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The Heirs
A mystery about five teen geniuses, their billionaire father, and the investigation into his murder.
Five prodigies, one dead father, a mansion full of suspects…
Octavius the Maestro.
Fola the Brain.
Bilal the Olympian.
Perdita the Artist.
Romeo the Failure.
These are the five heirs of the illustrious billionaire Leontes Button. Adopted and viciously trained with their father’s infamous “Button Method” to prove his hypothesis for creating prodigies—child geniuses—the Button siblings have had no choice but to be brilliant according to their father's impossibly high standards.
Until he is murdered at his annual Prodigy Ball.
Now, all who attended the ball are required to stay in the Button Manor while the police investigate. But the officers have their work cut out for them—each of the Button siblings has something to hide, but The Heirs aren't the only ones with secrets. After all, Leontes Button was especially good at making enemies. . .
Five prodigies, one dead father, a mansion full of suspects…
Octavius the Maestro.
Fola the Brain.
Bilal the Olympian.
Perdita the Artist.
Romeo the Failure.
These are the five heirs of the illustrious billionaire Leontes Button. Adopted and viciously trained with their father’s infamous “Button Method” to prove his hypothesis for creating prodigies—child geniuses—the Button siblings have had no choice but to be brilliant according to their father's impossibly high standards.
Until he is murdered at his annual Prodigy Ball.
Now, all who attended the ball are required to stay in the Button Manor while the police investigate. But the officers have their work cut out for them—each of the Button siblings has something to hide, but The Heirs aren't the only ones with secrets. After all, Leontes Button was especially good at making enemies. . .
336 pages, Hardcover
First published June 2, 2026
About the author
Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
23 books6,136 followersFaridah Àbíké-Íyímídé is the instant New York Times, International bestselling, & Award-winning author of ACE OF SPADES and WHERE SLEEPING GIRLS LIE. In 2024 she was a world book day author with her title THE DOOMSDAY DATE and she also has a Marvel Spider-Verse story coming out this year where she writes a new Spider-Verse character known as Spider-UK/Zarina Zahari. Faridah is an avid tea drinker, a collector of strange mugs, and a graduate from a university in Scotland where she received a BA in English Literature. She also has an MA in Shakespeare Studies from Kings College London. When she isn’t spinning dark tales, Faridah can be found examining the deeper meanings in Disney channel original movies.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 699 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
wow. this was amazing and i am so incredibly grateful that i was given an opportunity to read it! this was an amazing thriller with twists and turns and the dark secrets of an affluent family of geniuses🤭 deffo recommend
do u want to know what these rich ass bitches do in their free time? read this!!!
𝓯𝓸𝓾𝓻 .5 𝓼𝓬𝓱𝓮𝓶𝓲𝓷𝓰, 𝓪𝓯𝓯𝓵𝓾𝓮𝓷𝓽-𝓯𝓪𝓶𝓲𝓵𝔂-𝓭𝓻𝓪𝓶𝓪, 𝓶𝓾𝓻𝓭𝓮𝓻 𝓶𝔂𝓼𝓽𝓮𝓻𝔂 𝓼𝓽𝓪𝓻𝓼
𝓷𝓸𝔀 𝓹𝓵𝓪𝔂𝓲𝓷𝓰: the greatest by billie eilish
𝓶𝔂 𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼🧸
i am well acquainted with the burning, torturous, agonizing pain of perfection. it’s all i’ve ever wanted to be in my life. if i’m not perfect, if i’m not the greatest, what is the point of doing it? and the deep, deep, shame of not being the best. i know this won’t be relatable to some; i am sure there are many who will be perfectly happy with a 94% on a test and not burst into tears.
but for those who force themselves to be the absolute best at everything, this is the book for you.
also if you love the drama of rich people and geniuses and murder mysteries of the upper echelon.
whichever appeals to you more. also can we just admire the diverse main characters for a second 🙏🙏 we have main characters that are lesbian, bisexual, gay, african, indian, and more like okay sooo marry me 😍
this was an insanely entertaining read and this author has become an auto buy author. i was so absolutely exhilarated to have received the arc, and i cannot thank the author/netgalley/the publisher enough!!
𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓹𝓵𝓸𝓽🎖
can i just say i adore the writing style? the perfect mix of easy to read yet slightly pedantic, witty yet not overly full of mundane jokes, and descriptive so i can see all the events clearly in my mind? chefs kiss!!
so i would recommend reading the blurb instead of consulting me, but basically rich rich guy adopts 4 kids from random orphanages, for the intent and purpose of seeing nurture vs nature in genius. so: are you born with the genius gene, or can it be acquired?
nurture is the case with fola, octavius, bilal, perdita. and poor romeo… well. nurture didn’t work on him. blah blah let’s get to the point.
their wildly famous and rich father dies.
and it’s murder !!
dun dun dunnnnn!!
so yeah.
i ADORED the plot and the clever plotting was lovely. absolutely wonderful. this is the book version of knives out (which i love more than my family itself) and i lived for it. and, like knives out, i was right about many thing, but the actual twist i can never seem to perfectly nail. i feel like this was written perfectly to give us middle class normal people a glimpse into the life of the rich.
and i LOVED it.
button manor genuinely was written so well i could see it in a way that i could almost feel it viscerally.
𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓼
these were some of the best, most complex, layered, interesting, lovable characters i have ever read abt. i fell in love with all of them. i will never forget them. the toll that being a genius takes on someone.
goodness.
this was such a good idea and i love how fleshed out every character was.
my fav has to be romeo 🥹 he’s not special or a genius but i love him.
genuinely love everyone and i am very easily annoyed by book characters 💕
𝓲𝓭𝓴 𝔀𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓮𝓵𝓼𝓮 𝓽𝓸 𝓼𝓪𝔂 𝓼𝓸 𝓭𝓸 𝓲 𝓻𝓮𝓬 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓼?
100000000000% yes!!!!! i was feeling exceptionally bored lately and this book got me thru it <3
do u want to know what these rich ass bitches do in their free time? read this!!!
𝓯𝓸𝓾𝓻 .5 𝓼𝓬𝓱𝓮𝓶𝓲𝓷𝓰, 𝓪𝓯𝓯𝓵𝓾𝓮𝓷𝓽-𝓯𝓪𝓶𝓲𝓵𝔂-𝓭𝓻𝓪𝓶𝓪, 𝓶𝓾𝓻𝓭𝓮𝓻 𝓶𝔂𝓼𝓽𝓮𝓻𝔂 𝓼𝓽𝓪𝓻𝓼
𝓷𝓸𝔀 𝓹𝓵𝓪𝔂𝓲𝓷𝓰: the greatest by billie eilish
𝓶𝔂 𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼🧸
i am well acquainted with the burning, torturous, agonizing pain of perfection. it’s all i’ve ever wanted to be in my life. if i’m not perfect, if i’m not the greatest, what is the point of doing it? and the deep, deep, shame of not being the best. i know this won’t be relatable to some; i am sure there are many who will be perfectly happy with a 94% on a test and not burst into tears.
but for those who force themselves to be the absolute best at everything, this is the book for you.
also if you love the drama of rich people and geniuses and murder mysteries of the upper echelon.
whichever appeals to you more. also can we just admire the diverse main characters for a second 🙏🙏 we have main characters that are lesbian, bisexual, gay, african, indian, and more like okay sooo marry me 😍
this was an insanely entertaining read and this author has become an auto buy author. i was so absolutely exhilarated to have received the arc, and i cannot thank the author/netgalley/the publisher enough!!
𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓹𝓵𝓸𝓽🎖
can i just say i adore the writing style? the perfect mix of easy to read yet slightly pedantic, witty yet not overly full of mundane jokes, and descriptive so i can see all the events clearly in my mind? chefs kiss!!
so i would recommend reading the blurb instead of consulting me, but basically rich rich guy adopts 4 kids from random orphanages, for the intent and purpose of seeing nurture vs nature in genius. so: are you born with the genius gene, or can it be acquired?
nurture is the case with fola, octavius, bilal, perdita. and poor romeo… well. nurture didn’t work on him. blah blah let’s get to the point.
their wildly famous and rich father dies.
and it’s murder !!
dun dun dunnnnn!!
so yeah.
i ADORED the plot and the clever plotting was lovely. absolutely wonderful. this is the book version of knives out (which i love more than my family itself) and i lived for it. and, like knives out, i was right about many thing, but the actual twist i can never seem to perfectly nail. i feel like this was written perfectly to give us middle class normal people a glimpse into the life of the rich.
and i LOVED it.
button manor genuinely was written so well i could see it in a way that i could almost feel it viscerally.
𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓼
these were some of the best, most complex, layered, interesting, lovable characters i have ever read abt. i fell in love with all of them. i will never forget them. the toll that being a genius takes on someone.
goodness.
this was such a good idea and i love how fleshed out every character was.
my fav has to be romeo 🥹 he’s not special or a genius but i love him.
genuinely love everyone and i am very easily annoyed by book characters 💕
𝓲𝓭𝓴 𝔀𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓮𝓵𝓼𝓮 𝓽𝓸 𝓼𝓪𝔂 𝓼𝓸 𝓭𝓸 𝓲 𝓻𝓮𝓬 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓼?
100000000000% yes!!!!! i was feeling exceptionally bored lately and this book got me thru it <3
April 6, 2026
I can honestly say I’ve been eagerly anticipating this one ever since I devoured Where the Sleeping Girls Lie and Ace of Spades. Both were brilliant, daring, and refreshingly layered, so when I heard that Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé was releasing another YA mystery — this time about five prodigious siblings and their billionaire father’s shocking murder — I jumped right in without hesitation.
From the very first pages, The Heirs of Button Manor had me intrigued. The blood-freezing opening scene sets the stage for a story that feels like a cross between Umbrella Academy (if the superpowers were replaced with pure genius) and The Inheritance Games, with a touch of Knives Out’s dark family intrigue. Each of the five adopted siblings is a prodigy in their own right: Octavius the musical maestro, Fola the mathematical brain, Bilal the Olympic athlete, Perdita the artistic dreamer, and Romeo, the so-called “failure” who can’t seem to measure up.
Together, they are the carefully crafted experiments of their father, Leontes Button — a larger-than-life billionaire obsessed with his own “Button Method” for manufacturing brilliance. But when Leontes is found dead during his grand annual Prodigy Ball, the glamorous event quickly turns into a claustrophobic crime scene. Everyone in the mansion becomes a suspect, and every prodigy — no matter how perfect — has something to hide.
While the premise promises a classic locked-room mystery, what unfolds is also a deeply emotional, slow-burning family drama filled with tension, secrets, and betrayal. The first half focuses on the siblings’ inner worlds: Octavius’ heartbreak over his ex-boyfriend Anwar, Perdita’s forbidden love with Torin Philips (a modern Romeo & Juliet twist), Bilal’s loss of purpose after a career-ending injury, and Fola’s mysterious connection to Evie — the gardener’s daughter returning from Italy. Meanwhile, Romeo, the “failure,” struggles under the crushing weight of expectation, making him one of the most relatable characters for anyone who’s ever felt like the odd one out.
There were moments when the pacing slowed — especially early on, when the emotional introspection outweighs the mystery — but I never felt bored. Instead, I found myself drawn into the Button siblings’ unhappiness and dysfunction. It’s not just about solving a murder; it’s about understanding how genius and trauma can coexist under the same roof, and how love and resentment can intertwine in families built on impossible expectations.
Then comes the second half — and that’s where the real fireworks begin. Secrets unravel, alliances shift, and the revelations hit hard. The story tightens beautifully, delivering a series of satisfying twists that remind readers why Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé is one of the boldest voices in YA mystery today.
Personally, my heart belonged to Romeo and Octavius. Maybe I just have a soft spot for outsiders and musical prodigies, but their arcs felt the most emotionally resonant and beautifully flawed. The author does a wonderful job portraying them not as caricatures of genius, but as wounded, yearning humans trying to reclaim their sense of self beyond their father’s shadow.
While The Heirs of Button Manor didn’t reach the emotional perfection of Where the Sleeping Girls Lie for me (which I still consider one of the best YA mysteries of recent years), it’s undeniably a rich, ambitious, and thought-provoking story. The character depth and family dynamics are gripping, and the tension never truly lets go.
This is a book about brilliance, ambition, and the cost of being exceptional — and it asks the chilling question: Who are we, when our worth isn’t measured by our achievements?
I’m rounding up my 3.5 stars to a solid 4 for its ambition, complexity, and unforgettable cast of prodigies.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group / Feiwel & Friends for the digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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From the very first pages, The Heirs of Button Manor had me intrigued. The blood-freezing opening scene sets the stage for a story that feels like a cross between Umbrella Academy (if the superpowers were replaced with pure genius) and The Inheritance Games, with a touch of Knives Out’s dark family intrigue. Each of the five adopted siblings is a prodigy in their own right: Octavius the musical maestro, Fola the mathematical brain, Bilal the Olympic athlete, Perdita the artistic dreamer, and Romeo, the so-called “failure” who can’t seem to measure up.
Together, they are the carefully crafted experiments of their father, Leontes Button — a larger-than-life billionaire obsessed with his own “Button Method” for manufacturing brilliance. But when Leontes is found dead during his grand annual Prodigy Ball, the glamorous event quickly turns into a claustrophobic crime scene. Everyone in the mansion becomes a suspect, and every prodigy — no matter how perfect — has something to hide.
While the premise promises a classic locked-room mystery, what unfolds is also a deeply emotional, slow-burning family drama filled with tension, secrets, and betrayal. The first half focuses on the siblings’ inner worlds: Octavius’ heartbreak over his ex-boyfriend Anwar, Perdita’s forbidden love with Torin Philips (a modern Romeo & Juliet twist), Bilal’s loss of purpose after a career-ending injury, and Fola’s mysterious connection to Evie — the gardener’s daughter returning from Italy. Meanwhile, Romeo, the “failure,” struggles under the crushing weight of expectation, making him one of the most relatable characters for anyone who’s ever felt like the odd one out.
