My thanks to NetGalley and for an advanced copy of this audiobook.

“The truth is not a finite thing.” That could be the overall theme of this novel by veteran mystery/thriller writer Rachel Hawkins, as any number of her characters observe through its winding storyline. The cast is large, drawing from the extensive McTavish family, the veritable royalty of tiny Tavistock in North Carolina. The McTavishes and their various kin far and wide—but mostly close by, in their town and environs—are wealthy, powerful, and greedy. Even the vastness of their empire is not sufficient to satisfy them, as the bitter in-fighting of several generations, the main narrative, reveals.

The tale is told through three life stories, the longest and most important being that of the matriarch, Ruby McTavis, beautiful, ruthless, married and quickly widowed four times in forty years, never for longer than a year. She reveals her secrets in a series of frank, affectionate, though often coy letters that bring into question how reliable she is. She seems entirely trustworthy, then drops hints that raise suspicion about her role in her many family tragedies, some of which, as it turns out, she orchestrated herself while always appearing the blameless victim.

Much the same can be said of the other two narrators. Camden McTavish is her 30-something adopted son; Julie ‘Jules’ Brewster is his wife. Like Ruby, they are not who or what anyone thinks they are. Also like Ruby, each of them knows more about the family secrets than they let on. They profess themselves to be ordinary people whose occasional lapses in judgment lead to moral lapses. They use this “human fallibility” argument consistently, even, where Ruby is concerned, to justify heinous choices. They resort to rationalizations about how love made them do it, how loyalty forced their hand. But then it turns out they knew all along their true identities and each others. Each professes their loyalty and love to explain their lapses in goodness and what makes them, despite bad behaviour, at least better than the bad guys. And while the “bad guys” get their comeuppance, were they really more reprehensible than the forces of good, one of whom is a bona fide psychopath, or just not as clever or as lucky?

My chief criticism is that this “thriller” is not that thrilling. The mystery is well-crafted, though some of the relevations, especially at the end, are really implausible. But the pace is draggy. Much of what each character tells is repeated in each telling at far too great a length. None of the three is without their own appeal, but their constant whining about how they—already privileged—deserve so much more because they had, at various times, been victimized themselves pretty much kills my occasional compassion. The epilogue is especially hard to take as yet another self-justification. Ironically, despite all they go through, all three seem stuck in childish self-absorption.

It’s a good book that would be excellent if a lot of that were excised.

“The Heiress" by Rachel Hawkins is an engaging blend of mystery and romance. Told through the eyes of three main characters Ruby, Camden, and Jules, they skillfully weave a tale of secrets, wealth, and death. Lots of death. The characters are well-developed, and the plot is filled with twists that keep readers on the edge of their seats. Hawkins' writing style, especially for Ruby, was both charming and suspenseful, making this novel a delightful and thrilling read for fans of historical fiction with a touch of romance and a delicate push of death.

#netgalley #review #RachelHawkins #thriller #honestreview #goodreads #fiction #amazon #theheiress #NetGalley #booklover #bookstagram #miabooknook

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the Audiobook Arc

This book was very interesting, i went into it mostly blind and just enjoyed the ups and downs of all the characters. I found all the character dynamics very interesting and fun to learn about and all the family drama had me hooked. Overall a very easy and quick paced listen, definitely enjoyed it.

Camden and Jules live a modest, quiet life in Colorado even though Cam is the heir to a fortune and sprawling home called the Ashby House in North Carolina. He had written off his family and vowed to never return until the patriarch of the family dies and he’s needed to return to sort out the home and money.
Once he returns, secrets and the past of his adoptive mother are unlocked and NOTHING is as it seems.

Rachel had me guessing until the very end! This is one of my favorite books of hers. So well done! Loved the mixed media and story line. Thank you so much for the advance copy!

When Camden is a young boy, he's adopted by much-married heiress Ruby McTavish Callan Woodward Miller Kenmore, who lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Tavistock, North Carolina. Ruby has a very notorious history, having been kidnapped as a toddler, and then being repeatedly widowed in tragic circumstances. Ruby becomes infamous in Tavistock, and the local people gossip and call her Ruby Kilmore (instead of Kenmore).

After Ruby's fourth husband dies, she adopts little Camden, who grows up with the extended McTavish family in their luxurious North Carolina mansion, which is called Ashby House. Camden is a bright amiable boy who goes to school, goes to camp, and calls his mom Ruby. It isn't easy for Camden at home, though, because - aside from Ruby - the McTavishes are selfish, manipulative, entitled, bullying snobs. Moreover, the family resents Ruby because the McTavish patriarch made her sole heir to the estate, which includes the house as well as HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. The one caveat is the extended McTavish family is allowed to remain in Ashby House.

When Ruby dies, she leaves the whole kit and caboodle to her adopted son Camden. However Camden wants nothing to do with the family, the mansion, or the money, and he leaves town. It's now a decade later, and Camden is married and living in Colorado. Camden is an English teacher, his wife Jules works in a historical village tourist attraction, and they're both very happy.

