A throughly enjoyable murder mystery with a fascinating spin and twist!
What would you do if your day was stuck on repeat? Never destined to see midnight and wake up in the exact same point of time, in the same spot every morning?
That is the predicament Pearl finds herself in after she discovers a hidden cave full of weird and mysterious artefacts and bumping her head, rendering herself unconscious.
Up until her unexpected trip to Dorset with her father Raymond Glenham following an unexpected invitation by the mysterious Mr Mr Badgerwood, Pearl has led a very sheltered, subservient life with just her father.
Unused to being in the company of so many upperclass people, her only happiness she expects from the mysterious trip is the sea and Highcliffe House’s private cove where she can indulge her passion for swimming.
Along with her father and the other guests who all claim to have never met before and to have never met their mysterious host, Pearl instantly knows something isn’t right with the whole situation.
After dying the first night in a house fire that claims the lives of everyone there, except the male servant, Ellery, who was sleeping at the near by pub, she awakes the next morning back in the cave. But to her it is the next day, to everyone else it is still the same day as they arrived.
After living through several horrible deaths Pearl starts to investigate the other guests to try and work out how and why they are all stuck in this loop with only her knowing.
What follows will change Pearls life forever and in ways nobody will expect.
This book is full of some big characters and most of them insufferable but although the day is stuck on repeat for the other guests there are quite a few twists and turns throughout the book.
I love Pearl’s character, she is one of my favourite protagonists so far this year and I found myself willing her along, especially as the story picks up pace.
And as for the ending! Now that I was certainly not expecting. It is extremely clever and a real head spinner!
If you enjoy a really good suspense sprinkled with something special then you are going to love this book.
AT THE STROKE OF MIDNIGHT is out now and I highly recommend reading this book to everyone and is a book you don’t want to miss!

I don’t know where Jenni gets her ideas from but I’m glad she does. A very different sort of time travel book this time. Peatland her father are invited to a party at Highcliffe House in Dorset. He claims not to know why or any of the other invitees but he’s been blackmailed to attend. Pearl doesn’t get on with any of them apart from the bought in waiter but escapes to a nearby bay and finds a strange mercury clock. She hits her head and swallows some of the mercury and has a ‘groundhog’ day experience resulting in her death but coming back to do it all again with changes. It’s very intriguing and unputdownable. I loved it.

Plot

I am sure you are familiar with the concept of Groundhog Day. At the Stroke of Midnight unravels a mystery that results in just this occurrence. That is, until protagonist Pearl gets to the bottom of it!
What makes this an intriguing novel is that at the start of the book, we have no idea what historic events have brought these seemingly different and unrelated characters together. They all seem to have a past and secrets to hide. Pearl is seemingly the only guest with no agenda or understanding of what has happened before present day. She comes out of her shell as she finds the courage to start asking difficult questions, even of those she loves. 
In At the Stroke of Midnight, we have a set of core events that take place once, some that occur if timeline isn’t altered too much, and then we have some variation where alterations do occur. If that sounds like a lot to take in, I promise you it’s not! We see enough loops in the timeline that we are able to identify what sits where and recognise patterns in actions versus consequences.
I really enjoyed the mystery element to this story, and the resolution of the same fitting nicely with expectation, even if I didn’t predict it. The revelations that occur in the story are intriguing once teased out. Nothing is quite as it seems and we readers are left guessing up until the end how everything ties together. 
 


Characters

Pearl undergoes quite a bit of character development throughout the book. At the start of the story, she is a quiet, meek girl who has grown up running a household and taking care of her working father. Keeping house and waiting to be wed to a man so that she can run his household instead are her future prospects. 
The events of this book change her life trajectory completely. Without the same constraints of modern day life, Pearl starts to reinvent herself. Free of the consequences of not being able to take back her actions, she becomes far bolder and explores what it is like to live in the shoes of others. The freedom this grants her gives a taste of what it is like to be more than a wallflower, and it suits her.
Whilst Pearl is the main character of this story, she cannot come to be without the supporting cast. The group also invited to the party come from a diverse background and they all have a unique flavour. Some personalities are stronger than others, but each are distinct and enjoyable in their own right! 
If a touch of romance in your mysteries is something you enjoy, then the dynamic relationship that forms between Pearl and Ellery is one to look out for. Whilst I’m not especially one for romance, I found their relationship touching given Pearl’s background and encouragement he gives her to come out of her shell.
 


