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Family Inheritance
The dark, impenetrable bayous of Louisiana are filled with secrets that can never be revealed and mysterious forces that can never be understood. Nightmares live there. Jessica LeJeune left Louisiana, but she brought some of those mysterious forces with her--and now she's being called back to her Cajun roots to confront a destiny she could not escape and a curse she might not survive.
Jessica's younger brother, Todd, has descended into a world of madness. His shattered mind is now the plaything of an unimaginable evil, an unstoppable entity with cruel plans for both Jessica and Todd. But Jessica is not alone in her battle to save her brother's soul. For deep in the misty bayous, in an isolated wooden shack, lives the one person who is their only hope...
Jessica's younger brother, Todd, has descended into a world of madness. His shattered mind is now the plaything of an unimaginable evil, an unstoppable entity with cruel plans for both Jessica and Todd. But Jessica is not alone in her battle to save her brother's soul. For deep in the misty bayous, in an isolated wooden shack, lives the one person who is their only hope...
- GenresHorrorFictionParanormal
358 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2004
6 people are currently reading
209 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Leblanc
38 books746 followersDeborah LeBlanc is an award-winning, best-selling author and business owner from Lafayette, Louisiana. She is also a licensed death scene investigator, a licensed private investigator and has been a paranormal investigator for over twenty years. Deborah is currently the house ‘clairsendium’ for the upcoming paranormal investigation television show, Through the Veil.
She served four years as president of the Horror Writers Association, eight years as president of the Writers' Guild of Acadiana, and two years as president of Mystery Writers of America's Southwest Chapter. In 2007, Deborah founded Literacy Inc. a non-profit organization dedicated to fighting illiteracy in America’s teens.
For more information, visit www.deborahleblanc.com and www.literacyinc.com
To support Deborah please visit https://www.patreon.com/deborahleblanc
She served four years as president of the Horror Writers Association, eight years as president of the Writers' Guild of Acadiana, and two years as president of Mystery Writers of America's Southwest Chapter. In 2007, Deborah founded Literacy Inc. a non-profit organization dedicated to fighting illiteracy in America’s teens.
For more information, visit www.deborahleblanc.com and www.literacyinc.com
To support Deborah please visit https://www.patreon.com/deborahleblanc
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 10, 2012
A story of horrific suspense.
My Take
I almost couldn't continue reading this story because of that damned sparrow! LeBlanc did an amazing job of forcing me to race through the pages. I just had to know what would happen to Eli, if Jess would save her brother, if she could figure out what was torturing her, could Maikana be defeated…argh, too many things happening for which I needed a conclusion!
It's a simple story but one fraught with so many possible endings and then that tease at the end...I think my heart's about to slow down now. Nice job of weaving all those powers into a single story.
I do hope LeBlanc is at least thinking about a series...
The Story
It's a pretty fateful dare. Understandable in the days before ultrasound but damaging to Roberta's unborn daughter and a lifetime of torment for Eli. A torment that reaches its ultimate when Eli cures yet another man of the demons he suffers and is himself almost overcome.
Johanson has been biding his time. Waiting for the day the true rasaunt must be reunited; both halves made into one. Now Eli must go out into the real world and find Jessica before Maikana can destroy either one alone.
Or kill Jess's brother.
The Characters
Roberta is the conveyance for Jess to arrive in the world. A true rasaunt but in no way whole. Sharon is the best friend who accompanies her on her trek into the bayou. Just as, years later, Sharon's daughter Lisa accompanies Jessica LeJeune on her trek to rescue her mad brother Todd from the Municipal insane asylum. Frank is Jess' husband; Jake is her son with a suspicion as to her abilities.
Samuel Johanson is the gris-gris man; the only one who understands what happened that fateful day in the bayou. He must help Eli survive and find his other half before the demon Maikana wins. Eli was a sweet boy with some power the day he encountered a pregnant Roberta. He grew up to become a tortured rasaunt.
The Cover
The cover is scary with its primarily red background and the details picked out in black: a bayou with steam rising up off the water, moss dangling from the trees surrounding the old ruin of a shack.