Then an email arrives from Camden's cousin Ben in North Carolina, who's now an estate attorney. Ben implores Camden to come back for a visit. It seems the McTavish mansion is in need of costly repairs, and Camden is needed to oversee, and release funds for, the renovations. Camden VERY reluctantly agrees to return to Tavistock, but his wife Jules is thrilled. Jules grew up poor, and the idea of an opulent mansion - not to mention all that money - is very enticing to her.

The story is told in the rotating voices of Ruby (via letters she wrote), Camden, and Jules. Ruby's letters are about her history, her family, and her husbands; Camden's sections include memories of growing up in Ashby House and his current interactions with his McTavish relatives; and Jules' chapters describe her upbringing in deprived circumstances, meeting and marrying Camden a decade ago, and her current interactions with the McTavish clan.

It turns out the three main characters are all hiding secrets, which are revealed little by little.

The novel is engaging and suspenseful, with plenty of twists and surprises.

I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Dan Bittner; Eliza Foss; John Pirhalla; and Patti Murin, who do an excellent job.

Thanks to Netgalley, Rachel Hawkins, and Macmillan Audio for a copy of the book.

This book was a roller coaster. Multiple POVs and timelines, with the letter formats mixed in. It was a mix of Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and The Only One Left, both of which I highly enjoyed. The audio made it extra enjoyable with quality narrators, So many twists, family drama, and excitement to keep you invested from the very beginning. Love loved it.

By far the best [author:Rachel Hawkins|2261547] book that I've read.

The very wealthy McTavish dynasty has a complicated history and a whole lot of secrets. Ruby, the heiress, was kidnapped as a toddler. After her return, she was sheltered. She married young, and her husband was murdered on their honeymoon. Three more husbands followed, along with three deaths. As a four-time widow, she adopted a child, Camden. This enraged her younger sister and her offspring- as they would no longer inherit the McTavish upon Ruby's death. Except Camden didn't want the strings that came with the McTavish name and money. Camden is forced to come back home, and upon his return, a lot of secrets come to the surface.

This twisted family dynamic had me hooked. Some secrets I figured out, but there were plenty of surprises. I had a hard time putting this one down. A lot of [author:Rachel Hawkins|2261547]'s books get a lot of hype, and I've always been disappointed. When I had the opportunity to read an advance copy, I almost didn't take it. But I am glad I did! Finally, one that I could devour.

The audiobook has a full cast. Narrated by Dan Bittner, Eliza Foss, John Pirhalla, and Patti Murin, it is worth the listen. It works well as an audiobook. I listened at 1.5 speed.

I received an audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! This book was Rachel Hawkins best yet!

This southern treat is a out the heiress Ruby McTavish Callahan Woodward Miller Kenmore! Whoa is that a mouthful! She is a four time widower, who was kidnapped as a child for a brief time. This story is about her troubled life and what her adopted son, Camden will do now that she is gone. Her son and his wife Julie moved away because he wanted to part of the Mctavish fortune or lifestyle.
Through this twisted tale we learn from Ruby’s letters what happened to her husbands and secrets she has held close. Ruby was not the only family member with secrets, Camden and Julie had secrets of their own. I could not put this book down! The juicy secrets were told up until the last page! Excellently written! This one won’t disappoint!

Thanks to St Martins press and netgalley for the eArc for my review!

It seems there’s always been something about Ruby and she’s giving us a tell all!

Ruby herself has that well to do aura about her but one can’t help but smell something’s off. Hawkins will have your head spinning after a few of her signature twists. At the middle of them all seems to always be Ruby. She is a woman who had everything but somehow lost so much throughout her life. Her son Cam is unwillingly thrown into the inheritance mix and we are all left wondering who deserves Ashby House? Did anyone deserve to carry it on?

Hawkins has given us a Clue-like hand of characters to review and establish The the role of and answers unravel as as he novel does. I had a lot of fun resolving this one!

The wealthy Ruby McTavish Callahan Woodward Miller Kenmore passes away, leaving everything including her family's mansion to her only son, Camden. Camden however, wants nothing to do with any of it or them. Years later after his uncles passing Camden finds himself and his wife Jules back at the Ashby house. There the family reunites and ignites old wounds. Every family has its secrets and so does every marriage it seems. Truths come out in letters. So much unfolds. The biggest question to it all; nature vs nurture. This book was a page turner!

I think The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins is her best book so far.

"Camden McTavish, the adopted son of the late Ruby McTavish (once the richest woman in NC) is called back to his NC home after the death of his uncle. Camden left the mansion and wealth behind years ago. But now his extended family have some questions about who the real family is.
What about the rumors that followed Ruby and her kidnapping as a child? The four dead husbands? Why was Cam adopted in the first place?"

It's always secrets and often greed. And there's plenty of that here. Cam's cousins, Ben and Libby, are the proverbial "big fish in a little pond" people. And not very likable. Aunt Nell is that relative that always thinks they're better - and she is bitter because she doesn't control the money.
It's a dual timeline where Ruby tells her story through letters to someone - you don't know who until the end.

Jules, Cam's wife, also has secrets - one is easy to guess, but Cam puts a little spin on that.

