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Until Midnight
When lies and betrayals are exposed, the perfect wedding becomes a nightmare in a gripping novel of psychological suspense by the New York Times bestselling author of Last Night and The Shadow Box.
Rhode Island’s picturesque Ocean House is the perfect setting for Kate Woodward and Conor Reid’s fairy-tale wedding weekend. But there may not be a happily ever after.
When an old friend of Conor’s disrupts the rehearsal dinner and reveals a blindsiding secret—a claim that she and Conor share a child—Kate calls off the wedding, thinking things can’t get any worse. Until the next morning, when that same woman is found with her throat slashed.
As investigators close in and suspicions mount, the evidence points to a mystery deeper than anyone imagined. The soundproof boat with telltale signs of something sinister. The mansion on the hill that lures in young girls and doesn’t let them go. A secret society whose members might be more familiar than not. And the truth of the dead woman’s past that draws Kate and Conor into a nightmare.
Rhode Island’s picturesque Ocean House is the perfect setting for Kate Woodward and Conor Reid’s fairy-tale wedding weekend. But there may not be a happily ever after.
When an old friend of Conor’s disrupts the rehearsal dinner and reveals a blindsiding secret—a claim that she and Conor share a child—Kate calls off the wedding, thinking things can’t get any worse. Until the next morning, when that same woman is found with her throat slashed.
As investigators close in and suspicions mount, the evidence points to a mystery deeper than anyone imagined. The soundproof boat with telltale signs of something sinister. The mansion on the hill that lures in young girls and doesn’t let them go. A secret society whose members might be more familiar than not. And the truth of the dead woman’s past that draws Kate and Conor into a nightmare.
376 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 30, 2026
About the author
Luanne Rice
111 books3,230 followersLuanne Rice is the New York Times bestselling author of thirty-eight novels, translated into thirty languages. Rice often writes about love, family, nature, and the sea. Most recently she has written thrillers, including one based on a murder that affected her family. She received the 2014 Connecticut Governor’s Arts Award for excellence and lifetime achievement in the Literary Arts category.
Connecticut College awarded Rice an honorary degree and invited her to donate her papers to the College’s Special Collections Library. They are archived in the Luanne Rice Collection.
Rice has also received an honorary doctorate of humane letters from St. Joseph University in West Hartford, Conn.
Several of Rice's novels have been adapted for television. Her monologue for the play Motherhood Out Loud premiered at Hartford Stage and has been performed Off-Broadway in NYC and at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles.
Rice is a Creative Affiliate of the Safina Center. She lives in southeastern Connecticut.
Connecticut College awarded Rice an honorary degree and invited her to donate her papers to the College’s Special Collections Library. They are archived in the Luanne Rice Collection.
Rice has also received an honorary doctorate of humane letters from St. Joseph University in West Hartford, Conn.
Several of Rice's novels have been adapted for television. Her monologue for the play Motherhood Out Loud premiered at Hartford Stage and has been performed Off-Broadway in NYC and at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles.
Rice is a Creative Affiliate of the Safina Center. She lives in southeastern Connecticut.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
July 3, 2026
I started reading this book at the beach where I could see the Watch Hill Lighthouse and the Ocean House Hotel. Such a great setting to read this superbly written thriller. I finished this book in two days! I would highly recommend this book!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A solid 5-star psychological thriller! I’m keeping this spoiler-free, but Rice’s writing is exceptional—gripping, sharp, and impossible to put down.
A brides fairytale wedding dreams are shattered by an accusation made during the rehersal dinner.
This book is about rich families doing horrible things, with murder and twists. I didn't see it coming!
GO READ on release day 06/ 30 / 2026
Thank you Luane Rice, publisher Thomas & Mercer, and Netgalley for this ARC.
A brides fairytale wedding dreams are shattered by an accusation made during the rehersal dinner.
This book is about rich families doing horrible things, with murder and twists. I didn't see it coming!
GO READ on release day 06/ 30 / 2026
Thank you Luane Rice, publisher Thomas & Mercer, and Netgalley for this ARC.
June 30, 2026
I've been reading Luanne Rice for over 25 years and she's one of my favorite authors. Her books never disappoint, but I think this one might be her best yet! I absolutely loved it!
It's supposed to be Kate's perfect weekend. She's marrying Conor, the love of her life, at their very favorite place, Ocean House in Watch Hill, RI. But during the rehearsal dinner, one of the guests confronts Kate with a secret about Conor that has Kate calling off the wedding. The very next morning, that guest is found across the street with their throat slashed. As the investigation ensues, investigators find disturbing evidence of a secret society, kidnapping, and human trafficking. Who are these people, and will the authorities be able to solve this case before more women go missing, including Kate?
Told in multiple POVs, this was a thrilling ride! Not only did this book keep me in suspense, but it also made me emotional! There were rich people behaving badly, a sinister boat, a mansion on a hill, dark secrets, lies, and betrayal. The setting is one of my favorite places on the East Coast, and the author describes it incredibly well. The writing is captivating and the mystery had me intrigued. I wasn't sure who could be trusted. There were plenty of twists and shocking moments that kept me on my toes! I absolutley loved the Beauty and the Beast references! An utterly gripping, completely unputdownable psychological thriller! I would HIGHLY recommend adding this one to your TBR!🩷
It's supposed to be Kate's perfect weekend. She's marrying Conor, the love of her life, at their very favorite place, Ocean House in Watch Hill, RI. But during the rehearsal dinner, one of the guests confronts Kate with a secret about Conor that has Kate calling off the wedding. The very next morning, that guest is found across the street with their throat slashed. As the investigation ensues, investigators find disturbing evidence of a secret society, kidnapping, and human trafficking. Who are these people, and will the authorities be able to solve this case before more women go missing, including Kate?
Told in multiple POVs, this was a thrilling ride! Not only did this book keep me in suspense, but it also made me emotional! There were rich people behaving badly, a sinister boat, a mansion on a hill, dark secrets, lies, and betrayal. The setting is one of my favorite places on the East Coast, and the author describes it incredibly well. The writing is captivating and the mystery had me intrigued. I wasn't sure who could be trusted. There were plenty of twists and shocking moments that kept me on my toes! I absolutley loved the Beauty and the Beast references! An utterly gripping, completely unputdownable psychological thriller! I would HIGHLY recommend adding this one to your TBR!🩷
July 11, 2026
I really enjoyed this one! It was a fast paced thriller with a lot of suspense, and the twists kept me guessing the whole way through. It definitely held my attention and was hard to put down.
My only complaint is that there are a lot of characters, and several of the names were similar enough that I had to pause a few times and remind myself who was who.
Other than that, I thought it was a great read. Luanne Rice did a really good job building tension and keeping the story moving. I’d definitely read another book by her.
My only complaint is that there are a lot of characters, and several of the names were similar enough that I had to pause a few times and remind myself who was who.
Other than that, I thought it was a great read. Luanne Rice did a really good job building tension and keeping the story moving. I’d definitely read another book by her.
June 13, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC for my review. WOW! What a thriller. This book brings to light secrets so very harmful and unimaginable that have been going on for many years. Things begin to crumble though at Kate and Conor’s pre wedding festivities when a strange woman shows up and reveals her twisted secret of her past with Conor. Needless to say the wedding does not happen and things start to unravel in their lives and in this town. A psychiatric facility becomes the center of a human trafficking investigation that involves death and kidnapping among other things. If you love a good psychological, thriller, you won’t want to miss this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Until Midnight takes the glossy perfection of a seaside celebration and slowly, deliciously fractures it. Ocean House, with its sweeping Rhode Island views and fairy‑tale charm, should have been the backdrop to Kate and Conor’s perfect beginning. Instead, it becomes the stage for a series of betrayals that unravel their lives with startling speed.
The novel opens with a jolt: a woman from Conor’s past crashing the rehearsal dinner with a revelation sharp enough to slice through the champagne glow. Her claim—that she and Conor share a child—shatters Kate’s trust and sends the wedding spiralling before it even begins. But the true shock comes the next morning, when that same woman is found murdered, her throat slashed, and the celebration turns into a crime scene.
From there, the story tightens beautifully. The investigation exposes cracks in every direction: a soundproof boat with unsettling secrets, a mansion on the hill with a history no one wants to discuss, and whispers of a secret society that feels both outlandish and disturbingly plausible. Each thread pulls Kate and Conor deeper into a maze of lies, where every truth seems to carry a shadow.
What makes the book so compelling is the way it blends high‑society glamour with creeping dread. The author captures that unsettling contrast—the clink of crystal glasses against the rising hum of suspicion, the ocean breeze carrying secrets no one wants unearthed. Kate’s emotional journey is especially gripping; her heartbreak, confusion, and determination give the story its pulse.
By the time the final revelations land, the novel has shifted from a wedding‑gone‑wrong drama into something darker, twistier, and far more dangerous than it first appears.
A gripping, atmospheric psychological thriller that turns a dream wedding into a chilling descent into secrets, power, and the lies we tell to protect the life we want.
With thanks to Luanne Rice, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
The novel opens with a jolt: a woman from Conor’s past crashing the rehearsal dinner with a revelation sharp enough to slice through the champagne glow. Her claim—that she and Conor share a child—shatters Kate’s trust and sends the wedding spiralling before it even begins. But the true shock comes the next morning, when that same woman is found murdered, her throat slashed, and the celebration turns into a crime scene.
From there, the story tightens beautifully. The investigation exposes cracks in every direction: a soundproof boat with unsettling secrets, a mansion on the hill with a history no one wants to discuss, and whispers of a secret society that feels both outlandish and disturbingly plausible. Each thread pulls Kate and Conor deeper into a maze of lies, where every truth seems to carry a shadow.
What makes the book so compelling is the way it blends high‑society glamour with creeping dread. The author captures that unsettling contrast—the clink of crystal glasses against the rising hum of suspicion, the ocean breeze carrying secrets no one wants unearthed. Kate’s emotional journey is especially gripping; her heartbreak, confusion, and determination give the story its pulse.
By the time the final revelations land, the novel has shifted from a wedding‑gone‑wrong drama into something darker, twistier, and far more dangerous than it first appears.
A gripping, atmospheric psychological thriller that turns a dream wedding into a chilling descent into secrets, power, and the lies we tell to protect the life we want.
With thanks to Luanne Rice, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is the first and only book I have read from this author and I must say I will be looking out for more. This is the story of long held secrets, a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. In a way it is a story that somewhat haunts you as what happens in this book can and does happen if and around the world.
The story starts quite quietly with the preparations for a wedding, family and friends together to celebrate, all set within a beautiful setting. But soon it becomes clear that there is something amiss as bride Kate is thrust into a world she could never have know was coming. A woman from her fiancé past, tales and lies of his commitment to her and then a murder.
And so the real story begins as the investigation gets underway. There is much more to this story than first meets the eye, there are many players, many suspects and many victims. But who can you trust, who are your friends and who is lying to you. This is what the whole story revolves around as the case is cracked wide, the truth eventually comes out and the people behind the horrors that have been happening to young girls over many years finally comes to light.
You won't believe what is coming and who is involved as you read page after page of this tense, dramatic and thrilling read.
Until Midnight
Luanne Rice
Thomas & Mercer
The story starts quite quietly with the preparations for a wedding, family and friends together to celebrate, all set within a beautiful setting. But soon it becomes clear that there is something amiss as bride Kate is thrust into a world she could never have know was coming. A woman from her fiancé past, tales and lies of his commitment to her and then a murder.
And so the real story begins as the investigation gets underway. There is much more to this story than first meets the eye, there are many players, many suspects and many victims. But who can you trust, who are your friends and who is lying to you. This is what the whole story revolves around as the case is cracked wide, the truth eventually comes out and the people behind the horrors that have been happening to young girls over many years finally comes to light.
You won't believe what is coming and who is involved as you read page after page of this tense, dramatic and thrilling read.
Until Midnight
Luanne Rice
Thomas & Mercer
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was my first Luanne Rice book and I should have been reading her sooner! Loved this one! I will definitely be adding her to my tbr. I do see this is part of a series but I think it was fine as a standalone.
Brief Summary: This is a book about love, secrets, and lies. Kate and Conor are getting married and then disaster strikes. The wedding weekend is here, but at the rehearsal dinner a woman named Belinda approaches Kate with some disturbing news. She tells Kate that her and Conor have known each other since childhood, that they loved each other and that her child is Conor's. The wedding is off but worse the next day Belinda is found murdered. Of course with the way it went down, Conor is looked at to be the prime suspect. Conor and his brother start investigating trying to get answers, they find out about a human trafficking ring that the dead woman has ties too. There are some twists and turns which I am not going to go into.
Thoughts on the book: There is a big cast of characters in this story which did make it a little hard to keep up with, there seemed to be a lot going on and maybe with so many characters it made it hard to narrow down the villain and what is going on and kept me guessing, and therefore kept me very interested. It was a rollercoaster and suspenseful. There were some great twists and turns in the story that kept me going until all was answered. There are some traumatic events and a close call, but the story did end up in a very satisfying way.
Thank you Netgalley and Thomas and Mercer for the complimentary copy and to Luanne Rice for a great story!
Brief Summary: This is a book about love, secrets, and lies. Kate and Conor are getting married and then disaster strikes. The wedding weekend is here, but at the rehearsal dinner a woman named Belinda approaches Kate with some disturbing news. She tells Kate that her and Conor have known each other since childhood, that they loved each other and that her child is Conor's. The wedding is off but worse the next day Belinda is found murdered. Of course with the way it went down, Conor is looked at to be the prime suspect. Conor and his brother start investigating trying to get answers, they find out about a human trafficking ring that the dead woman has ties too. There are some twists and turns which I am not going to go into.
Thoughts on the book: There is a big cast of characters in this story which did make it a little hard to keep up with, there seemed to be a lot going on and maybe with so many characters it made it hard to narrow down the villain and what is going on and kept me guessing, and therefore kept me very interested. It was a rollercoaster and suspenseful. There were some great twists and turns in the story that kept me going until all was answered. There are some traumatic events and a close call, but the story did end up in a very satisfying way.
Thank you Netgalley and Thomas and Mercer for the complimentary copy and to Luanne Rice for a great story!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Until Midnight is the third in a series with Detective Conor Reid. Unfortunately I did not read the first two. While I enjoyed this book, I definitely feel I would have benefited from having the full history of the characters. The main characters, Conor and Kate, first met when Kate was a child and Conor was the detective assigned to solve her mother’s murder. They met again—under similar tragic circumstances—20 years later when Kate’s beloved sister was also murdered.
In Until Midnight Conor and Kate’s story is culminating in a fairytale wedding. That is, until someone from Conor’s past drops a bombshell accusation at the rehearsal dinner. She is found dead the next morning—wearing Kate’s wedding dress—and Conor is the prime suspect. As Conor and his brother investigate the death, they stumble onto a human trafficking ring that is directly tied to the dead woman.
The story is absorbing and suspenseful. There are definitely some unexpected twists. I enjoyed it very much and will definitely add Luanne Rice to my list of go-to authors. If I have any complaints it would be that the end of the story was a bit anticlimactic and rushed compared to the overall pacing of the story.
In Until Midnight Conor and Kate’s story is culminating in a fairytale wedding. That is, until someone from Conor’s past drops a bombshell accusation at the rehearsal dinner. She is found dead the next morning—wearing Kate’s wedding dress—and Conor is the prime suspect. As Conor and his brother investigate the death, they stumble onto a human trafficking ring that is directly tied to the dead woman.
The story is absorbing and suspenseful. There are definitely some unexpected twists. I enjoyed it very much and will definitely add Luanne Rice to my list of go-to authors. If I have any complaints it would be that the end of the story was a bit anticlimactic and rushed compared to the overall pacing of the story.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for a free advance copy audiobook (written by LuAnne Rice and narrated by Nicol Zanzarella and Jim Frangione) in exchange for an honest review ❤️
This one is quite a roller coaster! It starts the night before a wedding, but all plans are suddenly derailed by secrets, accusations, and someone murdered in a wedding dress.
This psychological thriller has a large cast of characters, but the focus seemed to be on the bride and groom as they try to find the truth that derailed their wedding. It ends up uncovering something way bigger than they could have ever imagined!
This is my first book by this author. I round it down to 3 stars ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ simply because there were times I struggled keeping everyone straight with how many people were doing different things. Overall it was an intriguing story, dark enough without being too graphic, and I absolutely loved all the cool references to an obsession with Beauty and the Beast🌹
***Upon glancing through other reviews, it seems I probably would have bumped this one up a star had I read her previous works featuring these characters. This can be read as a standalone or as an installment featuring some of these same detectives.
This one is quite a roller coaster! It starts the night before a wedding, but all plans are suddenly derailed by secrets, accusations, and someone murdered in a wedding dress.
This psychological thriller has a large cast of characters, but the focus seemed to be on the bride and groom as they try to find the truth that derailed their wedding. It ends up uncovering something way bigger than they could have ever imagined!
This is my first book by this author. I round it down to 3 stars ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ simply because there were times I struggled keeping everyone straight with how many people were doing different things. Overall it was an intriguing story, dark enough without being too graphic, and I absolutely loved all the cool references to an obsession with Beauty and the Beast🌹
***Upon glancing through other reviews, it seems I probably would have bumped this one up a star had I read her previous works featuring these characters. This can be read as a standalone or as an installment featuring some of these same detectives.
July 1, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
Kate and Conor are set to have their fairytale wedding at the iconic Ocean House in Rhode Island. The most special weekend of their lives takes a shocking turn when a woman from Conor’s past interrupts the rehearsal dinner, claiming that he is the father of her child. The next morning, this same woman is found murder, placing the canceled wedding at the center of a twisting investigation.
As investigators search for answers, they discover something far more sinister than the murder alone.
I have long heard wonderful things about Luanne Rice’s writing, but I haven’t experienced it until now. Why did I wait so long? This was such an enjoyable read. The multiple POVs, brought to life by the talented Nicol Zanzarella and Jim Frangione, kept me engaged throughout the entire audiobook.
Rice creates a gripping police procedural that features rich people behaving badly as well as a mansion on a hill that harbors dark secrets from some of the people you’d least to be involved. Without giving too much away, the secrets are both timely and deeply disturbing. I also enjoyed the threaded references to Beauty and the Beast as they added depth to the story.
Thank you to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Kate and Conor are set to have their fairytale wedding at the iconic Ocean House in Rhode Island. The most special weekend of their lives takes a shocking turn when a woman from Conor’s past interrupts the rehearsal dinner, claiming that he is the father of her child. The next morning, this same woman is found murder, placing the canceled wedding at the center of a twisting investigation.
As investigators search for answers, they discover something far more sinister than the murder alone.
I have long heard wonderful things about Luanne Rice’s writing, but I haven’t experienced it until now. Why did I wait so long? This was such an enjoyable read. The multiple POVs, brought to life by the talented Nicol Zanzarella and Jim Frangione, kept me engaged throughout the entire audiobook.
Rice creates a gripping police procedural that features rich people behaving badly as well as a mansion on a hill that harbors dark secrets from some of the people you’d least to be involved. Without giving too much away, the secrets are both timely and deeply disturbing. I also enjoyed the threaded references to Beauty and the Beast as they added depth to the story.
Thank you to Brilliance Publishing and NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Luanne Rice has been a favorite author of mine since her very first book and I still get as excited today when I see a new title by her as I did back then. Until Midnight is a story of love and friendship, but it's also a story of secrets and deception. Rice masterfully weaves them together in an engaging and unputdownable suspensful love story.
The story is set in the beautiful state of Rhode Island with the magnificent and magical Ocean House hotel as the location. The marriage of Kate and Conor is to be the elaborate event of the season. But things do not go as planned, and at the rehearsal dinner, an unexpected revelation about Conor's past throws the whole event into a tailspin.
This was such a great book! The characters are a mixed bag of good and evil that balance each other off. Rice's writing is always powerful and engaging and easy to follow. The suspense, twists, and secrets provide a different layer to the love story. The vivid descriptions give the reader a sense of having a presence in the story.
Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the advanced copy
The story is set in the beautiful state of Rhode Island with the magnificent and magical Ocean House hotel as the location. The marriage of Kate and Conor is to be the elaborate event of the season. But things do not go as planned, and at the rehearsal dinner, an unexpected revelation about Conor's past throws the whole event into a tailspin.
This was such a great book! The characters are a mixed bag of good and evil that balance each other off. Rice's writing is always powerful and engaging and easy to follow. The suspense, twists, and secrets provide a different layer to the love story. The vivid descriptions give the reader a sense of having a presence in the story.
Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the advanced copy
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Kate and Connor have the perfect wedding planned for Fourth of July weekend in the perfect seaside venue where they were engaged. A mystery woman appears out of nowhere from Connor’s past, claiming to be the mother of his child, sowing seeds of mistrust between Kate and Connor. The morning of the wedding, she is found dead, dressed in Kate’s wedding dress. Now, Connor is the prime suspect and Kate is missing! What follows is a murder mystery that leads to a much bigger conspiracy, with Kate and Connor are caught up in the middle.
Luanne Rice’s lates book brings us back to familiar characters and familiar settings with new mysteries and secrets to unravel. Characters we’ve loved from her previous books are hiding something - if Kate can’t trust Connor, can we? Is he really the perfect partner we thought he was? A great storyteller, Luanne Rice pulls us in and makes us want to keep turning the pages. I didn’t want to put this one down. This is a perfect summer read - the season and location make it a great beach (or boat….) read.
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Luanne Rice’s lates book brings us back to familiar characters and familiar settings with new mysteries and secrets to unravel. Characters we’ve loved from her previous books are hiding something - if Kate can’t trust Connor, can we? Is he really the perfect partner we thought he was? A great storyteller, Luanne Rice pulls us in and makes us want to keep turning the pages. I didn’t want to put this one down. This is a perfect summer read - the season and location make it a great beach (or boat….) read.
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
June 30, 2026
I received an advance audiobook of Until Midnight by Luanne Rice from Netgalley.
I didn't read the description before requesting this ARC because I saw Luanne Rice's name and knew I wanted to read it no matter what it was about. She is an auto read author for me!! Until Midnight did not disappoint!
Until Midnight follows characters that you're introduced to in two other books; The Last Day and The Last Night. I didn't feel that you would need to read the others to follow what is happening in Until Midnight, the events from those two books are mentioned throughout to give the reader character background. However, I would recommend reading the others because they are also SO GOOD.
This story is wildly unbelievable and fast paced. I sort of guessed the twisty twist, but definitely not fully and it didn't take away from my enjoyment.
I have only physically read Luanne Rice's books, so this was my first audiobook of hers. I did enjoy it. The narration kept me engaged and was easy to follow. (for me personally, I think I enjoy physically reading her books vs listening).
Luanne rice is always a definite recommend from me!
I didn't read the description before requesting this ARC because I saw Luanne Rice's name and knew I wanted to read it no matter what it was about. She is an auto read author for me!! Until Midnight did not disappoint!
Until Midnight follows characters that you're introduced to in two other books; The Last Day and The Last Night. I didn't feel that you would need to read the others to follow what is happening in Until Midnight, the events from those two books are mentioned throughout to give the reader character background. However, I would recommend reading the others because they are also SO GOOD.
This story is wildly unbelievable and fast paced. I sort of guessed the twisty twist, but definitely not fully and it didn't take away from my enjoyment.
I have only physically read Luanne Rice's books, so this was my first audiobook of hers. I did enjoy it. The narration kept me engaged and was easy to follow. (for me personally, I think I enjoy physically reading her books vs listening).
Luanne rice is always a definite recommend from me!
July 1, 2026
Just released! My first Luanne Rice in quite a spell. I didn't even realize she was writing mysteries but this was pretty good. From the get go it grabs your attention and that is important to me. It has to draw me in me quickly or I'll move on down my TBR list.
As the publishers blurb indicates it's starts off the night before a wedding and the bride, being the main character is approached at the venue by an intruder, an old flame of her soon-to-be-husband. She claims to have known him since childhood and has even borne a child of his, and shows the bride the photo. Her fiancé is in law enforcement and denies all allegations but when the intruder is found murdered and wearing the brides dress, this not only halts the wedding plans but opens up a can of worms with twists and turns the reader doesn't see coming. Who doesn't love good plot twists, especially when what you think happened is wrong?!
Do yourself a favor if this type of novel interests you. Available now at your favorite retailer.
My thanks to Thomas Mercer Publishing providing an e-ARC via NetGalley - and of course to Luanne Rice, atta girl!
As the publishers blurb indicates it's starts off the night before a wedding and the bride, being the main character is approached at the venue by an intruder, an old flame of her soon-to-be-husband. She claims to have known him since childhood and has even borne a child of his, and shows the bride the photo. Her fiancé is in law enforcement and denies all allegations but when the intruder is found murdered and wearing the brides dress, this not only halts the wedding plans but opens up a can of worms with twists and turns the reader doesn't see coming. Who doesn't love good plot twists, especially when what you think happened is wrong?!
Do yourself a favor if this type of novel interests you. Available now at your favorite retailer.
My thanks to Thomas Mercer Publishing providing an e-ARC via NetGalley - and of course to Luanne Rice, atta girl!
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July 2, 2026Thank you to the author, narrators, publisher and Net Galley for providing an ALC.
I don't think I've read books by this author before, so this was an adventure. This was a suspenseful novel focusing on Kate and Conor's wedding. Just hours away from the big event, a woman from Conor's past dropped a bombshell that could jeopardize the future of the couple. Then, the woman is found dead. The romance between Kate and Conor is sweet, and I wanted them to work through their issues. Conor and Tom, his brother, make a good detecting duo. There are enough twists that kept me listening.
However, the cast of characters is far too large. Why don't authors contain a cast of characters anymore? I would be handy! I wanted to know how things would turn out, but found myself confused several times along the way. This would be good for those who like quick, dark but not graphic reads. I read somewhere that there is a previous book with some of the same characters, but this worked ok as a standalone. Though, I do wonder if it would help understanding the characters if I had read the other book first.
3.5 stars.
I don't think I've read books by this author before, so this was an adventure. This was a suspenseful novel focusing on Kate and Conor's wedding. Just hours away from the big event, a woman from Conor's past dropped a bombshell that could jeopardize the future of the couple. Then, the woman is found dead. The romance between Kate and Conor is sweet, and I wanted them to work through their issues. Conor and Tom, his brother, make a good detecting duo. There are enough twists that kept me listening.
However, the cast of characters is far too large. Why don't authors contain a cast of characters anymore? I would be handy! I wanted to know how things would turn out, but found myself confused several times along the way. This would be good for those who like quick, dark but not graphic reads. I read somewhere that there is a previous book with some of the same characters, but this worked ok as a standalone. Though, I do wonder if it would help understanding the characters if I had read the other book first.
3.5 stars.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is the first book I have read by Luanne Rice. As another reviewer warned, there are many characters (I counted over 38); I kept a running list so I wouldn’t have to keep searching for their descriptions. Perhaps the point of having so many characters was to make it hard to predict who were the bad guys, but it was hard to feel emotionally invested in anyone except the 2 main characters because there wasn’t time to get to know much about the other characters. This book is full of action, plot twists, and romance. It does take a dark turn so don’t read it if you are expecting mainly heartwarming romance. Also, at some point I was a bit incredulous because there were so many suspects, but I couldn’t stop reading. Although I read this book as a standalone, another reviewer pointed out that this book is a sequel to “Last Day”. Since I have not read book 1, I had no preconceived notions of who was likely to be good or bad. Rest assured that despite the dark twists, the ending is satisfactory.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Just shatter your perfect seaside wedding with the psychological thriller. The second in this series does not disappoint. All your favorite characters are back to go through the twists and drama.
“ Rhode Island’s picturesque Ocean House is the perfect setting for Kate Woodward and Conor Reid’s fairy-tale wedding weekend. But there may not be a happily ever after.
When an old friend of Conor’s disrupts the rehearsal dinner and reveals a blindsiding secret—a claim that she and Conor share a child—Kate calls off the wedding, thinking things can’t get any worse. Until the next morning, when that same woman is found with her throat slashed.
As investigators close in and suspicions mount, the evidence points to a mystery deeper than anyone imagined. The soundproof boat with telltale signs of something sinister. The mansion on the hill that lures in young girls and doesn’t let them go. A secret society whose members might be more familiar than not. And the truth of the dead woman’s past that draws Kate and Conor into a nightmare.”
“ Rhode Island’s picturesque Ocean House is the perfect setting for Kate Woodward and Conor Reid’s fairy-tale wedding weekend. But there may not be a happily ever after.
When an old friend of Conor’s disrupts the rehearsal dinner and reveals a blindsiding secret—a claim that she and Conor share a child—Kate calls off the wedding, thinking things can’t get any worse. Until the next morning, when that same woman is found with her throat slashed.
As investigators close in and suspicions mount, the evidence points to a mystery deeper than anyone imagined. The soundproof boat with telltale signs of something sinister. The mansion on the hill that lures in young girls and doesn’t let them go. A secret society whose members might be more familiar than not. And the truth of the dead woman’s past that draws Kate and Conor into a nightmare.”
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Taut psychological thriller set at a wedding in a picturesque Rhode Island setting delivers suspense and much more.
Kate Woodward and Conor Reid have set up a fairy tale wedding weekend when a bombshell is dropped, the wedding is called off and a murder happens. But as the investigation goes on it’s clear there’s more than a murder involved: a boat that might be involved, a secretive mansion, a secret society. The dead person’s past is proving to be a problem.
This is my first book by this author. It was a “hold onto your seat” read to the very end. The pacing I think was good. Done mostly in day/time increments, the suspense builds - I’m beginning to like this method of story pacing. Great atmosphere too with the some of the settings. I liked the theme that surrounded the mystery/murder - you have to read the book to find out.
Great read. Perfect even for the beach!
My thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for granting me access to this thriller.
Kate Woodward and Conor Reid have set up a fairy tale wedding weekend when a bombshell is dropped, the wedding is called off and a murder happens. But as the investigation goes on it’s clear there’s more than a murder involved: a boat that might be involved, a secretive mansion, a secret society. The dead person’s past is proving to be a problem.
This is my first book by this author. It was a “hold onto your seat” read to the very end. The pacing I think was good. Done mostly in day/time increments, the suspense builds - I’m beginning to like this method of story pacing. Great atmosphere too with the some of the settings. I liked the theme that surrounded the mystery/murder - you have to read the book to find out.
Great read. Perfect even for the beach!
My thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for granting me access to this thriller.
July 6, 2026
Good mystery!
In this book, we revisit Kate and Conor, this time they are ready to get married. The pair has had an interesting and unique relationship up to this point, so why should their wedding be any different?
A body is found the morning of the wedding, after an evening of surprises and confrontations. There is plenty of intrigue and elements introduced that develop the story/plot further. Why is there a soundproofed boat that young women are taken to? Is the area a hotbed of secrets and residents who are part of a secret club, and why? So many questions and suspects to be resolved by the detectives who Conor works with every day.
This book did keep my interest. I did have to wait until after it was published because the ARC wasn't available on Kindle, that's why this one is later than usual.
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.
In this book, we revisit Kate and Conor, this time they are ready to get married. The pair has had an interesting and unique relationship up to this point, so why should their wedding be any different?
A body is found the morning of the wedding, after an evening of surprises and confrontations. There is plenty of intrigue and elements introduced that develop the story/plot further. Why is there a soundproofed boat that young women are taken to? Is the area a hotbed of secrets and residents who are part of a secret club, and why? So many questions and suspects to be resolved by the detectives who Conor works with every day.
This book did keep my interest. I did have to wait until after it was published because the ARC wasn't available on Kindle, that's why this one is later than usual.
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.
July 9, 2026
I’ve never read Luanne Rice before and thought she wrote psychological thrillers. The kind told from the perspective of a woman who might be unreliable, or unraveling, or both. (No shade to those books, I read plenty of them.) But Until Midnight was more of a police procedural, which is my favorite genre!
I wish the book had been a little shorter or more focused. The middle got overstuffed: a secret society, shifting allegiances, and more characters than I could comfortably track. This is the fourth Detective Reid book. The fact that I haven’t read the others probably didn't help. But I still liked it a lot. If you already know these characters, you'll likely have an even better time.
P.S. I’d like to go back and read the previous books featuring Conor and his police colleagues, but I think this book spoiled them! The details are already fading, so I’ll probably be fine if I wait a month or two. Just know that it seems like they should be read in order!
I wish the book had been a little shorter or more focused. The middle got overstuffed: a secret society, shifting allegiances, and more characters than I could comfortably track. This is the fourth Detective Reid book. The fact that I haven’t read the others probably didn't help. But I still liked it a lot. If you already know these characters, you'll likely have an even better time.
P.S. I’d like to go back and read the previous books featuring Conor and his police colleagues, but I think this book spoiled them! The details are already fading, so I’ll probably be fine if I wait a month or two. Just know that it seems like they should be read in order!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I found this psychological thriller incredibly gripping from the very first page. What starts as a dream wedding quickly spirals into a much darker story filled with secrets, manipulation and unsettling truths about the people we think we know. The atmosphere was tense throughout and there’s a constant sense of unease that kept me hooked.
That said, the story does slow down at times with detailed backstories and explanations, which slightly affected the momentum for me. The middle section felt a bit uneven and I found the ending somewhat rushed compared to the buildup. Even so, the strong emotional depth, immersive setting, and lingering sense of dread made this a memorable read. It’s the kind of book that kept me turning pages late into the night and stayed on my mind long after I finished it.
#UntilMidnight #NetGalley
Rating:- 4/5
That said, the story does slow down at times with detailed backstories and explanations, which slightly affected the momentum for me. The middle section felt a bit uneven and I found the ending somewhat rushed compared to the buildup. Even so, the strong emotional depth, immersive setting, and lingering sense of dread made this a memorable read. It’s the kind of book that kept me turning pages late into the night and stayed on my mind long after I finished it.
#UntilMidnight #NetGalley
Rating:- 4/5
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was thrilled to be back at the Ocean House for another wonderful romantic suspense story by Luanne Rice. Just when you think that Kate and Conner will FINALLY have there forever HEA, you've got another think coming. On the eve of the final I Do's, the past comes back to haunt Conner in a spectacular way and soon they are mired in murder, mystery, betrayals and a secret society that will both intrigue you and have your emotions roiling throughout. And when you think you have it all figured out, you can think again...and again...and again. I look forward to visiting The Ocean House (next week actually) and seeing, in person, all of the things that this author described (at least that I haven't yet seen). This was a wild ride that will keep you in your toes and having you go back and forth trying to tie all the pieces together.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Until Midnight is a whodunit murder mystery that happens during the timespan of several days surrounding a wedding. The pacing is, as mentioned, more so a mystery than a fast-paced thriller. The narration of the audiobook was great and kept me engaged with the book the whole time. And, I enjoyed some of the elements of fairytales mixed in amongst other things that kept me guessing.
It did feel a little bit slow in places, but I think that is just because there is a lot of information, a lot of characters (because it's a wedding) and lots of stuff to keep you guessing.
This was a sold read. I give it 3.75 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for this ALC in exchange for an honest review.
It did feel a little bit slow in places, but I think that is just because there is a lot of information, a lot of characters (because it's a wedding) and lots of stuff to keep you guessing.
This was a sold read. I give it 3.75 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for this ALC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an advanced copy of this book.
This is a psychological thriller that keeps the reader guessing right until the end. I enjoyed all of the twists and turns in the story. Conor and Kate are ready for their perfect wedding weekend in Rhode Island, but plans go awry when one of Conor's childhood friends makes an appearance at the rehearsal dinner and reveals her lifelong plans and obsession of marrying Conor herself. Emotions flare up, and the next morning everyone is shocked to find that this woman has been murdered. The wedding is postponed, investigators swarm in, and friends and family start to do their own digging... finding out secrets that are quite uncomfortable to some.
This is a psychological thriller that keeps the reader guessing right until the end. I enjoyed all of the twists and turns in the story. Conor and Kate are ready for their perfect wedding weekend in Rhode Island, but plans go awry when one of Conor's childhood friends makes an appearance at the rehearsal dinner and reveals her lifelong plans and obsession of marrying Conor herself. Emotions flare up, and the next morning everyone is shocked to find that this woman has been murdered. The wedding is postponed, investigators swarm in, and friends and family start to do their own digging... finding out secrets that are quite uncomfortable to some.
July 6, 2026
Until Midnight is a gripping police procedural set against a great backdrop, with plenty of suspense and some twists I didn't see coming. Since this is the third book in the series, I felt like I was missing some of the backstory and history between characters, since I hadn't read the previous books. That said, it can be read as a standalone if you're not worried about picking up on every thread from earlier in the series.
The story follows rich people behaving badly, centered around a mansion on a hill hiding some dark secrets, and the dual POV narration added a nice layer to how it all unfolded. The writing itself was solid throughout. Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Audio for the ARC.
The story follows rich people behaving badly, centered around a mansion on a hill hiding some dark secrets, and the dual POV narration added a nice layer to how it all unfolded. The writing itself was solid throughout. Thank you to NetGalley and Brilliance Audio for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The last thing Kate expects at the celebrations organised for her marriage to Conor is for an ex-girlfriend to show up with an unsavoury claim that disrupts the event. Not *nearly*as much, however as the disruption that takes place the following day, when the aforementioned woman's corpse is discovered after her brutal murder.
But there is far, far more to this story than anyone suspects. And as the revelations begin to emerge, a truly sinister picture starts to take shape...
Atmospheric, entertaining, and original, Luanne Rice has really delivered a story worth your time with this one.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
But there is far, far more to this story than anyone suspects. And as the revelations begin to emerge, a truly sinister picture starts to take shape...
Atmospheric, entertaining, and original, Luanne Rice has really delivered a story worth your time with this one.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
July 10, 2026
I can’t believe that this book was written by the same author as the Hubbard Point books. This book is very dark, and I never would have read it had I known that. The book is incredibly disjointed, and it was impossible to keep track of who is good and who is evil. There are too many characters. It’s unsettling, and I regret that I read it. For many years, a Luanne Rice novel was a guaranteed buy for me, but that is no longer true. I forgot that I rated her most recent book before this one with a low rating and disappointment on the writing style. Hopefully the next time I see a Luanne Rice book, I’ll remember that I no longer like this author.
Read
March 6, 2026Until Midnight by Luanne Rice published by Thomas & Mercer is a thriller of its finest.
Kate and Conor are in an idyllic place on their wedding weekend.
But secrets are revealed, the wedding gets cancelled, bodies show up. Only that still isn't rock bottom. There is more to come, something sinister is just around the corner.
A thriller that had my hairs standing, goosebumps giving, and made me put on the light before entering a room too. So all in all a fantastic 5 star read that I don't want to miss, exquisitely written with scrumtious characters. I recommend the book.
Kate and Conor are in an idyllic place on their wedding weekend.
But secrets are revealed, the wedding gets cancelled, bodies show up. Only that still isn't rock bottom. There is more to come, something sinister is just around the corner.
A thriller that had my hairs standing, goosebumps giving, and made me put on the light before entering a room too. So all in all a fantastic 5 star read that I don't want to miss, exquisitely written with scrumtious characters. I recommend the book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Advance copy review from NetGalley
I throughly enjoyed this dark psychological thriller from Luanne Rice. Set during the wedding weekend gone wrong of a detective and an art curator at the Ocean House in Rhode Island.
The book takes the reader through multiple twists and turns, keeping you on the edge of your seat until the end.
I throughly enjoyed the level of detail given and the fact that I did not guess the ending. I had to hold myself back from reading the ending and I am so glad I did.
I throughly enjoyed this dark psychological thriller from Luanne Rice. Set during the wedding weekend gone wrong of a detective and an art curator at the Ocean House in Rhode Island.
The book takes the reader through multiple twists and turns, keeping you on the edge of your seat until the end.
I throughly enjoyed the level of detail given and the fact that I did not guess the ending. I had to hold myself back from reading the ending and I am so glad I did.
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