Claim the Crown

by Carla Neggers

Yesterday's secrets are more dangerous than ever…
For five years, anonymity has been Ashley Wakefield's refuge, ever since she and her twin brother, David, discovered they were the beneficiaries of a mysterious trust fund worth a fortune. Their lives forever changed, Ashley and David turned to the uncle who raised them for answers, but he couldn't—or wouldn't—help.
Now down-to-earth Ashley tempts fate by laying claim to fabulous jewels that await her in a Swiss vault. A photograph of her wearing the stunning gems catches the attention of hard-driving Jeremy Carruthers, who has questions of his own.
Jeremy and Ashley discover the gems have sparked vivid memories of a terrible night long ago, before she was born…a night that holds deadly secrets, and a shocking truth that threatens to shatter everything Ashley thought she knew about herself.

Genres: Romantic Suspense, Romance, Mystery, Suspense, Fiction, Contemporary

308 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

Carla Neggers is the New York Times bestselling author of the Sharpe & Donovan series featuring Boston-based FBI agents Emma Sharpe and Colin Donovan, and the popular Swift River Valley series set in the small, fictional New England town of Knights Bridge. With many bestsellers to her credit, Carla loves to write now as much as she did when she climbed a tree at age eleven with a pad and pen and spun stories perched on her favorite branch.

A native New Englander, Carla and her husband divide their time between their hilltop home in Vermont, a sofa bed at their kids' places in Boston and various inns, hotels and hideaways on their travels, frequently to Ireland.

Find out more and sign up for Carla's newsletter at CarlaNeggers.com.

Reviews

[Jessica · Rating 1 out of 5]

Made it past page 100 with nothing of any interest happening. There were tons of characters that were ott in their reaction to the article outing the heiress but for no apparent reason. As I wasn't especially into the book I didn't want to spend a bunch of time trying to get to the plot twist just to make the rest of the book make sense. dnf

[Stella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Romantic Suspense

I have been a fan of Carla Neggers for many years now. This novel lives up to the quality story I expect whenever I start to read a book written by Miss Neggers. Wonderful characters, excellent storyline, smartly paced. An excellent novel for anyone who enjoys reading romance book mixed with suspence.

[Ferne (Enthusiastic Reader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned some history about Hungary that I was not aware of before reading this title. The history does add to the overall plot and was important to include but the presentation as Ashley is receiving "Hungarian History 101" from Caroline's library research felt like reading a professor's history lecture rather than a novel.

Overall, I enjoyed the story but it's not a top favorite by Carla Neggers.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Lots of twist and turns! Had a hard time Putting it down! It was a little hard to follow but worth every minute!!!
Would read
it over again as I do many that I like!
I did not realize it was one of her older books but enjoyed it very much!!!!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge fan. And, to find this stand alone re-published and available was a great find. I thoroughly enjoyed this story! So, glad that some of your earlier works are becoming available to read. Thanks!

[Loretta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite a complicated story about fleeing from the revolution in Hungary, twins who receive a mysterious wealthy inheritance, a beloved uncle, an actress who died long ago, a revengeful sad old man, a count from Hungary, lots of rich people. And Neggers stitches all that together quite well.

[Nancy Morse · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of her old novels and reading it shows how much her style has evolved. I liked it, but wanted it to be just a bit better.

[Penny Theriault · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

And another great story!! I love Carla Neggers, she never disappoints in her twisting tales of romance and almost murder and mayhem!!

[Jeray Bunnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read. i usually can figure these out in advance, not so with this one. One of the best I've read.

[April Mc Vey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This mystery really had me enthralled all the way to the end. Loved the endings❤️✅

[Ruth Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

Great story plot was crazy good.loved the characters.good read nice to see another book same characters. Keep them coming,Wonderful love story

[suzanne mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twists and turns

Felt slow at first. Kept with it and like quick sand pulled me in. Learned about a sad time in history in Europe.

[Mary · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not my cup of tea

I usually love MS Neggers books but I just couldn't get into this for some reason. Not sure why maybe cause it was a bit depressing.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent plot and characters!

[Harriet Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast paced and well developed characters! Carla’s books
are all amazing!

[Anita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book from a collection of 5000 I received from my in-laws. This book was published in 1982, but the story is simply fascinating. In 1956 Budapest an American woman with auburn hair and turquoise eyes is on an adventure that landed her in the middle of an Hungarian uprising against the Russians. An event that casts long shadows into the future. Fast forward to Ashley, an heiress who has no idea where her fortune came from. Someone set up a Liechtenstein Trust for her and her brother. She has no idea who or why and four years after she learns about it and receives her first check for $4M she wants answers to these questions. Photos of Ashley wearing jewels fron the Trust spark memories in some that they would like to forget.

I have read other Carla Neggers books, but none were as fascinating and and well written as this book. It keeps it's secrets rignt to the end.

[ஐ Katya (Book Queen)ஐ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do enjoy this book. It was worth a reread as it's been a decade or more since I read it. Although it's out for rerelease, I just dug out my old paperback and dusted it off. Definetly romantic suspense as it has a mystery to solve within the book.

[Tonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Love this book, I have read it many times, so many in fact the cover is falling apart! LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!

[Vivian Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was alright nothing to get hyped about ....

[Josie]

Way too many characters and too much happening plot-wise. This was a DNF for me.