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The Lost Heiress
Win a free print copy of this book!
12 days and 17:26:36
10 copies available
U.S. only
From the author of All These Beautiful Strangers comes a haunting and operatic tale of the love, regret, and family secrets that beat in the dark heart of a towering cliffside mansion.
Wealthy heiress Saoirse Towers vanished during her eighteenth-birthday gala four decades ago. Now her remains have finally been found under Cliffhaven, the aristocratic family’s mansion high atop the windswept coast of central California. But the mystery only deepens…for her skeleton is not alone.
In vibrant 1982, Ana Rojas arrives to care for the supposedly frail Saoirse, who turns out to be a beautiful, spirited young woman straining against her family’s standards. But Ana bears secrets of her own. She’s come to Cliffhaven with a hidden agenda, one complicated by her growing feelings for Saoirse’s handsome brother.
But it’s formidable housekeeper Florence Talbot who truly holds the key to the past—a locked box teeming with secret betrayal, forbidden love, and hard-won redemption. Casting a long shadow, one tragedy binds the three women’s lives together. And as the truth about Saoirse’s fate and those it entangled comes to light, the legacy of Cliffhaven will be forever changed.
Wealthy heiress Saoirse Towers vanished during her eighteenth-birthday gala four decades ago. Now her remains have finally been found under Cliffhaven, the aristocratic family’s mansion high atop the windswept coast of central California. But the mystery only deepens…for her skeleton is not alone.
In vibrant 1982, Ana Rojas arrives to care for the supposedly frail Saoirse, who turns out to be a beautiful, spirited young woman straining against her family’s standards. But Ana bears secrets of her own. She’s come to Cliffhaven with a hidden agenda, one complicated by her growing feelings for Saoirse’s handsome brother.
But it’s formidable housekeeper Florence Talbot who truly holds the key to the past—a locked box teeming with secret betrayal, forbidden love, and hard-won redemption. Casting a long shadow, one tragedy binds the three women’s lives together. And as the truth about Saoirse’s fate and those it entangled comes to light, the legacy of Cliffhaven will be forever changed.
397 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2025
4309 people are currently reading
22118 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Klehfoth
2 books513 followersElizabeth Klehfoth grew up in Elkhart, Indiana. She received her BFA in creative writing from Chapman University and her MFA in creative writing from Indiana University, where she taught fiction writing and composition. She currently lives in Los Angeles. She is the author of All These Beautiful Strangers, The Lost Heiress, and Every Pretty Thing (coming November 2026).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 312 reviews
December 1, 2025
This was a brilliant read which drew me in from the beginning. I loved putting together the mystery behind the discovery of two bodies at Cliffhaven.
Told in a non-linear narrative, I thought I would get confused by the disjointed timeline. Instead, it just fuelled my thirst for the mystery and what really happened to the missing heiress, Saoirse, on the night of her eighteenth birthday party.
Over the course of the novel, we move from the investigations into the cold case in present day; to the months leading up to the party; to when Florence Talbot (Cliffhaven’s head housekeeper), became an integral part of the household. I loved seeing how the different elements combined together and that, despite being a lengthy novel, there were no “padding” scenes or moments that felt irrelevant to the overall narrative.
For the wealthy family that live at Cliffhaven, there are plenty of secrets and hidden agendas. The setting perfectly suited the mystery of the police investigation, particularly when readers are taken back to the night of the party. However, this did not stop me from admiring the key characters who, despite their different backgrounds, demonstrated a steely determination in getting what they want.
Highly enjoyable, this was a mystery that I could not predict and I enjoyed playing the part of a detective in trying to solve the case of missing Saoirse Towers.
With thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Told in a non-linear narrative, I thought I would get confused by the disjointed timeline. Instead, it just fuelled my thirst for the mystery and what really happened to the missing heiress, Saoirse, on the night of her eighteenth birthday party.
Over the course of the novel, we move from the investigations into the cold case in present day; to the months leading up to the party; to when Florence Talbot (Cliffhaven’s head housekeeper), became an integral part of the household. I loved seeing how the different elements combined together and that, despite being a lengthy novel, there were no “padding” scenes or moments that felt irrelevant to the overall narrative.
