Heiress of Nowhere

by Stacey Lee

An orphan races to uncover a killer—who may have come from the sea—when she and her beloved orcas fall under suspicion in this gothic historical mystery from the New York Times bestselling author of The Downstairs Girl.

1918. Orcas Island, Washington.

Eighteen-year-old Lucy Nowhere has spent her life working on the massive estate of Dakon Sanders, the eccentric shipbuilder who took her in after she washed ashore as a baby in a green canoe. But she longs for a life away from the island, which, despite its abundance, holds no answers for her.

Just before her departure to attend university, Lucy discovers the head of her benefactor on a rocky beach. Rumors swirl that a mischievous spirit, the Orkus, has struck again, much like it commanded its minions, the seawolves, to kill a nameless cannery worker years ago. But Lucy doesn’t believe the seawolves are at fault. She believes that the seal heads that have started appearing on beaches have been placed there by a human hand.

Then, Lucy is named the heiress of the multi-million-dollar estate, displacing his dashing and mysterious nephew, Nash. The unexpected inheritance casts Lucy under new suspicion—and paints a large target on her back.

Though her best friend, the ruggedly handsome estate cowboy guard, Koa, urges her to leave the island with him, Lucy knows the only way she can discover who she is, and to free the island of its curse, is to find the real killer—before she becomes the next victim.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Mystery, Gothic, Historical, Fiction, Thriller

400 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication March 17, 2026

About the author

Stacey Lee is the New York Times and Indie bestselling author of historical and contemporary young adult fiction, including THE DOWNSTAIRS GIRL, Reese's Book Club Late Summer 2021 YA pick, and her most recent, LUCK OF THE TITANIC which received five starred reviews. A native of southern California and fourth-generation Chinese American, she is a founder of the We Need Diverse Books movement and writes stories for all kids (even the ones who look like adults). Find her
@staceyleeauthor on Instagram and Twitter, and @staceylee.author on Facebook.

Reviews

[Book Riot Community]

Book Riot’s Most Anticipated Books of 2026:

It's 1918 on Orcas Island, Washington, and Lucy's spent her life working at the estate of an eccentric shipbuilder. She washed ashore in a canoe as a child, and the shipbuilder took her in. Lucy's wanted answers that the island can't give her, but she didn't want to find those answers by stumbling across her employer's severed head. Lucy now not only has to ward off the local rumors of a mischievous spirit being the murderer, but she also has been unexpectedly named heir of the estate—putting her future in peril and casting suspicions that she may be the killer. Stacey Lee does historical mysteries like no other, and this sounds outstanding. —Kelly Jensen

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

Orcas, rare plants, and a murder mystery? Incredible. I definitely got tricked by the Red herrings (iykyk), but I caught on a little before our heroine. I liked the atmosphere and a couple of our characters, but the love triangle bogged the story down and at times felt like it was actively getting in the way of the plot. This book still kept most of my attention, but I don’t think I’ll be racing to get a copy on release day.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucy Nowhere lives on an island with her benefactor. She washed ashore when she was an infant and he took her in. She was basically hired help and she wanted to leave the island when she turned 18 and go to the University. Then, her benefactor is murdered and she is his heir, not his nephew. It is in her interest to stay and try to find the killer and at the same time, try to find who she is and how she got there.

This was a creative story and it has a touch of the supernatural in it and a touch of romance and a touch of suspense. It really was a mystery and I had no idea how it was going to turn out. The main characters were definitely people you could invest time with and those revolving around her were all a bit suspicious at times. You will not guess the ending.

This book is geared for young adults, but as an old adult, I really enjoyed reading it.

I would like to thank Simon and Schuster B0oks for Young Readers and NetGalley for this ARC.

[Eden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am truly floored. You say historical gothic mystery-I’m in. You add some scenes of touching romance and a little bit of magical realism, and I am EVEN MORE IN! Every aspect of this story worked. My heart was beating so fast as I tried to figure out the mystery with Lucy. I loved trying to put together the clues before she did, but ultimately we both got there around the same time. haha. It was obvious that so much care and research were put into this story. I enjoyed learning the historical context, and now I want to visit the San Juan Islands and see an orca (from afar). This is my favorite Stacey Lee novel so far, and I’m excited to see what other stories she comes up with.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an arc in exchange for my honest review.

[Nicole Dahms · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice little YA whodunnit story! The mystery aspect of this novel was well done and had many twists and turns that kept you guessing about the identity of the murderer. Set in the beautiful Pacific Northwest islands, the author does a great job incorporating the unique surrounding environment into the storyline.

Personally, I did not care for the MC’s “orca sense.” It felt quite overdone and was not necessary for the movement of the plot. That being said, I could definitely see a young aspiring marine biologist or general animal/nature lover enjoying this aspect.

[Evie Oliva · Rating 5 out of 5]

My thanks to Netgalley, Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing and Stacey Lee for the eARC of this book in exchange for a review.