There were moments when the pacing slowed — especially early on, when the emotional introspection outweighs the mystery — but I never felt bored. Instead, I found myself drawn into the Button siblings’ unhappiness and dysfunction. It’s not just about solving a murder; it’s about understanding how genius and trauma can coexist under the same roof, and how love and resentment can intertwine in families built on impossible expectations.
Then comes the second half — and that’s where the real fireworks begin. Secrets unravel, alliances shift, and the revelations hit hard. The story tightens beautifully, delivering a series of satisfying twists that remind readers why Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé is one of the boldest voices in YA mystery today.
Personally, my heart belonged to Romeo and Octavius. Maybe I just have a soft spot for outsiders and musical prodigies, but their arcs felt the most emotionally resonant and beautifully flawed. The author does a wonderful job portraying them not as caricatures of genius, but as wounded, yearning humans trying to reclaim their sense of self beyond their father’s shadow.
While The Heirs of Button Manor didn’t reach the emotional perfection of Where the Sleeping Girls Lie for me (which I still consider one of the best YA mysteries of recent years), it’s undeniably a rich, ambitious, and thought-provoking story. The character depth and family dynamics are gripping, and the tension never truly lets go.
This is a book about brilliance, ambition, and the cost of being exceptional — and it asks the chilling question: Who are we, when our worth isn’t measured by our achievements?
I’m rounding up my 3.5 stars to a solid 4 for its ambition, complexity, and unforgettable cast of prodigies.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group / Feiwel & Friends for the digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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June 2, 2026
Take the umbrella academy sprinkle a little bit of the inheritance games and you have the recipe for this great book.
This book is about five adopted kids, that were a project of a billionaire to "make" prodigies. As you can probably imagine, that didn't go well. Fast forward several years, their father is found dead in a ball and they are suspects of his murder.
The heirs is a mystery impossible to put down. These characters sunk their claws in me almost immediately, I care about all of them deeply.
I love a murder mystery where I can try to guess the culprit, and the heirs gave me exactly that. It kept me in my toes until the very ending, and I absolutely adored the direction the author took with that resolution.
There's a little romance, a lot of childhood trauma and complex characters. I loved it.
Thank you Netgalley and Feiwel and Friends for the ARC!
This book is about five adopted kids, that were a project of a billionaire to "make" prodigies. As you can probably imagine, that didn't go well. Fast forward several years, their father is found dead in a ball and they are suspects of his murder.
The heirs is a mystery impossible to put down. These characters sunk their claws in me almost immediately, I care about all of them deeply.
I love a murder mystery where I can try to guess the culprit, and the heirs gave me exactly that. It kept me in my toes until the very ending, and I absolutely adored the direction the author took with that resolution.
There's a little romance, a lot of childhood trauma and complex characters. I loved it.
Thank you Netgalley and Feiwel and Friends for the ARC!
June 18, 2026
Intriguing YA novel focusing on power vs giftedness.
Five children are adopted by Leontes Button and nurtured as prodigies. Now young adults, they each have their own issues. Octavius is a maestro musician. Fola is a brilliant mathematician. Bilal is an Olympic champion fencer, Perdita is a gifted artist, and Romeo, well, his father considers him a failure because he didn't live up to his potential. When they attend the annual Prodigy Ball, Leontes Button ends up dead--murdered perhaps--and everyone is a suspect.
I found this book to be an intriguing mash-up of The Inheritance Games, The Umbrella Academy, and Àbíké-Íyímídé 's previous novels. Some of the characters are queer, some are straight, and they are all deeply troubled. There is so much food for thought here, nature vs nurture, giftedness, power, and the ethics of choosing what is right vs what is just.
As with other novels by this author, I appreciate the way she incorporates deeper themes within the framework of an interesting story. If you are intrigued by stories featuring dysfunctional teens, gifted prodigies, and a mystery involving the death of a not-so-great guy who pretty much everyone disliked, you are certain to be surprised and entertained by this book.
I listened to the audiobook, and Torian Brackett does a fair job of narrating, although I really felt like this book was begging for multiple narrators. I didn't care for his voicing of Leontes Button at all, the weird accent sounded more like a speech impediment than an accent. However I did like his narration for the most part, he gave each character a distinct voice so it was easy to tell them apart while listening.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
Five children are adopted by Leontes Button and nurtured as prodigies. Now young adults, they each have their own issues. Octavius is a maestro musician. Fola is a brilliant mathematician. Bilal is an Olympic champion fencer, Perdita is a gifted artist, and Romeo, well, his father considers him a failure because he didn't live up to his potential. When they attend the annual Prodigy Ball, Leontes Button ends up dead--murdered perhaps--and everyone is a suspect.
I found this book to be an intriguing mash-up of The Inheritance Games, The Umbrella Academy, and Àbíké-Íyímídé 's previous novels. Some of the characters are queer, some are straight, and they are all deeply troubled. There is so much food for thought here, nature vs nurture, giftedness, power, and the ethics of choosing what is right vs what is just.
As with other novels by this author, I appreciate the way she incorporates deeper themes within the framework of an interesting story. If you are intrigued by stories featuring dysfunctional teens, gifted prodigies, and a mystery involving the death of a not-so-great guy who pretty much everyone disliked, you are certain to be surprised and entertained by this book.
I listened to the audiobook, and Torian Brackett does a fair job of narrating, although I really felt like this book was begging for multiple narrators. I didn't care for his voicing of Leontes Button at all, the weird accent sounded more like a speech impediment than an accent. However I did like his narration for the most part, he gave each character a distinct voice so it was easy to tell them apart while listening.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
June 8, 2026
thank you to netgalley and macmillan audio for providing me with a copy of this audiobook in return for an honest and voluntary review!
characters; god everyone in this book was so MESSY from start to end and i LOVED it - i swear i will always be a fan of burnt out gifted kids and these main characters fit that bill completely! no matter how messy they are though, i fear they are still doing better than i would have if i was thrown into their shoes LMAO
plot; this is the definition of a page turner, i read this book in one sitting because i couldn't put it down! every single time you think you know where the plot is going, something else is thrown into the works... not in a frustrating 'oh i just want to throw you off of the trail' kind of way but in a genuinely shocking and meaningful way which made this whole book super fun to read
narration; i honestly have no idea how this single narrator managed to narrate like at least 9 different voices throughout this book and make every single one recognisable and engaging to listen to... genuinely so impressed by this - it also made the entire book so much more exciting and engaging than it already was.
characters; god everyone in this book was so MESSY from start to end and i LOVED it - i swear i will always be a fan of burnt out gifted kids and these main characters fit that bill completely! no matter how messy they are though, i fear they are still doing better than i would have if i was thrown into their shoes LMAO
plot; this is the definition of a page turner, i read this book in one sitting because i couldn't put it down! every single time you think you know where the plot is going, something else is thrown into the works... not in a frustrating 'oh i just want to throw you off of the trail' kind of way but in a genuinely shocking and meaningful way which made this whole book super fun to read
narration; i honestly have no idea how this single narrator managed to narrate like at least 9 different voices throughout this book and make every single one recognisable and engaging to listen to... genuinely so impressed by this - it also made the entire book so much more exciting and engaging than it already was.