The title says it all because it is a Family Inheritance---and not much of a gift at all! Not to those in the family.
My Take
I almost couldn't continue reading this story because of that damned sparrow! LeBlanc did an amazing job of forcing me to race through the pages. I just had to know what would happen to Eli, if Jess would save her brother, if she could figure out what was torturing her, could Maikana be defeated…argh, too many things happening for which I needed a conclusion!
It's a simple story but one fraught with so many possible endings and then that tease at the end...I think my heart's about to slow down now. Nice job of weaving all those powers into a single story.
I do hope LeBlanc is at least thinking about a series...
The Story
It's a pretty fateful dare. Understandable in the days before ultrasound but damaging to Roberta's unborn daughter and a lifetime of torment for Eli. A torment that reaches its ultimate when Eli cures yet another man of the demons he suffers and is himself almost overcome.
Johanson has been biding his time. Waiting for the day the true rasaunt must be reunited; both halves made into one. Now Eli must go out into the real world and find Jessica before Maikana can destroy either one alone.
Or kill Jess's brother.
The Characters
Roberta is the conveyance for Jess to arrive in the world. A true rasaunt but in no way whole. Sharon is the best friend who accompanies her on her trek into the bayou. Just as, years later, Sharon's daughter Lisa accompanies Jessica LeJeune on her trek to rescue her mad brother Todd from the Municipal insane asylum. Frank is Jess' husband; Jake is her son with a suspicion as to her abilities.
Samuel Johanson is the gris-gris man; the only one who understands what happened that fateful day in the bayou. He must help Eli survive and find his other half before the demon Maikana wins. Eli was a sweet boy with some power the day he encountered a pregnant Roberta. He grew up to become a tortured rasaunt.
The Cover
The cover is scary with its primarily red background and the details picked out in black: a bayou with steam rising up off the water, moss dangling from the trees surrounding the old ruin of a shack.
The title says it all because it is a Family Inheritance---and not much of a gift at all! Not to those in the family.
October 1, 2008
People assume because I’m a reviewer in this genre that this is all I read. Not so. I could drop names, titles and such to impress you, but I don’t need to, nor do I care enough. All you need to know is that whichever book I pick up, I pick up for one reason and one reason only – awareness. It doesn’t even matter what category people place it, it’s all about finding a slimmer of knowledge. This book, while placed nice and neat into the horror category, could very well fit anywhere. How? Simply this, LeBlanc not only focuses on fear, but also integrates spirituality, folklore and mysticism. Her main achievement though is her ability to show that through the darkness, light does exist.
The plot is imaginative and unusual, but completely within the realm of possibility. Though subtle, the story slams you gradually, quietly. This is my favorite kind of horror. LeBlanc creates a world that could exist anywhere at anytime and this is where she strikes – familiarity. Reading you get comfortable and settle in, never noticing the lights dimming or the threat lurking just behind you. Although I’m sure there is pattern, I’ll be damned if I could find it. Bravo!
The atmosphere is entombed and confining. It constricts constantly, stealing your breath away. The book’s surroundings are carefully detailed, reinforcing the settings and giving them three complete dimensions. LeBlanc’s style of writing is straightforward, aggressive and tight. Although you can see her own distinct imprint, LeBlanc expresses herself faintly. You may not have read her before, but by the end of the book I guarantee you’ll be close friends.
The pace is premeditated. The build-up starts from the first page, increasing the tension to an almost frantic movement. Your greatest challenge will be not to cheat and skip ahead so you can relax already. The characters are emotional, flawed and completely genuine. Each player has their own set of personalities and voice, backgrounds and culture. This is what sets them apart from each other and yet, involves you throughout the story. Perfect.
My rating? I give it a 5. Buy this book New, Now!
