60 pages • 2 hours read
Nora RobertsInheritance
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2023A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Part 1, Chapter 9-Part 2, Chapter 15Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Part 1: “Betrayal” - Part 2: “The Manor”
Part 1, Chapter 9 Summary
Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of death and death by suicide.
Sonya meets with Deuce to discuss her transition to Poole Manor. Deuce reassures Sonya that her Poole cousins harbor no resentment about her inheritance. He explains that Owen Poole, one of the cousins, runs the shipbuilding company in Poole’s Bay and that none of the relatives have expressed dissatisfaction with the will. Curious about the family’s history, Sonya asks why the twins—Collin and Andrew—were separated. Deuce reveals that Patricia Poole, their grandmother, was obsessed with preserving the family name. Patricia perpetuated the story that the twins’ father, Charles, died in Vietnam before he could marry Clover, their mother. Patricia kept one of the boys, raising Collin with the help of her daughter Gretta, while sending Andrew into foster care. Deuce speculates that Patricia believed that keeping both boys was unnecessary to maintain the family line.
Sonya meets Ace, Trey’s grandfather, who warmly welcomes her. Deuce also checks in with Trey, commenting on Sonya’s self-reliance and on her potential interest in adopting a dog.
Anna contacts Sonya and purchases her entire design package. That night, Sonya experiences another vivid and unsettling dream at three o’clock; in this dream, she relives Catherine Poole’s death.
Part 1, Chapter 10 Summary
Trey reaches out to Sonya with information about adopting a dog. Later, Sonya becomes uneasy when she notices that her bed has been made, but she convinces herself that she must have made the bed and then forgotten. After working for a while, Sonya takes a walk in the snow, but when she returns, she finds herself locked out of the house. While attempting to contact Trey for help, she hears the door unlock itself.
That evening, Sonya delves into the Poole family genealogy. At three o’clock in the morning, the clock chimes, and she dreams of Astrid Poole’s murder. In the dream, Astrid communicates with Sonya, urging her to locate the seven missing wedding rings in order to break the curse on the family.
Although the dream unsettles Sonya, she becomes increasingly attached to the house. During a walk by the cliffs, she feels a sense of awe as she spots a whale in the sea. Sonya continues her genealogical research and discovers that Hester Dobbs, the originator of the curse, killed herself after Collin Poole’s suicide. (Hester managed to escape her cell before her execution.) That night, Sonya does not wake up at three o’clock, gaining a brief reprieve from her dreams.
Part 2, Chapter 11 Summary
Sonya begins exploring the staff quarters of the house, entertaining herself with the old service bells. She investigates the storage areas and uncovers vintage furniture, music, and clothing. In a closet in Collin’s studio, Sonya finds a portrait of Johanna. While retrieving the portrait, she nearly gets trapped in the closet. Later, she goes to the kitchen and finds all the cabinet doors inexplicably open. Determined not to let the ghosts intimidate her, Sonya works with her mother, Winter, to plan a dinner party to thank the Doyles for their help. Winter suggests a pot roast and provides Sonya with detailed instructions.
During the week, Sonya runs errands around Poole’s Bay and learns more about the manor’s history. At a local restaurant called The Lobster Trap, Sonya meets Owen Poole, her cousin, for the first time. Owen and Trey express their surprise when Sonya mentions Johanna’s portrait, as the painting was not present during their inventory of the house. They also convince Sonya not to sell Collin’s truck.
Sonya starts to accept the haunting as a reality and confronts the ghosts directly. That night, she wakes at three o’clock to the sound of pounding on the front door and a howling blizzard outside. However, when she opens the door, she finds calm weather and an empty porch. Recalling her earlier experience of being locked out of the manor, Sonya wisely decides not to step outside.
Part 2, Chapter 12 Summary
The following day, Sonya confirms that her memory of opening the door in the middle of the night was real. She looks forward to Cleo’s weekend visit, excited to discuss the hauntings with someone. After her shower, she notices that the words “7 lost” have appeared in the condensation on her bathroom mirror. This detail further irritates her.