November 1, 2025
i love this kind of book that mixes murder mystery with family drama and it’s even better when there’s an inheritance involved. this one totally exceeded my expectations! i got hooked right from the first few chapters (which almost never happens) and i loved the sibling dynamics so much. the only thing i didn’t love was the ending but not that it was bad, just a bit anticlimactic. overall though, it was such a fun and fast read!!
May 11, 2026
Take umbrella academy but make it prodigies, then add Clue but make it a yacht, and then… make it messy.
Five adopted siblings by a genius looking to prove nurture wins out over nature when it comes to prodigies. Each is an expert in their own field, save one. Then daddy-not-so-dearest turns up dead. On a yacht. With a boatload of suspects. And the web begins to unravel.
There is nothing I love more than a murder mystery with juicy and complicated family secrets. And The Heirs gives it all to us. One tantalizing secret at a time.
So whodunnit? The Maestro, the Brain, the Olympian, the Artist, or the Failure? Could it be the boyfriend, the secret friend who’s daddy is one of daddy darkest’s greatest enemies, or the neighbor? Perhaps the long-standing secretary who knows everyone’s secrets? Who would want Mr. Button dead?
Everyone.
The Heirs hits shelves June 2. Do not miss out on this one! We all know Faridah’s books do not miss, and this one is right in line with her other incredible works. (She’s one of my auto-buy/auto-read authors for a reason!)
Huge thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Feiwel & Friends and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review The Heirs. All opinions are my own.
Five adopted siblings by a genius looking to prove nurture wins out over nature when it comes to prodigies. Each is an expert in their own field, save one. Then daddy-not-so-dearest turns up dead. On a yacht. With a boatload of suspects. And the web begins to unravel.
There is nothing I love more than a murder mystery with juicy and complicated family secrets. And The Heirs gives it all to us. One tantalizing secret at a time.
So whodunnit? The Maestro, the Brain, the Olympian, the Artist, or the Failure? Could it be the boyfriend, the secret friend who’s daddy is one of daddy darkest’s greatest enemies, or the neighbor? Perhaps the long-standing secretary who knows everyone’s secrets? Who would want Mr. Button dead?
Everyone.
The Heirs hits shelves June 2. Do not miss out on this one! We all know Faridah’s books do not miss, and this one is right in line with her other incredible works. (She’s one of my auto-buy/auto-read authors for a reason!)
Huge thank you to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Feiwel & Friends and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review The Heirs. All opinions are my own.
Read
May 29, 2026Five teen geniuses, a billionaire adoptive father, a murder, and a contested inheritance. The Heirs is a slow-burn YA mystery that reminded me a little of reading The Westing Game many years ago. Everyone has trauma, lots of them are queer, and there's going to be a whole lot to unpack along the way. The audio narration is pretty good. I received a copy of this book for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
February 12, 2026
I think that this may be Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé's weakest book.
This was still well written and fast paced with lots interesting characters and great queer rep, but overall it felt like trying to do too much in too little pages so everything felt a bit shallow.
There are five main POVs: one for each of the children that billionaire Mr Button adopted to raise to become geniuses. The story follows the Button heirs when they are seventeen as they are all brought back together for their father's annual gala which he is then murdered at. The Button heirs are then held at their father's manor whilst the police investigate and all of their trauma and secrets come to the surface.
Five POVs was just too many - and that's without counting the one off extra POVs from Henry and Evie and all the POVs time jumping backwards. The constant POV switching means that you never fully explore each character so each of their arcs and backstories don't feel fleshed out enough. I think that this really would have benefitted from having only one main POV as so much about each character just felt underdeveloped by the end. Octavius and Romeo were my favourite POVs (the "Maestro" and the "Failure") as Octavius was such a drama queen and his relationship with Fola was so sweet and then it was hard to not feel for Romeo who just could not catch a break. All of the Button heirs were likeable and interesting but I really wish that we'd got more about each of their back stories and individual struggles (like at what point Romeo became the failure, more about Bilal's accident, and more about both sisters' romances - it felt like we were just told these things and not shown them because there wasn't the page space).
On a smaller level there were a few things which I found odd/distracting like the many nicknames for each person, how (despite the fact that all five Button heirs are the same age) they call each other older/younger sibling, and that there aren't many character physical descriptions - other than the brothers' heights and the sisters' outfits I had no idea what most of the protagonists looked like for the first 100 pages.
Overall this felt like it was trying to do too many POVs and too many subplots in too little pages so nothing was done in depth enough. This resulted in an underwhelming ending as it felt a bit anticlimactic and almost unearned. However it was interesting and the characters (although not fleshed out as much they could have been) were fun so if you want a book with the vibes of Umbrella Academy meets Inheritance Games then you may enjoy this.
Thank you to Usborne YA for a proof copy of this book
This was still well written and fast paced with lots interesting characters and great queer rep, but overall it felt like trying to do too much in too little pages so everything felt a bit shallow.
There are five main POVs: one for each of the children that billionaire Mr Button adopted to raise to become geniuses. The story follows the Button heirs when they are seventeen as they are all brought back together for their father's annual gala which he is then murdered at. The Button heirs are then held at their father's manor whilst the police investigate and all of their trauma and secrets come to the surface.
Five POVs was just too many - and that's without counting the one off extra POVs from Henry and Evie and all the POVs time jumping backwards. The constant POV switching means that you never fully explore each character so each of their arcs and backstories don't feel fleshed out enough. I think that this really would have benefitted from having only one main POV as so much about each character just felt underdeveloped by the end. Octavius and Romeo were my favourite POVs (the "Maestro" and the "Failure") as Octavius was such a drama queen and his relationship with Fola was so sweet and then it was hard to not feel for Romeo who just could not catch a break. All of the Button heirs were likeable and interesting but I really wish that we'd got more about each of their back stories and individual struggles (like at what point Romeo became the failure, more about Bilal's accident, and more about both sisters' romances - it felt like we were just told these things and not shown them because there wasn't the page space).
On a smaller level there were a few things which I found odd/distracting like the many nicknames for each person, how (despite the fact that all five Button heirs are the same age) they call each other older/younger sibling, and that there aren't many character physical descriptions - other than the brothers' heights and the sisters' outfits I had no idea what most of the protagonists looked like for the first 100 pages.
