What do you think?
Rate this book
The Inheritance
336 pages, Paperback
Published June 12, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 13, 2026
Blurb
A dream home. A fresh start. A nightmare waiting inside?
Kate and Patrick are struggling through life. After living on one wage since the birth of their son, Riley, Patrick is suddenly unemployed.
Bouncing from one bad interview to the next, the family are offered a lifeline when Kate receives a phone call. She has inherited a house on the northeast coast from her late aunt.
A beautiful Victorian townhouse. A new beginning.
Excited for the change, the family move hundreds of miles from their Beaconsfield home to the northeast coast. The house needs a lot of work, but that doesn't deter Kate. She is determined to make it work for them.
But from the first night, Kate notices something isn't right. Things are moved or go missing. Objects vanish… then reappear. At first Kate tells herself it's stress. The disarray of the move. Her young son.
Until night falls and she hears footsteps upstairs.
Terrified, Kate becomes convinced there is someone in the house. Upon searching, the house is empty. All the doors and windows are secure.
Night after night Kate hears these noises...and then she starts to receive messages.
Is someone really in the house, could it be haunted, or is she losing her sanity?
My Review
I felt this book took a fair while to get into and to get a flow with the reading. It is an interesting premise, a family struggling, who inherit a house and when they move in strange things start happening that lead to people questioning Kate’s sanity. The book very much picked up for me in the second half of the book. I enjoyed the main characters, although there were points I struggled with the husband’s attitude towards Kate throughout this, and being there for her.
The book has you second guessing throughout, and trying to work out what was going on. There are some interesting characters that you meet through the book but you didn’t really feel any were there to support Kate as she went through challenging times, and started to worry for herself and her family. I even felt she was let down by her best friend.
The book built up to a really good ending and I definitely didn’t foresee the ending to the book, it certainly wasn’t what I thought was going on. Overall I felt this was a very well plotted story, that was constructed very well.
Overall a very enjoyable book, and I recommend it if you enjoy good psychological fiction and suspense, but do give yourself time to get into the book.
Book Details
THE INHERITANCE BY GEMMA DENHAM
Release date: 12th June 2026
Universal link: https://books2read.com/tigd
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Inheritance-...
Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-...
A dream home. A fresh start. A nightmare waiting inside?
Kate and Patrick are struggling through life. After living on one wage since the birth of their son, Riley, Patrick is suddenly unemployed.
Bouncing from one bad interview to the next, the family are offered a lifeline when Kate receives a phone call. She has inherited a house on the northeast coast from her late aunt.
A beautiful Victorian townhouse. A new beginning.
Excited for the change, the family move hundreds of miles from their Beaconsfield home to the northeast coast. The house needs a lot of work, but that doesn't deter Kate. She is determined to make it work for them.
But from the first night, Kate notices something isn't right. Things are moved or go missing. Objects vanish… then reappear. At first Kate tells herself it's stress. The disarray of the move. Her young son.
Until night falls and she hears footsteps upstairs.
Terrified, Kate becomes convinced there is someone in the house. Upon searching, the house is empty. All the doors and windows are secure.
Night after night Kate hears these noises...and then she starts to receive messages.
Is someone really in the house, could it be haunted, or is she losing her sanity?
My Review
I felt this book took a fair while to get into and to get a flow with the reading. It is an interesting premise, a family struggling, who inherit a house and when they move in strange things start happening that lead to people questioning Kate’s sanity. The book very much picked up for me in the second half of the book. I enjoyed the main characters, although there were points I struggled with the husband’s attitude towards Kate throughout this, and being there for her.
The book has you second guessing throughout, and trying to work out what was going on. There are some interesting characters that you meet through the book but you didn’t really feel any were there to support Kate as she went through challenging times, and started to worry for herself and her family. I even felt she was let down by her best friend.
The book built up to a really good ending and I definitely didn’t foresee the ending to the book, it certainly wasn’t what I thought was going on. Overall I felt this was a very well plotted story, that was constructed very well.
Overall a very enjoyable book, and I recommend it if you enjoy good psychological fiction and suspense, but do give yourself time to get into the book.
Book Details
THE INHERITANCE BY GEMMA DENHAM
Release date: 12th June 2026
Universal link: https://books2read.com/tigd
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Inheritance-...
Waterstones: https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-...
June 15, 2026
ARC gratefully received from Cahill Davis Publishing and Gemma Denham in Kindle e-format.
Kate inherits her late aunt's house at an opportune moment as husband, Patrick, has just lost his job and money is tight. Relocation and a fresh start by the seaside with young son, Riley, is an absolute boon for the family. What could possibly go wrong? Albeit the property creaks, probably the pipework, and it does need redecorating but these are very minor matters to attend to. Loads of time. Think of the beach, the exhilarating sea air, buckets and spades and ice creams galore.
A mystery then steadily unfolds with Denham cunningly teasing the reader. Eerie, random footsteps on the staircase at night, a shadowy figure at the window, objects turning up in the most unexpected places, unsettling warning messages ... Is Kate losing her mind? Why does no one believe her? Is this a repeat of her post natal depression episode or her medication playing tricks with her? Pick up a copy of 'The Inheritance' and you will find out.
This is a slow burner of a tale with an abundance of avenues for your imagination to savour and explore. The dialogue is straightforward and the characters very well drawn. Kate instantly invites the reader's sympathy in equal measure to suspect Patrick's alienation. Aunt Lydia's back story is compelling and the next door neighbours intriguing. It is a quick, pleasant read and easy to absorb. For me, perhaps the only drawback was the implausibility of the outcome, but hey, artistic licence rocks! You never know what you might find if you look hard enough, but make sure you buy this book first, put your feet up, get the kettle on and enjoy.
Kate inherits her late aunt's house at an opportune moment as husband, Patrick, has just lost his job and money is tight. Relocation and a fresh start by the seaside with young son, Riley, is an absolute boon for the family. What could possibly go wrong? Albeit the property creaks, probably the pipework, and it does need redecorating but these are very minor matters to attend to. Loads of time. Think of the beach, the exhilarating sea air, buckets and spades and ice creams galore.
A mystery then steadily unfolds with Denham cunningly teasing the reader. Eerie, random footsteps on the staircase at night, a shadowy figure at the window, objects turning up in the most unexpected places, unsettling warning messages ... Is Kate losing her mind? Why does no one believe her? Is this a repeat of her post natal depression episode or her medication playing tricks with her? Pick up a copy of 'The Inheritance' and you will find out.
This is a slow burner of a tale with an abundance of avenues for your imagination to savour and explore. The dialogue is straightforward and the characters very well drawn. Kate instantly invites the reader's sympathy in equal measure to suspect Patrick's alienation. Aunt Lydia's back story is compelling and the next door neighbours intriguing. It is a quick, pleasant read and easy to absorb. For me, perhaps the only drawback was the implausibility of the outcome, but hey, artistic licence rocks! You never know what you might find if you look hard enough, but make sure you buy this book first, put your feet up, get the kettle on and enjoy.
June 16, 2026
This is one tense thriller. From the very first page we’re taken on a ride of suspense and terror as Kate slowly starts to question everything and everyone she knows. It’s such a clever story - you start to question everything about Kate and when the links with her aunt start to become clearer, it’s easy to wonder what the hell is going on. I felt for Kate completely- to know something is not right but to have everyone question your thoughts must have been so difficult. I wasn’t expecting that ending at all and although I was definitely heading in another direction with my thoughts, it was a good one.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thanks to Cahill Davis for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I haven't read Gemma's previous book The Storm, but I do have a copy.
Practically from the very start, it's intense. You're immediately drawn in and I think that's mainly down to the characters. I've always preferred character over plot. Like, I can forgive a mediocre plot as long as it has great characters. Luckily, this has both.
Patrick and Kate are fabulous main characters. I did have my suspicions that Patrick may not be all we thought he would be - but I won't spoil it by saying if I was right. But I must say, as wonderfully written as he is, I didn't like him much. I found him a bit ignorant and I wanted to grab him by his collar and give him a shake. I felt for Kate. She's sleep deprived, a bit lonely, she's desperate to go back to work and be someone other than mum. And then little Riley is adorable. A whirlwind of energy and love. Everyone is just perfect in this book, no matter their role in the story.
The house almost becomes a character itself. It's like it has its own moods, its own behaviours. It's eerie and dominating. And yet at the same time, it feels like a really cosy place to live, which I know sounds contradictory but hopefully you'll get it when you read it.
I am a big wuss and was worried this would creep me out and yes, I did find it creepy and freaky and tense (especially when I decided to read it in the middle of the night), but in a wonderful way, not an overbearing way.
It has nice short chapters. I refer short chapters anyway, but they really add to the chaotic franticness of the story.
I read it in less than 24 hours it was so addictive.
