Plenty of suspense and intrigue hovers round this story, just as the fog that often envelops areas in Great Britain. Will the English countryside prove her undoing or will Rebecca Hunter survive to find her brother’s killer and bring him to justice. As the story unfolds, Rebecca is not sure what or whom to believe. The truth becomes murkier as she makes her home with her new guardian and explores the area where her brother and others have died. Will she get to the bottom of what’s going on? Is her guardian guilty or has she blamed the wrong man? This Gothic tale weaves an unfolding mystery that keeps you hooked till the end. Set in Regency England, the novel has an authentic feel of time and place as you’re immersed in the events and the plot (dual meaning here). The author crafted a skillful work and made me want to read more of her books. I received a copy from Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own.

Midnight on the River Grey, the latest from Abigail Wilson, will give you a glimpse into the life of Rebecca Hunter. In the early 1800’s and after the deaths of both of her parents, Rebecca has been left under the guardianship of Mr. Lewis Browning, a man who is surrounded by mystery!

As Rebecca and her aunt leave their home in London to relocate to Mr. Browning’s home, Greybourne Manor, she has no idea of what to expect. Will she find clues concerning her brother Jacob’s recent death or will she simply be left with unanswered questions?

The beginning of this book is a bit hard to follow; however, the final pages will bring this gothic tale to a great conclusion!

I received a copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

“Two murders. One bridge. And the truth as elusive as the fog.”

Such is the crux of the adventure and intrigue of Abigail Wilson’s “Midnight on the River Grey”. Not only is the cover gorgeous, but it also perfectly reflects the sinister ambiance that characterizes the novel. Atmospheric and foreboding, this book ushers in a sense of unease that lingers throughout the story. The setting further highlights this, with stunning descriptions that seem to make Greybourne Hall rise up out of the fog, right before readers’ eyes. With contemporaneous language, Wilson brings Regency England to life, infusing the narrative with gothic elements that serve to enhance the suspense.

From the secluded estate to the prototypical characters, “Midnight on the River Grey” has a decidedly cinematic quality to it. All is not as it seems at first blush, and there is no certainty in determining who is trustworthy. Murders, madness, conspiracy, and romance coalesce into this gently ominous novel, with a building crescendo that reverberates through the denouement. The characters are foils for each other, in both humorous and ominous ways. Rebecca Hunter relates the story from her first-person viewpoint as she works toward discovering the true story behind her brother’s death. Headstrong and impulsive, Rebecca is a daring figure, particularly during a time period when women were expected to be simpering and submissive. Lewis Browning is something of an enigma, his role as protector or villain hazy. Including the King Charles spaniel, Sophie, adds some lightheartedness while also furthering the mystery.

“Midnight on the River Grey” contains all of the essential qualities of an eerie mystery and is a clean read, albeit with only a few passing mentions of Christianity (my only complaint). I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys light suspense, Regency-era fiction, and historical romance.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through CelebrateLit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

Having heard wonderful things about Wilson's debut novel, I, of course, leaped at the chance to nab a copy of Midnight on the River Grey. And I'm so glad I did! From page one, this book drew me right into the story and I did not want to put it down.

Wilson has a beautiful writing style that fits the time period so perfectly and drew me right into the story. Everything down to the characters' dialogue is so perfectly accurate, although there were a few instances of dialogue that I felt were too modern. The plot was intriguing and kept me on my toes, guessing as to how the story would end. Although I did surmise the ending ahead of time, that didn't take away from the enjoyment of the story for me.

I loved each of the characters as well, but I have to say, they felt rather flat to me. I feel like more depth could have been added and made the story that much better. While they were good characters, and I enjoyed their story, they could have been better characters with a little more fleshing out.

All in all, I very much enjoyed this intriguing Regency novel and look forward to reading more by this talented author! If this is only her second book and it's already this good, I look forward to reading even more excellent works! I highly recommend checking this book out! You won't regret it.

‘There are some ghosts you might not want to summon back to life.’

