“Some secrets are meant to stay buried. But I’ve learned that buried things have a way of clawing their way back to the surface.” ― Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Are you interested in learning about one of the most mysterious figures in Jennifer Lynn Barnes’s thrilling series, The Inheritance Games?

You’ve come to the right place! Eve Hawthorne is a pivotal character whose shadow looms large over the entire series, even though she never physically appears in the narrative.

In this article, I’ll explain everything you need to know about Eve Hawthorne, from her relationships with key characters to her crucial role in the central mystery that drives the series.

Trust me when I say this character analysis offers more than just basic information. It provides essential insights that will improve your understanding of the intricate puzzle that is The Inheritance Games series.

Plot Summary

The Inheritance Games follows Avery Grambs, a resourceful high school student who lives in her car and dreams of a better future.

Her life changes dramatically when she learns that eccentric billionaire Tobias Hawthorne has died and inexplicably left her almost his entire fortune—billions of dollars, a vast estate, and a sprawling business empire.

The catch: Avery must live in Hawthorne House for one full year, sharing space with the family he disinherited, including his four brilliant, dangerous grandsons.

The Hawthorne brothers—Nash, Grayson, Jameson, and Xander—are understandably baffled and bitter about their grandfather’s decision to leave his fortune to a stranger. Each brother reacts differently to Avery’s arrival, from outright hostility to cautious alliance to dangerous attraction.

As Avery settles into her new life of luxury, she discovers that Hawthorne House is filled with secret passages, hidden rooms, and elaborate puzzles designed by the late billionaire.

Each solved riddle reveals another clue about why she was chosen for this inheritance. Along the way, she uncovers connections between her mother and the Hawthorne family, particularly with Eve Hawthorne, the deceased mother of the four grandsons.

By the end of the first book, Avery has solved enough of the puzzle to understand that her connection to the Hawthornes runs deeper than anyone suspected and that Tobias Hawthorne’s final game is far from over.

The revelation about her mother’s friendship with Eve Hawthorne opens the door to even more questions, setting the stage for the continuing mystery in the sequel, The Hawthorne Legacy.

Who is Eve in The Inheritance Games?

“The truth is both sword and shield. It can hurt, but in the end, it protects.” ― Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Eve Hawthorne is one of the most significant characters in The Inheritance Games series, despite never appearing alive in the narrative.

She is Tobias Hawthorne’s deceased daughter-in-law, once married to his son Toby, and the mother of the four Hawthorne grandsons: Nash, Grayson, Jameson, and Xander.

Background and Relationships

Eve’s character is primarily defined through her relationships with the other key figures in the series:

Eve and Toby: Eve was married to Tobias Hawthorne’s son, Toby Hawthorne. Their relationship was complicated and ultimately ended in tragedy when Toby died in what was presumed to be a drunk-driving accident.

Eve and Tobias Hawthorne: Eve had a special relationship with her father-in-law, who seemed to value her intelligence and puzzle-solving abilities. After Toby’s death, Tobias often included Eve in his games and puzzles, establishing a tradition that would later be significant to the plot.

Eve and her sons: As the mother of the four Hawthorne brothers, Eve’s parenting shaped their personalities and relationships. Each son inherited different aspects of her character—her strategic mind, her passion for puzzles, her resourcefulness, and her emotional complexity.

Eve and Skye Hawthorne: Eve had a tense relationship with Skye Hawthorne, Tobias’s daughter, creating family dynamics that continue to affect the narrative.

Eve and Emily Laughlin: Eve’s friendship with Emily Laughlin (Avery’s mother) forms one of the central mysteries of the series. This relationship ultimately explains why Tobias Hawthorne left his fortune to Avery, a seemingly random teenager with no connection to the Hawthorne family.

Eve’s Death and Legacy

Eve died before the events of the series, reportedly from cancer. However, her death and the circumstances surrounding it become increasingly important as the series progresses.

What initially appears to be a straightforward death from natural causes grows more complex as secrets are revealed.

Eve’s legacy lives on through:

• The puzzles and games she created with Tobias Hawthorne
• The values and skills she instilled in her sons
• The secrets she kept that continue to affect the present
• Her connection to Avery Grambs’ mother, Emily
• The mysterious circumstances surrounding her death

Eve’s Role Across the Series

“Everyone has secrets. The trick is not getting caught in a lie.” ― Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Eve Hawthorne’s presence is felt differently in each book in the series, with new revelations continuously reshaping the reader’s understanding of her character.

In The Inheritance Games

In the first book, Eve is initially mentioned as the deceased mother of the Hawthorne brothers. Readers learn that she was once married to Toby Hawthorne, who died in what was believed to be a drunk-driving accident.

Eve later died of cancer, leaving her sons in the care of their grandfather.

As Avery Grambs begins to solve Tobias Hawthorne’s puzzles, she discovers photos of her mother, Emily Laughlin, with Eve, suggesting a connection that might explain why Tobias left his fortune to a stranger.

The book ends with the revelation that Emily and Eve were friends, setting up deeper mysteries for the sequel.

In The Hawthorne Legacy

The second book delves deeper into Eve’s history and reveals more about her friendship with Emily Laughlin. Readers learn that Eve and Emily were childhood friends who remained close into adulthood.

We also discover more about Eve’s intellectual capabilities—she was exceptionally intelligent and shared Tobias Hawthorne’s love for games and puzzles.

More significantly, questions arise about Eve’s death, with hints that it might not have been as straightforward as initially presented.

The book reveals that Eve may have orchestrated some of the events that led to Avery inheriting the Hawthorne fortune.

In The Final Gambit

In the third book, Eve’s true role in the overarching mystery comes into sharper focus.

We learn that Eve suspected her husband Toby’s death wasn’t an accident, and she began investigating. The truth about Eve’s death becomes a central element of the final puzzle.

It’s revealed that Eve discovered critical information about Toby’s death and other Hawthorne family secrets, which put her in danger.

She worked with Tobias Hawthorne to create an elaborate plan that would eventually lead to justice and protect her sons, even after her death.

In The Brothers Hawthorne

The fourth book continues to explore Eve’s legacy through her sons, particularly focusing on how her values and lessons shaped them.

Additional details about her life, her relationship with each of her sons, and the full extent of her coordination with Tobias Hawthorne are revealed.

More About the Series

“Money can’t buy you love, but it can sure as hell buy everything else.” ― Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Jennifer Lynn Barnes is an American author known for her young adult novels, which blend mystery, psychology, and complex family dynamics.

Her background in cognitive science and psychology informs her nuanced character development.

The complete Inheritance Games series includes:

• The Inheritance Games (2020)
• The Hawthorne Legacy (2021)
• The Final Gambit (2022)
• The Brothers Hawthorne (2023)

Barnes’ series has been praised for its intricate puzzles, compelling characters, and unexpected twists. The books have been bestsellers and have developed a dedicated fan base who appreciates the combination of intrigue, romance, and family drama.

Ratings and Reviews on Eve’s Character

“Every person is a locked door. The right keys make all the difference.” ― Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Readers across platforms share many thoughts about Eve Hawthorne’s role in the series:

1. “Eve Hawthorne is one of the most fascinating ‘absent’ characters I’ve encountered in YA fiction. The way her presence is felt throughout the entire series without her ever physically appearing is masterful storytelling.” -Goodreads user, 5-star review.
2. “I love how Eve becomes more complex with each book. At first, she seems like just a background character, but by the end of the series, you realize she was pulling strings all along. It’s like she’s playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers.” -Amazon customer, 5-star review.
3. “The relationship between Eve and Emily provides such emotional depth to the story. What could have been just a puzzle-solving adventure becomes a tale about friendship, legacy, and the lengths people will go to protect those they love.” -Goodreads user, 4-star review.

Some critical perspectives mention:

1. “Sometimes it feels a bit convenient that Eve predicted so much and planned for such specific events.”
2. “I wish we could have gotten more direct glimpses of Eve through flashbacks rather than just hearing about her.”
3. “The mystery around Eve’s death became slightly convoluted by the final book.”

What sets Eve apart from other deceased characters in young adult literature is how she continues to influence the plot actively. Rather than simply being a motivation for different characters, Eve is essentially still a player in the game, with moves planned long before her death.

Book Recommendations If You’re Fascinated by Eve’s Character

If you found Eve Hawthorne’s character compelling, here are some books with similar elements:

1. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart: Features family secrets and a mystery surrounding a wealthy family

2. Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson: This focuses on solving a decades-old mystery at a private school

3. Knives Out (novelization): While technically a film, this story similarly features an eccentric wealthy family and an inheritance mystery

4. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson: This centers on a student investigating a closed case with hidden truths

5. One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus: Explores secrets, lies, and unexpected connections between seemingly unrelated students.

Conclusion

Eve Hawthorne is one of the most influential characters in The Inheritance Games series despite never physically appearing in the narrative. Her decisions, relationships, and legacy drive the central mystery and shape the development of nearly every main character.

What makes Eve such a compelling character is the way her presence is felt throughout the series without her ever appearing directly.

Eve represents the series’ central themes of family, legacy, and truth. Her story reminds us that our impact on others—especially those we love—continues long after we’re gone.

The puzzles she helped create aren’t just intellectual challenges but representations of her desire to protect her family and ensure justice, even from beyond the grave.