When Cleo arrives, she immediately falls in love with the house. The ghosts remain quiet as Sonya gives Cleo a tour, and this causes Sonya to momentarily doubt her experiences. Sonya invites Cleo to move in and then describes the hauntings. Cleo acknowledges the presence of the ghosts and agrees to move in.
Cleo wakes Sonya at three o’clock that night when she hears piano music. The two women investigate, but the music ceases when they turn on the light in the music room. The following day, the two settle into a routine. Sonya shows Cleo her progress on Anna’s website, and they agree on terms for Cleo’s stay at the manor. Sonya refuses to accept rent, so Cleo offers to handle grocery shopping and cooking.
Part 2, Chapter 13 Summary
Sonya and Cleo explore the storage spaces together, searching for furniture to furnish Collin's studio, which Cleo plans to use. When Cleo expresses her desire for a curved sofa, they hear creaking sounds from the attic. They investigate and find a curved sofa, which Sonya insists had been covered in fabric the day before. Later, Trey and Owen arrive with their dogs, Mookie and Jones, and assist in rearranging furniture throughout the house. When they reach Johanna’s portrait, Trey confirms that it was not there during his inventory. Trey theorizes that Collin wanted Sonya to have it.
Over dinner, Sonya shares her ghostly encounters, including the words on the mirror and her experience with being locked out of the manor. Owen and Trey explain the history of the curse, revealing that Hester Dobbs decreed that the Poole family would lose a bride each generation, either on their wedding day or within a year. Sonya adds that Hester took all the brides’ wedding rings. Cleo suggests consulting her grandmother, a self-proclaimed witch, for advice about the curse. Sonya resolves to remain in the house, regardless of the curse, and Cleo, Trey, and Owen offer to help her however they can.
Part 2, Chapter 14 Summary
After Cleo departs, Sonya finalizes Anna’s new website. With Anna’s approval, the site goes live. Trey contacts Sonya to arrange a meeting so that she can pitch a new design for the Doyle Law Firm’s website.
Sonya notices a shadow in one of the manor’s windows and decides to adopt a dog. She visits Lucy Cabot, a local animal rescue volunteer, and adopts Yoda, a 10-month-old Boston terrier-dachshund mix. That night, Sonya sleeps soundly, though Yoda awakens and has a friendly encounter with one of the ghosts, who pauses their piano playing to pet him.
Sonya and Yoda settle into a comfortable routine as they adjust to life in the manor. Sonya begins expressing gratitude to the ghosts for their assistance with small tasks. While exploring the house, Sonya hears the servant’s bell ring for the Gold Room. Curious, she heads there with Yoda. When she opens the door, a blast of icy air greets her, and she notices Yoda shivering from the cold. Standing her ground, Sonya firmly declares that the house belongs to her and then closes the door and leaves.
That night, Sonya falls asleep while researching the Poole family history. She dreams of Marianne Poole’s tragic death. In the dream, Marianne dies during childbirth, giving birth to twins—Owen and Jane. Hester Dobbs then appears in the room, stealing Marianne’s wedding ring. Turning to Sonya, Hester ominously refers to her as “the ghost here” (192), leaving Sonya unsettled.
Part 2, Chapter 15 Summary
Sonya documents her dream about Marianne’s death and then prepares for her meeting with Trey. A ghost lays out a dress for her, but she chooses a less formal outfit. Trey arrives with a gift for Yoda, and Yoda and Mookie play together while Sonya and Trey discuss ideas for the Doyle Law Firm’s website and corporate branding.
Sonya shares her dream about Marianne’s death and relates the fact that Hester called her a ghost. Trey insists on investigating the Gold Room despite Sonya’s unease. Once inside, he feels a cold spot, but the door slams shut before Sonya or the dogs can follow him. The wallpaper appears to bleed, and an unseen wind stirs the room. Trey firmly declares that the manor belongs to Sonya and then offers the Gold Room to the ghost as a compromise. The door eventually unlocks, and Trey advises Sonya to avoid the room in the future.
Afterward, Trey takes Sonya out to dinner, leaving her feeling slightly more grounded amid the house’s mysterious occurrences.
Part 1, Chapter 9-Part 2, Chapter 15 Analysis
Inheritance delves deeply into The Impact of Family Legacy, The Interplay Between Past and Present, and the influence of the supernatural on human experiences, and in this context, Sonya’s journey to adapt to Lost Bride Manor becomes a layered exploration of her heritage and of the spectral presences in the house. Her practical and metaphysical struggles therefore illuminate the complexities of reconciling the weight of history with a straightforward desire for a fresh start. These dynamics become clear in Sonya’s inner struggle to accept the manor’s odd realities; initially, she stubbornly resists the notion that the house is haunted, rationalizing the many strange occurrences that she notices, such as the mysterious arrangement of her bed, the chilling drafts, and the ghostly music. Her outward skepticism parallels her internal conflict: a battle between embracing her family legacy and maintaining her sense of independence and logic. Over time, however, the evidence of the hauntings becomes undeniable, and Sonya begins to accept that the manor houses multiple ghosts who are determined to express their distinct personalities and intentions.
The first ghost to connect with Sonya is Clover, Sonya’s grandmother, though her identity remains unknown to Sonya during these chapters. Clover’s playful actions, such as using Sonya’s iPad to play songs like “Pretty Woman” and “Good Morning Good Morning,” demonstrate a warm and supportive presence. While Sonya initially finds these incidents disconcerting, Clover’s choice of music serves as a subtle form of communication, offering Sonya compliments and encouragement. Clover therefore becomes the first ghost whom Sonya addresses directly; when Sonya reacts to the music selections with a mixture of amusement and mild irritation, this interaction marks a significant turning point in her journey, allowing her to begin distinguishing between the benevolent and malevolent spirits in the house.
Clover’s lighthearted communication also helps Sonya come to terms with the presence of the manor’s other helpful ghosts. These spirits quietly assist with household chores, such as cleaning fireplaces, washing dishes, and making beds. While the ghosts intend these acts as goodwill gestures, they initially unsettle Sonya, challenging her sense of control and autonomy. Gradually, however, she begins to recognize these efforts as part of the house’s attempts to welcome her and support her as a family member.
Despite these marks of progress, the presence of a hostile spirit complicates Sonya’s acceptance of her unusual surroundings. Unlike the helpful ghosts, Hester Dobbs’s actions are openly antagonistic, creating a sharp contrast that heightens the tension in the narrative. The juxtaposition of helpful and hostile spirits also underscores the layered history of the manor, reflecting the nurturing and destructive forces that strive for dominance in Sonya's family legacy. In this light, Hester becomes the embodiment of malice and vengeance in Lost Bride Manor. Her hostility toward Sonya is not merely personal; it is symbolic of the curse that she placed on the Poole family in 1806.
Roberts also uses the Gothic convention of portentous dreams to insert vital exposition into the narrative and dramatize the long-term impact of Hester’s curse. For example, in one of Sonya’s vivid supernatural interludes, she witnesses Marianne’s death during childbirth. Notably, even as Marianne recognizes Sonya as a descendant in this dreamlike vision, Hester identifies her as a threat. When Sonya attempts to stop Hester from stealing Marianne’s wedding ring, Hester contemptuously declares, “Do you think you can stop me? Stop what I forged in fire and blood? You're the ghost here” (192). This declaration encapsulates the inversion of roles in these supernatural encounters; in her dreams, Sonya becomes a spectral observer of the past, while the ghosts remain tethered to their own tragedies.
The motif of the mirror serves as a critical symbol in these interludes, representing the interplay between past and present. Sonya uses the mirror to access these ghostly memories, stepping through it to witness events long past. Similarly, the mirror’s ornate and macabre design, carved with predatory animals, reinforces its role as a foreboding and supernatural artifact. However, the mirror is also connected to Sonya’s familial legacy. Her father, an artist, painted images of the mirror and of Collin, and these facts suggest that Sonya’s connection to the house and its ghosts extends far beyond her immediate experiences. The mirror therefore becomes a physical and symbolic manifestation of the interplay between the temporal and the eternal, the living and the dead. However, at this stage in the narrative, Sonya has limited information about the curse and its workings. While she acknowledges the importance of the rings, she is unsure of how to begin her quest, and the mirror, which exists only in the supernatural realm, is a critical element of the mystery.
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