A haunting finale steeped in secrets, second sight, and simmering tension.

The Midnight Secret wraps up Karen Swan’s St Kilda trilogy with drama, heartache, and a dash of the supernatural. Though I hadn’t read the previous books, I was still pulled into the stormy lives of these isolated islanders—especially Jayne, whose quiet strength and tragic gift add a compelling layer to the story.

The writing is evocative and atmospheric, and the backdrop of St Kilda’s final days is both poignant and richly imagined. That said, newcomers may struggle with the web of relationships and backstory, which rely heavily on the earlier instalments for emotional depth.

A solid conclusion to a sweeping saga—best enjoyed in order for full impact.

First of all, you need to have read the first three books in the series before moving on to this one. There is so much backstory with the other characters that it’s essential.
As always Karen Swan completely knocks it out of the ball park and is truly in a league of her own when it comes to story telling. The shear amount of details and research that has been put into these books is outstanding. I have loved finding out so much about the St Kilda islands and the history around them. Having led me to read up on them and their history in their own right. Karen Swan is so spot on about them in her stories. It really brought the past back to life. Then the whole story spanning across all four books is totally outstanding and captivating. 100% recommend.

This book was amazing in every way. Every question I had from the previuos three books was answered, and answered perfectly. The way in which the islanders lives was described both before and after leaving the island was magical, and I could picture the descriptions vividly. All in all I was so satisfied with the storyline and the way it ended, I couldn't have asked for more. I will be recommending this whole series to everyone I know!

Wow! What a conclusion, this series is absolutely immense. Definitely not a standalone book, you need to read and enjoy the first three books in the series to get the whole overview of the story and marvel at the drawing together of all the loose ends in this book to result in the fabulous ending. I loved it and I will be reading all them again without the wait for the next instalment to be released between each one!

Thank you Netgalley

Having read all four books in this series, please start with book one and follow them in order.
This book is amazing, because it completes the story of the evacuation of the island of St Kilda and the consequences of ‘that night’ in 1930.
Focus is on Flora. And her quest to be reunited with her son together with Effie and how she obtained her nickname ‘lady of the lock’.
It is difficult not to give away any spoilers, so I will just say it was interesting to read about these. Fictional people who were uprooted from their only known life on the island and transported to the mainland. It cannot have been easy for the real villagers either..
I shall miss theses characters and envy those new readers who will discover the stories and secrets from St Kilda.

Imagine being married to the most handsome man on the island of St Kildare. Imagine if that man was a bully and imagine if you had the gift of second sight that could see the death of others. It’s all here in this tense read of love, loss and friendship. As the island is evacuated, secrets and violence surface, but will the past catch up with Jayne and her friends?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book following the people of St Kilda their loves and dramatic lives as they moved from their homes to the mainland. It was a real page turner with some truly lovely and fascinating characters. This was a truly wonderful series.

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.