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The Last Encore
Not yet published
Expected 20 Oct 26320 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication October 20, 2026
About the author
Santa Montefiore
92 books2,832 followersSanta Montefiore is the number one bestselling author of over thirty novels and has sold over eight million copies worldwide. Her books have been translated into twenty-five languages and she won an RNA Award for The Temptation of Gracie in 2019, which is currently in development for film. Born in England in 1970, she grew up in Hampshire and now lives in London with her husband, writer Simon Sebag-Montefiore, their daughter, son, and dog Simba.
Shadows in the Moonlight is the first novel of a trilogy following the character Pixie Tate, with Secrets of the Starlit Sea following in summer 2025. Santa loves to hear from readers and you can find her at www.santamontefiore.co.uk.
Shadows in the Moonlight is the first novel of a trilogy following the character Pixie Tate, with Secrets of the Starlit Sea following in summer 2025. Santa loves to hear from readers and you can find her at www.santamontefiore.co.uk.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Review of advance copy
The Last Encore by Santa Montefiore is the emotional conclusion to the Timeslider trilogy, blending historical fiction, romance, mystery, and gentle supernatural elements. The novel follows Pixie Tate as she embarks on what may be her most difficult journey yet—a journey that forces her to confront unresolved spirits, unfinished love, and the painful truth that some relationships are meant to transform us rather than last forever. Set against the enchanting backdrop of Cornwall and centred around the mysterious Aphrodite Theatre, the story explores memory, sacrifice, destiny, and the healing power of letting go.
Pixie has a rare and extraordinary gift: she can slip back in time and communicate with spirits who remain tied to the places where they once lived. Instead of treating this ability as a magical adventure, Montefiore presents it as both a blessing and a burden. Every journey into the past demands emotional strength, and every encounter leaves Pixie carrying the weight of lives that ended long ago. She has learned that history is never truly gone; it continues to shape the present through forgotten secrets, broken promises, and lingering regrets.
Her latest assignment takes her to the old Aphrodite Theatre, a once-glorious venue now overshadowed by mystery and tragedy. Strange occurrences have unsettled those connected with the theatre, and rumours speak of a restless spirit haunting the stage. Pixie arrives expecting another supernatural puzzle, but she quickly realises that this case is deeply personal. The theatre stands only a short distance from the place where she once met Cavill Pengower, the great love of her life. Their connection transcended time itself, yet circumstances made it impossible for them to remain together. Returning to this part of Cornwall awakens memories that she has tried hard to bury.
As Pixie travels back a century, she finds herself immersed in the vibrant world of the theatre during its golden age. Behind the glamour of elaborate costumes, dazzling performances, and enthusiastic audiences lies a world filled with ambition, jealousy, heartbreak, and hidden desires. Every performer carries dreams of success, yet many also hide painful secrets. The theatre becomes more than a building; it represents the fragile line between illusion and reality, where people wear masks on stage while concealing even greater truths in their private lives.
At the centre of the mystery is the woman whose spirit still lingers in the theatre. Her story gradually unfolds through Pixie's investigations, revealing how love, betrayal, and misunderstood choices prevented her from finding peace after death. Rather than portraying the ghost as frightening, Montefiore gives her emotional depth and humanity. The haunting becomes a symbol of unresolved grief, showing how powerful emotions can outlive a person's physical existence.
While uncovering the spirit's past, Pixie must also confront her own emotional wounds. Memories of Cavill become impossible to ignore. Their love was genuine and profound, but it belonged to different eras and different lives. The more she revisits the past, the more she understands that continuing to cling to impossible hopes may prevent both of them from finding peace. This emotional conflict forms the heart of the novel. The mystery surrounding the theatre is important, but Pixie's inner journey proves even more compelling.
The production of Shakespeare's Macbeth running through the theatre adds another meaningful layer to the story. The famous tragedy, with its themes of ambition, guilt, fate, and supernatural influence, mirrors many of the emotions experienced by the characters. The performances on stage often reflect the hidden dramas unfolding behind the curtains, reinforcing the novel's message that every public performance conceals deeply personal struggles.
Throughout the investigation, Pixie encounters people whose lives have also been shaped by love, loss, and difficult choices. Some seek redemption, while others struggle to forgive themselves or those who hurt them. These supporting characters enrich the story by demonstrating that every individual carries unseen emotional burdens. Montefiore treats each character with compassion, reminding readers that human beings are rarely entirely good or entirely flawed.
As the truth about the haunting slowly emerges, Pixie realises that solving the mystery requires more than discovering historical facts. She must understand the emotional motivations behind past decisions and help the restless soul accept what can no longer be changed. In doing so, she also learns that healing does not come from rewriting history but from embracing it with honesty and forgiveness.
The novel builds steadily toward an emotionally powerful conclusion in which the boundaries between past and present become increasingly blurred. Pixie faces heartbreaking decisions that test her courage and force her to choose between holding on to the past and embracing the future. The resolution brings together the mysteries surrounding the theatre, the ghostly presence, and Pixie's relationship with Cavill in a way that feels both poignant and satisfying. Rather than relying on dramatic twists alone, the ending derives its emotional impact from the characters' personal growth and acceptance.
One of the novel's greatest strengths is its atmosphere. Montefiore vividly recreates Cornwall's rugged coastline, ancient buildings, and theatrical elegance, creating a setting that feels timeless and almost magical. The supernatural elements remain gentle and emotional rather than frightening, allowing the story to focus on hope, healing, and enduring love instead of horror. Her lyrical prose captures both the beauty of historical settings and the complexity of human emotions.
Ultimately, The Last Encore is a story about the courage required to say goodbye. It suggests that love is never truly lost simply because two people cannot remain together. Instead, genuine love continues to shape who we become, teaching compassion, resilience, and acceptance. Through its blend of historical mystery, romance, and spiritual reflection, the novel reminds readers that every ending is also the beginning of a new chapter. It is a moving finale to the Timeslider series, celebrating the enduring connections between past and present while affirming that true peace comes not from changing history, but from learning to live with it.
Pixie has a rare and extraordinary gift: she can slip back in time and communicate with spirits who remain tied to the places where they once lived. Instead of treating this ability as a magical adventure, Montefiore presents it as both a blessing and a burden. Every journey into the past demands emotional strength, and every encounter leaves Pixie carrying the weight of lives that ended long ago. She has learned that history is never truly gone; it continues to shape the present through forgotten secrets, broken promises, and lingering regrets.
Her latest assignment takes her to the old Aphrodite Theatre, a once-glorious venue now overshadowed by mystery and tragedy. Strange occurrences have unsettled those connected with the theatre, and rumours speak of a restless spirit haunting the stage. Pixie arrives expecting another supernatural puzzle, but she quickly realises that this case is deeply personal. The theatre stands only a short distance from the place where she once met Cavill Pengower, the great love of her life. Their connection transcended time itself, yet circumstances made it impossible for them to remain together. Returning to this part of Cornwall awakens memories that she has tried hard to bury.
As Pixie travels back a century, she finds herself immersed in the vibrant world of the theatre during its golden age. Behind the glamour of elaborate costumes, dazzling performances, and enthusiastic audiences lies a world filled with ambition, jealousy, heartbreak, and hidden desires. Every performer carries dreams of success, yet many also hide painful secrets. The theatre becomes more than a building; it represents the fragile line between illusion and reality, where people wear masks on stage while concealing even greater truths in their private lives.
At the centre of the mystery is the woman whose spirit still lingers in the theatre. Her story gradually unfolds through Pixie's investigations, revealing how love, betrayal, and misunderstood choices prevented her from finding peace after death. Rather than portraying the ghost as frightening, Montefiore gives her emotional depth and humanity. The haunting becomes a symbol of unresolved grief, showing how powerful emotions can outlive a person's physical existence.
While uncovering the spirit's past, Pixie must also confront her own emotional wounds. Memories of Cavill become impossible to ignore. Their love was genuine and profound, but it belonged to different eras and different lives. The more she revisits the past, the more she understands that continuing to cling to impossible hopes may prevent both of them from finding peace. This emotional conflict forms the heart of the novel. The mystery surrounding the theatre is important, but Pixie's inner journey proves even more compelling.
The production of Shakespeare's Macbeth running through the theatre adds another meaningful layer to the story. The famous tragedy, with its themes of ambition, guilt, fate, and supernatural influence, mirrors many of the emotions experienced by the characters. The performances on stage often reflect the hidden dramas unfolding behind the curtains, reinforcing the novel's message that every public performance conceals deeply personal struggles.
Throughout the investigation, Pixie encounters people whose lives have also been shaped by love, loss, and difficult choices. Some seek redemption, while others struggle to forgive themselves or those who hurt them. These supporting characters enrich the story by demonstrating that every individual carries unseen emotional burdens. Montefiore treats each character with compassion, reminding readers that human beings are rarely entirely good or entirely flawed.
As the truth about the haunting slowly emerges, Pixie realises that solving the mystery requires more than discovering historical facts. She must understand the emotional motivations behind past decisions and help the restless soul accept what can no longer be changed. In doing so, she also learns that healing does not come from rewriting history but from embracing it with honesty and forgiveness.
The novel builds steadily toward an emotionally powerful conclusion in which the boundaries between past and present become increasingly blurred. Pixie faces heartbreaking decisions that test her courage and force her to choose between holding on to the past and embracing the future. The resolution brings together the mysteries surrounding the theatre, the ghostly presence, and Pixie's relationship with Cavill in a way that feels both poignant and satisfying. Rather than relying on dramatic twists alone, the ending derives its emotional impact from the characters' personal growth and acceptance.
One of the novel's greatest strengths is its atmosphere. Montefiore vividly recreates Cornwall's rugged coastline, ancient buildings, and theatrical elegance, creating a setting that feels timeless and almost magical. The supernatural elements remain gentle and emotional rather than frightening, allowing the story to focus on hope, healing, and enduring love instead of horror. Her lyrical prose captures both the beauty of historical settings and the complexity of human emotions.
Ultimately, The Last Encore is a story about the courage required to say goodbye. It suggests that love is never truly lost simply because two people cannot remain together. Instead, genuine love continues to shape who we become, teaching compassion, resilience, and acceptance. Through its blend of historical mystery, romance, and spiritual reflection, the novel reminds readers that every ending is also the beginning of a new chapter. It is a moving finale to the Timeslider series, celebrating the enduring connections between past and present while affirming that true peace comes not from changing history, but from learning to live with it.
August 4, 2026
I was so desperate and excited to read this book - I was constantly hounding the library staff to get it reserved as soon as it was released. And I was first in line for it.
I’ve read every book Santa has ever written and recommend her to all my friends as a great author.
But I don’t know how I feel about this book - it was ok. But not great. I felt like it was quite repetitive with pixie constantly going on about seeing Cavill, how she felt about him and there always seeming to be a comment about this throughout the story.
I really started to dislike Pixie by mid way through this book. I just found her to be a bit of a wet lettuce which I’ve never thought in previous books. I wasn’t really bothered if she managed to meet him and end it all by the end. I wasn’t really disappointed she failed to move on the spirit - I get why. And the reason behind the spirit not moving on, and how Isadora ended up helping her but I just felt it was a bit of a weak ending.
I’m glad I read it and that the series has ended without going on and on, but i felt let down by it.
I’ve read every book Santa has ever written and recommend her to all my friends as a great author.
But I don’t know how I feel about this book - it was ok. But not great. I felt like it was quite repetitive with pixie constantly going on about seeing Cavill, how she felt about him and there always seeming to be a comment about this throughout the story.
I really started to dislike Pixie by mid way through this book. I just found her to be a bit of a wet lettuce which I’ve never thought in previous books. I wasn’t really bothered if she managed to meet him and end it all by the end. I wasn’t really disappointed she failed to move on the spirit - I get why. And the reason behind the spirit not moving on, and how Isadora ended up helping her but I just felt it was a bit of a weak ending.
I’m glad I read it and that the series has ended without going on and on, but i felt let down by it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 27, 2026
Absolutely brilliant. Laughed and cried. Read the trilogy in the wrong order but it was not a problem. Going to read more Santa Montefiore books. Think she might be my new Maeve Binchy.
August 9, 2026
Fabulous ending …..although I am very sad Pixie’s story has ended, I absolutely loved this trilogy!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews