In this sequel to After Midnight, Quenton takes Alix home to France after years of exile in England, but she is torn between the restoration of her fortune and her dream to build her Sterling Wood Stable into a successful racing business. She finds an unlikely friend in her uncle’s companion, Nicholas Griffon. Caught by her surprising fondness for him, Alix does not realize shadows from the past are stalking her—until she’s trapped by their darkness.
Assessment:
Plot: Shute’s sequel to After Midnight interweaves several dramatic and intriguing subplots, including the disastrous effect of family dynamics on real-life politics and a perilous mystery that puts the protagonist's business venture--and life--in jeopardy. The introduction of new characters from the past and unexpected plot twists, serve to keep readers interested in this long but rewarding read, as the mystery is slowly unraveled.
Prose: Shute’s prose has moments of affectation and grandiloquence. Yet narrative tone and language--which includes relevant phrases from foreign tongues--generally offer sophisticated and nuanced storytelling.
Originality: Dramatic family politics, secret trysts, and dangerous ghosts from the past all call to mind classic English countryside dramas, but Shute has a knack for creating atmosphere through evocative details. Dry English humor and nods to literary classics remind readers of both the stiff outward nature of English culture during this time and the exciting undertones of forbidden conversations, relationships, and financial and personal ventures.
Character Development: Shute’s mystery consists of several pairs of important foils--benevolent young lords and dashing noblemen; malicious, power-hungry villains; angelic and fallen women; neutral cooks, maids, footmen; and even equine characters. This cast, and a brash display of devious sibling rivalry, result in a rich and entertaining period novel.
Date Submitted: June 13, 2018
A rich tapestry of scenic delight, intrigue, and miss-directions in the regency & Early-Victorian era. A riveting novel, rich with unique characters that are not all who they seem to be. Some are better than their initial actions would suggest, some are worse, and some are simply not what they appear. However, through it all, the fabulous and highly intelligent horse, Midnight, remains the center of this complex weaving of truths, lies, and attempted thefts.
I received this as an ARC
