Review of 'The Secret Inheritance' by Rachel Lynch
Release date: October 25th, 2024
Publisher: Storm Publishing
REVIEW
The Secret Inheritance is my first book by author Rachel Lynch. I was not sure what to expect as I have not indulged in many mystery thrillers, though I enjoy various other types of mystery mixed genre stories. Ms Lynch is quite the story teller and she has focused on what can happen in families after someone dies—as far as wills are concerned. Mind you, this is the worst case scenario!
Wealthy father, Jude, dies and we learn he is not surrounded by his three children Rosie, Hettie and James when he is passing from this world. Only his housekeeper, Clara, is tending to him but she gets to hear and see his responses. And it seems he has some regrets, as far as his children are concerned. It is obvious he was hoping they would come see him to say goodbye but none have. They have kept their distance: all are waiting for his passing. Although he has cancer, they do not expect him to expire so quickly. They are not a loving lot and the animosity between the siblings is quite jarring and the lengths they will go to get revenge on each other. And of course, their disdain for their father is the only common ground they share. It seems from what we learn, he has tortured them all in one way or another. Not to mention their late mother was also pretty dreadful. Some of her activities are shocking. There were four children initially but something happened to Christian around his eighteenth year that caused his death. Each sibling blames the other without knowing the full story. There are secrets that surround his life that become known by the end of the story: just before tragedy strikes again.
This novel is riddled with secrets, bitterness, anger, violence, guilt, selfishness, greed, physical torture, mental abuse, betrayal, and the list goes on. The effects of trauma in their lives have resulted in handicaps (physically and emotionally). Life is a series of contests for these siblings as that is how their father set things up. Creating seriously disturbing competitiveness in them with each other. And, of course, he has put up a last challenge with the reading of his will, that they must abide by to ‘win’ their inheritance. Their father’s harsh influence on them and his disappointment in them, continue long after his death as they keep trying to prove their worth and, some would say, win his love. This ‘stinking thinking’ keeps affecting their decisions and actions—which sometimes becomes violent and shocking.
The characters start out at their ultimate worst and the conflicts expose their personality flaws and selfish motives. Once reality hits them (as they step outside their own personal issues) it provides quite a jolt. I won’t list all the characters but those that provide their viewpoint (there are multiple ones) give us quite an insight on the state of things. The housekeeper, the siblings, a spouse, and Sarah (a friend of James who becomes involved) tell their side of the story and well. It was easy to see how they got to the state where they ended up.
The Secret Inheritance is quite a psychological thriller with some twisty mystery and plenty of shocking drama. As mentioned, not the sort of book I would normally read but I appreciate a skilfully delivered story that achieves its purpose and this one does! It kept me turning the pages and although I guessed many outcomes, it was still a fascinating journey. The truths that erupt are believable of how troubled minds will inevitably produce negative behavioural responses— shaped and born from childhood trauma. 4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for a review copy.
