I really enjoyed this book! It was interesting and exciting, and there were many twists that I wasn't expecting, and I felt that they were spaced out well. I was engaged the whole time, and I thought all of the characters were fun to read about. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC!

I had the opportunity to read this ahead of its publication in 2024 thanks to St. Martin's Press and Net Galley. It's a page turning mystery come thriller that might be my favorite of Rachel Hawkin's works yet.

When the wealthiest woman in North Carolina dies her estate passed to her adopted son, Camden, but he is uninterested in her estate, Ashby House, the family home, or the money. Ten years later Cam and his wife Jules return to Ashby House in the wake of his Uncle's death.The story is told from multiple points of view and also includes letters written by the deceased Heiress by an unknown recipient. It flips back and forth between past and present and also includes some newspaper clippings from past events. The characters are well developed and there are some amazing twists and revelations in the story and I was totally engrossed in it.

I don't know what it exactly was, but I didn't love this one. I'm definitely the outlier, but I didn't feel connected or invested to any of the characters. I didn't like any of them. Wasn't what I was expecting with this one.

**3-Star Review for *The Heiress* by Rachel Hawkins**

*The Heiress* by Rachel Hawkins is a suspenseful thriller with an intriguing premise, centered around family secrets, wealth, and power. Hawkins creates a tense atmosphere with plenty of twists and turns that keep the reader engaged, and the exploration of betrayal and hidden agendas adds depth to the story. The pacing is solid, and the suspense builds in a way that keeps you hooked.

However, while the plot is compelling, some of the character development falls flat. The protagonist, while relatable in her desire to uncover the truth, feels somewhat one-dimensional at times, and some of the secondary characters lack the depth needed to make their motivations truly believable. The ending, though dramatic, can feel a bit rushed, leaving some loose ends. Overall, *The Heiress* is an enjoyable read for fans of psychological thrillers but doesn’t quite reach its full potential in terms of character depth and emotional impact.

I'm not much of a mystery reader, but I will read anything Rachel Hawkins writes. Her stories are always so twisty, and keep you on the edge of your seat the entire time.

I got this on audiobook and am SERIOUSLY digging the multi-narration! Done so well, I listed to this start to finish in one day.

A gripping mystery with incredible twist and turns. This was a slow unfurling, an exceptional puzzle that’s put together piece by piece. I absolutely loved the multi-pov, multi-narration in the audiobook but the story itself was captivating. I could not put it down!

The story structure was done incredibly well and didn’t once slow straight out of the gate. I will forever be recommending this story to everyone!!

this book was a flop. i think i have to stop trying to give rachel hawkins the time of day unfortunately.

I absolutely devoured The Wife Upstairs but did not enjoy The Villa at all, so I wasn’t sure what to expect from The Heiress. On paper, it sounded like it would be more reminiscent of The Wife Upstairs—a domestic thriller involving a southern mansion—but unfortunately, it lacked pacing and cohesion. The book was mysterious and intriguing, but the number of characters, time jumps, and alternating perspectives made the story drag.

Read this over a year ago and seems like my review didn’t save for some reason. Thank you Net Galley for an ARC of this book.

A slow burn thriller with intriguing characters each with the own secrets and mystery interwoven and unraveled at the perfect pace that kept me turning pages. Recommend!

The Heiress is an intriguing thriller. Told through snippets of various perspectives, we see the views of the heiress of a vast fortune and grand estate alongside those of her adopted son and his wife. Following the death of the heiress's nephew, her estranged adopted son, who inherited everything from her, returns to the family, revealing dangerous secrets. The twists and turns will keep you on the edge of your seat, and the revelations will be things you never expected.

This wasn’t my favorite by Rachel Hawkins. It started a bit slow for me and I couldn’t connect with the characters but will continue to read her books.