I've always said, and I will always say, that whether you are traditionally published with the big boys, the smaller guys, independently published, or self-published, it doesn't matter, your book will still be great. But having read hundreds and hundreds of thrillers, psychological thrillers, gothic thrillers, crime novels, you name it, this is definitely up there with some of the best, and it really deserves to have all the attention that some of the big names have. It could match up to them any day.
I hadn't heard anything other than praise for Gemma's writing and so I did have high hopes for this and it definitely met them. I can say for certain that The Storm will be swiftly making its way up my TBR because if it's anything like this, then it will be a winner.
I haven't read Gemma's previous book The Storm, but I do have a copy.
Practically from the very start, it's intense. You're immediately drawn in and I think that's mainly down to the characters. I've always preferred character over plot. Like, I can forgive a mediocre plot as long as it has great characters. Luckily, this has both.
Patrick and Kate are fabulous main characters. I did have my suspicions that Patrick may not be all we thought he would be - but I won't spoil it by saying if I was right. But I must say, as wonderfully written as he is, I didn't like him much. I found him a bit ignorant and I wanted to grab him by his collar and give him a shake. I felt for Kate. She's sleep deprived, a bit lonely, she's desperate to go back to work and be someone other than mum. And then little Riley is adorable. A whirlwind of energy and love. Everyone is just perfect in this book, no matter their role in the story.
The house almost becomes a character itself. It's like it has its own moods, its own behaviours. It's eerie and dominating. And yet at the same time, it feels like a really cosy place to live, which I know sounds contradictory but hopefully you'll get it when you read it.
I am a big wuss and was worried this would creep me out and yes, I did find it creepy and freaky and tense (especially when I decided to read it in the middle of the night), but in a wonderful way, not an overbearing way.
It has nice short chapters. I refer short chapters anyway, but they really add to the chaotic franticness of the story.
I read it in less than 24 hours it was so addictive.
I've always said, and I will always say, that whether you are traditionally published with the big boys, the smaller guys, independently published, or self-published, it doesn't matter, your book will still be great. But having read hundreds and hundreds of thrillers, psychological thrillers, gothic thrillers, crime novels, you name it, this is definitely up there with some of the best, and it really deserves to have all the attention that some of the big names have. It could match up to them any day.
I hadn't heard anything other than praise for Gemma's writing and so I did have high hopes for this and it definitely met them. I can say for certain that The Storm will be swiftly making its way up my TBR because if it's anything like this, then it will be a winner.
July 29, 2026
Kate and Patrick are struggling through life. After living on one wage since the birth of their son, Riley, Patrick is suddenly unemployed.
Bouncing from one bad interview to the next, the family are offered a lifeline when Kate receives a phone call. She has inherited a house on the northeast coast from her late aunt.
A beautiful Victorian townhouse. A new beginning.
Excited for the change, the family move hundreds of miles from their Beaconsfield home to the northeast coast. The house needs a lot of work, but that doesn't deter Kate. She is determined to make it work for them.
But from the first night, Kate notices something isn't right. Things are moved or go missing. Objects vanish… then reappear. At first Kate tells herself it's stress. The disarray of the move. Her young son.
Until night falls and she hears footsteps upstairs...
I love a creepy house storyline, especially when the line blurs between horror and thriller. The inheritance kept me guessing which way it would go. Gemma Denham succeeded in creeping me out with certain scenes that were dropped in at the exact right moment and sent shivers down my spine. The tension was palpable throughout which made for an addictive read. I felt a lot of sympathy for Kate as there was very little support for her as a wife,mother or even a woman. This was a realistic path to tread as all too often in every day life women are not believed and marginalized. Even though Patrick is fictional he made me angry that he did not recriprocate the same level of love and support that his wife gave him. In fact this book took me through all the emotions - fear, sadness, anger and even confusion as I tried to work out what was going on. I got halfway there with my theory but was surprised with the final reveal. This is the first book by Gemma I have read but The Inheritance has me sold on her writing and I look forward to reading more.
Bouncing from one bad interview to the next, the family are offered a lifeline when Kate receives a phone call. She has inherited a house on the northeast coast from her late aunt.
A beautiful Victorian townhouse. A new beginning.
Excited for the change, the family move hundreds of miles from their Beaconsfield home to the northeast coast. The house needs a lot of work, but that doesn't deter Kate. She is determined to make it work for them.
But from the first night, Kate notices something isn't right. Things are moved or go missing. Objects vanish… then reappear. At first Kate tells herself it's stress. The disarray of the move. Her young son.
