Rachel Hawkins is becoming an instant-read author for me. I have enjoyed each of her titles, and I am certain this one will be a hit with readers and book clubs at our library.

I just read the Heiress by Rachel Hawkins. I had not previously read anything by her but her books looked intriguing to me so I was eager to read this book. If you’re looking for a fast paced intriguing plot with some twists and turns, truly despicable characters and a look into a dysfunctional family this is it. I especially found that giving the characters their own chapters was very effective in understanding their own psychological perspective. You don’t want to turn your back on any of these folks and be warned that there are multiple surprises throughout. Thank you NetGalley for giving me this book for an honest review.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy!

3.5-4 stars

This was definitely my favorite book by this author. I love some family drama, even if it starts a bit slow paced. This did pick up steam and had me flying through, although the twists were a bit predictable. The ending was a bit far fetched for my liking but overall, it was an enjoyable read.

Crazy to think this beats The Fury, one of my most anticipated thrillers of 2024, by a mile.

The McTavish family lives in the Ashby house. The family matriarch Ruby has quite a background story herself. Gone missing as a 3 year old and found a year later kidnapped and living with another family. More popularity follows her throughout her life as she becomes a widow 4x over, by choice or just unlucky in love?Upon her passing she leaves the Ashby house to her adopted son. The 10 years following, her adopted son, Camden, wants nothing to do with the money, family or the Ashby house and only returning home after an email from his nephew begging him to come repair the Ashby home. Camden and his wife Jules go to the Ashby house. Can their marriage survive the secrets within the Ashby house, the secrets of the family still living within the walls?

This was a great thriller. It kept me guessing up to the very last few pages. I looked forward to picking it up and seeing where the story went.

I enjoyed this title, it was a nice page turner and didn't take much to get me engrossed in the story. Many thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.

Rachel Hawkins never disappoints! In her latest release, “The Heiress,” we are greeted by two narrating voices, one of which comes to us in letter form. This unreliable narrator keeps you guessing the entire way, while the main voice tells the story of how a reclusive family rebuilt their lives after the kidnapping of their young daughter. Told over the course of almost 100 years, this book will have you constantly wondering who to believe & who to question. Keep your eyes open, because something sinister could always be lurking around the corner.

In the twisted world of old family secrets and the opulence of unimaginable wealth, Rachel Hawkins crafts a mysterious, dark, and clever tale with "The Heiress." Ruby McTavish Callahan Woodward Miller Kenmore, North Carolina's richest and most notorious woman, takes center stage in this glamorous twist on the whodunnit genre.

The narrative kicks off with Ruby's death, sparking questions that thrust her adopted son, Camden, and his wife, Jules, back into the intricate web of the McTavish family at Ashby House. The views are stunning, the rooms elegant, but the legacy of Ruby is inescapable.

Hawkins weaves a captivating tale with a cast of characters that are both developed and flawed, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. The quick-paced narrative is enhanced by the creative use of multiple points of view, and things like letters and newspaper clippings, which makes for an engaging and binge-worthy read.

The quality of writing is clear and easy to understand, striking a perfect balance between character and plot development. Hawkins manages to deliver a glamorous and deliciously dark mystery without veering into pretentiousness or predictability.

While murder mystery enthusiasts will find the expected content, Hawkins' skillful storytelling elevates "The Heiress" beyond the genre's conventions. There's an addictive quality to this book that transcends the typical murder mystery, making it a compelling and immersive experience. The emotional impact is profound, with a dark and tense atmosphere that intrigues without being overly dramatic. Fans of "The Inheritance Games," "Knives Out," or anything Agatha Christie will find themselves enchanted by the old family money and the gripping storytelling.

Favorite Quote: “And if you can’t tell the truth at the end of it all, then what, I ask, is the fucking point? I’ve never written that word before. I’ve hardly ever said it. I know I got on you about crass language, but now I see why people use it. How satisfying! This experiment is already going so well.”

"The Heiress" receives a solid five-star rating for its impeccable storytelling, spooky setting, and the thrilling unraveling of family secrets. It's a dark, glamorous journey that leaves readers craving more.

The next Rachel Hawkins novel did not disappoint. Filled with twists and turns, this novel had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Told in both duel timeline and duel POVs with some letters thrown in, it was easy to follow and keep track of all characters. I enjoyed this thriller more than I thought I would.

The narration in the audio book was phenomenal. alternating between Dan Bittner, Eliza Foss, John Pirhalla, and Patti Murin, it was easy to tell all the characters POVs apart. The narrators did a great job bringing this novel to life.

I want to thank Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of this book and Macmillan Audio for an advanced listening copy of the book.

This was my third book by Rachel Hawkins and her last 2 works were big wins for me. I had good expectations for this one, but didn't quite met them... I read The Heiress in about six hours, one long sitting, just one afternoon and it was done. Usually this is a good thing and the book was entertaining, but the book overall was not the greatest plot.

My biggest pet peeve is that I couldn't distinguish the different characters based on their portrayal or tone of voice - Jules and Cam felt like the same person and neither were very interesting, unfortunately. I kept waiting for something to happen with one or the other to elevate them, but was left disappointed.

In comparison, Ruby's letters were well done and interesting, and she did have a distinct voice and presentation. However, in the middle of the book much of the plot is given away in such a weird way that I almost couldn't believe it had happened. The idea seems to have been added to include a bit of a red herring, but it ended being a spoiler somehow.

Overall, this book will be well-received by readers who are newer to the mystery/thriller genre, as it has great elements of intrigue and an interesting setting. The more seasoned readers, though, might find themselves unimpressed, which was my case. Not a bad book, it was just fine for me.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the e-ARC in exchange of my honest opinion.

