The Heirs

Starred review from March 13, 2017
In Rieger’s (The Divorce Papers) incisive novel a wealthy Manhattan family is thrown into disarray when their beloved patriarch, Rupert Falkes, dies and leaves a surprising legacy that may tear apart his heirs. When a woman claiming to be Rupert’s mistress and the mother of two of his sons demands her share of the estate, it’s not a question of money or reputation that sends the Falkes clan reeling, but the possibility that their close-knit bonds were all a lie. Rupert’s widow, Eleanor, and their five sons, Harry, Will, Sam, Jack, and Tom, all have different reactions to the grief and confusion as they weigh the decision to have DNA testing done to find out for sure. No matter what they decide, no matter what the outcome of that choice might be, they realize that what they really seek is closure. Rieger wrestles perceptively with difficult questions and, building off a deceptively pedestrian premise, shines incrementally increasing light on the Falkes’ extended web of familial and emotional ties, sucking the reader into the tangle of emotions and conflicting interests. Reiger’s book is a tense, introspective account of looking for truth, and instead finding peace.

Rieger's family saga is satisfyingly rich with complex characters and tangled relationships. Narrator Kimberly Farr's straightforward, crisply paced delivery keeps the text moving and the listener on track throughout. Rupert and Eleanor Falkes and their five handsome sons are wealthy Manhattan's golden family. Then Rupert dies, and the picture of perfection begins to crumple. Farr offers a reasonable British accent for transplant Rupert but wisely employs simple tone and inflection changes to differentiate between the many other characters. As buried secrets emerge, toppling long-held family truths, Farr conveys the emotional intensity without resorting to drama. Although some of the events challenge credulity, and some listeners may find intimate scenes too explicit, Rieger's story is intriguing, and Farr's masterful presentation makes it difficult to step away. M.O.B. � AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine