Rachel Hawkins tends to write about the "Haves" and the "Have Nots". The us vs them perspective of her protagonist in "The Wife Upstairs" and "Reckless Girls" is often mean, but sometimes gratifying when the ordinary person comes out ahead of the privileged characters.
The author gives us another protagonist out for revenge beyond the grave, with twists all the way to the end.
I liked the fact that almost all of the well developed characters did not have many redeeming qualities, however, I found the backstories got a little too long and did not keep my interest.

CONFUSING. I was really excited to read this book after loving "The Wife Upstairs." This book started slow and just got more confusing as I went on. I got close to the end and gave up reading because the plot twists just added to my confusion. The great great grand daughter was too much. Tried to bring too many elements of surprise resulting in a slow plot up until the last 15% of the book. Most of the characters were unlikeable, the ones that were likeable were unlikeable by the end of the book. The combination of formats kept my attention in the beginning of the book but as I learned more of the story made it hard to understand. Overall could have been a really good book but just didn't live up to expectations.

Slow burn to start strong finish.
This was not a classic break neck speed Hawkins read. It was very different from her prior works. Once I got past the fact this would be a bit different I enjoyed the book. The unraveling of the family story is winding and twisted and each story brings out something more shocking. I really enjoyed the richness of the characters that were brought to life. It flowed nicely and there were some jaw dropping moments. This was also told in a very unique manner which made this a memorable story
Over all a good “, unique read.

If you love a good mystery thriller like Gone Girl, you will no doubt love this book. It's full of mystery. family drama, greed, a small town held captive by a wealthy family and more.

Ruby McTavish, a wealthy heiress dies and leaves everything to her adopted son Camden, but he has managed to separate himself from the family and really doesn't want it. His wife Jules convinces him to make the trip home with her and see what he can do to help his family.

Once they arrive she realizes that Cam was right; everyone resents him and no one really wants him around.

This novel has lots of great twists and turns, but I gave it 3 1/2 stars because I didn't think any of the characters were likeable and I found the beginning of the story dragged a little for me. That being said, however, if you are coming for the intrigue, it has plenty of that!

Rachel Hawkins does it again. This is a hit of a story that nabs your from the start, with a story reminiscent of the Lindbergh baby kidnapping, and draws you back in with family drama, grand settings, and intrigue.

I was slightly confused for the first bit trying to keep people straight but once I figured that out I flew through this book! There were twists I did not see coming. And the ending still has me thinking to the point to where I going to reread the epilogue! Fantastic! Will recommend!

“The Heiress” follows Camden and Jules, a married couple returning to North Carolina to deal with the fortune, the house, and the mess left to Camden by his adopted mother, Ruby.

This book is definitely not DNF-able because reading it had me really needing to know how the author was going to tie everything up. There were twists and turns but I think the author gives WAY too much away early on (or is at least very heavy-handed in the suggestions), which really lessens the blow.

The writing style overall was not my favorite. The “confession by tell-all post-mortem letter” thing just did not work for me. Who writes letters like that? Having that much of the book be written in letter format made it all “tell” and no “show.” I also just found the first person, conversational writing style to be slightly immature sounding.

I enjoyed the plot but I personally didn’t enjoy the structure of the book. 3/5 stars.

I am starting to think I prefer listening to audiobooks of this authors novels. I absolutely loved The Wife Upstairs and Reckless Girls which I had both listened to on audio. The Villa I read but it took me a while to get through which is the same with The Heiress.

I tend to prefer domestic thrillers which this is but I think I wasn't crazy about the writing via letters for parts of the book. Again, I feel like audio would have helped me digest those parts better.

Thank you NetGally and St. Martin's press for the ARC in exchange for a review.

This was my first book by this author, so I don't know if this is her usual, but this definitely felt like more of a family drama story and not a "thriller." Very slow burn. There were certain parts that had me not wanting to put it down, but overall it just didn't have me as hooked as I had hoped.

Worth the read. I enjoyed the storyline, but also felt like I needed a family tree to keep track of everyone.

I received this title as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley!

Five stars. I devoured The Heiress. Its so good! The cover drew me in, and the story kept me flipping the pages. There are multiple POVs

Thank you to NetGalley cor the advanced digital copy.

This book was truly so captivating. I would lose myself in it for hours at a time while I read. Throughout the book I found Ruby’s character, while being very ominous, to be surprisingly compelling, which continued to draw me in the more I learned about her character.
I loved the dynamic the Rachel Hawkins set between Jules and Camden. Once again making the story feel very ominous. I was anxiously awaiting for something to come out between the two of them. The unknown coming out into the open. I loved the way the entire story unfolded. I couldn’t suggest anything better. While I read I noticed multiple similarities between this novel and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. If you were a fan of that novel I think you would like this one as well (although you might like this one even better in my personal opinion). This was the first novel I’ve read by Rachel Hawkins but I absolutely plan on reading more after this exceptional read!

The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins is an awesome novel and truly reflects the abilities of Ms. Hawkins to write in many genres. This novel was haunting in its storyline and you never knew what awaited around the corner….literally. A five star rating is eagerly given and readers are encouraged to enjoy this latest offering!