This was such an interesting story. I have a habit of collecting books by authors even if I haven't had the chance to read them yet and Stacey Lee is one of them. I have several hardcovers and digital copies of past releases and have always meant to read them. I just haven't had the opportunity to read them yet. Heiress of Nowhere is the first time I've had the chance to sit down and enjoy a book by Stacey Lee and I'm so glad I read this book. It had solid writing, well-rounded characters and an intriguing plot. I've already pre-ordered an official copy to go on my shelves where I have confirmed I have my other Stacey Lee novels. It will be a 2026 goal to now work my way through the past books that I can happily say I'm grateful I own for myself. It's always good to find a new author and their work to enjoy.

Heiress of Nowhere follows Lucy Nowhere in 1918 on Orcas Island, Washington. She has been working for her employer all her life and has just been accepted to attend a university. But the day she decides to inform her eccentric boss of her plans, she finds his severed head on the beach. Rumors swirl that some kind of monster is responsible for the death, along with a previous victim from some years before and other things that have been happening on the island. The belief is that it is a curse and the people are scared and uncertain of their future. Then Lucy is named heiress of the estate of Nowhere and Lucy realizes that whoever killed her boss will now focus their attention on her. Lucy has to focus on finding who the true culprit is before she becomes the next victim.

I love the opening to this book. It starts with Lucy out in her canoe sketching the "sea wolves", or the orcas that live off the coast of Nowhere. Everything about this scene highlights what the readers should know about Lucy and it is a great introduction to her and to the book. She reflects on what people believe about orcas and then quickly has to get herself back to land when a couple of whales get too close to her canoe. She's scrambling to get back to safety and yet quips about the danger she's in and jokes about herself being not worth the effort of eating. Lucy shows respect for the animals around her, knowing the threat they pose should she fall into the water. She took a risk to work diligently on her drawing which is meant for her employer, who has given her the task of getting sketches of plants and animals around the island for a book he is working on. She's ready to move on to a new life which happens to be pursuing an education at a university which shows that she's ambitious and has a need to travel and learn more about the world.

Once Lucy is back on land and moving back up to the house, I knew I was going to like this girl. I thought she had a clear way of thinking, a healthy respect for the things around her and a clear motivating factor, trying to find somewhere to belong as she is an orphan who was taken in by the Nowhere Estate and its own, Mr. Sanders. Everything about this first chapter was strong, drawing the reader in with the threat of the sea wolves and the girl daring and stubborn enough to do something that could have gotten her killed. I wanted to learn more about this girl and wanted her to find out more about who she is after learning how she was found in a canoe before she was a day old. Nothing revealed felt out of place. It all flowed with an easy rhythm, giving the information readers needed without making it feel like a barrage of facts.

All the characters from that point on were well-developed, showing the readers what they needed to know as the book went on, proving who was an ally for Lucy and who we needed to keep an eye on concerning the central mystery of the book. I liked some characters more than others and the overall cast was diverse and interesting. I enjoyed Lucy's point of view, the way she had to expand her world as the new heiress by tackling new things and learning who she could trust from her new lady's maid and her new secretary, to the people who helped run the businesses she is now in charge of and the people tied to the estate. The way everything unfolded kept me focused on the story and each person in this book had something important to contribute to the plot. It shows that Lee has a deft hand with the writing when the entire cast of a book has something to add and no one feels tacked on or out of place. . I did want to wring the neck of Lucy's "childhood friend" mentioned in the synopsis but fine, they're teenagers, it's expected that they are going to be bull-headed. It shows that Lee is talented if I still want to knock that boy over the head this long (an entire morning) after reading the book.

In terms of the plot, I was hooked on the summary reveal about a head found on the beach. That was only the start of the mystery but it's enough to draw readers in without a doubt. I wanted to know who could do something like that, why these people were targeted. The stories and legends about the orcas added to the mystery, lending a strange twist to the plot of a person who used the fear of the residents against them, to keep them focused on something supernatural so they could hide their actions in plain sight. It helped to show what kind of person the villain was so that when the reveal finally happened, it hit a certain way because of everything already seen. The buildup was worth it and I love when a book manages to make the leadup they've established make sense at the end of the book. It leaves a very satisfied feeling behind for me as reader.

In the end, this was a very respectable read from Stacey Lee. I'm looking forward to when my copy arrives in the mail. I will be reading all of Stacey Lee's past books and paying attention to all future releases from now on. There were a few things that I felt a little miffed on but not enough to really detract from my love for this book.

Rating on my scale: 9 Stars. As I said, while I mainly loved this book, there were a few things that bugged me about that stubborn kid that I mentioned but I was happy with how Lucy processed everything around her and was impressed with how she ended up handling him. Nothing was drawn out and there was no waffling so it helped cement that I needed to order this book as a new addition for my library. Next, I'll be looking through the Stacey Lee books I have and working out which one to read next for the new year.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at 36%

I love the idea of a historical gothic mystery/thriller on a misty island known for its orca population, so I was excited for this one, especially since I enjoyed Lee’s Luck of the Titanic. But, unfortunately, I lost interest before it could even start to fulfill the promise of its premise.

The synopsis says there’s a murder on the island and our main character and her orcas fall under suspicion. But at almost 40% in, there’s still no sign of that plotline. It’s just a lot of Lucy just walking around the island and then learning how to be the heiress. Even after the murder, the focus is more on the logistics of the island and running the business she inherited than the murder. It’s possible it gets better as the book goes on, but it didn’t capture my attention quick enough to find out, and I’m trying to DNF more books if I’m not enjoying them.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Sofia Baraklilis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free ebook of this book through NetGalley.

The story is set in 1918 following Lucy, an 18 year old orphan who washed up on the shores of Nowhere Island in the pacific northwest, owned by one Mr Sanders, when she was a day old and raised by staff. Lucy dreams of leaving the island and attending university to study plants and animals. When she tells her benefactor Mr Sanders her plans, that she has already applied (and been accepted) to school and is leaving, things are left on their head when she discovers his head washing up on shore later that afternoon. To complicate maters, Lucy finds out that Mr Sanders has made her his successor, and Lucy must figure out who killed him before the accusing eyes take her in.

I had a very hard time getting into this story. While I am a fan of author Stacey Lee and was excited to read this I just could not get into it and only really found myself getting interested at the climax. I can’t quite put my finger on what it is that failed to draw my attention but I’ll try to outline my feelings below.

Mr Sanders leaving Lucy as heir over his nephew, Nash, doesn’t make sense to me as Lucy and Mr Sanders don’t appear to have a close relationship. Its stated that only recently did Lucy become somewhat of a research assistant to him but prior to that he was not a paternal figure in her life so the fact that he would single her out as heiress rings false to me. And because we saw that there was no close relationship between Lucy and Mr Sanders I found that I did not really care that he was murdered and I wasn’t hooked into finding out who murdered him.

I also did not care for the love interests with Nash and Koa. The most genuiune affection you get in the story is between Lucy and the deceased Daniel, Mr Sanders’ son. Throughout the book I kept waiting for something that would make me root for Lucy to be with either Koa or Nash but both relationships seemed forced. I honestly think that if you took out the romance aspect from this book litterally nothing would change in terms of plot and character interactions.

Maybe there was just too much going on in this story? If this was solely a story on Lucy finding out her origins: who her parents were, what happened to them? How does Lucy’s love of nature and science relate to her past and future? What is it like as a non white female in 1918 being accepted and going to college to study and what hurdles will that bring? All of this as a story by itself would be enough to captivate me and pull me in, as indeed Lucy’s search for her father ‘the can man’ was one of the only points of interest for me while reading.

Instead, we got some of that from above plus a murder mystery plus two fighting love interests plus a supernatural aspect and it was just too much. The story was being pulled in a couple different directions and as a result it was hard to capture my attention or interest.

I did enjoy the somewhat supernatural aspects with the Orca’s and Lucy’s new connection with them and I wish that was explored more in the story. I did like that as a character, Lucy was more scientific in nature and I wish that aspect was explored more in the story. Overall this was an okay read for me but one I found lacking.

[Nicole Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Sarah Barley Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Stacey Lee has long been celebrated for her immersive historical fiction, and with “Heiress of Nowhere,” she turns her talents toward the gothic and the mysterious, crafting a story as haunting as the Pacific Northwest coast where it’s set. Equal parts coming-of-age tale, murder mystery, and atmospheric ghost story, this story pulls you into a world of fog, folklore, and the fragile line between science and superstition.

Set in 1918 on Orcas Island, Washington, the story follows Lucy Nowhere, an orphan who washed ashore as an infant and was raised by a wealthy, eccentric shipbuilder on his isolated estate. Having grown up as a servant and assistant to her benefactor’s research on the island’s flora and fauna, particularly its majestic orcas, Lucy dreams of escaping the island for university. But her plans are shattered when she discovers her employer’s severed head on the beach, echoing a local legend about vengeful sea spirits and “sea wolves” that once killed a man on the island.

When the will is read, Lucy is stunned to learn she, not the shipbuilder’s entitled nephew, is his sole heir. Suddenly, she’s not only a suspect in the murder, but also a target. With rumors swirling about curses and spirits, and danger closing in from both land and sea, Lucy must untangle the truth of her past and the identity of a killer before she becomes the next victim.

Lee’s prose is lush and cinematic, capturing the wild, eerie beauty of the Pacific Northwest with the cry of the orcas, the whisper of the pines, the salt-stung wind that seems to carry secrets. The story’s scientific details about marine life and early-20th-century research lend a fascinating realism to the otherwise spectral mood, grounding the gothic atmosphere in a tangible, textured world.

Lucy herself is a compelling heroine. She is curious, witty, and deeply human, torn between her rational belief in science and the ghost stories that haunt her island home. The supporting cast is equally intriguing: a loyal yet mysterious cowboy guard, a jealous relative, and townsfolk whose whispers feel as dangerous as any knife. There’s even a slow-burn romantic triangle, perfectly balanced between tenderness and tension. I’m not a fan of love triangles, so I didn’t particularly enjoy this part of the story, but the romance didn’t overwhelm the plot.

