The Inheritance

by Samantha Hayes

I thought I had safely buried the past – protecting my family from the secrets I’ve been keeping. But now my lies are exposed in my husband’s will, and one of us will pay for them with their life…

My darling husband, Ray , is gone. My three beautiful daughters and I have come to Scotland to walk the trails we once enjoyed together, hold each other, and cry over our loss.

But the awful thing is, I feel relieved. Because now Ray is gone, I’m finally safe…

Except for the terrible secret I tried so hard to bury – the real reason we’re here.

I pull one of my daughters aside and tell her the truth. Ray has left her nothing in his will. I see the shock, the pain, the confusion on her face.

I am terrified. My darkest secret is about to be exposed.

I could never have imagined that one lie would lead to this. Trapped in this house together, emotions spiralling, truths coming out at last. Everything I’ve worked so hard to protect begins to unravel before my eyes…

I have no idea what’s going to happen next, but I’m not sure my family can survive the fallout from all our lies.

And my greatest fear is that someone’s secret is worth killing for…

A totally gripping psychological thriller from an Amazon No. 1 bestseller that will have your head spinning and your jaw on the floor with every twist. Fans of The Housemaid , Gone Girl and The Family Upstairs won’t be able to put this down!

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Suspense, Contemporary, Family

364 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 8, 2023

About the author

Hello!

Thanks for stopping by my Goodreads page!

My latest psychological thriller THE ENGAGEMENT is out on 10th January 2023 from Amazon, available in ebook, paperback and audio formats. I do hope you love it!


If you love a good 'domestic noir' thriller that will mess with your mind and keep you turning the pages, then my books are for you! You can check out all my titles on my Amazon page here:

https://amzn.to/3jZ83zU

I do hope you'll love getting stuck into my books and enjoy reading them as much as I love writing them. And do let me know what you think - it's great to hear from readers! You can get in touch via my website where you'll find lots of info about me and my books - www.samanthahayes.co.uk or come and 'Like' my Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SamanthaHayesAuthor or follow me on Twitter too @samhayes or @samanthahayes.author on Instagram.

Happy reading!

Samantha xx

Reviews

[Darla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sorry to say this one was not as thrilling as I had hoped.
Here are three things I liked:
🌟 The Scottish loch setting lent the perfect atmosphere
🌟 There were several twists that took me by surprise
🌟 Twins!

Here are three things I did not like:
👎Every so for character except one
👎 Inconsistencies in character development
👎 The multiple POV gave me whiplash at times

I seem to be a bit of an outlier. Could be this author just isn't a good fit for me.

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Samantha Hayes provides readers with plenty of food for thought on what it means to be a family.

This compulsively readable novel of domestic suspense has it all; sibling dynamics, complicated parents and the enduring power of love that tries to pull them all together. I loved it and thought it was a fascinating look at families, love and how death and the things in the aftermath can define the lives of those left bereaved.

After Ray Hunter, the patriarch dies, his wife suggests a family reunion. For ten whole days, the Hunter family will spend time grieving while Connie reads the will and strengthens bonds with her three girls and their families.

I’ve noticed that where there’s a will, there’s often a disagreement, but it generally provides the makings of a great story. Inheritance seldom brings out the best in people. It seems that divided fortunes end up creating divided families. Hays has capitalized on this, resulting in a spectacularly tense story.

Two things I noted within the first few chapters: 1) Hayes capably writes to all our senses and 2) Hayes has created a multilayered suspense. The author examines sorrow and heartache and how they are related to a legacy. Her central idea is a dark secret from the past that refuses to stay buried and wreaks havoc in the present. Stuffed in between the multiple POVs and the twisty, tense moments are messages about being true and preserving one’s authentic self and appreciating the present because life turns on a dime. I especially loved the foreshadowing of the corncrake and Grandma’s warning.

Although this is one family reunion I’d not want to attend, it was a truly captivating read. I couldn’t put the book down and was thankful for the light on my Kindle to enable me to read while everyone else was asleep! You must read about the Hunter family - as one reviewer put it (see comments), “They put the FUN in dysfunctional.” It’s a wild ride. Hang on!

Apprise yourself of triggers.

