Confession – I picked this book purely for the cover, and for its Goodreads reviews.
It’s a story about family and class, which I typically gravitate to. The mystery that weaves through the entire book, however, was something I never expected.
The Heirs begins with the death of Rupert Falkes, who is survived by his patrician wife and five sons. Early in the book, a lawsuit is filed by Rupert’s alleged mistress, on behalf of her sons supposedly fathered by him. This situation acts as a catalyst for flashbacks, where we learn more about him and Eleanor, each of the sons (some in better detail than others), and their fascinating journey together.
It can be difficult to keep all the characters straight (particularly the five sons and their own families), but they are all satisfying complicated and human. I was especially drawn to Eleanor, the matriarch who lived for her sons without losing herself in the process. I found her fascinating, and was somewhat disappointed when the book jumped to Rupert’s life or to one of her sons.
I did feel the ending was a bit rushed and confusing to wrap things up. But in whole, The Heirs was a beautiful, fascinating story that I finished in a few hours. I recommend it for a rainy weekend, with a cup of tea or hot toddy and warm pajamas.
Other books you may like – Rich People Problems, The Futures, and A Gentleman In Moscow. You can find all my book reviews here.Â
