Books about books are one of my favorite tropes. Pair it with a haunted house and you’ve got a winner! The reader will likely guess parts of the secrets before Fiona does, but it doesn’t take away from the enjoyment of watching everything come together. The narrator does a lovely job, and was especially good at building tensions.

A beautifully layered tale that blends past and present with heart-wrenching honesty. Kelly Rimmer’s writing pulled me in from the first page, and I couldn’t put it down. A moving story about love, secrets, and the power of truth. Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read in exhange for an honest review.

The Story Keeper by Kelly Rimmer is a gothic-tinged, atmospheric mystery wrapped in family drama, heartbreak, and a deep love for the homes that hold our histories.

After a brutal year that ended her marriage and career, Fiona Winslow returns to the only place that ever truly felt like home- Wurimbirra, her family’s sprawling, long-neglected mansion in Forbes, NSW. Left to her cousin by her beloved Uncle Tad and promptly sold to her, the estate is rumored to be haunted, a claim Fiona dismisses as small-town superstition. Still, the creaks and whispers in the empty halls and the town’s reluctance to even deliver packages are hard to ignore.

As she begins restoring the house to its former grandeur, Fiona stumbles across a forgotten novel, The Midnight Estate. The more she reads, the more the lines blur between fiction and her own life, revealing long-buried family secrets, betrayals, and an unexpected connection between past and present. Told across multiple timelines and framed by a “book within a book” structure, the story layers mystery, found family, and compassion against a richly rendered setting.

The mansion itself feels like a living character—grand, imperfect, and steeped in history, and the mystery that unravels is as much about love and trust as it is about loss and secrets. While I guessed the connection between timelines early, it didn’t diminish the satisfaction of seeing it come together in a moving, full-circle conclusion.

I listened to the audiobook and highly recommend it—the narration brings Fiona’s world, and the haunting beauty of Wurimbirra, vividly to life. For fans of atmospheric settings, generational secrets, and gothic fiction with heart, this is one to add to your list.

Special thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of this book. Kelly Rimmer was really clever in using a found novel being read as the second timeline for her novel. I was into the book the entire time, and loved the twists and turns and especially the special heartwarming ending.

This novel, also known as, the midnight estate, was a little bit of a slow burn initially. But once the story got going, especially of Silas and Marie, I was hooked. The portrayal of the house as haunted was a little bit of a put off but I’m glad I was able to disregard that and get to the true underlying issues.

The narrator did a phenomenal job of switching between feminine and masculine tones, as well as American and Australian accents.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Story Keeper by Kelly Rimmer is a beautifully woven tale that blurs the lines between past and present, love and loss, truth and myth. The dual timeline structure was compelling, and the audiobook narration brought each character to life with warmth and depth; especially the historical storyline, which felt both intimate and haunting.
I especially appreciated Rimmer’s lyrical writing and the emotional depth she brought to themes of family secrets, generational trauma, and the power of storytelling. That said, the modern-day sections sometimes dragged for me, and I found myself more invested in the historical narrative than the contemporary one. A few pacing issues aside, it was a rich and moving listen.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this immersive and touching audiobook!

“But he knew with absolute certainty that a child who does not learn to imagine becomes an adult who cannot dream. An adult who cannot create.”

This book does not come out until NEXT summer, and I cannot wait to add it to my library! Rimmer’s writing just transports you in time and place.

The mansion itself is atmospheric, but not in a scary way – though characters in the book are scared of its haunted past. It springs off the pages with such grandeur that I could imagine walking its halls. Maybe because I just renovated my childhood home and know the work and dedication that takes, but also because I can appreciate the history that radiates from a multi-generational home.

The mystery that unravels is full of heart ache and loss, and yet it is beautifully done. This story is filled with empathy, compassion, and trust. I love found family, and this one doesn’t disappoint. While I did figure out the connection between the past and present storyline, it did not take away from enjoying how the story unfolded. Be sure to check the trigger warnings as there are a few big ones.

I listened to the audio book and the narrator did an excellent job. I highly recommend this version!

If you love mystery, family drama, found family, atmospheric settings, books within a book and a splash of historical fiction, put this one on your list! Thank you @netgalley, @htp_hive, @htpbooks and @mirabooks for a gifted ALC of The Story Keeper in exchange for my honest review. This one is out July 21, 2026!

I read this book in early July 2025, prior to it being renamed, with a new cover, and new release date of next year. So, the below review is for its first version, as I’m unsure if anything will change prior to its future release.

I did love this book, especially the book-within-a-book concept. I actually loved the internal book The Midnight Estate even more! It’s so clever to essentially write two books in one, and I loved the plot of The Midnight Estate.

