The Heiresses

Sara Shepard’s latest novel, an upscale mystery about four heiresses to one of New York’s most prestigious diamond companies, leaves little to be desired for fans of her Pretty Little Liars series. Set in a Gossip Girl-style society, the novel follows the lives of the Saybrook family, which has been plagued with mysterious deaths since the beginning of their wealthy existence. The Saybrooks have always chalked their “curse” up to tabloid rumors…until their seemingly perfect cousin Poppy jumps to her death, and an ominous threat saying “one heiress down, four to go” is left in her wake. The remaining heiresses are left to solve the mystery of Poppy’s death while they watch out for their own lives, as well.

Though it is, essentially, a Gossip Girl–Pretty Little Liars hybrid, The Heiresses is thrilling and enjoyable to read. Fast-paced from the beginning, the story’s twists will keep readers hooked, and the characters don’t feel contrived, a rarity amongst novels about high-class society. It can’t be categorized as a Young Adult novel, per se, but it is the sort of book that both adults and mature YA readers can enjoy. Overall, with its gripping plot and innate intrigue, The Heiresses is your perfect summer read.