The Inheritance

Atticus Priest #5

by Mark Dawson

A dying estate. A fractured family. A killer hiding in plain sight.

When a prominent landowner goes missing, private investigator Atticus Priest is drawn into a web of secrets that stretch from the rolling fields of Wiltshire to the darkest corners of the past. The ancient estate of Brookmere—seat of the once-mighty Ainsley family—is crumbling, its future threatened by inheritance disputes, hidden debts, and buried scandal.

As Atticus peels back layers of resentment, envy, and ambition, he begins to suspect that the roots of the case run far deeper than the present—into old betrayals, historic injustices, and a legacy someone is willing to kill for. But time is running out, and Atticus is not the only one asking questions.

Some truths were never meant to surface.

And someone will do anything to keep them buried.

Genres: Mystery, Audiobook, Crime, Thriller, Mystery Thriller

488 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 25, 2025

About the author

For news and special offers join Mark's mailing list at:

http://eepurl.com/Cai5X

Mark Dawson was born in Lowestoft and grew up in Manchester and Chicago. He has worked as a lawyer and currently works in the London film industry. His first books, "The Art of Falling Apart" and "Subpoena Colada" have been published in multiple languages.

He is currently writing two series. Soho Noir is set in the West End of London between 1940 and 1970. The first book in the series, "The Black Mile", deals with the (real life but little known) serial killer who operated in the area during the Blitz. "The Imposter" traces the journey of a criminal family (think The Sopranos in austerity London and you'd be on the right track).

The John Milton series features a disgruntled special agent who aims to help people to make amends for the terrible things that he has done. Mark, as a child of the 80s, will freely admit that he watched a lot of The Equalizer in his youth.

Mark lives in Wiltshire with his family.

You can find him at www.markjdawson.com or www.facebook.com/markdawsonauthor.

Reviews

[Kenny Oak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmm..seemed like MD got bored towards the end of writing this. All seemed very rushed at the end and I felt a bit let down..so many loose ends …still no clarity about who the online chess player from the earlier book is.
It didn’t really all hang together but that didn’t stop me wanting to read the next chapter then the next. Looking forward to the next Atticus adventure and some clarity around what happened to the Ainsley’s maybe ??. The introductory chapter seems a bit pointless in terms of where the story goes albeit it was a very interesting piece.

[M J · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this one very slow to get going because Atticus doesn’t appear in the book for a while. Once our hero and sidekick are engaged it picks up but the reintroduction of Atticus’ nemesis from a previous book wasn’t well done - I had forgotten who he was - and the ending seemed rushed and unsatisfactory. Unless I wasn’t paying attention we didn’t even find out how the missing old guy was murdered or by whom although it was pretty clear why his body was never found.

[Paul McDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was the best in the Atticus Priest series so far. Classic Mark Dawson. I’m really warming to the new character.

[Maria · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

Book 4 made me think Mark Dawson is tired of Atticus and doesn't know what to do with the character any more. Book 5 solidified this idea for me, because more and more time is spent with other POVs while Atticus is pushed more and more to the sideline.
All in all: I'm disappointed.

The first three books were really cool, but this one? Well, the case itself was rather interesting, but it could have been solved by pretty much any standard 1A detective. I saw no real reason why this was an "Atticus Priest case", so to speak.

Let's mention that first, totally pointless, and unnecessary chapter by the way. It contributed absolutely nothing. Everything in it was explained perfectly within the actual book and could have been skipped completely. I have no idea why it wasn't.

As this series stands, I don't really feel like returning to it. The spark that drew me in is lost and while I do enjoy Simon Vance - a lot - I feel like I need a little bit more from a book than a bloody good narrator and a few chapters here and there with the main character I came for.

Also what about the main story arc? The mystery chess player wasn't even mentioned once.
What started out as alluring aspects of the first three books where just absent in this 5th instalment.
I keep asking myself why - and I come back to this personal theory that the author doesn't really know what to do with the Sherlock ripoff he's created.

That kind of characters do tend to be hard to maintain, as far as I know, from other series, but ... please ... This is just not nicely done.

No, at the moment I don't feel like returning for book 6, but maybe time will change my mind. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Becky Lyth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic book by Mark Dawson. I thoroughly enjoyed this. It is set in Salisbury, not far from where I live, which is great especially with recognising the locations and being able to picture them accurately. Although even if you know nothing of Salisbury it wouldn't detract from the story. I'm looking forward to the next one in this addictive series.