While there were a few subtle clues before the final reveal, Lee keeps the suspense taut with layered twists and a final act that’s both shocking and emotionally resonant. It’s a book that rewards close attention; every strange occurrence, every whispered rumor, every flicker in the fog might mean more than it first appears.

Overall, “Heiress of Nowhere” is a beautifully written, atmospheric mystery that combines the logic of science with the allure of myth. It’s an utterly captivating story about inheritance, identity, and the monsters we make of each other. Fans of gothic suspense, slow-burn romance, and richly drawn historical settings will find this one impossible to put down.

[Sofia Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m falling in love with gothic books. Something about a lived-in isolated house that feels haunted, secrets in every cranny of the family history, and a young woman thrown into the deep end of a pool of untrustworthies is addictive every time. In this gothic novel, Lucy is coming of age while trying to solve the murder of the man who raised her. This isn’t a single-sitting book. I recommend taking the time to let the atmosphere of Orcas Island wash over you. I felt utterly transported. I loved the nigh supernatural connection to nature that Lucy had. And she’s a great main character in general, always searching for a solution and trying ideas out, and striving for what she wants. She doesn’t shy away from her responsibilities, and isn’t a pushover. One thing, I’d have liked it to lean a little heavier into the need to know one’s origins, and the feeling of needing to belong. Lucy was treated like an outsider, but didn’t feel like an outsider, if that makes sense. Just a member of the lower class whose sudden elevation scrambled people’s brains on how to treat her. There’s a reveal about her past that I’d thought would be more significant, considering the time period, but was really brushed over, yet that could have helped with the townsfolk in justifying their viewing of her as other. Though I picked up on the biggest twist at a quarter through the book, the reveal and climactic scene were excellently done, and there were enough smaller mysteries along the way to keep me engaged and strategically muddy the waters to make me doubt myself. It felt like a YA with a little bit Rebecca, a touch of Peril at End House, with a focus on connection to the natural world. There was a romantic subplot which overshadowed the main plot a couple of times, but overall I like how it was done, and the resolution of it suited Lucy well. The side characters were also given time and attention that I appreciated, and I enjoyed the friendships made along the way. They were not paper cutouts to make the world look full, but people I felt like I truly got to know. I’d quite liked Lee’s The Downstairs Girl, and with this book, she continues to keep me hooked.

Thank you Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for the review copy! I leave my review honestly and voluntarily.

[Jenny K (on partial break) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited to see that Stacey Lee has a new book coming out! It did not disappoint. I don't usually read YA, but these are always fantastic.

Plot summary: Lucy arrived at Nowhere, a private part of an island off Washington state, on a canoe, alone, just as she was born in 1900. Nowhere's owner, Daken Sanders, takes her in and has his servants raise her. The story starts the day she turns 18 and realizes she has some kind of gift of understanding the orcas, or what they call sea wolves, that sometimes come near the shore.

It's hard to explain what happens in this complex story without spoiling it, but there is a murder, and Lucy discovers important facts about her parentage. She also needs to step into a new, daunting role and choose between two admirers. Can she figure out who the killer is before he strikes again?

This is quite a ride! I admit it took me some time to get into it, but once I did, I couldn't put it down. There is so much going on, and pretty much everyone could be the killer, so it's full of red herrings. It's down to the wire for Lucy to figure this out.

There are beautiful, lush descriptions of the island and its flora, and the story is full of meaning and insight about human relationships and how we treat the environment. Lee always has strong, young heroines with Chinese heritage, and here she also talks about how Native Americans were treated at that time.

I didn't love the love triangle. I'm tired of books where every male falls in love with the heroine, but it was handled well, and it was hard to know who Lucy would choose. I found the resolution satisfying, instead of the usual over-romantic way things go.

There are several loose threads at the end, and Lucy even remarks that not all mysteries are meant to be solved. While in general I don't mind a few open threads if they make sense, there were some questions I felt should have been addressed, even if others could reasonably have been left open.

Thank you to NetGalley, Sarah Barley Books / Simon & Schuster, and Stacey Lee for the opportunity to review an advanced copy.

[YSBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every book by Stacey Lee is absorbing and feminist in nature and her newest gothic is no exception. Lucy is an orphan who lives and works on the island of Nowhere. Her passion is observing and illustrating the wildlife of the island, especially the orcas, which the locals refer to as “sea wolves”. Her life is turned upside down, however, when her benefactor and friend Mr. Sanders is murdered and she finds his head on a local beach. Islanders believe the sea wolves could be the culprit and refer to a similar murder of a cannery worker years ago (the “Can Man”), but Lucy knows the orcas are innocent. After discovering she is the heir to Mr. Sanders’ estate, her mission to uncover the real murderer takes on new urgency. Along the way, Lucy  discovers that she is the daughter of the Can Man (a Chinese worker on the island and a friend of Mr. Sanders) and that she may have an ability to communicate with the orcas, just as her father once did. Lucy is also in the middle of a love triangle between Koa, a guard on the estate, and Nash, Mr. Sanders’ nephew, whom some believe to be his rightful heir. Can Lucy discover the murderer among the islanders before she is convicted of the crime herself?