For the wealthy family that live at Cliffhaven, there are plenty of secrets and hidden agendas. The setting perfectly suited the mystery of the police investigation, particularly when readers are taken back to the night of the party. However, this did not stop me from admiring the key characters who, despite their different backgrounds, demonstrated a steely determination in getting what they want.
Highly enjoyable, this was a mystery that I could not predict and I enjoyed playing the part of a detective in trying to solve the case of missing Saoirse Towers.
With thanks to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 4, 2025
✰ 3 stars ✰
For the better half of the read, I was visibly frustrated with the author's deliberate avoidance of not bringing a certain character up during Detective Church's investigation into the events leading up The Lost Heiress's final moments, a question that no one could answer. It was too pointed to be dismissed, and only was brought forth when it became relevant to the plot. It made me feel like he was doing a poor job at checking all the facts, when simply the author only directed attention towards it, when they deemed it relevant to the plot.
As we jumped from alternative perspectives and timelines and mindsets, which in itself became a bit of a muddle, I was also exasperated, questioning the relevance of regaling us with extensive detail into the opulence and lavish history of the Towers family legacy. The squandered luster, the twisted relationships, and the luster of an allure that masked the true glint of how tainted these riches truly were.
“He wished for an end to missing, for an end to waiting, for an end to hope.”
Before the cards laid clean, I empathized with Detective Church's wayward emotions - his own personal need to bring closure to an unsolved mystery, that is in itself the worst kind of pain - the not knowing, but the need to have things to fit neatly into boxes—good and bad, right and wrong. But, sometimes not everything is as squeaky clean - there is more than meets the eye, a valley of one's own personal emotions that compels one to behave the way they do - to see the right, in the wrong.
It is a tedious read, almost strange. For you know you're leading up to a tragedy, but you're also wondering, why exactly do I have to be inundated with a character study of their family tree —what they did and who they spent it with. Time that could have been spent more effectively into actually finding clues and questioning persons of relevance in the present.
“If we were made in God’s image, then why do we do the things we do to one another?”
“Because we have a choice. And we don’t always make the right one. But sometimes we do.”
The devil is in the details. Through the eyes of the many characters, their own insight into burying secrets thought forgotten is what helps each of them remove that layer of doubt and uncertainty, that finally helps you realize the importance of memories too painful to look at but too precious to discard.
The reasoning and the reckoning lies within understanding the motive and then discern on your own. To witness, judge and foresee that Sairoise's death, while a tragedy, carried a weight heavier than guilt or jealousy, but also a deep grief that despaired of watching history repeat itself. That the power of love and family outweighs even one's own moral compass.
It showed that much as we presume the worst, maybe sometimes the truth simply has no shade of malice, but just is. How appearances can be misleading, for there's a whole other truth buried beneath the lies we tell ourselves. And that was a quiet hit that left a lingering impact on me, which pushed me to increase my overall opinion on it; even if only slightly, but still deservedly so.
“Sometimes, the only way out is through.”
For the better half of the read, I was visibly frustrated with the author's deliberate avoidance of not bringing a certain character up during Detective Church's investigation into the events leading up The Lost Heiress's final moments, a question that no one could answer. It was too pointed to be dismissed, and only was brought forth when it became relevant to the plot. It made me feel like he was doing a poor job at checking all the facts, when simply the author only directed attention towards it, when they deemed it relevant to the plot.
As we jumped from alternative perspectives and timelines and mindsets, which in itself became a bit of a muddle, I was also exasperated, questioning the relevance of regaling us with extensive detail into the opulence and lavish history of the Towers family legacy. The squandered luster, the twisted relationships, and the luster of an allure that masked the true glint of how tainted these riches truly were.
“He wished for an end to missing, for an end to waiting, for an end to hope.”
Before the cards laid clean, I empathized with Detective Church's wayward emotions - his own personal need to bring closure to an unsolved mystery, that is in itself the worst kind of pain - the not knowing, but the need to have things to fit neatly into boxes—good and bad, right and wrong. But, sometimes not everything is as squeaky clean - there is more than meets the eye, a valley of one's own personal emotions that compels one to behave the way they do - to see the right, in the wrong.
