Reading Guide The Heiress - A Book by Rachel Hawkins

Thriller Feature: 

Beyond the stunning views and reaching mountain ranges of Appalachia, are tales of the supernatural, deep cultural traditions, and family histories that go back centuries. From the bustling city centers to the homes tucked away in the woods, this is the perfect place for a mystery thriller with a gothic touch.

The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins

NATIONAL BESTSELLER - A January Indie Next Pick and LibraryReads Pick

About the Book:

THERE'S NOTHING AS GOOD AS THE RICH GONE BAD.

When Ruby McTavish Callahan Woodward Miller Kenmore dies, she's not only North Carolina's richest woman, she's also its most notorious. The victim of a famous kidnapping as a child and a widow four times over, Ruby ruled the tiny town of Tavistock from Ashby House, her family's estate high in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

But in the aftermath of her death, her adopted son, Camden, wants little to do with the house or the money--and even less to do with the surviving McTavishes. Instead, he rejects his inheritance, settling into a normal life as an English teacher in Colorado and marrying Jules, a woman just as eager to escape her own messy past.

Ten years later, his uncle's death pulls Cam and Jules back into the family fold at Ashby House. Its views are just as stunning as ever, its rooms just as elegant, but the legacy of Ruby is inescapable.

And as Ashby House tightens its grip on Jules and Camden, questions about the infamous heiress come to light. Was there any truth to the persistent rumors following her disappearance as a girl? What really happened to those four husbands, who all died under mysterious circumstances? And why did she adopt Cam in the first place? Soon, Jules and Cam realize that an inheritance can entail far more than what's written in a will--and that the bonds of family stretch far beyond the grave.

Cocktail Pairing: Cherry Bounce Manhattan Recipe

Enjoy a North Carolina twist on a classic cocktail, or try a Cherry Bounce inspired mocktail to pair with this southern thriller. 

Ingredients: 

Directions: Combine all ingredients into a glass or cocktail shaker. Stir for about 40 seconds and pour into your favorite cocktail glass. (Stir less if you’re serving it on the rocks!) Garnish it with an orange twist and enjoy.

 Mocktail Pairing: Sparkling Cherry Lime Mocktail Recipe

Ingredients:

Directions: To a large glass, add the cherries, lime juice and cherry juice and muddle slightly using a muddler, or the back of a wooden spoon. Fill the glass with crushed ice and then fill to the top with the sparkling water. Garnish with fresh mint and a lime wedge. 

To Cook

Embrace the storytelling tradition of the Appalachia region through the local flavors and recipes of the Appalachia and Blue Ridge Mountains.

Smoke, Roots, Mountain, Harvest: Recipes and Stories Inspired by My Appalachian Home, by Lauren McDuffie

More on the Appalachian Region!

Celebrate Southern Appalachia cultural traditions from the legends and folktales to the songs and proverbs of the region.

Foxfire Story: Oral Tradition in Southern Appalachia, by Foxfire Fund Inc

Fiction Recommendations To Read Next:

After spending time with the McTavish family, visit a different manor home during the midsummer solstice where the nearby forest holds secrets of the family’s past come back to haunt them.

The Midnight Feast

by Lucy Foley

 Then, return to the Appalachian region as a splintered family faces a crumbling legacy and a dark family history in this supernatural novel combines local folktales with the madness, decay, and despair of a southern gothic. 

The Bog Wife

by Kay Chronister

We hope you enjoyed the Reading Guide for The Heiress! Share your thoughts, photos, and favorite moments in the comments or on social media using #PageAndPairing. Until next time, happy reading—and happy pairing! Cheers!