Thank you NetGalley,

I really enjoyed this book, it was a little bit of a slower pace than All Her Little Secrets. But it still had twists and turns. And I learned something new while reading this book. Wanda M Morris writes powerful and important books. I look forward to reading more written by her.

Wanda M. Morris burst onto the crime fiction scene with All Her Little Secrets, a contemporary-set legal thriller that grabbed readers and wouldn’t let go. In an unusual, yet inspired move, she followed that success with Anywhere You Run, a historical crime novel set in the Jim Crow South—captivating her fans and garnering massive critical acclaim. Now with What You Leave Behind, Wanda M. Morris merges the two styles, telling a contemporary story that is deeply rooted in the past.


The protagonist of What You Leave Behind is Deena Wood. Deena once worked as a litigator at a prestigious Atlanta law firm, but after a series of personal tragedies, she now finds herself in her hometown of Brunswick, Georgia working as a legal consultant for the Medallion Company—a real estate firm housed in a stately Victorian manor in the gentrified section of town. Her mother has recently passed away and her marriage ended in shambles, so Deena feels the calling of her roots for rejuvenation.

On one of her many sojourns to contemplate life (and death), Deena accidentally stumbles onto the property of widower, Holcomb Gardner, who erroneously believes she is there to convince him to sell his land. The strange encounter bothers Deena and when she returns to once again apologize, she discovers that Holcomb has vanished, and his highly coveted waterfront land is up for sale.

This sets in motion a journey of discovery for Deena Wood. Convinced that something is terribly wrong, she defies everyone’s advice to leave it alone, only to discover that what is happening around town threatens to erase history—not only that of the Gullah-Geechee people who call the area home, but Deena’s own past as well.

What You Leave Behind is Wanda M. Morris’ best novel to date and not to be missed. By telling the reality of a legal plight ravaging the Gullah-Geechee people (and many others), she keeps readers glued to the page even as they are learning important lessons about generational wealth. By focusing on the intimate story of Deena Wood, Wanda M. Morris is able to elucidate a much larger social problem without seeming pedantic or didactic—traits that can stall a fictional narrative faster than a flat tire on a country road.

Wanda M. Morris’ decision to use first-person narration immediately creates a bond between character and reader. Short chapters with a constantly evolving plotline keep readers invested, even as their own anger at the situation begins to grow. The atmosphere and ambiance of every scene, every locale, grounds the story in a way that can’t be taken for granted. This is a writer who knows all the tricks of the trade and just when to deploy them for maximum effect.

One aspect of What You Leave Behind that can’t be overlooked is Deena’s struggle to come to terms with the loss of her mother. The fact that the central mystery is set into motion primarily because of actions Deena has taken to convene with her mother’s spirit is important to remember. Deena Wood’s desire to keep her mother’s memory alive is directly tied to her fight to defend the history of the Gullah-Geechee people—a theme that Wanda M. Morris explores with beautiful restraint and powerful conviction. It’s a love letter to mothers everywhere and a book this reader will always hold close to my heart. Anyone interested in the best of modern crime fiction must read Wanda M. Morris and What You Leave Behind is a great place to start.

Thanks to William Morrow for the gifted copy of this book!

I adore Wanda M. Morris' writing! This is the third book of hers that I've binged, and let me tell ya - she did it again!

WHAT YOU LEAVE BEHIND features lawyer Deena Woods - whose life has fallen apart as she lost her mother, her prestigious job, and is now going through a divorce. She moves back to her childhood home in Brunswick, Georgia, to start again. As she's driving around, she meets a man who tells her to get off his property and says he'll never give up his home -- it's been in his family since the end of the Civil War. Soon after, the man is missing and his property is up for sale. Deena starts digging into his disappearance and the new Empire Realty company.

What I love about Wanda's stories is that you not only get a very solid thriller / mystery, but also solid historical fiction where you'll learn something. This time, property redevelopment in poor and rural communities is the center of the story, and it might make you a little angry. While this storyline could be at the center of a news article today (and is where Wanda got some inspiration), this book is so well-written to inform but also evoke -emotion. Wanda continues to be an auto-read author for me!

