What You Leave Behind

A Novel

De: Wanda M. Morris

Narrado por: Joniece Abbott-Pratt, Lynnette R. Freeman

Award-winning author Wanda Morris returns with a powerful, haunting thriller following a lawyer who after the mysterious disappearance of a local landowner and the death of his sister just months before, uncovers a conspiracy that dates back to Reconstruction and persists in half the United States today.

Deena Wood’s life has fallen apart in the aftermath of losing her beloved mother, her marriage, and her prestigious job at an Atlanta law firm. She needs what the Geechee people of coastal Georgia call a “dayclean,” a fresh start.

She returns to her childhood home in Brunswick, Georgia, to heal. But her return is anything but the respite she thought it might be. To make peace with all her loss, she often drives through the city. One day, she unwittingly finds herself on the oceanfront property of a loner widower who is fighting to keep land that has been in his family since the end of the Civil War. He threatens her and warns her to never return. But shortly after, he disappears, and his very expensive property is quickly put up for sale. Curious about what has happened to the man, Deena digs into his disappearance and finds a family legacy at risk. What starts out as a bit of curious snooping, turns into a deadly game of illegal land grabs and property redevelopment in poor and rural communities with dark and powerful forces at work.

Without realizing it, Deena finds herself caught up in a nightmarish scheme that threatens her community and her family. She’ll need help and finds it in a close but unlikely source because she knows she must do whatever it takes to stop the sinister forces at play before she becomes their next target.

©2024 Wanda M. Morris (P)2024 HarperCollins Publishers

the characters

I usually only like supernatural or thriller but this did have that edge on with the ancestors which I really enjoyed... Then sit back and try to figure out who is behind all this. And I'm pretty good at figuring it out but I didn't... I thought maybe Dena's boyfriend had something to do with it..
I definitely enjoyed this

What a read!

This was a truly good read and top notch performance. it was educational which I didn't expect but loved!

informative and entertaining

They were wonderful narrators.
Story was interesting, lots of 'who done it' situations. Kept the book interesting. Was good to learn about this topic that could happen to any of us, and teach how to protect ourselves and others from thieves.
Thought I was getting a Christian book, but it's not. that was my mistake. Didn't appreciate the swearing.
but overall, the time spent was well worth the listen.

Story

I loved this book! My first time reading this author and was well worth it

A fast paced thriller set in the rich Gullah culture.

Wanda Morris has written another thriller while managing to also educate the reader about "heir" property. The characters come alive in this extremely fast paced real life story. This novel is a must read.

Captivating Read!

The story line draws you in immediately! It’s hard to put this book down! I definitely recommend it!

Gave me chills

I love all of Wanda’s books; but this was sooooo good! I could really relate to the people and theme.

Amazing

The story kept me on my toes and wanting more. The author and the narrator did an amazing job. I would have love the storyline to even continue. I didn’t want it to end.

Quietly Powerful, Deeply Felt

This one surprised me—in the best way. What You Leave Behind is a beautifully written story about grief, healing, and the complicated mess of being human. It doesn't shout its brilliance; it unfolds gently, like a slow exhale after holding your breath for too long.

The characters feel real, flawed, and raw in a way that makes you root for them, even when they stumble. The emotional weight never tips into melodrama, and the themes—loss, forgiveness, second chances—are handled with care and honesty.

It’s not the kind of book that leaves you gasping with twists, but the kind that lingers quietly after the last page. A few moments felt a little too tidy, but overall, it earns its emotional beats without forcing them.

I’m a tough sell on five stars, but this was a solid, heartfelt four. It stays with you—and sometimes, that’s more meaningful than a flashy ending.

The suspense!

I loveddddd this book! It’s definitely in my top 10 for 2024. Hopefully we get a series 😅