This was a fun book. Old family money, family rivalry, the rich behaving badly… with some good twists. I liked the ending ☺️

Favorite Quote:
“Shocking how soon the ‘too late now’ part of your life arrives. When you’re young, there’s nothing but possibility, just an endless line of tomorrows, and then you wake up one day and realize that no, you cannot move to Paris on a whim because so many of those old buildings don’t have elevators and stairs are hell on your knees now. And besides, you never learned to speak French, and now your brain, once so fresh and spongy and ready to soak up knowledge feels about as pliable as a peach pit.”

I wasn't a huge fan of Rachel Hawkins' previous books, but the premise of The Heiress drew me in and I'm so glad to have read it. The Heiress is a twisty page-turning family drama filled with murder, lies, missing children... The storytelling was reminiscent of Evelyn Hugo. Those who enjoy thrillers will love this one!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.

Thank you NetGalley and St Martins Press for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

I have to first start by saying that I love me a good Rachel Hawkins book! I loved Reckless Girls and I feel like this one is very similar to that, in that they are fast paced, easy to read books. She definitely knows how to keep the readers engaged and is able to keep my attention with the short chapters! However, I don’t really like the market of this book. I don’t love how it felt more like a family drama than a thriller. The storyline is mostly focused on the letters that Ruby McTavish wrote to an unknown person. In my opinion I don’t feel like the “thriller” part of the book happened until the last like 20-25% of the book. However, that being said, this is still a solid book and I absolutely loved the storyline. Overall, definitely one I would recommend, especially if you are looking for like a nice pallet cleaner to read inbetween thrillers!

Keeping seeing great reviews for this!!

Loved The Wife Upstairs! Can’t wait to read this

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I’m not usually one to throw around words of praise, but this book was outstanding! The story of Camden, a man who chose to step away from his family’s name and the inheritance he was entitled to and Jules, his loving and supportive wife, drew me in soon after I started the book. It has wonderful twists and turns, showing the reader a dark and stormy family history. Upon the passing of another member of the family, Camden is persuaded to go back to Ashby House by his wife. But there was a reason Camden didn’t want to be there. And the house holds many secrets that slowly begin to unravel as Camden and Jules attempt to learn more. Overall, I really enjoyed this book.

Cam thought he had left his past behind him when he left North Carolina. But then he receives an email from his cousin to come back and do some repairs on Ashby house, and his wife, Jules would really like to see where he grew up. When they get to Ashby house, nothing has changed. He is still being treated like the outsider that he is. Will all of the family secrets come out while he is there?

What a ride! This story picks you up and takes you on a wild ride until the very end. Highly recommend!!

"The Heiress" by Rachel Hawkins is a riveting novel that keeps readers on the edge of their seats with its twisty plot and enjoyable narrative. Hawkins skillfully weaves a tale filled with unexpected turns and surprises, making it a delightful read for those who appreciate a good mystery. The characters are well-developed, and the author's writing style keeps the pace engaging throughout the book. "The Heiress" is a must-read for anyone looking for a thrilling and satisfying literary experience.

If you enjoyed The Villa, Hawkins' last thriller, you'll love The Heiress! Another house full of secrets to keep you on the edge of your seat.

The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins was a win win for me. I don't read a lot of suspense/thriller type books as my anxiety wins over my reading experience!
This one though was different. It read so fast I couldn't believe I was finished. I was absorbed by the drama, the immense wealth, the lies and the different meanings of family! Well done!

After reading Rachel Hawkins’s novel “The Villa” for my book club, her name jumped out and “The Heiress” intrigued me.

Pretty much all it takes is a massive, old manor and I’m sold. Hawkins is now on a roll with two good novels back-to-back.

The main characters Jules and Camden McTavish are a married couple who live a simple life in Colorado; Camden is a teacher and Jules is a re-enactor at their local museum. When Camden hears that his adoptive mother Ruby has died, he reluctantly agrees to travel to North Carolina to help settle her estate.

Jules couldn’t be more excited to see the house and learn more about his mysterious family but Camden dreads seeing them and confronting his complicated upbringing.

Ruby was an infamous heiress who was nicknamed “Mrs. Kill-more,” a play on words from her fourth husband’s last name Kenmore. All four of her husbands died in freak accidents. But not only that, she disappeared when she was 3 years old, only to be found eight months later with a nearby family who had kidnapped her.

Yes, there’s a lot going on. But all of that barely scratches the surface. After Camden comes home, Hawkins reveals twist after twist.

Despite the complex plot, Hawkins bridges everything together well by switching between the points of view of Jules and Camden and letters written by Ruby herself.

Thriller is a genre I typically stay away from for multiple reasons I don’t have the space to list. But what makes Hawkins an exception is her storytelling ability, complex characters and unexpected events.

“The Heiress” is a hit in my book and I highly recommend it to thriller fans.

I love Rachel Hawkins, and this book does not disappoint. In true Hawkins style the story and character building are phenomenal and the twists come at breakneck speed in the last quarter of the book. The first half of the book was a bit slower and I was really mostly enjoying Ruby's perspective during this part of the book, but at about 75% the pace picked up and I absolutely could not put it down. I was leaning toward a lower rating, but by the end of the book my opinion changed. Hawkins brought all the pieces of the story together masterfully and I decided I loved it. If you're a Hawkins fan or a fan of a good domestic thriller/mystery, this one should be a MUST read for you! Thank you to St. Martin's press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest feedback!