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egaudet's review
5.0
Reminded me of Stephen King’s “It” and Netflix’s “Stranger Things”. Had me skipping ahead pages to get a peek at what was coming
briannamwod's review
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Unfortunately this one felt a little long winded for me and fell a little flat. It was very slow until 75% and then it became predicable and not too shocking. I was hoping for a classic Sager wild twist but was disappointed by the mundane reality of the reveal. I finished, despite the urge to DNF was there. It was solidly, “okay.”
grace_astudentreading's review
emotional
mysterious
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
Advanced reader's copy review
This book took me longer to get into than I expected from a Riley Sager book, but ultimately it was so worth it in the end. For starters, I am a sucker for any book that is told alternating between past and present, and this book is no exception. I especially liked how the present was in limited first person narration while the past was told in multiple third person points of view. It allowed for a better understanding of what happened in the past than if it was just 10 year old Ethan. And I found Ethan a very relatable main character. I too suffer from insomnia and turn into an unreliable narrator when I’m sleep deprived. And I thought Sager did an amazing job showing how childhood trauma follows a person into adulthood, while also giving Ethan enough healing over the course of the story to make the reader happy. As for the plot, while it started slow it always had a steady level of tension, then as it ramped up towards the end there were so many crazy and amazing twists. I absolutely loved the ending it was perfection in my mind. I highly recommend this book!
Thank you Dutton for the free advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
This book took me longer to get into than I expected from a Riley Sager book, but ultimately it was so worth it in the end. For starters, I am a sucker for any book that is told alternating between past and present, and this book is no exception. I especially liked how the present was in limited first person narration while the past was told in multiple third person points of view. It allowed for a better understanding of what happened in the past than if it was just 10 year old Ethan. And I found Ethan a very relatable main character. I too suffer from insomnia and turn into an unreliable narrator when I’m sleep deprived. And I thought Sager did an amazing job showing how childhood trauma follows a person into adulthood, while also giving Ethan enough healing over the course of the story to make the reader happy. As for the plot, while it started slow it always had a steady level of tension, then as it ramped up towards the end there were so many crazy and amazing twists. I absolutely loved the ending it was perfection in my mind. I highly recommend this book!
Thank you Dutton for the free advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
michedea_books_'s review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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? Yes
4.0
It’s 1994 Ten-year-old Ethan Marsh lives in a respectable and safe neighbourhood of Hemlock Circle or so he thought. One July evening he pitches a tent in his garden for himself and his friend Billy to sleep in. He hears a funny sound during the night but thinks nothing of it. The next morning her finds a slash in the tent and his friend Billy has disappeared, never to be seen again.
Thirty years later, Ethan has returned to his childhood home after his parents moved out and moved away. He is staying there temporarily until he decides to what he is going to do with his life and given now he can find out what happened to Billy all of them years ago. As there was no leads or suspects found at the time.
This is another dual timeline story from Riley Sager. From the time around Billy’s disappearance to present day. At first, I found this to be a rather slow but as I read on it got more interesting. This has a quite few threads and red herrings with a supernatural element to it along the way. I sympathize with Ethan you could feel his frustration and grief not only from Billy’s disappearance but other things going on in his personal life. This is another great read from the author. 4 stars from me.
anaveragelife's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
laurajadeslibrary's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
finalgirl1986's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Middle of the Night by Riley Sager
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟
Three decades have passed since Ethan’s world was shattered: his best friend vanished from the tent in his backyard, leaving behind a void filled with nightmares. Now, as Ethan returns to his childhood sanctuary, he grapples with the scars of that fateful night—PTSD, insomnia, and an ever-vigilant gaze. But as the 30th anniversary of Billy’s disappearance looms, a series of eerie events grips his quiet cul-de-sac, compelling Ethan to unravel the mystery that has long tormented him, for the sake of his own peace of mind.
This novel is a masterful blend reminiscent of “Stand By Me,” “White Noise,” and “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” featuring a rich tapestry of characters, each meticulously crafted and vibrant. Ethan, our protagonist, is a character I share little with, yet his journey drew me in, stirring deep empathy and a fervent hope for his recovery and fulfillment.
Having delved into Riley Sager’s repertoire, I can attest that each book has been a triumph, yet “Middle of the Night” stands out as a true tour de force, surpassing even “The Last One Left” as my top pick.
