Publication Date: 12th March 2024
Genre: Historical Drama, Mystery, Groundhog Day
3.7 Stars
One Liner: Entertaining; drags a bit in the middle
Pearl Glenham and her father are invited to a party in the Highcliffe House on the Dorset Coast. Though her father claims he doesn’t know any of the invitees and this is a business trip, Pearl knows it is not true.
As an introvert with an emotionless and strict father, Pearl finds solace in water. She escapes to the sky and nearby cove, feeling intimidated by everyone at the party. However, she accidentally handles a mysterious clock that somehow tinkers with time and leaves Pearl in a loop, forcing her to live the last few hours of her life again and again.
There’s something she needs to do to change the outcome and get on with her life. But what? Can Pearl figure it out?
The story comes in Pearl’s third-person POV (sometimes blurs the lines with third-person omnipresent).
My Thoughts:
This is my third book with the Groundhog Day trope. It doesn’t seem boring since the executions are different. Here, the setting is historical and has a mystery with a touch of romance.
Pearl’s introduction is well done. It establishes her character and takes things from there, allowing her to grow and change throughout the book.
The other characters are not necessarily developed, but some have surprises up their sleeves.
There’s a mystery within a mystery; solve one, and you can solve the other. I guessed the other one, which helped me figure out the bigger mystery.
The time loop starts before 20%, which is good and not good. Good, because you don’t have to wait long for it. Not so good because there’s over 80% of the book left. Moreover, the initial couple of loops pass quickly.
That’s where we get a nice development to make things interesting. It is necessary since Pearl being Pearl, needs an incentive to come out of her shell.
Humor and light-hearted scenes are scattered here and there to keep the mood light. However, mystery takes a back seat in the middle and slows down the pacing. Lucky that it doesn’t happen for long.
The mystery is decent. With so many secrets and no one willing to reveal them, it gets difficult for our amateur sleuth to connect the dots. The repetition dims the impact of the climax a bit. Of course, new information is revealed, so that makes up for it.
I like the concept behind the time loop in this one. It is an integral part of the plot and has an explanation. There should be some logic to it, after all!
There’s romance, too (clean), and it is believable. A sort of third-act breakup as well, though I guessed it would happen.
A few questions remain unanswered despite the epilogue of sorts. I’d have liked a little more detail and another proper epilogue for a more rounded ending.
To summarize, At the Stroke of Midnight is an enjoyable and light read despite the uneven pacing. The setting is beautiful and enhances the narrative.
Thank you, NetGalley and Boldwood Books, for the eARC.
#NetGalley #AtTheStrokeOfMidnight
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