The Midnight Carousel

A spell-binding tale spanning continents and decades, which took hold of my heart and held me captive. Compulsive and heartrending, both love story and page-turning mystery, at the heart of The Midnight Carousel is an unforgettable heroine who has stayed with me long after I turned over the last page. * Anya Bergman, author of THE WITCHES OF VARDO * My favourite book of the year! I devoured Fiza Saeed McLynn's debut in just a few days, and when I wasn't reading, it was all I could think about. The Midnight Carousel is the sort of book that made me fall in love with historical fiction: it's vivid, mysterious, alluring. I can't remember the last time I felt so invested in unravelling the mystery at the heart of a story. An absolute delight. * Sarah Penner, bestselling author of THE LOST APOTHECARY * The Midnight Carousel whirls the reader around to unexpected places - a moving story of survival and love, with an ingeniously contrived mystery at its heart. I completely surrendered to its magic. * Hester Musson, author of THE BEHOLDERS * About chance encounters, colliding fates, love and loss, and shimmering throughout with delicious, dark mystery, this is a fast-paced, elegantly written read. * The Bookseller * I adored Fiza Saeed McLynn’s debut novel, THE MIDNIGHT CAROUSEL. Evoking both Jazz age Chicago and turn-of-the-century Paris, this immersive novel braids stories of love, found family, and loss around a mysterious, exquisite carouselat its centre. The pace expertly conceals and reveals secrets as it gathers momentum to its unexpected, but deeply satisfying conclusion. Readers are in for a treat with this captivating carnival ride of a novel! * Melissa Fu, author of PEACH BLOSSOM SPRING * A gorgeous, unforgettable, lavish tapestry of time, place and character that weaves a compelling mystery into a timeless love story. Breath-taking! Deft, assured, fluid writing and a confidence that promises many more brilliant books to come. * Helen Fields, author of the D.I. Callanach series * A truly magical book, The Midnight Carousel bound me in its spell. From Paris to Chicago, the mystery of the carousel kept me reading long into the night. I adored every page. * Louise Hare, author of THIS LOVELY CITY * A pacy historical mystery spanning three countries, The Midnight Carousel is a delight. With a skilfully light touch, Fiza Saeed McLynn presents a cast of memorable, Dickensian characters whose interactions with the mysterious carousel keep the reader on tenterhooks. The ending is ingenious, the writing beautifully fresh, and the overall effect highly satisfying. A must-read for fans of historical fiction in 2025! * Joanna Miller, author of THE EIGHTS * I truly fell under the spell of The Midnight Carousel. The mystery at the centre of this evocative story swept me away and made it hard to stop turning the pages. This is a magical read, full of exquisite historical details, exploring love and loss in the most thoughtful and tender way. * Abigail Johnson, author of THE SECRET COLLECTOR * Exquisitely drawn and utterly compelling. I was fully transported to the glittering lights and dark corners of the Jazz Age. A sweeping story with as many ups and downs as the carousel itself. A story of mystery, magic, heartbreak and above all hope. I adored it! A remarkable debut from an exciting new voice in historical fiction. * Kim Curran, author of THE MORRIGAN *