

Prepare to be engrossed in an enthralling narrative that immerses you in a world of relentless suspense and family turmoil. This fast-paced thriller/drama delves into the lives of a family facing a seemingly unending string of misfortunes that leave them reeling. Secrets, temptations, and shocking revelations abound, keeping you on the edge of your seat as you eagerly delve deeper into the gripping plot.

What sets this novel apart is its clever use of dual timelines, which allows the story to unfold in a captivating and unique way. Alongside the main narrative, intimate and heartfelt letters are skillfully interwoven, lending an extra layer of depth and emotion to the characters' experiences. You'll find yourself emotionally connected to the protagonists, sharing in their joys and sorrows through the heartfelt correspondence.

The beauty of the dual timelines lies in how they effortlessly bridge the gap between the past and the present. As you journey through the pages, you'll witness the invisible connections that link the characters across generations, gradually unearthing the family's enigmatic history. Each revelation in the past illuminates the challenges the family faces in the present, keeping you captivated by the intricate tapestry of their lives.

Throughout the story, the author expertly sprinkles unexpected twists and turns, leaving you on tenterhooks and eagerly anticipating what comes next. As you try to predict the outcome, the plot throws surprises your way, showcasing the author's brilliant storytelling prowess.

At the heart of the narrative lies a series of murders that send shockwaves through the family and the readers alike. Unraveling the truth behind these heinous acts becomes a quest for answers, driving the suspense to new heights as you piece together the puzzle.

The characters in this gripping novel are both flawed and intriguing, each grappling with their own temptations and dark secrets. You'll find yourself entangled in their emotions, torn between empathy and curiosity as they confront their demons.

The emotional rollercoaster doesn't stop there, as the family's relationships are put to the test, and loyalty is questioned. The dynamics between the characters are riveting, making you care deeply about their fates and yearn for a glimmer of hope amid the chaos.

As you progress through this extraordinary tale, you'll be swept away by the power of the written word. The letters, in particular, offer a profound insight into the characters' innermost thoughts, evoking empathy and understanding, while also leaving space for mystery and intrigue.

In the end, this captivating thriller/drama leaves an indelible mark on your mind, lingering long after you turn the final page. The intricacies of the plot, the emotionally charged moments, and the well-crafted characters all contribute to an unforgettable literary experience that will stay with you, tempting you to revisit the world the author has skillfully created.

I really enjoyed this book! I really enjoyed the story as told by Ruby’s letters. There really wasn’t much more than family drama going on in the present day storyline but I felt like the back and forth perspectives made the story flow well. This book was ultimately about a family rooted in secrets.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC

Thank you netgalley for the opportunity to read this book before it’s publishing date. This was very much a slow burn with multiple characters and POVs, as well as different timelines. It took me a while to get used to the characters and get into the story but it was interesting nonetheless. If you’re in the mood for a slow burn with lots of family drama, this one is for you. I’m rating it a 3.5 for me.

Rachel Hawkins does it again and has quickly become a go-to author for me! I loved this book and couldn’t put it down. I loved the different POVs, the story, how everything connected. SO SO GOOD!

I enjoyed the mystery and intrigue behind Ruby’s life and the mansion. But the back story that came to life about Jules and Cam was predictable and not very exciting. It was a fast read but not memorable for me in the end.

In The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins we follow Cam and his wife Jules who have to return to the lavish estate he grew up in to take care of some issues with the home and his inheritance. He left that life and the money behind for a fresh start and does not get along with the family that remains there. Once they get there, many secrets are revealed about Ruby and the McTavish family. This book is twisty all the way through, it was a page-turner that I read in one day. Honestly, this may be my favorite Rachel Hawkins book to date. The pacing was great and the characters were all interesting, yet untrustworthy, but I found myself still rooting for the main protagonists. I definitely recommend this book for fans of the author or anyone who likes a family drama with lots of secrets and murder.

The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins was a really intriguing and fun book. If you enjoyed the movie Knives Out this is similar but better! I had to stop myself from rushing through reading and taking time to appreciate each character's viewpoint.

The story of Ruby McTavish, a rich little girl, who disappears in the woods but miraculously is found 8 months later. That is the start of the many mysteries, murders and family dysfunction to come and it continues to the very last page.

I highly recommend this book and rarely give 5 stars but this is so well written that I may have to reread it!

Thank you to Rachel Hawkins, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for my advance copy due to publish on January 9, 2024.

This was a quick thriller that I don’t have any major issues with, but it wasn’t very memorable. I enjoyed the setup because there were lots of different parts of the story introduced (a kidnapping many years ago, a woman whose husbands all died suspiciously, and a rich family gathering back at their mansion even though they hate each other). The chapters were short and the book was super readable. I felt average about the characters—they weren’t badly written but I didn’t care that much about them. None of the reveals felt shocking to me, but on the other hand, it means that the story never felt illogical like some thrillers do by the end.
The story structure, which is told with a mix of present day POVs and letters written in the past, reminded me of both The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and The Only One Left.
I enjoyed this one more than The Villa, but less than Reckless Girls!
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Ruby disappeared as child. A rich heiress , it was well covered by the press. She showed back up and went on to marry many men all of which passed away under suspicious circumstances . Her adoptive son Cam and his wife Jules are called back after a death and Cam who never wanted to come back is pulled back into his families drama and intrigue..What secrets will cam undercover and will the truth of his mom come out. The reader is invited into this intriguing family and it’s hard to stop reading as it all unfolds.

This book was amazing! I absolutely loved it. I was hooked right from the get-go and thought about it constantly until I finished it.

That's my favourite kind of read.

I found the three main characters very compelling. Ruby was delightful despite being manipulative and having a well-hidden dark side.

Cam was wonderful - a good soul who struggled to deal with his wealthy and entitled family.

And Jules, oh my goodness, a strong woman, deeply in love with Cam, who didn't mind crossing any moral boundaries if it was going to help her husband.

Cam's wealthy cousins and aunt were almost a cliche in their entitled, greedy and obsessive ways, but still great fun to read about and even more fun to hate!

This book was full of SO MANY secrets. Almost everyone had one (or more) and they all played a part in this fascinating plot.

I thought I'd figured things out early in the book - and I did - but it was only one small part of the whole story. So many twists and little plot goodies kept popping up that it was hard to put the book down.

I loved that the story was told from three perspectives: Jules', Cam's and Ruby's. Ruby's point of view was told through a series of letters she wrote before she died. What was fascinating about that (aside from the many cold hard truths she revealed about herself) is that we don't know who she's writing the letters to until the end of the book.

If you enjoy reading a good suspense with lots of family drama you're going to love this book. I highly recommend it.

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for the ARC.

Thank you Netgalley for this advanced copy! As always, Rachel Hawkins delivers an amazing story filled with twists and turns. This is my favorite of hers yet!

Holy plot twist, Batman, I'm not even 100% sure I understand what the ending was, but oh my goodness. Like, can't even recap much of the plot without fear of giving a spoiler.

I like how Rachel Hawkins doesn't do a ton of fluff with her mysteries, and they're incredibly plot driven. Makes them fly by, and I seldom see the ending coming.

5⭐️ wow….wow, wow, wow! This was a quick and captivating read. I enjoyed the mix of letters from Ruby and first person narrative from Jules and Cam. The descriptions of the scenes were so vivid that I could picture each scene in my head. I thought I knew how it would all end but it took a turn in a good way. I was really impressed by this book. I really enjoyed it. Thank you to NetGalley and Rachel Hawkins & team for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.