I rarely crush a book during the work week, but I was eager to dive into my early access from Net Galley (thank you!). This was a fast-paced page turner told primarily from the perspective of Jules and Cam with letters from Ruby sprinkled in. I love this type of book structure. Even after finishing the book I’m still not sure who I’m rooting for…everyone? No one? Certainly not anyone who is dead…they all deserved it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Going into this one, I was a little concerned as I’ve had a mixed experience with the authors other books. However, I really enjoyed this one.

This book is more of a character study/ domestic suspense, than a thriller, so I think it’s important that readers have the right expectations going in. Not a ton happens, plot wise, until the end of the book. Most of the novel is spent learning about our characters, their messy relationships and motivations, and the dark and toxic family history they are all tangled in. With that being said, I really enjoyed this book. I found the characters and family dynamics fascinating. Most of the characters are not likeable, but reading about them was like watching a reality tv show and I was here for it. The only real complaint I have is that then ending felt a little drawn out, but other than that I really enjoyed this one.

I absolutely loved this book! I started reading it while on a plane ride home and I was so invested that I didn't want the plane to land. I loved how the story was told through interwoven characters and stories with twists I never saw coming.

As a big fan of The Wife of Upstairs, I had really high hopes going into this book. While I did find it somewhat enjoyable, in my opinion, it lacked the usual thriller pacing needed to keep me on the edge of my seat. I found that I kept waiting for the plot to pick up and hook me in, but it sadly never did.

I was honestly glad for this book to be over, as it just didn't do it for me overall. I did enjoy the idea of the story, but the slow pace just ultimately left me wanting more.

Due to the nature of the other reviews, especially from fans of this author, I do wonder if my expectations were maybe inaccurate going into this book. The other novel of Rachel Hawkins that I've read was very fast faced, but it is entirely possible that the pacing of this novel is consistent with her other novels and writing style.

While this book ultimately missed the mark for me in terms of being categorized as a "thriller," I do encourage fans of mystery to check this out-especially if you are interested in the wealthy, southern family drama vibes.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book is, by far, Rachel Hawkins best work. I wasn’t personally a fan of her other novels, but I decided to give her another try with this book. I’m glad I did! This was a super quick, twisty read. I would definitely recommend you read it if the synopsis appeals to you! While the story isn’t the most unique thing I’ve ever read, it was certainly well done and worth the read.

Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC.

I loved this book! I haven't read a book in a while that I couldn't put down or stop thinking about.

Camden was adopted by a wealthy woman with a history consisting of kidnapping, 4 husbands that have died, and a greedy family willing to do anything to get their families money. The book is told from 3 POVs with one of them being letters previously written. Camden has moved as far away from his family as he can but needs to go back to his family home about years of being gone. Every chapter reveals more and more and keeps you invested in finding out what is happening in this family. I was completely surprised by the ending and would highly recommend this book for anyone that likes mysteries with twist and turns throughout.

I’m always on the hunt for a twisty, fast-paced thriller and this delivered. I couldn’t get enough of the McTavish family, and the story kept me guessing until the last page. Another great read from Rachel Hawkins. Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!

"The Heiress" by Rachel Hawkins is a compelling slow burn thriller that captivates readers with its complex family dynamics, hidden secrets, and unexpected twists. At the heart of the story lies a husband's carefully guarded secret about his estranged, wealthy family, which sets the stage for an engrossing and suspenseful tale.

The protagonist, a husband with a mysterious past, has successfully kept his rich family background hidden from his wife. However, when his adoptive mother passes away, he is faced with the daunting task of settling her vast assets and deciphering her will. This leads him to confront his estranged relatives, whom he shares a tense relationship with, making the situation all the more challenging.

One of the book's strengths lies in the author's masterful portrayal of family dynamics. The tension and conflicts between the husband and his adoptive family members add depth to the plot, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. As the protagonist delves deeper into his family's history, the story unfurls in unexpected ways, creating an intriguing web of secrets and revelations.

The slow burn aspect of the novel serves to intensify the suspense, as the author carefully builds up the suspense and anticipation throughout the narrative. Hawkins crafts an atmosphere of uncertainty and keeps readers guessing, ensuring they are fully invested in the characters' journey.

What sets "The Heiress" apart is the brilliant twist that occurs when the husband discovers that his wife had been aware of his family background all along. This revelation not only challenges the husband's perception of his past but also brings forth a new layer of complexity to their relationship. The author cleverly weaves this twist into the plot, leaving readers shocked and enthralled.

Furthermore, the character development in "The Heiress" is noteworthy. The husband's internal struggle as he comes to terms with his past, along with the evolving dynamics with his wife, creates a deeply emotional and relatable experience for the readers.

Overall, "The Heiress" by Rachel Hawkins is a gripping novel that keeps readers hooked from start to finish. With its well-crafted suspense, intricate family dynamics, and unexpected revelations, this book offers a thrilling reading experience that is difficult to put down. While the pace may be slow at times, the payoff is more than worth it. Therefore, I wholeheartedly recommend "The Heiress" to fans of suspenseful thrillers and family dramas.