I could not put this book down! Rimmer did a wonderful job of revealing information at the right time (although not necessarily as early as I wanted it). This tragic tale of discovery was very fun to follow along and I liked the book within a book concept. While there was a hint of romance, it didn’t feel out of place considering the genre of this story.

It took me a little while to get into this one but once I did, I couldn't put it down. The Midnight Estate tells the story of Fiona, whose husband of decades has left her for her best friend and pushed her out of the company they founded together. She returns to her hometown (Forbes, Australia) to the house where she grew up - a supposedly-haunted mansion called Wurimburra - purchasing it from her cousin who inherited it, and she finds 12 copies of a book called The Midnight Estate from her author uncle's publisher. Between cleaning the neglected home, she reads this book - which sounds as if it is taking place not only in Forbes but also at Wirimburra! This is a story about family secrets and lies, kindness, and breaking the strong hold of the past. I loved it! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. I see on NetGalley that the name of this book may have been changed to The Story Keeper but I prefer the original title.

Haunted house meets family secrets and a book-within-a-book format that reveals all.

Highlights:
• Multiple timelines & POVs
• Haunted estate
• Betrayal & long-buried secrets
• Australian countryside
• Book-within-a-book format

As a big fan of Kelly Rimmer, I was so excited to receive an ARC of The Midnight Estate. My favorite historical fiction to date is The Things We Cannot Say (highly recommend), and I find her writing so compelling. That said, this one fell a bit flat for me.

The Midnight Estate takes place across multiple storylines and is told from multiple perspectives. The main character discovers a book that she reads throughout the story, taking on a “book-within-a-book” format. I did enjoy that approach to telling the story, I’ll say that.

Maybe I had higher hopes for this because I’ve enjoyed Kelly Rimmer’s other books so much, but this one was slow. From start to finish, I was waiting for more to happen. I love a good haunted house tale, so whenever any of the creepy stuff happened around the estate, I’d stand at attention again. But then we’d go right back to the regularly scheduled programming.

I also felt like the twist was far too predictable. I guess it kind of lays it all out there in the synopsis, but the main character seemed shocked by this revelation that the reader could see coming from a mile away. The predictability, paired with the slower pacing and the lack of any real relationship development between the characters, left me underwhelmed.

I still adore Kelly Rimmer and am excited to read more of her work, but this one wasn’t my favorite.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Midnight Estate is expected to hit shelves on July 21, 2026!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! The Midnight Estate by Kelly Rimmer was a novel that definitely kept me on my toes. The novel takes place through two different storylines. The first being a recently divorced woman moving back to her hometown following the purchase of her uncle old mansion and the second through the novel the woman is reading. The twists the story took kept me guessing and though the way the two stories intersected in the end was not a surprise, I really enjoyed it. The character development throughout the novel she was reading was done in such a way that I was able to conjure up mental images rather easily. I could see this story be adapted into a movie. Overall, would definitely recommend to others.

I love a good dual-timeline book so I grabbed this as soon as I saw it. It's almost three stories in one so keeps the reader challenged and engaged. I loved the gothic old mansion setting. The author does a great job balancing all the story lines, which is definitely sometimes tricky. I would recommend this to my historical fiction customers who want a change from the London & Paris settings that are so common right now.

I love historical fiction. I love gothic fiction. Put the two together and I am the happiest.

I enjoy a dual timeline that makes sense and full of detail. This one does not disappoint. It adds to the suspenseful atmosphere and the many questions Fiona and us as readers are faced with. I definitely love stories where I have to piece things together. This helps with the pace of a historical novel. This helps to build and build the mystery which I felt on the edge of my seat.

One area I felt could use some more umpf is with the depth of the characters. I wanted more there in order to connect to them on a deeper level. The setting and descriptions do one thing while the characters sometimes pull me out of that gothic mystery state of being.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and will definitely read more from this author.

Thank you so much to Harlequin Trade Publishing for the eARC of this book. #thehiveinfluencer

Thank you to Net Galley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the chance to read and review this book. All opinions are my own.
I REALLY liked this book! It is so skillfully written-it is a story within a story! Fiona Winslow has returned to her crumbling family estate. Even though things are a mess, she is determined to restore the old house. While cleaning, she finds a book "The Midnight Estate" written by an unknown author. She soon starts to read it and becomes involved with the story. I thought it was so clever how the author connected the book with Fiona's life. I encourage you to read it. It is a good story that will capture your attention right from the beginning.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I love a story within a story book and that is what this was. This was heartbreaking and tender and tense. The house, Wurimbirra, is a main character. The Midnight Estate kept my interest throughout, even though I had it figured out I needed to keep reading to see how Rimmer would disclose the information. I love the development of family. Though not for my high school library I would recommend it to adults.

What first drew me to The Midnight Estate (also titled The Story Keeper ) was the evocative title, the haunting cover, and a synopsis hinting at a decaying estate filled with secrets—possibly haunted, possibly not. The central mystery surrounding the house is compelling, and Kelley Rimmer skillfully employs a "story within a story" structure that adds atmosphere and narrative depth. This layered technique enhances the intrigue, even when the broader plot feels somewhat formulaic and predictable for those well-versed in the mystery genre.

Despite the familiar beats, the story remains engaging throughout. Rimmer’s writing is confident and emotionally attuned, and she handles the theme of domestic violence with sensitivity and gravity. While the historical elements within the story itself are subtle, the author’s note sheds light on the real-life inspiration behind the novel, adding meaningful context. Though not structurally groundbreaking, The Midnight Estate/ The Story Keeper is a thoughtful and compelling blend of mystery, emotion, and social reflection.

Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for the ARC. This is my honest review.

