I really enjoy reading multiple-timeline novels and have particularly enjoyed Gothic-style stories that have a focus on an old house and a mystery from the past. The Midnight Estate is the first novel I have read by Kelly Rimmer and I highly recommend it to other readers who enjoy this type of fiction.

One of the timelines in this case is actually a novel within a novel. As you learn from the synopsis, the main character Fiona purchases Wurimbirra, the former home of her late uncle and a house she once called home. Her uncle was a well-known author and, while cleaning out his office, she discovers multiple copies of a novel that draws her in immediately.

Local stories tell of ghosts at Wurimbirra, and strange happenings at the house disturb Fiona, but don’t deter her from her desire to renovate the rambling house so that she can call it home once again. As she works on the project and delves into the novel she finds, fiction and reality seem to draw closer and closer together.

I found both Fiona’s story and the one told in the novel she finds (also titled The Midnight Estate) captivating. There was a bit of spookiness, just the right amount of mystery, and plenty of emotional drama. I listened to the audiobook version which doesn’t give me the time to reflect on writing skill and characterization that a physical book does, but I remained interested throughout and appreciated the narrator’s Australian accent which added an air of authenticity.

One aspect of the story that put me off a bit was that Fiona missed obvious clues to the mystery that was unfolding before her. She was a smart and thoughtful woman; I felt she would have been more savvy to what was so obvious to the reader. However, that particular issue didn’t deter me from enjoying the novel as a whole and I look forward to reading more books by this author.

I’ve enjoyed every Kelly Rimmer book I’ve read and had high expectations for this one. I don’t often listen to audiobooks through Netgalley, but I was captivated by the narrator for this one. The voice work was lovely and added to the story immensely.

The story itself was good but the dual plots didn’t always work smoothly. I enjoyed the contemporary story much more and felt it was far more developed than the “story within the story.” The cast of characters is appealing and the protagonist engaging, but the real star here is the house. My imagination worked over time imagining the house and all the secrets it held.

I had high hopes for this book based on the description, but sadly it just didn't work for me. The pacing was slow and I lost interest in the story and "mystery," which was too predictable. The characters were well done though. I love this kind of story, but maybe reading the book would be better for me with this one.

Thank you NEtGalley for an advanced audiobook. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed The Midnight Estate by Kelly Rimmer. In general, it is about domestic abuse; however, the story builds upon character relationships. I liked that it ultimately revolved around domestic issues and family drama, but the setting felt like it was going to take a turn into horror, which it didn't (thankfully). The characters kept alluding to the house being haunted, and only until the end does the reader understand the rationale behind this theory. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my opinions.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to review this e-audiobook.

If you enjoy mystery, family secrets with a little dash of creepy then this is a great book for you!

There’s a crumbling mansion, a rediscovered book, and a mystery spun through it all. After a long burdening year, Fiona returns home after many years to restore a mansion that she used to refer to as home. The family home is well known amongst the regulars as Wurimbirra, and located on the east coast of Australia.

This gothic mystery is a layered story, and character-driven for those that have a passion for mysteries intertwined.

I really enjoyed learning about the family estate, and the readings from the discovered book found at Wurimbirra. This was a book that I didn’t want to put down!

I had a hard time with the beginning of this one, but the further I got in the harder it was to put down. I had heard many great things about Kelly Rimmer and her work and was excited to try this one. I think I will be looking for more of her work to try! I enjoyed how the two timelines came together in the end to make so much sense.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and Kelly Rimmer for the opportunity to read an ARC of "The Story Keeper"!

Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin Audio for providing me with a digital audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Pitched as a book-within-a-book mystery against the backdrop of a crumbling family estate, The Midnight Estate is more of a family saga covered by the thin veil of an enticing mystery.

This has all the great makings to be a phenomenal story: an abandoned estate, family secrets, a book with a mysterious connection to the estate itself. While still enjoyable, I think The Midnight Estate fell somewhat short of what I was personally wanting out of the premise.

Set in the former grandeur of Wurimbirra, once the home of the reclusive best-selling novelist Tad Winslow, The Midnight Estate follows two interwoven narratives. The first is Fiona Winslow, the now owner of Wurimbirra who has returned nearly a decade after her uncle’s death. The second is the aptly-titled “The Midnight Estate,” a book that Fiona finds tucked away in her uncle’s office that seems to be the key to understanding the mysteries surrounding her family home—despite her mother’s incessant protestations those secrets are better left buried.

Wurimbirra is a great setting for a story involving family secrets, a seemingly remote and crumbling Australian estate with a dark history surrounding its creation. There are certainly elements of the Gothic here and Rimmer does a fairly good job capturing those elements; I just wish there was more of a bigger Gothic influence over the tone and mood of the book. I feel a similar way about Wurimbirra as a character: I wish there was a bit more time spent on the house and less on the romance (which was already pretty undercooked).

The mystery at the center of this book is probably the weakest aspect of this book in my opinion. I guessed the twist of The Midnight Estate regarding its narrators about 30–35% of the way into the book and, from there, it feels as though the story takes a detour to prolong the suspense about the mystery. That being said: as much as I found the mystery to be entirely predictable and its reveal slow-paced, I did genuinely enjoy the conclusion of the book and the way that the reveal of the mystery affected the relationship between Fiona and her mother. I think the only reasons it suffers is (1) the fact the reader knows this reveal long before Fiona, and (2) the fact that we don’t feel much invested in the relationship between Fiona and her mother for a sizable portion of the novel.

Despite its slow pace and predictability, I think The Midnight Estate is a fairly enjoyable story of a complicated family compounded by the weight of past trauma that must be brought into the light before it can be overcome.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review. All opinions here stated are my own.
Book within book stories are so fun for me, plus I am a fan of Kelly Rimmer's historical fictions, so this one ticked the boxes There are two distinct books here, which is made clear by the chapter titles. Either one of the tales could have been its own book, frankly, but Rimmer weaves them together in one longer story
Knowing how I feel about Rimmer's works, I think I would have preferred this in book format over audio. I wish the two stories were narrated by different actors, and I didnt really care for the one I had. I can't lay a finger on why really, I just wasnt made to feel compelled to keep listening. It was really easy to tune the book out. One advantage was you could do that and pick up quickly what was happening.
But please set that aside - because I enjoyed the book! Just not the narrator so much.
3.5 stars

This one was interesting and difficult for me to rate. I love gothic, haunted house stories, and I love family dramas. I was taken by surprise when it started as one and turned into the other. Regardless, I enjoyed the story. The cadence of the narrator was off for me, with poorly placed pauses in the middle of sentences, which were very distracting.

The Story Keeper by Kelly Rimmer is an enthralling story. Main character is the old family home inherited by the main character. She is able to uncover generations of secrets the house has held. The narrator is extremely talented : lovely voice to listen to and able to change voice and tone for various characters. Could not stop listening until the end!

This was my first time reading a Kelly Rimmer book! Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for providing an ARC of this amazing story! I loved the style of this book, alternating chapters between the present day main character Fiona, (who moves into her novelist uncle’s old character home many years after his death), and the chapters of a book that was found inside the home. She finds the novel so intriguing and familiar as if she knows the story already. Fiona wants to know who wrote it and why her own mother seems to be opposed to her reading the book. All the fun of cleaning and restoring an old house, family dynamics, an old crush and a charming little bookstore are all found inside this book! I was sad when I reached the ending of this book! I wanted to know what happened after the conclusion! I work in a library and I cannot wait to recommend this book to my patrons when it is released! I love discovering new authors and I’m so happy my request to read this one was approved! I knew from the description of the book, I wouldn’t be disappointed!

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.

I'm a sucker for a story centered on an interesting house, and while the house didn't really shine as the star of the book, the story within a story did. Set in Australia, this historical drama was the perfect soundtrack to my weekend of tedious chores. I think this was my first of Kelly Rimmer's books, but I'll definitely check out her older work. Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the ARC. Publishing late July 2025.

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.

Here’s a review you can use or adapt:

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Audiobook Review: The Midnight Estate by Kelly Rimmer, narrated by Siho Ellsmore

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 (or listening to) every page.

This was my first time listening to narrator Siho Ellsmore, and I was thoroughly impressed. Her voice brought the story to life with warmth and subtlety, and she handled the emotional nuances and multiple characters beautifully. She added even more depth to an already immersive experience.

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 and performed audiobook 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.

The MIDNIGHT ESTATE is a blend of historical mystery with some emotional drama mixed in. I liked the dual timelines, there were many secrets and surprises. I thought the old estate in Australia was spooky and very cool. Even though I guessed what was happening early on, it was still a very enjoyable book to listen to. I really liked the narrator, she did an excellent job of keeping me entertained!

Many thanks for my gifted ALC.
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The "twists" or links between the story and the "story within a story" book was very easily predictable. However, the strength of the novel is not in those elements, but in the setting and characters. I didn't want it to end - I wanted to stay and continue following Fiona and her mother's relationship. Maybe the "mystery" was unnecessary in the first place -nothing would have really been lost if we knew the link between Fiona and the Midnight Estate book from the start, and more time could have been spent on the characters relationships instead.

I like the premise of this spooky novel, but the execution fell flat. On the positive side, the narrator did a good job with different voices and accents and this book as a fabulous Halloween spooky feel to it with the old isolated house where unexplainable things happen. On the negative side, there was too much telling about things that had happened in the MC's past and too much detail about cleaning up. As for the book the MC starts reading, the characters in that book felt 2 dimensional. A lot of the premise was about a young woman experiencing domestic abuse and I didn't like the way that sensitive topic was handled. Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy in return for my honest opinion.

I am going to be honest. I started the book and wasn't too keen on the idea of a book within a book. I did grow on the idea and wanted to know more. Trigger warnings - spousal abuse, controlling situations, a community that won't help, and a brother that won't help.

It took a bit to get into this book. There are some storylines I would have liked to have developed further. Mostly it is about a woman that has a controlling husband that won't let her go. She asks for help, but it turned away. She knows that her time is limited. Then comes a stranger who has seen the signs firsthand. His father used to abuse his mother. He promised himself he would do anything he could to help if he ever saw the signs. Her husband is a police officer with lots of connections which makes it hard for her to leave.

A plan is made, and she escapes but lives in fear that he will find her. She has to live a lie to survive.