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An Unwanted Inheritance
From the bestselling author of Reluctantly Home comes a story of three siblings and a suitcase full of cash. Will the unexpected windfall tear them apart?
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.
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.
The three siblings have always been close. But now, with this money from nowhere threatening to rewrite what they thought they knew about their father and their family, nothing seems certain. Could it really tear them apart?
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.
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.
The three siblings have always been close. But now, with this money from nowhere threatening to rewrite what they thought they knew about their father and their family, nothing seems certain. Could it really tear them apart?
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 8, 2022
1,714 people are currently reading
8,343 people want to read
About the author
Imogen Clark
13Ìýbooks827ÌýfollowersInternationally bestselling author Imogen Clark has sold over one million books. She writes contemporary fiction about families and secrets. Her books have topped Amazon storewide charts eight times and her third book, Where the Story Starts, was shortlisted in the UK for Contemporary Romantic Novel of the year 2020.
Imogen initially qualified as a lawyer but after leaving her legal career behind to care for her four children, she returned to her first love - books. She went back to University, studying English Literature part-time whilst the children were at school. It was a short step from there to writing novels.
Imogen's great love is travel and she is always planning her next adventure. She lives in Yorkshire with her husband and children.
If you'd like to connect then please visit her website at where you can sign up to her monthly newsletter. Imogen can also be found on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram as Imogen Clark Author.
Imogen initially qualified as a lawyer but after leaving her legal career behind to care for her four children, she returned to her first love - books. She went back to University, studying English Literature part-time whilst the children were at school. It was a short step from there to writing novels.
Imogen's great love is travel and she is always planning her next adventure. She lives in Yorkshire with her husband and children.
If you'd like to connect then please visit her website at where you can sign up to her monthly newsletter. Imogen can also be found on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram as Imogen Clark Author.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 359 reviews
January 9, 2023
This one fell a little flat for me, unfortunately. The premise was intriguing - what would you do if you found a suitcase stuffed to the brim with money in your late father-in-laws house? - but everything after that was just…a tiny bit meh. The characters were mostly insufferable, and I was waiting for this big moment that it felt like we were building up to…only for it to come and go with a whimper, rather than a bang, and an ending that felt a bit too neatly tied up. I will say that the family dynamic was written well, and I was interested enough to keep reading until the end, but that was about it.
This may appeal to others, but it just missed the mark for me, sadly.
This may appeal to others, but it just missed the mark for me, sadly.
January 1, 2023
I would like to start my review with a big thank you to the author, and Tandem Collective, for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
In the personality of the main character, I must retain my integrity and leave this book a 2 star review! Sadly, it really didn't knock my socks off.
This book follows three siblings and their partners when they find £250k+ in cash after their father's death, and the entire book follows their decision-making process of what they should do with this money. In the beginning I could relate to the characters on a human level, despite it being very frustrating to read as an accountant. By the end, the accountant in me was SCREAMING (even though I'm sure diving into capital gains tax is not something the average reader would enjoy!) and the characters became so much more unlikeable.
This book is definitely going to appeal to some readers, but unfortunately, it was not one for me!
In the personality of the main character, I must retain my integrity and leave this book a 2 star review! Sadly, it really didn't knock my socks off.
This book follows three siblings and their partners when they find £250k+ in cash after their father's death, and the entire book follows their decision-making process of what they should do with this money. In the beginning I could relate to the characters on a human level, despite it being very frustrating to read as an accountant. By the end, the accountant in me was SCREAMING (even though I'm sure diving into capital gains tax is not something the average reader would enjoy!) and the characters became so much more unlikeable.
This book is definitely going to appeal to some readers, but unfortunately, it was not one for me!
August 27, 2022
Can a sudden windfall destroy a close-knit family? In An Unwanted Inheritance, Imogen Clark explores the secrets hidden in plain sight as the close-knit Frost siblings put their integrity to the test when forced to confront their father’s legacy. Lovingly crafted, with flawed and nuanced characters, this riveting story will stay with readers long after the last page is turned.
December 28, 2022
Three siblings mourning the loss of their much-loved father.
One finds a stash of cash hidden by the man they thought they knew, and it raises all sorts of dilemmas.
Should they be honest and pass it over to the police for investigation? Declare it as part of his estate, risking losing a huge chunk to inheritance tax, or divvy it up between the three?
Each of the three siblings is very different in their thoughts.
Caroline is married to Max, the eldest son. She found the money. Her instincts, and that of her husband, are to keep everything above board.
Ellie, the middle sibling starts off thinking the same, but her husband Jamie discloses information that makes them want the money more.
Nathan, the youngest, wants his share because he needs it, and now.
The story is filled with moral dilemmas and explores relationships between eh siblings, as well as the couples.
I enjoyed this read.
Thank you to Amazon Publishing for sending me a copy of An Unwanted Inheritance to read and review.
All opinions are my own.
One finds a stash of cash hidden by the man they thought they knew, and it raises all sorts of dilemmas.
Should they be honest and pass it over to the police for investigation? Declare it as part of his estate, risking losing a huge chunk to inheritance tax, or divvy it up between the three?
Each of the three siblings is very different in their thoughts.
Caroline is married to Max, the eldest son. She found the money. Her instincts, and that of her husband, are to keep everything above board.
Ellie, the middle sibling starts off thinking the same, but her husband Jamie discloses information that makes them want the money more.
Nathan, the youngest, wants his share because he needs it, and now.
The story is filled with moral dilemmas and explores relationships between eh siblings, as well as the couples.
I enjoyed this read.
Thank you to Amazon Publishing for sending me a copy of An Unwanted Inheritance to read and review.
All opinions are my own.
January 18, 2023
Not my favorite of her books. The characters weren’t likeable and the plot went in circles.
January 4, 2023
It’s taken me almost a month to get to page 80. It’s so slow, boringly slow and I can’t force myself to read it. It’s so repetitive and I’m sick of Ellie saying Caro.
A shame as it’s my first read of 2023
A shame as it’s my first read of 2023
February 3, 2023
This was ok. A lot of to-ing and fro-I g and hair pulling for what turned out to be a bit of an unsatisfactory ending to be honest.
December 21, 2022
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.
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 follows a family who loses their Dad unexpectedly. A member finds a suitcase of cash under the bed and there the story begins. The family has their own changes/demons and challenges to overcome throughout the book and decide what would be the right, moral thing to do.
I didn’t find it as dramatic as I wanted or expected but I did still enjoy the book.
Thank you to @tandemcollectiveuk, @ImogenClarkAuthor and @LakeUnion for allowing me on #AnUnwantedInheritanceReadalong as always, the group readalong was a pleasure and I loved chatting about our thoughts.
Thank you to @birdandblendtea for the little packets of tea. I had one of them whilst reading the book and it was perfect.
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 follows a family who loses their Dad unexpectedly. A member finds a suitcase of cash under the bed and there the story begins. The family has their own changes/demons and challenges to overcome throughout the book and decide what would be the right, moral thing to do.
I didn’t find it as dramatic as I wanted or expected but I did still enjoy the book.
Thank you to @tandemcollectiveuk, @ImogenClarkAuthor and @LakeUnion for allowing me on #AnUnwantedInheritanceReadalong as always, the group readalong was a pleasure and I loved chatting about our thoughts.
Thank you to @birdandblendtea for the little packets of tea. I had one of them whilst reading the book and it was perfect.
August 12, 2022
What a wonderful story, I was lost from the first page, it's exactly what I needed to read right now. 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 - LOVED IT!
April 9, 2023
I really enjoyed this book, exploring a simple family dynamic familiar to us all with the added hint of scandal throughout. The premise is basic, and yet through the different perspectives we really get an insight into the characters and their motives and thoughts.
Was nice to read such a simple fiction plot, which I thought was very interesting and enjoyable.
