I'm a big fan of Rachel Hawkin's books, and The Heiress was another win. I love how her books always take place in a single place, whether it's a home, an island, a villa or in this case, a sprawling estate in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Heiress has all of the elements I love in a thriller - it's binge-able; it will keep you guessing; it's dramatic.

The book follows Jules and Cam and Cam's return to his family's estate which he has inherited. After his mother's passing many years prior, he left and never returned choosing to live a quiet life instead of touching the money he inherited. After his uncle passes away, he is summoned back to deal with the repairs and ongoing issues at Ashby House.

The book is filled with lots of twists that are fun and will keep you guessing into the end. I also felt like I was transported to this giant mansion in the mountains, and loved the atmospheric vibe of the book.

I don't want to say too much because it could spoil the story, but it's a good one to check out.

Thank you, St. Martins Press and NetGalley for the gifted eARC!

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me an advanced readers copy of this book! I really enjoyed The Heiress, and think this is my favorite book by Rachel Hawkins! I read this so fast, I just wanted to know all the family secrets and what happened to everyone! Karma got around to Cam’s family, and I was really happy with how it ended for him and Jules.

“Family is a complicated word – more complicated for me than a lot of people…I’ve spent so much of my life trying to figure out what that word even means to me,”

3.75 ⭐️ rounded up

Synopsis: Ruby McTavish is kidnapped as a child and found with a family in AL. She becomes widowed four times over and adopts a son who becomes the sole heir when she dies. Cam marries Jules and does not want anything to do with the fortune, but ten years later, cam is summoned back after his uncle passes. Everyone has secrets.

What I liked
-Multiple POV's
-Multiple timelines
-Short read
-This book kept me entertained the entire time.
-Multple twists and turns

What I struggled with:
-This novel was missing a punch with the ending
- There were some things brought up in the novel, like the hikers and gate, and just abandoned.

Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and the author for an ARC of this copy, which I had the pleasure of reading. Publication date: January 9, 2024.

The format of this book is unique. It is set in the present, but also follows a timeline from the pasr. There are dual POV's from Jules and Camden, a married couple that is returning to Cam's family estate in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. There is also a POV told through letters from Cam's mother, Ruby, and these letters are supplemented with headlines and news articles that add details to Ruby's letters.
The setting was almost a character itself, a huge sprawling estate nestled in a remote mountain location holding family secrets passed down through the generations.
The characters are fascinating and well written. It's a mystery how Hawkins was able to make some of these characters likable even when they are not trustworthy. When I wasn't reading, I was thinking about these characters, wondering where the story would take them next and what shocking revelation would be uncovered next. A well crafted tale!

I loved this book! Several big plot twists throughout; some more easily anticipated than others. I loved the ending and Cam in general.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

Publication Date- 1/6/24

I really enjoyed how each perspective intertwined smoothly while complimenting the overall story. The author had you guessing what curve ball was going to be thrown next and which character already saw it coming. The web of lies and scandals were perfectly woven without becoming lost or confused.

I really enjoyed this, and think it’s Rachel Hawkins best book! I definitely didn’t anticipate the twist. There were a lot of characters, most unlikeable, but it worked for this book. I really liked the ending- it felt like a nod to Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier

this one’s for all the family drama lovers!! Rachel Hawkins is back with a slow burn, family drama style mystery! it has a sprinkle or two of suspense at times, but it’s not a twisty, edge-of-your-seat thriller like THE WIFE UPSTAIRS or RECKLESS GIRLS — both of which i prefer over this one. the last few chapters definitely picked up, but even with the twists at the end, it still fell flat for me. all in all not my fav from this author, but still worth the read as it stays true to Hawkins bingeable writing style — quick chapters, touches of humor, and surprises that continue all the way through the epilogue.

here’s how i’d rank the books i’ve read from Hawkins:
1. THE WIFE UPSTAIRS
2. RECKLESS GIRLS
3. THE HEIRESS
4. THE VILLA

thank you St Martins Press & NetGalley for the ARC <3

Creepy, ominous, fast-paced are three words I would use to describe this novel. There were so many little mysteries revealed at a perfect pace. I couldn’t stop reading! The twists and turns were many but not outrageous… especially considering the cast of characters. I didn’t really feel like I had to suspend disbelief and that was refreshing to me. Loved it!

Rachel Hawkins does it again. I really liked this book. Every time I thought I had it figured out, something would happen making me guess all over again. Definitely give this book a read!

The Heiress was such a fast paced, twisty thriller and I absolutely loved it! I could not put this book down! It was told from alternating POV with newspaper articles and letters weaved in and this made the book go super fast.

I felt like I truly got in the head of each character. I loved that this was a thriller with actual character development and I was super engaged the entire time- I read it in a little over a day.

Sometimes in thrillers when they have twist after twist I get a little annoyed so I loved that this one just had a few sprinkled in and I didn’t guess them ahead of time.

Definitely recommend this book and am excited to read a few of her older ones now too!

Thank you netaglley for the arc.

Ruby McTavish's life is an extravagant and news worthy one. Missing for months as a child, then found. Married four times, each time ending as a widow. Strained relationships with her sister and her family. Finally adopting a son to call her heir. When she dies, her son Camden inherits it all and then leaves, not wanting anything to do with it. Now, ten years later, he is called back, but his time he is not alone. His wife Jules comes with him.

Wow. Rachel Hawkins is such an amazing thriller writer. She builds so many twists and turns into a uniquely drawn out story that you get sucked into every bit of it. Here's what I loved:

The twists-yes, plural. This book has so many moving parts that it's not surprising how twisty it gets at times. You really have a hard time trusting anyone.