I enjoyed the leaps through time to two timelines, and into the book as well (for 3 converging plotlines). Silas and Maeve created a wonderful story, and I really connected with Fiona in the current timeline. I felt like it was difficult for me to keep track of the characters in each timeline, though I did get used to it fairly quickly. But truly, the book within stole the show for me.

Thank you HTP Books, HTP The Hive, and Harlequin Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review. I may come back and re-read closer to its new pub date for any changes, or to just enjoy once more.

This book is incredible! I couldn’t stop listening to it! The narrator is so good! She pulls you into the story. I’m already recommending this book to everyone. Love it!

Book Review: The Story Keeper by Kelly Rimmer
Thank you to Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for the gifted advance listening copy of this emotionally rich and beautifully atmospheric audiobook.

Kelly Rimmer’s The Story Keeper is an intricately layered gothic historical fiction audiobook that blends family mystery, dual timelines, and emotional healing. Narrated with quiet intensity by Siho Ellsmore, this novel is more than just a story—it’s an immersive experience. Set on the haunting east coast of Australia, the tale begins when Fiona Winslow, newly divorced and emotionally spent, returns to her crumbling ancestral home, Wurimbirra, after the death of her estranged uncle.

What starts as a renovation project quickly becomes a psychological and emotional excavation. Inside the dust and decay of the mansion, Fiona discovers The Midnight Estate—a mysterious manuscript that seems to echo her own life. As she reads the novel, Fiona realizes the characters and events feel oddly familiar, uncannily aligned with the unspoken traumas and secrets that have haunted her family for generations. As the fictional narrative unfolds, so does Fiona’s own—creating a book-within-a-book structure that mirrors her emotional unraveling.

Kelly Rimmer excels at character-driven storytelling, and here, her signature strengths shine. Fiona is a quietly powerful protagonist—resilient, broken, searching. Her internal conflict feels genuine, especially in her strained relationship with her emotionally distant mother. The dual timelines—one modern, one historical—interweave with skill, each layer deepening the stakes and slowly unraveling a legacy of silence, shame, and survival. There are moments of deep melancholy in this story, but also flickers of hope and redemption.

One of the most striking aspects of The Story Keeper is its setting. Wurimbirra, the family’s decaying estate, is not just a backdrop but a living, breathing character. Rimmer paints it with such vivid detail—the creaking floorboards, the chill in the air, the dust motes dancing in forgotten sunlight. The house holds secrets, and you can feel them pressing against the walls. Listening to this audiobook with headphones is like stepping into the house itself.

Narrator Siho Ellsmore brings the story to life with a voice that is both calm and emotionally attuned. Her Australian accent adds an important layer of authenticity, anchoring the story in place. She captures Fiona’s uncertainty, strength, and fear with nuance. Her performance enhances every emotional beat, making this audiobook one of the most immersive listening experiences I’ve had this year.

Thematically, The Story Keeper dives into generational trauma, domestic abuse, coercive control, the silence of women, and the emotional burden of legacy. These topics are handled with compassion and gravity, especially through the narrative Fiona finds herself reading. At times, the plot’s predictability may be noticeable—many listeners will guess the central twist early—but that doesn’t weaken the impact. The real power of the story lies not in surprise, but in the emotional weight of recognition. As Fiona pieces together the truth, so does the listener—and the revelation is still deeply satisfying.

A line from the book has stayed with me: “Some houses keep their memories in the walls, and some make you live them all over again.” That sentence encapsulates the gothic atmosphere and emotional complexity of this novel. The Story Keeper isn’t about ghosts in the traditional sense—it’s about the ghosts of memory, the echoes of pain, and the resilience it takes to confront them.

While there are moments where pacing dips—particularly in the early chapters—the payoff is worth the patient buildup. If you’re a reader who values atmospheric storytelling, character-driven plots, or dual-timeline narratives with emotional resonance, this audiobook delivers. Fans of Kate Morton, Kristin Hannah, and Wendy Webb will find much to love here.

Whether you read the physical version or listen to the audio, The Story Keeper lingers long after the final chapter. It’s not just a mystery to solve—it’s a story about survival, about the power of stories themselves to heal and reveal. This audiobook is one I’ll be recommending to readers who crave intelligent, emotional fiction with substance.

⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5/5 stars)

The Midnight Estate/The Secret Keeper
Thank you Harlequin Audio for the #gifted alc!

🗓️ July 23, 2026
🎧 Siho Ellsmore

I love going into a book completely blind. Kelly Rimmer is an author I love but she writes different genres so really… all I had to go off was the title and cover. Both of which are changing before release. I texted my group chat with, “I’m ** far in and I still don’t know what genre this is!”