For aficionados of dual-timeline narratives, the “Kids on Bikes” subgenre, spectral encounters, or crime fiction delving into the realms of the lost and the taken, this book is a must-read.
Crafted with exquisite prose, the story weaves in twists that, despite the breadcrumbs left along the way, caught me off guard, leaving me astounded. “Middle of the Night” is undoubtedly Sager’s most poignant work to date, a testament to his storytelling prowess that will leave readers thoroughly captivated. Once unable to conceive of anyone rivaling Stephen King as my favorite author, Sager’s consistently gripping tales have earned him a place at the pinnacle of my literary pantheon.
I received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy.
Pre-order today. Out June 18th, 2024.
Amazon https://amzn.to/3JYMk4P
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟
Three decades have passed since Ethan’s world was shattered: his best friend vanished from the tent in his backyard, leaving behind a void filled with nightmares. Now, as Ethan returns to his childhood sanctuary, he grapples with the scars of that fateful night—PTSD, insomnia, and an ever-vigilant gaze. But as the 30th anniversary of Billy’s disappearance looms, a series of eerie events grips his quiet cul-de-sac, compelling Ethan to unravel the mystery that has long tormented him, for the sake of his own peace of mind.
This novel is a masterful blend reminiscent of “Stand By Me,” “White Noise,” and “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” featuring a rich tapestry of characters, each meticulously crafted and vibrant. Ethan, our protagonist, is a character I share little with, yet his journey drew me in, stirring deep empathy and a fervent hope for his recovery and fulfillment.
Having delved into Riley Sager’s repertoire, I can attest that each book has been a triumph, yet “Middle of the Night” stands out as a true tour de force, surpassing even “The Last One Left” as my top pick.
For aficionados of dual-timeline narratives, the “Kids on Bikes” subgenre, spectral encounters, or crime fiction delving into the realms of the lost and the taken, this book is a must-read.
Crafted with exquisite prose, the story weaves in twists that, despite the breadcrumbs left along the way, caught me off guard, leaving me astounded. “Middle of the Night” is undoubtedly Sager’s most poignant work to date, a testament to his storytelling prowess that will leave readers thoroughly captivated. Once unable to conceive of anyone rivaling Stephen King as my favorite author, Sager’s consistently gripping tales have earned him a place at the pinnacle of my literary pantheon.
I received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy.
Pre-order today. Out June 18th, 2024.
Amazon https://amzn.to/3JYMk4P
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death, Alcohol, Death of parent, Bullying, and Child death
Minor: Car accident, Dementia, Mental illness, Drug abuse, Kidnapping, Addiction, and Panic attacks/disorders
Middle of the Night by Riley Sager ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟 Three decades have passed since Ethan’s world was shattered: his best friend vanished from the tent in his backyard, leaving behind a void filled with nightmares. Now, as Ethan returns to his childhood sanctuary, he grapples with the scars of that fateful night—PTSD, insomnia, and an ever-vigilant gaze. But as the 30th anniversary of Billy’s disappearance looms, a series of eerie events grips his quiet cul-de-sac, compelling Ethan to unravel the mystery that has long tormented him, for the sake of his own peace of mind. This novel is a masterful blend reminiscent of “Stand By Me,” “White Noise,” and “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” featuring a rich tapestry of characters, each meticulously crafted and vibrant. Ethan, our protagonist, is a character I share little with, yet his journey drew me in, stirring deep empathy and a fervent hope for his recovery and fulfillment. Having delved into Riley Sager’s repertoire, I can attest that each book has been a triumph, yet “Middle of the Night” stands out as a true tour de force, surpassing even “The Last One Left” as my top pick. For aficionados of dual-timeline narratives, the “Kids on Bikes” subgenre, spectral encounters, or crime fiction delving into the realms of the lost and the taken, this book is a must-read. Crafted with exquisite prose, the story weaves in twists that, despite the breadcrumbs left along the way, caught me off guard, leaving me astounded. “Middle of the Night” is undoubtedly Sager’s most poignant work to date, a testament to his storytelling prowess that will leave readers thoroughly captivated. Once unable to conceive of anyone rivaling Stephen King as my favorite author, Sager’s consistently gripping tales have earned him a place at the pinnacle of my literary pantheon. I received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy. Pre-order today. Out June 18th, 2024. Amazon https://amzn.to/3JYMk4P Trigger Warning: Insomnia & Night Terrors, missing child, kidnapping, child harm, drug overdose, bullying, grief, dementia, mental illness, child death, panic attacks, paranoia. If you like cul-de-sac mysteries like this one, read Magnolia Court by J. L. Hyde next!agiali's review
5.0
I will never love another book quite like I love this one. Tears were shed out of wholesomeness and fear. I had NIGHTMARES because of this book. Sager made this book impossible to put down and unforgettable. This is my favorite thriller of ALL-TIME.
Let me first preface this review with a few things: I don't think this book is going to be loved by the masses, especially by Riley Sager fans and high-pace thriller lovers. I also have only read two of Sager's previous novels, Survive the Night and The House Across the Lake so I don't have much to compare when it comes to his other novels.
Middle of the Night takes place 30 years after our main character, Ethan, lost his best friend, Billy. While they were camping in his backyard, Ethan woke up to find a slash in his tent and Billy was gone, yet his belongings remained. He'd soon realize Billy never went home and would never come home again.
Now, in the present, Ethan is 40 and back in town after leaving his wife, Claudia to take care of his childhood home while his parents (recently moved to Florida) set up a sale for the house. However, Ethan isn't the only one back in town. Suffering from insomnia and nightmares of Billy's disappearance, someone is lurking in the middle of the night. Is someone playing a prank on Ethan? Or has Billy finally returned to Hemlock Circle?
I am distraught. I wish I could give you spoilers because MAN you won't understand what I went through unless you read it. I have never been this freaked out by a book EVER. There have been a few books where a scene has freaked me out and I'm like "Oh", but Middle of the Night was an entirely different experience. To better paint the picture, this is a digital advanced reader copy. I exclusively read my Kindle at night before bed. BIG MISTAKE WITH THIS ONE. The first 60% of this book had me shaking in my metaphorical boots. I didn't know what direction this book was going in and the way Sager wrote Ethan's paranoia made me ANXIOUS.
By the end of this book though, I was in tears. I've never read a thriller that ends in that way, which I know will tick off thriller readers, but for me, the last two chapters made me so emotional that I WePT.
I was not expecting this to become an all-time favorite book, especially my second favorite book of the year so far, but here we are. This book has made me a Riley Sager fan and I am so excited to continue on with his backlist!
(This title is set to release on June 18, 2024, from Dutton! Thank you for the opportunity to read this in advance!)
Let me first preface this review with a few things: I don't think this book is going to be loved by the masses, especially by Riley Sager fans and high-pace thriller lovers. I also have only read two of Sager's previous novels, Survive the Night and The House Across the Lake so I don't have much to compare when it comes to his other novels.
Middle of the Night takes place 30 years after our main character, Ethan, lost his best friend, Billy. While they were camping in his backyard, Ethan woke up to find a slash in his tent and Billy was gone, yet his belongings remained. He'd soon realize Billy never went home and would never come home again.
Now, in the present, Ethan is 40 and back in town after leaving his wife, Claudia to take care of his childhood home while his parents (recently moved to Florida) set up a sale for the house. However, Ethan isn't the only one back in town. Suffering from insomnia and nightmares of Billy's disappearance, someone is lurking in the middle of the night. Is someone playing a prank on Ethan? Or has Billy finally returned to Hemlock Circle?
I am distraught. I wish I could give you spoilers because MAN you won't understand what I went through unless you read it. I have never been this freaked out by a book EVER. There have been a few books where a scene has freaked me out and I'm like "Oh", but Middle of the Night was an entirely different experience. To better paint the picture, this is a digital advanced reader copy. I exclusively read my Kindle at night before bed. BIG MISTAKE WITH THIS ONE. The first 60% of this book had me shaking in my metaphorical boots. I didn't know what direction this book was going in and the way Sager wrote Ethan's paranoia made me ANXIOUS.
By the end of this book though, I was in tears. I've never read a thriller that ends in that way, which I know will tick off thriller readers, but for me, the last two chapters made me so emotional that I WePT.
I was not expecting this to become an all-time favorite book, especially my second favorite book of the year so far, but here we are. This book has made me a Riley Sager fan and I am so excited to continue on with his backlist!
(This title is set to release on June 18, 2024, from Dutton! Thank you for the opportunity to read this in advance!)
dembury's review
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Every summer I will read Sager’s newest novel and it feels exactly like going to a movie and hunkering down in the dark for a couple hours and enjoying a lil mystery movie that maybe has ghosts. Sometimes it’s predictable but I’m gonna have fun watching it unfold.