Title: Wait Until Midnight
Author: Amanda Quick
First published December 9, 2004
368 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780425206409 (ISBN10: 0425206408)
Rating: 3.94
Overview
In the thrilling novel “Whispers in the Dark” by Amanda Quick, renowned author Elizabeth Dunkirk finds herself in a precarious situation when her latest manuscript is stolen. The thief demands an exorbitant sum for its return, and Elizabeth turns to the only man who can help her: the handsome and mysterious Mr. Gabriel Jones.
As they race to retrieve the stolen manuscript, they stumble upon a dead body and a web of secrets that threaten to destroy them both. With danger lurking at every turn, Elizabeth and Gabriel must navigate the treacherous world of thieves and con artists to uncover the truth and protect their hearts from the undeniable attraction between them.
About the Author
Jayne Ann Krentz is a prolific author, having written more than 40 books that have all been New York Times bestsellers. Her writing style often combines romance and suspense with a paranormal or psychic twist, and she creates stories in three different worlds: contemporary (under the name Jayne Ann Krentz), historical (as Amanda Quick), and futuristic (as Jayne Castle).
Her books have sold over 30 million copies worldwide.
Krentz’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of California at Santa Cruz and a Master’s degree in Library Science from San Jose State University in California. Prior to becoming a full-time author, she worked as a librarian in both academic and corporate settings.
Krentz is happily married to her husband, Frank, and they reside in Seattle, Washington.
Editoral Review
Amanda Quick’s Wait Until Midnight is a thrilling historical romance novel that was first published on December 9, 2004. The author, whose real name is Jayne Ann Krentz, is known for her romantic suspense novels that combine historical settings with mystery and intrigue.
The novel is set in Victorian England and follows the story of Caroline Fordyce, a young woman who is forced to marry a wealthy and abusive husband. Caroline finds solace in her passion for photography, and when her husband is murdered, she becomes the prime suspect.
She turns to her childhood friend and notorious investigator, Jack Talbot, for help in clearing her name and finding the real killer. As they work together to unravel the mystery, Caroline and Jack discover a deep love for each other that they had never before acknowledged.
One of the strengths of Wait Until Midnight is the way in which Quick weaves together the historical setting with the mystery and romance elements of the story. The descriptions of Victorian-era society and the role of women during that time are vivid and immersive, adding depth and complexity to the characters and their motivations.
The pacing of the novel is also well-done, with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader engaged.
Another strong point of the novel is the character development of Caroline and Jack. Both characters undergo significant growth throughout the story, with Caroline learning to stand up for herself and Jack learning to confront his own demons.
Quick does an excellent job of creating multi-dimensional characters with realistic flaws and vulnerabilities.
However, one weakness of the novel is the predictability of the plot. While there are some unexpected twists, the overall outcome is fairly predictable, and some readers may find this disappointing.
Additionally, some of the secondary characters feel underdeveloped and could have benefited from more attention.
Overall, Wait Until Midnight is a well-crafted historical romance novel that will appeal to fans of the genre. The combination of mystery, romance, and historical setting make for an engaging and entertaining read.
While there are some flaws in the execution of the plot and character development, these are outweighed by the strengths of the novel. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a thrilling historical romance with strong characters and an immersive setting.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
