The Story Keeper | Book Review

By Kelly Rimmer

The Story Keeper Audiobook Cover Art

AN ENJOYABLE AND ATMOSPHERIC READ ABOUT THE IMPACT OF FAMILY SECRETS

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SUMMARY

Fiona Winslow retreats to her family’s decaying estate, Wurimbirra, after a difficult divorce. Many believe the house is haunted. But she lived there for many years, and she knows better.

When she begins restoring the house, Fiona discovers an unopened box of books that had been delivered to the house many years ago. The book is titled The Midnight Estate and was written by an unknown author; no one in the family knows anything about it.  As she begins to read, Fiona is intrigued by this mysterious book, which seems to mirror some of her own childhood experiences and draws her to consider the possibility of long-buried family secrets. Told through layered narratives, the novel blends past and present as Fiona uncovers truths about love, loss, and identity.

BOOK REVIEW

The Story Keeper was an enjoyable and atmospheric read about family secrets. It’s a delightfully haunting story-in-a-story exploring how written and inherited stories shape who we are and how we heal.

The writing highlights an ordinary person doing an extraordinary thing.  The blend of the characters, setting, and story was intriguing. I was captivated by the abandoned mansion in Wurimbirra. The character development was stellar, particularly Fiona’s bravery, strength, and intelligence.

Author Kelly Rimmer is a great storyteller herself.  In this book, she weaves a tale of the past and the present, with the book serving as a bridge between them.  The narrator, Siho Ellsmore’s performance was seamless. Her pacing, voice, and tone fit the book well.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advance audio copy of this book. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Publisher    Harlequin Audio

Published   July 21, 2026

Narrated     Siho Ellsmore

Review       www.bluestockingreviews.com