After Midnight

by Susan Sallis

Nell knows she shares a special past with her cousins, Edmund and Perry, from their young days in Gloucestershire. When a strange young man arrives, Nell discovers with a shock that he too shares some of their mysterious past. Their uncertainties can only be satisfied when the mystery is revealed.

Passion, loss, tragedy and new beginnings — a moving and heartwarming new novel from the well-loved and bestselling author of The Pumpkin Coach .

Genres: Fiction

309 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 28, 2005

About the author

Susan Sallis was the author of over twenty bestselling novels, many of them set in the West Country. She was born in Gloucestershire and lived in Somerset with her family. She died in 2020.

Reviews

[Ridhi Jain · Rating 2 out of 5]

DOMESTIC FICTION

I nearly gave up at the beginning of the book because I was confused by all the characters. There is a family tree before chapter 1 and I had to refer to it frequently to work out who was who. The main problem, I think, was so many similar names (Helen, Hattie, Hester (also called Hessie), Edward, Edmund etc). Moreover, the way the story moves on is quite confusing. A lot of things are happening all at once and it's upon the reader to figure out what goes with whom.

I did like some parts though, like the Pumpkin coach blowing up, some of the descriptions of Gloucester were nice but a little jumbled up. I'm still not sure whether I liked this book or not.

The basic plot wouldn't disappoint you.
If you want to try, go for it.

[D]

This was one of the most confusing books I've ever read.

Susan Sallis books are usually a wonderful read and I have most of her books. However, this one 'After Midnight' is one of the most confusing books I've ever read. Too many plots taking you down dead ends (and it's not a who-done-it type of book) and so many similar names that I found the whole read confusing and haphazard. Shame, because it has potential.

Not up to her usual standard.

[Wilko · Rating 2 out of 5]

In agreement with most other reviews, far too many characters to keep track of the relationships between each of them. I found myself not really caring about any one of them so started skim reading about half way through. I also found some of the attitudes and behaviours rather out dated, I was surprised to find this book was written in 2005, more like 1975.

[Craig Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

a wonderful sequel to the delightful Pumpkin Coach, but in order to enjoy it at its best it needs to be read as a sequel. Much of the plot follows on and many pf the characters were introduced in the first book. i really enjoyed both books and the end of the story was most surprising!

[Amanda Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book though I thought it wasn’t quite as good as The Pumpkin Coach. I’d definitely recommend reading The Pumpkin Coach first otherwise you won’t really understand the characters and their relationships and history with each other.

[Dorothy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Glorified incest. Lots of shallow characters aged 50+ engaged in non-descriptive shagging. Entertainment level similar to watching The Bold and The Beautiful.

[Liz Chapman · Rating 2 out of 5]

If The Pumpkin Coach was the Sunday joint then After Midnight was Definately the Monday minced joint Shepherds pie , if you see what I mean. Perhaps these two books should have been combined as one . The first book must have introduced the characters and their secrets , but alas I had not read it .After Midnight was a jumble of characters , mixed up family relationships and much hinting of family secrets and incest. By the time I had sorted out who was who,What was what , when they did it and which sibling was bonking what sibling I lost the plot and will to care any more. I did like some parts of the story like the Pumpkin coach blowing up. some of the descriptions of Gloucester were nice but a bit jumbled up . I am still not sure whether I liked this book . It was irksome but on the whole I think I did.

[Lesley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I nearly gave up at the beginning of the book because I was confused by all the characters. There is a family tree before chapter one and I had to refer to it frequently to work out who was who. The main roblem, I think, was so many similar names. We had Helen, Hattie and Hester (also called Hessie), Edmund and Edward, etc.

However, I did perservere and I did enjoy the story once I'd given up trying to work out who was who.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a follow-on to The Pumpkin Coach. You really need to read The Pumpkin Coach first to familiarise yourself with the characters and their background. I enjoyed both these books as nice 'feel good' easy reading.

[Sharon Buesnel · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was an easy to pick up & put down type read. Interesting characters although the story was quite incestuous with everyone having slept with one another at sometime or another. The railway theme presenting itself throughout the book was also an interesting distraction.