The structure- The story is told by both Jules and Camden as well as news articles and interviews through the years. Oh, and you also get Ruby's story straight from the woman herself in some confession letters. Again, this was so well drawn out.

The setting- at the very beginning, Hawkins tells you how it's incredibly easy to go missing in the Appalachian mountains, the main setting of the book. That though alone gives the book an eerie quality that lasts the entire time.

All in all, this was an amazing thriller that will keep you guessing with some amazing characters.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the gifted copy. My reviews are always honest.

The Heiress (ARC)
Rachel Hawkins
4.25⭐️

Pub Date: 1/9/2024

This book was immediately catchy. There were so much secrets and lies from everyone. It seems like they all have hidden agendas. Reading this made me extremely anxious. I was engrossed by the how's and why's. How Cam was just afraid of going back to his family home, and how different it's made him. Why the family is hostile towards him. The writing style is so good that it kept the suspense and intrigue in high gear the whole time. The twists, turns and gradual revelations were all so uniquely and meticulously done. I particularly like that there were letters from Ruby herself to Cam slowly explaining what truly happened. The slow revelations were strategically done and it didn't feel like it was dragged out. I do think that this is more of a family/domestic drama rather than a true thriller. Nonetheless, I enjoyed this one very much.

Thank you @netgalley @stmartinspress for a gifted e-copy of this book.

3.5 stars/5
When you open one of Ms Hawkins novels, you may not know what it’s about, but you usually can bet that she can capture your interest and have your undivided attention until you have to put it down. This started out as a slow burn for me, I didn’t feel compelled to get back to it. It was not what I was expecting as a thriller. In my humble opinion it read more like a dysfunctional family drama.

It’s told from various points of view, a format I happen to like. It’s about rich people, about greedy people, and those that share lives with each other but do not necessarily like, much less love each other. Actually, I didn’t find any of the characters particularly likable, but it did evoke a curiosity in me that kept me turning the pages.

The main character Ruby was kidnapped as a child and is a widow four times over, a colorful life she has lived, to put it mildly. Much of this novel goes into her back story, which includes her death, and her legacy, and takes the reader on to those that will inherit from her and why.

It isn’t my favorite of Ms Hawkins novels, but when it wrapped up I was left satisfied that this unusual novel will make its mark with those of her dedicated followers when it's released on 1/9/24. My thanks to a favorite publisher, St. Martins Press and NetGalley for the review copy.

I looooved this book! Rachel Hawkins delivers yet again. I couldn't put it down and loved every chapter. Kept me guessing until the very end.

I love books that keep me guessing or throw me for a loop and this one fit perfectly! It kept hinting that something was going to be happening but it wasn't too predictable and the twists kept me guessing. I loved the character development, too. This was a good read!

A wealthy family. A missing toddler, lost in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. A string of dead husbands. An adopted son left to inherit a gothic manor and a massive fortune. Manipulative family members and a slew of secrets and lies.
This book has it all.

This is the 3rd book by this author (all unrelated stand alones) and by far her.

I could not have loved this book more. Every chapter was intriguing and suspenseful, and made me want to read more. I like how it was dabbled with a bit of epistolary format and then how it went back-and-forth between the two main characters point of views. Every time you thought you knew what was coming up something else would just hit you in the face and leave you gobsmacked. This was an absolute brilliant work of mystery and Gothic thriller all in one. I just think this is a phenomenal piece of work, and the author has really done herself..
The Heiress ~ Rachel Hawkins
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4.5 Rounding up!
Wow! I couldn't put this one down. Very bingeable with ominous vibes and lots of family drama. (and of course murder!)
Ruby McTavish (aka Lady Kill-more) has had plenty of husbands all who left her widowed time and time again. She has died and left her estate to her adopted son, Cam. He wants no part of the estate or money, but his wife, Jules convinces him to travel back home to work things out with the rest of the family. We get 3 POVs: Ruby, Cam, and Jules. They all have secrets that will unfold at the infamous Ashby Estate!
Ruby's POV was my favorite as she writes in letter form about her past. Be ready for twists galore!
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you for an ARC of The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins! I have read all of her books, and I am consistently amazed at her ability to seamlessly weave in twists and turns into something thrilling and cohesive. The Heiress is no exception.

Part of why I enjoyed this book so much is the setting. One of my big true crime interests is the Murdaugh murders which took place in the Carolinas. America got a close look at rich families in the south. It was a pleasure to read a fictional story about suspense, money, and botched family relationships in The Heiress, and personally, I was amazed at how Rachel Hawkins nailed the settings and character development. These characters had the same southern charm and perfected manipulation tactics that I’d expect being from that area.

As usual, the writing style was suspenseful and artistic.

4/5 stars only because I found myself having to re-read a couple of chapters to keep the story straight.

The Heiress, by Rachel Hawkins, is a complex, twisty thriller with many surprises and layers. It’s a family drama at it’s core with lies, secrets and stories slowly unfolding.

The McTavish family has a sordid history and they are admittedly not the most likable people. The story centers around the infamous Ruby McTavish, who is legendarily known as baby Ruby, the three year old who was kidnapped and then later returned to her family. She’s also notorious for the death of all four of her husbands. When she passes away and leaves everything in her enormous estate to her adopted son, Cam, instead of her deplorable cousins who feel they have a right to everything, Cam is resistant to stake his claim. He has horrible memories for his time at Ashby House in North Carolina and wants nothing to do with the inheritance…but his new wife does.

This story really begins once the couple returns to Ashby to settle the legal affairs. The story offers a dual point of view showcasing the modern timeframe from Cam and his wife, Jule’s perspective, and Ruby’s past history through letters. The Heiress is intriguing, dark, shocking and compulsive. If you enjoy thrillers, this well-written, and cleverly plotted novel is one you won’t want to miss!