The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins

Hello everyone.  I hope you are having a great day.

A few years ago, we took a quick trip to the mountains of North Carolina.  We went to see a huge family mansion that still belongs to the Vanderbilts.  The Biltmore.  The grounds were as stunning as the house.  The twisting road, little bridges, hills, hidden waterways, all designed by the same designer as Central Park in NYC.  We were so fortunate, we signed up for a behind the scenes tour which included only one other person beside the guide.  We got to go, peek and snoop into rooms that weren't normally allowed because of our small group size.  Given my propensity to be a nosey-nellie when it comes to historic places, I was in all my glory.  Afterword, we toured the gardens, greenhouse and winery.  Then we enjoyed a delightful lunch in the restaurant that used to be the stable.  When telling my sisters about such a wonderful day, all they could focus on was the stable.  How could I eat a salad where horses had pooped.  Really?  After all that, the focus was on non-existent poop that would have been gone for decades.  I joke my sisters a lot, now you know why!

I recently read The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins.  I've read and reviewed three other books by this author: Reckless Girls, The Villa, and The Wife Upstairs.  I have enjoyed them all.  Hawkins latest offering, The Heiress is by far my favorite.  This time the story focus' on a prominent wealthy family, known for its lavish mansion (Ashby) in the hills of North Carolina. This family has suffered many tragedies, the worst when toddler Ruby McTavish is lost in the woods and later found to be kidnapped.  Although little Ruby is recovered, she is plagued by the doubt of others that she is the real missing McTavish.  Now, decades later, following the death of his uncle, Ruby's estranged adopted son, Camden decides it is time to return.  Having lost his mother and now his uncle, Camden and his wife travel cross country to what is left of his dysfunctional family.  As the couple's experiences unfold, we learn about the life of the recently passed matriarch, Ruby. The truth has been elusive for this family, and everyone has secrets.

I loved the character development in this book. I was rooting for some members of the McTavish family and was disgusted by others, only to remember they all have secrets.  The plot moves quickly with twists coming often making this a very addictive read. Absolutely mesmerizing, my new favorite.  Cannot wait for the next!

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press for an early copy of this novel.  Of course, all my views are my own.  Who else's would they be?