The Inheritance

Simon Tolkien

ISBN 10: 031253907X / ISBN 13: 9780312539078

Published by Minotaur Books, 2010

About this Item

Everyone has a motive, and no one is telling the truth in this complex mystery of deception and betrayal When an eminent art historian is found dead in his study, all the evidence points to his son, Stephen. He was the last person seen with his father, his fingerprints are on the murder weapon, and he was about to be disinherited in his father's will. Stephen's guilt seems undeniable. But as Inspector Trave of the Oxford Police uncovers the stories of the five other people who were also in the house--along with the revelation that the deceased man was involved in a deadly hunt for a priceless relic at the end of World War I--he feels the case begin to unravel. As Stephen's trial unfolds at the Old Bailey, Trave travels to France to find out what really happened in 1944, and the race is on to save Stephen from the gallows. Author Simon Tolkien received widespread critical praise for his first legal thriller, Final Witness. Now, in The Inheritance, Tolkien sharpens his craft even more, deftly weaving psychological suspense and family drama to create a mystery steeped in memories, betrayal, and the long shadow of the past. Part courtroom drama and part historical thriller, The Inheritance is a dark, dynamic mystery that tests the strength of blood ties, loyalty, and the thirst for revenge.

Seller Inventory # CIN031253907XVG

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Inheritance
• Publisher: Minotaur Books
• Publication Date: 2010
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 031253907X
• ISBN 13: 9780312539078
• Binding: Hardback
• Condition: Very Good

About this title

Synopsis

A complex mystery of deception and betrayal that follows the court case of a young man set to hang for the murder of his father

 

When a famed Oxford historian is found dead in his study one night, all evidence points to his son, Stephen. About to be disinherited from the family fortune, Stephen returns to home after a long estrangement—and it happens to be the night his father is shot to death. When his fingerprints are found on the murder weapon, Stephen’s guilt seems undeniable. But there were five other people in the manor house at the time, and as their stories slowly emerge—along with the revelation that the deceased man was involved in a deadly hunt for a priceless relic in Northern France at the end of World War II—the race is on to save Stephen from a death sentence.

Everyone has a motive, and no one is telling the truth.

Unwilling to sit by and watch the biased judge condemn Stephen to death, an ageing police inspector decides to travel from England to France to find out what really happened in that small French village in 1945—and what artifact could be so valuable it would be worth killing for.

Author Simon Tolkien received rave reviews for his first legal thriller, The Final Witness. Now, in The Inheritance, Tolkien sharpens his craft even more, deftly weaving psychological suspense and family drama to create a mystery steeped in memories, betrayal, and the long shadow of the past. Part courtroom drama and part historical thriller, The Inheritance is a dark, dynamic thriller that tests the strength of blood ties, loyalty, and revenge.

About the Author

The grandson of J.R.R. Tolkien, SIMON TOLKIEN lives in California with his two children. His first novel, Final Witness, was published in 2002 to widespread acclaim.