-As reviewed for Horror-Web.com
The plot is imaginative and unusual, but completely within the realm of possibility. Though subtle, the story slams you gradually, quietly. This is my favorite kind of horror. LeBlanc creates a world that could exist anywhere at anytime and this is where she strikes – familiarity. Reading you get comfortable and settle in, never noticing the lights dimming or the threat lurking just behind you. Although I’m sure there is pattern, I’ll be damned if I could find it. Bravo!
The atmosphere is entombed and confining. It constricts constantly, stealing your breath away. The book’s surroundings are carefully detailed, reinforcing the settings and giving them three complete dimensions. LeBlanc’s style of writing is straightforward, aggressive and tight. Although you can see her own distinct imprint, LeBlanc expresses herself faintly. You may not have read her before, but by the end of the book I guarantee you’ll be close friends.
The pace is premeditated. The build-up starts from the first page, increasing the tension to an almost frantic movement. Your greatest challenge will be not to cheat and skip ahead so you can relax already. The characters are emotional, flawed and completely genuine. Each player has their own set of personalities and voice, backgrounds and culture. This is what sets them apart from each other and yet, involves you throughout the story. Perfect.
My rating? I give it a 5. Buy this book New, Now!
-As reviewed for Horror-Web.com
March 10, 2010
Jessica LaJeune returns to her hometown when her brother, Todd, is admitted to a mental institution. She has the ability to heal people by touching their forehead and is hoping to heal Todd. But he is infected by Maikana, a powerful demon who inhabits people and drives them mad. Meanwhile a rausant (a Cajun healer) who lives deep in the swamp, dreams of Jessica and is desperate to find her. Will their healing power together be strong enough to destroy Maikana?
The plot of Family Inheritance is one of the most unique I've read - not just within the horror genre, but all genres. I haven't read many stories about Cajun mythology but I've enjoyed the ones I read. Maikana is a terrifying monster. Being fine one minute and then insane the next is a scary thought. Especially if the voice you're hearing is that of Maikana forcing you to do horrible things.
The pace is slow at the beginning, but gradually builds suspense. The book goes out with a bang, having all the gore and deaths in one frightening scene.
The characters are realistic and well-developed, especially the main character, Jessica, who I really cared for. Whenever I read about Todd I cringed, thinking about what it would be like to go crazy and felt sorry for him and Jessica.
Family Inheritance is a great departure from the usual gory monster books I read, instead involving a unique demon and a chilling atmosphere in place of gore. Highly recommended for horror readers who are sick of reading the same monster stories.
Read more of my reviews at http://littlemisszombie.blogspot.com
The plot of Family Inheritance is one of the most unique I've read - not just within the horror genre, but all genres. I haven't read many stories about Cajun mythology but I've enjoyed the ones I read. Maikana is a terrifying monster. Being fine one minute and then insane the next is a scary thought. Especially if the voice you're hearing is that of Maikana forcing you to do horrible things.
The pace is slow at the beginning, but gradually builds suspense. The book goes out with a bang, having all the gore and deaths in one frightening scene.
The characters are realistic and well-developed, especially the main character, Jessica, who I really cared for. Whenever I read about Todd I cringed, thinking about what it would be like to go crazy and felt sorry for him and Jessica.
Family Inheritance is a great departure from the usual gory monster books I read, instead involving a unique demon and a chilling atmosphere in place of gore. Highly recommended for horror readers who are sick of reading the same monster stories.
Read more of my reviews at http://littlemisszombie.blogspot.com
April 16, 2025
The plot is straightforward even if the synosis tries to make it sound mysterious. There's no wrenches thrown into the protagonists' plans. There's one villain and he stays the same level of evil throughout. The protags stay Pure Goodness even through evil temptation. The setting stays centered in one area. No surprises. No fun.
This should have been a short story or, at most, a novella. I can understand a full length novel if there was some kind of twist part way through. The length would give time to play with a new set of rules. We don't even get a fun twist out of the prologue. The characters who were there for it, nearly 40 years later, have nothing new to add despite lengthy conversations from multiple POVs over what happened that night. Snore.