I was gifted this copy by Bookouture and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

[Ceecee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was heading for a four star rating as although A LOT happens to this family it’s entertaining. Then as the end approaches it really heads into crazy town with more plot holes than a slab of Swiss cheese.

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

My darling husband, Ray, is gone. My three beautiful daughters and I have come to Scotland to walk the trails, hold each other, and cry over our loss. But the awful thing is, I feel relieved. Because now Ray is gone, I'm finally safe.... Except for the terrible secret I tried so hard to bury - the real reason I'm here. I pull one of my daughters aside and tell her the truth. Ray has left her nothing in his will. I see the shock, the pain, the confusion on her face. I'm terrified. My darkest secret is about to be exposed.

The Hunter family has more secrets than most, but when Ray passes away, what he leaves behind could destroy the people he loved. Connie, Ray's wife, knows her secret is about to be exposed in Ray's will. It will destroy her family.

The pace is slow to begin with. There's a few twists and turns along the way. This family drama is filled with secrets that are revealed in such a dramatic way. The characters are well developed. This is an addictive read. Not everyone takes their secrets to the grave. Each chapter is told from a defferent family members perspective.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #SamanthaHayes for my ARC of #TheInheritance in exchange for an honest review.

[Nikki Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a wild ride. The Hunter family have many secrets between them. Connie Hunter has invited her family to her Scotland home for a holiday. What everyone doesn't know, is that she has gathered her daughters here to give them some unfortunate news considering their father's will. Connie is also hiding a terrifying secret that is eating her alive. Is she brave enough to finally give the big reveal?

80% of this book plays out as a drama. We have three sisters, Kate, Darby and Bea. We also have two of their partners and their children present. It seems almost everyone is hiding a secret. Throughout the book, it's told from multiple points of view which I did enjoy. While waiting for something shocking to happen, it unfortunately didn't happen until much later. I felt it was a little slow for my liking. However, once things kicked up a notch, crazy events continued to unfold. The last 80 pages, I could not put this book down. I did enjoy the final twists.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my advanced copy for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a tangled web The Hunters weave, there are lots of characters and back stories leading up to the whole family meeting up for a ‘get together’ lots of mini stories within the big picture BUT as the book was so well written and so intriguing in every direction it went it didn’t muddle or phase me just encouraged me to find out more about exactly what this seemingly well adjusted family had been up to…
It’s fast and furious ( hope that’s not a copyright 😀 ) and all is entwined together to make a really full on exciting read
One of those books that you never quite knew who was deceiving who and why…and left you inbetween reading wondering what was going to happen next, thrilling from start to end

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought I had safely buried the past – protecting my family from the secrets I’ve been keeping. But now my lies are exposed in my husband’s will, and one of us will pay for them with their life…
My darling husband, Ray , is gone. My three beautiful daughters and I have come to Scotland to walk the trails we once enjoyed together, hold each other, and cry over our loss.

I have always enjoyed this author's work and once again Samantha Hayes has produced another book that many will enjoy. I would call this a strong family drama with thriller elements thrown in at all the right times to create tension and suspence. We are presented with a quite a lot of red herrings along the way and there is a lot going on here so this does leave the reader turning the pages to find out more. Some very complicated family relationships are presented in the pages, lies deceit and secrets all add up to the telling of this rather complicated family tale. All the characters are well developed and I felt that I did get to know them and is always a bonus, it also personifies the creative attributes of the author and leads to a much more fulfilling read. The last quarter of the book is where the excitement really ramps up, bringing it to a very exciting climax where all the stands of the story come together to provide very satisfactory end.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions are my own.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

WOW! This was my first time reading a Samantha Hayes book and let me tell you right now, I’m officially a fan! This story was gripping from the opening prologue. I was immediately enticed and drawn into a mystery that set the stage for an intense plot.

In Part One, the chapters switch perspectives from the matriarch of the family, Connie, her three daughters, Kate, Darby, and Bea, and Darby’s stepson Theo. The family gets together in their long owned family lodge in Scotland. This is the first time that they are all together since Ray, Connie’s husband and her girls dad, passed away a few months prior. It’s interesting learning how each of them feel about losing Ray and they each have things that they are dealing with.

In particular, Connie has a secret and it has something to do with the will that Ray left behind. She brought the family together so she could come clean about that and everything else (although we don’t know what that is yet). Kate has suspicions that Darby is having an affair with her husband and while it’s not clear the details, something is definitely going on between them. Bea, the youngest shows up pregnant and on the outs with her longtime boyfriend. Theo is an odd teenage kid who seems to just be angry and want to mess with everyone. We get a lot of the different family dynamics of each of the significant others and their kids. We also meet some neighbors that seem to have a connection with Connie from long ago.

Part two in the book goes back 40 years earlier to when Connie and Ray are young and married and Connie first gets pregnant. The perspective changes between the both of them in these chapters as we get a lot more insight into their relationship and secrets are revealed.

Part three is when the action picks up quite a bit and secret after secret are uncovered in a mad unfolding of events that had my head spinning. I pride myself on guessing twists and I was so pleasantly surprised by one twist after another. The ending had me literally yelling “What!?”

This book was so juicy and full of emotions. The pacing starts slower, but gradually gets faster and faster until the last third of the book you are flying through the pages, absolutely desperate to learn the outcome of these interesting and complex characters. I absolutely recommend this book to anyone that enjoys thrillers in any capacity, but especially those that enjoy dramatic family plots.

***I received an early release advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

PUBLICATION DAY: August 8, 2023

This is the story of a family who has just lost their father. A family who’s many secrets threaten to be the undoing of them all. Kate, Darby and Bea are the Hunter girls and they have always been close and protective of one another. Their father, Ray, has just died and their mother, Connie has asked the girls and their families to join her at their holiday home in Scotland. Once there, secrets are finally revealed and nothing will ever be the same again.

PROS and CONS:
I really wanted to love this one - a controversial inheritance? A death in the loch? A family at odds with one another? All sounded good to me. But unfortunately, I found the transition between chapters to be quite abrupt and the character development and some of the motives to be a little unbelievable. There were a few twists at the end that were quite good, but at the last one, I did raise my eyebrow a bit, not understanding how it could happen.

READ IT?
If you’re looking for…a quick, twisty read - then this one’s for you!

3 Stars

[Amanda C · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately, I found this book to be boring. It's really more of a family drama than a thriller, and the first 80% of the book is full of long, drawn out, mundane family interactions. After that point, the action starts and it becomes interesting, only for the book to end very suddenly with lots of loose ends. I don't understand why the pacing was so slow to the point of tedium for most of the book, but we didn't get to see any of the outcomes from the multiple storylines.

I can't in good conscience recommend this book when the only feelings it invoked in me were boredom and frustration.

[Craig and Phil · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Inheritance by psychological thriller maven Samantha Hayes is another gasping read that will have you fast flipping the pages from cover to cover.
Connie invites her three daughters and all their families to stay at the family holiday home in Scotland.
She plans to tell them, the truth about their fathers will and their inheritance.
But nothing goes to plan and between them all there’s more secrets, lies, deception, danger, mishaps, betrayal and revenge going on.
Who do you trust……
Oh dear! The Hunters have created a tangled world where nobody comes out on top.
A family mystery with lots of twists and turns and an unexpected gasp ending.
I’m fast becoming a very devoted fan of Samantha’s work.
There’s lots of characters but you can easily keep track, everyone is suspicious and everyone is telling lies or keeping secrets.
I was hooked, I was heavily invested and I loved every minute.
I was double guessing everything and then I was even questioning my guessing.
A clever, well executed and entertaining thriller.
Big round of applause for Samantha once again.

[StinaStaffymum · Rating 5 out of 5]

★★★★★ 4.5 stars (rounded up)

I thought he took my secret to the grave...But he left it in his will...

What a tangled web the Hunters weave - with the ingenious help of Samantha Hayes at the helm! Once again she delivers a thriller filled with nuance and innuendo that by the end will have us tied up in knots. And while I know is renowned for delivering slow burns, sometimes I wish they didn't take so long to get to the point. I was itching with frustration that the big secrets was on the cusp of being revealed when something else came along and the story took another tangent... But like all of Hayes' thrillers, I know that if I stick around, it's completely worth it in the end. Anyone else that took 40% until it got really interesting, would be ditched, but with Hayes I know I'm not going to be disappointed. That she has something up her sleeve bound to shock, surprise and wow by the book's end.

There are so many subplots within the main story that it is easy to lose track of what we're all here for - the main event. But each thread is then cleverly woven back to the main story and its characters therein. I wasn't confused in any way, but some might find the subplots distracting. But they each play a part in the bigger picture.

The Hunters are all gathering together at the family lodge in Scotland, which had been left to their late father Ray by his parents upon their deaths long before they were born. Kirk View Lodge was renovated by Ray and Connie early in their marriage and had long been a haven to the family over the years. Now Ray has gone and Connie is bringing her girls back together with their families for a reunion at Kirk View Lodge for ten glorious days.

But Connie has an ulterior motive for bringing them together now. Ray's will has been executed and its contents revealed...and Connie knows that she must now reveal the secret she never thought she would have to. But as her girls - Kate, Darby and Bea - settle into the lodge, Connie doesn't know where to begin. But it's Theo, Darby's teenage stepson, who notices the most with his all-seeing eyes as he watches everyone from the sidelines. He seems to be an angry kid intent on messing with everyone, not knowing quite where he belongs. I got my measure of him fairly quickly with the few subtle glances he stole along the way but he also picked up on things within the family that no one else seemed to.

It's not until an invite extended to a nearby neighbour for dinner that things begin to get heated amongst the family. Theo notices right off the cuff, whilst the others are either indifferent or just puzzled. Connie is flustered as a face from her past returns, though not as friendly as it once was. Meanwhile, Kate suspects her husband Adrian is having an affair with her sister Darby and even Connie suspects much the same. Admittedly, so does the reader. But what is really going on between them?

After the somewhat dramatic prologue, so it begins with Part One in which the story unfolds through the alternating narratives of Connie, Kate, Darby, Bea and Theo. We get each of their perspectives and how each of them feel after the passing of their patriarch, Ray, some months prior. Throughout the entire section of this story, it is alluded to a secret that Connie has and that it will all come to light in Ray's will if she does not reveal its contents first. We are privy to the various subplots and nuances of each of the characters as Hayes deftly builds up a picture of the family's dynamics.

Things start to get interesting in Part two as the story rewinds back forty years to when Connie and Ray are younger and newly married. Although the couple have a home on a farm in Lancashire, the setting is entirely at Kirk View Lodge in Scotland, which they were currently renovating. And then Connie falls pregnant. Afterwhich we see what nobody else sees behind the closed doors of a marriage. We see the Ray that no one else see. Through his narrative, which alternates with the younger Connie's, we see a side to him that had not previously been painted and we get a little insight into the secrets in their marriage. And it is not a pretty picture.

But it's Part three when things really pick up and the layers of secrets that Hayes has deftly put in place slowly start to peel away as secret after secret is revealed. The events that follow are both mad and a little twisted. While I had a niggling as to what the secret may be, there was still a piece of it that remained elusive. And when it was revealed, the picture became clear and I'm like "of course!" whilst figuratively slapping myself on the head. The action is really ramped up in the final pages as the truth is finally revealed and all its secrets are uncovered...even if some are blind to its truth. And then there is that ending which comes with a sting in the tail for a couple of characters. Just brilliant.

Overall, another deftly woven plot of intricate family secrets and the complexities of family dynamics by Hayes. Always worth the slow build to get there in the end.

I would like to thank #SamanthaHayes, #Netgalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #TheInheritance in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

[dreamingofbookss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4 stars ⭐️

This is the first book that I’ve read so far from Samantha Hayes and I'm definitely gonna try out more!

I liked the mystery aspect about it and wanted to read more about all the family members.

The Inheritance is a supsense mystery about a family that gets together a few months after their dad’s death in Scotland, where secrets will be revealed.

This is the first book that I've read with more pov's in third person, it was interesting.

Thank you to Netgalley, Samantha Hayes and Bookouture for providing me with this copy. All opinions are my own.

[Nadia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️

“I am terrified. My darkest secret is about to be exposed.

