Member Reviews

I absolutely looooved the way this book ebbed and flowed. It kept me engaged, guessing and second guessing - I truly didn’t want the book to end.

There were a few points where I felt it a bit slow - but the story was well written, characters well developed and believable and the story just kept me on the edge of my seat.

Totally worth the read, one of my favorite thrillers of ‘24!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this phenomenal thriller in exchange for my honest review!

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Rosie must spend seven days with her estranged siblings to get her inheritance. they travel to warbury house, where they grew up. the characters were not very likable, but the story was good.

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Oh, this was a wild one!

The Fitzherbert family most certainly defines dysfunction. After the youngest sibling, Christian, dies suddenly at 18, Rosie ends up leaving the family home, Warbury House, and doesn't look back. But then years later, her father passes and requires all remaining siblings to attend to his final wishes at the family estate. After a tragedy in her youth, Rosie has become mute and communicates by passing notes or facial expressions. And when we learn why, it makes so much sense.

Older sister, Hettie - now married with three kids, and brother James, a gay lawyer have to all come together to be a part of collecting their share of the inheritance. But was it worth it? The salt in the old wounds and truths that arise are scandalous. This is such a hard story to review without spoilers!

Thanks to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and Rachel Lynch for the eARC.

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Three adult children return to Warbury House, the estate they grew up in after the death of their overbearing father. Rosie suffered traumas in her past that caused her to choose never to speak again. Jude was shamed for his sexuality and never received his father’s approval, even after becoming a prominent attorney. Hettie remained closest to her father, foregoing a career to raise her three kids. Now they have to tolerate each other as they come home to hear the reading of the will. But will they be able to put aside the past to ensure the future of Warbury House for the generations to come?

The story itself was enjoyable but the characters weren't exactly likeable. Rosie is the closest to being the main character but her choice not to speak makes her a bit unsufferable. Jude isn't too remarkable one way or the other except for pretending to be straight so he'll be eligible for the inheritance. And Hettie is just self-absorbed and irritable. The big mystery throughout the book is how their youngest brother, Christian, died. There's an official story of course, but you know there's going to be more to it. So you spend the story trying to figure out what secrets each sibling is keeping. You may be wrong about some of them!

It held my interest throughout and it wasn't too predictable. Anyone who gets a kick out of dysfunctional families will appreciate this story. I'd read more by this author based on how I enjoyed this one so hopefully there will be more to come.

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This was an easy and sort of enjoyable read, but I expected more from it and was therefore disappointed. I’d imagined there would be some sort of game to be played before any of the siblings could claim their inheritance. The writing was really good, but the characters were awful. Sorry I can’t be more positive but it was just OK for me. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, and I’m sure a lot of readers are going to love this.

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Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

I hated every single character in this book. All of them are simply horrific to each other - and to think they're family! This was definitely not for me, but if you like gothic stories, you might like it. It felt oppressive while reading. You could guess the outcome way before the ending. I admit I skim-read almost the entire book. I love this author's DI Kelly Porter series so much which is why I gave this one a chance.

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Thrilling: check
Well written: check
Gripping: double check

Thoughts: My gosh Jude and his wife screwed up their kids! I struggle to enjoy a book that had absolutely no redeeming characters and this was just that. Three stars - though really 2.5 - because it wasn’t a total flop, as I mentioned it was well written, and it was gripping - I had to know what happened. But man, that whole family needs extensive therapy. Dark twisted people.

Thanks to NetGalley for the E-ARC!

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3.5 stars, rounded down to 3 stars.

This was just OK for me. I didn't have a character to root for, which, while not a necessity, certainly helps me enjoy a book. There were a couple of things I didn't see coming, but I got no sense of suspense at all. This was an engaging, lengthy look at an entitled British family with no real moral compass. As a story, it was entertaining.

I received a complimentary copy of the novel from the publisher and NetGalley, and my review is being left freely.

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Huh... I guess I had a difficult time with the characters. Usually there is at least one that I find that I like in the first few pages, but this was definitely a dysfunctional family and their father was not a particularly good one.

The author did a good job unfolding the story, so I do give her credit for that.

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I love nuanced family mysteries and long-held secrets, so this book seemed like the perfect fit for me. However, the writing felt a bit choppy and the multiple POVs — always a hard sell for me — didn't help that. Many other reviewers seemed to enjoy this book more than me, so I'm confident it will find its audience.

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The Secret Inheritance is the story of three siblings with unresolved childhood trauma resulting in misunderstandings and simmering resentments that drive each of them to selfish behavior intent on retribution against each other. Too late, they learn the truth about events in their childhood that have haunted each of them.

I enjoyed the way the author revealed the details about the past, allowing the reader to start piecing the story together. The mystery, which involved several deaths and many deceptions, was resolved, but there was no justice.

I found the characters in this book repulsive - each behaved monstrously toward the others, except for Sarah, the pretend fiance of one of the siblings, and the children. There was nothing of goodness, truth or beauty in the world they inhabited.

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Thank you to Net Galley and Storm Publishing for the chance to read and review this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
This is a twisty, mysterious story. I kept reading because I wanted to find out what was going on. When the father Jude dies, he leaves a stipulation in his will. His three children, Rosie, Hettie and James, must spend a week in his house to receive their inheritance. That's fine except all three of the characters are dysfunctional and hiding secrets of their own. They have been raised in an abusive home, and they have all developed various coping mechanisms. There is also the mystery of their younger brother Christian and his death. The author did a good job of connecting all of the events and how each child is affected. I recommend this book if you like to read books that keep you guessing.

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The Secret Inheritance by Rachel Lynch was definitely not for me. Too much darkness, evil amongst family, and horrid secrets that revealed themself.

Releases Oct. 1st. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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After 3 siblings are summoned to their family home after the passing of their father, secrets, betrayal, and lies, are all brought to the surface.
Each chapter was based on one character at a time and I felt it really helped to understand how they were feeling through out the book and how the past had affected them. I liked how this book was written and
I couldn’t put this one down!! Thank you NetGalley and Storm publishing for the arc!

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After the death of their father, estranged siblings Hettie, James and Rosie must live together in the family mansion for a week in perfect harmony if they are to receive the inheritance they believe they are entitled to.
Siblings who have a lot to recriminate each other, quarrels and misunderstandings will make the week truly unforgettable.
Alternating chapters between the characters, we understand the stories of each of them, their problems, their sadness and the plans they have prepared to settle accounts, especially with their late father, but also with each other.
A well narrated novel, with manipulative characters that in my case have been difficult for me to sympathize with but that I have been able to understand through the story.
With many unsuspected revelations and narrative twists and turns we have a very enjoyable mystery filled family drama.

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Three siblings, hatred, secrets, child abuse and money make for an interesting and intriguing read. After their father dies, the three siblings are summoned to the reading of his will. Each has a back story, and clearly their father had been quite cruel. While not necessarily likeable, as the story unfolds , the secrets come out. This is a real page turner. I especially enjoyed the way how the three teenagers impacted the story. It is also about healing and moving forward once all the truths came out. This is the first novel I have read by this author and I look forward to reading her next book. Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book.

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There is a huge number of secrets in this book. Every character seems to have some, and almost everything everyone believes about events past is wrong.
At the centre of the story are three siblings, forced together following their father’s death, as they try to fulfil his final wishes in order to inherit his large fortune. Each of these siblings has secrets, including what happened to their fourth sibling. Each of them is also incredibly manipulative, which sadly, doesn’t make them particularly likeable. However, there is plenty going on, and twists to the story are gradually revealed, which makes it an entertaining read.
The Secret Inheritance is a book that will keep the reader turning the pages, trying to guess the truth of the intertwined history of all the characters.

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Notice of the death of multi millionaire Jude Fitzherbert has been been coming for some time. Despite the severity of his illness, Jude’s adult children have not been to visit. Nursed in his final hours by his Housekeeper and sometime lover Clara, Jude’s is a lonely death, due to the estrangement of all members of his family, both from him and each other. Perhaps the reading of Jude’s Last Will and Testament will make a difference. Or maybe not.

This book was quite intense and lengthy, none of the main characters were likeable in any way, each having their own, sometimes confusing, agenda. Not quite sure that some of the characters were entirely necessary (Nanny and Tube traveler) as they only added to a somewhat muddy plot line.

Not a bad book and I know that followers of this author will love it, but for me it lacked suspense and what could have been exceptional turned into another family saga/drama with the usual type of secrets.

2.5*

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing.

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I'm a big fan of Rachel's Kelly Porter series but this is something very different. Throw together three siblings, a lot of hate, cruelty, secrets, misunderstandings, money and murder. With a will which says they have to live together harmoniously for 7 days if anyone is to inherit their father's fortune. There you have the basis for a fantastic book which had me glued to the page all over the weekend. The plot twists and turns like a Swiss mountain pass with everyone accusing everyone else and the reader is kept guessing until the very end. A brilliant read I thoroughly enjoyed and am happy to recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own

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This is a great book! The secrets and the twists of the family are crazy! Some are very predictable so that was upsetting to know what was coming. I think it should have been kept a secret a little better and I would have enjoyed it more.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, and especially the author for this ARC in exchange for my honest review of the book!!

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