"The Heiress" by Rachel Hawkins is a captivating Gothic thriller that masterfully blends elements of mystery, family drama, and psychological suspense. Released on January 9, 2024, this novel has quickly become a national bestseller and garnered critical acclaim.
The story revolves around Ruby McTavish Callahan Woodward Miller Kenmore, North Carolina's wealthiest and most notorious woman, and her adopted son Camden. After Ruby's death, Camden reluctantly returns to the family estate, Ashby House, where he uncovers dark secrets about Ruby's past and the mysterious deaths of her four husbands.
Hawkins' writing style is sharp and engaging, with short chapters that maintain a brisk pace and high tension. The author skillfully weaves multiple timelines and perspectives, using letters, newspaper articles, and interviews to create a rich, layered narrative. This approach adds depth to the characters and enhances the overall atmosphere of intrigue and suspense.
The novel's strengths lie in its complex characters, particularly Ruby, whose life story unfolds through a series of letters that reveal her transformation from a kidnapped child to a powerful and enigmatic woman. The exploration of themes such as greed, power, and family dynamics adds depth to the narrative, making it more than just a typical thriller.
While some readers found the pacing in the first half of the book to be slow, many praised the riveting conclusion with its unexpected twists. The Gothic elements and the evocative setting of Ashby House contribute to the creeping sense of dread that permeates the story.
Critics have drawn comparisons to works like "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo," noting Hawkins' ability to create a compelling narrative around a complex, morally ambiguous protagonist. However, "The Heiress" stands on its own as a unique and engrossing tale.
In conclusion, "The Heiress" is a gripping, well-crafted novel that showcases Rachel Hawkins' growth as an author. With its blend of Gothic atmosphere, family secrets, and psychological suspense, it offers an addictive read for fans of the genre.

This was more enjoyable than the previous book I read by Rachel Hawkins. I found the story to be compelling, and although I did not like many of the characters I wanted to keep reading. The added multimedia elements were a fun touch, and I think ultimately added to the overall storytelling and setup.

The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins is a slow-burn family drama centered around Camden McTavish, who returns to his estranged family’s mansion, Ashby House, after his uncle’s death. His late mother, Ruby, was a notorious figure with a past full of secrets, and the novel delves into her life through letters that reveal just how complicated her legacy is. The plot is full of intrigue, with plenty of twists, but the pace can be a bit slow at times. While not an edge-of-your-seat thriller, it offers an interesting look at family dynamics, hidden motives, and the weight of inheritance. A gripping read with a satisfying, if unsettling, conclusion.

A solid 4 star read! It was an addictive read. I enjoyed getting Ruby's perspective through her letters. I loved the characters. I was pleasantly surprised by the twists and turns all the way up to the very end of the book. It was a multi-layered and satisfyingly suspenseful even though it didn't have a lot of action. I also loved the chlostrauphoic vibe of Ashby house.

I really liked this one. A super enjoyable book, the writing was really good and I really liked the characters

Rachel Hawkins has an extremely addictive writing style! This one sucked me right in with the blurb about those who go missing in the Appalachian forests. However, I will also say I felt like this gave away a major story plot of the book that isn’t revealed until the ending.

Overall I enjoyed the story, but didn’t find any of the twists or turns surprising. I think the setting and the family story had a lot of potential but unfortunately it was lacking something for me. I also felt no connection to any of the characters making me not care too much about the outcome.

What a twisted story!
I received a ARC of this book quite some time ago, and FINALLY got to my list and finished this book. Family secrets come front and center when letters are discovered . . .
Lots of family drama and this book had be guessing and turning the pages so quick! Recommend!

4 stars

I am not sure why this didnt send and for that I am sorry! I found this book to be just okay. I was unable to get fully imersed into it and found it to be a little bit on the unexciting side. I was hoping for more from this book and found myself not really caring about the characters.I found it to be more of a typical thriller mystery book with a hint of Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo with the letters. I will read more from Hawkins though and look forward to her next book.

🛁 𝚁𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠 🛁
The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins
“It was a strange feeling, being caught between two lives.
I think that’s something you might understand.”

Synopsis: After the death of Ruby McTavish Callahan Woodward Miller Kenmore, North Carolina's richest and most notorious woman, her adopted son Camden rejects his inheritance and attempts to live a normal life in Colorado. However, ten years later, he and his wife Jules are drawn back to Ruby's estate, Ashby House, where they uncover dark secrets about Ruby's past, including mysterious deaths and unsettling family ties, revealing that an inheritance can be far more than just wealth.

Rachel Hawkins has done it again with another incredible thriller! I will say, after Reckless Girls, sis had me nervous, but I truly loved both The Villa and The Heiress.

What I love about Rachel Hawkins books are the layers. Not only in time period, where we are reading about both Ruby’s past at the same time as Cam’s present, but even in the way the content is presented. We read about Rubys insane life and marriages through a series of letters, and there are accompanying newspaper articles, magazine interviews, and more to help enhance your understanding of the story.

I did feel as if, towards the end, there were possibly one too many characters (maybe we only needed Libby or Ben, not both?) which left me a bit confused but other than that the twists in this book kept on coming and just when you think you have it all figured out, you’re hit with another whammy that will have you questioning EVERYTHING.

If you’re looking for a unputdownable thriller with themes of generational wealth, the things we do for love (and money), and what it’s like to truly go home again, I recommend this book wholeheartedly!📚🛁✌🏽✨