Most family reunions end in tears. This one will end in murder.
Meet the Agarwals, who have gathered on a private, luxury island off the west coast of Scotland for a much-anticipated family reunion.
Raj, the patriarch and a business tycoon, is about to announce to his wife and three children the succession plan for his multimillon-dollar Delhi-based company. Shalini, the fragile matriarch, is ready to have her husband to herself after years of sacrifice to the family business. Myra, the golden child, owner of the island and host of the reunion, is, unbeknownst to her family, on the brink of bankruptcy. Aseem, the son and supposed heir, is torn between his love for his wife and his duty to family. Aisha, the youngest, a party girl whose antics are legendary, can’t pass up an opportunity to wreak havoc. And then there’s Zoe, Aseem’s wife, the outsider whose #InstaPerfect life is built on a foundation of lies.
They’ve all got secrets they would die to protect. Who will survive this high-stakes reunion, and who will become a victim of their own greed? One thing is certain: this family gathering will shatter more than just their illusions of unity.
Book Info: Print length: 424 pages. Publisher: Penguin. Publication Date: 13 Feb 2025
My Thoughts:
If you follow my reviews and blogs you will know that I read quite a few books. My favourite genre has always been psychological thrillers and if they have a twist that I didn’t see coming, despite my obvious expertise as an armchair detective, then that automatically makes it a book I have to recommend.
Trisha Sakhlecha’s The Inheritance certainly delivered some clever twists and definitely kept me turning those pages.
Set on a remote Scottish island, a wealthy (and dysfunctional) family gathers for a reunion to discuss Raj’s upcoming retirement and the division of his multimillion pound business empire. This isn’t a new concept as there are many, many books set on a remote island featuring a reunion or a dysfunctional family, however Sakhlecha’s characters stand out as being complex, deeply flawed and totally believable.
Delving deep into themes of inherited wealth, power and manipulation The Inheritance shows how loyalty is tested as the siblings compete for recognition (and money!).
The Agarwals are a traditional Indian family who value their cultural identity and heritage. Family loyalty is rewarded and Raj controls the family through his wealth and power. His 3 children each carry emotional and psychological baggage having grown up with an overpowering father and what appears to be a submissive mother.
With 2 daughters, Myra and Aisha, each independently determined to prove their worth and value and the remaining son, Aseem who married Zoe, an outsider who is an instagram influencer, the siblings rivalry and ambition is destined to end in tragedy.
The Inheritance is a compelling blend of family drama, cultural intrigue and murder. It’s perfect for fans of Succession.
