My anticipation was high for this book. I love Wilson's style and twists and turns. She keeps the tensions high throughout the whole story and ties up the various pieces in a neat little bow by the end of the story.



Rebecca and Lewis are thrown together by desperate circumstances. When mysterious rumors concerning her brother's death begin to surface, Rebecca finds more questions around every corner.



I love the feel of Wilson's Gothic Regency stories. Dark, mysterious, and full of plot twists. Through it all, the hope and light shine through the cracks until everything crumbles and only the truth remains.



I received a complimentary copy of Midnight on the River Grey. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Once you start this book, you’ll need to hang a ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign around your neck. In Wilson’s second Regency gothic novel, Midnight on the River Grey, Rebecca Hunter and her Aunt Jo find themselves living in genteel poverty in London. As an unmarried woman with no close male relatives, Rebecca’s guardian, Mr. Lewis Browning, holds her future in his hand.

Unfortunately, Rebecca and Aunt Jo suspect that Mr. Browning’s hands may have caused the death of Jacob Hunter, Rebecca’s beloved older brother. When Mr. Browning visits them in London and announces that he will sell the house where the two women live and open his home at Greybourne Hall to them, neither woman knows how she will bear the terror of living in a suspected murderer’s home.

But Rebecca bravely sets out to Greybourne Hall, certain that she will finally uncover the truth of Jacob’s death. Once she arrives, strange things start occurring. Aunt Jo’s dog disappears for days. Someone visits Rebecca’s room while she sleeps. A midnight rider frequents the area near the Hall. Mr. Browning’s friend meets an untimely death.

Through it all, Rebecca experiences increasing fits of terror at night—confirmation that she, too, will die a slow and tortured death. Just as her mother did. Rebecca’s investigations into her brother’s death make her question the general assumption in the village that her guardian murdered her brother.

As she learns more of Mr. Browning’s true character, she doubts the rumors. Crippled by her past and shackled by her future, Rebecca decides she must trust someone. While she trust the right person?

Regency era enthusiasts and suspense novel lovers alike will enjoy this book. If you haven’t read Wilson’s first book, In the Shadow of Croft Towers, you’ll want to add that one to your list, as well.

Midnight on the River Grey by Abigail Wilson is an enchanting story with romance and intrigue set in England in the 1800’s. Rebecca and herAunt Jo have lost their last immediate family member and fallen under the guardianship of Lewis Browning, distant cousin. They move to his home, Greybourne Hall, though Rebecca is rather reluctant to do so. She wishes to live alone with her aunt. However, she feels that life at Greybourne may help her find the answers she seeks. Her brother died a few months earlier and she believes Browning may be responsible. However, as she searches for answers and clues, her heart betrays her and she starts to develop feelings for Browning. Will she find the answers she seeks? And will her heart be able to handle the shocking truth? This book was quite good and the first I’ve read by Abigail Wilson. I did enjoy it and if you enjoy historical fiction then you will too!
I received a free copy of this story from NetGalley for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