The author has once again done a fabulous job of drawing the reader into the web of intrigue. Between nightmares, insanity, murder and suspicious occurrences you will find this Regency era story impossible to put down! I loved all the details about the Gothic style castle that added so many incredible ideas of what mystery surrounded it. The dark halls with nothing but candlelight, the creaking and shadows made me grateful I was reading in the daylight. The walks among the greenery just made me wonder if good or evil was around the corner.

Young Rebecca is banished first to Scotland and just when she thinks things are getting better she must leave London for Greybourne Hall, close to where her brother died. Will she be able to discover what really happened that dark night? Perhaps these are some of the ghosts she doesn't want resurrected! I must admit, I was very caught up trying to figure out who could be trusted.

I received an ARC through NetGalley and CelebrateLit. These impressions and opinions are my own.

I enjoyed the time period set during the 1800s in London. I could already feel a chill come over me as I started the book. The author grabbed my attention right away with the way she makes the story eerie and mysterious with words that send chills down your spine. It sure wasn't fun to be kicked out of your home and find out your new guardian was a distant cousin. Rebecca and her aunt are not thrilled but maybe Rebecca can gather information into her brothers' mysterious death.

Lewis was a strange character to me. I wasn't sure if he could be trusted and it made for a wonderful treat to find out more about him. The estate they were staying at sounded spooky and yes I would be the first to go explore the place. The land seemed to always be surrounded by fog with a heaviness that almost chocked you. How safe is she and her aunt at this new dwelling?

Regency novels can be quite intriguing if written with words that take you back in time. The author does this with such brilliance that I started to really get into the story. Oh my the secrets, dishonesty, plotting and unsavory characters were there in the midst of the story. What I liked is that the author doesn't make things obvious, rather she has readers dig deep into the story and find clues that startle them. Not everyone is who they say they are. Rebecca is getting close to finding out something about her brother that could have a lasting affect on many people.

People in the area don't think highly of Lewis and in fact believe him to be a murderer and a danger to everyone. Rebecca will need to distinguish the truth from lies in order to trust the right person. I loved how the suspense builds and how Lewis and Rebecca start to grow close. Now my question for Rebecca is, Are you keeping your friends close and your enemies closer? Get ready for a fast paced story that will leave you with unexpected outcomes and a book that has been crafted by an author that can write a story with layers that need to be peeled away to find the truth one step at a time.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

My Thoughts on Midnight on the River Grey:
Great read. New author to me but reading her bio made me want to get to know her. I love curling up with a good book and hiking as well so we must be kindred spirits. Oh and England is definitely a dream destination of mine. Let’s not even forget crazy little children, I have a few or more of those too.

First things first. The book is definitely unique. You’ve got madness and spells(not the witchcraft kind) plus murder and mystery. Everything a good suspense book has plus the added bonus of some love story thrown in.

I can’t help but feel connected to Rebecca. While I’m not an orphan and don’t have a guardian I do feel that she’s a new friend who I fiercely want to protect and champion. To lose both parents and your brother within a few years has to be hard. Add on that having a guardian that you don’t feel so friendly towards and certainly don’t trust definitely tends to muddle the thinking.

Rebecca does have an older relative who stays with her as her companion and chaperone. While Rebecca vows to never marry her companion might have other ideas.

So, I like the author’s style of writing. But there are some parts of the story that seem to drag or I don’t see the significance. I love the setting as I love anything English countryside. The resident of the dower house though, I don’t like her from the start. Just letting you know.

I consider this a great read and recommend it as a good romance/mystery. It’s not an overtly Christian one though so would be a good book to gift to a friend who might not be receptive to “preachy” fiction works.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

English moors beset by swirling mists and winds; wicked storms, dreary weather, and centuries-old decrepit buildings slowly decaying; combine to make a great Gothic tale, but not a place I would care to visit. Abigail Wilson, in Midnight on the River Grey, carefully employs dark words, effectively painting a very dreary, spooky mood in Regency England.
What is the allure of a musty setting like this? It “must” be the reader’s desire to see if the unfortunate characters can find hope or color in their lives, against all the odds of the Dickens-like environment. Rebecca has an overriding fear that she must face head-on. Lewis Browning has a horrible reputation that causes townspeople to ostracize him completely. Under the darkness of this tale is a thin ray of light struggling to find greater purchase and freedom. As a reader, I raced through the pages hoping to free Rebecca from her invisible prison. Would she determine the cause of the turmoil in her new surroundings, or would she become the next victim?
Who will not like Rebecca? She can’t seem to stay safe, but she is determined to prove her loved one innocent and make the guilty pay. Rebecca has spunk, inquisitiveness, and clear thinking in spades, although some might like her to think otherwise.
I loved the slow unwrapping of the romance as if one were unwrapping a present covered in layers of newsprint. Lewis was kind enough to sympathize with Rebecca’s feelings. That goes a long ways towards winning her respect, as opposed to just defending her father. Lewis also proves himself to be thoughtful and generous in undeniable ways. By this point, I didn’t care if Lewis was good-looking or not. Actions transform the face and person.
I wondered if maybe Rebecca had unfairly judged both her father and Lewis. My Bible reading just yesterday cautioned against judging. It seems we point fingers back at ourselves when we refuse to extend grace to others.
Aunt Jo is very likable and seems to have a quiet caution and wisdom. She is an excellent foil for Rebecca.
A quote. (I will post longer ones as memes.)
“Sometimes people do awful things when they feel justified.”
I recommend this book, with a few caveats. While it is clean, there are, however, a few situations that would make it for mature readers. There was no mention of faith, which is disappointing when the book comes from a Christian publisher.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit and NetGalley. No positive review was required and all opinions are my own.

I found this to be an incredibly riveting historical fiction suspense novel.
Here's one thing that gave me a clue, right off...I really don't care very much for stories that are written in first person.
This one is.
I didn't even notice...until it was pointed out in another review I was reading....
yep. I was that engrossed in the story while I was reading it.
I'd read this author's earlier novel, and also really liked that one, so I was really looking forward to reading this one.
I think I actually liked this one a tiny bit better!
Anyway...on to my review.

I love mysteries, and am fascinated by those Regency England days.

This story line has you jumping right into the thick of it, and I wasn't quite sure what to expect, or where it would take me.

Rebecca is extremely suspicious of her guardian, Mr. Browning, and has assumed the worst of him--that he is the one responsible for her brother Jacob's death.

Now, Browning (or Lewis, as he tells her to call him) sells the place she called home, and arranged for Rebecca and her Aunt Jo to come live with him. She wanted to be outraged, but then remembers that this would give her the perfect opportunity to investigate her brother's death.

How does that sound for a good beginning?

The heroine is feisty and determined.

The hero...well...I'm assuming that this will be Mr. Browning...and he leaves you wondering a bit, at the first.

Yes, the entire story moves right along at a rapid pace. You quickly find yourself with Rebecca in the middle of something. Not quite sure what or where. Rebecca is determined to find out who killed her brother, and the more she looks for clues, the more the mystery deepens. She's not sure who she can trust.

I enjoyed getting to know Rebecca. And Lewis. And seeing the progression of events. This story is just filled with unexpected events. You can't see from one corner to the next!

If you enjoy historical fiction, especially ones involving a mystery, and a hint of romance, then look no further!

Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Midnight on the River Grey is a must read for readers who love gothic suspense. It is filled with dark family secrets, spies, unsolved murder, a sweet romance and a beautiful atmospheric setting. With an independent heroine and an enigmatic hero, the unpredictable but sweet romance was fun to watch unfold. The mysterious setting of Greybourne Hall almost appears as a character itself under the skillful pen of Abigail Wilson. The beautiful and vivid descriptions appeal to the senses, drawing the reader into the gothic setting, providing for the perfect fictional escape.

I eagerly await Ms. Wilson's next book. Gothic suspense was one of my first loves and it is nice to find one that is a clean read.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

What if you lived in a time when someone else made all your decisions for you? Someone you never met? This is the situation that Rebecca Hunter has found herself in. Back in Regency England, women could not own land or inherit an estate, and so, often their futures were determined by the wealth of the husband they could snag. It would be bad enough to have no say in what happens to you, but imagine the person making those decisions is the very person you're sure murdered your beloved brother?
Midnight on the River Grey is a gothic Regency romance full of mystery and intrigue, where nothing is as it seems and it seems everyone has something to hide. Rebecca's guardian Lewis has been ousted by the village after he caused the death of Rebecca's brother. It was declared an accident, but Rebecca is certain it was murder and she aims to see her brother's death avenged.
Although, Midnight on the River Grey had little in the way of a Christian theme or message, the book was clean. There is mention of some "compromising situations," as well as some violence and as expected, murder. The narrative is descriptive and flowery as is pretty customary in Regency novels.
Rebecca begins to understand Lewis as she too is an outcast, sequestered to the moors of Scotland to care for her dying mother. Because of this, Rebecca is outspoken and lacking in propriety and social graces. She also carries a secret, one that spurs her to blaze her own trail in a time when that's nearly impossible. I felt for Rebecca, she's an intelligent woman, but everyone treats her as if she is as helpless as Sophie the dog, but like Sophie, Rebecca will prove to all that she is more capable than they give credit for.
I recommend Midnight on the River Grey to those who love historical murder mysteries and lovers of Regency romances. An excellent read and one you don't want to miss.

Dangerous persistence!

A young woman who has fears of descending into madness like her mother, a dead older brother, a mysterious guardian, a supportive aunt and a rather cute small dog all figure in this Regency mystery.
Things come together when Rebecca Hunter is forced to leave London to stay with her now guardian Mr. Lewis Browning at the large and inhospitable Greybourne Hall.
It appears that in this supposedly safe place, death doesn't stop with Rebecca's brother, Jacob. Just after her arrival, a friend of Lewis' is found dead under the bridge nearly in the same spot as Jacob was discovered. Couple that with, rumors about Lewis' clandestine moonlight rides are doing the rounds of the village. (Rebecca has witnessed evidence of these). The talk is so strong that the locals call Lewis the Midnight Devil.
Then there's the widow of Lewis brother, Isabell, her rakish brother Adam who leave in the Dowager residence and the neighbor Mr. Galpin. All seem to wander into the hall without a by your leave, but it's Mr. Galpin in particular who sets Rebecca's teeth on edge.
Rebecca is determined not to be forced into any marriage and to find the real cause or perpetrator of her brother's death. Lewis is her main culprit as he has accepted responsibility for having, in the darkness of the night, knocked Jacob off the bridge when his horse collided with him. However it is all somewhat hazy, especially as Lewis can barely recall any of what happened.
As Rebecca's questions increase Lewis has a running joke about her being a badger in her pursuit of various answers. And as Rebecca says, “Well, what else do badgers do, but dig?”
A most unexpected and enjoyable read, with a storyline that had me guessing up until the near end.

A Thomas Nelson ARC via NetGalley

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.

I've come to love stories set in Jane Austen time period England, and this book is a great addition to that genre. The story is told in first person and has a gothic feel to it thanks to the large estate and crumbling mansion. The heroine is determined to find justice, and the hero is misunderstood and appealing. A great combination of characters, plot, and setting. Warning: this book is haunting and the heroine will pull you deeply into her world. I was immediately sucked in and struggled to leave until the story ended.

#MidnightOnTheRiverGrey #NetGalley

This book hooked me from page one, a sspense with plenty of twists and turns. Abigail Wilson has a way with words and well developed characters. Rebecca Hunter is a strong female character, determined to find out about her brother Jacob's death. Lewis Browning is Rebecca's guardian, also known as the midnight runner, Rebecca also suspects, he might be responsible, for the death of her brother. A romantic suspense sure to keep you turning pages.

First off I have to say I LOVE THAT COVER. That alone was enough to make me want to read this book. When I found out it was a Regency Romance/ Mystery, even better.

After reading this book, I loved it even more. The sweet romance that blossomed between the characters to the twisting and turning mystery in that creeping castle. There is just so much to love about this book.

If you enjoy an great, clean historical mystery, then I highly recommend that you check this one out by Abigail Wilson.

I did not want this book to end! So suspenseful and so much intrigue. I absolutely loved the characters, the patience, the very human weaknesses, the hope, the strength. Just all around great characters! The story was wonderful. Just what I love: happy ending, sweet love story, clean and beautiful. This author is truly talented and I will be looking for more by her.

I received a complimentary copy of the book. All opinions are my own and are expressed voluntarily.

Midnight on the River Grey
By Abigail Wilson
I’ve been lost lately in historical western romances and I was happily swept up in this intriguing regency drama.
Rebecca Hunter has been orphaned and living with her aunt when she learns of her brother’s death. Although his death was accidental there is suspicion her guardian murdered her brother. In order to get the facts Rebecca and her aunt join her guardian, Lewis Browning, at Greybourne Hall. Initially living with Lewis reaffirms Rebecca’s suspicion of Lewis’s guilt in her brother’s death however in her snooping Rebecca discovers Lewis may not be the villain she thought he was. What happened to Jacob is not as simple to determine as originally thought.
This clean romance was an exciting and perfectly suspenseful read. I look forward to reading more work by Abigail Wilson.
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review which I’ve shared here. For more book reviews be sure to check out my blog: https://simplyannehere.wordpress.com/

I have been waiting months to read this! Ever since reading and loving Abigail's debut novel in January, I knew I HAD to read this one. I am happy to say it did not disappoint! It was a bit of a slower start for me and it took a bit for me to really connect to the characters, but once I did I was hooked. The mystery was great and had a couple twists I did not see coming which I really liked about the book. It connects to her first book(which I HIGHLY recommend) and also to her upcoming book that releases in the Spring of 2020. Make sure you check out Abigail's books soon!

I received this book from the publisher and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.

Midnight on the River Grey is a mesmerizingly beautiful story that combines regency era England with a plot that twists and turns, a romance reminiscent of an Austen or Bronte novel, and many elements woven throughout that heavily reminded me of Beauty and the Beast.

Right from the start, I enjoyed the character of Rebecca Hunter. Determined not to marry on account of the fact that she's convinced she's inherited her mother's severe mental illness, and never wants a husband to have to deal with such a fate like her father and herself were forced to, Rebecca plans to find a way to become self sufficient. However, life doesn't work out the way she's planned it to, and instead her and her aunt Jo are forced to move to the estate owned be her current guardian, a Mr. Browning.

Mr. Browning is surrounded by secrets, and is the person suspected of being responsible for her older brother's death a few months before. Rebecca's determined to get to the bottom of the mystery, and her quest will turn up information, secrets, and betrayals that she could never have prepared herself for.

However, her quest will also have her growing closer to Mr. Browning, and starting to doubt her earlier stances on love and marriage. How can she truly love someone that's whole life is shrouded in secrecy, and how can she ever expect anyone to love her back with just how bleak her future truly is.

From start to finish, Midnight on the River Grey is a page turner that kept me on the edge of my seat. The characters are all well developed and three dimensional, the romance was exactly what I was hoping for, the mystery kept twisting and turning all throughout and kept me guessing, the setting was captivating, the writing was atmospheric and detailed, and I loved that the romance stayed clean but still had the swoon worthy chemistry I've come to love in Christian romance novels.

With just how much I enjoyed this one, I was quite surprised to discover that this is only Abigail Wilson's second novel. Her writing comes across as seasoned and complex, and I honestly thought I was reading a book from someone who'd been in this career for years. I expect many great things from her in the future, and after how much I loved this one, I know I will for sure be looking forward to her future releases.

And I can't end this review without mentioning how much I loved the Beauty and the Beast undertones woven throughout. As someone who's a huge Disney fan, and a huge fan of retellings, I really enjoyed this addition. Rebecca comes to live in a huge house under the care of a new "beastly" guardian, there's a wing that's off limits, the library plays an important role, there's a Gaston character (Mr. Galpin), and Aunt Jo also heavily reminded me of Mrs. Potts.

I couldn't have enjoyed this beautiful story any more than I did, and it gets a perfect five star rating from me. If you're a fan of Gothic romance, historical fiction, retellings, or mysteries, than I highly recommend giving this one a chance.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the opportunity to advance read this!

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher, Thomas Nelson, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not required to give a positive review.