If you’re after an atmospheric, slow-burn thriller with a dysfunctional family at its core and a locked-room vibe, then The Inheritance might be just what you’re looking for. Think: a remote Scottish island, zero WiFi, stormy weather, and an ultra-wealthy family gathering that is guaranteed not to end well.
I love a claustrophobic setting and a premise that promises secrets, resentment, and (let’s be honest) at least one dead body. This had all of that, with a generous helping of family drama and a satisfying undercurrent of social commentary too. Did I like any of the characters? Not really. Was I completely hooked? Yes.
What I Loved:
- The setting was perfectly unsettling: Myra’s remote island, purchased and renovated to become a luxury eco-retreat, is such a good backdrop. It’s isolated, eerie, and vulnerable to the elements – a classic set-up for a ‘locked-room’ style mystery. The tension builds slowly, not just because of the storm rolling it, but because you know that something bad is coming, you just don’t know who or when.
- The dual narration worked really well: We see the story unfold through the perspectives of Myra (the eldest daughter, recently divorced, and on the verge of financial ruin) and Zoe (an outsider turned insider — married to Aseem, the golden boy of the family, and hiding secrets of her own). I liked how these two voices revealed different angles on the same family. Myra is numb and exhausted by her parents’ control; Zoe is still resisting it — and that contrast really deepened the dynamic for me.
- There’s a slow unraveling of secrets and loyalties: This is more than just a murder mystery. Yes, someone dies (and no, I didn’t guess who), but what kept me turning pages was watching the Agarwal family slowly implode. Raj, the patriarch, is ready to retire and divide up his fortune — but not equally, and not without strings. Cue: manipulation, desperation, greed, betrayal. The family mantra is “loyalty above all else,” but as you read, you start to question what that actually means in practice — and what people are willing to sacrifice to maintain that illusion.
My Thoughts:
This was one of those books where I didn’t like anyone, but I still couldn’t look away. Everyone in the Agarwal family is toxic in their own way — driven by ego, insecurity, or the promise of money. Zoe is the only one who occasionally comes across as human, and even she is slippery. But I didn’t mind the lack of likeability. These are people who have been shaped (and warped) by power and control — especially the subtle but chilling influence of their mother, Shalini. The emotional manipulation in this family runs deep, and I think Trisha Sakhlecha captured that brilliantly.
There’s a real cleverness in how the narrative balances the past and present — slowly peeling back layers of history, trauma, and pressure. I especially liked the way the author hinted at more than she revealed, building an unsettling mood throughout.
One small note: if you’re expecting a pacey whodunnit, this might feel a little slow. The murder doesn’t come front and centre until later in the book — but by then, I was so invested in the psychological drama that I didn’t mind.
Would I Recommend?
Yes – if you like character-driven thrillers with a tense, moody atmosphere and an emphasis on relationships over action. It’s a slow burn, but a satisfying one, with plenty to say about money, power and how far people will go to protect their version of the truth.
Have you read The Inheritance yet? What did you think?
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