Expect 👉🏼 Historical Fiction, Dual Timelines, Gothic Mansion, Australia

Fiona has long-dreamed of restoring her childhood home back to its former grandeur. After a terrible year where her life imploded, she decides it’s time to take some time to herself and move back to the mansion that everyone else seems to think is haunted. While cleaning and renovating, she finds a book that calls to her. The story is eerily familiar and tells of loss, sacrifice and secrets that were meant to stay hidden.

This book was immaculately atmospheric. I felt like I was in the story, hearing the wind whipping through the home, Fiona’s shock and attempted rational when things had been moved or broken, trying to unravel the book’s mystery while also coming to terms with what was going on physically around her.

Kelly Rimmer is fantastic. I’m not someone who reaches for Gothic reads normally, but if she writes it, I’m gonna love it.

🎧 This story was beautifully narrated and brought to life. There is something so soothing about an Australian accent!

4.5/5

Thank you, @htpbooks_audio and @netgalley for the gifted ALC! #htppartner #ad

Story Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Audio Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rundown:
✨️a crumbling/gothic mansion
✨️east coast of Australia
✨️mysterious book
✨️family secrets
✨️a book within a book
✨️DV/coercive control

Synopsis ✒️
Fiona returns to restore her family's crumbling estate after the death of her uncle. She finds a mysterious book called The Midnight Estate among his things. She's drawn to the tragic yet hopeful story and feels connected to it in an unexpected way.

Thoughts 💭
Initially, I was really confused as to what was happening in the story. There was one story going on with Fiona, who returns to her family home, and another story she's reading in a book that has two separate stories in it. It was hard to see how all three storylines would cross. The more she reads The Midnight Estate, the more things start to overlap and make sense. There is a twist at the end that I was able to figure out early on, but that didn't make it any less satisfying at the end. The story wrapped up nice and cohesively. I love that the house seemed to have a personality of its own with a gothic feel that helped set the mood of the story. This does have domestic violence in it, so that's something to be aware of. The story was narrated by Siho Ellsmore, who has an Australian accent and went perfectly with the story and made it feel more authentic.

This was an intriguing audio book which kept me listening for hours. The dual timeline took some time to intersect but with a satisfying connection. The development of the characters, time and place was interesting. This is my first book by this author and I look forward to reading more.

4.5⭐️
This was such an interesting premise: a book within a book! I was invested in the characters, the setting, and appreciated how the twists unfolded in the story.

I must admit that I approached this book with two primary motivations: its captivating cover and the author’s reputation. As a reader of her previous books, I am particularly fond of her writing style. Historical fiction is my preferred genre, and I genuinely anticipated a tale centered around a haunted house. But I was proven wrong in the theory.
Upon reading the book, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that the narrative deviated from my initial expectations. The protagonist, Fiona, emerges as a formidable woman navigating the challenges of a difficult divorce. Her emotional journey evokes empathy and sadness, while her strained relationship with her mother remains a mystery. The distance between these two characters is palpable, yet both feel relatable.
The narrator’s narration is exceptional, drawing the reader into Fiona’s world as if they were uncovering the secrets alongside her. I genuinely hope that Fiona will continue reading the book to unravel the mysteries of the characters she encounters.
It is important to acknowledge that the book addresses domestic violence, a topic that was not extensively discussed during its time of publication. Unfortunately, many individuals remain isolated, and women have suffered due to the reluctance of others to intervene when they come forward.
I highly recommend this audiobook, and I eagerly anticipate acquiring a physical copy. In fact, any work by this author is consistently exceptional.
My review will be up everywhere including instagram and tiktok..

The story Keeper
by Kelly Rimmer
Pub Date: July 21, 2025
Thanks to the author, Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Told in a dual narrative and set against the Gothic backdrop of Wurimbirra, Kelly Rimmer, bestselling author of The Things We Cannot Say, weaves an intricate and compelling tale, inviting readers into the heart of a family’s deepest secrets with an absorbing book-within-a-book mystery.
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!

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 Netgalley for this fantastic audio ARC by Kelly Rimmer. I really enjoyed the narration of this book and the story itself. I loved the spooky ghost vibe and I really felt for the main character, Fiona as she struggles with family secrets and the restoration of her uncle's house. The story was original and captivating! I thoroughly enjoyed the dual narrative and timelines of this novel. To hear the backstory and secrets from Fiona's ancestors made the book more interesting and I really liked that the author chose to tell the story through a book written by her uncle. A great read I will reommend to many!

"The Storyteller" by Kelly Rimmer is a truly moving and powerful book. It's an unforgettable story about family, secrets, and finding strength, with characters you'll genuinely care about. It's a book within a book, and I enjoy that trope a lot. I highly recommend it!