Rich people with secrets? A creepy mansion? Girl next door who isn’t really? Sign me up.

This book takes place in the present, but there is also about a third of the book that is made up of letters and newspaper articles telling parts of the past. Ruby McTavish is an infamous heiress, rich but unlucky in love, and this novel tells the story of her adoptive son inheriting everything, to the anger of the rest of the family. Camden was plucked up by Ruby and given her fortune, but nothing with the McTavishes comes without a cost. He disappeared after Ruby’s death, but with the death of his cousin Howell, he’s called home to Ashby House to sort out the estate and face his family for the last time. He takes along his wife Jules, who has secrets of her own that are about to be revealed.

Hawkins, at this point, does no wrong. I love all of her thrillers, but this one might actually be my favorite. I love anything to do with crazy rich people and epic houses. 😂 There was a lot more devoted to Ruby’s story than I thought there would be, which was a turn off at first but ended up being an enjoyable part of the book. I also liked that Cam and Jules, despite the insanity they find themselves in, have a relationship that is built more deeply than the secrets they keep.

If you like Hawkins or like thrillers, this is a good one to pick up.

I have read some of Rachel's YA books in the past so I definitely wanted to check out her adult thriller books.

I liked the letters from Ruby through out the book. I wasn't sure what the letter were leading up to in the beginning but they were a fun break here and there.

I was also surprised with the turn of events with Jules in the end. I did not see all of it coming and those are my favorite kind of thriller endings.

I will definitely be checking out more of Rachel's thriller books in the future. Also thank you so much Netgalley and the publishers for a copy of this book to read and review.

Wow. Wow. Wow.

Such an in depth and complex story; absolutely beautifully done. A story of family, corruption, murder, love, and redemption all brilliantly woven together and beautifully told.

High recommend.

Thank you Net Galley for the opportunity to review the arc in exchange for an honest review.

It was a thrilling ride following Cam, a heir to an old-money family with a dark history, and his wife, a woman who is a schemer in her own right. Cam cut ties with his family and doesn't touch his inheritance, but ten years later, he's called home to the mountain estate to "take responsibility" for caring for the property. He plans to fix it up and return to the other side of the country, but secrets come out, and chaos ensues.

I enjoyed the narration flipping between Cam, Jules (his wife), confessional letters written by Ruby, and the occasional newspaper clipping from when the well-known family made headlines. The puzzle pieces were neatly fit together over the course of the novel, saving a few pivotal pieces until the very end. You could really feel the chip on Cam's shoulder when he started interacting with other family members. Ruby's character also felt multidimensional. The other McTavishes were straight up mean for what seemed like no other reason than that was the way thing had always been. Perhaps there could have been a bit more to the backstory, but there was a lot to work in, so suffice to say they're just taking a cue from the older generations of the family who had clear cut reasons.

Overall, this was a thrill to read, and I'd recommend it to everyone who likes a good mystery-thriller. You definitely won't regret the read.

Within the pages of this captivating narrative lies a world waiting to be explored. With its compelling characters, vivid settings, and thought-provoking themes, this book offers a journey that transcends the ordinary. From the highs of triumph to the lows of despair, the story weaves a tapestry of emotions that resonate deeply with readers. As the plot unfolds, it unveils layers of mystery, intrigue, and revelation, keeping readers on the edge of their seats until the very last page. Whether seeking adventure, solace, or simply a momentary escape, this book promises to captivate and inspire, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of its readers.

Thank you to St Martins Press and Netgalley for providing a free copy of this book in exhange for an honest review

Ruby McTavish, a prominent figure in the Carolinas, bequeaths her estate and wealth to her son, Cam, upon her demise, much to the chagrin of the rest of the family. Cam, seeking refuge from his dysfunctional kin, had distanced himself from them. Yet, circumstances now compel him to confront his past, including the secrets that have long haunted his family.

Through Ruby's letters detailing her tumultuous marital history, we gain insight into her character and the tangled web of family dynamics. But just when you think you've settled into the narrative, buried secrets resurface, sending shockwaves through the storyline, right up until the gripping conclusion.

Personally, it took me some time to fully engage with the plot. While I appreciated the creative twists, there was still a certain something missing that prevented me from wholeheartedly embracing the story—something I've noticed with previous works by this author. Nevertheless, I'd rate it a solid four stars.

I enjoyed the journey of this book, and the way it flowed so smoothly. The author did a great job of introducing the characters and it was easy to keep them apart. Great story and really enjoyed it.
Thank you NetGalley for your ARC!

3.5 stars rounded to 4 for Goodreads/Amazon.

I enjoyed this story! It was “fun”. It wasn’t a thriller, but it was a mystery. It alludes to our main characters hiding something from everyone, and those to all get revealed throughout the book, but it’s more of a mystery and definitely not a thriller.

The book opens with Jules (FMC) and Camden (MMC) going to Camden’s family’s estate. Ruby is the family matriarch and she has passed away, but written letters outlining her life and her secrets, so we get a POV of her throughout the book.

