Despite the unexpected ways their lives touch, the parallel histories of Delilah Neustat, a posh socialite, and Deborah Seevers, a brothel owner, highlight stark contrasts in worldviews and principles. However, Delilah’s and Deborah’s stories serve as cautionary tales about the choices women face, the enduring impact of trauma, and the costs and challenges of love. Desrosiers weaves threads of resilience and self-discovery into both narratives, exploring Delilah’s tragic past and subsequent rise in social status, as well as Deborah’s resilience in the face of abuse and adversity. The heirs, grappling with their own struggles and aspirations, must decide how to honor Mrs. Neustat’s legacy while forging their own paths.

Amid striking historical detail, sensitive to both extraordinary events and everyday textures, Desrosiers boldly explores issues of abuse—both physical and emotional—plus sex work, female desire and agency, and themes of love, betrayal, loss, and redemption. The prose is brisk and direct, attentive to feelings, though an abundance of characters and subplots sometimes diminishes the narrative pace. The Three Heirs leaves readers contemplating the power of resilience and self-introspection, the importance of compassion, and the enduring bonds of family.

Takeaway: Vivid novel of choices and inheritance for 19th century American women.

Comparable Titles: Shana Abe’s An American Beauty, Sheri Holman’s The Dress Lodger,

Production grades
Cover: A-
Design and typography: =A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: B+
Marketing copy: A-