A review by crispynugget
Middle of the Night by Riley Sager

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

I did listen to the audiobook version which absolutely made the story worse. The Narrator is far too casual, especially with the woman and girl characters.

The main character must get his stupid genes from his mother. In addition to being unable to tie clues together unless they smack him in the face, he is an insanely entitled character. Sneak around an in use institute and act surprised when the cops are called on you by the lone woman employee? How CouLd sHe tHinK I wAs a threat and why am I being treated like a felon? Idk, maybe because you’re acting like one? The only believable part of this book was the awful police work

Additional frustration point, all the woman characters don’t want to be “domestic”. All women end up domestic.

The story is essentially a detailed timeline retelling. Over and over again. Without spoiling anything, we the reader do not need EVERYTHING spelled out for us. My partner and I would be yelling at the narration, “We know please move on!!” Is it the worst book? To some maybe. Is it tedious to get through? Yes. Riley wastes the readability by continually repeating himself. If this truly is the best Riley has to offer, I will not be reading another one of his books. 

Riley only does handholding. I do completely understand why some would like this style of writing, but this book is not for those of us who dislike and get frustrated by overwriting. There is 0 subtlety and the pacing is worsened because of it. Did anyone edit this?