The Legacies

Not since Nelson DeMille’s “The Gold Coast” (1990) have I read an author of fiction who truly understands the difference between the old upper-upper class and the rest of us. Jessica Goodman’s first YA mystery, “They Wish They Were Us,” revealed this cloistered and very small social class through the eyes of young adults. Although she has not written a sequel, Ms. Goodman again chooses the YA genre for “The Legacies” (2023, 323 pages). As was the case with her earlier book, most of us will not be able to relate to her young characters. Because Americans equate “social class” with degree of or lack of wealth, understanding the importance of lineage among those in the top tier of society is nearly impossible. If I were still teaching sociology and told my class that Elon Musk, Bill Gates, and Mark Zuckerberg are not members of the upper-upper class, my students would write me off as a prankster (or worse). But Goodman does the job as an author of fiction that I probably failed at as a professor of sociology. Her young characters never think about their wealth or their privileged positions in society because their way of life seems “natural” and they are essentially isolated from the rest of America. The novel opens with the author telling us that, “The Legacy Ball had never ended with a murder — obviously.” The rest of the book is a review of the week of activities leading up to the event. Chapters are from the POV of three young women (Bernie, Isobel, and Tori) who are about to graduate from Excelsior Prep, one of the schools that comprise the Intercollegiate League of exclusive schools that are preparatory to matriculation at Ivy League or other A-List colleges and universities. Bernie and Isobel are from “old line” families whose parents are alumni of the Intercollegiate League and who donate a ton of money to the prep schools and the colleges that their progeny choose. Each year, 36 students from the League are chosen to give presentations before the Legacy Ball, and the winner gets a check for $25,000, which — of course — is always donated back to the association. Those who are chosen as “legacies” are presented with a key to the Legacy Club in mid-town Manhattan, and that key will “open doors” to business and professional contacts for the rest of their lives. Tori, however, is a scholarship kid whose father owns a neighborhood diner that is saddled with debt. If she wins, the check will help to wipe out the bills and save the diner. For this and other reasons (e.g., she come from Queens, for God’s sake), Tori doesn’t feel that she fits with her classmates who live in penthouses in Manhattan, get-away homes in the Hamptons, and pretty much anywhere else that they choose. Kirkus Reviews states: “A skillfully executed thriller with a decadent setting that fans of the genre will adore.” But my friend who read “They Wish They Were Us” hated the characters and doesn’t want to read “The Legacies.” I understand. But I recommend the book as a well-told story about an America that we will never know or fully understand....Jim Glynn

This book was very good and I enjoyed reading it so much. However, I found it very similar to her previous book They Wish They Were Us, and that can become repetitive. I liked this one better, tho. I found the mystery and the construction of the plot much more captivating. What I liked the most was the characters' development, each one showing their struggles in such ways that you couldn't not be angry and sad for them and wanting to protect them.

This was a fun read and reminded me of the rich kid atmosphere of Gossip Girl. However, for being a thriller, the pacing was confusingly slow. I didn’t understand large parts of the plot and the dual POV wasn’t engaging like I expected. The ending tainted the rest of the story, but maybe that was the point.I received an advance review copy for free via Netgalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I enjoyed Jessica Goodman's fourth novel very much; in fact I read it over 2 days on vacation. This YA thriller occurs over a 5 day span in Manhattan, and involves 3 teenagers who are all candidates to be admitted to an elite "legacy club," which will set them up for a lifetime of success and privilege. The Legacy Ball is where they will actually be celebrated and admitted; during this ball, someone dies. The story is told from 3 points of view ( the "queen bee" daughter of a Manhattan socialite, the eccentric "drugged- out" artist from Booklyn and the "outsider" Queens scholarship girl). There is also a fourth voice, a "narrator," who reports what is actually happening at the ball which becomes a crime scene. The desciptions of the glamor and glitter of the urban affluent life style are lush and decadent. As in her previous novels, the author manages to say a lot about class struggles and how it affects the dynamics amongst the girls. In addition, Goodman explores the previous generation and how their conflicts get played out in the girls' lives. Without giving too much away, suffice it to say that the book is ambitious in all it sets out to do: provide a fun, old fashioned murder mystery set in a glitzy city landscape while exploring the underbelly of the rich and famous and how these traits and patterns get passed down from mothers to daughters. It's a great read; don't miss it!

I will admit it took me a little bit to get into the story, I think in large part because none of the characters were particularly likable. I found this to be a pretty quick and fun read in general. I can't wait to read more of Jessica Goodman's books. I will be recommending this book!

The Legacies is a crime young adult thriller that reminds me of Gossip Girl and Pretty Little Liars. Each chapter is told from the point of view of one of the legacy nominees who hopes to achieve the dream of being part of the club of high society.Read this book if you enjoy:Manhattan EliteGossip GirlPretty little liarsDual timelinesmultiple character povdark academiaThis one was a solid 3 for me as it was not my usual genre, and the thriller part felt more like a cozy mystery. I found it a quick read, perfect for the young adult crowd, but not a show-stopping story.

The characters of the story were entertaining. In addition, I liked having each chapter told from a different perspective.