Overall this felt like it was trying to do too many POVs and too many subplots in too little pages so nothing was done in depth enough. This resulted in an underwhelming ending as it felt a bit anticlimactic and almost unearned. However it was interesting and the characters (although not fleshed out as much they could have been) were fun so if you want a book with the vibes of Umbrella Academy meets Inheritance Games then you may enjoy this.
Thank you to Usborne YA for a proof copy of this book
June 16, 2026
3.5 stars! very entertaining and written with a brilliant mix of humour and drama but wasn’t 100% a fan of so many POVs and i didn’t find the resolution to everything suuuuper compelling? read in one sitting though which is testament to how engaging the writing/plot was for the most part
June 7, 2026
i love these characters so much!! they were all so complex, lovable, and interesting 😭😭😭😭 this was amazing and i need more
the writing was such a pleasure to read!! the only downside is that the book had to end tbh
and the wonderful diversity was absolutely everything
overall this was an absolutely amazing murder mystery novel that also explores so many important elements such as the dark sides of the character’s prodigal upbringing, and how trauma shaped them all differently. it also explores the various methods of exploitation through wealth, and the abuse that follows it.
the writing was such a pleasure to read!! the only downside is that the book had to end tbh
and the wonderful diversity was absolutely everything
overall this was an absolutely amazing murder mystery novel that also explores so many important elements such as the dark sides of the character’s prodigal upbringing, and how trauma shaped them all differently. it also explores the various methods of exploitation through wealth, and the abuse that follows it.
June 3, 2026
If Faridah has no fans, I AM DEAD!
Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, and Feiwel & Friends for an eARC! I greatly appreciate it :)
Octavius the Maestro, Fola the Brain, Bilal the Olympian, Perdita the artist, and Romeo the Failure. As Leontes Button’s heirs, their life’s destinies were chosen before they even took their first steps. Their father Leontes Button created the “Button Method” to prove that he can raise child prodigies, making sure each of his children adhere to his sky high standards. Until he is murdered at his own Prodigy Ball. While each Button sibling has something to hide, Leontes’ death wasn’t a surprise since he also had enemies. The question is, who killed Leontes Button?
As someone who is a frequent reader of Faridah’s books, The Heirs has been one of my most anticipated ARCs to date and it did not disappoint. I really enjoy her writing style and the breadcrumbing she applies to her work, and that each of the Buttons were flawed, had history with being under Leontes’ control, and all had a past they were trying to run away from. I also liked the fact the it was a mix of a whodunit murder mystery with a great cast of diverse characters and stories.
I felt like for the most part the book was kind of predictable, but not in a bad way. More of a “I knew it was going to happen but I want to see how it’ll play out” kind of way. I liked the way all of the characters were written and especially Henry Xu and Evie omggg. I loved the diversity of each of the characters and the LGBTQ+ representation was AMAZING. The couples at the end……EVIEEEE AHHHHHHH.
I didn’t really think the second to last the third to last chapters were needed though since they were kind of random, but I do see how it ties into the Button children getting back together as a unit after a tragic loss, so it wasn’t so bad. The very last chapter was really interesting and provided some good context, though.
I can’t wait to read what Faridah has next, this was such a fun YA Mystery and I can’t wait to see what she has in store.
Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, and Feiwel & Friends for an eARC! I greatly appreciate it :)
Octavius the Maestro, Fola the Brain, Bilal the Olympian, Perdita the artist, and Romeo the Failure. As Leontes Button’s heirs, their life’s destinies were chosen before they even took their first steps. Their father Leontes Button created the “Button Method” to prove that he can raise child prodigies, making sure each of his children adhere to his sky high standards. Until he is murdered at his own Prodigy Ball. While each Button sibling has something to hide, Leontes’ death wasn’t a surprise since he also had enemies. The question is, who killed Leontes Button?
As someone who is a frequent reader of Faridah’s books, The Heirs has been one of my most anticipated ARCs to date and it did not disappoint. I really enjoy her writing style and the breadcrumbing she applies to her work, and that each of the Buttons were flawed, had history with being under Leontes’ control, and all had a past they were trying to run away from. I also liked the fact the it was a mix of a whodunit murder mystery with a great cast of diverse characters and stories.
I felt like for the most part the book was kind of predictable, but not in a bad way. More of a “I knew it was going to happen but I want to see how it’ll play out” kind of way. I liked the way all of the characters were written and especially Henry Xu and Evie omggg. I loved the diversity of each of the characters and the LGBTQ+ representation was AMAZING. The couples at the end……EVIEEEE AHHHHHHH.
I didn’t really think the second to last the third to last chapters were needed though since they were kind of random, but I do see how it ties into the Button children getting back together as a unit after a tragic loss, so it wasn’t so bad. The very last chapter was really interesting and provided some good context, though.
I can’t wait to read what Faridah has next, this was such a fun YA Mystery and I can’t wait to see what she has in store.
June 6, 2026
3.75* Knives Out meets The Umbrella Academy with a touch of The Inheritance Games in Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé's latest compelling YA mystery. Asking the question of who gets to be a genius, and why, The Heirs explores everything from morality, trauma, wealth and toxic parenting.
While, for me, this didn't quite pack the punch of the authors previous books (I still consider Where Sleeping Girls Lie to be one of the best YA thrillers I've read) this was still a great read. It was fast paced, with an endearing cast of characters and a mystery that had me hooked. Although the conclusion did feel a little anticlimactic, the journey getting there was undoubtably entertaining.
While, for me, this didn't quite pack the punch of the authors previous books (I still consider Where Sleeping Girls Lie to be one of the best YA thrillers I've read) this was still a great read. It was fast paced, with an endearing cast of characters and a mystery that had me hooked. Although the conclusion did feel a little anticlimactic, the journey getting there was undoubtably entertaining.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
5 stars
wow. I was not expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did! it was soooo good! I loved (almost) all the characters and it was just so interesting! it's kind of like inheritance games mixed with the secret history (the characters just imagine them less crazy). the writing was really good and some of the metaphors were like beautiful. I really enjoyed the ending. there wasn't really to plot twists per se (except for a few) but more so reveals of things that it has been leading up to.
𝗡𝗼𝘄 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴:
salvatore- lana del rey
0:09 ━●────────── 2:47
ㅤ ㅤ◁ㅤ ❚❚ ㅤ▷ ㅤㅤ
-------˖⁺. ༶ ❤︎ ⋆˙⊹ 𐦍 ˖⁺. ༶ ❤︎ ⋆˙⊹-------
characters:
octavius 'the maestro' button: I loved tavi. he was my favorite sibling. was he insane? yes. but he was also broken.
fola 'the brain' button: I have mixed feelings about her. I liked her but at the same time I didn't.
bilal 'the olympian' button: he was my 2nd favorite sibling. I loved billy so much.
perdita 'the artist' button: she was just meh for me. didn't love her, didn't hate her
romeo 'the failure' button: he was so cute. he's such a sweetie.
evie gray: I liked her.
anwar shah: I liked him so much too.
henry xu: love him
mr button: no we don't like him.
wow. I was not expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did! it was soooo good! I loved (almost) all the characters and it was just so interesting! it's kind of like inheritance games mixed with the secret history (the characters just imagine them less crazy). the writing was really good and some of the metaphors were like beautiful. I really enjoyed the ending. there wasn't really to plot twists per se (except for a few) but more so reveals of things that it has been leading up to.
𝗡𝗼𝘄 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴:
salvatore- lana del rey
0:09 ━●────────── 2:47
ㅤ ㅤ◁ㅤ ❚❚ ㅤ▷ ㅤㅤ
-------˖⁺. ༶ ❤︎ ⋆˙⊹ 𐦍 ˖⁺. ༶ ❤︎ ⋆˙⊹-------
characters:
octavius 'the maestro' button: I loved tavi. he was my favorite sibling. was he insane? yes. but he was also broken.
fola 'the brain' button: I have mixed feelings about her. I liked her but at the same time I didn't.
bilal 'the olympian' button: he was my 2nd favorite sibling. I loved billy so much.
perdita 'the artist' button: she was just meh for me. didn't love her, didn't hate her
romeo 'the failure' button: he was so cute. he's such a sweetie.
evie gray: I liked her.
anwar shah: I liked him so much too.
henry xu: love him
mr button: no we don't like him.
Want to Read
August 21, 2025For fans of The Inheritance Games written by the author of Ace of Spades?????? 26’ looks promising!
June 7, 2026
A dramatic and highly compelling murder mystery in the vein of Knives Out + The Umbrella Academy. I have a feeling a younger reader would find this more relatable/realistic but that’s really my only complaint. The characters are equally fleshed out (juggling this many POVs is not easy!) and the story was just as twisty as I wanted it to be.
Don’t skip the author’s note (yet when should you ever?!).
Don’t skip the author’s note (yet when should you ever?!).
May 26, 2026
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ALC of this YA mystery book to read and review.
Five adopted siblings live their lives as a science experiment to become geniuses through nurture. Their father pressures them, withholds approval, and vocalizes perpetual criticism. Then one day, in their late teens, he’s murdered and the five siblings find themselves at the center of the investigation.
I wanted more character depth. This book is a multi-POV story, and although the characters are interesting, I didn’t feel connected to them. I saw some parallels to characters from the Umbrella Academy. Octavius is definitely a lot like Klaus, which I love.
I liked the representation of racial and sexual diversity in this book.
The plot was medium paced. The writing was smooth and easy to read. The mystery had twists and reveals but nothing gripping. Although I was entertained throughout, the overall mystery fell flat for me.
I also feel the imagery and setting are lacking. I did not feel like I was in an off-putting yet rich mansion. I didn’t feel like I was in a luxury yacht off the coast of the Hamptons. The only consistent description was of the taxidermy animals on the walls.
This book has some steam with no on page spice.
This book had a single narrator, Torian Brackett. She did a great job switching between the five POVs. Her character voices and cadence/pacing were well done.
Overall, this book was smooth and easy to read, but lacked depth and description. The mystery and reveal, although entertaining, were not compelling. This is my first time reading this author, so I can’t compare this book to her other works.
Five adopted siblings live their lives as a science experiment to become geniuses through nurture. Their father pressures them, withholds approval, and vocalizes perpetual criticism. Then one day, in their late teens, he’s murdered and the five siblings find themselves at the center of the investigation.
I wanted more character depth. This book is a multi-POV story, and although the characters are interesting, I didn’t feel connected to them. I saw some parallels to characters from the Umbrella Academy. Octavius is definitely a lot like Klaus, which I love.
I liked the representation of racial and sexual diversity in this book.
The plot was medium paced. The writing was smooth and easy to read. The mystery had twists and reveals but nothing gripping. Although I was entertained throughout, the overall mystery fell flat for me.
I also feel the imagery and setting are lacking. I did not feel like I was in an off-putting yet rich mansion. I didn’t feel like I was in a luxury yacht off the coast of the Hamptons. The only consistent description was of the taxidermy animals on the walls.
This book has some steam with no on page spice.
This book had a single narrator, Torian Brackett. She did a great job switching between the five POVs. Her character voices and cadence/pacing were well done.
Overall, this book was smooth and easy to read, but lacked depth and description. The mystery and reveal, although entertaining, were not compelling. This is my first time reading this author, so I can’t compare this book to her other works.
June 25, 2026
thank you to netgalley for giving me an arc to read and review, all opinions are my own and honest.
I’ll be real with you guys, I absolutely adored ace of spades and where sleeping girls lie so I went into this with such high expectations but this was definitely weaker than previous books. the writing style felt very clunky at times, we were told the same piece of information about 16 times- it felt very much like holding the hands of readers rather than trusting them to pick up on hints and clues throughout. there were a lot of paragraphs filled with so much detail, like remaking the setting was more important than furthering the story itself.
I also think the plot was somewhat predictable, I usually love this authors works because I’m hooked to my seat wondering what’s going to happen next- bud after about 30% through this id predicted the entire thing.
It was still an interesting read, fast paced and fun with a somewhat dark academia plot- if you want something quick to sink into you might like this, but for me it was just meh
I’ll be real with you guys, I absolutely adored ace of spades and where sleeping girls lie so I went into this with such high expectations but this was definitely weaker than previous books. the writing style felt very clunky at times, we were told the same piece of information about 16 times- it felt very much like holding the hands of readers rather than trusting them to pick up on hints and clues throughout. there were a lot of paragraphs filled with so much detail, like remaking the setting was more important than furthering the story itself.
I also think the plot was somewhat predictable, I usually love this authors works because I’m hooked to my seat wondering what’s going to happen next- bud after about 30% through this id predicted the entire thing.
It was still an interesting read, fast paced and fun with a somewhat dark academia plot- if you want something quick to sink into you might like this, but for me it was just meh
May 8, 2026
4.25⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!
The Heirs was a book that immediately captured me from the first page and never really let go! This was a captivating story with an expertly crafted mystery. It was one of those books that felt like I was watching its movie right before my eyes. It was all so clear to visualize!
The Heirs is a fun take on the classic whodunnit that reminded me of an Agatha Christie tale or the movie Knives Out! But instead of a WASPie family, it is a household of prodigy children of the wealthy man who adopted them all. Once their morally questionable father is murdered, Àbíké-Íyímídé will keep you guessing just what really did happen until the very end!
I had some minor issues with the pacing, but thought this was, all in all, a wonderful mystery with expertly crafted characters.
This was my second book by Farihah after reading Ace of Spades last year, and I am a huge fan of her work! Her writing is so captivating, and I would love to read more.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!
The Heirs was a book that immediately captured me from the first page and never really let go! This was a captivating story with an expertly crafted mystery. It was one of those books that felt like I was watching its movie right before my eyes. It was all so clear to visualize!