The book is set on an island off the coast of Washington state during WWI; the island setting and wild surroundings are especially well described. The cast of characters was interesting and diverse: Lucy discovers that she is of mixed Chinese descent, some of the employees of the estate are Native American and the products of Indian boarding schools; Koa is of Asian/Hawaiian descent. Themes of colonization, environmentalism, and gender discrimination are all included in this fast-paced historical mystery with a dash of romance. Link to complete review:https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

View this review on my my blog:
https://emmaisabookworm.blogspot.com/...
Follow my Youtube for unboxings!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR55...
Watch me unbox this book here!
https://youtube.com/shorts/qTR7_ncAp5...


Thank you so much Simon & Schuster for the ARC! This review is my own facts and opinions
😘 - characters kiss, not super descriptive
0 language - I don't remember there being really any language
13+ for the stakes and action

☆⛤♥⭑pre-read⭑♥⛤
oh my goodness this cover is so beautiful! If you watch my unboxing video on my channel, you can see it! The copy I got is so pretty!

☆⛤♥⭑thoughts⭑♥⛤☆
This book isn’t what you normally read from Stacey Lee (The Secret of a Heart Note, The Downstairs Girl), but was still amazing. I was struggling to get into it, so if it’s hard to start, just set aside some time to focus and dive in, you will not regret it!

☆⛤♥⭑mystery⭑♥⛤☆
This book kept me guessing until the end. I DID NOT expect the conclusion. (EDITED for spoiler, read full review on Goodreads)

☆⛤♥⭑historical fiction⭑♥⛤☆
Very accurate, as Stacey Lee normally is. She talks about her research at the end, which is much appreciated because it means she is acknowledging the work that went into it.

☆⛤♥⭑nowhere⭑♥⛤☆
I loved the island and it sounded beautiful, albeit a little creepy with everything happening (heads on the beach?) Stacey Lee made it seem creepy and beautiful at the same time.

☆⛤♥⭑lucy⭑♥⛤☆
Lucy was probably one of my favorite murder mystery detectives/characters of all time because she was suspicious of everything and everyone. Most detectives make me mad because they do dumb stuff or forget about important things, but Lucy took everything as a threat! Besides that, she was an amazing character, super sweet, and has me rooting for her until the end.

☆⛤♥⭑nash⭑♥⛤☆
He was giving arrogant prep school boy who is also hot, a vibe that I don’t hate. Stacey Lee developed him very well as a character and his backstory and life felt very real.

In summary, this book is amazing, if you have ever read Stacey Lee, historical fiction, murder mystery, or any mystery for that matter, I can nearly guarantee you will love this book!
What I listened to while reading:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/64m...

xoxo
emma

[Laura Gardner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every book by Stacey Lee is absorbing and feminist in nature and her newest gothic is no exception. Lucy is an orphan who lives and works on the island of Nowhere. Her passion is observing and illustrating the wildlife of the island, especially the orcas, which the locals refer to as “sea wolves”. Her life is turned upside down, however, when her benefactor and friend Mr. Sanders is murdered and she finds his head on a local beach. Islanders believe the sea wolves could be the culprit and refer to a similar murder of a cannery worker years ago (the “Can Man”), but Lucy knows the orcas are innocent. After discovering she is the heir to Mr. Sanders’ estate, her mission to uncover the real murderer takes on new urgency. Along the way, Lucy discovers that she is the daughter of the Can Man (a Chinese worker on the island and a friend of Mr. Sanders) and that she may have an ability to communicate with the orcas, just as her father once did. Lucy is also in the middle of a love triangle between Koa, a guard on the estate, and Nash, Mr. Sanders’ nephew, whom some believe to be his rightful heir. Can Lucy discover the murderer among the islanders before she is convicted of the crime herself?
The book is set on an island off the coast of Washington state during WWI; the island setting and wild surroundings are especially well described. The cast of characters was interesting and diverse: Lucy discovers that she is of mixed Chinese descent, some of the employees of the estate are Native American and the products of Indian boarding schools; Koa is of Asian/Hawaiian descent. Themes of colonization, environmentalism, and gender discrimination are all included in this fast-paced historical mystery with a dash of romance.

[Leah Stuhler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heiress of Nowhere is a harrowing and gripping historical fiction mystery that keeps you wanting more.

Set in 1918 Orcas Island, Washington, the story follows eighteen year old Lucy Nowhere who lives and works on the vast estate of the eccentric shipbuilder who took her in as a baby after she washed ashore in a canoe. While Lucy has always been treated well and enjoys life on the island, she now yeans for more, and is set to leave for college to forge her own way in the world.

When Lucy is unexpectedly named heiress to the estate after finding her employer's severed head on the beach, her life takes a drastic turn. Those on the island believe a mischievous spirit and the sea wolves (orcas) are responsible for her employers death, but Lucy knows he was murdered by a human murderer. She also knows that if she doesn't soon discover who the murderer is, that she could be next.

