Scan barcode
cakt1991's review
4.0
Review posted here: https://courtneyreadsromancesite.wordpress.com/2019/07/13/review-of-midnight-on-the-river-grey-by-abigail-wilson/
bellesmoma2021's review
5.0
Abigail Wilson has solidified her spot as one of my top-10, must-read, favorite storytellers. Her books are excellent. They are captivating and highly engaging. They are the stories you read well past bedtime. Midnight on the River Grey, Ms. Wilson’s second novel, is no exception. This book is SO good! If you are a fan of Regency and/or Gothic literature, you have to read this book. Ms. Wilson has taken all of the facets of both genres and beautifully weaved them into a unique, new story that 100% kept me up well into the night. The characters are very well written. Each has relatable qualities and motivations that lure the reader into a sense of security, but there is also superb tension that makes the reader feel that characters are definitely not who they seem. I loved this aspect as it kept me on my toes constantly. In addition, the romance is well written and develops realistically over the course of the story. I cheered for Rebecca and Lewis the whole time. All in all, Midnight on the River Grey is a must-read novel that I highly recommend.
There is so much to love about Midnight on the River Grey. The Gothic characteristics alone make this novel one of the funnest books I’ve read this year. There’s a dark, spooky castle, a decrepit dower house, a creepy bridge, storms, madness, and mystery. It’s glorious! But my most favorite aspect to this novel is the relationship between Rebecca and Lewis. Actually, my favorite thing is how Lewis sees Rebecca for who she really is. I also love the moment when Rebecca realizes that out of every relationship she’s ever had — her parents, her brother, her aunt, etc. — Lewis is the first and only relationship where she is an equal and she is loved because she is Rebecca, warts and all. Those of you who follow my blog know that the swooniest thing a hero can do is really see his heroine. Being seen for who you are and loved anyway is a true gift, and Ms. Wilson writes the relationship between Rebecca and Lewis spectacularly.
Midnight on the River Grey is a wonderful novel. I’m so, so glad that I took the opportunity to escape into this fantastic story. If you are a fan of well-written, highly engaging stories, Regency Romances, and/or Gothic literature then Midnight on the River Grey is the novel for you.
I purchased a review copy of this novel in paperback from Baker Book House in June 2020 in order to review. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
There is so much to love about Midnight on the River Grey. The Gothic characteristics alone make this novel one of the funnest books I’ve read this year. There’s a dark, spooky castle, a decrepit dower house, a creepy bridge, storms, madness, and mystery. It’s glorious! But my most favorite aspect to this novel is the relationship between Rebecca and Lewis. Actually, my favorite thing is how Lewis sees Rebecca for who she really is. I also love the moment when Rebecca realizes that out of every relationship she’s ever had — her parents, her brother, her aunt, etc. — Lewis is the first and only relationship where she is an equal and she is loved because she is Rebecca, warts and all. Those of you who follow my blog know that the swooniest thing a hero can do is really see his heroine. Being seen for who you are and loved anyway is a true gift, and Ms. Wilson writes the relationship between Rebecca and Lewis spectacularly.
Midnight on the River Grey is a wonderful novel. I’m so, so glad that I took the opportunity to escape into this fantastic story. If you are a fan of well-written, highly engaging stories, Regency Romances, and/or Gothic literature then Midnight on the River Grey is the novel for you.
I purchased a review copy of this novel in paperback from Baker Book House in June 2020 in order to review. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
fiction_aficionado's review
4.0
I adore the Gothic atmosphere Abigail Wilson creates in her Regency novels. Even descriptions of perfectly mundane details, such as the room the characters are in and the time of day, are carefully calculated to perpetuate that delicious sense of uncertainty and nervousness: On Saturday night, Aunt Jo and I gathered in the drawing room, the dark night lurking beyond the curtains, a chill hovering just beyond the reach of the large fireplace.” I get tingles all over again just typing it. Couple that with a plot that really did take me by surprise in the last quarter, and you have the makings of an unputdownable read.
