THE STORY KEEPER
By: Kelly Rimmer
Narrated by: Siho Ellsmore
Published: July 21, 2026
Publisher: MIRA
Historical Fiction
Historical fiction fans who love a story within a story need to run to their local bookstores for Kelly Rimmer’s newest book. Readers might remember her for her WWII story, THE THINGS WE CANNOT SAY, which has a stunning 4.5-star rating on Goodreads, and I also loved.
Fiona has returned to the family estate after her uncle’s death. She purchased the “haunted” mansion after her uncle, a reclusive and well-known author, passed away. Disregarding her mother’s opposition to Fiona living there, she needed to return to somewhere comforting after a hurtful affair between her husband and best friend and eventual divorce. Wurimbirra is home to Fiona, and she hopes to renovate it and restore its historical significance.
“History doesn’t always stay in the past, Fiona. I hope to God you know what you’re doing.”
The novel alternates between two storylines: Fiona’s reflections on her childhood in Wurimbirra and her return to the estate in the present, and the story of a novel she discovers while there. As Fiona repeatedly clashes with her mother’s anger at her return to the estate, she becomes increasingly curious about the secrets it may be hiding. At night, strange noises and unexplained events keep her awake, leading her to wonder if the estate is haunted. While cleaning through her uncle’s belongings, Fiona discovers a box of books, all with the same title: The Midnight Estate. Deciding that reading is far more appealing than clearing away cobwebs, she begins the novel. Fiona is quickly drawn into the story of Silas and Marie, two strangers who meet in a diner and whose lives become unexpectedly intertwined.
“Never apologize for doing what you had to do to survive.”
In The Midnight Estate, Marie finds herself in a difficult position after her parents’ passing. Her father’s hidden gambling has left them with nothing, and when one of her dad’s coworkers comes in to take care of them, Marie lets him. Soon, they are married, and suddenly her life is meticulously controlled, and she finds herself trapped in an unimaginable situation. Fiona is drawn to this story. She can’t understand why her uncle has these books written by an author she can’t find anything about, and what this story has to do with her uncle.
“I’ve always known that there is power in uncovering and honoring and sharing the truth about the past. In exposing history, even history that is difficult and ugly, we can learn to walk a better path in the future.”
The collision of The Midnight Estate and Fiona’s past is shocking and emotional. The dual family stories, the mystery of Wurimbirra, and piecing together what caused the conflict between Fiona and her mother will keep the reader turning the pages to find out more about this secret past. Rimmer creates the setting of Wurimbirra, the grand estate, the overgrown garden, the small cemetery under the trees, and the mysterious noises so much so that I felt like I was tucked into the reading room of the estate. I chose to listen and read together since I had both options, which let me breeze through the novel because I couldn’t wait to find out what would happen to Marie and what the connection was to Fiona, even though I had a strong guess. The book was excellent, and Rimmer built enough tension at the end of the alternating chapters to force the reader to read…just one more.
THE STORY KEEPER will definitely make it on my Best Books of 2026 list, and I continue to be impressed by Rimmer’s storytelling. I look forward to checking out more of her backlist.
Kelly Rimmer is the author of historical and contemporary fiction, including The Warsaw Orphan, The Things We Cannot Say, and The Secret Daughter, with 3 million books sold. Her books have been translated into dozens of languages and have appeared on bestseller lists around the world, including The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today. Since 2022, Kelly has owned and operated Collins Booksellers Orange, the last remaining bookstore in the regional city she calls home.
Click HERE to purchase a copy of THE STORY KEEPER with beautiful painted edges
Other posts you might like:
Thanks to the publisher for sending a copy of this book for this review. This review is my honest opinion. If you choose to purchase through the above links, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase.
Posted Under Book Review, Kelly Rimmer, historical fiction