This should have been a short story or, at most, a novella. I can understand a full length novel if there was some kind of twist part way through. The length would give time to play with a new set of rules. We don't even get a fun twist out of the prologue. The characters who were there for it, nearly 40 years later, have nothing new to add despite lengthy conversations from multiple POVs over what happened that night. Snore.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 18, 2018
one of the books i love!
January 31, 2020
Great book!
May 31, 2025
This book started strong with a great supernatural premise but kind of fell apart after the prologue.
September 26, 2010
Jessica is having a great day. She’s just been promoted at her firm, had a celebratory barbecue with her colleagues and her husband’s business is on the rise. Then why can’t she shake the bad feeling?
Eli is a simple man, lived his life in a shack in the bayou. Being the rasaunt, a healer, he’s seen his fair share of suffering, but nothing compares for what is to come.
A chance meeting between the two decades ago leaves their fates tied, and only together can they defeat the spirit of madness who is threatening to kill Jessica’s brother and the rest of her bloodline.
I’m still waiting for a female writer to blow me away (again, we’ve been through my ‘don’t mean to be sexist’ arguments). Not that every book I’ve ever read that’s been written by a female is bad. I know quite a few talented females and book-wise, I particularly enjoyed The House Next Door and loved the tales from Pinborough and Wilde in The Hellbound Hearts anthology. I’m still yet to find a female writer who can push the limits of horror in the same way Bentley Little or Jack Ketchum can. I’m always on the look out (and thanks to a blurb and recommendations, have Pinborough’s Breeding Ground on the shelf!).
Family Inheritance has many tasty elements, but I feel the story struggles to get out of third gear.
Judging from the cover (oops!) and the blurb on the back, I anticipated a tale set exclusively in the bayous of Louisiana, but the plot quickly moves to a poor town and loses some of its individuality. Having said this, a large chunk is set within a mental institute, and from the author info, I see that Deborah LeBlanc spent time in one (for research!), so these scenes are a bit more grounded in reality than in other books.
The aspects of the story have been done before and as the book seems to hold back, doesn’t quite contend, but if you’re not into the gore-violence side of horror, this may be an option.
Eli is a simple man, lived his life in a shack in the bayou. Being the rasaunt, a healer, he’s seen his fair share of suffering, but nothing compares for what is to come.
A chance meeting between the two decades ago leaves their fates tied, and only together can they defeat the spirit of madness who is threatening to kill Jessica’s brother and the rest of her bloodline.
I’m still waiting for a female writer to blow me away (again, we’ve been through my ‘don’t mean to be sexist’ arguments). Not that every book I’ve ever read that’s been written by a female is bad. I know quite a few talented females and book-wise, I particularly enjoyed The House Next Door and loved the tales from Pinborough and Wilde in The Hellbound Hearts anthology. I’m still yet to find a female writer who can push the limits of horror in the same way Bentley Little or Jack Ketchum can. I’m always on the look out (and thanks to a blurb and recommendations, have Pinborough’s Breeding Ground on the shelf!).
Family Inheritance has many tasty elements, but I feel the story struggles to get out of third gear.
Judging from the cover (oops!) and the blurb on the back, I anticipated a tale set exclusively in the bayous of Louisiana, but the plot quickly moves to a poor town and loses some of its individuality. Having said this, a large chunk is set within a mental institute, and from the author info, I see that Deborah LeBlanc spent time in one (for research!), so these scenes are a bit more grounded in reality than in other books.
The aspects of the story have been done before and as the book seems to hold back, doesn’t quite contend, but if you’re not into the gore-violence side of horror, this may be an option.
July 3, 2007
First time author Deborah LeBlanc brings the backwoods of the Louisiana bayou to life with her novel, "Family Inheritance." From the first page through the last, the reader feels like a first hand witness to the chain of events experienced by Jessica LeJeune, our heroine whose journey is about much more than attending to her institutionalized brother.
Over the course of "Family Inheritance," the reader makes the acquaintance of so many whimsical and colorful characters, including Eli-a backwater mystic who holds the key to Jessica's fate, Eula Mae-Eli's guide for the journey ahead and Jake-Jessica's son, who suspects more is afoot with his mother than the typical "suburban working mom" drudge.
