A group of people are invited to a country house party.
Pearl’s father says he doesn’t know the others there but she’s not sure she believes him.
This book started slow for me but really ended with a bang. It has a bit of a gothic feel to it and lots of surprises see the light of day. It’s a good mystery.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

At The Stroke of Midnight by Jenni Keer is a clever time loop mystery set in the 1920s. I have seen it described as a hyrbrid of an Agatha Christie novel and Groundhog Day and I have to say that strikes me as a pretty apt comparison.
When meek and obedient Pearl Glenham and her austere and domineering father receive a mysterious invite summoning them to a weekend at Highclife House she is confused, especially since her father maintains that he has no connection with the place and no idea why they are invited. They arrive to find their host is absent and there are several other equally confused guests, all of whom are apparently strangers to one another, and so the mystery deepens. When a fire breks out and claims the lives of all the guests it seems like rather an abrupt ending to our tale, however thanks to an encounter with a very unusal mercury clock in a hidden cave near the house, Pearl awakens only to relive the day of her death over and over again. Trapped in a loop her only chance of escape seems to be to solve the mystery behind the invite and figure out who wants all the guests to die and why.
Time loop stories often run the risk of being repetitive but thankfully that does not happen here., instead we get a story with real character development and a well plotted mystery that fans of that genre will enjoy. My favourite thing about the book was seeing Pearl grow into herself and step out from under her father's control. There is a nice little romance subplot too that was enjoyable without ever overtaking the main plotline.
This was a fun and enjoyable read that very successfully combined two popular geres and I am sure it will find many fans.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

What a creative fascinating story! This novel caught my attention with its cover and description and I knew I had to read it! So glad I did. This is my first Jenni Kerr novel but it won’t be the last! At the Stroke of Midnight is a unique intriguing mystery set in 1923 with a fascinating time loop scenario, that is well delivered.

Pearl Glenham, as her friend Harriet says, is ‘suitably sedate and well behaved’. She obeys her father’s every demand—including attending to ‘endless domestic responsibilities.’ We are told her mother died during childbirth and Pearl has never known her. So, it seems she is expected to take over many household duties. But Pearl is so much more as we discover. A girl whose heart loves the sea. Was her mother also a lover of it, too? Is Pearl’s own name a clue? Regardless, Pearl feels most alive and free when she is diving through its waves (and there are some wonderful descriptions to carry us away). But her father, on the other hand, hates the ocean and sees it as a dangerous place. And he is never comfortable around danger. Yet Pearl is ‘curious about the unknown’ and longs to visit unique places to see the ‘mighty lions of Africa’ or gaze at the ‘Sistine Chapel’ ceiling, or ‘walk through the street markets of India.’ She has a real thirst for seeking out various wonders of the world. But her father keeps a tight rein on her. Why?

Well, eventually we learn there is more to his background. He receives a letter that bids him to come to a mysterious country house party on the Dorset coast. Pearl wonders: was it sent by a stranger or someone he knew? But her father claims he does not know his host but when they arrive, Pearl surmises he has a connection to this man and several of the guests who have been invited. Through a sneak peek of the letter, Pearl discovers some sort of blackmail is going on. Which seems likely as her father would never make such a trip for pure enjoyment. Something is amiss and she does not know what. But she believes that ‘blackmailers only had power over those with dark secrets.’

Stressed by the environment and the people therein, Pearl escapes to the cove close by to take in the coastal vibes and stumbles upon a hidden cave. She slips, bangs her head and weird things begin to happen. That evening after she retires, she dreams of swimming in the ocean but then a black smoke infiltrates the lovely experience. She wakes and much to her horror, the residence is on fire. She attempts to escape but cannot open the window. And tries to help others. But her efforts fail. Then at the stroke of midnight, something strange happens. She is back in the cave after bumping her head with the smell of salt air jolting her back to life. Of course, it is a time-loop story (like Ground Hog day) and she soon realises her déjà vu experiences are connected to the cave. She must not only find a way of saving those who are with her in the house during the fire but also figure out the mystery of why they are there and how to escape the loop. For a while she makes a number of attempts but it is a lonely fruitless mission, until she is joined by another person who helps her unravel this bizarre mystery.

I love the character development seen in Pearl over the course of the novel: how she moves out of her mousey submissive self to become a bold woman of courage and strength. When she finds herself in some difficult situations, she tries to be more like Harriet: act boldly and ask for forgiveness later. As she breaks free from the control of her father, she uncovers the truth of why they are at this house, discovers who each person is and exposes many secrets, (with the help of her new friend). All the while her world begins to take shape and eventually make sense—including understanding the magic of the mercury clock hidden in the cave. But this unusual vehicle sets a series of intriguing events in motion to solve a dark and dangerous mystery. There are many brilliant symbols and clever artistic analogies (such as comparing herself to a plucky spider in this time loop), twists and turns, surprises and even sprinkles of humour from Pearl’s conversations and thoughts (a great tension-balancer).

The novel is filled with many visual aids of beautiful descriptions that whisked me away to the setting. I enjoyed all the explorations for truth and different scenarios played out in the time loop. But one identifiable feature that reminded me of an Agatha Christie story is the gathering of a social group that are confined to one location/house to play out the plot. The visitors who have been sent a letter to meet in this residence, start out friendly but as relationships are exposed, they deteriorate with finger-pointing, bickering and accusations that end in a huge showdown. And when confronted with the truth, there’s an ocean of denial.

This story kept me intrigued from start to finish as I followed every lead. The conflict, climax and resolution are exceptionally delivered with some brilliant surprises at the end! I loved it and cannot wait to read more of Jenni’s books. I highly recommend At the Stroke of Midnight to put an extra spark of adventure in your day! 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Boldwood Books and Negalley for a review copy.

A strange story of a party at a manor house where the people relive their day after day. Every night the day recycles back to a certain time in the afternoon. What is causing this and how do they stop it?

What a fabulous read that blends Jenni Keer's talent for historical fiction and the fantastical perfectly for an unique who dunnit.
With strong characterisations and a setting suited to Agatha Christine's detectives, I was immersed into the story and puzzle of who was behind the mysterious weekend and murderous plot. Each scene was vibrant in description allowing it to be easily imagined and giving it a strong sense of time and place.

At the Stroke of Midnight was a true delight to read. One of the biggest appeals of the time loop trope to me is the comfort of a familiar framework being paired with each creator's interpretation on the hows and the execution. It has all the benefits of revisiting a favorite story, while also being unique and engaging when done well.

And I have to say, Jenni Keer does a time loop very well.

Pearl Glenham, ever the dutiful daughter, follows her father to HIghcliffe House. She has no wish to go, beyond an interest in the sea, but her wishes have never made a significant impact on her father's decisions. As she discovers, her father has no desire to go either, but he is compelled to do so.

So begins our exploration of the mysteries of Highcliffe House and everyone drawn to this dinner, and ultimately the mystery of why someone might want to kill all of the guests, including Pearl herself.

Read this book if you like:
- closed room murder mysteries
- historical romance
- FMC coming into her own
- fantastical time loops
- you enjoy historical pacing and do NOT come in expecting a thriller speed
- historical setting written with a loving rendering of the time


I found this story to be terribly charming! Jenni Keer's prose is so descriptive, and I am absolutely looking forward to reading more of Keer's works in the future!

For a time loop story, this does take it's time to start looping. I felt this was done intentionally, giving us a thorough grounding in Pearl Glenham's world and getting us to the proverbial 'locked room', and overall I'd say it works well.

The pacing is very in line with a historical novel over a murder mystery, and the intentionality shows and shines through.

There were a things that I'm still mulling over.

- Pearl's father, who's name I didn't catch until 60% in, seems very much to be on the spectrum. I'm still reflecting on how I feel about Pearl and Raymond's dynamic and all the complexities therein.

- The hatred for journalists caught me by surprise and felt to primarily be there for a particular romance trope. (That said, as someone reading this for the joy of the time loop framework, I am in no position to cast stones.)

- The ending. It does compel me though. I think future me may love it, but the fact I'm still thinking about it and the story as a whole is a big (positive) thing for me.

Readers know to expect from the synopsis indicating the time loop plays into whether or not Pearl will ever live past midnight. I did not personally feel horrified by these deaths, but as it's not horror, that's no problem. My one small gripe is that there is a particular form of death that the author refers to as 'more peaceful' and... unfortunately, I am cursed with the knowledge that it is, in fact, one of the most painful ways to die.

I will also say, that particular scene has an amazing pay out at the end. I can forgive much for that kind of narrative reward.

I really have so many positive things to say about this book!! I'm going to have to call it a 5, as I would love a copy for my shelf in the future.

Thank you so much to Jenni Keer and Boldwood Books for allowing me to read and review an e-ARC of this story.

To sum this book up in one word... Absobloodymazing!!!
My second Jenni Keer novel and I am in love with the way she writes historical fiction, time slips, mysteries and romance all in one book.
She really is clever, the way she hides her clues throughout the book and gives her readers so many 'aha' moments throughout.
The sheer amount of twists leaves you feeling seasick in the best possible way.
I guessed the identity scenario about a third of the way through the book but with all of the new information and tidbits of mystery, I forgot and found myself forming new conclusions, only to see my mind change yet again with more clues.
A 5 star read and definite pre-order from me!
Thanks to Netgalley and the author and publisher for a temporary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Creative, unusual and brilliant!

This book is nothing like anything else I’ve read and I loved it! Pearl and her father are invited to Highcliffe House in Dorset, somewhere they have never been before and seemingly for no particular reason, but Pearl senses something is going on with her father, her stifling and only companion in life, after her mother died in childbirth.

Curious and quiet Pearl happens upon a mercury clock which throws her into a time loop where everyone in the house is murdered, only for Pearl to wake up and live the whole day again. As she investigates the impending crime each day, Pearl grows in confidence and her character really comes through, as well as that of the other somewhat shady guests.

This is the second book I have read by Jenni Keer and I really enjoy her quirky plots, mysterious with a sprinkle of supernatural - wonderful!

5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Jenni Keer and Boldwood for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Regular readers of my blog will know that my reading tends to veer towards the dark, gritty and gruesome territory more often than not. Yet last year, I found myself entirely enamoured by Jenni Keer's 'No.23 Burlington Square'. You're probably thinking that was a fluke, right? Well, no, because here comes her next offering in the form of 'At the Stroke of Midnight' and I rather enjoyed that too.

Pearl's father has been invited to a country house party by somehow he doesn't know. It seems he has very little choice but to attend, for reasons that will be discovered later on. And Pearl has to tag along, whether she likes it or not, because her daddy is one of those men who can't manage anything on his own and pretty much treats his daughter like a slave. Sorry, that sounded slightly bitter, didn't it? Anyway! It doesn't take Pearl long to realise her father is lying about never having been to this manor, or knowing any of the other invitees. What are they hiding and why? And who is this mysterious person who invited them all in the first place?

Well, Pearl will have plenty of time to figure that out all out because after chancing upon a cave full of intriguing objects, she comes across a most mysterious mercury clock. Somehow this encounter will lead to time resetting for Pearl at the stroke of midnight. But not after first suffering a horrible death. Pearl seems destined to repeat the same afternoon for eternity. Will she be able to break the loop, discover the secrets behind the walls of Highcliffe House and possibly catch a potential killer before they strike again?

There is so much to love about 'At the Stroke of Midnight'. At first, it starts out as wonderful historical fiction. The year is 1923 after all. Pearl's life is very much on the boring side of things, and Pearl herself would probably be described as mousey. This is all due to her father; a man set on routine, who shows zero emotions and who seems to think adventure, spontaneity and fun are dirty words. Then, who doesn't love a fabulous manor? Highcliffe House has supposedly been uninhabited for nearly two decades, but is in remarkable fine fettle, bar some dust. Obviously the empty rooms and vast grounds hide secrets. Then there's that mysterious clock, suddenly adding a touch of magic to this historical fiction tale. And on top of that, there might just be a will-they-won't-they type of romance thing, which would quite frankly normally annoy the bejeezus out of me, but which in this case had me very much hoping for a happy ending. I mean, seriously, who even am I?! It almost feels as if Jenni Keer has put some kind of spell on me.

'At the Stroke of Midnight' had me absolutely engrossed from the very beginning. I was worried that Pearl's loop would become repetitive but it never did. Every time she wakes up in that cave in front of the mercury clock and her day starts over, there are differences to discover. This event will change Pearl in more ways than one. I thought the author handled that really well, as it's a gradual change but also not. For some people, it's as if the changes happen in a few hours and they're finding it quite overwhelming and shocking. Pearl is definitely a character to root for. Not just on her mission to break the time loop, but because you are desperate for her to discover herself and see what her life could be like if only she could get away from her father.

Jenni Keer is an amazing storyteller and 'At the Stroke of Midnight' is a compelling and original historical murder mystery, with a great cast of characters. There were a few things I figured out long beforehand but that never ruined my reading experience. As to the identity of the mysterious host, that answer eluded me until the very end. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Highcliffe House and following Pearl on her journey. So much so, I've gone ahead and added Jenni Keer to my list of go-to authors. I can't wait to see which story she will enchant me with next.

After reading The Pearl by Steinbeck, my next read has a main character named Pearl. Love these book connections. Better yet, this gorgeous cover gave way to a fabulous Christie-esque mystery with a Groundhog Day spin and just a pinch of Downton Abbey. Pearl Glenham attends a weekend dinner party with her father and literally falls into a time loop courtesy of a mercury clepsydra she discovers in a cave. If one person in a time loop makes for a fun narrative, make it two! Ellery Brown soon joins her and now they can work together using their complementary skillsets and personalities. I was not a big fan of No. 23 Burlington Square, but this new release really works for me. Loved it. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy a little sci-fi with their Christie mystery.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGallery for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

I’m on the blog tour.

Thoroughly enjoyed the book. Although I realised early on who Pearl really was, I didn’t know much more and I loved how the story evolved

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.

It had me hooked and I kept guessing what the end would be. It’s a story of mystery, magic and love.

It’s very well written and I highly recommend this book.

Thank you Netgalley & Boldwood Books Publishing for an eARC ♥️

I just throughly enjoyed this amazing mystery novel that I think you'll love too! It's set in 1923 and follows Pearl Glenham as she gets caught up in a seriously twisty and eerie country house party. I mean, think Agatha Christie vibes with a dash of time travel - yes, please! And the best part? It's got a Groundhog Day-esque twist that had me hooked from start to finish. Pearl keeps reliving the same day, trying to change the outcome, and I was on the edge of my seat rooting for her.

I love how the author wove together elements of mystery, suspense, and the supernatural to create a truly unique story. The characters are well-developed and complex, and the writing is top-notch. Plus, the Dorset coast setting is perfectly atmospheric 😊

4+
The sins of the fathers …..

In the summer of 1923, Pearl Glenham and her father, Raymond are unexpectedly invited to Highcliffe House on the Dorset coast to attend a dinner party. Her father claims to know nothing of the country house, yet seems to know a lot about it. Pearl thinks it’s a long way to go from their Suffolk home just to attend a dinner party especially when their funds are apparently tight. The circumstances they find upon arrival are extremely puzzling, not least the assortment of guests and Pearl is anxious to return home, particularly after learning that her father has been blackmailed to attend. As she’s a keen swimmer, Pearl finds the house cove enticing and so heads for the waters. Whilst exploring, she discovers a strange mercury clock (a clepsydra) hidden in a cave. This sets in motion a most bizarre sequence of events, not least that Pearl becomes stuck in a time loop.

This is billed as Agatha Christie meets Groundhog Day and it’s all that. It’s a wonderfully entertaining and unusual escapist read, and is a clever, creative way of presenting a mystery. It’s something out of the norm and I enjoy it so much that I just go with the flow. It’s bizarre but in a really good way as there’s a great deal to keep you engaged with the novel, not least that it captures the hopeful exuberance of the 1920s as well as the situation for women.

Pearl is an excellent central character, she’s obsessed with time even before this adventure starts for her. It’s fascinating observing how she changes as the plot progresses. It allows her to become braver, everyone under estimates but she just becomes more Pearl! All the characters are well portrayed, and you do see the influence of Mrs Christie here. The house is fitting for a cozy mystery and the strained tense atmosphere within it fits perfectly too.

The longer Pearl ‘stays’ at Highcliffe House, the more the mystery of the owners of the house deepens, it’s very intriguing and becomes more so, as nefarious deeds are a foot. Threats become more overt, there’s growing menace, and there’s ugliness and darkness lurking at the heart of this story. As the twist towards the end reveal themselves, it becomes very Christiesque and dramatic. Although I do figure out part of it, it doesn’t detract from its entertainment value.

Overall, this is another engaging read from the creative Jenni Keer as it’s another novel with a large serving of magic. Recommended as it’s different.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Boldwood Books for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this copy of "At the Stroke of Midnight."

Pearl Glenham and her father receive a strange invitation to Highcliffe House for the weekend. The other guests claim they don't know each other, but Pearl is not sure of this.

In a cave with mysterious artifacts, she hits her head and disrupts a clock which causes her to keep reliving the same day. And when will it end?

The story was very inventive, creative, and fun to read. I especially enjoyed the twists at the end.

'At the Stroke of Midnight' was a fun tale that felt like a cross between Agatha Christie's 'And Then There Were None' and the movie Groundhog's Day. It featured a small cast of highly suspicious characters and although Keer throws in a few twists, the story unfolds exactly as you'd expect it to. Even though there was nothing surprising about the novel, I enjoyed it.

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

I’ve never been a fan of murder mysteries and this book has confirmed to me that they’re not my cup of tea. Still, I had to read it because I’ve enjoyed other books by Jenni Keer so much before, and in spite of it not being my preferred genre it was still an original, enjoyable and entertaining read, with a satisfying ending.
If you enjoy Agatha Christie-type mysteries with a dash of Groundhog Day and a lovely sprinkling of romance, you’ll love this book.
The aspect I liked most was the character development of Pearl, who starts out a quiet, compliant little mouse with a guilty secret born of a longing for a more adventurous life. In learning how to assert herself she doesn’t always get things right, but due to having repeated chances to try a different approach, she experiences a liberating growth of confidence. Her budding romance was also lovely.

I thoroughly enjoyed this. Groundhog Day meets Agatha Christie. Thought it was really clever and enjoyed every page.

2.5⭐️
Repetitive and stereotypical, one dimensional characters. The main character was such a pick-me that it felt like a flat heroine written by a male author.

The plot moved so slowly, 1/3 of the way in and there was still no real movement forward or mystery solving. I was bummed because the premise was promising.

Its fair to say that I'm always a tad cynical when it comes to time travel, but this was written so well that it didn't feel repetitive or tedious in anyway. It was enjoyable and the different spins and takes on it were razor sharp.

I felt well immersed in the 1920s and the cosy element was glorious.

Kept me on my toes and a good all round read.