
Member Reviews

The Secret Inheritance by Rachel Lynch is a gripping family mystery filled with suspense and emotional depth. Rosie Fitzherbert’s return to her childhood home after decades, following her father’s death, is the perfect setting for a tense and captivating story. The dynamics between Rosie and her estranged siblings, along with the haunting secrets of the past, kept me hooked. Lynch’s writing beautifully captures the tension and emotional turmoil as Rosie uncovers the truth behind her brother’s tragic death. A well-paced, engaging read with twists that keep you guessing until the very end. A must-read for fans of family dramas and mysteries!

The Secret Inheritance by Rachel Lynch is a gripping psychological thriller that delves into family secrets and hidden truths. Set in a sprawling estate, the story unfolds over seven days, revealing deep-seated tensions and unexpected twists. Lynch’s writing is engaging, keeping readers hooked from start to finish. While some readers found the pacing slow initially, the intricate character development and suspenseful plot make it a compelling read. Perfect for fans of family mysteries and psychological dramas.

Rachel Lynch’s The Secret Inheritance is a gripping family drama wrapped in a tense psychological thriller. When Rosie Fitzherbert returns to Warbury House after decades of self-imposed exile, she is forced to confront not only her estranged siblings but also the dark secrets buried within the estate’s walls—secrets tied to the tragic death of her brother, Christian.
Lynch expertly weaves a tale of betrayal, grief, and long-held resentment, keeping readers on edge as the Fitzherbert family’s tensions boil over. Rosie is a compelling protagonist, her silence a powerful symbol of trauma, making her journey toward the truth all the more poignant. The novel’s atmospheric setting—an old estate filled with memories and hidden motives—adds a gothic undertone that enhances the suspense.
With its slow-burning tension, emotionally complex characters, and shocking revelations, The Secret Inheritance is perfect for fans of The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides and The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell. A haunting and immersive read, it explores whether facing the past can truly set us free.

OMG what a book! I couldn't put it down once I started it. Loved it from the first page, an excellent read

Rosie Fitzherbert has recently been informed of her father's passing and must return to the family estate, Warbury House, accompanied by her siblings, Hettie and James, and their respective families, to receive information regarding their inheritance. Rosie departed Warbury House on the day her younger brother Christian died, and she has not returned since; it is also the day she ceased speaking, prompting her to wonder whether her return will precipitate a change. Upon arrival, the siblings are advised that they must cohabitate harmoniously for seven days to receive their inheritance. However, as past secrets begin to surface, it remains to be seen which sibling will crack first and whether the truth surrounding Christian's death will be revealed. The Secret Inheritance, Lynch's latest literary endeavor, is replete with suspense and intrigue. Through the perspectives of each sibling, the author delves into the Fitzherbert family's past and present, uncovering a multitude of secrets, some of which have remained concealed for decades. Jude Fitzherbert was not a decent father, and even in death, he continues to exert control over his children, contributing to the individuals they have become. This well-crafted book features dark twists, albeit unfolding at a slow pace, which made it challenging for me to progress. I failed to establish a connection with any of the characters; having encountered numerous dysfunctional families, the Fitzherberts surpass them all in terms of dysfunction.

Excellent twisty storyline.
Keeps you guessing right to the end.
Thoroughly enjoyable.
Thanks for the opportunity to read and review

Thanks to the always amazing Storm publishing and Netgalley for this eARC.
Rachel Lynch's "The Secret Inheritance" isn't your typical family drama. It's a captivating tapestry of interwoven secrets and betrayals, a story that unfolds like a meticulously crafted puzzle.
The novel follows a group of estranged siblings who are reunited after the death of their eccentric grandmother. As they delve into her enigmatic past, they uncover a web of long-buried secrets, hidden family feuds, and a forgotten inheritance that threatens to tear them apart.
Lynch masterfully crafts a cast of complex and flawed characters, each harboring their own secrets and grappling with the weight of the past. The narrative shifts seamlessly between past and present, revealing the layers of deception and the enduring impact of family dynamics. "The Secret Inheritance" is a slow-burn that gradually builds tension, leaving the reader constantly guessing and questioning the motives of each sibling.
The novel is a poignant exploration of grief, forgiveness, and the enduring power of family ties. Lynch's prose is elegant and evocative, drawing the reader into the intimate world of her characters and their shared history.
Recommended for readers who enjoy character-driven family dramas, intricate plots with unexpected twists, and stories that explore the complexities of family relationships.

The Secret Inheritance by Rachel Lynch is an engaging and emotional read that kept me hooked from beginning to end. The blend of mystery, family secrets, and personal discovery created a compelling story. While some parts felt a bit predictable, the characters were well-developed, and the emotional depth added richness to the plot. If you enjoy a good mystery with heart, this one is definitely worth reading.