Was nice to read such a simple fiction plot, which I thought was very interesting and enjoyable.
February 9, 2023
It’s not a good sign when you’re over half way through the book but the story hasn’t gotten through everything on the blurb yet. It was an okay read but incredibly anticlimactic. I wouldn’t recommend.
December 28, 2022
I have really enjoyed her previous books but this one not so much. A bit slow and repetitive with unlikeable characters.
January 4, 2023
A woman finds a suitcase full of money.... and all hell breaks loose! Fun...fast paced.
February 13, 2023
Easy to read to start with, but boring resolution. Found it hard to believe the scene in the garden with suitcase�
June 6, 2023
An interesting family drama revolving around three siblings. It kept up a good pace and was intriguing from the start. A few twists and turns along the way to keep the reader guessing.
December 27, 2022
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 like the premise of this book and was quite excited to read it. Unfortunately it fell short of my expectations.
For me, the characters were unlikeable and I found the pace inconsistent. It’s not a terrible book, not at all. I suppose I just had very different ideas on what it would be to what it actually was. Which is a shame.
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.
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.
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.
I am hoping that if you choose to read this book that you’ll like it more than I did.
I like the premise of this book and was quite excited to read it. Unfortunately it fell short of my expectations.
For me, the characters were unlikeable and I found the pace inconsistent. It’s not a terrible book, not at all. I suppose I just had very different ideas on what it would be to what it actually was. Which is a shame.
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.
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.
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.
I am hoping that if you choose to read this book that you’ll like it more than I did.
January 9, 2023
What would you do if you found a large amount of money in a suitcase under the bed of a deceased relative ? That’s the dilemma facing siblings Max, Ellie and Nathan.
💰
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?
💰
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.
💰
This book explored how money can change relationships and lives. Would greed or morals win the day ? I found myself wondering how I would act if I were in their situation! This book will make you consider which of the characters you would be and ponder on whether an unwanted windfall would be more trouble than it’s worth.
💰
This book had me hooked , I loved the suspense, family dynamics and clever twists.
💰
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?
💰
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.
💰
This book explored how money can change relationships and lives. Would greed or morals win the day ? I found myself wondering how I would act if I were in their situation! This book will make you consider which of the characters you would be and ponder on whether an unwanted windfall would be more trouble than it’s worth.
💰
This book had me hooked , I loved the suspense, family dynamics and clever twists.
November 29, 2022
I received a free advance copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my unbiased review.
Three and a half stars rounded up to four. This book is about three siblings, Max, Ellie and Nathan, and Caroline and James, spouses to Max and Ellie. When their father, Tony, dies, Max and Caroline are trying to get his cat to bring home. He hides under the bed and Caroline discovers a suitcase filled with cash. This causes discontent in the family. Caroline is worried that the money might be due to illegal goings on, but Nathan and Ellie's husband, James, want to split up the money immediately. What will they do?
I'm a big fan of this author but this book is not a favorite. I never really felt emotionally connected to these characters, and frankly, with the exception of Max, I didn't care for them much. Still, it was well written and a quick read.
Three and a half stars rounded up to four. This book is about three siblings, Max, Ellie and Nathan, and Caroline and James, spouses to Max and Ellie. When their father, Tony, dies, Max and Caroline are trying to get his cat to bring home. He hides under the bed and Caroline discovers a suitcase filled with cash. This causes discontent in the family. Caroline is worried that the money might be due to illegal goings on, but Nathan and Ellie's husband, James, want to split up the money immediately. What will they do?
I'm a big fan of this author but this book is not a favorite. I never really felt emotionally connected to these characters, and frankly, with the exception of Max, I didn't care for them much. Still, it was well written and a quick read.
