At the Stroke of Midnight by Jenni Keer
Genre: Historical fiction, Contemporary fiction, Mystery
Read: 13th March 2024
Published: 12th March 2024
★★★★ 4 stars
DESCRIPTION:
It’s an invitation that will change everything…
It’s 1923 and in a decade that promises excitement and liberation, Pearl Glenham and her father are invited to a mysterious country house party on the Dorset coast, by a total stranger.
Her father claims not to have any prior association with Highcliffe House, but upon arrival, it is apparent that he has a shared history with several of the guests, although he won’t admit it. Belatedly discovering that her father was blackmailed into attending, Pearl’s worries are compounded when their host fails to arrive…
Intimidated by everyone at the party, she escapes to the nearby cove and stumbles upon a mysterious mercury clock hidden in a cave. This strange encounter sets in motion a series of events that will culminate in an horrific house fire, claiming the lives of all the guests, including Pearl herself.
But then Pearl wakes up back in the cave, seemingly destined never to live past midnight. She can repeat the day. But can she change its outcome?
A completely addictive and unforgettable 1920s mystery – with a timeslip twist – perfect for fans of Daphne duMaurier, Agatha Christie, and Lucinda Riley.
MY THOUGHTS:
Until the mystery is solved, she's trapped in time...
After reading the author's previous novel "No 23 Burlington Square" and absolutely loving it, I had high hopes for this one. While the previous one had a sliding doors theme, this one is more Agatha Christie meets Groundhog Day. And it was rather cleverly done.
The year is 1923 and Pearl Glenham has lived a somewhat sheltered life with her father Raymond in a parsonage cottage in rural Suffolk. But life as she knows it is about to change when her father receives an invitation he can ill afford to refuse. A weekend at Highcliffe House on the Jurassic coast of Dorset. Both father and daughter do not mix well in social circles and both would rather not attend. But with a curiosity to know more, Pearl sought out the letter that summoned their presence and was shocked to discover that her father was is essence being blackmailed to attend...alluding to secrets of the past that he did not wish to become public knowledge.
From the moment they arrived at Highcliffe House, they are greeted by an overfamiliar manservant and a harried cook-cum-housekeeper - the only two staff on hand to serve them. That and the pompous Harlow Standfield who had arrived just moments before them. But they were not the last to arrive, with Celine and Aldo Revallo sweeping in annonce their arrival. Each of them were curious as to their host who had yet to arrive himself - a Mr Badgerwood.
Almost from he first moment, Pearl had the distinct impression that the gathered group had met before but none of them admitted that fact. Her father had indeed stated he had never been to Highcliffe before but it was clear that he was familiar with the house. Why was he lying? Why was any of them?
Eager to escape the stifled atmosphere, Pearl changed into hr bathing costume and stole herself down to the private cove for a swim. It is on the shingled beach that she steals across a cave heralding its own treasures...and in her curiosity, set in motion a series of events that would see her relive the same afternoon over and over for weeks...each day ending before the stroke of midnight.
To escape the time in which she is trapped, Pearl must uncover a twenty year old mystery. But can she unravel the truth in time to save them all?
A rather novel concept with a Christiesque feel and a hint of Daphne du Maurier to the equivalent of Groundhog Day. I must admit I was stumped as to the mystery but I did figure out at least part of it and what happened to one of the missing members of the family. That idea came to me right from the beginning and stayed with me until it was revealed at the end.
I didn't care for any of the characters except Pearl and Ellery. Pearl's father treated her as an unpaid servant when he could quite easily accomplish the tasks himself but expected her to fulfill them. Celine and Standfield were incredibly self-absorbed.
An interesting tale which I found entertaining and whiled away a few hours this afternoon. But her previous one is a hard one to top.
And let's just take a moment to admire that simply stunning cover!!
I would like to thank #JenniKeer, #Netgalley, #BoldwoodBooks and #RachelsRandomResources for an ARC of #AtTheStrokeOfMidnight in exchange for an honest review.
MEET THE AUTHOR:
After gaining a history degree, Jenni embarked on an career in contract flooring before settling in the middle of the Suffolk countryside with her antique-restorer husband and their four teenage boys. She has valiantly attempted to master the ancient art of housework, but it remains a mystery, so is more usually found at her keyboard writing fun romantic comedies with #blindcat Seymour by her side.
When not up to her elbows in family life, she can be found busy with her Edwardian marquetry business, planning her next fancy dress party or practising her formation dance moves.
Most recently published by Headline and shortlisted for the 2023 RNA Historical Romantic Novel of the Year, her first book with Boldwood No 23 Burlington Square was published in October 2023.
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ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this beautifully considered review ☺️ and for taking the time to read At The Stroke of Midnight. Authors love bloggers!
ReplyDeleteJenni x