I'm always amazed by Kelly Rimmer's ability to take on a new genre and completely conquer it. This gothic mystery is unlike anything she's written before, and page-turning fun. While I figured out the twist, that didn't make the read any less enjoyable. Kudos to Rimmer for another winner!!!

My favorite thing about this book was the novel-within-a-novel approach. Yes, Fiona reading "The Midnight Estate" made her own storyline a little predictable, but I thoroughly enjoyed it! It helped Fiona reconcile some things within her own family, particularly her relationship with her mother. The description of Wurimbirra helps create some minor mystery for Fiona, but this book, in my opinion, is about finding one's place. The book in the story helped Fiona put together some story parts for her family, AND she started to rediscover herself in her early 50s on the heels of a divorce and empty nest. It feels different from her other books, but it isn't a bad thing by any means!

After a particularly challenging year, architect Fiona Winslow finds herself purchasing her deceased uncle's home, named Wurimbirra (yes, there are quite a few Australian references). The home she and her mother once shared with her uncle has fallen into disrepair, and Fiona has plans to restore it to its former glory. Even though mystery surrounds the estate, Fiona remembers the good times she had there growing up. As she starts to clean up the debris, she finds a box of books. Her uncle was a famous writer, but these books are not in his name. Curious, she begins to read the book, even as creepy things happen in the house during the night.. As the novel progresses, it becomes obvious to the reader (but not to Fiona, initially), that it holds secrets - about the estate and the family who lived in it.

I enjoyed the novel-within-a-novel approach, but I felt that it made "The Story Keeper", apparently renamed "The Midnight Estate", fairly predictable. We, as readers, knew early on that it wasn't some random novel, but that it held the secrets to Wurimbirra. The story was engaging, but it wasn't very suspenseful. I also missed the characterization from Kelly Rimmer's previous novels. I just didn't feel like I really understood Fiona, As she read the novel, we began to understand Fiona's mom and uncle, but I really wanted to connect with the novel's protagonist, and I just didn't. Was it an entertaining read? Sure. Was I on the edge of my seat? Nope. I would give it 3 1/2 stars.

Title: The Midnight Estate
Author: Kelly Rimmer
Genre: Women's Fiction
Medium: Ebook
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review: Kelly Rimmer’s The Midnight Estate is a richly atmospheric and emotionally resonant novel that blends family drama, gothic mystery, and dual timelines in an absorbing story set on Australia’s east coast.
After a painful betrayal by her husband and best friend, architect Fiona Winslow returns to Wurimbirra—the once-grand family estate now left to crumble in isolation. Hoping to restore both the property and her sense of self, Fiona begins renovations despite her mother's insistence to let the past lie. While cleaning out her late uncle’s library, she discovers a manuscript titled The Midnight Estate—a fictionalized account that unsettlingly mirrors her own life. As Fiona reads deeper, the lines between fiction and family history begin to blur, uncovering generations of secrets, betrayals, and emotional wounds tied to the estate’s haunted halls.
Rimmer’s deft storytelling weaves between present-day and the fictional world within the manuscript, slowly unraveling a powerful family mystery. The decaying Wurimbirra estate becomes a character of its own—gothic, looming, and full of echoes from the past. The “book within a book” structure is cleverly executed, keeping the suspense high and the emotional stakes intimate.
Kelly Rimmer is one of my favorite authors, and while The Midnight Estate is quite different from many of her previous works, I really enjoyed the change in tone and style. Though some twists were a bit predictable, the layered characters, haunting setting, and emotional depth made this a compelling and memorable read. A great pick for fans of dual-timeline fiction and gothic family sagas.
Thank You NetGalley for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishing for the ARC of this novel.


Rimmer’s creative writing is commendable! I love different perspectives/ timeline in a story but Rimmer’s unique book within a book concept had me captivated.

Fiona has been given her childhood home where she grew up with her mother, uncle, and cousin. While most believe the mansion is haunted Fiona is beginning to restore the home to its original beauty. She struggles with her own family dynamics (recently divorced), coming home to her childhood friends, and discovering who she is in this new life chapter.

This book has it all, even a little Hocus Pocus! Beautiful storytelling, mystery, and family themes.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

This book was really great! I thought the story was interesting and the pacing was really good. I love the mystery surrounding this family and the estate. I like the differing timelines, and I thought they were executed well. It kept me interested and engaged. This book is more on the slower-paced end, but it does pick up when the book is found by our main character, Fiona. If you love mysterious family drama and history, this book is for you!

Fiona, a recently divorced empty-nester, returns to her childhood home in remote Australia after inheriting it from her uncle. With plans to restore the estate, Fiona moves in and slowly starts re-exploring the home. She tries to settle into her new home, but can't quite feel comfortable there are odd things keep happening--doors slamming shut, glasses knocked off tables, and when she comes across a book, The Midnight Estate and starts reading it, certain details feel vaguely familiar. Has her uncle left her a clue to a puzzle she didn't even know needing solving?

The Midnight Estate is a book within a book. Chapters alternate between Fiona's present-day restoration of the estate and those of the mysterious novel she's discovered. Early on in the novel these two storylines feel very disconnected, though any even mildly astute reader will quickly put the two narratives together. I love Kelly Rimmer's books, and I was really let down by this one. It just felt off. The pacing was odd--I'd been waiting for a big reveal to arrive, only to realize, that in fact, there wasn't one. This novel has a bit of an identity crisis--is it a ghost story, a mystery, a domestic suspense? A bit of all of those, and though I love a genre-blending novel, this one didn't do it well. I almost suspect that this is an earlier novel of Rimmer's that was never published and then re-vamped with a few new chapters (there were a few chapters that felt like they didn't fit the narrative at all and were thrown in just to update the feel of the book). I am still a huge Rimmer fan and will excitedly read the few I have left of hers, but if you're new to this author, I recommend you start with one of her older titles. I tandem read and listened to this one and enjoyed both formats.

This pains me to write, but I'm calling this book a DNF at 37%. Here's why:

I felt the characters lacked development and depth.

Pacing is incredibly slow.

The timelines feel disjointed, with the switches jarring. I couldn't settle into any one story. I know these timelines will intersect, but it's taking a long time and a lot of mundane detail to get there.

I didn't feel any emotional connection.

I started with the audiobook. No offense to the narrator, but her style just didn't work for me. She speaks in a staccato rhythm, choppy and punchy, with an unnecessary pause after every few words. This is especially pronounced with the male POV and dialogue from men.

I switched over to the ebook, which was slightly better, but not enough to keep me engaged.

But this is just my opinion. Other readers have loved this one, and you might too.

*Thanks to Harlequin Audio for the free audiobook download, and to MIRA Books for the free eARC.*

Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with a digital ARC of this title via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 stars- I had previously read another title by Kelly RImmer and really liked it (The Things We Cannot Say-4 stars) so I was grateful for the opportunity to read her newest title. This is about a woman who after a very hard year, moves back to her childhood home despite others warning her against this. The book is full of mystery and has a dark gothic vibe. When she comes upon a book sent to her deceased uncle, a famous author, she begins to read it and pieces together the truth of her family and her childhood home. I liked the dual narrative that gave the reader a viewpoint from both storylines as the character is figuring things out. This took a little to get into and to really grasp what was taking place, but luckily my interest and enjoyment grew as the book progressed.

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.