Inheritance - Nora Roberts - 3.5 Stars

[Olivermagnus]

I really love Nora Roberts' romantic suspense novels and the In Death series she writes as J. D. Robb, but her trilogies don't usually appeal to me. I decided to read Inheritance because it fit a challenge that I wanted to complete.

The book begins in 1806 on the wedding day of Astrid Poole, Almost immediately after her marriage, and before it can be consummated, she is murdered, and her wedding ring is stolen from her finger by a crazy, vindictive woman who wants Astrid's new husband herself. Switching to modern times, Sonya McTavish finds that her deceased father had a twin that he and the family knew nothing about. She learns about a surprise inheritance, which includes a beautiful Victorian house near a village on the coast of Maine. Part of the conditions of the will are that she lives in the house for at least three years. Once she arrives she discovers the rumors of it being haunted are really true.

The ghost appears to be very friendly. The house kept clean and someone makes her bed every day. But there is also an evil ghost. She's the one who has put a curse on any woman who becomes a bride in the house. As Sonya digs into the history of the house, she finds that several women have been murdered on their wedding day.

There are lots of interesting characters. We have the male love interest, Trey, who is a member of the law firm handling Sonya's Inheritance. There are the requisite quirky and fun villagers, and the best human character is Cleo, Sonya's college roomate who has moved into the mansion with her. There are three adorable dogs too.

The thing I normally hate about trilogies is that they are really one big story, spread out over three books. That inevitably leads to cliffhangers and that is how "Inheritance" ends. Fortunately, Book 2 The Mirror is already out so I won't have to wait long to find out what happens next.

[Joanne]

I loved Nora's Irish trilogies years ago. I have never read anything else by her. I tried the first book of the J.D Robb series. But the violent opening of that book, for some reason, really turned me off, and I never went back to it. I know people love this series, and I am the odd man out.

[Theresa]

I love inheritance mysteries and your review here has me putting this on the list.

[Olivermagnus]

Joanne wrote: "I loved Nora's Irish trilogies years ago. I have never read anything else by her. I tried the first book of the J.D Robb series. But the violent opening of that book, for some reason, really turned..."

I don't know why I can read violent and gory mysteries but I can't read anything about animals getting hurt. If I hear the music for the Humane Society commercial, I close my eyes and crash through furniture to grab the remote.

[Joanne]

Oh goddess! That commercial does the same to my brain. I scream at my poor dog (who is the real meaning of "a bitch") "Look how lucky you are?"