Middle of the Night

God this book was awful. 
It was so boring, and there wasn't a “twist” I didn't see coming. 
It took me forever to get through and it threw me into a few slumps. 
Had it not been a Riley Sager book I probably would have DNF'd it but I should have anyways. 
It felt like NOTHING happened in the 300+ pages. 
Anytime anything started to get interesting it was explained away almost as quickly as it'd come up. I feel like any of the other suspect's being the  culprit would have been more interesting than the actual culprit and their story was. 
Riley Sager has always been a hit or miss author for me ranging from 2 stars (Lock Every Door) to near 5 Stars (Survive the Night and The Only One Left) but this was the biggest swing and a miss I've ever seen from him and boy am I disappointed. Even prior works that I rated low feel like 5 stars in comparison to this one. 
My worst book of the year so far. 

Riley sager did it again to me and I have to say I'm loving it. I am always page turning his books and I am obsessed with his characters. If I could choose this would likely be in my top 5

I actually had a hard time putting this book down once I started. It is, as Riley Sager usual, very easy to read. There were multiple POVs that at first seemed a little unnecessary but ultimately added some depth to a suburban cold-case story.

There were some quotes I really enjoyed but in general the book was... not very good. 

Riley Sager’s Middle of the Night is a tense and chilling psychological thriller that kept me on the edge of my seats from the very first sentence to the last. Known for his signature twists and dark narrative's, Sager delivers yet another gripping page-turner, this time set against the backdrop of what feels like your typical 90s all0american neighborhood.

A master at creating a mood of suspense, Sager has written yet another amazing thriller, only this time the riveting mystery regarding the kidnaping of one's childhood friends, and the lengths he goes through to find out what happened to them. The pacing is quick, with each chapter revealing new pieces of the puzzle, complete with flashbacks and then chapters centered around events of the present. One of the highlights of Middle of the Night is Sager’s ability to craft unpredictable twists. When you think you have the story figured out, a sudden revelation shakes things up, forcing you to reconsider everything. The final twist, in particular, is shocking and well-executed, leaving readers with that satisfying, “I never saw that coming” feeling.

This is my second Riley Sager book and while I preferred The Only One Left I still enjoyed this one. The multiple narratives and flashbacks worked well, the 90s was lovingly recreated and the neighbourhood setting felt very real. I found the main character likeable and the supporting characters were given quite a bit of development and fleshing out which I value but that did slow the pace, especially in the middle. The ending wasn't what I was expecting but I wasn't completely disappointed as it felt right for the characters

I wanted to like this a lot more than I did. Alas, I did not.

4.5⭐️

This was my first Riley Sager book I've read, though I've been very excited to read his work. 

I loved this book! It was a strangely beautiful tale about neighbors. I love the ghost addition, loved the eeriness of the Hawthorne Institute, and I loved every character. This was def fully Stranger Things/It vibes with the flashbacks to the kids. I thought it had enough vibes without being a copycat. 

I also didn't expect what exactly happened and it kept me guessing. 

Overall loved this! I feel like it was more thriller than horror, just a tinge of ghost added. Either way it was fantastic!

An Underwhelming Thriller

I recently finished “Middle of the Night” by Riley Sager, and I have to say, it left me feeling rather lukewarm. While it was a quick and easy read, it didn't quite deliver the thrilling experience I hoped for from a book in this genre.

### Pros:

- Fast-paced and easy to read
- Intriguing premise

### Cons:

- Lack of genuine suspense
- Underwhelming resolution
- Excessive exposition that didn't enhance the mystery

One of the main issues I had with “Middle of the Night” was its failure to create genuine tension. Moments that should have been nail-biting and suspenseful fell flat, leaving me more indifferent than on the edge of my seat.

The book also suffered from unnecessary bloat. It contained a considerable amount of extra information and backstory that seemed designed to throw readers off the scent. However, these elements were never fully developed, making them feel more like filler than clever misdirection.

Perhaps the most disappointing aspect was the resolution. After investing time in the story, I found the ending anticlimactic and unsatisfying. It didn't provide the payoff I was expecting from a thriller.

This was my first experience with Riley Sager's work, and while I understand he has a significant following, “Middle of the Night” didn't compel me to explore his other books. The lack of genuine thrills and the mediocre experience don't motivate me to pick up another of his novels.

This might not be the best choice for readers seeking a truly gripping thriller. However, it might suffice for a lazy afternoon if you're looking for a quick, undemanding read.

Rating: ⭐⭐½ / 5

Def one of the top reads from Sager. I loved this book. I loved the way the story unveiled, a little in the present, and a corresponding time in the past. The characters were well developed, the setting and events eerie and unsettling. Round it out with Santino Fontana's narration...chef's kiss.

This is not creepy or thrilling but still highly enjoyable. It's about friendship.loss and letting go. It was still mysterious with a possible ghost. The lengths we will go to for our friends even if they're gone. Would recommend

read for summerween 2024: vlog coming soon

this was honestly a pretty tame thriller for sager but i liked where it went, i was engaged the whole time, and it had that same addicting writing.

It's an ordinary week in a picturesque cul-de-sac in New Jersey. Ten-year-old boys Ethan and Billy are camping in a tent on a Friday night in July, as they do every week. But this week, Ethan wakes up in the morning not with Billy beside him, but with a large cut in the side of the tent.

Thirty years later, Ethan returns to his childhood home still haunted by the same question: where is Billy?

This wasn't the first nor the last book I've read from Riley. I thoroughly enjoyed this one, especially the first major part of the book. Without giving away too much of the story, I hoped the tension and mystery from the beginning would carry through to the very end.

The writing style, characters, and depiction of the neighborhood really pull you into the story. There are plenty of twists and turns that constantly make you second-guess what's really happening, leading you down different paths of suspense.

Overall, it's a great book with just two minor complaints: I wished for a bit more mystery towards the end, and I wasn't ready for it to end when it did.

3.5
I was on the verge of crying for the last hour and a half of the book. Wow.

3.5
to say I'm dissapointed would be an understatement. this wasn't bad but also not as good as I hoped it would. started so fucking great and I thought it will be my second penpal but then it got kinda boring and dragged and went on a billion side plots that didn't even amount to anything and then it ended. im SOO sad this wasn't a 5 star. such a beautiful cover too what a shame