I love family secrets. In this story, many people have secrets, but it isn’t overwhelming or seemingly too much. It’s something here and there that is believable.

Read if you like:
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Drama
☠️ “There’s been a murder in Savannah.” - Michael Scott
🤫 Secretes Galore
🤷🏻‍♀️ A search for the truth

I also listened to the audio for this one. It was about 9 hours long and there was a narrator for each character. I personally loved Ruby’s narrator the most, but that’s because I loved Ruby’s story the most 😂
All of the narrators did wonderful at keeping you interested in the story and staying in character. They were a joy to listen to. Dan Bittner, Eliza Foss, John Pirhalla, Patti Murin (I’m not sure which man was Camden and which was the title reader, so I’m including both names as not to jip anyone).

Hawkins writes a solid thriller and this is no different. I will say that this book took me much longer to get into. It didn’t immediately grab me and felt confusingly slow. Eventually, I was sucked in and trying to figure out what was happening.

Fabulous audiobook. I couldn't stop listening, and all the narrators did a superb job!
Captivating plot and very fast paced. The intrigue was constant, and I was suspicious of everyone!

It was okay! I can’t help but compare to my favorite of this author’s, the wife upstairs which I LOVED. I felt like this was a slow burn and it is forgetable.

Fun page-Turner

This book gave off contemporary Agatha Christie vibes to me. I loved the mystery surrounding the death or Ruby, the wealthy heiress. There are so many twists and turns in this that it kept me guessing and engrossed the entire time. I loved the inclusion of the letters as it really made the character of Ruby come alive. All the characters in this book are conniving and extremely dysfunctional but it made the story so much fun to read. I felt the ending was perfect for the story

This is a great mystery suspense book! The Heiress is my first book that I have read by Rachel Hawkins, and it did not disappoint! I did not know how this book was gonna end- and it kept me entertained through out!

At first unsure about diving into this book, I found myself pleasantly surprised by its gradual grip on my attention. While the beginning may have been a tad sluggish, once the narrative found its footing, I was hooked—struggling to tear myself away from its pages. The author weaves a tale that is both well-crafted and refreshingly original, sprinkled with twists that kept me on the edge of my seat. However, amidst the praise, there lingered a sense of restraint, as if the story held back its full potential, leaving certain aspects open to interpretation rather than painting a vivid picture. Despite this, the overall experience was enjoyable, though I couldn’t help but yearn for a deeper immersion into the intricacies of the plot. Nevertheless, it remains a worthwhile journey for those seeking a captivating read with unexpected turns.

I loved this one! Rachel Hawkins seriously cannot write a bad book. I was hooked from the very beginning and there was truly never a dull moment while reading this one. I highly recommend it!

When Ruby McTavish Callahan Woodward Miller Kenmore dies, she’s not only North Carolina’s richest woman, she’s also its most notorious. The victim of a famous kidnapping as a child and a widow four times over, Ruby ruled the tiny town of Tavistock from Ashby House, her family’s estate high in the Blue Ridge mountains. In the aftermath of her death, that estate—along with a nine-figure fortune and the complicated legacy of being a McTavish—pass to her adopted son, Camden.


There were a couple twists and turns to this story that kept me guessing until the last chapter. I was pretty sure I had things figured out and then I was thrown for a loop. This was a very engaging story and I read 75% of it in one day. I could not put it down and had to see what happened next. The conclusion was good and I will try another from this author.

Ok, Rachel Hawkins has again done what she does best…sucks you into a sticky web of murder and secrets, making it impossible to escape until you've read the last page.
The wealthy widow (three times widowed) Ruby McTavish has died, leaving her estate to her son Cam, who wants nothing to do with his mother, her fortune, or his childhood. You see, Cam has made a humble life for himself as a teacher and husband to Jules. He'd much rather have his uncle and cousins deal with the family fortune.
Unfortunately, Cam's uncle dies, and Jules (who has never met his family and would like to learn more about her husband) encourages Cam to return to the family fold to help with issues surrounding the estate.
Upon his return, the reader learns of Ruby's dark past, the circumstances surrounding Cam's troubled childhood, and the building of a fortune built on blood.
I really enjoyed this book for several reasons:
It was a suitable palate cleanser after the heavy literary fiction I had been reading.
It was a quick read with a fast-paced plot and interesting characters.
It had two storylines that worked successfully together. When I got tired of one, I was sent back to Ruby's time.
This is a great novel with enough twists to keep you reading until the very end. It's a perfect title for your summer TBR.

The Heiress is another great read from Rachel Hawkins. I flew through this just like The Villa. This book was so clever, with plenty of twists and turns.

This was an intriguing story! I really enjoyed the mystery throughout the story. This kept me guessing throughout and I really didn’t know what to expect until I finished the book.
I think this is her best book yet.

Rachel Hawkins's newest contemporary mystery is full of different narrators and time periods, much like The Villa. It was an enjoyable read, full of twists, that went by quickly. Fans of her other contemporary thrillers will enjoy this.