Until night falls and she hears footsteps upstairs...
I love a creepy house storyline, especially when the line blurs between horror and thriller. The inheritance kept me guessing which way it would go. Gemma Denham succeeded in creeping me out with certain scenes that were dropped in at the exact right moment and sent shivers down my spine. The tension was palpable throughout which made for an addictive read. I felt a lot of sympathy for Kate as there was very little support for her as a wife,mother or even a woman. This was a realistic path to tread as all too often in every day life women are not believed and marginalized. Even though Patrick is fictional he made me angry that he did not recriprocate the same level of love and support that his wife gave him. In fact this book took me through all the emotions - fear, sadness, anger and even confusion as I tried to work out what was going on. I got halfway there with my theory but was surprised with the final reveal. This is the first book by Gemma I have read but The Inheritance has me sold on her writing and I look forward to reading more.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you to Cahill Davis Publishing and the author for an advance copy of The Inheritance in exchange for an honest review!
This is my first experience with Gemma Denham's work and I'm thoroughly impressed. I often worry when it comes to novels that focuses on the 'main character moves into a new, creepy house' plot because it feels like all those stories blend into each other, but I didn't get that feeling with The Inheritance.
Kate, her husband Patrick, and their son Riley move into a new house that was inherited from Kate's aunt Lydia. As expected, everything is not what it seems and spooky things start happening around the house that only Kate witnesses. This causes tensions amongst Kate's relationship with her husband, and consequently the rest of the people around her think she's going mad.
I really enjoyed this story, and Denham's writing style and depth of characters really contributed to my rating. I found this really easy to read, and I didn't find myself getting confused in amongst of the drama. This book throws you straight into the action, and I didn't mind it. I think Kate was a brilliant main character, and I love Riley's inclusion in the story!
I would definitely be willing to read Gemma Denham's work after this!
This is my first experience with Gemma Denham's work and I'm thoroughly impressed. I often worry when it comes to novels that focuses on the 'main character moves into a new, creepy house' plot because it feels like all those stories blend into each other, but I didn't get that feeling with The Inheritance.
Kate, her husband Patrick, and their son Riley move into a new house that was inherited from Kate's aunt Lydia. As expected, everything is not what it seems and spooky things start happening around the house that only Kate witnesses. This causes tensions amongst Kate's relationship with her husband, and consequently the rest of the people around her think she's going mad.
I really enjoyed this story, and Denham's writing style and depth of characters really contributed to my rating. I found this really easy to read, and I didn't find myself getting confused in amongst of the drama. This book throws you straight into the action, and I didn't mind it. I think Kate was a brilliant main character, and I love Riley's inclusion in the story!
I would definitely be willing to read Gemma Denham's work after this!
June 15, 2026
The Inheritance by Gemma Denham is a wonderfully atmospheric read that blends mystery, family secrets, and a growing sense of unease. The author brings the Northumberland coast vividly to life, creating a setting that is every bit as compelling as the characters themselves. The story unfolds with plenty of intrigue, revealing its secrets at just the right pace and keeping the tension simmering throughout. Fans of gothic-tinged suspense and richly drawn settings will find plenty to enjoy here. Just one warning: this is probably not a book to read late at night, and definitely not one to pick up if you’re in the middle of buying an old house on the Northumberland coast. It has a habit of making every creak, shadow, and unexplained noise feel just a little more significant.
June 15, 2026
I found a discarded copy of this book in a bin at a train station. It looked like someone had set fire to it and also dirtied it brown.
I realised after a couple of chapters I had read another book by the same author and it’s exactly the same quality, which, unfortunately, is not good. Childishly written and incredibly boring, and difficult to get into. I cannot recommend it, sorry.
I will put it back where I found it.
I realised after a couple of chapters I had read another book by the same author and it’s exactly the same quality, which, unfortunately, is not good. Childishly written and incredibly boring, and difficult to get into. I cannot recommend it, sorry.
I will put it back where I found it.
July 5, 2026
Kate inherits a Victorian Townhouse from her late aunt and it seems to be the answer to all her problems. But the fresh start that Kate was hoping for quickly turns into a nightmare. What secrets is the house keeping?
I started to read this book quite late in the evening and some of the scenes spooked me so much that I had to stop reading. The scenes were written in such a vivid way that I felt like I was seeing and hearing everything that Kate was. The storyline was intense, spooky, eerie and gave me goosebumps.
