I’m happy to announce I am part of the blog tour for The Cursed Heir by Heather Atkinson. Thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources for the invitation and Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the ARC to give you my honest review.
Edinburgh 1896. At Alardyce House, the family are gathered to celebrate the engagement of the heir to the estate, Robert, to his childhood sweetheart. But what should be a precious memory for his mother Amy, is marred by darkness. For Robert’s biological father was a demon and a criminal, and now Robert is coming-of-age, disturbing reports are beginning to emerge about his behaviour.
Amy is torn between her love and loyalty to her son, her hope that she can save his soul, and her growing sense of dread that the streets of Edinburgh aren’t safe when Robert is in town. Meanwhile the increasing distance between Robert and his stepfather Henry threatens the peace of her loving marriage.
The Alardyce family is riven by secrets and scandal, but will this most cursed heir of all, be the one to ruin their reputation forever, or can the power of a mother’s love save them all?
If you love Emily Organ, Kate Saunders and Ann Granger, you’ll love The Cursed Heir. Discover bestselling author Heather Atkinson and you’ll never look back…
Please note this book was previously published as Corruption of the Son.
The second book in the Alardyce trilogy, The Cursed Heir can be read as a standalone but I would say you would be better reading the first one so you understand the characters and the back story to the family.
Heather Atkinson is an author whose books go straight to the top of my to read pile. Every book I have read of hers is such an entertaining read. Having read the first book I was looking forward to returning to Alardyce House and it’s residents. Amy is now married to Henry and they have three children together. Robert, Amy’s son with Matthew, is in love and getting ready to announce his engagement to Jane. He has a dark and nasty side to his character that makes Amy worry he has inherited his biological father’s dark flaws. Is she worrying for nothing or will Robert prove to be his fathers son?
Set in Edinburgh in 1896 this book does follow on nicely from the first. Another dark gothic historical mystery which is well researched and very well written. I never expect less from Heather Atkinson and she didn’t let down. It was great to return and catch up with the latest events in Alardyce House. Again, the characters are very well developed and realistic. I could connect with Amy and her worries about her son.
There is no loss of quality in the story telling from the first to this book. I was just as invested in the family and what was happening. Its not just the main characters who are well developed. Magda is a woman who is a dab hand at using herbal treatments and we see her using these to help throughout the book.
Dark and chilling at times, this is a book that does try to mess with your head by making you wonder what’s real or not. I thought this added even more to the story. There were twists that I didn’t expect and an ending that makes the third book an unmissable one for me!
Purchase Link – https://amzn.to/3AMlgCf
Author Bio
Heather Atkinson is the author of over fifty books – predominantly in the crime fiction genre. Although Lancashire born and bred she now lives with her family, including twin teenage daughters, on the beautiful west coast of Scotland. Her gangland series for Boldwood, set on the fictional Gallowburn estate in Glasgow begins with the title Blood Brothers.
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