Setting

The vast majority of events in At the Stroke of Midnight take place in Highcliffe House. The books is set in an exclusive, well cared for location with elusive owners and a sketchy past. It definitely has us readers asking questions early on. What is this place, and who are the owners? What relationship do the characters of present day have to these people? 
This setting and the tension created by the plot make for an intriguing setting. The Groundhog Day element of the story, coupled with this particular setting, cemented the comparison for me with The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton. There are differences in these two books clearly, but it is reminiscent enough that fans of either book will enjoy the other. 
There are some small deviations in setting which add some variety and opportunities for character development. However, I broadly enjoyed this exclusivity; I wanted to focus on the events taking place at this recurring party and the aftermath. This is the aspect of the book I enjoyed the most. In my opinion, the execution of this fit in perfectly with the period and setting set out at the beginning.
 


Narrative Style

The style of At the Stroke of Midnight is compulsively readable and easy to digest. I personally felt the chapter lengths were perfect to convey action without unnecessary detail. That said, there are hints of detail if you are keen enough to pick them up. Consequently, if you like to try and work out the mystery as you go along, then At the Stroke of Midnight will appeal. 
I picked up this book in the evenings whilst sat cosy at home, and even in my lunch hour at work. As my experience shows, it is a perfect book to pick up and put down as and when time and opportunity suits. 
 


Summary

If you enjoy cosy mysteries or books with a historical setting, At the Stroke of Midnight is a book I strongly recommend. With a compelling storyline and complex characters to unravel, together with a protagonist who finds in herself an inner strength she didn’t know she had, there was plenty here for readers to enjoy. 
I thoroughly enjoyed picking up At the Stroke of Midnight. It is quite a quick read if you are invested in finding out what is going on in the storyline, as you’ll always be picking up just one more chapter.

I’m not sure where to start with my review other than to say I really enjoyed this book! I loved the character development of Pearl as she goes from a quiet, unassuming woman to something else entirely. The events of this story go a long way to showing Pearl new sides to herself. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with not only Pearl but with this very intriguing story. This book has serious Groundhog Day vibes but somehow makes it feel fresh and new. The reader is given new bits of information and snippets of the past each time. I loved the differences and similarities of these days along with subtle clues interspersed for Pearl and the reader to discover.

The plot itself moves at a great pace especially as more of the mystery begins to unfold. I kept changing my mind and my opinions over what could have happened. Along with the reasons for why this group of people were brought together. The best parts of this story for me was seeing Pearl’s personality really shine through. It was lovely to see this take place and of course the time travel aspect was always going to be an intriguing side of the plot.

At the Stroke of Midnight was a stand out read from start to finish. Giving me engaging characters, a mysterious tale and a hint of romance that was woven beautifully into the story. At the Stroke of Midnight had a magical feel, it really was a joy to read!

At the stroke of midnight is a quirky tale of love, family and time travel!

Pearl finds herself accompanying her father on a visit to a house he claims never to have been to before. She finds a strange collection of people and somehow finds herself stuck in a time loop. Pearl has to work out why they are all there and how she can avert a disaster in order to return time to its natural path.

She has some unlikely helpers along the way and finds out quite how many secrets are being hidden in the house and by its inhabitants!

Quirky and unique.

It's July 1923, Pearl and her father have been invited to an overnight stay in a manor at the coast. They neither know the host, nor the location, or any of the other guests, or the two people on staff. At night, after the dinner party, the house burns down with all guests inside. But, just like Bill Murray's character in Groundhog Day, Pearl wakes up again in the early afternoon of the the same day. She has to find out who is trying to kill her and the other guests to break the vicious time loop.

Because Pearl has less than twelve hours each day/loop to find out who is behind the mysterious invitation and wants to kill the guests, and why, the story drags in the middle. I skimmed the middle of the book, since nothing much happened and I could catch up with what Pearl had found out in a later chapter.

This is my fourth book by Keer and another well deserved five star review.

At the Stroke of Midnight is a brilliant mix of mystery and history, with romance and elements of something akin to Groundhog Day and 50 First Dates, where the main protagonist Pearl finds herself stuck in a loop of the evening when she and countless others lost their lives in a house fire - but can she solve the puzzle and break the loop?

This was such a hard book to read several chapters of and then put to one side, it was such a compelling plot that I had to keep going.

Brilliant book with brilliant characters. Highly recommended.

Creative and imaginative, this is a clever spin on the Christie type stories. There’s just enough darkness to make the story grip you but also light as we follow Pearl on her journey of self discovery. I really enjoyed how she was able to take the opportunity of the time changes each day to grow in confidence, and learn that life is so much more than she’d been led to believe.
With twists and intrigue on every page, this story takes you on a magical adventure as we join Pearl in trying to understand some of the secrets and mystery around her.

I fell in love with the gorgeous cover and the fell in love with the strong plot, entertaining and compelling.
Well plotted, excellent storytelling, fleshed out characters
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

At the Stroke of Midnight by Jenni Keer is an addictive read that took my by surprise—I knew I’d like it, but once I hit chapter 5, I was glued to the page until I finished the book over the course of a day and a half. I highly recommend pairing this read with a beach day as the detailed seaside descriptions felt so vibrant in combination with the smell of sea salt and the feel of the sun.

Our main character, Pearl, is a 19-year-old girl in 1923 England living with and caring for her father when they receive a mysterious invitation inviting them to a long-abandoned mansion by the sea! While at the surface-level this book is an interesting mash-up of Groundhog’s Day and Clue, it is so much more than that. It’s about coming of age and discovering yourself. There’s a sweet romantic subplot. The internal journey is as important and engaging as the the external journey and overall plot. The mystery is unique and keeps you on your toes. I did guess one of the twists, but in a satisfying kind of way.

I will say the first four chapters took me a bit (I blame beach distractions) but don’t be discouraged if that is the same for you—it is sooo worth making it past that.

Thanks so much for this ARC!

Another sublimely addictive story by this talented author. It has everything you might want in a book. A murder mystery. A groundhog Day time warp. A fabulous set of characters.. A beautiful setting. A coming of age storyline. Historical, just to add another layer of interest. And to glue it all together a dashing of romance. It really is the perfect escapist read and I loved every minute of it. This is not a book you can fit into a genre box. It is unique and rather fabulous, darling!

I loved everything about this mixed genre book. A twist on the Groundhog Day plot line set in the 1920s combined with the shared history of the characters brought the mystery/thriller part of the story, then swirled in a little paranormal/scifi to bring an interesting path to the MC as she tries to break loose from dying every day. Jenni Keer manages to keep the "dark" parts of the story from taking over, leaving the surprising reveal. This is the first Keer title I've read but now I'm on my way to check out her back library.

Another stunning read from author Jenni Keer. This is a riveting historical crime thriller with supernatural twists—something the author is so skilled at weaving together. The ending is perfect and took me by surprise because I was so engrossed in the story. It is clever, page-turning, and gripping from start to finish. Five big fat stars from me.

I love fantasy, but combine it with a good mystery and I am hooked! Keer did a wonderful job with this story and it was compulsively readable from beginning to end!

Jenni Kerr does it again! Mystery and fantasy are not my typical genre but once again I found myself engrossed. As with her previous novel the characters are fun, quirky and well developed. The plot is twisty and entertaining and will have you turning the pages trying to solve the mystery. The historical setting was beautifully illustrated, the mystery captivating with just the right touch of romance. If you enjoy historical, mystery, fun novels or just want to try something new I highly recommend At the Stroke of Midnight .

This was a delightful, twisty mystery. The characters had big personalities, each equally suspicious, which made the speculation both fun and challenging. When the big reveal came at the end, I had my suspicions but also felt that the culprit could be any of the characters. A lot of the book is focused on Pearl’s self-development, and her growth was portrayed in a believable and satisfying way.

I do think that some of the romance subplot fell into unnecessary tropes that didn’t necessarily help the story, but this was a minor gripe for me as I was more focused on Pearl’s character than the romance. I found the time travel aspect of the story fun, and I think that it appealed to a desire all of us have to speak our minds and act a little wild if there is the promise of no lasting consequences.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC. This is my honest review.

4.5/5 (rounded up to 5) A time loop of murder and self-discovery.

This was such a good read, I couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting. The twists were everything and kept me guessing. I really enjoyed it

Attending a house party in Devon sounds exciting, so Pearl is only too happy to accompany her father. But things take a mysterious turn when she uncovers blackmail. Pearl’s need to get away leads her to a hidden cave, and the discovery of a mercury clock. Shocking events change everything and Pearl finds herself trapped in time, never to go past midnight. Can she change her fate - or is she destined to be stuck in time forever?

‘At the Stroke of Midnight’ is a wonderful mixture of mystery, historical drama, and romance, with a fair dollop of fantasy thrown in. I found Pearl to be an intriguing character, who grew and developed over the course of the novel. I enjoyed the immersive nature of the story and trying to work it all out for myself. Well written and imaginative, with plenty to keep the reader glued to the page.

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.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

I enjoyed this historical crime mystery with a supernatural twist. Many of the characters are unlikeable, and all have secrets. It has elements of a locked-room classical mystery, but time rather than physical boundaries constrain the protagonists. Pearl is an introvert whose life revolves around her father's comfort. The era of female emancipation appears to be passing her by. Her father insists she attends a house party with him when he receives an invitation from a stranger. It proves to be an enlightening and life-changing experience. Complex, relatable characters and a cleverly constructed plot make this an engaging read. I like the blend of menace, mystery and mystical occurrences. Pearl's awakening to her true self is integral to the story, and so is the gentle romance.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.