An Unwanted Inheritance

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Imogen Clark is an author who has been on my radar for ages and I jumped at the chance to be part of the readalong plans for An Unwanted Inheritance.

The source of the money is a mystery to them all, and each has a strong opinion about what to do with it. Ellie and her husband James have an expensive lifestyle to maintain and could do with their share of the windfall—James in particular, for reasons he doesn’t dare reveal. Nathan can’t be trusted with money, as the others all know; he’s desperate to get his hands on some (or all) of the cash. But Caroline is the one guarding the suitcase, and she’s insisting to Max that they take it to the police.It was quite a short read and I think would’ve been a good Christmas read as it was to do with families, coming together in tough times… but they also had a very tough decision to make. Which would either tear them apart or make them stronger. The story is filled with moral dilemmas and explores relationships between eh siblings, as well as the couples.

On a positive note, there were lots of things I did like about this book. The premise - as I’ve mentioned. I also liked the explanation regarding where the money came from. I thought that was very cleverly done. The mystery of its acquisition forced us to contemplate the integrity of Tony throughout the book. An Unwanted Inheritance by Imogen Clark is the story of a family and a suitcase full of money. It examines values of honesty, integrity and honour through - what I felt were - unlikeable characters. An Unwanted Inheritance is a book to enjoy and its premise forces the reader to examine their own values and beliefs. I don’t know if it was the mind frame I was in but this book didn’t grip me like I thought it might from the synopsis. Each family member has their own option on what they should do with the money ! Max and Caroline , Ellie and her husband James and youngest son Nathan have always been close that’s until the cash discovery which threatens to tear the family apart.

One finds a stash of cash hidden by the man they thought they knew, and it raises all sorts of dilemmas. Ellie, the middle sibling starts off thinking the same, but her husband Jamie discloses information that makes them want the money more.

When their father dies suddenly, Max’s wife Caroline stumbles upon the hidden suitcase. The question is who it belongs too and why is it hidden in their late fathers spare bedroom? When their father dies unexpectedly, siblings Max, Ellie and Nathan can’t even contemplate emptying his house—not least because he spent his last decade curating what feels like a museum to his polished public image. So it is Max’s wife, Caroline, who finds the suitcase under a bed… A suitcase stuffed full of an awful lot of cash. I also was disappointed with the pace. For me, it lulled about half way through. I felt that the day to day doings of the characters were a bit boring and found I skimmed quite a bit just to get past it. I suppose, my expectations were just too high.And, I felt that the way the dreadful characters forced the reader to examine their own values and beliefs was also quite clever. I often found myself contemplating what I’d have done in the situations the characters were faced with. Brimful of emotion – a wonderful plot, and characters that you are rooting for, even when you know you shouldn’t. An Unwanted Inheritance is that gem of a thing: a story to truly lose yourself in – I LOVED IT!” – Faith Hogan, bestselling author of The Ladies’ Midnight Swimming Club Just one negative. I was irritated by the repeated use of one particular phrase. When asked how things were going, four different characters, at four different times, responded with the answer 'same old, same old'. I mean, who on earth uses that expression these days? I hope you enjoy the book and it makes you think about where your integrity sits on a scale. I'd also love to hear what you would have done if you had faced the same dilemma as the Frosts. Would you take the money or would you hand it in? I know what I'd have done. The way the money was found could be compared with looking under a stone, revealing character traits and personality differences never seen before. Max, Ellie and Nathan need to decide what to do with this windfall of cash ... whether it is rightfully theirs to keep ... or whether it will indeed be their undoing, the love of money plaguing their lives more than they realised. Each sibling examines their own conscience - if aware they have one - individually and collectively.