Member Reviews

This started off a bit slower than Morris's previous titles, but once I got into it, I was completely sucked in. I appreciated learning about the Gullah Geechee culture and the Low Country setting. It was very rich in description and atmosphere. I love all of Morris's books and this has her signature effortless storytelling with compelling relatable characters. The paranormal elements were totally unexpected but it helped frame the story. Interestingly, I just started another book about heirs property law and generational wealth. A very timely topic!

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Wanda Morris returns with her 4th book, a tale of racism and conspiracy in the small town of Brunswick, Georgia. Deena is having a bad year. Reeling after the death of her mom, and her sudden divorce, she decides to move from Atlanta, after being fired unjustly from her law firm, to her hometown of Brunswick, GA, to live with her Dad and stepmom.
She ends up getting a job in town with a smaller firm, doing mostly grunt work that is a good distraction and mindless. She makes it a habit to drive around the town to think and grieve her mother in the wilderness. While walking around the woods, she comes upon Holcomb Gardner, who is living in a trailer on a prime piece of property on the coast. He threatens her with a gun, mistaking her for one of the real estate people trying to 'take his land'. Deena escapes the situation, but can't stop thinking about him. When she returns to that area, she finds him gone and a for sale sign in his yard.Thus begins her quest into the strange goingon's of Empire Realty, who seem to be buying up a lot of property in Brunswick, with or without the owner's consent, many of which are black. This author did a lot of research on heirs rights, which was a fascinating subject. If you die without a will or legal document naming your heirs, the house gets split up among everyone. A 3rd party can buy up one share, thereby forcing the sale of the entire property. Empire starts doing this en masse throughout the community and Deena is caught up with some very shady characters who threaten her life, but she gets help from the beyond, via her deceased mother and friend. This was a fun ride, and you really root for Deena, especially when her college boyfriend shows up again to help out. There are a lot of supernatural elements that add to the history of her ancestors and upbringing. Deena and the folks who love her are very well developed and you can relate to their predicaments.Looking forward to seeing more from this author!

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Smart, thought-provoking, suspenseful and well-constructed mystery centered on a social issue I am ashamed to say I knew little about. I also enjoyed the supernatural element Morris wove in seamlessly. Easy to recommend to any mystery reader!

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Before reading this really good book I was unfamiliar with heirs property. It’s an unfair and dastardly way to cheat people from their land by greedy buyers and extended “heirs” that should never have claimant rights anyway. It also is very similar to what is happening with farm land, which I am familiar with.
Although Deena was the focus point of the story, my attention was on the dynamic brothers, Duke and Jimmie Lee. I got a kick out of the scenes that included both because they were such characters! Deena needed to attend their school of how certain situations needed to be handled.
I also,thought the ancestors needed to bop Deena concerning Howie because she was a little slow con the uptake.
It’s a good read about a serious problem, but with two old guys on the job, I have hope.

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There was history, suspense, family drama, a sense of place and an excellent cast of characters. There is so much to love with this one.

My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

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I loved everything about "What You Leave Behind", by Wanda M. Morris, and I plan to read her other books, because this was so good. This story is a stunning, blow your mind thriller, this is a book that I won't forget.

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This author does NOT miss‼️ If you’ve never read any books by Morris I beg you to get into it ASAP. The way she crafts her stories to tackle real life issues offers a narrative that is thrilling, authentic, and thought-provoking. This one was a when not minding your business goes wrong but works in your favor in the end type vibe.

The novel follows Deena Wood’s returning to her hometown in Brunswick, Georgia after the loss of her mother and a nasty divorce. Returning home should’ve been a fresh start for Deena. But when she has a hostile encounter with Holcomb Gardner after trespassing on his land.

Her presence puts him in defense mode because she’s unaware Holcomb’s been in a constant battle over the ownership of his property. Threatening her never to return provokes Deena to do a little snooping. But when she discovers Holcomb’s gone missing, his property is now up for sale, and his sister died a few months back Deena gets suspicious and suspects foul play. Digging through thick layers of lies, secrets in the family, and illegal land grabs that date back to Reconstruction. Deena is in a race against time to uncover the truth before it’s too late and she too may become a victim.

Exploring how heirs properties have become a serious problem in low income black and brown communities there’s so much you can learn from this book. We even get a glimpse of a spiritual entity that kind of assists and protects Deena along the way.

Overall, I loved the book with its vivid depictions and complex characters tension rises with each chapter. If you’re looking for a fast-paced thriller, with a compelling plot, and a strong FMC this the one. Special thanks to the author @wandamorris & the publisher @williammorrowbooks for my gifted copy‼️

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Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for this advance copy in exchange for a honest review.

WOW! Another hit by Wanda M Morris. I was rooting for Deena the entire story. I wanted her to get to the bottom of the mystery! What a great mystery/thriller that ties in some real life themes like corruption, displacement and gentrification. Can't wait to read more from this author.