Heiress of Nowhere is a beautifully haunting story filled with mystery, romance, self-discovery, ambition, found family, secrets, and a hint of magic. Stacey Lee's incredible writing keeps readers on the edge of their seat the entire way through. Her characters are complicated, flawed, realistic, and exceptionally well developed. You will fall in love with each of them and relate to their stories, desires, loves, and heartbreaks.

Lee's exquisite world building makes you feel as if you are on Orcas Island yourself. Her vivid descriptions of the estate and various parts of the island pull the reader into Lucy's world. Lee creates threads of connection between Lucy, the orcas, the island, and nature itself that are truly magical.

Heiress of Nowhere is a tantalizing gothic mystery that will quickly pull you under it's spell.

[Rebekah Price · Rating 2 out of 5]

Heiress of Nowhere had an intriguing premise, but unfortunately, it did not live up to its potential for me. The pacing was extremely slow, with little sense of plot direction, and much of the story felt bogged down by unnecessary details, particularly long stretches of the main character wandering aimlessly around the island. These scenes made it difficult to stay engaged and, at times, even hard to remember who the secondary characters were. As a result, none of the characters felt especially memorable or likable.

Had this not been an ARC, this likely would have been a DNF for me. While the core idea of the story is compelling, an orphan who inherits an estate from the benefactor who saved her after she washed ashore as a baby, the execution left me questioning the logic behind the inheritance. The estate owner does little to prepare her for ownership and does not seem to treat her as anything more than a member of the household staff, which makes the premise feel underdeveloped and inconsistent.

I typically love historical gothic mysteries, but this one fell short of my expectations and ultimately left me disappointed. That said, there were a few elements I appreciated. I enjoyed the resolution surrounding the main character discovering who her parents were and learning what happened to them, and I am always drawn to a found-family storyline.

Overall, while Heiress of Nowhere had a strong concept and moments of emotional payoff, the slow pacing, lack of direction, and underwhelming character development made it a miss for me.

[Stephanie P (Because My Mother Read) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I received a free advance copy of this book for review.

The author said that several changes were made after the physical arcs were printed before the finished copies will be printed, so just a heads up on that to any early reviewers. There were a couple small aspects that I thought could be a stronger so I look forward to revisiting it later and think that will bump it up to a full 5 stars for me.

The conclusion of mysteries can often drop my rating because it is really unsatisfying or feels cheap or unbelievable that really taints the rest of the book for me. It was the opposite for this book because I was wavering between 4 and 5 stars but it really stuck the landing and pushed it to 5 stars for me. As someone who is often pretty good at guessing the culprit in mysteries I was really happy to see that I kept guessing and changing my mind in this one and did not have it all figured out, but yet looking back I can see all the clues that were laid out.

This story had a great atmospheric setting with its Pacific Northwest island setting. The premise and setting along with the historic aspects worked together to create great gothic vibes. The mystery plot combined well with the human and nature aspects to create a full and multifaceted story of a girl just trying to find meaning and belonging.

Trigger/content notes: murder, light violence. A bit of mild/moderate language (no F words). Spice level is kissing.

[RachelZ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Characters: 4.00⭐️
Setting: 4.00⭐️
Plot: 4.25⭐️
Themes: 3.75⭐️
Personal enjoyment: 3.75⭐️
Emotional Impact: 3.75⭐️
Overall rating: 4.00⭐️

The Heiress of Nowhere is a historical fiction book set in the early 1900s of the Pacific Northwest, about a young woman who was orphaned as a baby after washing ashore in a green canoe. She is raised by an eccentric shipbuilder and decides on her 18th birthday to leave to attend university too study biology. However, she finds the shipbuilder was brutally murdered and she is named the heiress and inherits his estate and leaves behind clues to who Lucy really is. She is on a mission to discover the truth about her parents, the murderer all while trying to stay alive herself.

What I loved about this book is the setting and the historical accuracy of the area in the early 1900s. Lucy is a mixed race girl who does not fit in with the locals, and she has an obsession with the wildlife and nature of the Orcas Islands. She calls the orcas the "sea-wolf" and there is folklore tied into the story with the whales and the indigenous people which I loved. The story was fast paced and very well put together, not leaving any stone unturned throughout the book.

Would I recommend this book? Absolutely yes.

Thank you to Simon Teen for sending me an eARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Meg]

Stacey Lee excels at placing resilient, intelligent young women in the heart of hidden history, and Heiress of Nowhere is a beautifully atmospheric triumph. This novel is set on a rugged Orcas Island estate in the early 1900s. The story follows Lucy, an orphan found in a canoe as a baby, who is suddenly thrust into the role of an heiress after finding the severed head of her benefactor on the beach. Lee captures a long-gone way of life in the Pacific Northwest, making the setting feel both like a sanctuary and a cage. I loved how the "mystery within a mystery" pulled me in, grounding the sensational plot points in the real-world prejudices and grit of the era.

I’m giving this 4 stars instead of five primarily due to some personal preferences regarding the romance and dialogue. I’m usually pretty over the whole "very guy falls for the heroine" trope, so I wasn't thrilled to see a love triangle. However, it was actually handled really well here! It was genuinely hard to guess who Lucy would end up with. I also loved that the resolution felt satisfying and grounded instead of leaning into those typical, over-the-top romantic clichés.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for the honest review.

[Lyon.Brit.andthebookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Report: Heiress of Nowhere by Stacey Lee

Lucy Nowhere has spent her entire life on Orcas Island…raised on a sprawling estate by the shipbuilder who took her in after she mysteriously washed ashore as a baby. On the brink of leaving for college and finally choosing her own future…Lucy’s plans are shattered when her guardian is found brutally murdered and she’s named his unexpected heiress. As island legends of sea wolves and mischievous spirits swirl…Lucy is certain the danger isn’t myth but human. To survive and uncover who she truly is…she must unravel the island’s secrets before she becomes the next target🌲🔍

My PNW friends will absolutely relish this atmospheric mystery that feels deeply rooted in our own backyards and coastlines. The nods to local names…history and regional culture were such a treat to spot throughout and I was instantly drawn in by the eerie island of Nowhere and the people who inhabit it. The mystery kept the pages turning…even when the story felt a bit jumbled in places (I read an ARC and am very curious to see how revisions shape the final version) Overall…this is a moody…coastal read perfect for anyone who loves nature soaked settings…folklore vibes and a sharp female lead finding her footing 🌊

Thank you Simon Teen for the ARC

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[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read several books by Stacey Lee and I enjoy her diverse YA historical fictions. Her newest release sounded interesting as it is a historical murder mystery.

I liked the vivid setting of the story. The estate of “Nowhere” really came to life. I could almost smell the salty sea air. I liked exploring the island through Lucy’s character and learning its secrets. The time period wasn’t quite as immersive though; it didn’t seem to do as much with the time period and beyond a few references to the Great War it didn’t feel very early 1900s either.

The mystery itself was interesting, though it took a bit of time to get going. It seemed like Lucy wandered the island in shock about her newfound wealth for quite a long time. It didn’t help that the synopsis reveals that Lucy is a suspect and that doesn’t occur until somewhere around the halfway point of the book. Once the pieces started to come together and Lucy became determined to find the killer, the pacing was pretty quick and the story was interesting.

I did predict the identity of the villain but I liked the way all the pieces of the puzzle fit together. I liked learning more about the secondary characters and how they fit into the mystery.

I didn’t really care for the romance. It’s a love triangle, and one of the guys I found to be completely horrible and didn’t care for at all. The other guy I liked well enough. The romance would have been much better without the triangle.

Overall, definitely a book I’d recommend for fans of YA historical fictions.

[Elena L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

1918, Orcas Island - Lucy Nowhere was washed ashore in a canoe as a baby. When a few seal heads appear, followed by her employer’s severed head, she believes that they were murdered.

With atmospheric vibes, Lee crafts a well-done gothic murder mystery, smartly playing with the elements of supernatural and suspense. The science and nature infused help flavor the narrative, while the foreshadowing feels properly executed. Lee takes her time to unfold the events, landing on a climatic revelation that makes a satisfying journey.

In a fast-paced narrative, the author covers themes of belonging, identity, heritage, colonialism and religion with some depth of historical aspects. The cast of characters is gradually developed and it was easy to be immersed into their stories. I thought the romance was balanced by not being central to the novel.

I've been pickier with my YA reads and HEIRESS OF NOWHERE feels a more mature approach to YA (which I appreciate). HEIRESS is an atmospheric historical mystery that translates into an engaging ride. I enjoyed the vibes, nature and representation.

[ I received an ARC from the publisher - Simon Teen . All opinions are my own ]

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew this is a preview copy but something about Stacey Lee's signature immersive historical fiction combined with a little mystery and gothic setting really works...this time it's Pacific Northwest and there are killer whales. I LOVE me some orcas, and Stacey Lee does not disappoint; basically, a maidservant on a wealthy shipbuilder's island comes across his, er, remains, and then inherits his fortune. I love a good rags to riches story, with the bonus of having the inheritor being suspected of the murder and all that it reveals about human nature. In this case, there is a lot of nature -- the patriarch and the maidservant (turned research assistant) were scientists studying the flora and fauna of the island and that makes for some pretty atmospheric and tensely-gorgeous scenery by itself. I wanted to stay in this book forever. Also, there's a love triangle...one you can't predict for a goodly while. Loved this book and I can't wait for it to come out so I can discuss that ending with someone. I hope and pray there's a good audiobook narrator, too. Lucy needs the perfect voice for all her ups and downs and humor and horror...okay, no more spoiling. Nabbed an ARC of this book.

[Maura (thenovelmaura) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Simon Teen for sending me an ARC of this YA historical mystery! I admit to reading this book at a time when the outside world was providing a lot of distractions, and the slow-moving plot didn't do much to hold my attention. However, Kill Her Twice was one of my favorite reads of 2024, and this mystery about the unlikely heiress of a remote island was disappointing by comparison. The love triangle was unnecessary and I didn't like either boy that much. It often didn't feel like we were making any progress towards discovering who murdered Lucy's benefactor as she becomes distracted by disaster after disaster befalling their island.

I did enjoy the magical realism element, the secondary mystery of Lucy's birth parents, and the female friendships she developed throughout the story. Although I had my suspicions about the killer, the large, diverse cast of characters kept me on my toes and drew out the suspense until the very end. I think this will work for some readers even if it wasn't my favorite from Stacey Lee!

[Jensen McCorkel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating 3.5 Rounded up

Heiress of Nowhere is a gothic mystery that feels covered in a low lying fog that is so thick you can feel the sea spray. The author does an amazing job at creating an island drenched in atmosphere. We are immediately thrown into a murder mystery which waste no time upping the stakes and escalating the overall feeling of dread and danger.

We are given mythology and hints of the supernatural that lingers around the edges of the story. It’s a moody with an historical setting set during World War 1 yet whispers of something ancient. The beginning and the ending this story hit hard but some of the pacing in the middle does falter a bit. The supernatural aspect felt underdeveloped and ambiguous. I just wanted more. More about the curses and myth of the sea wolves.

Overall, despite a few pacing and ambiguity issues the story was strong and the mystery compelling.

[A · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for providing this ARC.

This book had a very slow start, and I had a difficult time pushing through at first. About halfway through, however, it began to pick up, and I found myself really enjoying it. The love triangle between Koa, Nash, and Lucy felt a bit forced early on, but it flowed much better in the final third of the book. As Nash opens up about their shared childhood, the relationships begin to make more sense and feel more natural. That said, at times the romance seemed to overshadow the main plot.

I was especially drawn in by the mystery surrounding Lucy’s parents and their unknown identities, as well as the dangerous events that unfold around them. That said, the ending felt somewhat rushed—once the murderer is revealed, everything happens very quickly. Still, I appreciated the use of a red herring and was genuinely surprised by who the murderer turned out to be.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really enticed with the premise of 'Heiress of Nowhere': an orphaned girl gets names the heiress of her employer's estate after his mysterious death, only to be thrust into the hot seat of running said estate, trying to solve her benefactor's murder, and trying to defend herself from the accusations? Set in a post WWI Pacific Northwest? Color me curious.

But oh, she can talk to whales, And there is a love triangle. And there is a cursed demon that may or not be real? For having so many elements, the story seemed to drag towards the middle, obviously building towards *something*, but not captivating enough to stop you from skimming forward to see what happens.

Overall, an intriguing premise in a beautiful setting, but with some pacing issues that kind of bogged down the story in the middle and tempered the conclusion. 3/5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for the advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review!

[Mary Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This historical novel centers around Lucy, an orphan living on a large estate on Orcas Island in the early 1900s. It is the only life she has ever known. She knows very little about her father and nothing about her mother, only that she was found floating in a canoe near where she now lives, and has been raised by the shipbuilder who owns the estate. When a series of gruesome events unfold Lucy is on the cusp of leaving the only place she has ever known to attend college. That is until she finds the severed head of her benefactor on the beach and is somehow named his heiress. Lee beautifully writes young women who are determined and smart despite the opinion of the time. This story told in a wild, untamed place captures an interesting moment in history, along with a long gone way of life. The story pulls you in as the mystery deepens. Highly recommended.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the setting for Heiress of Nowhere, seeing as it was in my own backyard (so to speak). I could easily imagine the different locations as I've been to Orcas Island before and wondered if some of the places were based on actual locations (you can find that out in the author's note at the end). I didn't give it five stars due to a love triangle and swearing... I don't appreciate either one. And I admittedly skipped a few of the more descriptive passages of kissing, simply because I hate feeling like a voyeur. Where they overly explicit? No, I don't think they would've been. But it was more than I wanted to know.

The overall plot was excellent. Love the mystery inside a mystery with a little bit of "magic" thrown in. I also love how it was grounded in a real place with real history.

I received an ARC; this is my honest review.

[Jaime · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stacey Lee just never disappoints. I really love the blend of historical and mystery in Heiress of Nowhere. There is just something about Stacey’s writing that fully transports me to the time and place she writes about. I wholly believe that the Nowhere estate exists out there and it was once led by a biracial girl who could communicate with orcas.

From the start, this story pulled me in. Lucy is a fantastic main character, and her predicament reminded me of Knives Out but set in a historical time period. The setting is riveting. It was so clearly developed in my mind based on Stacey’s writing. I also love the inclusion of orcas and how Lucy views them differently than those around her.

The mystery elements kept me on my toes, and I appreciate that there were a lot of possibilities of who the murderer was. I can’t say I was surprised by the reveal, but I wish it was a little less cliche.

There’s even a love triangle that had me going and I usually dislike love triangles. This one was done right. I’m not satisfied with Lucy’s ultimate choice, but I will accept it.

Basically, this book took me by surprise. Even though I love Stacey Lee’s stories, I didn’t expect this one to hit so much for me. While this is considered a YA novel, it doesn’t include elements that feel “too” YA so I think it’s a good crossover novel for adults to enjoy as well.

~Thank you to the publisher for sending a physical ARC.~