Reviews tagging 'Panic attacks/disorders'

Middle of the Night by Riley Sager

9 reviews

jessica_leffler's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • 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

I read Middle of the Night for book club, and while I normally wouldn’t normally choose to read a thriller, this book kept me enthralled. I did accurately predict at least part of the ending, but there were enough plot twist and surprises to give me whiplash. It also definitely gave me goose bumps, but was wasn’t so scary that I couldn’t read it in the Middle of the Night 😜

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emsiemuffin's review

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dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • 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


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acarolinabelle's review

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emotional sad slow-paced
  • 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

I’ve read every book by this author. It started well, then drug a bit in the middle. It got exciting again towards the end. Full of emotion at the end. 

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kelisabeth's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • 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


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gellyreads's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • 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

Wow, I'm not sure what all to say about this one. I'm an avid Sager reader and lover, and this one was not at all what I was expecting.
On one hand, I'm really disappointed because there was so much build up around the Hawthorne Institute that went absolutely nowhere. But the fact that it was just her as a teen, underage drinking, and a complete accident, feels so real? Like, that is what would happen in real life. That would be devastating. But it also feels like a bit of a cop out with the mystery. I'm okay with the way the ghost kid was involved in this one and saving their lives at the end; I really enjoyed the twist of the other neighbor kid being the one who cut the tent and that the "haunting" was done by Andy, which I actually did call! But wow.
This one was a wild and twisty ride and is honestly unpredictable as a reader, I think. Not my favorite work he's written, but not my least favorite under this pen name either. The switching of the point of views for the past tense was also a bit distracting for me when it was Ethan, and I enjoyed it more when we saw other characters' POVs in the past tense that way. Also, nice to see some diverse characters, finally! 

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ruthypoo2's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious reflective sad 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? Yes

5.0

I’ve read five other books by Riley Sager and this is by far my favorite. I enjoyed the way the story unfolded through two different timeframes via one primary narrator, Ethan Marsh, and other characters also involved in or impacted by the 30-year-old loss of a child that went missing from the Hemlock Circle neighborhood. 

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.

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avidreaderandgeekgirl's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • 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 Synopsis:  Ethan is back at his childhood home 30 years after his best friend Billy disappeared from his backyard. Ethan, still having nightmares from that night, begins to think Billy is trying to communicate with him.

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. 

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bananasandsunshine's review

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I genuinely enjoyed the character building that took place over the entire course of the novel. while I’m sure some people might find it repetitive, I thought Sager’s building of mood and as atmosphere was so good. 

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finalgirl1986's review

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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 

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