When Kate learns that she has inherited a house it couldn’t come at a better time. Both Kate and her husband Patrick are struggling. Patrick is unemployed and Kate gave up her job to become a full-time mother to their son Riley. A new house means new opportunities. Kate is determined to make it their new home while Patrick sets up his own business. But from the first night Kate starts to hear footsteps round the house but no one is there and Patrick and Riley are both in bed. The footsteps continue at night and then during the day. Kate isn’t sure if her imagination is running away with her, if there is a presence or someone else in the house. Items start to disappear, then reappear or are moved round the house. Then Kate finds strange messages left for her, one of which says that she is being watched. Kate is convinced that something isn’t right but Patrick disagrees. I did feel sad for Kate because what she is hearing and seeing is having a big impact on her and Patrick dismisses her concerns. He assumes straight away that Kate is having a mental health crisis. The strange goings on do start to impact on Kate’s relationship with Patrick and Riley causing distance between them. Then Kate finds her late aunt’s diary. It further cements for Kate that the house is hiding something and her aunt was keeping secrets too.
There were some jump scare moments in the story. The one scene that really unnerved me was when Kate goes into the attic. I thought I had an idea where the story was going and then there was a twist and I couldn’t have been more wrong.
A chilling and spooky read.
I started to read this book quite late in the evening and some of the scenes spooked me so much that I had to stop reading. The scenes were written in such a vivid way that I felt like I was seeing and hearing everything that Kate was. The storyline was intense, spooky, eerie and gave me goosebumps.
When Kate learns that she has inherited a house it couldn’t come at a better time. Both Kate and her husband Patrick are struggling. Patrick is unemployed and Kate gave up her job to become a full-time mother to their son Riley. A new house means new opportunities. Kate is determined to make it their new home while Patrick sets up his own business. But from the first night Kate starts to hear footsteps round the house but no one is there and Patrick and Riley are both in bed. The footsteps continue at night and then during the day. Kate isn’t sure if her imagination is running away with her, if there is a presence or someone else in the house. Items start to disappear, then reappear or are moved round the house. Then Kate finds strange messages left for her, one of which says that she is being watched. Kate is convinced that something isn’t right but Patrick disagrees. I did feel sad for Kate because what she is hearing and seeing is having a big impact on her and Patrick dismisses her concerns. He assumes straight away that Kate is having a mental health crisis. The strange goings on do start to impact on Kate’s relationship with Patrick and Riley causing distance between them. Then Kate finds her late aunt’s diary. It further cements for Kate that the house is hiding something and her aunt was keeping secrets too.
There were some jump scare moments in the story. The one scene that really unnerved me was when Kate goes into the attic. I thought I had an idea where the story was going and then there was a twist and I couldn’t have been more wrong.
A chilling and spooky read.
July 9, 2026
I flew through this book in a day. A domestic thriller with spooky vibes, its a great summer read!
Review of advance copy received from Author
A tale of an unexpected inheritance from a little known ‘Aunt Lydia’ (and yep visualised THE Aunt Lydia throughout) that changes Kate, Patrick and Riley’s lives for good…or in this case bad as they inherit a lot more than a beautiful ( if old and in disrepair ) new home…
Things begin to happen and Kate of course is not believed and her hubby, the ‘in laws’ ( who come to stay ) and the neighbours all believe she is having a breakdown, only her loyal best friend who she phones for help trusts her judgement and knows she isn’t making things up or ‘having one of her turns’
And then Kate finds her aunts old notebook and things begin to make more sense, little by little the pennies start to drop
I do enjoy a ‘moving home’ story so that and the quick, brisk chapters and dialogue did keep me invested until the inevitable roar of a ending
Wasn’t so keen on the supernatural bits but did fit into the story and were needed so moved past my preferences to keep with the story, which all told was pretty good
Things begin to happen and Kate of course is not believed and her hubby, the ‘in laws’ ( who come to stay ) and the neighbours all believe she is having a breakdown, only her loyal best friend who she phones for help trusts her judgement and knows she isn’t making things up or ‘having one of her turns’
And then Kate finds her aunts old notebook and things begin to make more sense, little by little the pennies start to drop
I do enjoy a ‘moving home’ story so that and the quick, brisk chapters and dialogue did keep me invested until the inevitable roar of a ending
Wasn’t so keen on the supernatural bits but did fit into the story and were needed so moved past my preferences to keep with the story, which all told was pretty good
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews