Penny Nichols is a historical researcher working for a big-budget movie filming in the south of France when Penny receives an urgent call from her mother in the U.S. Apparently Penny’s Aunt Penelope has died, and Penny’s parents want her to go to London to be present for the reading of the will.

Penny complies with her parents’ wishes, and she is shocked to learn that she is an heiress. She barely remembers her Aunt Penelope and certainly did not expect to be part of the inheritance. Penny’s cousin, Jeremy, has also received a share in the will, as has their cousin Rollo, a rather unpleasant, greedy fellow.

Things heat up when it becomes clear that Rollo is jealous of his cousins’ inheritances and when the reader learns that Jeremy is not actually of blood relation to the family. Penny must use her research skills to go back into family history to find out what has happened. She encounters secret family histories, double lives, and family members that want what Penny has. Jeremy is mostly by Penny’s side throughout the adventure, and a budding romance is growing now that it is clear Jeremy is not related to Penny by blood.

A Rather Lovely Inheritance has an exciting plot although it develops too many tangents as Penny delves deeper into the family history. That said, the novel does have some interesting twists and turns and Penny is a likeable character. This book is an interesting blend of mystery with a touch of romance and may appeal to mystery and romance readers alike.