I love that I can always count on Rachel Hawkins to take me on a wild and twisty ride with her thrillers and her latest, The Heiress, did exactly that! The Heiress is packed full of suspenseful and intriguing twists and turns, secrets and lies, as well as multiple POVs from unreliable narrators. Add to that a setting in the Blue Ridge Mountains with a distinctly southern Gothic vibe, and this became a book I could not put down!

Ruby was such a fascinating character and really stole the show for me. The confessional letters that were left behind after her death were truly jaw dropping at times and it was easy to see how she became so infamous in their small town. The rest of her family was quite a piece of work too. I could definitely understand why Ruby’s adopted son, Camden, wanted nothing to do with them or what he viewed as a tainted inheritance, and why he really did not want to come back even when he knew he had to.

I don’t want to say anything else for fear of spoilers but between Ruby’s letters and everything that happened once Camden finally returned to Ashby House and confronted the rest of Ruby’s family, I was absolutely riveted to this book waiting to see how all of the pieces of the puzzle that was Ruby’s life and inheritance came together.

If you’re looking for a twisty thriller that will keep you turning the pages late into the night, this is the one. The Heiress is my favorite book from Rachel Hawkins so far and it’s available now!

I love this author and I knew I would enjoy this book based off the description. This was a quick read for me. I am drawn to books about rich family drama filled with secrets. The book had lots of twists and turns. The characters were very unlikeable and they will do anything for the inheritance. Were all the deaths accidents? Is there a terrible curse or darkness following the family? Did fate bring the family together?

Jules and Camden meet in college and get married. Fast forward 10 years later and Camden's mother passes away, they go to tie up loose ends of the estate. The best part of the story was the flashbacks to Ruby and her undesirable marriages. She was a widow several times over. Everyone was after Ruby's wealth and prestige. A darkness follows this family and different families are intertwined. I do wish the ending could of continued, as to what would happen with married couple Jules and Camden. The family history is very complex and it intertwines with another family. The ending will leave you guessing.

A mystery-thriller with a few murders wrapped inside secrets, lies, and untruths.
Two time lines are well done. The first is told through letters describing the past, the second is the events unfolding in the present. The first mystery, who is the recipient of these letters?
The writing is hypnotic so you'll want to set aside an afternoon to read this one.
If you like tales that include 'black widows', dysfunctional families, and a nest of secrets, "The Heiress" is for you.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Ruby, you naughty girl!! This book was twisty, juicy, delicious, and filled with drama drama drama. I loved the storyline, the characters, the twists, the outcome. Truly a wonderful read.

Aaaaammmmmaaazzzing. What a well connived, treacherously twisted, supremely demented multiple mystery. There were so many ways this could have gone and each time I saw a breadcrumb I travelled down that road until it branched, stopped, segued. You always have to be suspicious when you read the words “ I will tell him / her, I will, just not yet.” And there was a whole lot of that going on, like cotton candy being spun and pieces pulled off and tasted and spun some more.

Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, the McTavish family is royalty on a hill and like many Royal families it is comprised of those who take charge, those who throw it away, those who believe they are entitled, philanthropists, dilettantes, some mean, some lost, some who need to be apart from it all. The chapters explore each and the character studies are really easy to admire and dislike in equal measure. The truly outstanding feature is that everyone has a secret or two and it is a chessboard of moves, counter moves trying to figure out who knows what and has the proof to use it. Once again it is about money, gobs and gobs of money and with that comes progeny, inheritance and when the matriarch who controls it all dies, there is a tangled mess that is going to draw the players together one last time. Look out, things are going to get confusing, interesting, convoluted with a few other similar issues.

I am so glad Hawkins gave Ruby a voice and some of the best one liners e.g. “A side note - one rarely finds salvation in Florida.” We get to hear her story from her and it is a heck of a tale. It sets the dynamic for what is to come. Remember, “The truth isn’t some finite thing, it’s what we all choose to believe.”

Loved it all. Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for a copy.

I really enjoyed how this story was told. It was thrilling and captivating. It was such a quick read as you get more into the story I found it harder to stop as I just wanted to know more.
As the story unfolds it’s actually told in three various points of view Ruby, Camden and Jules. Cam and Jules are husband and wife they meet in California and moved to Colorado. Camden is the adopted son of Ruby McTavish Callahan Woodward Miller Kenmore. Ruby’s part of story is told through letters she wrote with confessions from her life and yes she is spilling all the tea! This thriller is filled with secrets, twists and turns that made the unfolding of the story such a fun read. Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the digital review copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

LOVED this book. I have really enjoyed all of Rachel Hawkin's books, but this is my favorite yet. Through the novel we got the POVs from deceased infamous heiress and wife of four men who all died during their marriages, Ruby McTavish (through her letters), her adopted son, Cam McTavish, and his wife, Jules. This was an addictive read and a page-turner from the very beginning.

Cam has grown up and distanced himself his North Carolina upbringing at Ashby house and toxic family, until his cousin writes him to return Ashby house and his wife is enthusiastic about the return. When they arrive, you're in for a ride as to what is to unfold and many of the McTavish family members have many secrets that they have tried to keep, and it keeps you guessing until the end. Highly recommend! I can't wait for her next novel.

This book had me from the first chapter. I fell hook, line and sinker into this story and all the twists and turns. It was my first book from this author and I can't wait to read more of her work.

Camden McTavish grew up in lavish Ashby House where his adopted mother Ruby ruled supreme. Camden has left all of that behind and lives a simple life with his wife Jules, until his uncle's death prompts his return to the estate and the remaining McTavish family members with their own agendas.

I loved how this letter was told from different view points, letters and news stories. I truly was guessing until the last page. Highly recommend!

​I received this book courtesy of the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

(𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 @𝘮𝘢𝘤𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘯.𝘢𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘥 @𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 #𝘨𝘪𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬.) Believe it or not, until 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗛𝗘𝗜𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗦, I had never read a Rachel Hawkins book. They just didn’t seem like the sort of thrillers I generally go for. I like my mystery/thrillers on the literary side. I don’t want there to be too many unlikely plot points or eye-roll worthy moments. It’s best if there’s at least one character I can root for. I want to get to the end and be both surprised and satisfied.⁣
⁣
Did I get all that with 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘦𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴? Sadly, no, but I tried and have to give myself some credit for that. In the last few months I’ve been pushing myself to read books outside my comfort zone with mostly favorable results. This wasn’t one of those, but I’m still happy to have read it. I know a little bit more about the author’s books and why she has legions of fans. Her layered story-building, foreshadowing, twists and many villains made for a book many will love.⁣
⁣
The listening experience with this book was excellent, with four different narrators each taking on the story’s four different perspectives. That really kept the story moving along and held my interest. While the story itself wasn’t a great match for my tastes, the audiobook made it more palatable, so I’m very glad I chose that format.

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

I went into The Heiress without much knowledge of it. I was pleasantly engaged in this slow burn of family secrets, revenge, and short chapters. I’d definitely recommend the Heiress, if you’re like alternating POV’s, secrets, and suspense.

I received an eARC of The Heiress over the summer, but somehow I never got around to starting it until just the other day. What an oversight! Started it yesterday morning and finished it up this evening. The story of the McTavishes is once heck of a domestic thriller. This one has it all: lies, vast fortunes, uncontrolled greed, and murder. Rachel Hawkins once again proves she knows how to spin a killer story. I’d like to thank St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an eARC of The Heiress.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R1SM5RC27WRO81/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

Finally the moment I've been waiting for, a book by Rachel Hawkins that I actually liked! Why did I keep reading her books when they kept letting me down? I have no idea I like to think I saw potential, that I knew we were getting close to being on the same page? I know I like her books as Erin Sterling so maybe that gave me hope, I'm not sure but for some reason I kept reading them and not liking them until today. I Liked the Heiress! I liked the characters I liked the darkness the twistedness, I liked the moral questioning, I liked the setting. It was a good book.

Loved the atmosphere set up by dark family characters and creepy large rural mansion vibes. Loved the general concept of the plot too. However I just ultimately didn't find it gripping or captivating. I read it quickly but at the end I was left wanting more because I felt like so many things were unresolved. Like why mention the weird incident at the gate if it was never brought up again? It seemed a little like odd mentions like this occurred just to fill the pages but didn't actually contribute to the plot and that is what is keeping me from rating it higher. I wouldn't say skip it...but I also wouldn't say oh em ghee you NEED to read this.

If you think your family is dysfunctional just wait until you meet the McTavish family...

Camden McTavish, adoptive son of the infamous late Ruby "Mrs. Kill-More" McTavish, is set on never returning to Ashby House, the larger-than-life mansion he grew up in and now, despite how the rest of Ruby's family feels, he owns.

Jules, Camden's loving wife, hopes visiting Ashby House will be a chance to get to know the parts of her husband he keeps locked away, and to see just exactly what Ruby McTavish left behind. More specifically, what Ruby left to Cam, and in turn- to Jules.

Told from dueling point-of-views, and through Ruby's own correspondence, The Heiress is a fast-paced thriller that unravels the lies and deceit Ashby House has woven into its very foundation. This story truly had me gasping at every twist and turn.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced readers copy of this book!

I truly believe this is Hawkins's best novel yet. With some major SEVEN HUSBANDS OF EVELYN HUGO vibes, Hawkins did an incredible job and tying together the past and present in such a unique way.

Alexa, play Confessions by Usher because my girl Ruby is spilling all the beans 👀😂
•
This book was SO entertaining! Rich people, secrets, not knowing exactly who trust, not knowing what anyone’s motivations are…
•
We’ve got Ruby the child kidnapping victim/heiress to a North Carolina fortune with four dead husbands in her wake. Cam her adopted son who left home and never wants to go back. Jules his wife who has secrets of her own. And a band of money grubbing relatives. 💯
•
It’s told in a confessional tone and let me tell you that works for me! Ruby writes letters, and Cam and Jules occasionally address the reader when they reveal little secrets. LOVE 🤌🤌
•
I do have to be honest and say that I didn’t find any of the twists shocking. 😬 It didn’t really take away from my enjoyment of the book, but I think that’s what was missing to make this an all time favorite.
•
I still wholeheartedly recommend and think you’ll enjoy it too!! Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced e-copy!

I just finished The heiress by Rachel Hawkins and here are my thoughts.


Camden thought he left it all behind. He turned his back on the estate, the money…. The adoptive family, all of it. He was content to teach and be with his wife Jules.

Ruby McTavish isn’t a woman to be beaten, even in death. She was larger than life before she died, a victim of a kidnapping as a child and 4 dead husbands to boot but having Camden take over everything was her wish.

Camden can’t put off going back to the Estate after his uncle dies. His family are not happy to see him and he would rather chew his own arm off than have to stay there a second longer than necessary.

Being home brings up unanswered questions Camden always had but some secrets are better left alone.

THIS BOOK BLEW MY MIND. I literally was turning the pages of my kindle like I was possessed. It was so good. The story balances from Camdens POV, Jules POV and letters that Ruby had written to someone while she was still alive. Ruby explains her own family secrets from her childhood and then what happened to her 4 dead husbands and each one will leave you gasping in horror! She was clever and her family couldn’t even beat her in death. It was glorious! I really felt for Camden all the way through the book and even his dark secret just made me feel bad for him. Then we have Jules… She is split for me. Part of me understands and the other part has me thinking Camden needs to watch his back. His family.. All D-bags.

The manor was described in a beautiful and rich way and I felt like I was truly there. It was a fast paced, well executed masterpiece of pure perfection. All other thrillers have a lot to measure up to, this one set the bar in outer space. So many twists and the delicious family drama, made this book one heck of a book.

5 stars

@stmartinspress thank you so much for this fabulous read and to @netgalley for this gifted copy

#booklover #bookstagram #bookcommunity #booksofinstagram #readingtime #ilovebooks #bookblogger #bookblog #booknerdigans #bookobsessed #bookishfeatures #bookphotography #rachelhawkins #theheiress #thrillerreader #5starbook

Wow, Rachel Hawkins does it again. Everytime I thought I figured it out a new twist came about. All the secrets hidden from one another made it so easy to continue turning the page. Camden and Jules felt so easy to fall in love with. The turns just kept twisting with Ruby, it was hard to not like her even though she was a crazy character who kept the plot twisting.

Pretty stereotypical Rachel Hawkins book! Rich corrupt characters, a ridiculous plot, and a message that the characters think murder is ok if it’s done to advance the cause of love and/or feminism. Did I like this book? Not really? Could I put it down? Also no. Perfect for when you need a ridiculous cozy mystery you’ll never think about again but that when you are reading it you get so invested you HAVE to know what happens! It’s a mood and sometimes on a gloomy day a book like
the Heiress may be exactly what you’re looking for.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from Netgalley. All opinions expressed above are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

I don’t think there has been a single Rachel Hawkins book I’ve read that I didn’t like. This was no exception! I was guessing around every single turn and once I thought I had it figured out the author proved me wrong!

I loved this book and couldn’t put it down.

This book is full of murders, mysteries, missing children and a family so wealthy they can make all their troubles disappear. With new surprises in practically every chapter you won’t be able to put it down.

4/5 stars would highly recommend!