I was able to read through this book quite quickly!! It was captivating and really pulled me in. Every character is well developed and everything “works” and “makes sense”!!! It’s hard to say much else without giving too much away and I always think that the best part of a suspense or mystery is experiencing all the twists and turns without knowing what’s coming!!

This one was a little slower paced than I expected going in, but overall still fun nonetheless. I love me some rich people drama and this one really delivered on that front. Highly recommend for lovers of Evelyn Hugo but wanted just a little more murder, this one is for you. You're welcome.

Thank you St Martin's Press and Rachel Hawkins for my early review copy!

Ooh this is my new favorite Rachel Hawkins book! Loved the characters, the setting of Ashby House, the twists, the secrets- it all worked flawlessly. So addicting to read!

When Ruby McTavish Callahan Woodward Miller Kenmore dies, her inheritance falls into the reluctant hands of her adoptive son, Cam. He wants nothing to do with the wealth and the familial entanglements that come with it. There have been plenty of rumors of Ruby's mysterious childhood and the untimely demise of her numerous husbands, which adds an intriguing layer to the narrative. Ten years later, a summons draws Cam and his wife back to Ashby House following his Uncle's passing, where Cam is reunited with his estranged family.

The story's allure lies in the secrets that shroud Ruby's past, such as why Cam wants nothing to do with the wealth and family. Hawkins weaves a web of mystery that kept me on my toes as I attempted to unravel the secrets.

While some familiar tropes appear, Hawkins injects them with a refreshing vitality, peppering the narrative with unexpected twists and turns. The anticipation builds as I grapple with the unanswered questions; the final revelation is a gratifying payoff.

Hawkings' storytelling ensures that even the keenest readers are kept guessing, and those who pay attention might piece together the puzzle before the grand reveal.

4.5 ⭐️ rounded up! Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for a DRC in exchange for my honest review 👇🏻

This was a story full of rich people problems, murder, family drama, secrets and straight up greed. I liked the way each chapter read as a confessional, and enjoyed the story telling from Ruby’s letters! It was an effective way to get her POV, though of course her story was way more interesting than Cam and Jules’s in the present.

In terms of suspense/tension, there could have been more excitement — most of the excitement came from characters revealing their own secrets to the reader, rather than being exposed by another character, or in any other character to character interaction. At the very end, a GREAT point of tension is actually snuffed out by the chapter ending (the mystery/thriller equivalent of a fade to black in romance).

Still, I enjoyed digging into it, maybe just because I love gossip and drama so much, and this book was certainly not lacking there!! Excited to pick up some more Rachel Hawkins books after this one 📚

The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins is a story of riches and family legacies. It's also a story of a convoluted family whose matriarch was notorious since she was three years old. She is dead, but she leaves behind secrets and answers as well in the form of letters. Who is she writing to, and is everyone as innocent as they seem to be?

This book is told in three voices. Camden's, Jules, and Ruby's in the form of letters. I loved Ruby's story told in the form of letters. Ruby is an intriguing, interesting, and very morally gray character. The story is interesting and gripping. However, the transitioning of the characters in almost every other chapter made reading a little difficult for me. Also, the other gripe I have is that I wanted to know more about the side plotlines that the author introduced once Camden is in Ashby House. The ending does, in some ways, make up for these.

Thank you St.Martin's Press, for this book.

CW: kidnapping of a child, alcohol, domestic abuse, murder, suicide, blackmail, manipulation

3.5 stars

This is my 3rd book by Rachel Hawkins. Unfortunately this my least favorite that i’ve read by her. Not saying that it’s bad, I just like the other two books I have read by her more. This book had a very interesting plot and the family dynamic was intriguing. The twists were definitely there and moved the story along, they just didn’t come as jaw dropping as I was hoping they’d be. I really enjoyed the letters throughout the story and Rachel has such a unique way of incorporating those fun elements that make you wanna see what happens next. Overall, a very fast paced and fun thriller, the wild family dynamic is like watching your favorite soap opera with a thrilling twist. Highly recommend if you’re getting into thrillers or you need a gripping fast paced read, also try her other thrillers as I’ve loved those as well!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of The Heiress.

Ruby McTavish was the most infamous woman in North Carolina. Kidnapped as a baby, returned and raised in an affluent family, she goes on to marry four different men and is widowed four times. After losing her fourth husband she adopts Camden and raises him as her own - possibly so that her sister and her family do not inherit anything. After Ruby's death, Camden flees to the West Coast for college and ignores his inheritance. He marries Jules and ten years after Ruby's death, they return to North Carolina after the death of his uncle. Once there his family shows Jules the true content of their character but she can't help but love the beautiful home that should be hers and Camden's.

I found this book disappointing. It was not as intriguing as it tried to be. Ruby was the most interesting character but her storyline was mostly reduces to her letters. The twists were either visible from miles away or not that twisty. It felt more like an historical fiction story than a mystery.

I don't know how Rachel Hawkins can say so much in arguably a pretty short book! I raced through this and loved it! The way she toys with the reader and ends every chapter with a bang is thoroughly enjoyable and makes her books unputdownable. I loved going back and forth between Ruby's timeline and letters and Camden and Jules. I've read a lot of mysteries and thrillers so I can kind of guess details along the way, but Rachel is someone who will always have me doubting myself or waiting for the final shoe to drop. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was because it didn't elevate above the genre or move me quite in the way The Villa (which was a 5-star read for me) did. Regardless, I loved this and Rachel will always be an instant-buy author for me!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

This was a fun ride! I usually don’t care much for reading a book of unlikeable (sp?) but Camden and Jules were “good enough” to keep me reading. Even Ruby’s missives sprinkled in between the chapters got me to like her too. The ending’s final twist was so good! Overall very enjoyable.

This was a really interesting family drama. I found all of the connections really clever, will not be terribly obvious. It was also interesting to hear from so many different perspectives, but in a very easy to manage way.

I was excited to jump back into another Hawkins book! I did enjoy The Wife Upstairs. I buddy read this with Leah and made it much more exciting!

One of the things that I love about Hawkin’s writing style is that you fly through her books. It’s fast paced and intriguing that you can’t help but want to keep going. It was definitely the case with this one. It was such an easy read, but it was nice to buddy read and take our time with it. I did figure out a couple things early but still found many shocking twists! It didn’t take away from the story because I was on the edge of my seat the last bit. I didn’t know what was going to happen!

Jules and Cam were such easy characters to root for. I felt for Cam. He’s was the lucky kid, who was saved by Ruby. He was given anything and all but it never comes without a price. As the story unfolds you learn just how this might not have been a dream come true for Cam. There’s something about Ashby House and how it affects those who live in it. Regardless, I do think that Jules and Cam’s character development was very well written!

Overall, this was a great read! It’s so hard to review thrillers without giving anything away. The best I can say is that it was addictive and I enjoyed the ride. If you enjoy morally gray characters, then you will enjoy that aspect. The ending was really good and my favorite Hawkins book so far. I can’t wait to read when she comes out with next!

Many thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an e-arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley, as well as the publisher, for the e-arc.

I found this to be very mid. It felt like it wanted to be something spicy and extraordinary, but I think the lack of depth between our two main characters (Jules and Camden) is what made every twist, every reveal to be disappointing. We spent a lot of time with Ruby, and she was well fleshed out and interesting. If Jules and Camden would've gotten the same treatment, I think it would've made for a better story.

Rachel Hawkins always writes the most twisty psychological thrillers. Sometimes there are a bit too many twists for my liking and it doesn’t really work for me and this was the case with The Heiress. I definitely did not hate it but overall I just felt MEH about it. Ruby’s story is nothing short of insane and hearing about her backstory added a great dimension to the book. I wasn’t sure what to make of Camden or Jules but it did come together nicely. Overall, I DNF’d The Villa and loved The Wife Upstairs so this one was right in the middle. I definitely could see how people would love it though!

Title: The Heiress
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 stars

The Heiress is a captivating mystery suspense thriller filled with family drama, murder, an heiress & a child abduction. Ruby McTavish has experienced it all & as her journey unfolds through different perspectives… it offers a thrilling mix of past and present.

I appreciated the diverse points of view from Ruby, Camden, & Jules. The letters from Ruby served as a seamless transition between the past and present, adding depth to the narrative & my favorite part of the novel!

For fellow mystery thriller enthusiasts, I highly recommend "The Heiress." It promises an enthralling experience that won't disappoint.

