Reviews

The Midnight Man by Caroline Mitchell

moontoor's review

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

saarrr's review against another edition

3.0

Het boek begon spannend, maar werd wat langdradig en het einde was een dikke tegenvaller. Maar alsnog leuk om te lezen. Dit boek is deel 1 in een serie en blijkt de minste van de tot nu toe 3 boeken te zijn. Binnenkort daarom deel 2 ook maar proberen.

estelle127's review

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

egladil's review

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

book4grace's review

challenging emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

elizabethbunston's review

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

jenmulholland's review against another edition

dark mysterious medium-paced

2.0

labwa_0712's review against another edition

2.0

The beginning was so interesting. The prologue was scary. But then it became boring.

Sarah was the only developed character here. No other likeable characters. And the situation with her husband was so vaguely written I almost didn’t understand.

Also when she went to confront the culprit at the end why did she not have any weapons! A stab vest? Instead of a bullet proof one?

Suddenly Lewis is the main criminal. Howww. He was rarely mentioned and without any context you make him the villain. With a lame reason to terrorize the town. Why? Because he loved her when they were young and he thought she was dead and he felt betrayed. Great.

Why did he only kill Angelica? Why not kill Libby and Jahmelia? It was so inconsistent.

Suddenly you drop the bomb that maybe Sarah’s father was not the killer? Then you explain in two pages how evil and selfish her uncle was and it was him all along? Yeah right.

Disappointing.

kizzabell's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

rbharath's review

mysterious relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This is an ideal book to relax with. 

1994, Slayton Town, the Middletons have moved into Blackhall Manor. One night Susan hears gunshots at home. Her mother asks her to hide in the wardrobe. She hears her mother’s anguished voice say “Not my little girl”. Many shots are fired and Susan realises with horror that most of her family – brother Robin and mother are probably dead. She hears her dad’s voice and a shot is also fired through the wardrobe door. The police arrives and Susan is moved to hospital in a critical condition. The verdict – her dad shot the entire family and then turned the gun on himself. Susan is in coma for a long time before making a recovery. 

2019, Sarah is in the police force but has been on leave for a year for mental health reasons after being in trauma following her husband David’s death. The rest of the force is not welcoming of her joining back. Four girls play a game at the Blackhall Manor, which is unoccupied and maintained by an agency. One of the girls – Angelica is found dead. Sarah gets drawn into the case, bringing back nightmares of the past. She also receives a mocking letter. There seems to be a link to events of the past. 

 

The story keeps up the tension right till the end. There are several characters – all unique & well developed, which keeps you guessing on who the murderer could be. The descriptions of Blackhall Manor are good – conjuring a spooky feel. The tie-in with the past is good. I found the track with respect to Susan’s husband David to be poorly written and distracting. The motivation for the murders & revelation of the culprit has a touch of sensationalism. 

 

A great entertainer!