[Nancyliz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an Atticus Priest private detective novel, #5 in the series. I’ve read 1, 2, and 3, and I liked them. I’m giving this 3 stars. I listened, the plot combines a lot of people and two time settings: 1830 and contemporary and they are connected, allowing for a subplot. The main plot is an old one, but the actual people don’t matter, because the story is meant to revolve around Atticus, who is probably on the spectrum. Isn’t everyone these days? He’s observant, socially awkward, smart. The basic plot revolves around an old family, whose estate has lasted 500 hundred years. The new generation is entitled and lazy, and not at all likeable, but also not well developed, so big deal. The patriarch is on his third wife, of course too young and beautiful. One member of the family goes missing and another turns up murdered, within 24 hours of each other. It is evident to me, anyway, that the guilty party is a member of the family, but there are other possibilities, and I’m willing to go with it, especially since I’m either driving or walking or standing at the sink. I think if I were parked in a chair I would less inclined to stick with it.
I was so surprised on my afternoon walk when the narrator said: Epilogue… There were all kinds of loose ends in this thing. Did the author run out of time or hit the word limit? This was really strange.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

ok

The story in this book is ok but it took me quite a while to get into it, I just kept on picking it up out of curiosity. I found it slow paced and the end to me was a bit unfinished

[Suki VandenBerg · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not his best book

I truly enjoy all his books but this one ended up being a bit like a murder she wrote plot that didn't truly come together for me.

[Greg Strom · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't love the expression meh much, but in this case I will make an exception. So many unrelated side stories and opportunities to be clever that just never congealed or were cohesive enough to be compelling. First some history with the rebellions of 200 years ago in ole Kent or Salisbury or some other place we don't care too much about unless a history buff, and of course a greedy family of adulterers , some guy who just happens to have a crematorium to burn corpses and all the while we still don't know who killed the old rich guy who owns the Baltmore estate. Why should we care about any of this Atticus ? How is it you don't have a ring camera mr clever? And you just so happen to have a pal who wants to walk the green mile with his dog, gets into it with another family member who has already gotten into it with protesters (who the hell protests solar farms?) and then some dude in a bar, yeah, so now everyone is a suspect and still we don't give a toff about any of these blokes. The gal digging up bones of the thresher machine vandals was the most interesting character of them all and she was on about 6 pages! Get your act together and stop trying to make us remember previous books and tie all this shit together, they aren't interesting or memorable enough to do that.

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story! Atticus always seems to be able to uncover the clues and assemble them into the actual story and not the story the facts seems to support. This time three bodies are uncovered that appear to be over 200 years old. At the same time, the scion of a dynasty disappears just before his announcement that he was changing his will, a disaster that will adversely affect his family. When murder begins to be suspected, one of the scion's sons is found murdered and Atticus begins to believe it is definitely connected, despite the police going in other directions. As Atticus connects all the parts, he again is pitted against his nemesis, Alexander Freeman, kingpin of the drug industry in the area. Like all other stories by this author, the story continually twists; you never know where you are going around the next turn. Really hard to put down once you start. After the zinger at the end, I am looking forward to where we go next.

[Kristine · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars 🌟

Another great addition to the series.

This time we have Atticus being hired to help find out what happened to a missing prominent landowner. The father goes missing and soon after, his son - the Viscount Ainsley - is found murdered. Something definitely fishy is going on.

As usual, when Atticus is involved, nothing is ever cut and paste. I love following along as Atticus makes these major leaps of logic that only he can do. It was nice to see him working well with Mac this time. They are not working together, but they are also not working against eachother.

Something interesting was that at the end of the story, we all of a sudden get a re-emergence of a character that has been making an appearance in a couple of the previous books - with a huge involvement in book 4. It also prepares us and sets the stage for the next book.

Definitely interesting.

As usual, the narration by Simon Vance was superb.

[Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

This may be my favorite of Mark Dawson’s Atticus Priest series primarily because he incorporates some of the rich history of the Salisbury Plain into the plot. I love historical fiction and this added to the scope of Dawson’s contemporary story. The reader learns much about life there in the 1830s.

The bones of three bodies are unearthed as a local farmer is turning the soil to prepare for planting. A lead slug in each skull points to murder. The police are released to turn over the case to archeologists to review. The research behind their investigation is apparently well researched and fascinating.

In the meantime, the members of an aristocratic family holding land there for 500 years become the suspects in the case to find their missing father and his eldest son. Ultimately, it becomes a murder investigation with lots of dark twists and turns.

[carl clause · Rating 5 out of 5]

CC1

This was another excellent chapter in the Atticus Priest series. The way him and Jez investigate make their investigation go smoothly. It started with the 2oo hundred year old trench with 3 bodies. Come to find out, the bodies were 200 years old in unmarked grave. Which led to Atticus to investigate. Which drew Atticus to the Rupert Ainsley issue. Just a fantastic job and plot. 10 stars plus!!! Thanks Carl

[Max Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like a few other readers, I was really enjoying this book until the end, where it does seem to have ended very quickly without closure to a number of threads that were going on.
I do hope the next book does continue where this one has left off so we do get to find out a number of things!
Maybe Mark was on a timescale that needed him to get the book done by a certain date, and he ran out of time to finish it off!