There were a few aspects, though, that I felt didn’t quite reach their full potential—in particular, the main characters. I’m a bit of a sucker for a Gothic hero—the more complex the better! And I did like Lewis Browning, but in some ways, that was the problem. He was a little bit too easy to like, whereas I would have preferred there to be more mystery or even broodiness about his character.
And then there was Rebecca, whom I have to admit annoyed me at times, particularly the way she went about trying to discover information about her brother’s death. She didn’t really think through some of her actions (even as she justified them to herself and the reader), and she was a fairly flat character overall. I would have loved to have seen her grow more as a person.
The romance develops subtly for the most part—just the way I like it in a Gothic—but I have to admit I sometimes wondered what Lewis saw in Rebecca. She didn’t do a lot to endear herself to him. But for those who are looking for great atmosphere and an intriguing mystery in their next Gothic read, this one is sure to satisfy.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not influenced the content of my review, which is my honest and unbiased opinion.
There were a few aspects, though, that I felt didn’t quite reach their full potential—in particular, the main characters. I’m a bit of a sucker for a Gothic hero—the more complex the better! And I did like Lewis Browning, but in some ways, that was the problem. He was a little bit too easy to like, whereas I would have preferred there to be more mystery or even broodiness about his character.
And then there was Rebecca, whom I have to admit annoyed me at times, particularly the way she went about trying to discover information about her brother’s death. She didn’t really think through some of her actions (even as she justified them to herself and the reader), and she was a fairly flat character overall. I would have loved to have seen her grow more as a person.
The romance develops subtly for the most part—just the way I like it in a Gothic—but I have to admit I sometimes wondered what Lewis saw in Rebecca. She didn’t do a lot to endear herself to him. But for those who are looking for great atmosphere and an intriguing mystery in their next Gothic read, this one is sure to satisfy.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not influenced the content of my review, which is my honest and unbiased opinion.
chautona's review against another edition
4.0
Why Do Christians Love Books about Sin and Sorrow?
Midnight on the River Grey should read like one of Shakespeare’s tragedies. Sin, sorrow, secrets combine into a plot that I absolutely couldn’t put down. To avoid TMI, I’ll just say that I didn’t put it down… even when perhaps I should have.
This was my second book by Abigail Wilson and it will not be my last. Not by a long shot. If the character of Rebecca hadn’t first caught my attention, her “voice” would have. She comes alive on the page of a novel written in first-person, and I didn’t even care.
Yes, I noticed it. Usually, that’s an issue. It wasn’t this time. In fact, I believe the book is better for it.
You won’t see me admit that often.
But if that hadn’t caught me and gripped me, the opening lines of chapter three definitely did.
Years of history and neglect had left a steady hush throughout Greybourne Hall. Almost as if the soul of the house had left it long ago and what remained was a hollow shell. From the cobweb-decorated parlor to the abandoned chapel, a transient gloom roamed the halls, leaving my body yearning for warmth.”
Wilson can write… and write well. We become immersed in Regency England and Greybourne Hall from the first page of Midnight on the River Grey. She does it with judicious use of almost lyrical description, careful attention to characterization, and a deliciously layered plot that tastes better with every bite.
Yes, I went there with a food metaphor. I’ve been unable to eat for forty-hours and food is calling my name.
The biggest objection I have to this book is that I didn’t see a faith element shown in a book published by a Christian publisher and by a Christian author. The Book of Common Prayer is mentioned–as a place for something hidden. And forgiveness is offered freely after grave sin. But I don’t read Christian fiction only because it doesn’t have sex or foul language. I read it for my faith to be encouraged. I had to dig to find it here… and it was all under deep layers.
Still, I loved it.
Not only did Abigail Wilson write a compelling story with every element perfectly placed, but she did it so subtly and delicately that I didn’t realize how phenomenal the book was until I started dissecting it for this review. Every choice she made in point of view, characterization, plot, twists, writing style—all of it is affected by the others.
It’s my contention that she did every bit of it with careful deliberation. And that it’s brilliant. Oh, so brilliant.
And all in a plot full of sin, secrets, sorrow, and oh, so much ugliness.
Why do we like this? Why would we want to read about what we so wish to avoid in life? Better still, why do we “enjoy” these things as “entertainment”—these things Jesus died for?
I have two answers for that. It took a while to figure out why I wasn’t satisfied with my original one. You see, it was incomplete.
I first thought, “Because it helps us see our own sin for the ugliness it is. It helps us understand all we’ve been saved from because we’re able to disassociate ourselves from it a bit.”
I still believe those things, but even more, I think what I discovered tonight is true. Why do Christians love books about sin and sorrow? I think the answer is less satisfying than I first assumed. The answer, I think is…
We don’t.
We don’t like any of that. What we do like is that once all that ugliness has played out on the page, something beautiful happens—a weak, pathetic imitation of what happens in real life.
See, the author takes all that ugliness and gives it meaning. Well, in a good book anyway. We see why the horrors had to happen and justice on the other side of it. Sometimes we see mercy and forgiveness.
In short, we see a shadow of the beautiful thing The Author of life does with His “characters” in their “stories.”
And Abigail Wilson’s Midnight on the River Grey is one of the best examples I’ve seen of that in a long time. When I requested a free review copy of the book, I didn’t know what to expect. Lately, I’ve been disappointed in quite a few books I’d really been looking forward to. I picked it up with a bit of trepidation, but it just plopped on my best of 2019 list without a second thought—and even with a few things that I don’t think are quite accurate. She made me not care.
Impressive.
Midnight on the River Grey should read like one of Shakespeare’s tragedies. Sin, sorrow, secrets combine into a plot that I absolutely couldn’t put down. To avoid TMI, I’ll just say that I didn’t put it down… even when perhaps I should have.
This was my second book by Abigail Wilson and it will not be my last. Not by a long shot. If the character of Rebecca hadn’t first caught my attention, her “voice” would have. She comes alive on the page of a novel written in first-person, and I didn’t even care.
Yes, I noticed it. Usually, that’s an issue. It wasn’t this time. In fact, I believe the book is better for it.
You won’t see me admit that often.
But if that hadn’t caught me and gripped me, the opening lines of chapter three definitely did.
Years of history and neglect had left a steady hush throughout Greybourne Hall. Almost as if the soul of the house had left it long ago and what remained was a hollow shell. From the cobweb-decorated parlor to the abandoned chapel, a transient gloom roamed the halls, leaving my body yearning for warmth.”
Wilson can write… and write well. We become immersed in Regency England and Greybourne Hall from the first page of Midnight on the River Grey. She does it with judicious use of almost lyrical description, careful attention to characterization, and a deliciously layered plot that tastes better with every bite.
Yes, I went there with a food metaphor. I’ve been unable to eat for forty-hours and food is calling my name.
The biggest objection I have to this book is that I didn’t see a faith element shown in a book published by a Christian publisher and by a Christian author. The Book of Common Prayer is mentioned–as a place for something hidden. And forgiveness is offered freely after grave sin. But I don’t read Christian fiction only because it doesn’t have sex or foul language. I read it for my faith to be encouraged. I had to dig to find it here… and it was all under deep layers.
Still, I loved it.
Not only did Abigail Wilson write a compelling story with every element perfectly placed, but she did it so subtly and delicately that I didn’t realize how phenomenal the book was until I started dissecting it for this review. Every choice she made in point of view, characterization, plot, twists, writing style—all of it is affected by the others.
It’s my contention that she did every bit of it with careful deliberation. And that it’s brilliant. Oh, so brilliant.
And all in a plot full of sin, secrets, sorrow, and oh, so much ugliness.
