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jellyflesh_'s review
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child death, Suicide, and Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism
avidreaderandgeekgirl's review against another edition
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.
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.
Content Warnings
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.jmkendall0218's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
5.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
@riley.sager does it again!
The Middle of the Night tells the story of a ten year old boy in 1994 vanished in the middle of the night from his best friends backyard. The only clue is a huge slash cut into the side of the tent they were sleeping in. Thirty years later, Ethan is back in his childhood home and it’s time to find out what really happened to Billy.
This book takes place just a few years off from when I was sleeping outside at my own friends houses which made it a little extra scary! I regularly slept with one friend in particular outside on her trampoline in the middle of nowhere during our summers off. Mix that with the return to a childhood home which always feels a little bittersweet to me.
I love a good mystery and this one had a couple twists that actually made me gasp or “Oh!!” Out loud in surprise which is not often easy to do.
The one thing that bothers me (if anyone wants to discuss!!) is that a few weeks ago, Riley posted a reel with a timeline of all his books. There was a blank space for 1954 insinuating something is supposed to happen in 1954. I assumed that was this book before there are 50s cars on the cover of this book but nothing happened in the 50’s! Riley, why are those cars there!? What does it mean? Is a 50’s book coming!? Will they be connected!? I need more answers! 😂
Great novel and I recommend to any mystery or thriller lover. It is about a missing child, but there is nothing graphic in it for anyone wondering about triggers. It’s more reflective and mysterious.
@duttonbooks #middleofthenight #mysterynovels #thrillernovels #missingchildren #whathappenedtobilly #paranormalornot #junereleases #junereads #bookreview #rileysager #autobuyauthor
@riley.sager does it again!
The Middle of the Night tells the story of a ten year old boy in 1994 vanished in the middle of the night from his best friends backyard. The only clue is a huge slash cut into the side of the tent they were sleeping in. Thirty years later, Ethan is back in his childhood home and it’s time to find out what really happened to Billy.
This book takes place just a few years off from when I was sleeping outside at my own friends houses which made it a little extra scary! I regularly slept with one friend in particular outside on her trampoline in the middle of nowhere during our summers off. Mix that with the return to a childhood home which always feels a little bittersweet to me.
I love a good mystery and this one had a couple twists that actually made me gasp or “Oh!!” Out loud in surprise which is not often easy to do.
The one thing that bothers me (if anyone wants to discuss!!) is that a few weeks ago, Riley posted a reel with a timeline of all his books. There was a blank space for 1954 insinuating something is supposed to happen in 1954. I assumed that was this book before there are 50s cars on the cover of this book but nothing happened in the 50’s! Riley, why are those cars there!? What does it mean? Is a 50’s book coming!? Will they be connected!? I need more answers! 😂
Great novel and I recommend to any mystery or thriller lover. It is about a missing child, but there is nothing graphic in it for anyone wondering about triggers. It’s more reflective and mysterious.
@duttonbooks #middleofthenight #mysterynovels #thrillernovels #missingchildren #whathappenedtobilly #paranormalornot #junereleases #junereads #bookreview #rileysager #autobuyauthor
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Dementia, Car accident, and Toxic friendship