I found myself engrossed from the start. Rachel Hawkins' writing style & the escalating storyline made it nearly impossible to put down. After this, she has secured a spot as a must-read author for me. I am excitedly anticipating her next novel.

Thank you to #NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, & Rachel Hawkins for this ARC. All opinions shared are strictly my own.

Rachel Hawkins is GOOD. She knows how to get into your head and create chaos and actually leave you wanting more. She made me yell at this book and that just IS NOT ME, y'all. This is only the second book I've read by her, but I can tell I already am gonna need more, and soon. Family drama and mystery have surrounded the McTavish clan for decades, and it doesn't take much to get caught up in it all. Plenty of uncertainty and feeling off-balance right until the end, but handled well by Hawkins. This was worth the sleep I lost staying up late to finish it.

My thanks to St. Martin's Press, the author and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Another captivating and unputdownable story by the indomitable Rachel Hawkins.
I loved this twisted tale of secrets and lies and major family dysfunction. Camden and Jules are going back to the home Camden desperately wanted to leave growing up. The family he left behind when he did leave wants nothing more to do with him but Camden is the owner of the mansion they still live in. Jules wants the house and everything that goes with it. Everybody has a secret agenda. Not everyone will survive.

The story is very well written and flows evenly from the voices of Cam and Jules as well as Cam's mother Ruby and a few newspaper articles. The Gothic feeling and atmosphere of the mansion is palpable. The narrators are all unreliable. The ending will surprise you.

Thank you to St Martins Press for granting me an ARC through NetGalley to read, review and enjoy.

Rachel Hawkins’ latest is a suspense novel about generations of a wealthy family in the mountains of North Carolina. It’s atmospheric; includes two perspectives and progressively revealing letters; and has twist after twist. I couldn’t stop turning the pages and had fun trying to guess where things were going.

My thanks to the publisher for an ARC. All opinions are mine.

Ruby McTavish, the richest woman in North Carolina is infamous for her four marriages that ended in the tragic deaths of her husbands—and for her kidnapping when she was a young girl. Her adopted son, Cameron, wants nothing to do with the McTavish family, the fortune he inherited, or Ashby house, the sprawling estate that seems to swallow up everyone who lives there. Since Ruby’s death ten years ago, he’s made a life for himself in Colorado, marrying Jules and teaching English at a boys’ high school.

However, after his uncle Howell dies, Cameron’s cousin entreats him to return to Ashby House for one last visit. Cam and Jules drive cross-country, anxiety mounting as they get closer to the town were Cam grew up—the town he swore he’d never return to. Upon arrival, they are greeted with scorn by Nelle, Ruby’s sister, and Howell’s children, Ben and Lil who have never considered him a real McTavish—but what does it mean to be a McTavish and is it really an honor?

Through letters, newspaper accounts, and narratives from both Cam and Jules’ perspectives, THE HEIRESS reveals the astonishing secrets and driving motivations of Ruby and the other members of the McTavish family.

Far and away, this is my favorite Rachel Hawkins book. It has characters you love to hate and characters you feel guilty about loving. So many times, I thought to myself, “I can’t believe they just did that!” The book is absolutely, deliciously twisted.

The book is adorned with wonderful details—the lovely (and sometimes dangerous) landscape of the area surrounding Ashby House; the uncomfortable relationship between the nearby town, Tavistock, and its benefactors, the McTavishes; and the horrible upbringing Cam endured—having to forget his real birthday to share Ruby’s or being given a bedroom that is “all chinz and florals with a canopy bed”; and all of Ruby’s clothing and jewelry!

Highly recommended for those who like twisty domestic thrillers with rich people behaving badly.

alrighty, let us start by addressing the elephant in the room: this ain't realllllly a mystery/thriller (in my personal opinion), I would say it is more a mild family suspense novel. It was an okay read, I like reading about rich peoples problems but I definitely got halfway through and was like ... wait why am I reading this what actually happened am I trying to figure something out?

The cast of characters I could take or leave, but again I did enjoy the book well enough. There was never a point in time where I was considering not reading the whole thing because I was into it but I just think if I had realigned my expectations I would have liked it better? I don't usually lean suspense novels in the kind I like.

My last main point is just that I didn't like the different storylines each equally which can be a huge issue for me. There is such a risk at implementing different storylines because if one is less interesting than others it substantially effects my book enjoyment haha.