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reading_rita 's review for:
The Midnight Shift
by Seon-Ran Cheon
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A great start to Women in Translation Month - "The Midnight Shift" is a short, atmospheric Korean novel that feels like watching an old noir film. It’s moody, quiet, and makes you a lil bit afraid of walking in the dark.
The story follows Su-Yeon, a detective investigating a string of suspicious deaths in a care home - all elderly people, all officially ruled as suicides, all “mysteriously drained of blood”. She crosses paths with Violette, a woman who introduces herself as a vampire hunter.
As the story unfolds, we learn more about Violette’s past through flashbacks - her mission is deeply personal, as she’s searching for her ex-lover, Lily. Su-Yeon remains more of a mystery, which was my biggest disappointment as she never quite felt fleshed out.
This isn’t a plot-heavy or character-driven book, and it won’t be for everyone. The writing is beautiful but so quiet that I had to be in exactly the right mood to stay with it. At times, I found myself drifting or feeling a bit bored.
There’s a real sense of grief, sadness, and loneliness running through the story. The fact that "the lonely" elderly care home patients were targeted precisely because “no one would miss them” felt.. heavy.
Overall, I’d say this would be a wonderful choice for spooky season, and I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy slow, atmospheric horror with a touch of sadness.
3.75/5 ⭐
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
The story follows Su-Yeon, a detective investigating a string of suspicious deaths in a care home - all elderly people, all officially ruled as suicides, all “mysteriously drained of blood”. She crosses paths with Violette, a woman who introduces herself as a vampire hunter.
As the story unfolds, we learn more about Violette’s past through flashbacks - her mission is deeply personal, as she’s searching for her ex-lover, Lily. Su-Yeon remains more of a mystery, which was my biggest disappointment as she never quite felt fleshed out.
This isn’t a plot-heavy or character-driven book, and it won’t be for everyone. The writing is beautiful but so quiet that I had to be in exactly the right mood to stay with it. At times, I found myself drifting or feeling a bit bored.
There’s a real sense of grief, sadness, and loneliness running through the story. The fact that "the lonely" elderly care home patients were targeted precisely because “no one would miss them” felt.. heavy.
Overall, I’d say this would be a wonderful choice for spooky season, and I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy slow, atmospheric horror with a touch of sadness.
3.75/5 ⭐
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.