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The Seven Rings: The Lost Bride Trilogy, Book 3
Nora Roberts
4.7
Inheritance: The Lost Bride Trilogy, Book 1
by Nora Roberts
About this book
Sonya MacTavish’s life shifts overnight when a genealogy discovery reveals a secret family history and an unexpected inheritance: a majestic, clifftop Victorian manor on the Maine coast. Bound by the terms of her late uncle’s will, she must reside in the sprawling estate for three years. However, she quickly realizes she is not alone.
The house is alive with inexplicable phenomena, from phantom music to objects that shift when her back is turned, all centered around the portrait of Astrid, a bride murdered in 1806. As Sonya delves into the mystery of her family’s fractured past, she finds an ally in Trey, the pragmatic yet enigmatic local lawyer who manages the estate. Trey is well aware of the manor’s spectral inhabitants, and his steady, cautious presence provides a grounding force against the mounting supernatural tension.
Together, they navigate a centuries-old curse that has haunted the Poole bloodline for generations. To survive and claim her future, Sonya must untangle the tragic threads of the past and confront the restless spirits that refuse to leave. With a broken heart and a looming deadline, Sonya discovers that some legacies are worth fighting for, even when the cost is paid in shadows.
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What readers are saying
AvonnaHighly Recommend!
"RATING: 4.5 out of 5 Stars (Rounded up) INHERITANCE (The Lost Bride Trilogy Book #1) by Nora Roberts is a wonderful ghost story that pulls you in immediately. The problem for my review is defining it. It is not a straight romance because you do not get the HEA in this book, but you do get a contemporary romance subplot and there are plenty of love stories told throughout the discovery of the family’s history. It is a historical suspense/thriller as well as a contemporary suspense/thriller. It also can be considered women’s fiction with the strong friendship between the main female characters and prominent secondary female characters. This story is all of the above. Like every one of Nora Roberts books I have read, the characters all come to life and are memorable. Her storytelling and pacing are always engaging, and I find I always finish her books in only one or two sittings which is what happened with this book. This book has a lot of character development necessary to bring the lost brides to life and set up the background for the mystery/suspense plot. The only reason I did not give it a full 5-star rating (4.5 gets rounded up on the review sites anyway) is because it ends on a giant cliffhanger…and I do mean giant. This is a personal pet peeve for me and yes, I do realize it is a trilogy, but there is not even a partial wrap-up. And then, the next book in the trilogy does not come out for ten more months. Not one, but ten! AAGH! The setting is a gothic historical Victorian mansion called Lost Brides Manor in small town Maine which has a ghost maid who cleans everything and one of the brides communicates with a wonderful playlist of songs for every occasion that always left me laughing. The witch ghost is menacing, and I am looking forward to her being banished. Since Sonya is a graphic designer and Cleo is an illustrator, both can work from the mansion, and it is through their jobs that they meet and interact with the town’s business owners and occupants. The dog that Sonya rescues, and the dogs of the male main characters, Trey and Owen are a great addition for a dog lover like me. I do highly recommend this multi-generational family mystery/suspense/thriller with paranormal/supernatural ghosts, strong female characters, and developing romances even though it is killing me to wait for the next two books in the trilogy. ["
January 11, 2024 Verified Purchase
BookwormLoveeee this book!!
"Ahhh! I loveeee her trilogies! Amazing! Such great characters and story telling! It just sucks you into the story! So immersive! Was not disappointed with this amazing story! ["
May 2, 2026 Verified Purchase
Sheila MWell-Crafted with Interesting Characters and a Clever Ghost Story
"FINAL DECISION: INHERITANCE by Nora Roberts is a spellbinding start to the Lost Bride Trilogy. It was impossible for me to put down. It is a supernatural romance and mystery centered around a multi-generational tragedy set in a haunted mansion, well-paced and cleverly written. THE STORY: Graphic designer Sonya MacTavish's life takes an unexpected turn when she learns that her late father had a twin brother she never knew about. Her newly discovered uncle, Collin Poole, has left her almost everything he owned, including a majestic Victorian house on the Maine coast. The catch? She must live in the house for at least three years. As Sonya begins to unravel the secrets of her family's past, she discovers that she has inherited far more than just a house – she has also become the key to solving a centuries-old curse. OPINION: I was absolutely captivated by this story from beginning to end. Roberts created a rich, atmospheric setting in Lost Bride Manor, and I felt as though I was right there with Sonya, experiencing ghostly happenings and unraveling the mystery alongside her. The characters are well-drawn and relatable, particularly the strong bond of sisterhood between Sonya and her best friend Cleo. The supernatural elements are woven seamlessly into the plot, adding an extra layer of intrigue and suspense. The ghosts that inhabit Lost Bride Manor are not merely there for scares; they each have distinct personalities and roles to play in the unfolding story. From the helpful spirit who tidies up after Sonya to the malevolent presence on the third floor, these otherworldly characters are just as integral to the tale as their living counterparts. I also really enjoyed the developing romances in this book -- yes, there are more than one. Roberts, as always, is amazing at her craft and after reading some rather unsatisfying books, it was great having such a well-written book to read.The story never drags, despite its length, and the cliffhanger ending left me desperately eager for the next installment. I can't wait to see what awaits Sonya and her newfound family as they continue to unravel the secrets of the past. WORTH MENTIONING: The book ends on a cliffhanger, so if you prefer a more conclusive ending, you may want to wait until the following two books in the series are published and read them consecutively. CONNECTED BOOKS: INHERITANCE is the first book in the Lost Bride Trilogy. STAR RATING: I give this book 5 stars. ["
June 3, 2024 Verified Purchase
Shea B. (shea.reads.always)A Gripping Start to a New Trilogy
"An addictive, gothic romance and paranormal mystery all in one! I absolutely loved the start of this new trilogy! Inheritance is the first in The Lost Bride trilogy and is a atmospheric story following Sonya who inherits a sprawling, gothic manor in a small town from an uncle that she never knew existed. Needing to learn more about her extended family and desperately craving a change of pace, Sonya follows her intuition to the historic family home in coastal Maine. Sonya quickly comes to realize that she is not the only occupant of Poole Manor and not everyone wants her there. The background of the manor ghosts is heartbreaking but capitating. All of the characters are well developed and the atmosphere is pure magic! In my humble opinion, Nora Roberts is one of the best story tellers that is able to successfully provide nearly everything in a story that a reader could want- suspense, atmosphere, magic, romance, epic friendships, and beautiful family/found family relationships- and this story proves that once again! I loved that ending wasn't a typical NR trilogy ending. It was unexpected and definitely left me wanting to read the next installment! ["
June 2, 2025 Verified Purchase
