A very twisty thriller, but just a bit of a slow burn to start. I love the multiple POVs - really got to understand each character.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I love a good gothic murder mystery. This was a very well written story. I enjoyed the multiple POVs and the twists. Definitely recommend!

In my mind, Rachel Hawkins has her own mystery/thriller genre called “I support women’s rights and women’s wrongs”. Just another wonderful cast of characters, each with their own agenda. Personally I loved the Villa, but I cared more about Mari and Lara than Emily & Chess. However in this one I feel like I care about Ruby and her past as much as I care about what’s currently happening with Cam and Jules. Ruby is an iconic character, like I said I support women’s wrongs 😅 She’s feisty, she’s petty, she’s so much fun. It’s so nice to read an edge of your seat thriller that also feels fun, like genuinely so enjoyable to read. Cam and Jules were absolutely precious as well, and all 3 characters are now dear to my heart. There’s an emotional scene towards the end that had me crying purely because I was so moved by the characters’ and their feelings.
Sometimes thrillers, even twisty suspenseful ones, can get a bit heavy or dry. This thriller/mystery is so FUN! I was so excited to see what each character would do next.

Easily the best Rachel Hawkins book so far! I loved the way it was structured, almost like a scrap book. Although it was a fast read, it was packed with twists and turns. I will definitely recommend it to fellow readers!

Wow, where do I begin? I loved this story! This was my first book by this author, and now I’m excited to read more by her, though I have seen mixed reviews on her other novels. But I’m curious enough to check them out and decide for myself.

I love mystery/thrillers where rich people behave badly, have lots of family drama and deep family secrets, and stories that keep me guessing the entire time. This one hit the jackpot in all of those areas! There is so much betrayal, deceit, lies, and secrets. I devoured this book!

I also loved the setting in North Carolina. I really enjoy thrillers that take place in a mansion or large estate, especially if it’s remote or secluded, which this one, Ashby House, is, built in the Appalachian mountains. Set in a thick, dense forest area, it almost felt suffocating and very isolating, which offered more of a creepy, eerie feeling. Then, I loved the description of the inside of the mansion. It was enough details to be fully immersed in this house but not too much where I was bored reading about how each room looked and felt to the characters. I also got gothic vibes from this one, and loved it!

This story has dual POVs from Camden, the adopted son, and his wife, Jules. I loved getting to know each of these characters. Cam is reluctant to go home (and for good reason), but it’s obvious he knows things but doesn’t tell us until the end. Then, Jules was a fun character because she was sassy, snarky, and quick-witted. I found her very enjoyable and funny. She brought some humor and tenderness to this dark story. But she’s also keeping secrets. So both characters really intrigued me with the knowledge that they knew but kept hidden from their spouse.

This story is also told through newspaper articles, letters, and other forms of media, which I thought was clever storytelling. The mystery had me completely absorbed and turning the pages to find out what was going to happen next. This is a very addicting book! It was nice that the chapters were short too. It’s past and present timelines, which I also enjoyed.

One thing that I didn’t care for was all the language. There is a ton of cursing in this book. In some instances, it was okay to use for emphasis and to drive home a big point, but I thought the crass language was too much and overly abundant. It could’ve cut most of those unnecessary words out and just used a couple where it felt appropriate.

But overall, I had a really great time! There is SO much tension, drama, and family dysfunction - and I loved it!! If you’re searching for a gripping, engaging, super twisty, and bingeable mystery/thriller, you should try this one. Highly recommend!!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. These are my own thoughts and opinions.

Rating 3.5 stars. "The Heiress" is certainly a twisted tale that is filled with surprises. Its characters all carry secrets and are determined to get things on their own terms.
Ruby is the heiress, a rich girl who was tragically lost as a toddler and amazingly rediscovered and returned to her family some months later after an alleged kidnapping. Her backstory is told after her death by letters that she wrote to an anonymous individual. One by one Ruby's letters share her tale interspersed with the present day story told by the narrators, her adopted son, Camden, and wife, Jules. Camden, Ruby's heir has essentially run from his inheritance leaving Ruby's sister and her grandchildren residents of the estate although not owners. Clearly there is no lost love to be found in this family who place their money and standing utmost to everything else. When Ben contacts Camden about settling the affairs of the estate after years of his ignoring his family, Camden and Jules begin the long trip from their simple life and rental home in Colorado to the mansion, Ashby House, in North Carolina. Clearly Camden is filled with dread, but encouraged by Jules who is more than a bit excited at the prospect of seeing and experiencing the lifestyle of the rich and famous. Things begin to go off the rails as past animosities and those buried secrets begin to surface.
My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title. I found it interesting and filled with surprises. I didn't appreciate the characters as much as I hoped. Perhaps they were too shallow or conniving for my comfort. This may have dampened some of my enjoyment of the book, but clearly it holds much potential for psychological thriller fams. For this reason, I would not hesitate to recommend this book to other readers to form their own opinions, and I will be checking out Rachel Hawkin's other titles for myself.

