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The Midnight Estate is a fresh departure for Kelly Rimmer, and I was here for it. Known for emotional historical fiction, Rimmer shifts gears with a dual-timeline mystery full of family secrets, buried truths, and a book that just might know too much.
When Fiona inherits her family’s crumbling estate, she also discovers an unfinished manuscript that echoes her own life. The story-within-a-story device is a fun twist and adds another layer of intrigue. I appreciated how the timelines played off one another, slowly revealing hidden connections and long-held grudges.
While some call it “gothic,” I didn’t really get that vibe. Yes, there’s an old house and some dark secrets, but it didn’t lean heavily into atmosphere or suspense. Still, the setting was vivid and the pacing steady, with enough surprises to keep me turning pages.
The plot isn’t full of shockers—some reveals are fairly easy to guess—but that didn’t bother me. The emotional resonance and character arcs made up for it. This one feels like Rimmer stretching her wings, and I hope she keeps going in this direction.
If you enjoy layered family dramas with a few clever twists, this one’s worth checking out.
** Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for a complimentary review copy of the audiobook. The opinions are my own.