The Heirs is a fun take on the classic whodunnit that reminded me of an Agatha Christie tale or the movie Knives Out! But instead of a WASPie family, it is a household of prodigy children of the wealthy man who adopted them all. Once their morally questionable father is murdered, Àbíké-Íyímídé will keep you guessing just what really did happen until the very end!
I had some minor issues with the pacing, but thought this was, all in all, a wonderful mystery with expertly crafted characters.
This was my second book by Farihah after reading Ace of Spades last year, and I am a huge fan of her work! Her writing is so captivating, and I would love to read more.
May 23, 2026
Got an arc through Libro.FM
I genuinely love the way Faridah’s brain works. Whenever I tune in for one of her books I know I’m about to experience something deeply poignant socially, and some rich people being fuckers, and that’s why I keep coming back. This is a fun mystery with a great ensemble cast and even when I figured out some of what was going to happen, it was never too hard ahead of the narrative and there was enough going on to keep me intrigued as to the why.
It also made me deeply nostalgic for the first season of The Umbrella Academy, I think I’m due for a rewatch after this!
I genuinely love the way Faridah’s brain works. Whenever I tune in for one of her books I know I’m about to experience something deeply poignant socially, and some rich people being fuckers, and that’s why I keep coming back. This is a fun mystery with a great ensemble cast and even when I figured out some of what was going to happen, it was never too hard ahead of the narrative and there was enough going on to keep me intrigued as to the why.
It also made me deeply nostalgic for the first season of The Umbrella Academy, I think I’m due for a rewatch after this!
June 2, 2026
I had such a good time reading this book! I love YA mysteries/thrillers, especially when they have a bit of a Knives Out vibe which this one definitely did.
Throughout the book you get to know the five Button heirs. They've all been raised to become prodigies in their own fields. With every chapter you learn more about how they grew up, the dynamics between the siblings but also the role their father played in their lives and how each of them reacts to his idea of guidance and help. I did struggle a bit with keeping the siblings apart at first but once I was fully invested, that wasn't an issue anymore.
I was kept on the edge of my seat the whole time during this book. Every chapter there would be a new reveal or another hint to something going on and I just wanted to keep reading to see what had happened the night their father died.
The reveal felt really satisfying to me as well. Everything was wrapped up in a neat bow which I always love. I do think it would've been nice to read a bit more about the feelings of the kids and how they're all dealing with the death and the fall out of it. We did get some but that was the only thing I kinda missed at the end of this book.
Would definitely recommend if you love a YA mystery/thriller with Knives Out vibes!!
Throughout the book you get to know the five Button heirs. They've all been raised to become prodigies in their own fields. With every chapter you learn more about how they grew up, the dynamics between the siblings but also the role their father played in their lives and how each of them reacts to his idea of guidance and help. I did struggle a bit with keeping the siblings apart at first but once I was fully invested, that wasn't an issue anymore.
I was kept on the edge of my seat the whole time during this book. Every chapter there would be a new reveal or another hint to something going on and I just wanted to keep reading to see what had happened the night their father died.
The reveal felt really satisfying to me as well. Everything was wrapped up in a neat bow which I always love. I do think it would've been nice to read a bit more about the feelings of the kids and how they're all dealing with the death and the fall out of it. We did get some but that was the only thing I kinda missed at the end of this book.
Would definitely recommend if you love a YA mystery/thriller with Knives Out vibes!!
June 13, 2026
i thought it would be more entertaining… i admire the themes in this book about power, privilege, kid prodigy, negligence, everything was there it was just very boring. lots of conversation trying to create tension ineffectively. i also thought the different siblings pov sounded the same 😪
i’m still going to read Fridah’s books because Ace Of Spades is one of my favorite novels but it’s two releases that felt boring to me back to back with Where Sleeping Girls Lie and this one.
i’m still going to read Fridah’s books because Ace Of Spades is one of my favorite novels but it’s two releases that felt boring to me back to back with Where Sleeping Girls Lie and this one.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Heirs features plenty of family secrets, drama, and the unattainable expectations of gifted youth. Billionaire scientist Leontes Button is found murdered at his annual ball, the five children and attending guests are held as main suspects. This book has a major locked room murder mystery theme, and characters reminiscent to the Umbrella Academy series.
Down to the core, this is a bit of a coming of age YA story. Each character has their inner thoughts and insecurities spread out throughout the story. The unrealistic expectations of their father’s ambitions affect each of them differently. I liked all the connections and everyone was hiding something or the other. The mystery and eventual reveal was satisfying to me and there’s a hidden story within.
Narrated by Torian Brackett in an entertaining and ear pleasing manner. I loved his depiction of each character and changing up the voices. The pacing and pronunciation was clear and fit the young characters very well.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the advance audiobook copy.
Down to the core, this is a bit of a coming of age YA story. Each character has their inner thoughts and insecurities spread out throughout the story. The unrealistic expectations of their father’s ambitions affect each of them differently. I liked all the connections and everyone was hiding something or the other. The mystery and eventual reveal was satisfying to me and there’s a hidden story within.
Narrated by Torian Brackett in an entertaining and ear pleasing manner. I loved his depiction of each character and changing up the voices. The pacing and pronunciation was clear and fit the young characters very well.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the advance audiobook copy.
May 24, 2026
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for approving me to read this book, I’m rating it 4.0 stars.
I enjoyed this murder mystery that followed some very dysfunctional siblings, they all had motive after a traumatic upbringing that forced them to seek perfection above everything. Mr Button was clearly an awful man and its hard to say if he loved his children or if they were just validating his ego in this experiment.
As things play out we get to unravel long buried secrets and see how blood being thicker than water might actually look when tested. This read kept me hooked and I’m not sure if justice was satisfyingly served, but everyone does get an ending that feels like the best outcome.
I enjoyed this murder mystery that followed some very dysfunctional siblings, they all had motive after a traumatic upbringing that forced them to seek perfection above everything. Mr Button was clearly an awful man and its hard to say if he loved his children or if they were just validating his ego in this experiment.
As things play out we get to unravel long buried secrets and see how blood being thicker than water might actually look when tested. This read kept me hooked and I’m not sure if justice was satisfyingly served, but everyone does get an ending that feels like the best outcome.
December 1, 2025
sensational.
faridah NEVER misses
faridah NEVER misses
June 3, 2026
4.5 Stars
The Inheritance Games meets Knives Out in Faridah Àbíké Íyímídé’s newest YA Murder Mystery that explores generational trauma, complicated family ties and the darker (more toxic) side to wealth and morality. I honestly couldn’t put this down!
We follow five teen prodigies (Perdita, Octavius, Fola, Bilal and Romeo) adopted at birth by an eccentric billionaire. Who find themselves at the centre of a shocking police investigation, when their father, the creator of the controversial “Button” parenting method (which claims nurture is more important than nature in creating geniuses) is found Murdered at his tenth annual Prodigy Ball.
And as long buried secrets finally surface, the Button heirs soon realise they’re not the only ones with something to hide. For Leontes Button was good at making enemies, and many of his attendees had their own motives…
Exploring generational trauma, complicated family ties and the darker (more toxic) side to wealth and morality; Àbíké Íyímídé’s exceptional prose weaves a suspense filled murder mystery that captured the emotions and struggles of its flawed protagonists so beautifully.
It is a multi-POV narrative, alternating between all five heirs, so do take into consideration if that’s something you don’t enjoy (or find too confusing.) Personally I loved it, as it allowed us to really delve into the mindsets of each heir and explore the experiences that have shaped and influenced their lives (for better or worse.)
I don’t want to say too much in case of spoilers, but I loved their dysfunctional yet loyal dynamics with each other, and found it reminded me soo much of The Umbrella Academy (minus the superpowers.) Especially in their relationship with their father, whose cold, clinical persona (and traumatic teaching methods) had me heartbroken for them.
Though, of all the siblings we meet it was Octavius (our Klaus Hargreaves-esque music prodigy), Fola (a high strung people pleaser desperate for her father’s love) and Romeo (the black sheep of the family, and most cinnamon roll-esque) that, in spite of their flaws, had me soo emotionally invested.
The whodunnit/mystery aspects were really good too! I initially thought I knew who the killer was, only to find myself taken completely by surprise. Given the reveal of the culprit, however, (which I won’t spoil here) I did find myself torn. As I completely understood why things played out the way they did.
Overall, an enjoyable, character driven YA Thriller that had me on the edge of my seat until the very end.
Also thanks you Usborne UK for the amazing proof.
The Inheritance Games meets Knives Out in Faridah Àbíké Íyímídé’s newest YA Murder Mystery that explores generational trauma, complicated family ties and the darker (more toxic) side to wealth and morality. I honestly couldn’t put this down!
We follow five teen prodigies (Perdita, Octavius, Fola, Bilal and Romeo) adopted at birth by an eccentric billionaire. Who find themselves at the centre of a shocking police investigation, when their father, the creator of the controversial “Button” parenting method (which claims nurture is more important than nature in creating geniuses) is found Murdered at his tenth annual Prodigy Ball.
And as long buried secrets finally surface, the Button heirs soon realise they’re not the only ones with something to hide. For Leontes Button was good at making enemies, and many of his attendees had their own motives…
Exploring generational trauma, complicated family ties and the darker (more toxic) side to wealth and morality; Àbíké Íyímídé’s exceptional prose weaves a suspense filled murder mystery that captured the emotions and struggles of its flawed protagonists so beautifully.
It is a multi-POV narrative, alternating between all five heirs, so do take into consideration if that’s something you don’t enjoy (or find too confusing.) Personally I loved it, as it allowed us to really delve into the mindsets of each heir and explore the experiences that have shaped and influenced their lives (for better or worse.)
I don’t want to say too much in case of spoilers, but I loved their dysfunctional yet loyal dynamics with each other, and found it reminded me soo much of The Umbrella Academy (minus the superpowers.) Especially in their relationship with their father, whose cold, clinical persona (and traumatic teaching methods) had me heartbroken for them.
Though, of all the siblings we meet it was Octavius (our Klaus Hargreaves-esque music prodigy), Fola (a high strung people pleaser desperate for her father’s love) and Romeo (the black sheep of the family, and most cinnamon roll-esque) that, in spite of their flaws, had me soo emotionally invested.
The whodunnit/mystery aspects were really good too! I initially thought I knew who the killer was, only to find myself taken completely by surprise. Given the reveal of the culprit, however, (which I won’t spoil here) I did find myself torn. As I completely understood why things played out the way they did.
Overall, an enjoyable, character driven YA Thriller that had me on the edge of my seat until the very end.
Also thanks you Usborne UK for the amazing proof.
June 7, 2026
So, sadly, this didn’t really work for me? It has an exciting premise—but the execution left a LOT to be desired.
Which, is just SO unfortunate.
I mean, we have such a great cast of diverse characters here and the set-up for this murder mystery is rather well-done.
There are lots of opportunities for select characters to have committed the crime—and PLENTY of motives across the board. When the guy murdered is an awful father figure with a f*ck-ton of money and few scruples, that tends to lend itself to an abundance of animosity.
Plus, a mainly teenage main cast means lots of ANGST. These kids are NOT alright.
And, I was jiving with this story up until the final third of the book—that’s where it all went wrong.
Not to spoil anything but this train derails so far off the track that it flips onto a whole other track, going in a different direction.
It’s befuddling, to say the least?
A bit frustrating, too? I mean, the first two-thirds of this story are thrilling. It’s a total “who dunnit”. But, that all gets scrapped at the end and the story wraps itself nicely up in like 30 pages??? All the tension and complexity is just smoothed over.
Even the author’s commentary at the end didn’t really elucidate anything for me about the storytelling choices. Like, analyzing who gets to be a genius is an interesting question—I get that. But, I don’t really think this book meditates much on that question. There’s no time or space to do so in this book. There are too many characters and plot points to connect and tangle. If the author wanted to explore that question, I don’t know if a murder mystery was the best vehicle for that?
Anyway.
Am I missing something about this story that actually makes it great and thoughtful? PLEASE let me know. This is the first book from Faridah that I didn’t totally enjoy T_T
Which, is just SO unfortunate.
I mean, we have such a great cast of diverse characters here and the set-up for this murder mystery is rather well-done.
There are lots of opportunities for select characters to have committed the crime—and PLENTY of motives across the board. When the guy murdered is an awful father figure with a f*ck-ton of money and few scruples, that tends to lend itself to an abundance of animosity.
Plus, a mainly teenage main cast means lots of ANGST. These kids are NOT alright.
And, I was jiving with this story up until the final third of the book—that’s where it all went wrong.
Not to spoil anything but this train derails so far off the track that it flips onto a whole other track, going in a different direction.
It’s befuddling, to say the least?
A bit frustrating, too? I mean, the first two-thirds of this story are thrilling. It’s a total “who dunnit”. But, that all gets scrapped at the end and the story wraps itself nicely up in like 30 pages??? All the tension and complexity is just smoothed over.
Even the author’s commentary at the end didn’t really elucidate anything for me about the storytelling choices. Like, analyzing who gets to be a genius is an interesting question—I get that. But, I don’t really think this book meditates much on that question. There’s no time or space to do so in this book. There are too many characters and plot points to connect and tangle. If the author wanted to explore that question, I don’t know if a murder mystery was the best vehicle for that?
Anyway.
Am I missing something about this story that actually makes it great and thoughtful? PLEASE let me know. This is the first book from Faridah that I didn’t totally enjoy T_T
March 26, 2026
an excellent ya thriller which gripped me thoughout! as always, i adored faridah’s writing style and found the plot intriguing, with the perfect balance of humour and emotion. the characters were the standout element of this story and i really enjoyed them all and their dynamic - they were extremely well fleshed out and super interesting to follow!
[gifted ARC but all opinions are my own]
[gifted ARC but all opinions are my own]
June 28, 2026
E tou a ser BEM generoso
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