I could never have imagined that one lie would lead to this. Trapped in this house together, emotions spiralling, truths coming out at last. Everything I’ve worked so hard to protect begins to unravel before my eyes…

I have no idea what’s going to happen next, but I’m not sure my family can survive the fallout from all our lies.

And my greatest fear is that someone’s secret is worth killing for…”

I love a good fast paced, domestic drama thriller and this was perfect! All the secrets and lies between the family members kept me hooked throughout and wondering who was telling the truth. There was twist after twist and just as you think you have it figured out you realise you’re completely wrong, which I love, Samantha’s books are never predictable and always leave you shocked.

[♡ Lilly ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first read by Samatha Hayes and it didn’t disappoint! There was so many secrets amongst the Hunter family and it made for a good book! I’m usually not a fan of third story pov, however, I enjoyed it since it had many different povs. The book starts out a bit slow but the last 100 pages or so easily just go at such a fast pace and things get juicy!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC

[Diane Merritt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book started off at such a slow pace. Actually I think if I wasn't reviewing it I might have given up on it. So stick with it if you are feeling the same as it does get so much more Interesting and ended up being a good read after all. Each chapter is a different person
Which makes or easy to follow the story. So much going on it is very indepth and reveals a lot.

Thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an early release of this book.thi

[Christine M in Texas (stamperlady50) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Inheritance
By: Samantha Hayes
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

My 2nd novel by Hayes and she has become another MUST read author for me.

When a family is gathered around to hear the reading of a will there are always surprises. After her husband dies Connie wants her family around her to reconnect.

Connie is shocked when her husband has shared stuff in her past which affects their three girls. A secret comes out which can destroy her relationship with her girls and their families.

Will this strengthen them? Will they question everything they thought was true? What secrets will come out from her or her husbands past?

You won’t want to miss this one!
Thank you Bookouture and Samantha Hayes for this copy. Out now in multiple formats.

#theinheritance, #samanthahayes, #bookreview, #booksconnectus, #stamperlady50, #booktour, #bookouture

[Yvonne (the putrid Shelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Inheritance is a twisty, by-the-seat-of-your-pants read. There’s no denying that I love Samantha Hayes’ writing. She creates stories that leave you with heart palpitations and nerves that take hours to settle back to normal. My first experience with this was when I picked up ‘Until You’re Mine’ in 2014. I was blown away at the time, and it thrills me to see that she is still delivering twisty tales in 2023. ‘The Inheritance’ is no exception, with a plethora of twists and turns that keep you guessing. Her writing is so captivating and her stories so suspenseful that you cannot help but be drawn in, and the ending will leave you breathless.

As soon as you hear the title, you immediately think of houses, estates, and heirlooms. You’re right, but sometimes long held secrets come to light. The secrets you’ve tried so hard to keep buried. If revealed, these secrets could tear entire families apart. These secrets reveal hidden truths about a family’s past, and sometimes these truths are difficult to accept.

I love a domestic thriller about families and this story had its claws dug into me by the end of the first chapter. Ray Hunter, the patriarch of the family, is dead. On the surface, it appeared that he was the glue that held the family together, but underneath was a man who ruled through control and dominance. While his wife, Connie, is devastated that he’s gone, she can’t help but feel lighter, as she has her freedom back and doesn’t have to watch what she says. As his will is read, Connie discovers that a long-buried secret is about to be exposed – one that will destroy everything she worked so hard to keep secret. A daughter has been disinherited. Connie is left reeling as she grapples with the consequences of her husband’s decision. She’s determined to make things right, but she’s not sure how.

In this story, difficult themes such as domestic abuse, sexuality, and sexual assault are explored along with the interweaving threads of family life. Leaving you thinking and questioning, it’s the kind of book you can’t put down. Even though you know you’ll get the answers by the end of the book, they aren’t always the answers you expect.

Connie is a fascinating character. Mother to three girls, Kate, Darby, and Bea. She would do anything to protect her family – I mean anything. There is something off about her, but you cannot quite pinpoint what it is. Despite her limited interactions with the owner of the local shop, you just know they share a history of misery, Ray being the common denominator among them.

The Sisters were my favourites. In her marriage to Adrian and as a mother to twins, Kate always felt like a part of her was missing. She seems to be floundering in her marriage and with Adrian becoming more secretive, she feels like she is losing herself. Having lost her husband, Chris, to a tragic accident, Darby still feels that loss terribly. However, she has moved on and remarried a single dad. The youngest child is Bea, who seems flaky and a bit emotionally vulnerable. Her partner dumps her after she announces she’s pregnant. In many families, like the sisters’, there is a bit of disjointedness, but there is always a sense of love between them.

The Inheritance is another stellar outing from Samantha Hayes, and this was a masterclass in tension. It’s a wild ride!

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Inheritance by Samantha Hayes was another excellent book from start to finish with lots of twists and turns that will have you glued to your kindle. This is a book that will keep you up or destroy your plans for the day, so word of advise cancel everything you had planned. Once you open this book you will find it hard to put it down!!!

I highly recommend The inheritance and another 5 star read,

Big Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

[Debbi Barton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great slow burner, with lots of last minute twists at the end. Would make a great tv mini series.

[Ⓢ Ⓨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Since his death… it seemed as though there were rumblings stirring beneath the ground. Fingers reaching up through the dirt. The truth working its way out”

WOW! If you’re a fan of Freida McFadden, you will love this fast paced, jaw dropping thriller by Samantha Hayes.

Every time I thought I could second guess what was going to happen, there was another twist I didn’t see coming. The characters I thought I trusted, I shouldn’t have. The ones I despised, I ended up liking! This book kept me on my toes, utterly gripped, right up to the last page. LOVED IT!

Massive thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my advanced copy.

[Lori Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Inheritance by Samantha Hayes will give you whiplash from all of the twists in the book. The ending will have you wondering if maybe there will be a sequel? I sure hope so! Connie invites her 3 daughters to the cabin in the Scotland woods where they shared so many happy memories. She's invited them to share their father's will with them. Ray died a few weeks ago and it's time to let the girls know what he left them. The daughters Kate, Darby, and Bea bring their husbands, kids, and a dog to the cabin. One big happy family, right? What could go wrong being all together for 10 days?

Connie is stressed to the max as she doesn't want the girls to find out the big secret she's been keeping from them their entire life. When she reads Ray's will, the secret will be out, and her happy family may be no more. What should she do? Her oldest daughter, Kate, is going to be so hurt by the will as there's another secret that impacts only her. Will Kate forgive her mother for never telling her the truth? Is there a reason Ray preferred Darby and Bea over Kate? He was so obvious about it at Christmas and whenever the 3 girls were together.

When the neighbor's son comes over he seems nice, even familiar in some way. Cameron shares that he is visiting to take care of his Dad. He's going to be here for the foreseeable future as his Dad is in a wheelchair and the caregiver's he hires don't last more than a week. His Dad is not easy to get along with. Bea takes a liking to Cameron as he seems like a genuinely nice guy. Bea is pregnant and her longtime boyfriend has kicked her out as the baby can't be his. Bea is beyond emotional with no home to go back to and she's keeping a secret about her pregnancy. Did she cheat on Louis or did something more traumatic occur? When Cameron is invited to dinner at the cabin, he accepts once he makes sure he can bring his Dad with him.

When Cameron and his Dad arrive for dinner, Connie is shocked at who comes in. Cameron's father can't be him, can it? The girls notice something between their mom and Cameron's Dad, but they don't know each other right? Why does it seem like they know each other? Has Cameron's Dad always been in a wheelchair? What caused the injury to put him there? What does Connie know about it? He seems genuinely delighted to meet Kate's twins. Does he just like kids or is there more to it? Why are Darby and Kate's husband always sneaking off and whispering together? Is something going on between them? Kate thinks they might be having an affair right under her nose. Do they think she doesn't suspect? Why would Darby cheat on Travis and with Kate's husband? Is there more to it?

Who was the woman wearing a vail at Ray's funeral? Did anyone know her? Why was she speaking to Darby afterwards? Things escalate quickly in the second half of the book. Secrets come out and so many twists that you'll have trouble keeping up. Try hard because this book is really good. The first half of the book is a bit slow like a slow burn, but trust me the second half makes up for it. The pace picks up so much and so. many secrets are revealed that once you get to that part of the book you won't be able to put it down! I rate The Inheritance 4 stars with a high recommendation. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy of The Inheritance in exchange for a fair review. #TheInheritance

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Connie's husband, Ray, died a few months ago and exposed their secret in his will. Before the three girls find out, she wants to tell them herself so she invites all the girls, significant others and children to the lodge. But everyone else also has secrets.

