The Hawthorne Inheritance has a complex cast of characters: a cluster of families in 1800s Massachusetts. Blair elucidates the various relationships and intertwining of these families, as we get behind-the-scenes views of the famous literary people of the time: Hawthorne, Emerson, Thoreau the Alcotts, as they interacted with each other and with the Dike/Blair family of the author– all in the midst of a murder mystery that keeps you reading.
I liked the glimpses into the Transcendalist movement as it was lived at the time and how this new philosophy and new ideas about sexual issues – discarding the Puritan morality for something more humane – created clashes among people as they also opened up ongoing questions about boundaries.
I enjoyed reading about Concord, Mass, where I lived for a time, as it was in the 1800s. What a pleasure to see Walden Pond, the Walden Woods, and the landmark houses frequented by these notables and their families, who were all connected in some way to the Dike/Blair family system.
Kate Blair's extensive research and use of family records is impressive.

A captivating read describing a captivating world

Kate Dike Blair’s historical novel The Hawthorne Inheritance is a remarkable book. It is a fascinating love story that occurs within a family in the 1800’s. It pulls in some notable literary giants, Nathaniel Hawthorne and Louisa May Alcott, who are characters in this well-written book. What is remarkable is that the author adeptly recreates the world of that time for the reader. You can see and sense what people are wearing, eating, and smelling in each locale. You are totally immersed in the world of the novel. Through diary entries, letters, and personal documents, the reader becomes acquainted with the different characters, and the plot zips along in a most engaging manner. How do you know when you have read a good and important book? When you can’t put it down and do not want it to end. The Hawthorne Inheritance is one of those books. In addition, it is fascinating to note that author based the novel upon her family’s connections to the Hawthorne family and other New England families mentioned in the book. Blair infused her family’s history with romance and drama and gives her readers a wonderful, fun, and educational read.

Kate Dike Blair's "The Hawthorne Inheritance" is a beautifully written story of family intrigue that will hook you immediately from the first page to the last. Drawing from the author’s own ancestral history, this historical novel carries an emotional weight that adds depth to its already rich tapestry.

Blair's eloquent prose paints vivid scenes that unfold like a film in the mind’s eye. I was especially taken by the heart of the story—the enigmatic circumstances that surrounded the drowning death of Nathaniel Hawthorne's sister Louisa as well as the truth of her illicit romance with her uncle by marriage. The twists and turns of the suspenseful plot kept me turning pages, eager to uncover the next revelation. I also got a special kick when literary greats that included Hawthorne, Emerson, Thoreau, Alcott and my teen fave, Margaret Fuller, made memorable appearances.

"The Hawthorne Inheritance" transported me into a world I found so compelling and tantalizing, it left me longing for more as the final chapter drew near. For those seeking an absorbing literary read, “The Hawthorne Inheritance” is your ticket. It’s a captivating delight and very highly recommended.

This historical fiction novel crosses multiple generations to weave together actual and theoretical events to explore the death of Louisa Hawthorne, the younger sister of author Nathaniel Hawthorne. There’s a deep mystery here that is thoroughly researched and brilliantly written, full of alluring revelations, scheming family members, and illicit affairs. The characters are fleshed-out, colorful, and each one has a distinct voice. This book will appeal to mystery readers as well as fans of historical fiction.

Seamlessly weaving actual events with fictitious ones, Kate Dike Blair’s well-researched novel presents a plausible theory about the possible circumstances surrounding Louisa Hawthorne’s death. Best of all, this book has a character you will love to hate!