Quick Synopsis:
I don’t know where to begin with this whirlwind of a twisted plot. I guess the main thing to know is that the story starts with a young heiress who goes missing in the Blue Ridge Mountains and is eventually recovered from her kidnappers. The story fast forwards to her adopted son and his bequeathed inheritance. The dual timeline between the heiress’ wild backstory and her son’s fight for his inheritance adds to the intrigue.

Storyline/Pacing:
Although I had guessed the ending before the book’s conclusion, I felt it was incredibly satisfying. There were many twists I hadn’t expected, and I felt the way this one wrapped up made any qualms I had midway through reading thoroughly disappear. All I can say is keep reading.

Author:
I’ve read nearly all, if not all, of Rachel Hawkins’ stand-alone novels. Generally, I describe her novels as intriguing, slow burns. The pacing of The Heiress felt different at the start. The second-person narration in the first chapter, coupled with fictional newspaper clippings, immediately ratcheted up the intrigue and had me flipping pages early on. The momentum slows around 30% in and speeds back up halfway through the story.

Overall:
I recommend this to lovers of Ruth Ware or Lucy Foley. If you enjoy thought-provoking, slow burns, don’t sleep on this one. It’s been decades since I read Great Expectations, but for some reason, this gave me the same vibes. 4 ⭐️

Disclosure:
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the Digital Review Copy of The Heiress. All opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC. I really enjoyed this book. The characters were unlikeable, but I never knew where the story was going. I couldn't put it down. That to me is a successful read.

The Heiress is the first book written by Rachel Hawkins I have read, and it was a. thoroughly enjoyable reading. experience. The novel is extremely well-written and deftly plotted.

The novel opens on Camden and Jules McTavish, who are squeaking by in a small rental home in Golden, Colorado. Camden teaches high school English at a boys’ prep school while Jules spends her time playing a farmer’s wife at a local living history museum.

In reality, Camden is a multimillionaire which he inherited, along with the family estate Ashby House, from his adopted mother Ruby McTavish Callahan Woodward Miller Kenmore. But why does Camden refuse to use his inheritance? Why does he change his mind about returning to Ashby House at the request of his cousin Ben? And who is Ruby McTavish? Is she actually who she says she is? What happened to all of her husbands?

The story is told in alternating chapters by Camden, Jules, and the letters written by Ruby. This plot structure increases the novel’s suspense, revealing the fact that everyone has something to hide.

The novel is a propulsive read due to numerous twists with shocking revelations at the end. 4.5 out of 5.0 stars. Highly recommended.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a complimentary advanced readers’ copy of this book.

This is a tasty little morsel that was a quick read and action packed. Lots of family drama and morally gray characters. I loved the use of letter writing and articles that went along with the POVs narrative. This is a great book to read in one sitting on a cold day by the fire or a warm day at the beach.

Rachel Hawkins is becoming an instant-read author for me. I have enjoyed each of her titles, and I am certain this one will be a hit with readers and book clubs at our library.

I just read the Heiress by Rachel Hawkins. I had not previously read anything by her but her books looked intriguing to me so I was eager to read this book. If you’re looking for a fast paced intriguing plot with some twists and turns, truly despicable characters and a look into a dysfunctional family this is it. I especially found that giving the characters their own chapters was very effective in understanding their own psychological perspective. You don’t want to turn your back on any of these folks and be warned that there are multiple surprises throughout. Thank you NetGalley for giving me this book for an honest review.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy!

3.5-4 stars

This was definitely my favorite book by this author. I love some family drama, even if it starts a bit slow paced. This did pick up steam and had me flying through, although the twists were a bit predictable. The ending was a bit far fetched for my liking but overall, it was an enjoyable read.

Crazy to think this beats The Fury, one of my most anticipated thrillers of 2024, by a mile.

The McTavish family lives in the Ashby house. The family matriarch Ruby has quite a background story herself. Gone missing as a 3 year old and found a year later kidnapped and living with another family. More popularity follows her throughout her life as she becomes a widow 4x over, by choice or just unlucky in love?Upon her passing she leaves the Ashby house to her adopted son. The 10 years following, her adopted son, Camden, wants nothing to do with the money, family or the Ashby house and only returning home after an email from his nephew begging him to come repair the Ashby home. Camden and his wife Jules go to the Ashby house. Can their marriage survive the secrets within the Ashby house, the secrets of the family still living within the walls?

This was a great thriller. It kept me guessing up to the very last few pages. I looked forward to picking it up and seeing where the story went.

I enjoyed this title, it was a nice page turner and didn't take much to get me engrossed in the story. Many thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.

Rachel Hawkins never disappoints! In her latest release, “The Heiress,” we are greeted by two narrating voices, one of which comes to us in letter form. This unreliable narrator keeps you guessing the entire way, while the main voice tells the story of how a reclusive family rebuilt their lives after the kidnapping of their young daughter. Told over the course of almost 100 years, this book will have you constantly wondering who to believe & who to question. Keep your eyes open, because something sinister could always be lurking around the corner.

In the twisted world of old family secrets and the opulence of unimaginable wealth, Rachel Hawkins crafts a mysterious, dark, and clever tale with "The Heiress." Ruby McTavish Callahan Woodward Miller Kenmore, North Carolina's richest and most notorious woman, takes center stage in this glamorous twist on the whodunnit genre.

The narrative kicks off with Ruby's death, sparking questions that thrust her adopted son, Camden, and his wife, Jules, back into the intricate web of the McTavish family at Ashby House. The views are stunning, the rooms elegant, but the legacy of Ruby is inescapable.

Hawkins weaves a captivating tale with a cast of characters that are both developed and flawed, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. The quick-paced narrative is enhanced by the creative use of multiple points of view, and things like letters and newspaper clippings, which makes for an engaging and binge-worthy read.

The quality of writing is clear and easy to understand, striking a perfect balance between character and plot development. Hawkins manages to deliver a glamorous and deliciously dark mystery without veering into pretentiousness or predictability.

While murder mystery enthusiasts will find the expected content, Hawkins' skillful storytelling elevates "The Heiress" beyond the genre's conventions. There's an addictive quality to this book that transcends the typical murder mystery, making it a compelling and immersive experience. The emotional impact is profound, with a dark and tense atmosphere that intrigues without being overly dramatic. Fans of "The Inheritance Games," "Knives Out," or anything Agatha Christie will find themselves enchanted by the old family money and the gripping storytelling.

Favorite Quote: “And if you can’t tell the truth at the end of it all, then what, I ask, is the fucking point? I’ve never written that word before. I’ve hardly ever said it. I know I got on you about crass language, but now I see why people use it. How satisfying! This experiment is already going so well.”

"The Heiress" receives a solid five-star rating for its impeccable storytelling, spooky setting, and the thrilling unraveling of family secrets. It's a dark, glamorous journey that leaves readers craving more.

The next Rachel Hawkins novel did not disappoint. Filled with twists and turns, this novel had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Told in both duel timeline and duel POVs with some letters thrown in, it was easy to follow and keep track of all characters. I enjoyed this thriller more than I thought I would.

The narration in the audio book was phenomenal. alternating between Dan Bittner, Eliza Foss, John Pirhalla, and Patti Murin, it was easy to tell all the characters POVs apart. The narrators did a great job bringing this novel to life.

I want to thank Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of this book and Macmillan Audio for an advanced listening copy of the book.

This was my third book by Rachel Hawkins and her last 2 works were big wins for me. I had good expectations for this one, but didn't quite met them... I read The Heiress in about six hours, one long sitting, just one afternoon and it was done. Usually this is a good thing and the book was entertaining, but the book overall was not the greatest plot.

My biggest pet peeve is that I couldn't distinguish the different characters based on their portrayal or tone of voice - Jules and Cam felt like the same person and neither were very interesting, unfortunately. I kept waiting for something to happen with one or the other to elevate them, but was left disappointed.

In comparison, Ruby's letters were well done and interesting, and she did have a distinct voice and presentation. However, in the middle of the book much of the plot is given away in such a weird way that I almost couldn't believe it had happened. The idea seems to have been added to include a bit of a red herring, but it ended being a spoiler somehow.

Overall, this book will be well-received by readers who are newer to the mystery/thriller genre, as it has great elements of intrigue and an interesting setting. The more seasoned readers, though, might find themselves unimpressed, which was my case. Not a bad book, it was just fine for me.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the e-ARC in exchange of my honest opinion.

This was a fun book. Old family money, family rivalry, the rich behaving badly… with some good twists. I liked the ending ☺️

Favorite Quote:
“Shocking how soon the ‘too late now’ part of your life arrives. When you’re young, there’s nothing but possibility, just an endless line of tomorrows, and then you wake up one day and realize that no, you cannot move to Paris on a whim because so many of those old buildings don’t have elevators and stairs are hell on your knees now. And besides, you never learned to speak French, and now your brain, once so fresh and spongy and ready to soak up knowledge feels about as pliable as a peach pit.”