The full cast creww of Dan Bittner; Eliza Foss; John Pirhalla; Patti Murin do an excellent job with the audio, especially capturing the different viewpoints and privilege of the characters.

The ending is wild with the reveals and resolution. This will make a great beach read

Read if you like:
💰 Stories about who gets the money
✉️ Letters between chapters
🎙️ mixed media in books
🌚 morally grey characters
🏡 messy family dynamics
🚨 lots of dirty secrets

Standing ovation is due for the narrator of Ruby and she truly made this audiobook and honestly made the other narrators pale in comparison for me personally because her parts were just that good!

If you have read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and like mysteries- this is your book!

I really enjoyed the story telling from Ruby’s letters as it felt very nostalgic to the way we got Evelyn Hugo’s story in her book.

I also loved the tie of her story impacting those around her and the ones getting the story and the elements of the messy money and family dynamics.

I do feel the story telling would have been stronger if more from Ruby’s pov and less other pov and maybe just 2 total pov throughout the book.

Overall, it was a messy and thrilling ride uncovering the secrets down to the very last pages!

Thank you so much to the publisher for my ARC in exchange for my review!

Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the ALC!

When Ruby McTavish Callahan Woodward Miller Kenmore passes away - a notoriously rich, four-time widow and child kidnapping survivor - the Ashby House passes to her adoptive son, Camden... who wants nothing to do with it. Ten years later, another death in the family, along with his wife's insistence, finally convinces Camden to return home.

A family drama full of twists and turns and nefarious family members, The Heiress is a fun read. I loved getting the mulitple perspectives in the past and present to piece the story together, which really ended with a bang!

The Heiress should absolutely be listened to - it's a full-cast audiobook with four fantastic narrators!

The end of a McTavish era began with Ruby, the heiress of the magnificent Ashby House, and the wealth of the McTavish family, which had been passed down through generations. However, her decision to appoint Camden, her adopted son, as the head of the household greatly angered the remaining relatives who were already consumed with feelings of jealousy and envy. They believed that the heirship belonged to them, especially considering the rumor that had been hanging over Ruby's head all her life. Despite their attempts to lay claim to what they believed was rightfully theirs were interrupted by the last and final checkmate played by Ruby from beyond her grave.

The novel is an exciting and suspenseful read, filled with unexpected plot twists and hidden truths. The well-developed characters enhance the depth and complexity of the story. I am still unsure about what to think regarding Cam and Jules's relationship and their involvement in McTavish's history. While I am inclined towards Camden's initial decision, I am not entirely convinced that returning to Ashby House was the right choice. Furthermore, Jules' position in Cam's life seems to be ambiguous. Although she claims to love him, and vice versa, her actions suggest otherwise. Her intense efforts to get her hands on Cam's inheritance reveal a darker side to her personality. On the other hand, Ruby is a fascinating character, and her story is captivating. Despite being a ruthless serial killer, she managed to avoid arrest despite the rumors. The other McTavish family members are portrayed as spoiled and entitled brats. Ruby was too lenient with them, and I fully support her decision to leave everything to her son. Overall, it is a fantastic and fast-paced book that I would highly recommend to fellow mystery enthusiasts.

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing a complimentary copy of the novel in exchange for my honest review.

I love Rachel Hawkins and this novel was full of her robust and real quips. That said, it wasn’t my favorite overall of her books and felt a bit predictable plot wise. Still a fun ride!

The Heiress takes the prodigal son returning home trope and spins in a fresh direction. Hawkins does a good job of plotting with the twists and reveals making sense and keeping the reader on their toes. The audiobook narration was fantastic with a full cast and engaging readings. The secrets of Ashby house are slowly unwound through 3 distinct POVs - Camden is the adopted son of the late Ruby McTavish and holder of the estate, Jules is Camden's wife who is hiding secrets of her own and finally Ruby gives us insight into her many marriages via a set of letters. Overall, this is a solid entry in the mystery-thriller genre and one of Hawkin's better novels in recent years. Highly recommend, especially the audiobook experience.

This book was so good! Tons of family drama and juicy secrets. I love the way it was written in multiple point of views and the ending came together perfectly.

The Heiress is the newest book in the latest string of thrillers from Rachel Hawkins, this being the fourth I’ve read following The Wife Upstairs, Reckless Girls, and The Villa. There have been some hits and misses for me amongst the 4, but this one was a hit!

This is a quick-paced story full of family drama, deceit, secrets, fighting over money, murder, kidnapping, lies, an isolated mansion, riches and wealth, complicated pasts, and more. We get dual timelines with an epistolary type of story as well, which just really worked for this story. It in a way gave me vibes of Knives Out, but with a splash of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo in parts. This was just entertaining from start to finish!

I received an audio ALC from Macmillan Audio and the publisher via NetGalley, all thoughts in this review are my own. The Heiress is out January 9, 2024.

'The Heiress' is a suspenseful thriller that grabs and pulls you in, right from the start. Many TWISTY surprises that have you saying "wait, what"?? Rachel Hawkins does it again in this domestic thriller! So many surprises!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press!

This was super interesting twist on some tales that have been told before. I enjoyed the multiple viewpoints and though some elemets of the plot felt forced, over all it worked.