This was the second novel by Kelly Rimmer I’ve read. I read and loved The Things We Cannot Say back in 2020 and absolutely loved it! So, she’s an author I’ve always meant to return to. When I saw a new book of hers on NetGalley coming soon, I couldn’t help but request it. And overall, I’m glad I did! Read on for my thoughts on The Story Keeper.
The Summary
In the aftermath of a tumultuous year, Fiona Winslow finds solace in the decaying grandeur of Wurimbirra, the rambling family estate she once called home. Intent on restoring it, she discovers the keys to more than just the dilapidated mansionโbeneath the crumbling plaster and dust are secrets that have been buried for a generation.
When a curious book, The Midnight Estate, catches her attention in her late uncleโs library, Fiona is plunged into a tale that mirrors her ownโa story of love, loss and betrayal. But as the lines between fiction and reality blur, Fiona must ask herself: Is the true mystery the one hidden within the walls of her ancestral home, or is it within the pages of a book that chose her as much as she chose it?
My Review
Do you love books where the setting is so much a part of the story that it’s basically a main character? I’m a sucker for them, which is one of the reasons I had to request The Story Keeper from NetGalley.
Although in real life I’d probably be terrified of hanging out at Wurimbirra with its reputation for being haunted, in the story, I loved its dusty halls and peeling wallpaper. It’s spooky and supposedly haunted, yet Fiona has such fond memories of growing up there, making it have such an odd feel to it. Like what’s really happening here? How could it be haunted now but not back then?
The book find is so fun. When Fiona finds The Midnight Estate and the most curious parallels start to emerge between the book and her own life, I definitely got more sucked in. What could it possibly mean?
Although I figured out where the plot was going before any kind of big reveal, I felt like it was supposed to be that way. Like I was supposed to be putting it all together without being explicitly told what was happening. I don’t think it really detracted from my experience of the story or the overall vibe of the mystery.
There were some lovely nuggets in the book about books and reading, too, which you’ll eat up if you’re a bibliophile <3. I’ll leave you with my favorite one to end this review:
“Books are everything,” he said. “Whatever you need in lifeโescape, wisdom, knowledge, power, pick up the right book ad it will all be there. Humans have create a lot of useful technology but the ability to share stories, between friends around a fireplace or neighbors across a backyard fence, or even across great distance and languages…why, that’s the making of us.”
Overall I really enjoyed The Story Keeper. Giving this one a solid four stars.
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More About Me
- Review: The Story Keeper by Kelly Rimmer - July 23, 2026
- What We Read in May 2026 - June 10, 2026
- Review: The Creative Act by Rick Rubin - May 18, 2026