On the surface this sounded like something I would absolutely love. Family Drama? Mystery? Emotional angst? Unresolved trauma? This sounds like a captivating dark domestic thriller, but in reality I really struggled to feel invested.
I hate writing this in a review but honestly? I was so bored for most of this. It felt like an absolute slog to get to any of the good bits and if I didn’t HATE DNFing I absolutely would have.
I personally don’t mind when a story has unlikeable characters (that is definitely the case here) but I struggled to really connect with any of them and that meant I just wasn’t that invested. And I think that was the crux of my issues.
This is a well written book. The plot is fairly interesting, the mystery and twists are really solid and the pacing was fair too. I think for me it all comes down to simply not caring about any of the characters.
Thank you to the author, publish and NetGalley for providing me with this free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The storyline itself was good but I found the characters lacking.
The book held my attention and curiosity enough to keep me focused and wasn’t super predictable, which I like. I like to be surprised.
Overall enjoyable enough to look up others by this author and to recommend for others to read.
Thank you NetGalley for the copy

Had all the pieces to be a great book, but just couldn’t get into it. Everything and everyone just felt tedious and overbearing.

This is one of the best books I have read for a while. The characters were well drawn and the story compelling. I particularly enjoyed the differing perspectives that each sibling had on their lives and their family. Highly recommend.

A good story, well plotted and compelling. Liked the characters and the setting.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

The Secret Inheritance by Rachel Lynch was a wonderful read from start to finish and I have loved reading all this authors books. Rachel has a way of writing that will draw you into all her books from the very beginning till the very end. This was a beautifully written book and one of the best books I have read in 2024.
The Secret inheritance was a standalone family drama that mixes mystery, suspense, and emotion that is a great read.
I highly recommend this book.

THE SECRET INHERITANCE by Rachel Lynch was a thrill ride that kept me from doing my daily chores. I loved it.!
When Rosie Fitzherbert’s younger brother, Christian died years ago, she fled the family home and hasn’t been heard from since. I mean she is selectively mute now and has had no contact with her father, Jude, sister, Hettie or brother, James. When Jude passes away, everyone must come together for the reading of the will. But Jude had some stipulations in the will that may keep one or all from collecting his millions.
Oldest sister, Hettie wants Warbury House and feels it is her birthright. She and husband, Edward have spent years renovating the place in their minds. Brother James, a defence attorney, arrives with his ‘fiancé’ to claim his millions but he is hiding who he truly is to live up to his father‘s expectations, even in death. Rosie, a hugely successful but surreptitious crime author just wants to fly under the radar and again leave Warbury House without a backward glance. And overseeing it all is Clara, the housekeeper who raised the children, and Ian Balfar, Jude’s estate attorney. As Jude makes his presence known from the grave, the secrets and lies hidden within the mansion walls begin to be exposed.
Can Rosie put the pieces together to find out what really happened to Christian 13 years ago? Will Hettie’s children unwittingly help this crime author learn the truth?
I loved this book! The writing was clear and concise which led to an enjoyable read. As with my previous Rachael Lynch novels, I was on the edge of my seat and stayed up well past bedtime turning pages. The twists kept me guessing throughout as I thought it was going one way, and it went in a completely different direction. To me, that’s the sign of a master storyteller. I can’t wait to see where this author takes me next.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing this ARC opportunity. All opinions are my own and given voluntarily.

The Secret Inheritance is a book about family dynamics surrounding a death. This book is told by multiple POVs, each sibling telling their side of the story.
I found this book to be slow and dragged on. I didn't really understand the novel title for the actual book. The secrets are really just a bunch of miscommunication, misunderstanding, and judgments.
Thank you to Netgalley, Rachel Lynch, and publishers for this free ebook. This review is 100% my own and honest opinion.

I enjoyed this book and the troubled childhoods of three siblings, Hattie, Rosie and James.
The death of their father at the start of the book makes them return to their childhood home, which is crumbling. Secrets and alliances are exposed and the beliefs that they had unravel. It was interesting to see how each of them had their own perceptions of events, which led them to take steps to protect themselves as adults.
The conditions of the will enforce the siblings to stay together in harmony for seven days… and that’s where the secrets start to unravel.
An engaging and interesting book which allows you to look at a situation from multiple perspectives. Makes you think - what would I have done in that scenario?
4* a thumping good read (though a couple of the siblings were particularly annoying!!)
Ps not sure the title works brilliantly, yes there’s a secret and yes an inheritance but… the secret inheritance is just a bit flat as a title…

An absolutely brilliant read which after their father’s death brings the siblings together after years apart.
A family separated by childhood events that seen through children’s eyes have in adult life made up their own version of events and decided to wreak their own vengeance.

Loved this, a family twisted by wants and the effects of their upbringing and the legacy left for them. I enjoyed it thoroughly thanks for access..

A gripping read. The story of a very disfuncional entitled family who have to return to their childhood home after their father has died. Fast pacing plot. I really enjoyed it.