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morethanmylupus's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Ooh this was a good thriller. It had me on the edge of my seat and I absolutely couldn't put it down. I loved that we got an insider perspective on the family from Cam, even though he's adopted and didn't have the happiest time growing up in that house, and an external perspective from Jules, who has married into the family and doesn't know them.
There were so many questions in the story. What really happened to Ruby as a baby - and did the right baby come home? Why did she adopt Cam? How did she die? And what happened to all of Ruby's husbands? What secrets is Jules keeping?
A huge thank you to the author and the publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
There were so many questions in the story. What really happened to Ruby as a baby - and did the right baby come home? Why did she adopt Cam? How did she die? And what happened to all of Ruby's husbands? What secrets is Jules keeping?
A huge thank you to the author and the publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Murder, and Classism
knitterscasket's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Minor: Kidnapping
markedwithanm's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Death
hbarratt1's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Violence
booksinbama's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Murder
katefrost's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book was so dark and twisty — some twists you see coming, and others build throughout.
I usually struggle to enjoy books without a character to root for— I won’t get into why that wasn’t this book, for spoiler related reasons. Everyone had a slightly villainous bent, but where that usually puts me off, I found I really wanted to know how the story would unfold, so found myself reading it whenever I could.
I’ve spent a lot of time in the mountains of NC and the author gets the the feel and the mannerisms completely right in my mind. If she hadn’t specified, I probably still would have linked it to that area in my mind.
I loved that she punctuated first person narrated chapters with letters, newspaper clippings, magazine interviews.
While I can’t say the characters felt particularly fleshed out, more like caricatures of grasping, dilettante relatives, that didn’t feel like the point. It felt more like the generational wealth of Ashby House itself was a character, corrupting everyone who touched it, in their own ways. The main driver of the plot is the way each of the characters is plotting against and for others; and watching that maneuvering play out was the major payoff.
I’d recommend this to people who like books that include correspondence, unreliable narrators, gothic horror, a whodunit vibe, and who don’t mind casual mariticide (none of the descriptions are particularly gruesome for what that’s worth). I would not recommend this to people looking for lovable or charmingly flawed characters — that’s just not this book. But gosh I sure couldn’t put it down!
I usually struggle to enjoy books without a character to root for— I won’t get into why that wasn’t this book, for spoiler related reasons. Everyone had a slightly villainous bent, but where that usually puts me off, I found I really wanted to know how the story would unfold, so found myself reading it whenever I could.
I’ve spent a lot of time in the mountains of NC and the author gets the the feel and the mannerisms completely right in my mind. If she hadn’t specified, I probably still would have linked it to that area in my mind.
I loved that she punctuated first person narrated chapters with letters, newspaper clippings, magazine interviews.
While I can’t say the characters felt particularly fleshed out, more like caricatures of grasping, dilettante relatives, that didn’t feel like the point. It felt more like the generational wealth of Ashby House itself was a character, corrupting everyone who touched it, in their own ways. The main driver of the plot is the way each of the characters is plotting against and for others; and watching that maneuvering play out was the major payoff.
I’d recommend this to people who like books that include correspondence, unreliable narrators, gothic horror, a whodunit vibe, and who don’t mind casual mariticide (none of the descriptions are particularly gruesome for what that’s worth). I would not recommend this to people looking for lovable or charmingly flawed characters — that’s just not this book. But gosh I sure couldn’t put it down!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Domestic abuse, and Murder
asteinke's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Suicide, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Such a face paced quick read about murder, betrayal, and family drama, what more could you want in a book. This book will keep you guessing until the very end, it was a twist I did not see coming.chronicallyplotting's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Ruby McTavish better known for her unfortunate kidnapping when she was a child… and the untimely deaths of her… four husbands; lived what some would say a hard life, aside from her family being the wealthiest one in North Carolina. Her son Cam and his wife Jules are led back to Ashby House after the Uncle’s Passing to settle some of the affairs. But as time passes more of Ruby’s and other’s secrets unfold. Secrets that even money can’t hide or heal.
This book was absolutely amazing. The character dynamics and plot twists are so woven together perfectly that it is impossible to put this book down! I didn’t know which characters to love, hate or trust. There were so many twists and secrets that every character seemed to have that it seemed impossible to guess them all. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcohol, Blood, Domestic abuse, Death, Grief, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, and Murder
time4tori2read's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Surprisingly, this was my first novel by Rachel Hawkins, and the premise of The Heiress was intriguing enough to me that I kept returning to unravel this dark family drama with secrets and mystery surrounding it.
The multiple perspectives told in first person moved the story along, yet it could have been better if there had been more distinction in voice/writing style between the two main protagonists-- I really wanted more from Cam and Jules while they're at Ashby House with Cam's family. Additionally, I did like the use of different formats for the reader to unravel the mystery and intrigue that was Ruby McTavish - even though Ruby had been dead before the story started, we still come to understand her motives through letters as well as additional magazine and newspaper articles.
The setting of Ashby House was very atmospheric, and The Heiress could have been elevated if the house was capitalized on more -- the house has as much personality, intrigue, and secrets as all the characters involved.
The plot also left something to be desired. Even though I haven't read any of Rachel Hawkins's other works, I've heard enough to know that she usually packs a story full of intrigue and twists. Unfortunately, for me, this just didn't match up to what I expected. It felt a bit forced and unfinished -- especially with that ending, but that may be me as a reader wanting a bigger reveal and resolution, especially in a suspense/thriller.
Overall, I enjoyed it, but this is not going to be a favorite that I'm revisiting or raving about. It's a quick, easy read - perfect for a weekend getaway or a summer break.
The multiple perspectives told in first person moved the story along, yet it could have been better if there had been more distinction in voice/writing style between the two main protagonists-- I really wanted more from Cam and Jules while they're at Ashby House with Cam's family. Additionally, I did like the use of different formats for the reader to unravel the mystery and intrigue that was Ruby McTavish - even though Ruby had been dead before the story started, we still come to understand her motives through letters as well as additional magazine and newspaper articles.
The setting of Ashby House was very atmospheric, and The Heiress could have been elevated if the house was capitalized on more -- the house has as much personality, intrigue, and secrets as all the characters involved.
The plot also left something to be desired. Even though I haven't read any of Rachel Hawkins's other works, I've heard enough to know that she usually packs a story full of intrigue and twists. Unfortunately, for me, this just didn't match up to what I expected. It felt a bit forced and unfinished -- especially with that ending, but that may be me as a reader wanting a bigger reveal and resolution, especially in a suspense/thriller.
Overall, I enjoyed it, but this is not going to be a favorite that I'm revisiting or raving about. It's a quick, easy read - perfect for a weekend getaway or a summer break.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Classism, Death, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Pregnancy and Car accident
torturedreadersdept's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Abandonment, Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Classism, Dysphoria, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Suicide, Body horror, Cursing, Death of parent, Grief, Kidnapping, and Toxic relationship
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