[Carolina Crossley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic Return of Atticus Priest

It seems like a long time since I read an Atticus Priest book by Mark Dawson and Book 5, The Inheritance did not disappoint.

I love Atticus' quirky character and the fact that Salisbury is as much a character as the rest of his associates.

I liked how the personal stories progressed as well as the crimes. I love how Atticus works. A triumph, and I can't wait for Book 6.

[Holly Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75
I think this book is being used as a bridge in the series. It had a very slow start compared to the previous Atticus Priest thrillers. Many reviews that I read mentioned that the ending felt rushed and some strings weren't tied up but I think this book is moving the series along plot wise versus just this installment. The final scene where Atticus sits down with the entire family to entrap the killer felt very reminiscent of Poirot.

[tony haraldson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very disappointing "Epilogue".
The author had me very interested right through as he carefully laid out all of the characters and their position in the story.
I was gob smacked towards the end, the baddies were identified, they took off, and in the epilogue some person who I have never heard of, out of the blue, comes along and kills and cremates the four characters pivotal to the story. All over in a flash.
Most unsatisfactory!

[Graham Trelfa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, Mark Dawson hits the spot once again.

Atticus Priest, what a character and the supporting cast are brilliant as well.
Never any spoilers from me.
This series gets better with every volume.
Links in the tale that aren't connected suddenly are connected, you think you have an idea about what must come next, it doesn't, it's something completely different.
The final chapter leaves you wishing for another 300 pages and is so open-ended it should be out now.

[Gabrielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another page turner!

Atticus Priest once again lured into a case that has baffled the local police. Three men unearthed by a farmer plowing a field. A lord disappearing on the eve of changing his will. A family who will lose everything. How does it all tie together?

Twists and turns. A great read. Mark Dawson has woven another great tale.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

History meets greed of today

What another wonderful book from Mark. I was enthralled from the first chapter to the last, which leaves a little cliffhanger for the next book.

Really did enjoy the historic part at the beginning which has made me interested in reading more around the history from Salisbury.

Thank you once again Mark.

[Sheila Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can't take Atticus for granted

An exciting adventure for Atticus and so much trouble and danger but not just for our man but for the family that asked for his help. It's complicated it's mysterious and how's he going to find the truth when everybody is not telling the whole story, you mustn't miss this book I loved it

[David Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another excellent instalment in this series. One slight niggle; either Bandit is Superdog or there was a continuity error between first meeting Jez and this book. (Not going to say more as I don't want there to be a spoiler in my review!) Having said that, I would definitely recommend it and look forward to Mack and Atticus' return.

[wilma mccann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Atticus Priest

To begin with I wasn't quite sure what I thought of this character's sometimes strange ways. However, as I've read each book in this series, I've come to admire his uniqueness. The Inheritance is a well written book which keeps you engrossed in the storyline. Well worth a read. I look forward to the next book in the series.

[Lou Gear · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the first 4 Atticus Priest books, but this book was very slow reading with too much filler.
It took more than 300 pages before any crime was committed for Atticus to solve. Thereafter the story never seemed to reach a definitive ending, and I felt I was left unsure and hanging at the end, with an uncertain outcome for the main culprit.. not a nice rounded ending like his previous books.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A freebie on Kindle Unlimited.

When a wealthy father gathers his family and tells them they won't be inheriting just yet as he's going to change his will the very next day, you know what's going to happen before he reaches the solicitors.

This was back on good form after the last one. A gripping yarn.

[Janice Staines · Rating 4 out of 5]

History has a way of repeating itself

I found this story fascinating as researching my family history, I discovered that my ancestors started their lives as farm labourers, forced from the land by nachanisation. They ended up in the east end of London as well. So, I particularly enjoyed the historical aspects of the story. Can’t wait for Atticus Priest’s next adventure.

[Vivienne French · Rating 5 out of 5]

His best yet!

Exce!lent novel that moves Atticus to a whole new level this cleverly written novel weaves 200 year old history with a contemporary story about the farming industry. The two stories become one in what is known as unputdownable!

[Mr S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent as usual

Great characters, great plot and wonderful descriptions of places. I loved the historical beginning and the introduction of Ellie. Looking forward to the next book.

[Bklynsouth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading this series, it keeps you engage and reading well into the early hours of the morning. The ending on this book "The Inheritance" was a bit of a disappointment, but none the less when I thought about it was the only ending.

[David Fern · Rating 5 out of 5]

Atticus at his best!

Another resounding success for Atticus and his team. Dealing with a family of greedy relatives is never easy. Who is lying? Who is holding all the cards? Who is really guilty? A story that really started generations ago.