Gothic mystery, dysfunctional family

My Five Word TL:DR Review : One inheritance, one dysfunctional family

Before I start this review I would mention that I listened to the audio version of this one and it was excellent.

Anyhow, The Heiress is my favourite book by Rachel Hawkins to date. It feels like she’s achieved this perfect combination of, almost cosy mystery but with sinister undertones together with a story telling voice that feels like its channelling Daphne Du Maurier – to be clear – gothic. So, the story is a winning mash up of different character motivations, secrets and lies and wonderful pacing all brought together by a lovely story telling style using past and present storylines and different methods such as letters and newspaper articles to relay the different events.

Firstly, to the characters. I’d like to say that the main characters are Jules and Camden, but, really, let’s be honest, the titular Heiress steals the show – even though she’s dead! Ruby McTavish Callahan was filthy rich. Heiress to her family’s fortune she also managed to accrue wealth in her own right during her crazy life. Ruby became famous as a child when she was kidnapped and returned to the family a year later. On top of that she had four husbands, who all died – I can practically hear you raising your eyebrows. She relates her story to the reader through a series of letters – to whom the letters are addressed is, of course, part of the mystery that eventually unfolds. I loved her dark humour.

Camden is Ruby’s adopted son and inherited the bulk of her estate. He chose instead to reject the wealth and leave the family home eventually settling down to a regular job and marrying the love of his life – Jules. Jules is a very interesting narrator, I can’t really say too much about her here other than the two clearly are in love, but, Jules has quite a few secrets of her own (well so does every character in the book to be fair, even Cam).

I’m not going to elaborate too much on the other characters, lets say that they are very bitter about Camden inheriting the bulk of what they consider to be their family’s estate and so when Cam decides to make the trip home and rebuild some bridges he and his wife don’t receive a warm welcome. I have mentioned that everyone here has secrets – I would add that nobody is completely innocent either.

Secondly, in terms of the plot. Well, we have all the family secrets to unravel and on top of that we have the past to catch up on and the true story of Ruby told in her own style. Again, I won’t say anything more.

Thirdly. I loved the atmosphere of this. It has this old style mystery feeling, the characters are almost exaggerated versions of themselves, totally over the top, apart from Jules and Cam who have the appearance of being the only down to earth characters of the story. There’s lots of backstabbing and furtive goings on. There’s a delicious gothic feel to the piece with Ashby House – an old and rambling mansion that has fallen into disrepair surrounded by thick forest and sheer cliffs. It almost feels as though you’re reading a conjured up plot from the board game Cluedo (It was Ruby, in the Lounge, using the candlestick – just joking – no spoilers here). It’s kind of hammed up but in a really infectious and unputdownable way and I think the reveals and secrets are perfectly blended. Hawkins manages to keep the tension throughout by revealing certain jaw droppers usually quickly followed by another teaser. She lets you off the hook, and then she puts you right back on it.

In conclusion, I don’t think I can lay a single criticism on this book. I loved it from start to finish. I consumed it in about two days and I enjoyed every minute. Lots of twists and turns and a totally satisfying ending. If you’re looking for something a bit more dark or brutal then this isn’t what you’ll find amongst these pages but I can’t recommend this enough if you’re looking for a compelling and addictive vipers den of secrets and lies.

I bought an audio version of The Heiress and thoroughly enjoyed the way the story was narrated. The above is my own opinion.

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