This can be firmly categorized in the genre of very-rich-people-behaving-horribly mysteries. I don't think anything is very surprising about what happened, i.e. you can pretty much see it coming as the story develops. But, personally, I didn't mind that. I prefer a resolution that makes sense than a big final twist at the end that feels half-baked. Anyway . . . . I thought the real strength of the book is that Marwood writes her lead characters in a very sympathetic and thoughtful manner. I enjoyed the story line of two stepsisters reconnecting after many years and trying to deal with their less than perfect past.