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challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Grief
Minor: Addiction, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Blood, Car accident, Death of parent, Alcohol
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This picks up about 50% of the way through and gets better at 80%... But I wouldn't say it ever gets good. Too much kid focus in a vague, I-am-an-adult-but-an-unorepared-for-responsibility way that didn't add meaningfully to the character of the kids themselves. I found the flashback chapters much more interesting than the present day chapters. Some of the final reveals are things I expected, but a lot of them were surprises. The flashforward ending is saccharine and overly simplified.
If this is generally considered a "good" Riley Sager book, then I have no interest in reading another one.
If this is generally considered a "good" Riley Sager book, then I have no interest in reading another one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child death, Grief, Alcohol
Moderate: Bullying, Dementia
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death
Moderate: Addiction, Bullying, Drug abuse, Drug use, Murder
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Grief
Moderate: Addiction, Mental illness
Minor: Drug abuse
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
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, Injury/Injury detail
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
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: Bullying, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Alcohol
Minor: Addiction, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Dementia, Kidnapping, 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!
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
When Ethan Marsh was ten, he and his best friend, Billy, were enjoying one of their Friday camp-outs in his back yard. In the morning, Ethan woke to a slash in the side of the tent and Billy missing. Law enforcement determined that he was abducted. Billy was never found. His case was moved to the back burner by law enforcement, and true crime enthusiasts posted photos of him and the tent, speculating what may have happened.
Thirty years later Ethan has moved back. His marriage has crumbled and his parents bought a condo in Florida, so they offered to have him stay in his childhood home. Other than Billy's family, the other residents are the same. Now he's being left mysterious messages by somebody who knows something. Is it the person that took Billy? Is it Billy himself?
As with all of Riley Sager's books, the story is filled with twists, turns, and red herrings that will keep you guessing until the end. This one had a different feel than most of them, but it might be my favorite. Thank you to the publisher, author, and Edelweiss for the chance to read this ARC.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Homophobia, Kidnapping, Grief, Abandonment
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
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, Stalking
Moderate: Addiction, Child death, Death, Drug abuse
Minor: Blood, Kidnapping