The Midnight Estate is a blend of historical mystery with some emotional drama.I liked the dual timelines, there we many secrets and surprises. I thought the old estate in Australia was spooky and neat. Even though I guessed what was happening early on, it was still an enjoyable book.

Many thanks for my gifted copy!

The Midnight Estate took a couple of chapters to really draw me in, but once it did, I was completely hooked. The slow build at the beginning sets the stage for a richly atmospheric and suspenseful story that pays off in a big way. The eerie setting of the estate is hauntingly vivid, and the tension builds beautifully throughout.

What truly sets this book apart is the twist—it was unexpected, smart, and changed the entire context of the story in the best possible way. The characters are complex and believable, and the mystery kept me guessing until the very end.

There were a few grammar mistakes scattered here and there, which was a bit distracting at times, but the strength of the plot and the payoff more than made up for it.

There’s a heavy ache in this story that stayed with me long after I finished. It’s full of regret and sadness—the kind that makes you question if you were ever enough and whether some things can be repaired once they’re broken beyond recognition.

The plot was very predictable, but that predictability didn’t lessen its impact. Instead, it made the characters feel even more real and their struggles familiar. I found myself holding my breath, not because I didn’t know what would happen, but because I cared so deeply about them—even when they made mistakes or seemed beyond saving.

This book isn’t a neat or easy escape. It’s messy, raw, and painful, like real life. It reminded me that healing isn’t always possible in the way we hope, and sometimes wanting to fix things isn’t enough. That truth lingered with me, quietly breaking and staying with me long after the last page.

interesting story about Fiona and coming back home and finding this book and starts reading about the town and this house. she learns more about her family and what happened . slight romance.

The Midnight Estate is a dual timeline (actually more like 2 stories in one) that keeps you reading long into the night! Against her mother’s wishes (and pretty much everyone else’s wishes) Fiona Winslow purchases the old family estate after her uncle’s death and intends to restore it to it’s former glory. But many strange things go bump in the nights and Fiona finds herself wondering if in fact the house is haunted as many say it is. When she finds a book that her uncle, an author, wrote in the last years of his life, she begins to see an uncanny resemblance to things that happened to her family. As Fiona figures out what is fact and what is fiction she opens an entire Pandora’s box of family secrets that those near and dear to her would prefer remained buried.

It’s a terrific book, just what one would expect from Kelly Rimmer. Don’t miss it!

Absolutely! Here’s the revised version tailored for the ebook experience:

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Review: The Midnight Estate by Kelly Rimmer

I absolutely loved The Midnight Estate. From its richly atmospheric setting to its beautifully layered dual timeline, this story drew me in from the very first chapter and didn’t let go. There’s something irresistible about a crumbling old house filled with secrets, and Wurimbirra—what a name!—feels like a character in its own right. The gothic, slightly nostalgic mood was pitch-perfect.

The dual narrative was so well executed, keeping the mystery compelling while revealing emotional depth in both timelines. The characters felt genuine and lovable, especially Fiona. Her journey felt personal and quietly powerful, and I was completely invested in uncovering both her family’s past and her own healing.

The book-within-a-book element added another layer of intrigue, and the way fiction and reality begin to mirror each other made the story all the more captivating. There’s a perfect balance of suspense and emotion—nothing over the top, just enough tension to keep you turning the page.

I’d highly recommend The Midnight Estate to fans of Kate Morton, or anyone who loves historical mysteries, old houses, and emotionally rich storytelling. It’s a beautifully written novel that lingers with you long after the final chapter.

3.5 ⭐️. I didn’t love this book as much as I’ve loved some of Kelly Rimmer’s others, but it was a solid story. I did guess the “twist” that came at the end, but it didn’t take away from the story for me.

I had both the audio and the kindle version, and I very much enjoyed the Australian accent. Both formats were great.

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC and the ALC audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

I love Kelly Rimmer but I didn’t love this story. It felt slow paced and predictable to me. I thought the back and forth of the timeline was a little confusing and I wasn’t a fan of the character development.

Let my first start by saying that I Love Kelly Rimmer and her historical fiction. Her previous 3 historical fictions, all fantastic. This one just fell flat for me. Less depth in characters, and I just didn’t seem to connect with them . None were particularly likable to me. Just ok.

In The Midnight Estate, Rimmer masterfully weaves a story within a story, and I was completely absorbed by this book. The book is set in the US and Australia and covers three timelines. I loved the storyline of Fiona returning to restore her family's home, after a hard change that took place in her life. There's a great mix of family relationships, starting over, historical references to the First Nation peoples in Australia, and a mansion that may or may not be haunted.

The mystery of the story revolves around Fiona's return to her family home, and a book she discovers, after her uncle has passed away, written by an author she doesn't recognize. I found Wilkes "book" that alternates chapters with Fiona's POV was a beautiful way for the story to unfold, and even though it is clear early on what's happening in the story, I found it to be so well-written that I was completely invested until the very end. I also thought the spooky feel worked really well with the overall story, and it added a great sense of tension.

There are some heavy topics covered in the book such as mental, physical, and coercive abuse. But there is also a great sense of family, compassion, and empathy, and it all comes together to balance a story of sadness and tragedy with hope and love.

I highly recommend The Midnight Estate if you love books with dark secrets, complicated relationships, an international setting, coming home, second chance romance, and slow burn mystery.

I appreciated the book within a book aspect of The Midnight Estate, but I failed to connect with the story or characters quite as deeply as I’d hoped, and was able to solve the central mystery earlier than I would have preferred. It was still a decently entertaining story.

Siho Ellsmore does a good job narrating the audiobook.

Thank you Kelly Rimmer, Harlequin Trade Publishing, MIRA, Harlequin Audio, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.