You know that feeling when you're watching a train wreck but it’s a very, very expensive train wreck? That is essentially the vibe of The Heiresses. Most people know Sara Shepard because of the cultural juggernaut that was Pretty Little Liars. It was everywhere. But while Aria and Spencer were dealing with "A" in the suburbs, Shepard was quietly building a much more adult, diamond-encrusted nightmare in the heart of Manhattan.
The book dropped back in 2014, and honestly, it’s kinda fascinating how well it holds up in a world now obsessed with "eat the rich" media like Succession or The White Lotus.
It isn't just a "beach read," though critics often pigeonhole it that way. It’s a surgical strike on the myth of the American aristocracy. We’re talking about the Saybrook family. They own a jewelry empire. They have the looks, the money, and—because this is a Shepard novel—a massive, terrifying "family curse" that makes their lives a living hell.
What Actually Happens in The Heiresses
Let’s get into the weeds. The story centers on five cousins: Corinne, Rowan, Aster, Natasha, and Poppy. They’re the "Saybrook Heiresses." But the book kicks off with a literal bang—or rather, a fall. Poppy, the one who seemingly had the perfect life (the husband, the kids, the flawless office), falls from her TriBeCa window.
Was it suicide?
The police think so.
The family wants to believe it.
But then the messages start coming.
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"One heiress down, four to go."
It’s classic Shepard. She takes these women who have everything and puts them in a pressure cooker. Rowan is a workaholic lawyer hiding a secret love for her dead cousin’s husband. Corinne is the "perfect" one whose past is literally scarred. Aster is the party girl being forced to actually work for once. Natasha is the rebel who tried to walk away from the money but got dragged back in.
The TV Show That Never Was
If you’re sitting there thinking, "Wait, didn't I see a trailer for this?" you're probably remembering the ghost of a production. For years, The Heiresses was the "next big thing" in television.
It’s been a bit of a saga:
- Bravo originally optioned it in 2013. They wanted it to be their first big scripted soap. It died in development.
- ABC picked it up in 2017. This was the one everyone got excited about. I. Marlene King (the showrunner for Pretty Little Liars) was attached. Shay Mitchell was set to star.
- By late 2018, the project was officially dead. Scheduling conflicts, "creative differences"—the usual Hollywood excuses.
Honestly, it’s a tragedy. In 2026, we’re seeing a massive resurgence in high-society thrillers. Looking back, a Shay Mitchell-led Saybrook drama would have probably broken the internet. Instead, we’re left with the book, which—to be fair—is often better than the TV versions anyway.
Why the "Curse" is More Than Just a Plot Point
In the book, the Saybrook curse is this looming shadow. People in their family just... die. Unexpectedly. Violently. But if you read between the lines, the "curse" is basically just a metaphor for the toxic weight of old money.
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Shepard is brilliant at showing how wealth doesn't protect you; it just makes you a bigger target. The FBI investigation in the book isn't just looking for a killer; it’s unearthing decades of financial fraud and family rot. It turns out that when your entire life is built on diamonds, everything is incredibly easy to shatter.
Is It Worth Reading Now?
Basically, yes. If you liked Gossip Girl but wished it had a higher body count, this is your niche.
What sets this apart from Shepard's YA work is the maturity. These aren't teenagers hiding secrets from their parents. These are grown women with careers and complicated legal liabilities. The stakes feel heavier. When Rowan worries about her reputation, it’s not about who she’s taking to prom—it’s about a multi-billion dollar IPO and her career at a top-tier law firm.
The Reality Check:
A lot of people complain that the beginning is slow. They’re not wrong. Shepard takes her time setting the stage, and the first 100 pages can feel a bit like a catalog of designer brands. But stick with it. Once the FBI enters the chat and the "one down, four to go" threat starts feeling real, the pace becomes relentless.
How to Get the Most Out of the Story
If you’re going to dive into the world of the Saybrooks, don't just look for a "who-dun-it." Look at the power dynamics.
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- Pay attention to the grandfather’s will. The clause that only granddaughters inherit is the engine for all the resentment in the book.
- Watch the background characters. Shepard loves an unreliable narrator, but she also loves putting the truth in the hands of the people the main characters ignore—assistants, ex-boyfriends, and "plain" relatives.
- The Ending. Without spoiling it, just know that the "family curse" has a very human origin.
If you've already finished it and you're looking for something with that same "glamorous but deadly" energy, you should probably check out The Lying Game (also by Shepard) or Lucy Foley’s The Guest List. Both deal with that same sense of isolation that comes with being part of an elite circle.
The best way to experience The Heiresses is to treat it like a puzzle. Every time a character mentions a "perfect" memory from their childhood, assume they're lying. In the world of the Saybrooks, perfection is usually just a very expensive mask for something much uglier.
Go grab a copy, find a quiet corner, and prepare to feel a lot better about your own bank account—at least you aren't being hunted for yours.