January 23, 2025
This was such an incredibly boring book. You could read the first 25 pages, then skip to the last 10 pages and you wouldn’t miss a single thing. If I had taken a shot of tequila every time the author mentioned how honest of a person Caroline was and that she wanted to notify the police of the money, I would have died of alcohol poisoning before finishing the book. I stuck it out cuz I thought maybe something interesting would finally happen, but nothing did. Even the explanation of where the money came from at the end was boring. If you’re looking for a book to fall asleep to, this is a great choice.
June 8, 2023
Feel a little harsh giving a three star rating but I disliked every character - I couldn’t warm to any of them at all. I appreciate with some of the characters that’s meant to happen (James, Nathan to a degree) but I couldn’t even warm to Caro.
The style of writing felt a little to pedestrian for me.
Interesting storyline but I wouldn’t recommend.
The style of writing felt a little to pedestrian for me.
Interesting storyline but I wouldn’t recommend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2024
2.5 � or 3 � at a push? I feel like this could have been a lot more exciting but really the story went round in circles and generally the characters seemed quite superficial. There were times I was enjoying it but more often than not I found it not particularly engaging. I didn't really click with the writing.
December 8, 2022
Thank you to TandemCollective for providing me with a copy of An Unwanted Inheritance by Imogen Clark.
When Caroline’s father in law passes away and someone has to go back to the house to find his cat, she rises to the challenge. But she gets a surprise when she finds a suitcase stuffed full of cash�
An Unwanted Inheritance is a story of drama, love and loss. It is full of mystery and family secrets being unravelled, and has relatably flawed characters that you can’t help but sympathise with.
When Caroline’s father in law passes away and someone has to go back to the house to find his cat, she rises to the challenge. But she gets a surprise when she finds a suitcase stuffed full of cash�
An Unwanted Inheritance is a story of drama, love and loss. It is full of mystery and family secrets being unravelled, and has relatably flawed characters that you can’t help but sympathise with.
December 28, 2022
I just found it a bit.. meh.. when I’d got past 50% in and nothing had happened, and the Unwanted Inheritance was still where it was for the first half of the book I was a bit bored. I did like the characters and you can see your family in them, that was the good part, but there wasn’t really a twist and it wasn’t really that gripping. I finished it because I didn’t want to leave it unread on KU.
January 14, 2024
there was potential here, but this fell very flat for me� when we reached the last 10% of this book, I genuinely expected more given the build up throughout.
The concept could have been catastrophic, demonstrating the risks money and greed can present, especially to families; creating irreversible crevices that are impossible to repair. Why why why weren’t we given what we deserved when Caro burnt the money? The forced happy ending just left me feeling a little bored� I wanted more I think is all I can say here. I am sorry, I hate leaving poor reviews!
The concept could have been catastrophic, demonstrating the risks money and greed can present, especially to families; creating irreversible crevices that are impossible to repair. Why why why weren’t we given what we deserved when Caro burnt the money? The forced happy ending just left me feeling a little bored� I wanted more I think is all I can say here. I am sorry, I hate leaving poor reviews!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2025
Always do the right thing�
Overall I enjoyed the book. a little slow to start, but all very relatable for family settings! The ending left me feeling unfinished, not bad, just would have liked more of a closing. Easy light Read.
Overall I enjoyed the book. a little slow to start, but all very relatable for family settings! The ending left me feeling unfinished, not bad, just would have liked more of a closing. Easy light Read.
January 8, 2024
Really enjoyable book. Watching a tight knit family fall apart when a monetary inheritance is thrown into the mix!! Easy to read and well written, definitely recommend this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2024
*3.5 stars*
August 25, 2024
Full of moral dilemmas, a good read....
September 26, 2024
Liked this book - lighthearted read with a dilemma and how the choices and actions affect a close family
September 7, 2024
Imogen Clark has such a good reputation as an author but I found this book so slow-going and so repetitive that I was close to giving up on it. I found myself thinking, "Oh for heaven's sake, decide what you want to do and get on with it".
As to the ending, I found it very contrived.
A disappointing read which I would not recommend.
As to the ending, I found it very contrived.
A disappointing read which I would not recommend.
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