Books Like The Inheritance Games – 9 Fantastic Books That You Need To Read

Don’t let the adventure stop after finishing The Inheritance Game, with the help of these 10 fantastic books, you’ll satisfy your action-packed thirst in no time.

Avery Grambs does everything she can to get into a good school and leave her past behind her.

As an orphan, Avery has been independent her whole life, therefore, it comes as a surprise when a billionaire leaves her his entire fortune on a will.

To achieve this seems like a dream come true. However, she soon finds out there are certain conditions to claiming the fortune.

For instance, she has to live in the Hawthorne manor with the disinherited family for an entire year.

It becomes clear that Tobias Hawthorne has conducted an elaborate scheme beyond the grave where Avery and his family are the pawns.

In order to survive the year, Avery has to familiarize and navigate the secret passageways throughout the manor… or else.

Packed with twists and turns, The Inheritance is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

However, if you’ve already ready to book, you may be looking for something to quench your mystery thirst. Well, you’ve come to the right place.

With this in mind, this guide outlines 9 fantastic books similar to The Inheritance Games. As soon as you pick up one of these books, you won’t be able to put it down.

If you couldn’t put down The Inheritance Games, then you’re sure to love one of these books, such as We Were Liars, Where the Crawdads Sing, The Naturals, and A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder – you won’t be disappointed!

Themes In The Inheritance Games

Class Difference

Throughout The Inheritance Games, there is a strong argument about the dangers of classicism. Here, social class is portrayed as something that ignores a person’s true essence.

One clear example of this is Avery. Even though she proves herself to be equally – if not more – smarter than the Hawthorne boys on various occasions, she wasn’t brought up with the advantages this provides you.

In the book, several points refer to Avery’s poor background and how this contrasts and juxtaposes with the Hawthorne opportunities.

One example of this was that both Avery and the Hawthornes were raised on games and riddles. However, while Avery’s board games were from garage sales, the Hawthorne’s games were luxuries from all over the world.

Reactions To Grief

Avery’s mother’s death, Emily’s death, Tobias’s death, and the loss of Toby are all circumstances where the reader is shown different responses to grief.

While Avery never knew Tobias, the grief his family is feeling stirs the emotions for what she felt when her mother passed away.

Likewise, the two brothers Jameson and Grayson allow the grief for the roles they played in Emily’s death to push them further away from each other.

In addition, Toby’s disappearance impacts his father so much that Tobias decided to change his whole will – disinheriting his whole family as a result.

As a result of their grief, some of the characters in the novel aren’t able to understand other people’s pain and what they are going through.

Mystery

From the beginning of the novel to the very end, there is a cloud of mystery surrounding all the characters.

With twists and turns throughout, you don’t know which characters to trust and which ones are telling the truth.

This results in miscommunication, deceit, and, ultimately, betrayal – you never know who to trust.

Books Like The Inheritance Games

The Naturals By Jennifer Lynn Barnes

From the author of The Inheritance Games, I introduce to you The Naturals. Here, we meet Cassie Hobbes who has recently lost her mother to a horrific murder.

One thing Cassie has going for her is that she is a talented people reader, she can figure out and understand someone’s intentions and motivations pretty quickly and easily.

Until she was recruited by the FBI, she never needed to take these skills seriously. However, this proves to be a challenge in itself and Cassie doesn’t know who to trust.

Pros

• The romance doesn’t overshadow the plot.
• The plot will keep you hooked.
• Lots of twists and turns.

Cons

• Some readers found the novel to be too gruesome at times.

Themes similar to The Inheritance Games: Lies, Mystery, Violence, and Family.

Truly Devious By Maureen Johnson

Ellingham Academy is famous for its unsolved murder and kidnapping of the school’s founding family in the 1930s.

Now, Ellingham Academy is used as a boarding school for gifted students, one of which includes Stevie Bell.

As a crime fanatic, Stevie finds herself immersed in the unsolved mysteries of the Ellingham murder. This coincides with her arrival at the school where one of her classmates is murdered under suspicious instances.

Trusting no one, Stevie is determined to solve both murders.

Pros

• Tons of plot twists.
• Suspenseful.
• Interesting plot.

Cons

• Some parts are drawn out.

Themes similar to The Inheritance Games: Mystery, Betrayal, Death, and Suspense.

The List By Carys Jones

Beth Belmont runs the same trail each day without fail. As a result, who knows every tree, every rock, and every turn in the path.

However, when she encounters a slip of white paper on the floor – that wasn’t there before – something tells her to pick it up and read it.

Upon inspection, she realizes that the list contains five names… one of which is hers. Alarmed, Beth goes in search of the other names only to find that the first two are dead women.

Agitated and scared, Beth realizes she is next on the list and goes down a dangerous path in search of the truth.

Pros

• Interesting and twisty story.
• Unique storyline.
• Good pacing.

Cons

• Some readers were disappointed by the ending.

Themes similar to The Inheritance Games: Mystery, Puzzle, Death, and Twists.

A Study In Charlotte By Brittany Cavallaro

Everyone knows the legacy of Sherlock Holmes and John Waston, but what about Charlotte Holmes and Jamie Waston – their descendants?

Until enrolling in Sherringford school, the pair have never met each other due to a family falling out.

With her genius and quick wit, Charlotte is every bit Sherlock Holmes, leading Jamie to find himself drawn to her.

However, when a classmate dies, they find themselves to be the number one suspect in the crime.

Pros

• World-shattering tension.
• Lots of chemistry and partnership between the two.
• Praised among Sherlock fans.

Cons

• Some readers found the characters to be lacking.

Themes similar to The Inheritance Games: Mystery, Love, Suspense, and Danger.

Where The Crawdads Sing By Delia Owens

Set in the 1960s, Kya Clark lives on the marsh and is considered unfit for polite society as a wild girl. This makes her the prime suspect in the murder of popular Chase Andrews.

Due to her upbringing, many people in the town believe her to be feral and untamed, however, just like everyone else, she simply yearns for attention and love.

As she begins to capture the attention of two men in the village, Kya begins to open herself up to people, however, this is until a certain event happens that changes everything.

Pros

• Characters feel ‘real’.
• A page-turner.
• Beautiful prose.

Cons

• The first half of the book is slow.

Themes similar to The Inheritance Games: Betrayal, Injustice, Class, and Death.

Thirteen By Steve Cavanagh

In Thirteen we are introduced to one-half of Hollywood’s hottest couples, however, there’s a catch… the other half is dead.

Robert Solomon is charged with the murder of his wife which becomes one of the most infamous and unbelievable celebrity trials to date.

Claiming innocence, Solomon gets the best defense team he can get. This is where Eddie Flynn comes in.

With all evidence pointing towards Robert as the main suspect and murderer, things aren’t looking good. However, things begin to take a turn in the courtroom.

Soon enough, Flynn connects the dots and believes the killer may be in the same courtroom as them or even the jury itself.

Pros

• Fast-paced.
• Intriguing.
• Suspenseful.

Cons

• Some readers found the novel to be shallow.

Themes similar to The Inheritance Games: Betrayal, Mystery, Murder, and Suspense.

We Were Liars By E. Lockhart

This novel follows Cadence who suffers from a tragic accident on her family’s private island – causing her to lose her memories.

Fragments of her vacation are the only things that remain, these include arguments between her family about who inherits the estate – ultimately causing rifts, and spending the entire summer surrounded by her cousins.

Another thing she remembers is a suggestion to burn the estate down to remove the root causes of their family’s rift. However, after this, she remembers nothing.

After two years away, Cadence returns to the island surrounded by her whole family.

However, the more time she spends there, the more her memories slowly begin to return – revealing a truth that is much worse than she could have ever imagined.

Pros

• Amazing plot.
• Gorgeous writing.
• Complex characters.

Cons

• Some readers found the ‘twist’ predictable.

Themes similar to The Inheritance Games: Suspense, Mystery, and Class.

The Thursday Murder Club By Richard Osman

Taking place in a peaceful retirement village, four friends meet every Thursday to discuss their passion for unsolved crime mysteries. They call themselves The Thursday Murder Club.

However, when a real-life body turns up at their doorstep with a photograph attached to it, the group of pensioners decides to take it upon themselves to solve the murder.

Although, as bodies begin to pile up, can they solve the crime before it’s too late?

Pros

• Excellent storytelling.
• Humorous.
• Fun read.

Cons

• Some readers found the book to be too far-fetched.

Themes similar to The Inheritance Games: Mystery, Murder, and Death.

A Good Girl’s Guide To Murder By Holly Jackson

Everyone knows that Sal Singh killed Andie Bell. For her final year project at school, Pippa Fitz-Amboi, who has an obsession with this murder that rocked her small town, decides to do some digging.

Although, during her investigation, she uncovers some truths that someone in the town should prefer to be kept hidden.

She finds out that Sal Singh was wrongfully imprisoned and the real killer is running around town. Pippa knows she is in a sticky situation that could get her killed if she isn’t careful.

With the real murderer on the loose, Pippa is unsure of how far the person would go to keep their identity a secret but she must bring justice whatever the cost.

Pros

• Unforgettable plot.
• Complex characters.
• It will keep you on your toes.

Cons

• Some readers found the dialogue to be false sounding.

Final Thoughts

If you’re a true Nancy Drew, then you won’t let the mysteries stop with The Inheritance Games. There is always another mystery to uncover.

With the help of this guide, you’re sure to find something that will keep you on the edge of your seat just like The Inheritance Games.

Hopefully, this guide has provided you with 9 books similar to The Inheritance Games.

Frequently Asked Questions