Under the Midnight Sky by Anna Romer: Your Preview Verdict

Our latest Better Reading Preview title was Anna Romer’s Under the Midnight Sky, a thrilling mystery that examines love of all kinds and its power to do good or evil.

Preview reviewers have described the book as a thrilling page turner, and unputdownable! Take a look at these stellar reviews:

‘Thank you for the opportunity to review “Under the Midnight Sky” by Anna Romer. Reading this novel, which falls within one of my favourite genres (mystery), was an absolute treat. “Under the Midnight Sky” revolves around the disappearance of young girls, both in the present day and many years before, and the efforts of a journalist, Abby Bardot, to uncover the truth. Abby’s interest, however, goes beyond the professional, as she battles her own personal demons, a mission that is both assisted and complicated by her involvement with reclusive author, Tom Gabriel. Again, the professional and the personal become one. “Under the Midnight Sky” begins as a slow-burning novel, becoming impossible to put down as the truth unfolds. The characters are well-crafted and relatable, and Romer is an expert in creating tension. I could picture scenes clearly and experienced the depths of emotions of the characters, but there was never a reliance on violent imagery. I would highly recommend “Under the Midnight Sky” to lovers of mysteries with heart. I was unfamiliar with the work of Anna Romer prior to reading this novel, but I am looking forward to acquainting myself with her previous works soon.’ – Alison, QLD, 4 stars

‘This was the first novel by Anna Romer I have read, and it definitely will not be the last. I loved the Australian setting and the characters, for me it was hard to pick a favourite. The novel was extremely well written, enabling you to easily picture the settings and characters in your mind, and very easy to understand especially when passing from past to present. With a little bit of mystery, suspense, romance and drama rolled into one it would be ideal for readers of many different genres. There was only one problem for me – I found it very difficult to put down.’ – Katrina, QLD, 5 stars

‘From the very first pages of Under the Midnight Sky I was captivated. With multiple mysteries and secrets woven throughout the novel, this book kept me on the edge of my seat. There are twists and turns I wasn’t expecting all the way up until the last page. This is a well-crafted thriller with a lot of different storylines woven together with care and attention. Combining the modern day happenings with a seventy-year-old cold case isn’t an easy thing to do, but the author did so brilliantly. The characters come to life and I loved the setting – this book is quintessentially Australian and the landscape was as important to the plot as the characters who inhabited it. I was intrigued by all the different relationships in the book and found the connections between the characters made the story all the more compelling. I haven’t read an Anna Romer novel before but I can’t wait to read her previous books. Her storytelling is perfect for this kind of murder-mystery and this book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys well-written thrillers which will keep you guessing.’ – Kate, QLD, 4 stars

‘Under the Midnight Sky” is a gem of a book – it is both a page-turning thriller and a nuanced exploration of the ways in which our need for love is often driven by our secret longing to be made to feel as precious as a star in the sky. Romer’s novel is filled with a cast of engaging characters and effectively switches between different perspectives in order to drive the narrative. However, this book’s greatest strength is its clear sense of place, and its gothic sentiments in intertwining the plot and the landscape make it an evocative read. Romer highlights the fierceness and unpredictability of nature with a deftness which allows the references to the landscape to avoid feeling contrived. The portrayal of the Australian bush as a somewhat malevolent, all-encompassing backdrop to the mysterious history of Ravensong provides unexpected depth and texture to Romer’s highly enjoyable novel.’ – Claire, QLD, 4 stars

‘I couldn’t put this book down. I was hooked right from the beginning. The characters are all interesting and the developments between them bring all the suspense and intriguing pieces together. I loved the character Abby Bardot and how she lives each day, dealing with her past and being strong, to the love story that unfolds. She certainly deserves to be happy. This is one of the best books I have read in a while. Can’t wait to read more novels by Anna Romer.’ – Therese, NSW, 5 stars

Read all the Preview reviews for Under the Midnight Sky here.