This is unlike any other thriller I've read. It doesn't centre on figuring out a recent murder, instead, its focus is on the secrets and how they affect the family as they come out. A different sort of domestic thriller. I just loved this. The first part lets us in on a couple of secrets as the family gathers then the last half has the secrets spilling out and crimes are being brought to light or are actually happening. The writing was superb. The pacing brought tension as it slowly built up then released with quick ups and downs at the end. I was amazed with the reveals and thought the ending was brilliant and creepy. I now want to read more of the author's work.

[Sandra Vdplaats · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘Blood is thicker than water’

Dear me, what a family! I thought my family was bad: - a bunch of sulky, critical, and ehum 'colourful' people you'd rather not have around you too often, but it could be worse! Meet the Hunters: 'a family like mixing cleaning products'.

The title initially caught me off guard - at first I thought there was an inheritance to be divided, where one of them would fall out and make a mess of things, a bit like in Agatha Christie's novel Crooked House (1949).
I've been a big Christie fan for a lifetime, so my expectations were high, and as mentioned, I had a different idea of how the story would unfold.
Not that the story was disappointing, on the contrary!

A family with three daughters with entourage meet in Scotland after the death of husband/father/grandfather; the author takes the time to highlight the various family members, some of them immediately appearing in a different light in the process, which makes you as a reader pretty much think 'oh, yes, that one again, and that one will surely have something on his/her record'.
Most of the characters are rather evocative, leaving it up to the reader to form an opinion on them, good or bad. I did find that engaging about the story.
Unfortunately, the author took quite a long time to do this, making this bit a bit slow to get going.
Gradually, and thankfully, she gradually builds up the tension, which does make you doubt your own judgement. By the end of Part I (all good things come in threes, there are three parts to this story), the author managed to ramp up the Hitchcockian tension quite a bit.

The setting also plays an important role in the story: it rains a lot and it is mostly cloudy. visibility is limited, sometimes figuratively: everyone hides behind a veil/mask, desperately trying to keep up appearances, each with their own story and truth.
'The rain covered the loch, almost as if the weather knew a body was being salvaged, .... like a veil for onlookers..' {red}
Also, the house is remote and the family members are condemned to each other, trying to make the most of it.

Initially, I found Bea's story hard to believe. The author does her best to portray her as an irresponsible, chaotic drama queen, which initially made me dismiss her story as nonsense and very likely fabricated.
Now that I have read the book, I see that as a strength of this novel. The writer insinuates, or casually mentions an event, leaving the reader to see if this event/description adds anything or turns out to be important for the development of the story.

Part II's transition came unexpectedly and abruptly and takes you back to the past, where your view and judgement of this group of 'sociable' people is once again turned upside down. Nothing is what it seems.

In Part III, which is again set in the present day, most things and relationships have become clear by now. I struggled with this part. The story is slow and most of the connections are somehow revealed, so there is nothing ‘new’ added to the storyline. You do want to shout at Bea when she goes on a picnic with Cameron. Oh you silly girl! Please, no! Unfortunately, the author really also explains too much, completely losing the power of the allusion. I prefer to draw my own conclusions, the fact that the author ticks off all loose ends was a minus for me.

I found the epilogue as the conclusion of the story a disappointment and don't quite understand what she wanted to conclude with this? In my opinion, the epilogue even detracts from the story; no doubt most readers have long since understood and figured out what happened. The ending - with which the story also begins -should have been the conclusion, ending with a nice twist. I found the explanations in the epilogue unnecessary. adding nothing extra.


Publication day August 8, 2023
Pages: 365

Arc provided by Netgalley and Bookouture. Thank you kindly, I leave this review voluntarily.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first time reading a book by Samantha Hayes, and I'll definitely be reading more! Family dramas, twists and turns and a secret that has been kept for years.

Synopsis
Connie Hunter has invited all her family up to Scotland, getting everyone together for the first time since her husband's funeral. But her real reason for inviting them was to get everyone together and tell them about their fathers will.

As the family dramas play out, there's varying suspicions, and lot of secrets. Seemingly everyone has their own secret to hide, and once secrets come out - it's a ticking time bomb waiting for the consequences.

Thoughts
The majority of the book is domestic drama with suspicions and secrets - told through the POV of each family member. The last 80% is when it really gets into the thrilling part, tying everyone's suspicions together and secrets that get put out into the open... and there is a huge twist at the end that had my jaw dropping!

I really enjoyed the differences and personalities between the characters, some I really liked and some.. not so much. I enjoyed trying to figure out who was hiding what secret and it being told through each individuals POV.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this copy. This review is voluntary.

[Courtney✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book in a middle of a slump so I really wished that I could've read this ARC all in one go. I know that I would've loved it more. So that was my own fault.

However, this book had quite a lot of twists and turns and I was constantly trying to figure out who actually did it and It changed every single chapter. That's what I love about murder mystery books. Your mind changes as the book goes on and you never actually have an idea who it is.
Was it Kate? Was it Connie? Was it Bae? It could've been anyone who had a motive which is what I thought but we only got a little insight on who Ray was as a person. Lets be honest he was scum who only cared about himself and was one of the characters I hated. Alongside Aiden of course...

The fact the whole family came together and it turned into a whole lot of mess was showing how life actually is. It's never perfect and I loved how serious it was and how loving they were to their Mum. The ending did shock me and now I am thinking whether the other person that died was the one we think or whether it was all a lie.

Safe to say I would love to read more of her books when I am out of a slump because I know they are worth more.

[Serena Kyles · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️
Received this ARC on NetGalley!! If I’m being frank the first %20 of the book was sloooooow! I am so freaking happy that I stuck with it tho! Well worth it!
A few dislikes, multiple character point of views! Where it’s not my cup of tea it may be yours. It just takes me a longer time to read because I have to think about whose point of view I’m reading from!
Also, there were a few things in the book that I didn’t understand why they were in there and to me could have been left out, but doesn’t make or break the book for me!
The plot twist, and then the twist again and the ending with a twist and a smack in the face! The last half of the book I literally couldn’t put down! I can’t wait to read more from Samantha Hayes and am extremely grateful I was able to read this before it releases! Wild ride y’all!!

[Taz · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Inheritance 🩸

Family holiday at a Lodge in Scotland. Secrets that have been kept for a long time. Multiple deaths. Unraveling truths.

Connie’s Husband Ray passes away. The extended family is seemingly grieving his death but they don’t know the terrible man that Ray was behind closed doors. Connie is relieved of his passing as she now feels safe. Until the secret is revealed, and the plot twists start rolling out.

⭐️ ⭐️⭐️.5
This book is written from different characters POV but I feel like there wasn’t much introduction into each character so it was a bit hard to know who the person that was speaking was at times. It was a good read with lots of plot twists - some predictable but others out of left field. I am confused by the last page, I’m not 💯 sure what happened 😂. It’s giving Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney vibes so if you enjoyed that I would imagine you would also enjoy this! Check it out.

Thank you to @netgalley @samanthahayes.author & @bookouture for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was released on August 8th, so go check it out! 🫶🏻

[Alexandria Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

My head is spinning!🤯 This book has turned me completely into a fan of psychological thrillers. All the twists and turns, I lost count and I’m here for it! When a book throws you completely off and they never see it coming. That’s when you know the author did their job.

It did move a little slow at the beginning but then it picked up great and I enjoyed this book.

Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for the EARC! As always, my review is my opinion and thoughts.

[ASB- I like big books and I cannot lie! · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review for The Inheritance by Samantha Hayes ”

1. Plot Uniqueness : 3/5
2. Pacing and Coherence :” 4/5
3. Emotional and intellectual Engagement : 3.5/5
4. Twists and turns : 3.5/5
5. Protagonists Character Development : 3.5/5
6. support character development : 3/5
7. Setting and atmosphere : 4.5/5
8. Chapter Organization : r/5
9. Conclusion and tied loose ends : 3.5/5
10. Overall rating of book : 3.5/5