"Family Inheritance," while chalk full of demons, voodoo and other things fantastical manages to keep the story focused and the reader interested. With few hiccups and a frenzied pace, "Family Inheritance" is an enjoyable read for fantasy/horror enthusiasts and the average coffee house patron alike.
Over the course of "Family Inheritance," the reader makes the acquaintance of so many whimsical and colorful characters, including Eli-a backwater mystic who holds the key to Jessica's fate, Eula Mae-Eli's guide for the journey ahead and Jake-Jessica's son, who suspects more is afoot with his mother than the typical "suburban working mom" drudge.
"Family Inheritance," while chalk full of demons, voodoo and other things fantastical manages to keep the story focused and the reader interested. With few hiccups and a frenzied pace, "Family Inheritance" is an enjoyable read for fantasy/horror enthusiasts and the average coffee house patron alike.
December 22, 2014
This one's a bit iffy in my opinion. I didn't like many of the characters. Luckily, the two most important ones, Jessica and her brother Todd, were cool. I tuned the others out, for the most part. I also liked how LeBlanc tried something different when it comes to the voodoo subgenre of horror (a subgenre I don't care much for), even if the ending was a bit plain. What I really appreciated about this book is the horror of red tape. Dealing with a bureaucracy is something we can all relate to. When Jessica is trying to see her brother in the loony bin and regulations are preventing her from so much as seeing him, it's not just frustrating, it's full of dread and fear. I thought about myself in a similar situation. I'm definitely not a normal guy, and I have a lot of odd ideas. Would it be that easy for me to be lost in an asylum, wrapped up in red tape, never to see the light of day again? This is where this book truly shines.
December 22, 2009
Ms. LeBlanc does a wonderful job of capturing the look and feel of Louisiana in her writing. Being from Louisiana myself I could easily picture the shacks on the bayous, but no matter where your from I think you can imagine it. She just does THAT well with her writing.
I recognized a lot of folklore throughout the story that has been passed on from generation to generation and I'm glad to see someone who was able to capture that and make it into a book we can all enjoy.
The story was full of mystery! I was interested and excited! It didn't take me long to finish because I just didn't want to put it down; it's one of those stories that really pulls you in and keeps you reading. If your into a little bit of superstition, some paranormal, and some serious dark mystery then I recommend that you check out this book!
I recognized a lot of folklore throughout the story that has been passed on from generation to generation and I'm glad to see someone who was able to capture that and make it into a book we can all enjoy.
The story was full of mystery! I was interested and excited! It didn't take me long to finish because I just didn't want to put it down; it's one of those stories that really pulls you in and keeps you reading. If your into a little bit of superstition, some paranormal, and some serious dark mystery then I recommend that you check out this book!
September 23, 2011
Mental illness is scary enough without finding out that evil entities are involved. Deborah did a great job scaring me in this one. I liked it. She does a great job of making a reader "feel" Louisiana. This place is special and it does have a certain sense of dark and scary for some people. During the reading of this book, I could hear the drums and the "voo-doo" sounding music in my mind.
Good job, Deborah. Write me another one......
Good job, Deborah. Write me another one......
August 14, 2008
Good different book. I enjoyed the story line. Would have been nice to not be told until later in the book what was going on. It did continue to hold my attention in spite of knowing what was going on. I wasn't sure if it would happen. Written well. Probably not one I'd own. One I would suggest to others. I'd read other stuff by this author as well.
February 14, 2016
Well worth the time spent on it with a satisfactory ending. Although, some of the words were confusing, especially at the end, you kept saying: who-what-where-when? at some of the parts. It happens from page 300 to the end. The last chapter was fine but overall it was decent. Well worth my time!
Currently reading
September 29, 2010just started...so far it seems like it is gonna be a good one
January 18, 2013
This book was okay. At times I found myself confused and lost on what was going on. That being said it was a very suspenseful novel and kept you guessing.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews