Karen Swan is a brilliant author and this doesn't disappoint, however it is the last in the series and you really need to have read the rest to enjoy it. I love the way it tells the full story of characters that we only knew a little of before and gives further insight into situations we already had been through. Finally the story is wrapped up, but perhaps not quite as you would expect, some interesting twists.

The final saga so you do need to read them in order to understand the characters and plot. St Kilda’s island is being evacuated as there is only a few adults left and so much of the story is on the mainland. Jayne’s story is one of the centre storylines though others similar their part. I must admit it’s not my favourite but a good end. Thanks to Karen and her publisher. Thanks also to NetGalley b

A brilliant book to end the Wild Isle series in St Kilda. It ties up the other three books in the series very nicely. These books are real page turners and a place to escape to.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.

I’ve been waiting for the 4th book in the Wild Isle series to come about. To be honest I’ve waited for each one. St Kilda is a place which has fascinated me for decades and I’ve read a few non-fiction accounts and other fiction stories based on the Isle and the lives of those who had to leave. The most gratifying point is that to a degree all these writings match up. Those like Karen who have used St Kilda as a setting for their work, have obviously done a good job at research.
This first three books in the Wild Isle series are largely each about one of the girls, who are all good friends. The third one about Flora is my favourite. This, the fourth, pulls all the loose threads together and completes each of the girls stories. It is quite a long tale and I must impress that you really should read the other books first, preferably in order so as to understand what is going on. I loved this and look forward to rereading the whole set once they are all available.

This is the final book (4th) in the Wild Isle Series. Everything comes together beautifully and the author skilfully reminds you of past events without overdoing it. I do think that you need to read the previous books to get the full experience of this St Kilda experience and it is not a stand alone read. Also, I had forgotten some of the previous books and reading them closer together would be an advantage for readers. Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to review all four books in this series.

Usually enjoy a book by this author, but not having read the previous books in the series, I was somewhat unfamiliar with the characters, so did not complete it. That said, I intend to seek out the previous books and go back to this at a later date

The Midnight Secret by Karen Swan

The much awaited fourth and last of the series.
If you've read all the others , this one finishes off the story and,was so satisfying to read. And,a twist at the end as well !
I really enjoy all Karen Swan’s books are always a thrilling and heart warming as was this one.

I was thrilled to receive an advance copy of this via NetGalley as I have loved the previous books in this series about the people who left St Kilda’s. We start this book through the eyes of Jayne, married to brutish Norman. Jayne has visions of death, which is a terrible burden to bear, she is trying to stay as quiet as possible so nobody notices her, but she is forming a friendship with David, her former sister-in-law’s betrothed.
Meanwhile there is ongoing excitement for Flora, who is chasing her missing baby halfway across the world, and for Effie and Mhairi in different ways.
I think it might be hard to pick up all the previous story if you start at the third book in the trilogy, but this does a brilliant job of weaving all the previous tales together, with a very satisfying ending. I have really enjoyed this series and hope the author writes more in this vein.

This book is the last in the St. Kilda series and although it does stand on it's own, it would be better to have read some, if not all the previous books. There is, however, some repeat of the evacuation story which is somewhat the same but based on actual events when the islanders had to leave their homes in 1930. This book centres around Jayne's story and does answer the cliff hangers left from the previous books. Very readable with some more twists and turns from the other girls, Effie, Mhairi and Flora whose stories were featured in the previous books.

This is the last in a series about the characters from St Kilda. It ties up all the stories of the girls and shows them in their new lives. I enjoyed this book, especially about the ship and diseases.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book.

I have read all of the books in this St Kilda series and the latest offering is a very satisfying end to the story. Well written, giving a really interesting insight to life in St Kilda. Recommended.

Karen Swan’s The Midnight Secret is a haunting and evocative tale set against the windswept, isolated beauty of St Kilda. With her exceptional skill for blending romance, history, and suspense, Swan crafts a story where secrets simmer beneath the surface and the past refuses to stay buried.

At the heart of the novel is Jayne Ferguson, a woman whose life is defined by the secrets she keeps and the burdens she bears. Her marriage to the island’s most handsome man is a dark blessing, overshadowed by his cruelty. Jayne’s inherited gift of second sight only brings visions of death, adding another layer to her quiet torment. Swan masterfully explores Jayne’s inner world, showing how fear and resilience shape her choices as she navigates a harsh marriage and the ominous realities of her gift.

The story takes a darker turn with a tragic death that intensifies Jayne’s predicament. As St Kilda faces evacuation, the island’s tension boils over. Swan’s portrayal of this historical event is rich with atmosphere, capturing both the physical isolation of the islanders and the emotional upheaval of leaving their homeland. The narrative twists when a murder shatters the fragile peace, drawing suspicion toward Jayne’s closest friends, Effie, Mhairi, and Flora.

Swan’s writing shines as secrets unravel and the island’s close-knit community fractures under the weight of betrayal and desperation. She masterfully maintains suspense, with Jayne’s prophetic dreams casting a shadow over the story and keeping readers on edge. When the villagers are scattered on the mainland, Swan doesn’t let the tension drop—instead, she deepens the mystery as Jayne realizes that the ghosts of St Kilda still linger.

The Midnight Secret is more than just a historical romance. It is a layered and atmospheric novel that explores friendship, survival, and the cost of knowing too much. Swan’s ability to create complex characters and weave an intricate plot makes this book an absorbing read. Fans of historical fiction with a touch of the supernatural will find themselves captivated by this story, long after the final page.

I have followed this series with great interest over the last few years, and I was so thankful to receive this ARC.
We are back to visit the characters of the Wild Isles series, and this time, the story begins with the POV of Jayne, a woman who can foresee certain events. She's married to Norman, a nasty piece of work, but she doesn't have the strength to fight back in any way.
What she witnesses during her last night on St. Kilda is something she doesn't realise will be significant until further on in the story.
Through this book, we follow Effie, Mhairi, and Flora, key characters in the first three books, and each is left with loose ends that are slowly tied up through The Midnight Secret.
As the book progresses, we visit Canada, different parts of the Highlands, and a return to St Kilda.
The stories of the fictional St Kildan community leading up to the catalyst that finds them leaving their beloved island and all they know and following them as they try to settle on the Scottish Mainland were beautifully crafted.
The entire series is just amazing. Karen Swan made me care about every character, and their stories unfolded unforgettably, so each addition to the series enhanced the previous book.
I hope we will see more series in this vein from the author.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Pan MacMillan for an ARC.

The last book in the saga of the people of St Kilda, an island off the shores of Scotland . Moved onto the mainland, the stories of the characters are told, Stories of love, abuse, betrayal and murder. Enthralling reading, perfect for a cold spring day.

Thank you Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for the advanced copy for review!

I've been looking forward to the conclusion of The Wild Isles series since we were first introduced to the girls in The Last Summer. Jayne has been a character we've become familiar with from her interactions with Effie, Mhairi, and Flora in the last 3 novels. We've finally reached the end, and received answers to many of the mysteries and questions from the previous novels! Just a note that the novel's title seemed to have changed from 'The Hidden Heart' to 'the Midnight Secret' over the last year before release.

I was a bit surprised that this novel took a different structure this time. The first 3 novels heavily focused on each of their respective main characters, while this novel was much more brief in the 'Jayne' focused storyline. I'm guessing this may be in part due to the reader's familiarity with the overall plot of the islanders evacuation at this point, and having *most* of the picture of what's happened from various character POVs. I would nevertheless have liked to explore Jayne's backstory a little more, as she didn't feel as fully fleshed out as the other 3 girls.

I'm assuming the other reason is that this is the concluding novel - Karen Swan had a herculean task of tying up all the loose threads from the previous novels. The chapters alternated between the different girls - and for the most part we received resolutions to the questions and cliffhangers we were left with over the last few years. I generally appreciated the thoroughness with which the girls' stories were resolved (if not together almost tied up a little too neatly). The Midnight Secret isn't a lengthy novel, so I was surprised when the author decided to add in a dash of additional drama for each of Effie, Mhairi and Flora's storylines. For anyone who watches Korean Dramas - it reminds me of the last 1-2 episodes of a series where our leads are almost at their Happily Ever Afters - but end up having to overcome an extra 4-5 hurdles. Thrilling to say the least!

Overall I appreciated the mystery being resolved, the variety of the characters we got to know, strength of friendships, and the detailed description of the setting which allowed me to fully immerse myself in The Wild Isles series.

Rating this 4 out of 5 stars!

This was an INCREDIBLE ending to the series about the island of Kilda. I was so excited to read this, but also so sad as it meant the series was coming to an end, but rest assured, it does not disappoint! I devoured this in one day and it felt so good to read about now familiar characters and to see various strands of the story be tied up. It is just a brilliant story and one that I recommend to absolutely everyone when they ask what I have read lately. The characters feel so real and authentic, the situations they find themselves in are utterly fascinating and it is just a gripping read- would heartily recommend!

This is the final book in The Wild Isles series following the lives of the fictional last residents of St Kilda and it is everything one could wish for. There are plot twists and turns, ups and downs for the main characters, a totally unexpected denouement and some happy endings. Very satisfying. I highly recommend the whole series.
*****

Karen Swan is undeniably a masterful storyteller, and her ability to weave engaging storylines filled with atmospheric settings and complex characters is what I loved about the first two books in this series. They were captivating, filled with depth, intrigue, and a perfect balance of romance and drama. Unfortunately, the third book started to lean into the chick-lit category, and this final installment took it even further, losing some of the authenticity that made the earlier books so compelling. Perhaps there was just not enough St Kilda for me.

While I enjoyed reading about all the familiar characters, some of them fell into cliché territory, making their stories feel predictable. The plot twists, which in the past had been exciting and unexpected, felt a little formulaic and the dialogue at times was cringeworthy. And don’t even get me started on the happy ending which wrapped things up so neatly.

That being said, despite its flaws, the book still had some moments of charm, and Swan’s storytelling ability kept me engaged throughout. It just didn’t quite reach the same level as the first two books, leaving the series with a somewhat disappointing conclusion. If you’re a devoted fan of Swan’s work, it’s still worth reading, but those who fell in love with St Kilda and the atmosphere of the earlier books might find this one a little too light and predictable.

Set around the evacuation of St Kilda and it's last 36 inhabitants. A little slow to get started but soon gathered pace to become a good mystery story.

I was very excited to finally read the conclusion of this series. I thought this was Jayne’s story but it turned out to be told in multiple voices, continuing the story of each of the girls from the first 3 novels. I did enjoy seeing the next part of all their stories, although I did feel some of the bumps in the road felt a bit contrived (everything magically un-working itself out, only to come back together for the ending). However, I still enjoyed it and found myself looking up the real setting and context.