Many thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for gifting me a digital ARC of the new book by a favorite, Wanda Morris. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

Deena Woods is struggling from too many losses in a short period of time - her job at an Atlanta law firm, the death of her mother, and a divorce. She needs a "dayclean," or a fresh start, so she moves back to her childhood home. Her dad is now remarried to Ruth, and Deena struggles to not be resentful. Her new job is completely unfulfilling. One day, she finds a spot on an island to try and settle, only to find herself on the property of a widower trying to keep his land in his family. He threatens her but shortly afterwards, disappears and his valuable land put up for sale. Deena can't stop thinking about him and does some investigating, only to find herself caught up in a dangerous operation.

This is a fabulous book, combining current issues with old-world spiritual ties, all with Morris' descriptive and beautiful prose. This is the second book I've read recently about heirs property (the other, Long After We Are Gone) and it's infuriating to think that developers can buy rightful land from owners. While you are reading and learning about this injustice, you will find yourself in such a gripping story. You will be rooting for Deena, such a strong woman, reeling but fighting back for what's right no matter the cost. I loved the spiritual aspect to this book as well as learning more about the Gullah-Geechee culture. There's even a second chance romance plot. This is a highly recommended read!

After losing her job and marriage, Deena Wood returns to her childhood home in coastal Georgia. Being home isn’t the same after her mother’s passing and her father’s remarriage.

One day while mourning her mother and avoiding her unsatisfying new job, Deena takes a trip out to an island and meets an elderly man fighting to keep his land. When he suddenly disappears and his home is put up for sale, Deena becomes suspicious and begins investigating.

This thriller reminds me of a news article I saw last year about a Gullah woman fighting to keep a property on Hilton Head Island that her family had owned since the Civil War. A real estate development company built around them then attempted to take the property after the family refused to sell. Unfortunately, land grabs of desirable properties like this are all too common. The premise of What You Leave Behind takes a similar type of greedy developers combined with the heirs property laws to form a timely, sinister thriller.

Deena makes such a great flawed but relatable character. I couldn’t help but feel for her given the stream of adversities that she faced and her palpable grief. Plus, she’s passionate and stubborn. Despite being somewhat ill-equipped to conduct this investigation, Deena is determined to get to the bottom of this situation. She’s clearly on to something and the police don’t seem to be interested.

I loved Deena’s dad Jimmie and her Uncle Duke. Everyone needs older, protective men like them in their lives. You don’t play with that OG duo!

Morris immerses readers in this coastal Georgia small town and the Geechee Gullah culture. The uniqueness of these Geechee Gullah people and their ways really comes through and is woven throughout.

This story is a twisty slow burn until the last 75 pages. Then everything started to fall in place, the suspense and tension peaked, and I turned pages as fast as possible to get to the end!

I’ve loved Wanda Morris’ storytelling since I read an early copy of All Her Little Secrets. So it’s no surprise What You Leave Behind is another great read. I can’t wait to see what Wanda Morris writes next!


Thank you to William Morrow for a gifted copy.

What You Leave Behind by Wanda M. Morris was a well written mystery.
It was suspenseful and very addictive.
I read it in one sitting, the first chapter draws you right in and you can not put it down.
An intriguing story with characters who draw you in and keeps you flipping the pages.

Thank You NetGalley and William Morrow for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

4.5 / 5 stars

A lawyer with a nose for trouble uncovers a deadly secret in her Georgia hometown.

Deena Wood returns to Brunswick to escape a life in shambles. Her mother passed away, her husband kicked her out, she lost her job, and her father has already remarried. But her peace is upended when a local loner vanishes, and his land – steeped in generations of history and worth millions – is up for sale by a shady realty company.

Driven by a relentless curiosity and a concern for her community, Deena delves into the mystery of the missing landowners, only to find herself targeted by powerful forces. With the help of the community around her, and perhaps spectral nudges from the dearly departed, Deena must fight to expose the truth before it buries her.

