⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5)

A gripping family drama layered with secrets, ambition, and betrayal. Trisha Sakhlecha crafts a tense and emotionally intelligent narrative that slowly reveals how the past continues to haunt the present. The characters are sharply drawn, and the dynamics between them are compelling, with just the right level of suspense woven throughout. A slow burn that pays off in the end.

My first book by this author but I’m positive it won’t be my last.

The Agarwal family have gathered for a family reunion, celebrating the wedding anniversary of parents Raj & Shalini. There is also added excitement as Raj has announced that he plans to retire & sell the business he has built. His intention is to divide the sale proceeds between his children - Myra, Aseem & Aisha.
The family gather on the remote Scottish island of Kilbryde, which is owned by Myra. As the reunion unfolds, we discover that each of the children have hidden secrets, as well as uncovering the history of the island itself. The siblings all need the money &, with a few neat plot twists, the stakes are raised for all.

An easy writing style made this an enjoyable tale. The story is told in chronological order over 4 days with each chapter envisioned from a variety of POVs. A good, solid read.

I really enjoyed this book, a dark, twisted tale of family dynamics and ultimately, murder. Fantastic setting on a remote Scottish island and an extremely wealthy family where money is a central factor. The plot sped along and I loved the characters. Different points of view told the story, an excellent thriller. My first read of this author, definitely not my last! Highly recommend!

The Agarwals have gathered together on a luxury island off the coast of Scotland for a family reunion. The family all have secrets from each other and will do anything to protect them. A twisty and fascinating look at family dynamics and secrets between members of a wealthy but dysfunctional family.

A family travel to a remote Scottish island as the patriarch is due to retire from his business and will be announcing to his children how much money they will be receiving when he sells his business. The family are wealthy but each sibling has a reason that they need the business to be sold and to receive a substantial inheritance. Despite the luxurious setting, the atmosphere is dark and malevolent, and is someone watching the family with a malicious intent.

This tense thriller is reminiscent of the locked rooms mysteries of the queen of crime Agatha Christie despite the modern setting. There are sibling rivalries, red herrings and mysterious individuals who may have a reason for wanting someone to die. The characters are well drawn, the action fast paced and the location essential to this atmospheric read. I enjoyed this book and devoured it as the story was so exciting. A must read! With thanks to Netgalley for a copy of the arc.

The Inheritance is a thrilling and atmospheric mystery set on a remote Scottish island, where a long-awaited family reunion unravels buried secrets and exposes hidden tensions.
The author masterfully builds suspense with every chapter, making it impossible to put the book down. The isolated setting adds an eerie backdrop, heightening the tension as the family members’ complex relationships come to light.
The characters are well-developed, and the plot twists kept me hooked until the very end. While the pacing may slow down very slightly in the middle, the buildup to the finale more than makes up for it.
Overall, The Inheritance is a captivating page-turner that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
Highly recommend for fans of suspenseful family dramas!

Thriller fans, you are going to love this one!
The wealthy Agarwal family is gathering on a remote, private Scottish island for the 40th wedding anniversary of parents Papa Raj and Mama Shalini and to hear how the inheritance from the upcoming sale of the family’s petrochemicals company will be divided among their three adult children.
There’s serious middle son Aseem who has been roped into running the company and wife Zoe, an influencer with a growing audience who is trying very hard to be #instaperfect. Zoe is also desperate to move from the family home in Delhi away from controlling Mama and back to London. The reunion is being hosted by eldest daughter Myra, a lawyer who has given everything up to invest in the island she’s turning into a luxury resort amid problems with locals from nearby islands. Youngest child is fun-loving Aisha who travels the world and is bringing her new boyfriend Gabe to meet the family.
Everyone has secrets and some desperately need their share of the family millions, but Papa is keeping everyone in the dark. The book starts with a murder and it’s the perfect slow-burn as we wait to find to who the victim and killer are as a raging storm hits isolating the island even more. The book is almost entirely narrated by Myra and Zoe as they share their fears and observe the others. It’s an absolute page-turner and I raced through to the unexpected end.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

In this fun, twisty take on a locked room whodunit, we meet the wealthy and privileged Agarwal family as they meet for a family reunion on a private Scottish island. Ostensibly there to celebrate their fortieth wedding anniversary, the Agarwal’s, their three children and their children’s partners gather on the luxury island for a week of family time, only for tensions to arise almost immediately.

The story is told from several POVs, and each character has an agenda – be it the children waiting to see how their father will split up the money once he sells his multimillion pound business, or the mother trying to keep some measure of control in her children’s lives, to the in-laws trying to fit into this rich and glamourous family with varying degrees of success. The conflict within the family ultimately leads to murder, and the family must decide how to handle it.

The plot is well-paced, and the level of dysfunction makes for a fascinating read. The characters are all believable as are the relationships between them. The conclusion was very satisfying and I look forward to more from this author.

My thanks to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for the arc to review.

A family reunion to celebrate an anniversary, a new addition and a deal that will earn them all millions but nothing is ever that simple. Certainly not in this family. There are too many secrets and lies. Plus by the end a murder. Just how far will a family go to keep their secrets.

Well this is quite the slow burn until close to the end when it suddenly picks up. That ending though wow. I just knew it , I knew the truth. This is quite a dark and twisted story getting into the real heart of family lies and secrets. It does take a little while to get into it but once I did, I needed to know how everything fit together. The plot was interesting and kept me on my toes which each new twist and lie was revealed. Nobody is particularly likeable except maybe Owen and Stu who have pretty minor roles. A twisted dark thriller.

This was a really great read, which took a somewhat predictable feeling starting point and managed to do something different with it.

Fans of murder mysteries will be very familiar with the scenario of the wealthy older relative surrounded by grasping offspring all desperate to get their hands on his (it's usually a man) cash, only for him to be killed and then the suspicion falls on everyone who was after his money. This novel starts with the grasping offspring all desperate to get handouts from Papa - but he doesn't end up being the murder victim.

Papa is about to formally retire from a multi million pound petrochemicals company and his son, Aseem, and two daughters Myra and Aisha, are waiting to hear how he will split the shares. They are conveniently gathering together allegedly to celebrate the parents' wedding anniversary, but the real motive for coming together, for the siblings anyway, is to find out what Papa's plans are.

They gather on a remote island that Myra is in the process of redeveloping into a luxury getaway resort. It's remote and the family members are supposed to be the only ones on the island. But a number of disturbing events occur that make some of those staying wonder how alone they are.

The story is told from the perspective of different characters as the chapters go on, but the one who resonated most with me was Zoe, Aseem's wife. She feels suffocated by Aseem's mother, who seems to interfere constantly in their lives and dominate Aseem. Zoe's feelings of being stifled only intensify when they announce that they are going to have a baby - and Mama instantly begins to plan doctors' visits etc without even discussing it with Zoe.

It's clear that Mama is damaged somehow. There are many references to some tragedy in her past, which we gradually learn refers to the death of one of her children in a fire. It's only as the book progresses that we learn the real story of what happened that day and the secrets that are bound up with it.

The story flows perfectly and the characters, and the dynamics in the various relationships, are very relatable. Myra has also had heartbreak and tragedy in her life, and we gradually learn about the breakdown of her marriage and loss of a child. Aisha is the youngest and spends her time basically having fun - to the chagrin of the others. And Aseem has had to give up on his own career dreams in order to run his dad's business after Papa suffered a stroke.

The feeling of suffocation and being controlled, overtly or otherwise, by more powerful family members is everywhere. And it's part of the reason why people have so many secrets - they are terrified of the negative reaction or consequence if they are found out.

The main thread of the story (for me anyway) is what has happened to shape the relationship between Aseem and his mother, and how this then affects his marriage to Zoe - with horrific consequences.

It's a fantastic read and completely absorbing - the perfect novel to get lost in.

Very addictive story. The Agarwal family is extremely wealthy only that is never exaggerated. The characters and story are believable. The tension was well built towards the end. Loved the plot twists here.

I found this book to be quite addictive. I wanted to know what happened next!
It was full of twists and turns and I didn't know what was going to happen next.
A perfect dark family story!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This novel kept me enthralled from beginning to end.

The Agarwal family is one I'll remember for quite some time. On the surface they are loyal, loving, close-knit, and very wealthy. But scratch beneath the surface and you'll find toxic relationships and significant dysfunction.

When the family decide to spend a week together to celebrate both their parent's fortieth wedding anniversary, and their father's retirement. The stage is set for a week of tension, secrets, and... murder.

The eldest daughter of the family, Myra, owns an island off the coast of Scotland. She is in the process of getting it set up as a luxury resort. She has recently separated from her husband Owen, and the continuing expenses have caused her to be near bankruptcy. It makes sense that the family will meet there. The parents travel from Dehli, India, as does their son Aseem and Zoe, his 'influencer' wife. The youngest daughter , Aisha, travels from California with her boyfriend Gabe, whom the family have not yet met.

"If only all of our past tragedies could insulate us from the inconveniences of our present."

Raj, he patriarch of the family has recently suffered from a stroke. Since that time, his son Aseem has put his own life on hold to take over the running of PetroVision, one of India's largest petro-chemical companies. This family reunion serves as the perfect occasion for Raj to announce that he is selling his multi-million pound company. The three children anticipate their inheritance with varying degrees of avarice and optimism.

As the reunion progresses, tensions mount, secrets are revealed, and one of them is murdered. Which one and why? I'll leave that to you to discover.

"A place haunted by death and violence that no amount of time can erase."

The setting of this novel was sublime. A remote Scottish island with an eleven bedroom manor house, two lochs, three beaches, and various outbuildings. Now owned by Myra, the island has a tragic and brutal history. It was the scene of a mass murder during the time of the Scottish Clearances.

The story is told from the narratives of Myra, the hostess of the reunion and eldest Agarwal daughter, and Zoe, the 'outsider' who is married to the Agarwal's son.

A novel of guilt and responsibility. Family loyalty versus greed. Entitlement, privilege, arrogance, and manipulation. Tiny cruelties that add up over time...

If you love a novel where the tension increases with each page, has an isolated island setting, and some family secrets with the power to rend the family apart, then I would highly recommend this book to you. I look forward to reading more by this author.

4.5 stars rounded up

Ydi gwaed wir yn dewach na dŵr? Mae hyn yn cael ei brofi i'r eithaf rhwng cloriau'r nofel hon, gyda theulu'r Agarwals yn dod at ei gilydd i ddathlu pen-blwydd priodas arbennig ar ynys bellenig. Mae straeon pob aelod o'r teulu'n gymhleth, gyda chyfrinachau tywyll a phawb yn cuddio rhag y lleill yn eu ffyrdd eu hunain. Mae creithiau dwfn plentyndod a magwraeth i'w gweld yn amlwg wrth i sawl aelod o'r teulu geisio cydbwyso eu ffyddlondeb at eu teulu gyda'r perthnasoedd sydd ganddynt y tu hwnt i'r teulu hwnnw. Mae cymeriadau diddorol ac amrywiol yma, a chysylltiadau pob un yn dangos y gwrthdaro a'r pryderon a ddaw pan fo arian yn rhan o'r berthynas gymhleth sydd rhyngddynt. Er bod ambell gliw ar y dechrau o ran beth fyddai i ddod tua'r diwedd, roeddwn i ymhell ohoni wrth i mi geisio dyfalu beth oedd am ddigwydd, ac fe geir sawl tro annisgwyl hyd at y geiriau olaf un. Llinyn stori sy'n eich dwyn i fyd y teulu cymhleth hwn, i gwestiynu pob un ohonynt ac i weld faint o ddylanwad sydd gan arian ar bawb a'r grym a ddaw law yn llaw â hynny. Ysgrifennu clyfar gan roi darlun llawn o'r cymeriadau, stori wych!

Is blood truly thicker than water? This is put to the test between the pages of this book, with the Agarwal family coming together to celebrate an important wedding anniversary on a remote island. Each family member tells a complicated story, with dark secrets and all of them hiding something from the others. The deep scars of childhood and their upbringing is portrayed for many of the family members as they try to keep the balance between their loyalty to the family and the relationships they have with others outside the bloodline. We're introduced to many interesting characters, and the links between each one shows the conflicts and concerns that rear their heads when money is part of the complicated relationships between them,. Although there are a few hints at the start regarding what's to come at the end, I was far from the mark when I tried to guess what would happen, and there are so many twists right up until the final words. A plot that draws you into the world of this complex family, to question each and every one of them and to see the influence money has on all of them and the power it holds over them. Clever writing, well rounded character development, a great story!

Liked it . An excellent closed circle thriller with the right level of tension
Due to health issues cannot will write a proper review at a later time
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mineA more extensive review will follow

The Inheritance is a contemporary family drama with a touch of mystery (a very light touch) that tells the story of the Agarwal family, who are summoned to a private island in Scotland so the patriarch can communicate how he’ll be splitting the family empire. Enter the candidates: Myra, the eldest daughter who is now bankrupt after deciding to buy the island; Aseem, the middle son, married to Zoe, an ambitious outsider; and Aisha, the free-spirited youngest daughter, who arrives with a new secret boyfriend. The novel takes place over the course of those few days on the island, where tensions rise, old secrets are uncovered, and the family’s love for each other is tested when things don’t go as expected. And, of course, there’s a dead body, but you don’t know what happened.

I didn’t particularly like any of the characters, but I appreciated the way the author crafted their complex personalities—the toxic relationships were blatantly clear, and the amount of manipulation these siblings endured since childhood, all in the name of love, some trauma that still held power today. The way the father, Raj, used his company and fragile health to keep them close, the way the mother, Shalini, was surreptitiously manipulative, wanting to keep them near by making them feel guilty—it was all done with such precision.

This was an entertaining look at a Succession-esque situation, and while I was quite captivated at first, I must admit I slowly lost a bit of interest. There are mainly only two points of view (Myra and Zoe), and I believe we could’ve learned more from the others had we been able to get inside their minds for a bit, too. There were some interesting surprises by the end, but overall, it was a decent read—just not one that left a lasting impact on me.

The Inheritance follows the dysfunctional Agerwal family who are gathered on a private, luxury island for a family reunion where the patriarch, Raj, is planning to tell the family of the future of his successful business.
Raj's three children are eagerly awaiting news of the sale going through, so they can cash in their inheritance as they all have their own problems. Things don't go to plan though.

I didn't know what to expect from this book, but I really enjoyed it. I liked the set up of the family and enjoyed the introductions, getting to know each of the family members before they came together. With money being the driving force behind the story, it was fascinating to see how the characters reacted in certain situations. The characters were well written and the book was well paced to keep me interested throughout.

My thanks to the Publishers and NetGalley for sending me this ARC in return for an honest review.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.


The Inheritance by Trisha Sakhlecha. Is the story of a wealthy Indian family that made its money from Petrochemicals. Who are meeting in a remote Scottish Island to Celebrate the parents anniversary,

In addition to this momentous event The business will be sold to a rival and the money split between the children.

However family secrets and a surprised guest will change the events of the week.


Yet, another thriller set in a place where there is limited or no communication with the outside world, as it solves the problem which all suspense thrillers have in today's world of mass communication.

So with The Inheritance using a plot line which is very popular right now, is this a novel that stands out from this crowded space.

First we will look atTrisha Sakhlecha’s novel and try to see some difference from the standard plot line.

The one thing that stands out straight away is that most of the characters in the novel are from India which gives a slightly different twist to the family dynamics from a vast majority of novels published of this type in the UK.

Added to this the while it is not unusual for these types of thrillers to be based around some family secrets The Inheritance, the vast majority of this novel revolves around this dynamic.

Finally the family actually own the Island in which all these events take place, which is an interesting subplot with the family being from India owning part of the country which used to rule their nation.

While their are plot points of the novel which signify the differences from the standard remote location thriller does the writing and any twists in the novel make it worth reading,

While not all twists will have readers being shocked by the innovative way that the writer Trisha Sakhlecha has used in the novel, as most of them have probably used them before.

In addition most if not all the plot twists are hinted at throughout the novel, on the one hand it is nice to know that there are no jump twists that come out of nowhere and change the direction without being hinted at.

This is a double edge sword on the one hand careful reading of the story will have you predicting in which direction the novel will go.

This disadvantage is that any foreshadowing could seem to be overly obvious rather than just hinted at. As a reader it is up to you where you come down on this.

As for the writing style Trisha Sakhlecha, is perfectly suitable for what is a standard mystery thriller which is the perfect beach read.

Making The Inheritance by Trisha Sakhlecha while not a standout novel of this crowded style, but on that is still an enjoyable one, to read.

The iron grip of family should never be underestimated. Artful storytelling, clever misdirection and characters demonstrating that blood is thicker than water guarantee the pages keep turning. Throw in lives of wealth and privilege, ruthlessness enough to make one’s eyes water, the love and need for money, controlling parents, loyal but badly bruised siblings and the tension can do no other than mount. The emotional manipulation to keep secrets buried borders on cruelty.
Woven through the story told from the three siblings’ perspectives is the question of who committed the murder … and who was murdered.
More twists, turns, and passion than you can shake a stick at to keep you guessing.

I had such a resonance with this book which was an unexpected surprise. I too had an (ex) mother in law whose youngest son had been killed and who then put her all into her other son but only when it suited her !! Secrets and lies abound in most family dynamics and this one was no different other than it was set on an island during a storm, however there isn't a murder until almost the end and the murderer is only in the last sentence ( no cheating !!) Good solid drama with plenty going on and characters that you may not necessarily like but can empathise with at times. Read it in a day as I kept page turning to find out what the next revelation would be. Overall 4.5*

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC to review.