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Deena is like many middle-aged women who have to reinvent themselves after a divorce. In her case, she ends up back at home with her father and his new bride.

Not only is she healing from divorce, she is also dealing with her mother's death and the loss of her job in Atlanta.

As the story begins, you learn something is amiss in Brunswick. Soon, you join a bumpy ride as Deena uncovers hidden truths and a plot to exploit some of the most vulnerable in her area.

Overall, this was an engaging story that tackles an important issue in our world - illegal land grabs and property redevelopment in poor and rural communities.

This is the first title I've read by Wanda Morris and I can see it won't be the last.

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I have some of the worst sleep habits ever. And there are just some authors that make it worse, but in a good way ( as a matter of fact, I'll probably be taking a nap by the time you read this). I went to sleep around 3:30 this morning, and could only get a few hours in before i couldn’t sleep anymore, because of these characters. I could not rest until I knew what happened to the characters. (Now mind you, I was at 80% when I tried to our the book down). This book was absolutely such a ride. It also covers a topic that happens a lot in minority community, and especially black ones. Although she didn't originally know it, Deena was destined for this assignment and was not alone. Not only did she have her family’s help, but she was unknowingly guided by the ancestors. And it makes me want to know more about the Gullah region. I've read many good books this year, and so far this one tops all of them. I have yet to read a book by this author that I not only enjoyed, but gleaned some unknown information to me. It was brilliantly executed and I loved and enjoyed every minute of this ride.

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I loved this book!! What an absolutely captivating thriller this is! Deena Woods is a lawyer whose life has been in a downward spiral. She has lost her mother, her job, her home, and her marriage to a cheating spouse. She returns to her childhood hometown, looking for a new beginning. As she adjusts to life in her girlhood bedroom, with her loving father and his new wife, and a job that barely utilizes her skills as a lawyer, she takes a wrong turn on rural road and finds herself confronted by a man who thinks she wants to steal his home. When he disappears a few days later, Deena is determined to discover what happened to him, and finds herself in the midst of web of fraud, deceit and murderous intentions. Wanda Morris has created a marvelously complex plot and characters that drew me in from beginning to end! She touches on many current social issues, including the little-known heir's property law that still persists today in much of our country. I was completely blown away by the ramifications of this law. The incorporation of the Geechee people and the haunting history of the Igbo people added much to the story, as did the beautiful, mystical Interstitial sections of the book. While this is a quite exciting and mysterious thriller, it also is a book with love and hope, and new beginnings that will long live in my memory. A huge thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy of this book. The opinions of my review are my own.

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I have read Wanda’s past books and really enjoyed them. This book had a great mystery but also some paranormal content that I was not expecting. This book is also the second new release for this summer that focused on the heir property law.

There is a little romance thrown in that gives the main character more depth. There are some unreliable side characters that will keep you guessing to the end. There are strong themes around grief as well.

Wanda also brings in the Gullah-Geechee culture from coastal Georgia throughout the book with customs and language.

If you are looking for a story about greed and manipulation with a touch of romance, grief and the paranormal, then this book is for you.

I enjoyed hearing from Wanda and learning about her writing process and inspiration for this book. If you like having a playlist for the book, she has one on her website.

I read this book as part of @thoughtsfromapage’s Early Reads program. Thanks to @netgalley and @williammorrowbooks for providing the ARC.

#WhatYouLeaveBehind #WandaMorris #williammorrowbooks

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This is a story of a forlorn woman who returns to her roots after her life "falls apart".

I was intrigued by the Geechee people and what they would bring to help her heal, but unfortunately, this was only the subtext of the story. I wanted this to be more forward in the storyline.

This was a good, solid mystery, but I feel like it could have been so much more. I really loved the main character, but the story fell a little flat for me after the climax. I needed to know more at the end that was left hanging, maybe intentionally for a sequel, but really did not feel like a great way to end.

Morris is a great author and no denying I will read more by her. I had some higher hopes for this after reading All Her Little Secrets.

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Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for trusting me with What You Leave Behind. While Ms. Morris is a new author for me, I was immediately drawn to this book since it is about the South.

What You Leave Behind begins with the main character, Deena, returning home to Brunswick, Georgia following a difficult series of events. Deena has lost her job as a lawyer in Atlanta, she is getting a divorce and her mother has died. She is trying to start her life over in a new job but is quickly pulled into a situation where people of color are dying/missing and their property is being sold. The police do not seem overly interested in investigating the deaths or missing persons. Deena sets out to investigate.

The book brings to light a real issue known as heirs property where property passes from generation to generation without legal ownership. This results in ownership being divided among several living descendants. This is a recipe for disaster for the family and an opportunity for developers to acquire the property cheaply. I really appreciate Ms. Morris bringing this issue forward.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. The story and the characters were rich and kept me engaged. The only part of the book I struggled with were the supernatural aspects. Those parts were not for me.

I look forward to other books by this author.

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Book Review - What You Leave Behind by Wanda M. Morris

Deanna’s life is all going as she had planned. She left her hometown to chase her dreams and things are going well for her. She is happily married and still remains close to her parents. Her dream of becoming a lawyer has finally materialized and she lands a job at a prestigious Atlanta law firm. She then is assigned a case that will have life-altering effects on her heart, mind, and soul.

Everything in Deanna’s world changes in what seems like an instant, but is over the course of a few months. Deanna’s mother is facing a life-threatening illness. As she struggles to deal with her mom’s rapidly declining health, the biggest case in her career so far seems to be falling apart. After her mother’s passing, Deanna struggles to hold herself together, and that is when her husband decides to end the marriage. The plot moves from Atlanta to Brunswick, Georgia when Deanna is forced to move back into her childhood home with her father and his new wife. Deanna resents Roo, his new wife, and doesn’t understand how her father could have remarried so quickly after only 6 months of her mother’s death. In order to cope with her tedious new job and stressful living situation, she takes a ride to clear her head and finds herself in front of an oceanfront property, where she is met with a very angry older man who chases her off his property with a warning that he “will never sell this land, no matter how many people they send.” This one chance encounter both terrifies, yet intrigues Deanna, and as the days pass she finds herself with more and more questions about the man’s words. She returns to the property with the intention of trying to find out more information but the man and his trailer are gone and there is a sign that the property is up for sale.

Convinced that something is very wrong and that people in her community are at risk of losing their lifetime family homes, Deanna launches herself into an investigation to get at the truth, but there are a lot of people who will do anything to keep her from uncovering the truth. This is a well-written novel which does a nice job highlighting the struggles of those living in the coveted rural communities of which so many redevelopment companies are in search. There were times in which I felt like the story could have moved at a faster pace, but as the storyline moved along, I realized that the author intentionally included more detail in an effort to highlight the plights of the Gullah Geechee community in the south.

Thank you so much to Netgalley, Wanda M. Morris, and William Morrow Paperbacks for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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This book was heart breaking and suspenseful. This is the second book I have read this year about heirs property. It was something I had never heard of before this year. It’s another insidious way to steal land. Highly recommend reading this book for not just the entertainment but the education.

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In "What You Leave Behind" by Wanda M. Morris, I found myself deeply immersed in a poignant journey of love, loss, and the enduring power of forgiveness. Morris crafts a narrative that resonates with authenticity, portraying the complexities of human relationships with remarkable depth and sensitivity. As the protagonist navigates the aftermath of tragedy, I was moved by the raw emotion and profound insights woven throughout the story. With its richly drawn characters and evocative prose, "What You Leave Behind" is a beautifully rendered exploration of redemption and the resilience of the human spirit. Morris's heartfelt storytelling left a lasting impression on me, reminding me of the importance of embracing life's joys and sorrows alike.

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This book is so well written. The characters and the plot line were so well developed. I loved the setting and the vibes as well. However, I unfortunately couldn’t connect with the storyline itself. I couldn’t find it in myself to care about what was going on and why it was happening. I didn’t understand Deena’s motives. I will definitely try another book by this author because I loved the writing a lot.

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The writing was slow in the beginning but the pace picked up pretty quickly and settled into a wonderful clip. I really enjoyed the incorporation of Gulla Geeche people and learning about their traditions and beliefs through Deena and her family. Deena did not give a damn about her own personal safety and while that irked me at times it really kept the action moving! The book did a great job of highlighting the nefarious and blatantly criminal parts of our law - that are entire legal! - that prey upon those without the resources to combat it.
The familial aspect of the story was really well done. It’s acknowledgment that parents are people who’ve lived lives before they have children was really great and I loved that they weren’t flat characters just floating around the main character as she tackled this mystery.

This was very reminiscent of other books where the “White Evil” trope is at play. Think “When No One is Watching” by Alyssa Cole or “The Other Black Girl” by Zakiya Delila Harris and “What Never Happened” by Rachel Howzell Hall. They all place White people as the perpetrator of many things negative on black people. I’m becoming a bit bored of this trope. However, what saved this for me is that Morris diversified the pool. It wasn’t only black people being affected and it wasn’t only white people perpetrating. It made this a more dynamic read.

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After her mother dies and her marriage falls apart shortly afterwards, Deena is forced to return to her childhood home in Brunswick Georgia. Home doesn’t quite feel like home since her father has remarried her mom’s best friend. She finds herself taking a drive to clear her head and stumbles upon an old widower who mistakes her for a realtor trying to steal his land. Deena begins looking into the man’s claims and realizes something insidious is happening in her hometown.

Wanda M. Morris weaves together history and suspense in such a unique way. Her characterizations are excellent. I was rooting for Deena, she was incredibly relatable as she rebuilt her life after the death of her mother. The story starts off a little on the slower side but it really ramps up halfway through and becomes unputdownable (my favorite bookish word)!

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