EDITED THE REVIEW BELOW FOR AAR
I enjoy a good romantic suspense, and when this title appeared with its hint of classic Gothic romance from a well-known Christian publisher, I was intrigued. Although Midnight on the River Grey is classed by online retailers as a Christian mystery, the book is a sweet romantic mystery with no obvious spiritual or moral themes. This is a single title publication unrelated to other books.
The story opens in the Scottish Highlands where Rebecca Hunter is caring for her frail, demented mother. On her deathbed, Rebecca’s mother shares her fear that her daughter will grow to be just like her. With this ominous prediction hovering over her, Rebecca moves to London to live with her Aunt Josephine. Her elder brother Jacob had been working for Mr. Lewis Browning of Greybourne Hall, but was killed in a fall off a bridge on the Browning estate. The death is officially ruled an accident but is shrouded in mystery with hints that Lewis Browning is involved, and Rebecca is convinced her beloved brother was murdered. With Jacob’s death, the family’s entailed inheritance passed to Lewis, a distant cousin and now Rebecca’s’ guardian.
Lewis arrives in London several months later to inform the ladies that they will be relocated to Greybourne Hall, and Rebecca is incensed that he would force them to leave their home. Deeply distrusting the man’s motives and convinced of his guilt, nonetheless Rebecca sees the move as a chance to investigate the circumstances surrounding her brother’ death.
Upon arrival, recognizing the generosity of their host, Aunt Jo hints that perhaps a marriage to Lewis would secure Rebecca’s future, and Rebecca even overhears Lewis’s friend Mr. Drake suggest that she has been brought here for just that purpose. Rebecca dismisses the idea out of hand; she is here to discover what happened to her brother. As Rebecca searches for clues, her impression grows that all is not right at Greybourne Hall. The Hall itself is dark and confusing, clearly in need of refurbishing and repair. Because Lewis rarely appears during the day, the townspeople have dubbed him the Midnight Devil, a nickname Rebecca can understand when she spies Lewis riding out late at night toward strange lights among the trees. Aunt Jo’s dog mysteriously disappears for several days then reappears bearing a barely healed knife wound along her neck. When Rebecca and her aunt visit the bridge where Jacob died, they discover the body of Mr. Drake. His death is ultimately ruled an accident, but Lewis confides to Rebecca that, having seen the body and the evidence, he believes his friend was murdered. Two deaths. One bridge. Many questions and few answers. The changes in her life and the questions trigger Rebecca’s nighttime “spells”, or night terrors, which increase Rebecca’s fear of oncoming dementia. Amid the strange occurrences, Rebecca’s feelings for Lewis are slowly changing, especially after an impromptu picnic luncheon where they find common ground. They move forward cautiously, both on a personal level and to solve the murders, each uncertain of the other.
Overall, I liked the characters. Rebecca is not the classic Gothic heroine, alone in the world. She has a loving, supportive aunt on whom she can depend and enjoyed a carefree childhood before her mother’s illness. She’s curious, devoted to her brother’s memory, and although she distrusts Lewis, she is bright enough to acknowledge his good points and rely on her own interactions with him to form her impressions, not accept town gossip as truth. Lewis is well-drawn, worried about his responsibilities and the dangers facing his estate and his country, doing his best to right wrongs, and enduring some backlash from his people for it. The author expands his perspective from a focus on his responsibilities to a view toward his future and possible love in a manner appropriate for the time period and for his circumstances. The mystery clues are scattered throughout the story and are just vague enough to keep the reader guessing until the truth is revealed.
Two things bothered me throughout the story. First, in a mystery, the most important question is “Who knows what when?” I was confused as to what and when Rebecca learned about Lewis’s involvement in Jacob’s death. For example, we learn that Lewis knocked Jacob off the bridge when Rebecca refers to a previous letter that she had from her cousin Ellen. Presenting so crucial a detail in a recollection and providing no details about when this letter arrived detached the information from the story flow. If we had seen Rebecca read the letter and react to it, the information would have better supported Rebecca’s initial mistrust of Lewis. Ellen’s letters are a main source of detail about Jacob and Lewis, but presenting them as recollections diluted their impact.
Second, the emotional arcs of both the mystery and the romance are relatively short. Within the first quarter of the book, Rebecca’s growing trust and attraction to Lewis led me to believe that Rebecca and Lewis would ultimately be a couple and that Lewis was not maliciously involved in Jacob’s death. Even Aunt Jo questions Rebecca’s quick trust after so much initial animosity, and Rebecca can give her no answer. Given a romance that is settled early and a mystery in which the hero has been absolved by the heroine, the reader is left with two main characters who work together on an intellectual exercise to solve the murders, but little conflict or tension between them.
If you enjoy a light mystery story with a little spookiness and a sweet romance, you will find Midnight on the River Grey a good read. For me, how I learned of crucial details and the lack of emotional tension in both the romance the mystery storylines weakened the novel and prevent me from giving it my wholehearted recommendation.

ORIGINAL VERSION
I enjoy a good romantic suspense story, and when this title appeared with its hint of classic Gothic romance from a well-known Christian publisher, I was intrigued. Although Midnight on the River Grey is classed by online retailers as a Christian mystery, the book is a sweet romantic mystery with no obvious spiritual or moral themes.

After the death of her mother, Rebecca Hunter moves to London to live with her Aunt Josephine. The ladies have little income, but it is Rebecca’s hope that she can convince the Court of Chancery to grant her a new guardian. Once she has accomplished that, she and her aunt will be able to access the money meant for her dowry and set up their own establishment.

Mr. Lewis Browning of Greybourne Hall is Rebecca’s current guardian. In a convoluted twist of fate. her elder brother Jacob had been working for him but was killed in a fall off a bridge on the Browning estate. The death was officially ruled an accident but there are hints that Lewis Browning was somehow involved, and Rebecca is convinced that means her beloved brother was murdered. She arrived at this conclusion in no small part because of letters from her “silly, prattling” cousin Ellen whom she believes “had flushed out the details surrounding Jacob’s death.” The family’s entailed inheritance passed to Lewis, a distant cousin, giving him ample motive for the crime.

Before Rebecca can do anything to set her plan to change guardians in motion, Lewis arrives in London to inform the ladies that they will be relocated to Greybourne Hall. Rebecca is incensed that he would force them to leave their home. Deeply distrusting the man’s motives and convinced of his guilt, Rebecca nonetheless sees the move as a chance to investigate the circumstances surrounding her brother’s death.

Upon arrival at the estate, Aunt Jo hints that perhaps a marriage to Lewis would secure Rebecca’s future. She points out that Lewis has been generous in including her in his invitation for them to live at Greybourne Hall since she is not related to him, and moreover, he has gifted Rebecca with an entirely new wardrobe. Rebecca dismisses the idea of marrying him out of hand; she is there to discover what happened to her brother. As Rebecca searches for clues, her impression grows that all is not right at Greybourne Hall. The Hall itself is dark and confusing, clearly in need of refurbishing and repair. Because Lewis rarely appears during the day, the townspeople have dubbed him the Midnight Devil, a nickname Rebecca can understand when she spies Lewis riding out late at night toward strange lights among the trees. Aunt Jo’s dog mysteriously disappears for several days then reappears bearing a barely healed knife wound along her neck.

Then tragedy strikes. When Rebecca and her aunt visit the bridge where Jacob died, they discover the body of Mr. Drake, a friend of Lewis’. His death is ultimately ruled an accident, but Lewis confides to Rebecca that, having seen the body and the evidence, he believes his friend was murdered. Two deaths. One bridge. Many questions and few answers. The changes in her life and the questions trigger Rebecca’s night terrors, which increase her fear of developing the dementia her mother died of. Amid the strange occurrences, Rebecca’s feelings for Lewis are slowly changing, especially after an impromptu picnic luncheon where they find common ground. They move forward cautiously, both on a personal level and to solve the murders, each uncertain of the other.

Overall, I liked the characters. Rebecca is not your classic, alone-in-the-world Gothic heroine. She has a loving, supportive aunt on whom she can depend and enjoyed a carefree childhood before her mother’s illness. She’s curious, devoted to her brother’s memory, and although she distrusts Lewis, she is bright enough to acknowledge his good points and rely on her own interactions with him to form her impressions, not accept town gossip as truth. Lewis is well-drawn, worried about his responsibilities and the dangers facing his estate and his country, doing his best to right wrongs, and enduring some backlash from his people for it. The author expands his perspective from a focus on his responsibilities to a view toward his future and possible love in a manner appropriate for the time period and for his circumstances. The mystery clues are scattered throughout the story and are just vague enough to keep the reader guessing until the truth is revealed.

Two things bothered me throughout the story. First, in a mystery, one of the most important questions is ‘Who knew what, when?’ I was confused as to what and when Rebecca learned about Lewis’s involvement in Jacob’s death. For example, we learn that Lewis knocked Jacob off the bridge when Rebecca refers to a previous letter that she had from her cousin Ellen. Presenting so crucial a detail in a recollection and providing no details about when this letter arrived detached the information from the story flow. If we had seen Rebecca read the letter and react to it, the information would have better supported Rebecca’s initial mistrust of Lewis. Ellen’s letters are a main source of detail about Jacob and Lewis, but presenting them as recollections diluted their impact.

Second, the emotional arcs of both the mystery and the romance are relatively short. Within the first quarter of the book, Rebecca’s growing trust and attraction to Lewis led me to believe that Rebecca and Lewis would ultimately be a couple and that Lewis was not maliciously involved in Jacob’s death. Even Aunt Jo questions Rebecca’s quick trust after so much initial animosity, and Rebecca can give her no answer. Given a romance that is settled early and a mystery in which the hero has been absolved by the heroine, the reader is left with two main characters who work together on an intellectual exercise to solve the murders, but with little conflict or tension between them.

The way crucial details were presented and the lack of emotional tension in both the romance and the mystery storylines weakened Midnight on the River Grey and prevent me from giving it my wholehearted recommendation. If you like a light mystery story with a little spookiness and a sweet romance, you might find it a good read, but those looking for something with substance will need to look elsewhere.

First. Look at the background on this cover. Beautiful!

I have fond memories of gothic romances. They were my mother's choice for reading and she kept a generous supply. In my early teens I was allowed to read my first Victoria Holt and remember the fun conversation mom and I had after we both read it. Being able to share and talk about the books bonded us in a unique way. How I miss my mom and wish she could have read this book with me. She would have loved it. It's clean, suspenseful, is set in a castle and has a surprise ending.

In Midnight on the River Grey, Rebecca cares for her ill mother. Upon her death she finds herself being sent to Greybourne Hall and there she sets on a mission. Was her brother's death an accident or a murder? Is the one she begins to trust the one responsible? A beautiful setting, a strong woman, a dashing gentleman and danger keep this book intriguing.

Abigail Wilson drew me in with her characters. I loved Rebecca. She was strong and willing to search for truth. The truth was worth the risks she took and the danger she faced. She was independent and determined much like her Aunt Josephine who traveled with her. Add in Mr. Browning and the comedy relief with Aunt Josephine's personality made it so I couldn't put the book down.

This book surprised me in more ways than one. Not only did I enjoy the characters, but the suspense was balanced and timed well. I couldn't guess what was going to happen next. As a matter of fact, I was so engrossed in just enjoying the story that I didn't even try to guess. That is a sign that I'm looking for Abigail Wilson's next book.

The faith content wasn't heavy in this book, but it was there. I'd recommend this book to those who like Christian fiction, but even more so to those who are put off by consistent faith content. This book mentions it, but does so without writing specific scenes for it. Also anyone who likes suspense and romance will like this book.

*I received a free copy of this book from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley in exchange for a free review. All opinions express are my own.

As she was a new-to-me author, I didn't quite know what to expect from Abigail Wilson. Well, by chapter 3, all my uncertainties had fled, and I knew I'd found myself another author to add to my constantly-growing list of favourites!

This book was absolutely enthralling. I could not put it down! From a wonderful cast of characters to a beautiful romance, from intriguing mysteries to unexpected plot-twists, Midnight on the River Grey has it all.

The characters were deep, realistic, well-developed, and lovable. The type of characters you'd want to have tea with or hug and tell them it's all going to be okay when things go wrong.

Add to that the beautiful style in which the book was written (gorgeous descriptions that made me feel as if I had been to Greybourne Hall and a plethora of literary devices, artfully woven together to transform this enchanting story into a literary masterpiece), and you have a book not only worth reading, but also worth remembering.

I'd recommend it to fans of Jane Austen, Historical Christian Romance, Mystery, and old Manor houses/castles (seriously, I want to buy a castle now because of this book 😂😁).

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

I absolutely loved this story by Abigail Wilson! If you love Gothic romances similar to what author Victoria Holt wrote then you definitely don't want to miss reading Midnight on the River Grey. Abigail Wilson gives you plenty of murder and mystery along with romance and love that will delight you for hours while reading this wonderful story.
Rebecca Hunter is summoned to Greybourne Hall after her brother dies under mysterious circumstances, but when she gets there she doesn't know who to trust. She soon finds out that the only one she can trust is Mr. Lewis Browning known as the Midnight Devil to the locals.
I'm looking forward to reading more wonderful stories by this author in the future.

I was given an ARC from the author/publisher. All conclusions are mine and mine alone.

Midnight on the River Grey by Abigail Wilson is a tale of mystery as we journey along with the characters in solving two murders and try to figure out what the man of the manor does on his midnight rides.

Rebecca Hunter`s mother died of madness. A madness that Rebecca is sure she will repeat. When she is sent to Graybourne Hall to her guardian, she is determined to find proof that he killed her brother, Jacob. What she didn’t determine to find was how much she could fall for him.

Lewis Browning is a man who bears the scorn of the entire village. But he endures it for a greater cause. When Rebecca turns his life upside down, he tries not to let his midnight activities be known. But things done in the darkness are very often brought into the light.

Lewis and Rebecca, once working against each other, now work together to figure out who a mysterious stranger is and what he could have to do with two murders on Lewis’ estate.

I enjoyed this book. Rebecca is a fun character and I was really rooting for Lewis and hoped that he wasn’t as bad as everyone thought he was. I did have some issues with character choices. There were a few in particular that I didn’t agree with and they brought me out of the story. Other than that, they were well rounded characters who figured out a very compelling mystery and I had fun going along with them.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review. The opinions are my own.

“I have news, Aunt Jo.” I sealed the drawing room door behind me and leaned back against the heavy wood. “But it’s not what I hoped.”

– The opening lines of Midnight on the River Grey by Abigail Wilson
Set in 1813, Midnight on the River Grey by Abigail Wilson emphasizes the struggle single, young women faced. Rebecca, having lost her parents and brother, is forced to be under the guardianship of the unknown Mr Browning, the inheritor of their wealth. Independent in spirit and mind, Rebecca bucks against the traces but, along with Aunt Jo, she has no alternative to moving to Greybourne Hall and live with Mr Browning.

Lewis Browning is an enigma to both Rebecca and his neighbours. Suspected of killing Jacob, Rebecca’s brother, the atmosphere is hostile and he does little to help himself and assuage the worry of those around him disappearing at odd hours. Rebecca begins her own investigation into her brother’s death and the death of another swiftly finding herself in hot water and more confused by Lewis than ever.

Written with a gothic romance mystery style, there is a wonderful eerieness throughout the book. Candles blown out, strange dreams and mysterious masked figures weave in and out of the narrative. The story itself is a tangled and clever web which Rebecca unravels with a surprising twist at the end.

I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. The characters are interesting and the pace is swift. I highly recommend it, five out of five on the en-JOY-ment scale.

Another engaging regency romance from Abigail Wilson. I loved the slightly gothic feel of the story. The setting is almost a character in and of itself. I really enjoyed envisioning Graythorne Hall and its surroundings. Rebecca Hunter's family has all passed away and she and her aunt must go live with her guardian. Lewis Browning's reputation is in dire straights when two deaths, one being Rebecca's brother, occur within 9 months on his property. The townspeople think he's had something to do with them, so they steer clear. When Rebecca moves in, she's convinced that her brothers death wasn't accidental, but she needs help to discover what truly happened. This story line is engaging and quite enjoyable! I'm looking forward to seeing what Ms. Wilson brings us next!

I received a copy of this story through NetGalley and the publisher. A positive review was not required. All opinions expressed are my own.

"You cannot know for certain that what you've experienced will result in the same end. Braving the unknown is what makes us all human and vulnerable. Every person has a past he or she must come to live with, as well as a future that is not yet written— do not give up the fight already.”

Rebecca Hunter is trying to apply for a new guardian and how she and Aunt Jo can set up their own establishment. She is also worried about descending into madness like her mother. Her current guardian, Lewis Browning, is rumored to have caused her brother Jacob's death. However Lewis Browning arrives at their London residence to tell her that she has two weeks to vacate and move to Greybourne Hall...

Rebecca was spirited but at times she was also a bit naive and reckless. Finding out the truth behind her brother's death is what practically motivated her throughout the novel, which was nice. But sometimes it lead her to make not very wise decisions. Lewis Browning is already known as the "Midnight Devil" because he is seen riding at all hours of the night but then he also becomes implicated in Jacob's death making him hated and feared even more. However, if you've read In the Shadow of Croft Towers you know exactly what he is doing.

"Don’t plan too much, my darling. You’ll miss what is right in front of you.”

I also really liked Aunt Jo. She didn't stop Rebecca from prying about her brother's death because she also wanted to know what really happened. And while she didn't really think it would be possible for them to live independently she still supported her. BUT Lewis Browning was my favorite character. He's mysterious (it is a gothic after all) intelligent, kind, reserved and complex. He is definitely the most well written character in the book and I was disappointed that he didn't have a POV.

"Surely it was the shock of all I’d learned, the danger his conclusions indicated, but as I returned his smile, a bit of warmth filled my cheeks. There was something awfully pleasant about his dark features and wild hair, which begged to be touched."

"I followed the curious intensity behind those dark blue eyes and the moment his eyes changed. Suddenly, my world felt terribly small, like I’d experienced merely a handful of what it had to offer."

I loved Abigail Wilson's first book, In the Shadow of Croft Towers, but I think I love this one even more (maybe??). Abigail's writing is very smooth and pleasant to read. Story wise, Some things you see coming; others you do not. And I was very happy when I did not see something coming. Midnight on the River Grey is wonderful combination of romance and mystery set in a perfectly gothic setting. It's Regency plus Agatha Christie (who I love), which is always a plus in my book. Can't wait to read more by her!

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for an ARC.

In a mysterious castle we find mystery, history, suspense and secrets in the early 1800’s England. She vowed to find the truth and also find justice. Her new guardian was so much more than who she was expecting. I really liked how her search kept the story moving and how the romance developed.
I was gifted a copy no review was required. My review is voluntary.

After reading both of Abigail Wilson's books now, she's absolutely one of my go-to Regency era writers. This book featured a minor character from her first book. It was atmospheric with an absolutely wonderful, flowing writing style. Rebecca and Lewis both were intrepid, multi-layered characters whose romance was satisfying but not the focus. The plot was well planned and we were given just the right amount of information as the story went along. I started to guess some aspects of the story regarding Jacob but the plot was well written, nuanced, and original. The Christian aspect certainly was not overwhelming so if that is not something hung you normally read but do like Regency fiction, it's not off-putting.

This is my first time to read an Abigail Wilson book. I liked her writing style and the plot a lot. She has a way of describing scenes that makes you feel as though you are there. She describes the old house in a way that you can feel how creepy it is. Also when the main character, Rebecca, is walking into a dangerous situation you just want to get her by the arm and drag her away. The isweet romance between her and her guardian, Lewis is done in good taste and doesn’t just take over the story. I love a good Regency Era book and this one is filled with mystery and a surprise ending. I recommend it highly. This was a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

Midnight on the River Grey swept me away with the heavy current of mystery, deception, and madness. Whom could I believe? What clues could be trusted? I was left guessing until the end! It was one of those books where you can hardly put it down, but you don’t want it to end. Yet--you must know what happens next!!
This is only the second book I’ve read in the gothic-type style. The darkness of Greybourne hall, an intruder lurking like a ghost within the estate, and episodes of madness are all typical qualities of the genre. The first person narrative can take some getting used to, but it is a great tool to keep secrets, as we only get to ‘live’ in one person’s mind (Rebecca).
Speaking of Rebecca Hunter, I loved her spunk and her quick wit. More than once, she was able to put others in their place while still maintaining a polite tone to the conversation. But it was her fortitude to discover the truth about her brother’s death despite her deepest fears lurking in the shadows of Greybourne Hall that really endeared me to her. I wanted her to find peace both in the mystery surrounding her brother’s death and in her own troubles.
Mr. Lewis Browning is so intricately entangled in the dark mysteries of the book, I wasn’t sure if it was safe to like him. But just as he is able to soften Rebecca’s heart, he will soften yours as well. You will be drawn to the quiet, yet confident man who keeps his emotions well guarded and his work often hidden in the dark of night.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. From the very beginning, I appreciated the well-developed characters. And as I delved into the meat of the mystery, I got wonderfully lost in the pages for hours. The romance is not at the forefront but is still satisfying for romance lovers like me. It is a genuine connection and will warm your heart.
If you enjoy Regency-era novels, Gothic novels, Christian suspense and mystery, then you’ll enjoy this book from front to back.
Happy reading!
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Wow. Every time I think historical fiction can’t surprise me anymore, a new book surpasses my expectations. This book is a mix of Jane Eyre, Dickens, Agatha Christie, and Jane Austen. In other words, it has the best of both worlds, period. Yeah, so I FREAKING loved this book soooo much! It’s been a breath of fresh air, and its uniqueness was wonderful! The premise hooked me like crazy, and I couldn’t wait to get my copy soon enough. As I mentioned above, this book has all the Jane Eyre feels, so its kind of a gothic/suspenseful romance mystery *flails*.

Let’s talk about the characters, or even better, about Mr. Browning, AHHHHH!! I felt he could be the best ”Beast” in any Beauty and the Beast retelling! He is so dark and mysterious, and no one can figure him out (which is a plus point *faints*) that, in my opinion, leaves nothing to envy to many of the classic literature book characters. Then we have Rebecca. The story is told from her POV and though I wished some things about her like her immatureness and naivety were not that pronounced, I enjoyed and understood why the author chose to portray her like that. She is an inquisitive girl with such a wish for independence. The story development was perfect as well as the character development! The descriptions were good, and I felt I was living in a medieval fairytale castle! Do I recommend it? Heck, yes! Absolutely! You will not regret it.

Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Characters: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Cleanness: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Abigail Wilson’s second novel, Midnight on the River Grey, certainly gave me a lot to think about. I couldn’t shake the feeling I’d just stumbled into the castle from Beauty and the Beast. While there are no talking clocks or mouthy candlesticks, the descriptions and languid explorations of Greybourne Hall made me feel as though I walked alongside Rebecca.

Normally, I don’t enjoy a lot of descriptive narration. I flung that out the window here as I have done with very few novels in the past. The prose and writing style are so beautiful, I even went back and reread sections that described rooms…yes, rooms. They were so vivid, I could smell the dust and dampness of abandonment. I couldn’t help it. Beautiful writing will often cause a reader to do odd things. This was one of those times.

As for the story itself, Rebecca and Lewis were routine characters. I can’t say I found an instance where either surprised me. After the first few chapters, I felt I had a good handle on the plot and knew where it was headed. I would call Rebecca’s character level-headed with moments of whimsy. She’s determined to find her brother’s killer, and nothing will stand in her way…except her own faults as she tumbles into trouble because she didn’t fully think through her plan. Rebecca is a delightful mess who I could see was entrenched deep within the heart of the story.

The River Grey seems an ominous place with so many deaths already attached to it. This aspect adds to the mystery and chill factor every time someone mentions going near the water. I love a good mystery shiver. Especially when you’ve no idea who might fall prey next.

The Gothic Regency vibe intrigued me, hence the reference to dusty and misused castles. And Sophie was darling.

What has bothered me the most, and this is one of those personal preferences that is connected to all Christian Fiction, not just this novel. The actual Christian aspect is buried so deep within the layers I have to dig to find it. Not saying I want in-your-face preachiness, but I do wish the element was stronger.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book for anyone who is a fan of Regency, Gothic-style, murder/mystery, with a romance element. Any or all of those in any combination.

I requested a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

And now to go hunt up my copy of In the Shadow of Croft Towers because I’ve not read it yet.

Abigail Wilson’s sophomore release builds the gothic suspense and mystery from the first chapter to the last.
When Rebecca Hunter and her aunt are relegated to Greybourne Hall, there are a lot of questions she is determined to find answers to around the death of her brother. Who exactly is Lewis Browning and what is going on in the woods around this country estate? Who can she trust?

Wilson’s tale weaves intrigue, danger, and a growing romance until the unexpected climax that rushes the reader toward the satisfying conclusion while the first-person narrative keeps emotions and anticipation at the edge throughout the book.

Fans of regency stories with a dark and mysterious atmosphere should not miss Midnight on the River Grey.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

This book started out a little slow for me but by the middle I was completely hooked and loved how it ended. There were many twists and turns in the second half of the book. I was quite surprised by the ending and loved it. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

This is the first book I have read by this author, and Abigail Wilson is a beautiful wordsmith. The atmosphere she created for Rebecca as she searches for the truth concerning the death of her brother is truly gripping. There was always a tension about the book that had me guessing completely wrong about heroes and villains. I highly recommend this for someone who loves a quality story about the Regency period and an expert mystery.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.