Inherit Midnight is an entertaining story in which the family members of an elderly woman all compete for the family’s fortune. I was excited to pick up this book and my anticipation was met with satisfaction. Kate Kae Myers gave the reader some great characters from the family history buff grandmother to the foot-kissing uncle. I especially liked the main character, Avery. Despite growing up with all the money she could ever want and being surrounded by selfish people, she still managed to grow up to be a good, level-headed person without the sense of entitlement one might expect. It was also interesting to see what happened with her throughout the competition as the underdog (and despised one) of the family. With shocking twists, deceit and heart-warming family reunions, the story had a lot of elements to appeal to a broad audience. Those who enjoyed The Westing Game or just enjoy reading about a good competition will like Inherit Midnight.

Review of Advance Reader’s Copy from Bloomsbury Children’s Books

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language:  2 mild obscenities; 3 derogatory names; 1 offensive hand gesture.

Violence/Gore:  Many (27) brief incidents including mention that dog will bite off leg if given a chance; character wants to slap another; threats; secondhand report of a knee injury; secondhand reports of death; reference to killing; character hits another with no life-threatening injuries sustained; fist fights; character shot with an empty bullet; character shot and bullet skimmed neck.

Sex/Nudity:  Many (27) brief incidents including touching back; dancing; holding hands; arm around; hugging; kissing; female character removes shirt in front of male character (non-sexual reason); character called sexual derogatory name; secondhand report of an affair.

Mature Subject Matter:

Secondhand report of an affair, divorce, report of death.

Alcohol / Drug Use:

Character in rehab; secondhand report of teenage character receiving a DUI.