It is a tedious read, almost strange. For you know you're leading up to a tragedy, but you're also wondering, why exactly do I have to be inundated with a character study of their family tree —what they did and who they spent it with. Time that could have been spent more effectively into actually finding clues and questioning persons of relevance in the present.
“If we were made in God’s image, then why do we do the things we do to one another?”
“Because we have a choice. And we don’t always make the right one. But sometimes we do.”
The devil is in the details. Through the eyes of the many characters, their own insight into burying secrets thought forgotten is what helps each of them remove that layer of doubt and uncertainty, that finally helps you realize the importance of memories too painful to look at but too precious to discard.
The reasoning and the reckoning lies within understanding the motive and then discern on your own. To witness, judge and foresee that Sairoise's death, while a tragedy, carried a weight heavier than guilt or jealousy, but also a deep grief that despaired of watching history repeat itself. That the power of love and family outweighs even one's own moral compass.
It showed that much as we presume the worst, maybe sometimes the truth simply has no shade of malice, but just is. How appearances can be misleading, for there's a whole other truth buried beneath the lies we tell ourselves. And that was a quiet hit that left a lingering impact on me, which pushed me to increase my overall opinion on it; even if only slightly, but still deservedly so.
August 2, 2025
While Soairse Towers certainly makes her presence known to us, The Lost Heiress actually takes us through the Towers family history via one Florence Talbot, who was in fact born at Cliffhaven.
The book opens with the search for a companion for the high spirited, wealthy orphaned Soairse, who has been pulled out of boarding school against her wishes and is proving hard to manage, especially since her last remaining relative, older brother Ransom Towers spends most of his time across the country in Washington DC serving out his term in office.
The Towers family is marked by great wealth and tragic accidents and political achievement in every generation. Ransom and Soairse have lost not only their parents but brother Theo died in a boat accident that also took the life of an unnamed woman, a scandal that was mitigated by Theo's death and the Towers fortune.
In the prologue we learn that workmen have found not one but two sets of bones buried on the Cliffhaven property. Florence realizes that finally all the secrets must come to light. Florence's mother was on staff in the Towers household and gave birth in secret. The staff more or less treated Florence as a sort of mascot until she was six years old, and her mother died. At which point she was presented to Doris O. Towers the family matriarch at the time who decided that rather than sending the child to an orphanage, she would move into the nursey with granddaughter Verity. From that point on, Florence and Verity were inseparable and usually tagging along behind Charles and Astrid, the older Towers children. It was an idyllic life for Florence until the girls reached an age when Towers children go to boarding school. Florence doesn't return to the family fold until Astrid marries and moves to Europe, where upon Scarlet Towers requests that Florence joins her to watch over her. Circumstances eventually lead Florence back to Cliffhaven, and this time Charles as head of household, asks her to be nanny to the newly born Soairse.
We learn that Soairse disappeared the night of her eighteenth birthday party. A night that was significant because, turning eighteen would allow her control of her finances and as such free her from living by Ranson's dictates, under the eye of paid companion Ana Rojas.
The book is told from multiple points of view, but while we are meant to believe that it is about Ana, it really isn't. This is Florence's tale of being almost but not quite a Towers, of being so intertwined with the family that she knew what was best, and were the bodies were hidden...figuratively...and maybe literally.
The book opens with the search for a companion for the high spirited, wealthy orphaned Soairse, who has been pulled out of boarding school against her wishes and is proving hard to manage, especially since her last remaining relative, older brother Ransom Towers spends most of his time across the country in Washington DC serving out his term in office.
The Towers family is marked by great wealth and tragic accidents and political achievement in every generation. Ransom and Soairse have lost not only their parents but brother Theo died in a boat accident that also took the life of an unnamed woman, a scandal that was mitigated by Theo's death and the Towers fortune.
In the prologue we learn that workmen have found not one but two sets of bones buried on the Cliffhaven property. Florence realizes that finally all the secrets must come to light. Florence's mother was on staff in the Towers household and gave birth in secret. The staff more or less treated Florence as a sort of mascot until she was six years old, and her mother died. At which point she was presented to Doris O. Towers the family matriarch at the time who decided that rather than sending the child to an orphanage, she would move into the nursey with granddaughter Verity. From that point on, Florence and Verity were inseparable and usually tagging along behind Charles and Astrid, the older Towers children. It was an idyllic life for Florence until the girls reached an age when Towers children go to boarding school. Florence doesn't return to the family fold until Astrid marries and moves to Europe, where upon Scarlet Towers requests that Florence joins her to watch over her. Circumstances eventually lead Florence back to Cliffhaven, and this time Charles as head of household, asks her to be nanny to the newly born Soairse.
We learn that Soairse disappeared the night of her eighteenth birthday party. A night that was significant because, turning eighteen would allow her control of her finances and as such free her from living by Ranson's dictates, under the eye of paid companion Ana Rojas.
The book is told from multiple points of view, but while we are meant to believe that it is about Ana, it really isn't. This is Florence's tale of being almost but not quite a Towers, of being so intertwined with the family that she knew what was best, and were the bodies were hidden...figuratively...and maybe literally.
November 17, 2025
2.5 stars. This one was just OK for me. Not a particularly memorable read. I found myself mildly interested in the outcome. However ,the characters weren't very relatable or likable and I found the ending very anti climactic.
November 30, 2025
I am emphatically in love with this book. As soon as I started, I knew Florence was going to be my favorite character and the one who held the keys to the castle.
Soairse Towers was always wealthy and spoiled. Not always a good combination. So when her brother and their business partner decide to throw her a fabulous 18th birthday party, Soairse is ecstatic. When the festivities end, Soairse is nowhere to be found.
I liked how the story went back and forth between the time when Soairse disappeared and present day when a body was found. Florence was most definitely my favorite and I knew she knew what they all knew. I have a penchant for rich families with lots of secrets and shady pasts. If you enjoyed shows like Succession, Billions and Big Little Lies, this book is for you!
Thank you Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for this amazing ARC. All opinions are entirely my own.
Soairse Towers was always wealthy and spoiled. Not always a good combination. So when her brother and their business partner decide to throw her a fabulous 18th birthday party, Soairse is ecstatic. When the festivities end, Soairse is nowhere to be found.
I liked how the story went back and forth between the time when Soairse disappeared and present day when a body was found. Florence was most definitely my favorite and I knew she knew what they all knew. I have a penchant for rich families with lots of secrets and shady pasts. If you enjoyed shows like Succession, Billions and Big Little Lies, this book is for you!
Thank you Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for this amazing ARC. All opinions are entirely my own.
December 31, 2025
This mystery thriller novel is a must read! The setting, atmosphere, and character development is so well done that you're left in suspense with clouds of doubt as to who possibly could be the one who kidnapped and/or murdered (or helped her escape??) the heiress. At a certain point, I honestly didn't trust anyone! I questioned my assumptions about some of the characters that I initially didn't trust and those that seemed innocent and loveable at the beginning.
Thank you to Brilliance Publishing, Brilliance Audio, and Netgalley for the gifted ALC of this book in exchange for my honest review. Narrator Jane Oppenheimer does a phenomenal job at hooking you into the story, capturing the emotions and cadences of each character's speech while not giving anything away, and articulating the story in a clear manner while keeping up with the fast-paced suspense in the novel.
If you've been craving a mystery novel that is extremely well done and not easy to solve, then you need to grab yourself a copy of this book or audiobook! You will be second guessing yourself and every character the whole way through. Enjoy!!
Thank you to Brilliance Publishing, Brilliance Audio, and Netgalley for the gifted ALC of this book in exchange for my honest review. Narrator Jane Oppenheimer does a phenomenal job at hooking you into the story, capturing the emotions and cadences of each character's speech while not giving anything away, and articulating the story in a clear manner while keeping up with the fast-paced suspense in the novel.
If you've been craving a mystery novel that is extremely well done and not easy to solve, then you need to grab yourself a copy of this book or audiobook! You will be second guessing yourself and every character the whole way through. Enjoy!!
