“He wanted me to be a puzzle for them. The last puzzle.” — Jennifer Lynn Barnes

In Jennifer Lynn Barnes’s thrilling series The Inheritance Games, one question drives the entire narrative: Why would billionaire Tobias Hawthorne leave his fortune to Avery Grambs, a stranger, instead of his own family?

This seemingly inexplicable decision sets in motion a complex puzzle that unfolds across multiple books. His choice of Avery as heir was calculated and deliberate, part of an elaborate game that continued even after his death.

The old man’s reputation as a chess master who thought dozens of moves ahead suggests there’s much more to his selection than initially meets the eye.

Let’s look at the multifaceted reasoning behind Tobias Hawthorne’s mysterious choice and what it reveals about both the enigmatic billionaire and the seemingly ordinary girl he selected to inherit his empire.

The Inheritance Games Series

“Life is a game, play it well, and never let anyone know quite how much you have in the bank or up your sleeve.” — Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Before we get into Tobias’s motivations, let’s quickly review the series that tells this intriguing story:

1. The Inheritance Games (2020) – Introduces Avery and the initial puzzle of why she was chosen to inherit billions
2. The Hawthorne Legacy (2021) – Delves deeper into family secrets and Avery’s potential connection to the Hawthornes
3. The Final Gambit (2022) – Wraps up the main trilogy with final revelations about Tobias’s grand plan
4. The Brothers Hawthorne (2023) – A spin-off focusing on Grayson and Jameson Hawthorne

Together, these books gradually unravel the mystery of Tobias’s decision through puzzles, riddles, and revelations.

Tobias Hawthorne’s Strategic Mind

“You want my advice, kid? Life is too short to waste time retracing other people’s steps.” — Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Tobias Hawthorne wasn’t just a billionaire; he was a strategic mastermind who viewed life as an elaborate game. His decision to choose Avery wasn’t random but carefully calculated:

1. Testing His Grandsons – By choosing an outsider, Tobias created the ultimate test for Jameson, Grayson, Nash, and Xander. He wanted to see how they would react to being disinherited and whether they would work together or against each other when faced with this unexpected challenge.

2. Finding Someone Worthy – Tobias didn’t want his fortune to go to someone who would inherit it without appreciating its value. Avery’s background of financial struggle and her practical approach to money made her someone who would respect the responsibility that came with wealth.

3. Fresh Perspective- The Hawthorne family had become entangled in its own dynamics and past conflicts. Avery brought an outsider’s clarity to longstanding family issues and puzzles that the Hawthornes themselves were too close to see objectively.

The Emily Connection

“Emily was the love of someone else’s life. Mine is going to be my own.” — Jennifer Lynn Barnes

One of the most compelling reasons Tobias chose Avery was her resemblance to Emily Laughlin, a woman who had deep connections to the Hawthorne family:

1. Physical Resemblance – Avery’s striking similarity to Emily wasn’t coincidental but essential to Tobias’s plan.

2. Spiritual Successor – Beyond physical appearance, Tobias saw in Avery many of the qualities he admired in Emily: intelligence, determination, and an unwillingness to be manipulated.

3. Righting Past Wrongs – Through Avery, Tobias found a way to address unresolved issues related to Emily and her relationship with the Hawthorne family.

4. A Different Path – While Emily’s story ended in tragedy, Avery represented a second chance—a way for a similar spirit to navigate the Hawthorne world with potentially different results.

Avery’s Unique Qualities

“I know who I am. I know what I’m not. I might have spent my whole life feeling like I’m not enough, but I won’t spend a second feeling like I’m too much.” — Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Tobias didn’t just choose Avery for what she represented but for who she was. Several of her qualities made her the perfect heir:

1. Problem-Solving Ability – Avery consistently demonstrates exceptional puzzle-solving skills and logical thinking, traits Tobias highly valued.

2. Moral Compass – Despite the temptations of sudden wealth, Avery maintains her sense of right and wrong, proving she can handle power responsibly.

3. Adaptability – Thrown into an unfamiliar world of wealth and danger, Avery adapts quickly without losing herself – showing she has the resilience necessary to manage the Hawthorne legacy.

4. Outsider Perspective – As someone not raised in privilege, Avery brings fresh insights about how the Hawthorne wealth could be used more meaningfully.

The Genetic Question

“Blood doesn’t make a family. Love does.” — Jennifer Lynn Barnes

A significant aspect of Tobias’s choice revolves around the question of whether Avery might actually be related to the Hawthornes:

1. Paternity Mystery – Throughout the series, questions arise about whether Avery might be Tobias’s biological granddaughter, which would explain his decision on a more conventional level.

2. Beyond Blood – Regardless of potential biological connections, Tobias’s choice exemplifies his belief that worthiness isn’t determined by genetics but by character and capability.

3. Family Redefined – Through Avery’s integration into the Hawthorne world, Tobias challenges his family’s understanding of what truly constitutes family bonds.

The Ultimate Game

“It was all a game to him. His whole life was a chess match.” — Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Perhaps most importantly, Tobias Hawthorne was playing a long game that extended beyond his death:

1. Family Reconciliation – By introducing Avery, Tobias created circumstances that forced his fragmented family to interact in new ways, potentially healing old wounds.

2. Legacy Protection – He believed Avery would protect and respectfully manage his legacy better than his entitled heirs might have.

3. Final Puzzle – The entire inheritance situation was Tobias’s ultimate puzzle – one that would reveal truths about his family and ensure his fortune went to those who truly deserved it, not just those related by blood.

4. Character Growth – Each challenge Tobias designed had the potential to help his grandsons grow beyond their privileged upbringing and develop stronger character.

Tobias’s Foresight and Planning

“Sentimentality is a weakness. And my grandfather wasn’t weak.” — Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Tobias Hawthorne’s exceptional planning abilities played a crucial role in his decision to choose Avery:

1. Multi-Layer Strategy – He set up a system of puzzles and challenges that would only work with someone like Avery at the center.

2. Contingency Planning – Throughout the series, readers discover various failsafes and alternative plans Tobias created, showing his meticulous attention to detail.

3. Psychological Understanding – Tobias demonstrated profound insight into how each of his grandchildren would react to Avery’s presence, using their predictable responses as part of his design.

4. Long-Term Vision – While others might plan for years, Tobias planned for generations, showing unusual foresight about the future of his family and fortune.

Tobias’s View on Wealth and Privilege

Underlying Tobias’s choice was his complex relationship with wealth:

1. Corrupting Influence – He had witnessed how inherited wealth without responsibility could corrupt character and motivation.

2. Earned Appreciation – Avery, having lived without wealth, could appreciate its value and responsibility in ways his grandsons might not.

3. Testing Relationships – By making wealth conditional, Tobias forced his family to examine relationships not defined by financial advantage.

4. Legacy Protection – He wanted his fortune used thoughtfully rather than squandered and saw in Avery someone who would respect money’s potential for both good and harm.

Critical Reception and Reader Response

The mystery of why Tobias chose Avery has captivated readers and critics alike:

“Barnes’s immersive world-building and puzzle-driven plot create a thrilling reading experience. The question of why Avery was chosen drives the narrative forward with perfect pacing.” — Kirkus Reviews.

“The intricate relationship between Avery and the Hawthorne brothers makes this series absolutely unputdownable. Tobias Hawthorne’s grand plan unfolds with masterful precision across all three books.” — Publishers Weekly.

“I couldn’t stop reading until I understood why Tobias chose Avery. The gradual revelation of his motivations is one of the most satisfying mystery arcs I’ve read in YA fiction.” — Goodreads reviewer, 5-star review.

“The way Tobias orchestrated everything from beyond the grave is both chilling and brilliant. His choice of Avery as heir demonstrates the perfect blend of calculation and unexpected humanity.” — Amazon customer, 5-star review.

Conclusions

Tobias Hawthorne’s choice of Avery wasn’t a random act but the carefully considered decision of a brilliant strategist.

By selecting her, he created a catalyst for change within his family, tested his grandsons’ character, and ensured someone with both the intelligence would manage his fortune to understand its power and the moral compass to use it wisely.

The mystery of why Tobias chose Avery drives the narrative tension throughout the series. Still, the answer reveals something profound: sometimes, the most qualified heir isn’t defined by bloodlines but by character, intellect, and perspective.

Through his unconventional choice, Tobias Hawthorne left behind not just a fortune but a transformative experience that would reshape the lives of everyone involved. Perhaps that was his true inheritance all along.

About the Author

Jennifer Lynn Barnes is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty young adult novels, including The Inheritance Games series.

A former competitive cheerleader, cognitive scientist, and Yale graduate, Barnes wrote her first published novel at the age of nineteen.

She has advanced degrees in psychology, psychiatry, and cognitive science. Jennifer’s books have been published in more than twenty countries, and she divides her time between Connecticut and Oklahoma.

Her works include:

• The Inheritance Games series
• The Naturals series
• Little White Lies
• Deadly Little Scandals
• The Fixer series
• Tattoo series
• Nobody and Every Other Day
• Raised by Wolves series