In high school, I loved reading John Grisham novels. This was back in the mid-90s when The Firm, The Client, and The Pelican Brief. This book transported me back to those days. A dogged, disadvantaged lawyer taking on entities that keep getting bigger and bigger. This was very different from Grisham with the inclusion of some supernatural elements and, of course, being from the perspective of Black woman.

If you're looking for a legal thriller that's a little different, this was an interesting, thoughtful read. If Morris decides to write a follow up about Deena, I would love to read it.

Author of All Her Little Secrets and Anywhere You Run, Atlanta attorney Wanda M. Morris has given us her best legal thriller yet. By drawing on the black history of the Georgia Low Country, the Gullah-Geechee culture, and the exploitation of heirs property owners (inheriting property from relatives without a will), Morris has written more than a generic legal thriller, but one that connects slave history to the present day, that educates and touches readers, and that proves Morris writes from the heart.

Consisting of fifty-eight chapters arranged into two parts, What You Leave Behind also includes thirteen short “Interstitual” segments, essentially describing spaces between something else, such as between teeth, between grains of sand—in this case between some of the chapters. A first-person Gullah-Geechee narrator speaks in each of these sections, frequently commenting on what Deena is doing and adding an element of folk culture to the book.

Chapter 1 opens with a troubled Deena Wood desperately trying to cope with her mother’s death a year earlier, a nasty recent divorce, something terrible that had happened in the Atlanta law firm where she had worked. Her life in tatters, she has returned to her hometown, to her childhood home to live with her dad and the new wife Deena resents. During a drive out to the island where Deena hopes to hear her dead mother’s voice, she comes face to face with an gun-wielding, scruffy elderly man who mistakes her for yet another person sent out by the people who are trying to force him to sell the land where he lives in an old trailer. Driving her off his land and threatening to kill her if she returns, the man, who had identified himself as Holcomb Gardner, insisted that his parents had left the land to him and his sister and that he would never sell the land.

Inexplicably obsessed with the strange man she had met, Deena returns to the island a week later and is shocked to find Holcomb Gardner gone, his trailer gone, and on the edge of his property a For Sale sign announcing that Empire Realty is selling the land for commercial development.

Repeatedly skipping out on her new legal job for an engineering firm in Brunswick, Georgia, her hometown, Deena determines to find out what happened to Holcomb Gardner, a mystery further complicated by his sister’s recent suspicious death.

As Deena investigates, not understanding why she is so obsessed, her father warns her to keep her nose out of other people’s business. More and more characters enter story, including people Deena works for and with; the dead Delilah’s granddaughter Rae, whose grandmother had never told her she had a brother; a white police detective, who seems to care little about an elderly black woman struck and killed or her elderly missing brother; City Commissioner Charlie Lester, who may have been the last person to see Delilah alive; Deena’s old flame, another lawyer also recently moved back to Brunswick;and Uncle Duke, her dad’s barber brother, who will do anything to protect his niece. Morris has mastered the art of twists and turns, and I found myself turning pages until late in the night.

Yet Morris is also writing about a way many poor and working class can be forced off their property, which is then sold to someone else. This all becomes clear in the novel, itself, but in her Afterword, Morris explains how she became interested in this real estate issue and in the Gullah-Geechee people

Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow/HarperCollins for an advance reader egalley of this novel that can entertain readers while making them think.

Wanda M. Morris has crafted a masterful and haunting thriller in "What You Leave Behind." The novel follows Deena Wood, a lawyer whose life has crumbled after the loss of her mother, a failed marriage, and the loss of her job. Seeking a fresh start, she returns to her childhood home in Brunswick, Georgia, only to stumble upon a sinister conspiracy linked to the mysterious disappearance of a local landowner.

The story's strength lies in its intricate plot, which deftly weaves themes of racism, political corruption, and historical injustices with personal loss and resilience. Morris's portrayal of the Geechee culture and the rich historical backdrop adds depth and authenticity to the narrative, making the reader feel fully immersed in the setting.

Deena's journey from a woman overwhelmed by grief and misfortune to a determined investigator uncovering long-buried secrets is both compelling and inspiring. The characters are well-developed, with Deena's personal growth and her interactions with others, such as her supportive uncle and the enigmatic Holcomb Gardner, driving the story forward.

The suspense is palpable throughout, with twists and turns that keep the reader on edge. Morris's ability to blend a gripping mystery with profound social commentary is impressive, making this novel not only an exciting read but also a thought-provoking one.

In summary, "What You Leave Behind" is a beautifully written, multi-layered thriller that explores the intersection of personal and societal issues. Wanda M. Morris has proven herself to be a formidable talent in the genre, delivering a story that is both entertaining and meaningful. Highly recommended for fans of thrillers with depth and heart.

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC.

I just love the way Wanda M Morris weaves a story together, and WHAT YOU LEAVE BEHIND is no exception! Deena Wood is really, really, down on her luck. Reeling from the loss of her mother and suddenly finding herself divorced (good riddance) and living in her childhood room with a job she cannot stand, she is just trying to cope the best she can. But then she inadvertently discovers some suspicious disappearances in a family that just happens to have valuable real estate holdings, she just can't stop digging until she gets at the truth. And what a wild ride she finds herself in.

This story just builds perfectly. The balance of character development as Deena deals with her grief while committing to doing what is right rather than easy as she works to put her life back together. There is also plenty of plot (wild but not outrageously so) to keep you turning those pages. Treat yourself to a book binge when WHAT YOU LEAVE BEHIND comes out on 6/18!

Usually with a Wanda M Morris book I am blown away. This one was just fine. It was pretty predictable.

The best part was the inclusion of the Gullah-Geechee culture and I liked the characters it just seems like the plot moved glacially and didn’t hold my attention.

I did learn a lot about heirs property law in Georgia which is awful and makes for a good story I just wish it had moved quicker.

Thanks to netgalley and William morrow publishing for an eARC.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy. I generally enjoy Morris’ books and was so intrigued by the heirs property angle in this one. I liked a lot of the book, but could have lived without the ghost stuff. It tied everything up a little too neatly and gave away some plot points early on. Overall, this is probably around a 3.5 star read for me and I’ll definitely pick up whatever Morris writes next.

This was a marvelous book. It seems like in the beginning it was a little slow but I hung on for the ride. I'm very glad that I did. It was full of twists and turns that really made the story more intriguing.

Great job Wanda. Loved this book.I read another one of Wanda's and that was good also! Thank you for writing such a great book! I found it was also very interesting.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
While I really enjoyed Wanda M. Morris’s first thriller, her second was a bit of a dud for me. However, What You Leave Behind sounded promising. Sure enough, I ended up enjoying this one quite a bit more. Morris blends social commentary and history impeccably with her mystery plot, keeping me intrigued throughout.
One thing I noticed early on was the great sense of place, with the narrative drawing the reader into the Brunswick, Georgia setting. The story also delves into the history of Black people during Reconstruction, including that of the Geechee-Gullah community specifically, something I was not super informed about. The story also delves into the heirs property system and its impact on Black and brown communities, consolidating the wealth among the few (mostly white) wealthy people.
Deena as a protagonist is sympathetic, even if her life is messy and she’s flawed. She’s returned home after a messy divorce, and her father has speedily remarried after her mother’s death, so Deena has a frosty relationship with her stepmother, and with so much happening to her all at once, it’s like her life is falling apart. But I appreciate that, while she’s going through a lot, she still has guts, and while she doesn’t always make the wisest of decisions, she has spine and stands up for what’s right in the face of injustice.
The plot is engaging, and fairly steadily paced. Between the family drama and the missing person and the land grab plot, there was a lot going on that kept me on the edge of my seat and wondering how it would all come together.
This was a solid return to form for Wanda M. Morris, and I am now once again interested in reading more from her in the future. I’d recommend this to readers who enjoy mystery/thrillers starring Black leads that also bring up relevant social issues.

Deena has had tragedy after tragedy and returns to her hometown in Georgia. When she finds herself on an oceanfront property, chased away by an elderly landowner who goes missing shortly after, she gets involved in uncovering a sinister scheme.

Wanda Morris writes very well and is a talented author. The writing flows well and keeps the pages turning. I just read another fiction about heir property, so found this fascinating as I dived in again. It keeps your attention without getting too bogged down in legalities.

“Her curiosity will free us all.”

What You Leave Behind comes out 6/18.

What You Leave Behind may be a thriller - but it is so much more than that! This author tackled serious topics and raises awareness to soo many controversial issues...racism, political injustice, history, spirituality, grief and depression. The final product is beautifully executed and inspiring!

Deena Wood's is a middle aged lawyer who has been forced to move back to the small childhood town she thought she escaped following a cascade of emotional blows. She lost her mother, her marriage, her home, her job and her friends. Deena is struggling just to keep one foot in front of the other, working a dead-end job and living in her old bedroom with her father and his new wife.

A chance encounter with a local loner, Holcomb Gardner, lands Deena in the middle of a nightmare family struggle. As a woman who has never been able to leave well enough alone, Deena gets sucked into learning more about the situation. When Holcomb goes missing, Deena is like a dog with a bone and becomes determined to find out what happened to the old man. The police are no help. Her father keeps telling her to leave it alone. But Deena can't and soon she finds herself in a system-wide controversy that effects every person she knows. This also lands her in the crosshairs of some incredibly dangerous people. Deena must pull on her inner strength, those around her and the love of her ancestors to get to the bottom of the mayhem with her life.

I adored how the author showcased the Geechee-Gullah culture and history. She did a fabulous job making the story both educational and interesting. I had legit goosebumps on more than one occasion. The pacing was a bit slow for me in the beginning but once things started to stack up - I was pulled in hook, line and sinker! The writing style was polished, the characters relatable, the plot full of twists and mysteries. Overall, I rated this a 5 star and would recommend it to anyone to read!

After previously reading this author's other book, I had high hopes. But I don't know why I felt so disconnected to the subject matter. It could have been me but I kept waiting for it kick in and get really thrillery.

Well this was a page turner! Once I got into this book I could not out it down and I ended up binge reading the last 75%. A variety of characters who you will be either loving or loathing made this a fun mystery with some dark and disturbing themes.

Deena is almost 40 and her life has just imploded! Her husband left her, she lost her job and her mother passed away. She packs up her life and moves back home to Brunswick, Georgia where she works a job that she hates and is still grieving for her mother. One day when she is out driving to try to clear her head, she meets Holcomb Gardner, a man determined not to lose his house and land to those who are trying to get their hands on it. A week later she returns to seem him and there is no trace of the man and a sold sign on the fence. Deena cannot let this go, and will do anything to find out what happened. It opens up a can of worms and she find herself in danger.

This book was so addictive. Whilst Deena made some questionable choices, she was like a dog with a bone to get to the truth. Nothing was too hard, even if it meant putting herself up against some nasty folks. I love her Uncle Duke, what a firecracker of a man he was!

Thanks so much to William Morrow and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. Publishes on June 18th.

Deena has lost her mother divorced her husband, been fired from her job and lost her home. She moves back home to Brunswick, Georgia to live with her father and his new wife. Taking a ride to clear her head she ends up on private property owned by Holcomb Gardner who threatens her to get off his land and says he will never sell it. Deena later learns Gardner has disappeared and the land has been sold. So begins Deena’s search for answers. The novel delves into social issues as to the treatment of white, the wealthy, the influential as opposed to the poor, black, low income individuals. It was an interesting read.

Gripping, thought provoking, hard to put down and well thought out. Wanda Morris delivered an addictive book!

Deena Wood has returned to her hometown in Brunswick, Georgia after losing her job, her divorce, and the death of her mother. She comes across a man who is fighting to keep his land and warns her off. She is shocked to learn days later that he has disappeared.

What follows is a quest for the truth, secrets, deception, manipulation, illegal grabs of land, and mounting danger. I enjoyed the tension, the twists, and the revelations in this book. I thought I had things figured out, but was not even close when guessing who was behind everything in this book.

I had a hard time putting this book down while marveling at Wanda M. Morris' writing.

Gripping, well written, well thought out, and shocking!

Be sure to read the author's note at the end of the book where the author shares her inspiration for writing this book.