December 20, 2025
This is more literary/general fiction than mystery, but I prefer litfic, so that was a pleasant surprise. I read this for free through Amazon's First Reads program, and while I enjoyed it, I otherwise wouldn't have picked it, not with that generic cover. It was the only decent sounding read out of the other books on offer, and I wound up pleasantly surprised. The mystery is basic Murder She Wrote shenanigans. Characters are peak quality, though. Ms. Talbot and Soirse were favorites for their depth and intricacies. Don't read this expecting modern mystery tropes or a twist on every page. A quality read if you prefer character over plot.
November 15, 2025
I am not a big lover of mysteries, but this one was pretty good. I enjoyed the family saga through the generations and the character development of the main characters. I did guess the murderer by the end of the book, but there was still a surprise at the end. My negative comments may be spoilers: How did Ana learn to pick locks and use a gun? The author never explains, although she hints at some sinister reason that never materializes. Also, how did the killer drag a dead body up several flights of steps in a storm? If I'm asked to believe an unlikely ending, I need a reason to believe it. All in all though, it was a good read and hard to put down
December 8, 2025
This was surprisingly sharp. Dark family secrets, complicated women, and a slow unravel that actually felt earned. Nothing dramatic for the sake of drama, just steady tension and really solid writing. The characters are messy in a believable way and I loved the originality of the setup.
A quiet but powerful mystery that lands exactly where it needs to. I enjoyed this one.
A quiet but powerful mystery that lands exactly where it needs to. I enjoyed this one.
December 5, 2025
WOWWWWWWW i read this in one sitting. loved loved loved. so engaging and had me hooked from page 1.
this is the kind of book i’m always searching for and i need MORE!
this is the kind of book i’m always searching for and i need MORE!
December 16, 2025
Everyone knows the mansion, Cliffhaven. It towers over the town and looks like something out of a storybook. By now, the remains of Saoirse Towers have finally been found...and she's not alone.
The Lost Heiress by Elizabeth Klehforth is a lot of different stories. It's the story of an orphan, of a cousin full of grief, of money, of mental health, of mysterious disappearance, and of the power of money.
Set over various timelines, we follow Saoirse, a soon-to-be 18-year-old heiress and notorious troublemaker needs someone to 'care' for her. Enter Ana Rojas. We also follow Florence, Cliffhaven's house manager. She was born and raised in the mansion. She knows all the dark secrets.
This is an engaging story, but the 80s setting of the central mystery could have taken place in the 1902s, the 1810s, the 1790s, there's a core storyline of women being repressed and controlled. I don't think the 80s setting enhanced the plot, but it did make for easy fashion and pop culture references.
There's several red herrings and the resolution is satisfying but I feel that this could have been longer or ... more mysterious with the rich plotlines that were all included.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.
The Lost Heiress by Elizabeth Klehforth is a lot of different stories. It's the story of an orphan, of a cousin full of grief, of money, of mental health, of mysterious disappearance, and of the power of money.
Set over various timelines, we follow Saoirse, a soon-to-be 18-year-old heiress and notorious troublemaker needs someone to 'care' for her. Enter Ana Rojas. We also follow Florence, Cliffhaven's house manager. She was born and raised in the mansion. She knows all the dark secrets.
This is an engaging story, but the 80s setting of the central mystery could have taken place in the 1902s, the 1810s, the 1790s, there's a core storyline of women being repressed and controlled. I don't think the 80s setting enhanced the plot, but it did make for easy fashion and pop culture references.
There's several red herrings and the resolution is satisfying but I feel that this could have been longer or ... more mysterious with the rich plotlines that were all included.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.
December 15, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ Thank you NetGalley for the ALC!