Why do we like this? Why would we want to read about what we so wish to avoid in life? Better still, why do we “enjoy” these things as “entertainment”—these things Jesus died for?
I have two answers for that. It took a while to figure out why I wasn’t satisfied with my original one. You see, it was incomplete.
I first thought, “Because it helps us see our own sin for the ugliness it is. It helps us understand all we’ve been saved from because we’re able to disassociate ourselves from it a bit.”
I still believe those things, but even more, I think what I discovered tonight is true. Why do Christians love books about sin and sorrow? I think the answer is less satisfying than I first assumed. The answer, I think is…
We don’t.
We don’t like any of that. What we do like is that once all that ugliness has played out on the page, something beautiful happens—a weak, pathetic imitation of what happens in real life.
See, the author takes all that ugliness and gives it meaning. Well, in a good book anyway. We see why the horrors had to happen and justice on the other side of it. Sometimes we see mercy and forgiveness.
In short, we see a shadow of the beautiful thing The Author of life does with His “characters” in their “stories.”
And Abigail Wilson’s Midnight on the River Grey is one of the best examples I’ve seen of that in a long time. When I requested a free review copy of the book, I didn’t know what to expect. Lately, I’ve been disappointed in quite a few books I’d really been looking forward to. I picked it up with a bit of trepidation, but it just plopped on my best of 2019 list without a second thought—and even with a few things that I don’t think are quite accurate. She made me not care.
Impressive.
deannah's review against another edition
3.0
A clean regency romantic gothic suspense novel. The genre is rather specific. And despite enjoying it, the book fell a little flat for me. (As well as her previous book.) I don't know if it is the characterization that wasn't enough or the relationship between the two main characters that wasn't convincing enough but whatever it was, I didn't LOVE it. I will probably read the third book, but I will have appropriate expectations.
thecalicobooks's review against another edition
3.0
Review originally posted at: https://thecalicobooks.wordpress.com/2019/07/02/book-review-midnight-on-the-river-grey-blog-tour/
*I received a free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. A huge thank you to the author and publisher!*
After reading the synopsis of this book, I was instantly intrigued. I love a good mystery, and that is something Midnight on the River Grey definitely has!
The thing I loved most about this book was the setting. It had such a gothic, dark vibe, without being too dark. It was a very atmospheric read!
I also loved Lewis Browning’s character. In my opinion, he was the most well-developed character in the entire novel. He was very well written and complex.
The actual premise of this novel was quite gripping. The mystery was very well done and the motive and villain was something I kept second guessing and trying to figure out until the very end! It is evident that the author put a lot of effort into creating this mystery novel.
That being said, I found myself struggling to stay connected and invested in the main character, Rebecca. I cannot explain why, exactly, I couldn’t connect with her, but there was just something about her that left me wanting a bit more.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read. Midnight on the River Grey had me intrigued until the very end! I would recommend this novel to anyone who is looking for a mystery and enjoys historical romance and Regency novels.
*I received a free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. A huge thank you to the author and publisher!*
After reading the synopsis of this book, I was instantly intrigued. I love a good mystery, and that is something Midnight on the River Grey definitely has!
The thing I loved most about this book was the setting. It had such a gothic, dark vibe, without being too dark. It was a very atmospheric read!
I also loved Lewis Browning’s character. In my opinion, he was the most well-developed character in the entire novel. He was very well written and complex.
The actual premise of this novel was quite gripping. The mystery was very well done and the motive and villain was something I kept second guessing and trying to figure out until the very end! It is evident that the author put a lot of effort into creating this mystery novel.
That being said, I found myself struggling to stay connected and invested in the main character, Rebecca. I cannot explain why, exactly, I couldn’t connect with her, but there was just something about her that left me wanting a bit more.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read. Midnight on the River Grey had me intrigued until the very end! I would recommend this novel to anyone who is looking for a mystery and enjoys historical romance and Regency novels.