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jessica_leffler's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Violence, Dementia, Kidnapping, Car accident, and Murder
emsiemuffin's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infertility, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Dementia, Kidnapping, Grief, and Car accident
acarolinabelle's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Child death and Death
Moderate: Addiction, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Grief, Car accident, and Alcohol
kelisabeth's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Dementia, Kidnapping, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
gellyreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Addiction, Chronic illness, Death, Drug abuse, Dementia, Kidnapping, and Death of parent
Minor: Infertility, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Forced institutionalization
ruthypoo2's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Because the child who went missing was Ethan’s best friend, Billy, the event has haunted Ethan’s life persistently because Billy disappeared on the night he and Ethan were having a backyard camp out. Even though the reader will not get to know all the characters well, I found everyone interesting, and most quite likable. And they all played a role in the day-to-day lives of Ethan and Billy, with more details revealed throughout the story as Ethan does his best to remember what happened on the night he slept while Billy vanished from their shared tent. I loved how all the building blocks fit together as Ethan learned more and more about the people he lived alongside while growing up.
The mystery was good and there are spooky elements, but it’s not necessarily a “read with the lights on” type of story. And that’s okay because it’s a good story that’s well-paced and has a lot of heart.
I listened to the audiobook and really liked the narrator’s interpretation of Ethan. He also did a fine job with most all the other characters of different sexes and ages, especially young Henry.
Moderate: Child death, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, and Alcohol
Minor: Bullying, Drug use, Dementia, Kidnapping, Stalking, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
avidreaderandgeekgirl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Quick Review: I almost wish the book had supernatural elements, I think that would have made the ending more satisfying. I figured out part of what had happened to Billy, by about halfway through the book. I know Riley Sager's books tend to be ones I either love or I just feel meh about, but this one was a meh book. I think part of the problem was Ethan wasn't that likable.
Narrator Rating: 4.0 stars
The narrator did an excellent job, though some of his tonal shifts for the flashbacks were irritating.
Graphic: Grief, Stalking, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, Child death, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Blood, Dementia, Kidnapping, Car accident, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcoholism, Cursing, Drug abuse, Racism, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Vomit, and Death of parent
While a child is killed in the book, I don't think it would qualify as graphic as it was relatively quick and not vividly described, though it's talked about quite a bit.bananasandsunshine's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Child death and Kidnapping
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Stalking, and Murder
Minor: Bullying, Miscarriage, and Abandonment
finalgirl1986's review
- 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
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟
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
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Bullying, Child death, Death, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Addiction, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Dementia, Kidnapping, and Car accident
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!