Mist of Midnight by Sandra Byrd

A captivating Gothic love story set against a backdrop of intrigue and danger, Mist of Midnight will leave you breathless.

Indeed, I was captivated and could not put it down. In the wake of book readings on romantic suspense titled with "midnight", it shed light, apparently, to my fondness for historical Gothic more than anything. The story was riveting, a dash inspirational and a mixture of fluttery and greyness.

With the death of her missionary parents and brother in India, Rebecca Ravenshaw returns to England after many years only to discover Headbourne House, their old Hampshire home, is not to be hers. Not only that, someone else took up her identity and tried to claim the inheritance.

It is often interesting how to take on an imposter and in this historical suspense, our true Rebecca lives on the shadow of the first 'Rebecca' who mysteriously died and was loved by many before she arrived. Oh, no, it is not exactly a chip off the du Maurier piece. Sandra Byrd's Mist of Midnight can stand alone, in spite being part of and the first book in the Daughters of Hampshire series.

The foggy grounds surrounding Headbourne House gives off a sinister atmosphere along with the rather mysterious Captain Luke Whitfield, a distant relative of her father who is presently settled at the manor and who may or may not have a hand on the death of the imposter. All the while, Rebecca is left unknowing of the circumstances and the goings-on of the house with only her sense to guide her. She is rightfully cautious, kind and self-possessed. I find her steadfastness estimable, even when she found herself attracted to Captain Whitfield, and her life in India has shaped her into this unique figure in English society.

Interestingly enough, her predicament kept pace with that of the readers. I believe that's what makes it more exciting. Gestures have become a manner of tests and suspicion, conversations become a hint for clues and intrigue. We explore things along with Rebecca and laud her up when she one-ups a rather tense or dueling situation. I'm glad the author took this route and not let two Rebeccas make a showdown of a story. Indeed, what could be harder to compete than one who is dead.

There are passages of Scriptures, being that she's a daughter of missionaries and the book may be categorized as Christian fiction, though it is light, inspiring and blends well with Rebecca's scenes. Best of all, it gives hope. Mist of Midnight is a delight to read with just the right flavor of suspense and danger mingled with sweet romance.

Summary

In the first of a brand-new series set in Victorian England, a young woman returns home from India after the death of her family to discover her identity and inheritance are challenged by the man who holds her future in his hands.

Rebecca Ravenshaw, daughter of missionaries, spent most of her life in India. Following the death of her family in the Indian Mutiny, Rebecca returns to claim her family estate in Hampshire, England. Upon her return, people are surprised to see her...and highly suspicious. Less than a year earlier, an imposter had arrived with an Indian servant and assumed not only Rebecca's name, but her home and incomes.

That pretender died within months of her arrival; the servant fled to London as the young woman was hastily buried at midnight. The locals believe that perhaps she, Rebecca, is the real imposter. Her home and her father's investments reverted to a distant relative, the darkly charming Captain Luke Whitfield, who quickly took over. Against her best intentions, Rebecca begins to fall in love with Luke, but she is forced to question his motives—does he love her or does he just want Headbourne House? If Luke is simply after the property, as everyone suspects, will she suffer a similar fate as the first “Rebecca”?

Title: Mist of Midnight
Author: Sandra Byrd
Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Christian Fiction
Published: March 2015
Publisher: Howard Books
Rating: ♨♨♨♨ ( 4 cups - A Gothic historical romance featuring an admirable heroine and a darkly charming hero with the feel of Bronte's Jane Eyre.)