This book was gripping from start to finish. I loved the development of the characters and how their stories played out and intertwined throughout the decades. The story switched between three different eras yet it wasn’t difficult to keep track of. I appreciated the writing style and would definitely recommend if you want an intro into historical fiction with a modern feel! I’ll definitely be reading Elizabeth’s future books!! 🫶🏼
This book was gripping from start to finish. I loved the development of the characters and how their stories played out and intertwined throughout the decades. The story switched between three different eras yet it wasn’t difficult to keep track of. I appreciated the writing style and would definitely recommend if you want an intro into historical fiction with a modern feel! I’ll definitely be reading Elizabeth’s future books!! 🫶🏼
January 4, 2026
Enjoyable
I enjoyed this read/listen more than I expected to. There are a lot of characters and time swaps, and the choice of phrases and words don't always fit the intended time period, but overall it was still a good story with an engaging plot.
I enjoyed this read/listen more than I expected to. There are a lot of characters and time swaps, and the choice of phrases and words don't always fit the intended time period, but overall it was still a good story with an engaging plot.
December 23, 2025
Loved it! New author for me and one I’ll definitely be reading!
January 1, 2026
Such a well written mystery. Really enjoyed the storytelling and the little breadcrumbs of hinting of who did it, but I didn’t see that one coming.
November 5, 2025
Amazon first read.
3.5. I read into the night but not so much out of enjoyment. I wanted to finish this book. The whole time reading left me feeling somber and sad. There was mystery which I like but also such unhappy people.
3.5. I read into the night but not so much out of enjoyment. I wanted to finish this book. The whole time reading left me feeling somber and sad. There was mystery which I like but also such unhappy people.
November 15, 2025
Saoirse Towers disappears on the night of her 18th birthday party, vanishing without a trace from her family’s sprawling estate, Cliffhaven. Initially, no one is that concerned as her reputation proves this might be premeditated, but after a while panic ensues as no one can find her. Her older brother Ransom, a rising politician and her reluctant legal guardian, has already pulled her from school to protect the family’s image. The Towers name is a political dynasty: powerful, untouchable, and deeply invested in keeping its secrets buried.
Years later, the cold case is thrust back into the spotlight when not one, but two bodies are unearthed on the property. A seasoned detective takes the lead and quickly uncovers more inconsistencies than answers, drawing him back to Cliffhaven as he tries to untangle the sinister truths hiding in the Towers family closet.
Told through alternating perspectives and multiple timelines, the novel peels back generations of dysfunction to reveal a family pattern of repressing its women. Beginning with matriarch Doris and ending with Saoirse herself who perhaps is more misunderstood than rebellious. The story showcases the resilience of the Towers women as they confront a world, and a family, determined to keep them in their place.
Despite its intricate structure, Elizabeth Klehfoth keeps the narrative sharp and cohesive. By the final page, readers are reminded that money can’t shield anyone from tragedy, and that ultimately, everyone longs for control over their own destiny.
Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, and author Elizabeth Klehfoth for the advanced copy of the book. The Lost Heiress is out on December 1st. All opinions are my own.
http://www.instagram.com/passionforprose
Years later, the cold case is thrust back into the spotlight when not one, but two bodies are unearthed on the property. A seasoned detective takes the lead and quickly uncovers more inconsistencies than answers, drawing him back to Cliffhaven as he tries to untangle the sinister truths hiding in the Towers family closet.
Told through alternating perspectives and multiple timelines, the novel peels back generations of dysfunction to reveal a family pattern of repressing its women. Beginning with matriarch Doris and ending with Saoirse herself who perhaps is more misunderstood than rebellious. The story showcases the resilience of the Towers women as they confront a world, and a family, determined to keep them in their place.
Despite its intricate structure, Elizabeth Klehfoth keeps the narrative sharp and cohesive. By the final page, readers are reminded that money can’t shield anyone from tragedy, and that ultimately, everyone longs for control over their own destiny.
Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, and author Elizabeth Klehfoth for the advanced copy of the book. The Lost Heiress is out on December 1st. All opinions are my own.
http://www.instagram.com/passionforprose
November 16, 2025
The author used too many themes and people. The connections among them was ragged, and I asked myself why is this included many times? The resolutions to the mysteries happens too quickly, like a leap of logic. The detective, Church, would have to be omniscient. I struggled through the book. The book needs to be cleaned up. A rewrite would make this a worthy piece of literature.
November 16, 2025
i enjoyed this book. it was told from three different time periods. it held my attention and i felt like secrets were revealed as the characters found out about them. it wasn’t always a surprise but would affirm suspicions. i liked the slow reveal of things as the story unfolded.
December 2, 2025
Ok maybe a little bit of a twist but lots of laborious scene setting, character description, etc. etc. I watned it to be more exciting/twisty. or interesting.
December 21, 2025
Loved this one! 4.5 Stars
I thought about this book when I wasn't reading it and was constantly eager to get back to it. It didn't quite hit my mark for a 5 star read (to be fair, mysteries nearly ever do), but I definitely enjoyed it more than my other recent 4 star reads, so 4.5 stars it is. I love a mystery where the author gives readers all the clues we need to put the pieces together and solve it ourselves (as opposed to withholding one key fact until the end, which I hate). This author gave us everything we needed to solve the case ourselves. I didn't solve it (well done hiding those clues!) which only made me love it more.
I did find it a tiny bit hard to keep all the characters straight. A family tree would have helped. But still a fantastic, engrossing read.
I thought about this book when I wasn't reading it and was constantly eager to get back to it. It didn't quite hit my mark for a 5 star read (to be fair, mysteries nearly ever do), but I definitely enjoyed it more than my other recent 4 star reads, so 4.5 stars it is. I love a mystery where the author gives readers all the clues we need to put the pieces together and solve it ourselves (as opposed to withholding one key fact until the end, which I hate). This author gave us everything we needed to solve the case ourselves. I didn't solve it (well done hiding those clues!) which only made me love it more.
I did find it a tiny bit hard to keep all the characters straight. A family tree would have helped. But still a fantastic, engrossing read.
December 28, 2025
I wanted to start reading more mystery novels so I selected this book on a whim and I can definitely say it’s gotten me way more interested in the genre.
I love the pacing and seeing all the pov’s from so many different interconnected characters. The structure and time jumps kept me absolutely hooked.
I personally LOVED being introduced to so many characters and falling deeper and deeper into the rabbit hole of the family tree and their relationships.
I love the pacing and seeing all the pov’s from so many different interconnected characters. The structure and time jumps kept me absolutely hooked.
I personally LOVED being introduced to so many characters and falling deeper and deeper into the rabbit hole of the family tree and their relationships.
December 29, 2025
Complicated
I found the characters hard to keep track of. The family tree page was helpful, often.
The storyline dragged for me until the last 20% of the book, which was intriguing.
I won’t spoil the ending.
I found the characters hard to keep track of. The family tree page was helpful, often.
The storyline dragged for me until the last 20% of the book, which was intriguing.
I won’t spoil the ending.
January 8, 2026
Could not put this down. Captivating storytelling, perfect execution of dual timelines. I love a prominent family drama and secrets. Didn’t see the ending coming, which is always a pleasant surprise also!
Want to read
September 7, 2025let's go
November 11, 2025
Really enjoyed this book! I like that the chapters bounced between past, super past and present investigation
December 1, 2025
Great book- super tight- great story and a page turner- it was an Amazon first reads! Recommend!
41/2 stars ⭐️
41/2 stars ⭐️
December 15, 2025
I don’t know what it was about this book, but it ended up being one of my favorites of the year.
I could not figure out how all three storylines were connected, and I loved watching that slowly come together. Did I love the ending? Not really. It wasn’t bad, just not what I was hoping for. But honestly, I still had such a good time reading this that it didn’t matter much in the end.
Not every book needs a perfect ending to be a great read, and this one totally worked for me.
I could not figure out how all three storylines were connected, and I loved watching that slowly come together. Did I love the ending? Not really. It wasn’t bad, just not what I was hoping for. But honestly, I still had such a good time reading this that it didn’t matter much in the end.
Not every book needs a perfect ending to be a great read, and this one totally worked for me.
December 17, 2025
What A Great Who-Done-It!
well plotted, well written, great characters…an all around excellent read!
The plot moves along at a good pace- no lags or slow spots in this one!
well plotted, well written, great characters…an all around excellent read!
The plot moves along at a good pace- no lags or slow spots in this one!
December 22, 2025
3.75. I lost track of the characters a little.
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