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throwback682's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
This was a tearjerker for me. A lot of twists I didn’t predict (and one I did), although you may figure things out more quickly. It felt a bit long but overall very enjoyable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, Confinement, Mental illness, and Dementia
Minor: Cursing, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Blood, Vomit, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
bananasandsunshine's review
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Kidnapping
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Stalking, and Murder
Minor: Bullying, Miscarriage, and Abandonment
shesflippinpages's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
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? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Bullying, Child death, Death, Drug use, Violence, Blood, Dementia, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
annaavian's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
The premise promises a thrilling and mysterious journey into the eerie and unknown. However, the execution of this promise falls short in several key areas, leaving readers with a sense of unfulfilled potential and a rather dull experience.
The author's choice of a simplistic and sparse narrative style might be intended to create an atmospheric, minimalist tone, but it unfortunately results in a lack of depth and engagement. The repetitive use of sentences and words further exacerbates this issue, making the reading experience feel monotonous and tiresome. Instead of drawing the reader into a suspenseful world, the prose feels uninspired and fails to build the intended chilling, mysterious atmosphere.
The central character, Ethan, is depicted with a paranoia that could have added layers to his personality, yet he comes across as bland and unremarkable. His interactions and internal monologues lack the necessary emotional complexity and nuance, making it difficult for readers to connect with him or care about his journey.
The plot, centered around a murder or disappearance mystery, lacks a solid foundation and a well-developed backstory. It feels superficial, with an overabundance of "maybe's" and "what if's" that do little to advance the storyline or add meaningful suspense. This book felt like an episode of "Desperate Housewives" with a hint of a ghost story. The narrative feels more like a disjointed TV drama than a cohesive and compelling mystery novel.
The ending borders on the ridiculous. Instead of providing a satisfying resolution or a surprising twist, it feels contrived and out of place, further detracting from the overall coherence and impact of the story.
Overall, "Middle of the Night" is a disappointing read. Its lackluster writing, underdeveloped characters, and weak plot fail to deliver the gripping and haunting experience that readers might expect from a Riley Sager novel. For those seeking a well-crafted mystery with depth and intrigue, this book might not be the best choice.
The author's choice of a simplistic and sparse narrative style might be intended to create an atmospheric, minimalist tone, but it unfortunately results in a lack of depth and engagement. The repetitive use of sentences and words further exacerbates this issue, making the reading experience feel monotonous and tiresome. Instead of drawing the reader into a suspenseful world, the prose feels uninspired and fails to build the intended chilling, mysterious atmosphere.
The central character, Ethan, is depicted with a paranoia that could have added layers to his personality, yet he comes across as bland and unremarkable. His interactions and internal monologues lack the necessary emotional complexity and nuance, making it difficult for readers to connect with him or care about his journey.
The plot, centered around a murder or disappearance mystery, lacks a solid foundation and a well-developed backstory. It feels superficial, with an overabundance of "maybe's" and "what if's" that do little to advance the storyline or add meaningful suspense. This book felt like an episode of "Desperate Housewives" with a hint of a ghost story. The narrative feels more like a disjointed TV drama than a cohesive and compelling mystery novel.
The ending borders on the ridiculous. Instead of providing a satisfying resolution or a surprising twist, it feels contrived and out of place, further detracting from the overall coherence and impact of the story.
Overall, "Middle of the Night" is a disappointing read. Its lackluster writing, underdeveloped characters, and weak plot fail to deliver the gripping and haunting experience that readers might expect from a Riley Sager novel. For those seeking a well-crafted mystery with depth and intrigue, this book might not be the best choice.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Grief, Stalking, and Car accident
tspencley0621's review against another edition
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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This was a really good read. Every time I thought I had the answer, there was a twist to make me change my mind. The plot of “repressed memories-missing kid/best friend-immense guilt-investigating-haunting” was pretty well written and easy to follow.
4.25 stars, but only because I could see where it was going at times
4.25 stars, but only because I could see where it was going at times
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Stalking
Moderate: Addiction, Child death, Death, and Drug abuse
Minor: Blood and Kidnapping