By Tarryn Lingle

Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney’s debut novel explores the impact money can have on families and individuals. “The Nest,” released March 22, currently sits at No. 3 on The New York Time’s Best-Sellers List.
Sweeney was a marketing copywriter for two decades before deciding to go back to school to learn how to write fiction at the age of 50. Sweeney earned a Master of Fine Arts from the Bennington Writing Seminars and published her first novel at 54.
Plot
When the outcome of their shared inheritance comes into play, the dysfunctional Plumb family from New York must confront their problems both as a group and as individuals.
Siblings Melody, Beatrice and Jack lose their expected inheritance when their mother drains the account to assist reckless older brother after a drunk driving accident.
Each child has their own reasons for wanting their inheritance. Melody is consumed by debt from her mortgage and her children’s college tuition. Jack has borrowed against a shared estate between him and his husband to keep his store open. Beatrice can’t finish her past-due novel.
Each sibling finds themselves rethinking their life financially and fighting over whatever money is left over, and it forces them to figure out how Leo will pay each of them back.
The family is brought together in a way that they have never been before. Together they face the unknown fate of their inheritance, forcing them to deal with their problems in turn.
This story explores the possibilities of what money can do to people and relationships, how people’s lives change over a course of time and the ties people share with the ones they love.
“The Nest” shows the many facets of family relationships and the ups and downs that come with them.