Title: The Will
Author: Rebecca Reid
Publisher: Transworld
Synopsis:
The Mordaunts aren’t like most families . . .
For one, their family home is Roxborough Hall – a magnificent, centuries-old mansion in the Norfolk countryside. For another, the house isn’t passed down from parent to child – but rather to the family member deemed most worthy.
Cecily Mordaunt is dead. On the evening of her funeral, her family will gather for dinner and each will be given a letter, revealing who is the next custodian of Roxborough Hall.
The house is a burden, a millstone, a full-time job . . . but they all want it. And some are willing do anything to get it.
One family. Eight letters. Who will get what they deserve?
My review:
Family secrets, squabbles and drama all mixed in with mystery and deceit…
I hugely enjoyed The Will and found it very hard to put down. The characters are certainly not all likeable but they’re all interesting and make you want to read on to find out what they’re hiding…
The story focuses on the family of Cecily Mordaunt, a rich lady who owns a huge estate including the desirable mansion called Roxborough Hall. After Cecily dies, on the night before her funeral, her family is summoned to the Hall for the traditional dinner where they’ll find out who Cecily has left the hall to. But, of course, things don’t run as smoothly as expected…
I loved the elements of history tied into each character’s storyline. We flick between various characters in different moments in history as we learn more about what they intend to do if they inherit the hall, and realise not everyone has good intentions for the beautiful building! It takes a bit of getting used to all the names, as there are quite a few characters to keep track of, but they’re all so different that this soon becomes easy.
There are surprises throughout the book in the characters’ chequered histories, some interfering spouses, and a very devoted companion and lady’s maid, Violet, and watching them all engage – and clash – makes for a brilliant read. I really enjoyed this novel and would recommend it to anyone looking for a gripping domestic thriller.
My rating: 4.5/5
Many thanks to the publisher, Transworld, for providing a copy of this book on which I chose to write an honest review.