Really enjoyed this book! The setting was perfect and I was engrossed in learning everything about this fictional family. The book was a little slow at times but overall a great read! Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC!

The Heiress by is definitely one of my top reads of 2023 and my favorite Rachel Hawkins read.

Such a unique story and I loved multiple POVs (especially with Ruby’s letters). One I didn’t want to put down and get like a quick read overall.

Thoroughly enjoyed the labyrinthine journey the author took me on, through different viewpoints without being messy, and gradually leading the unsuspecting reader to a rather startling denouement. I received this as an advance copy from the author via NetGallery and am voluntarily leaving this review.

This book gets better the deeper you get into reading it, and it’s definitely engrossing for a one day read!

Much of the book follows Ruby McTavish’s relationships with her various husbands in a way that feels very similar to the seven lives of Evelyn Hugo. But it’s more than that! Interspersed with the past (tools via letters) is the present, and we follow Cameron, Rubys adopted son, and his wife as they return to the house and town where he grew up. Why did he leave? Why does he have such a strained relationship with his aunt and cousins? And why is his wife so keen to get him back there? Quickly the book reveals itself to be sprinkled with little mysteries, and it’s satisfying to put all the pieces together.

This is certainly a plot driven book; I found the characters to be either somewhat unlikable or pretty neutral. Also, I wish I could say Ruby’s serial relationships felt unique, but they didn’t. But overall the pace of the second half of the book made up for that, and I definitely enjoyed this!

Great storyline, in depth character development, and some crazy plot twists had me turning these pages as fast as I could! This is one for the book clubs because there’s so much that can be discussed about the characters personalities, their choices, and how things led them to where it did. I really enjoyed this one! It was a nice change in storyline from a typical thriller.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a readers copy of this title. My reviews never contain spoilers and are freely given.
Camden is married and the adopted son of Ruby, the heiress who died and left the family fortune to him. This causes him to flee the family home since it caused contention with the rest of his adopted family, who feel they should be the rightful heirs.
Who was Ruby? She disappeared at age 3, was miraculously recovered, married and widowed 4 times and was suspected of maybe having something to do with her spouse’s death. The truth is revealed in the book which is told from family members points of view and letters written by Ruby. Excellent story and I highly recommend.

This is the third book of Ms. Hawkins that I’ve read and it’s my favorite by far. I really enjoyed the storytelling and how it unfolded. For me, mysteries are all about withholding and revealing information to the reader and The Heiress does a great job at that dropping tidbits along the way.

The bulk of the book alternates between Jules and Cam, while other sections are letters from Ruby plus a smattering of newspaper clips. I don’t want to say too much and spoil anything, but this mosaic of narratives does an excellent job of weaving together the story.

I eventually could see how some elements were going to tie together but even still, the conclusion was so satisfying. I find it hard sometimes for a mystery’s resolution to bear the weight of its premise, but I think The Heiress sticks the landing quite well.

Pulled me right in and had read to the 23% point before I noticed just how much I had already read. This kept me turning the pages, desperate to read it all, and I began and finished it in a day.

I loved the set up of this one, dual POVs and articles/letters about and from Ruby.

Ms Hawkins has become an auto-read author for me and I was thrilled to be invited to read an early copy of this and even more thrilled during and after my reading of it.

I enjoyed this one so so much. Deliciously twisty and fun!

The Heiress is an absolute recommendation!!!



Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the DRC!

Wow! Where to start? I was u prepared to read The Heiress. Yes, I have read a couple other Rachel Hawkins books, but this one kept me guessing until the end. So many secrets, so many lies, and so many murders all wrapped up around Ashby House nestled in the Bkue Ridge mountains Of North Carolina in a tiny town outside of Asheville. Camden and his wife of 10 years, Jules, return to Tavistock to finalize arrangements at Ashby House where he has to face his miserable past and equally miserable relatives. As the sole heir to the mansion and the massive fortune that goes with it, Jules is filled with dreams of staying and living in the house with which she instantly falls in love. But secrets from beyond the grave and jealousy conspire to make their dreams quickly turn into nightmares. The story is told from different perspectives, but it it Jules, who directly speaks to the reader. Is there anyone who is truly good or truly bad? That is the question the reader will have to answer when the last page is turned. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. This one will keep you thinking long after you’ve finished.

A spectacular thriller! Prior to starting this book, I was struggling to get hooked into any book that I read, but this book IMMEDIATELY grabbed me. I could not put this down and finished it within a weekend. One of my favorite books of the year!

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Admittedly, I was late to the Rachel Hawkins party, but she is now an author I read automatically. The Heiress does not disappoint. The title turns out to be a part of the puzzle because you don't really know which heiress is being referred to in the title as you read this story.

Ruby McTavish, of the very rich and very well known North Carolina McTavishes has been dead for about 10 years. Her life was surrounded by intrigue as she was kidnapped as a child and all 4 of her husbands met mysterious ends. Her sizeable estate was left to her adopted son, Camden, who took off after her death and wanted no parts of the fortune. Now, her remaining relatives--sister Nelle and great niece and nephew Libby and Ben--want what they feel is theirs. Ashby house, the family compound, and all of the money. They feel that not only is Camden not a real McTavish since he is adopted but that there may be some truth to the long held rumor that Ruby herself was not a McTavish. As a child, Ruby was kidnapped and found a while later being raised by a family in Alabama. But was it really her? Camden has resisted any and all attempts to return to Ashby House, but his wife, Jules, somehow convinces him to return.

Once there, Camden remembers why he left as Jules immediately falls in love and hopes that she can convince him to stay. She is ready to fight to what is rightfully left to him by Ruby. But both Camden and Jules are hiding things and plenty of ugly truths are about to be exposed. Told from the perspectives of Camden and Jules in the present and Ruby through letters written before her death, we find out the secrets of Ruby, Camden and Jules and how their fates intertwine.

The book was a quick read, with a decent plot, and plenty of twists, turns and secrets to keep you on your toes. The McTavishes (Nelle, Libby, and Ben) are just awful. Camden is an enigma as is Jules--throughout I was wondering her motives. All was revealed but the ending was tied up a little too nicely so 4 stars from me.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Sometimes I feel like Rachel Hawkins is writing novels that cater specifically to my taste. I consumed this book in one day (albeit it is a bit shorter than her other works).

The Heiress is a twisty, dark read that is the perfect balance of modern suspense, gothic horror, and good literature.

It takes place in a turn of the century mansion in the Appalachian mountains. Similar to The Villa and Reckless Girl, the setting of this novel is so well-developed it can be considered one of the main characters. Mix in differing POVs and a few unreliable narrators and you have a recipe for an engaging and thrilling read.

The Villa still ranks as my favourite novel by Hawkins, but The Heiress is a close second. Had the characters been as well developed, it may have taken top spot.

Overall, another great read by Hawkins. Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest and fair review.

The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins, is an amazing new psychological thriller. Even though she is now deceased, Ruby McTavish continues to be one of the main characters in this novel. It is impossible for me even now, to state whether Ruby is kind or evil. There are so many different sides to her character as explained in letters and remembrances throughout this novel. There are multiple points of view throughout the novel: Ruby, her adopted son Camden, and Camden’s wife, Jules. Ruby’s life is unraveled throughout letter throughout the novel. This is how we experience her view of life, and she has experienced so many highs and lows. At times, I hated her, and other times, felt so sorry for her. Ruby attempted to make up for her missteps in life by adopting Camden and giving him a life of wealth and opportunity. However, by doing this, she brought him into “the family” of McTavish, rife with selfish, opportunistic, and evil family members. I found myself questioning, the adoption of Camden, was that a blessing or curse for him? The story is full of twists and turns, and left me guessing. This book was impossible to put down. I highly recommend this book and author. Thank you the publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy in exchange for my honest review.

This book grabbed my attention right from the start and I had a hard time putting the book down. It switches between characters' perspectives but remains easy to follow. It has a slow building suspense which I really enjoyed.

Rachel Hawkins does not disappoint in this fast paced twisted suspense about the infamous “Kill-more” heiress and her inheritance.
Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC. #Netgalley #Rachelhawkins
Pub: 1-9-24

I loved The Villa by Rachel Hawkins and was excited when I was selected for an ARC of The Heiress. At first, I thought it would be hard to keep up with the 3 different POV"s but the story does seamlessly for me and I had no issues. This is a story of Ruby, her 4 dead husbands, and her colorful past. This plot moved along at a decent speed and wasn't a slow burn for me for those who can't do slow burns. I enjoyed reading Jules and Cams stories and reading their pov's. This was one of thy best read for me this year.

Heart pounding thriller that left me on the edge of my seat. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one. Definitely one of the best books this year.

Eight months after going missing in the woods near her North Carolina home, three year old Ruby was found and returned home. She grew up in Ashby House. She grew up in a life of luxury most of us can only imagine. Ruby becomes a widower several times over and when she dies she leaves her fortune to her adopted son Camden.
Despite his hesitance and lack to desire due to family dynamics and drama Camden and his wife return to the mansion. Camden is met with family members who are not only angry but feel that Camden doesn't deserve a cent of the McTavish family since he is not blood.

The life of Ruby and her secrets are unraveled via letters Ruby had written. Her letters are full of scandal sadness and skeletons. The twist and turns are thrilling. The story is told via several points of views. Trust no one as this book is full of unreliable narrators and vile characters.

This is one addicting psychological thriller that will keep you turning pages into the wee hours of the night.

Hawkins wins again in my book! I almost gave up on her after Reckless Girls, but loved The Villa, so I was excited for this one and couldn’t wait to read it. It’s a winner!

“A twisted new gothic suspense about an infamous heiress and the complicated inheritance she left behind.”

This story flashes between past and present using letters and multiple POV. There is lots of foreshadowing and so many delicious breadcrumbs sprinkled throughout. A couple of twisty zingers make it all the more fun. Do t read too much about this one, just go in blind and enjoy!

Thank you to NetGalley and StMartins Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was fantastic! Do not pick it up unless you have time to read it straight though, as you’re not going to be able to put it down. The story centers on a rich and prestigious NC family and is told from 3 POVs: the matriarch, Ruby (through letters), Ruby’s son Cam, and his wife Jules. The book weaves past and present timeframes together to create a twisty and captivating story about greed, power, and wealth within a family over multiple generations.

Hawkins has a unique way of making me empathize with, and even like, characters who aren’t actually very nice people. This is a skill that not many authors (in my opinion) have. I was rooting for various characters throughout the book, even as new secrets were exposed. The many pieces that made up the full story were meticulously plotted, with every loose end tied up nicely. The ending if the book was great, revealing more surprises and leaving me satisfied overall (with everything except the fact that the book wasn’t longer!).

Overall, another huge win for Hawkins that’s if strongly recommend if you liked her other books and if you like psychological thrillers in general. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.