My first Riley Sager book but not my last. The characters felt very realistic and the story was intriguing. The first half was a little slow but after exploring the Hawthorne Institute it really picked up.
There were some instances that did not make sense though, like the reveal of the knife and what happened to it. It made no sense why the knife would’ve been hidden at this point since there was no reason to hide it yet. So this was done in order for the plot to move forward without an actual reason behind the action.
Also some major plot twists were a little too obvious while some still managed to surprise me.
What I liked most were the supernatural vibes, sometimes I felt quite creeped out which was very fun and I enjoyed finding out more about the Hawthorne Institute. I wish there was a book just about the institute and its activities.
Overall I found the writing very accessible and I think this is a solid thriller to spend a weekend with.

Easily my favourite book of the year! I loved the split timeline, I think that helped deliver the story really well. But omg the tension, atmosphere and suspense built in this book is insane! Loved loved loved it and once again couldn’t put a Riley Sager book down!

Gripping and atmospheric, this had the hairs on the back of my neck standing up more than once! The character were brought to life really vividly. There was just so much tension and unease built up throughout.... and just when you think it's all been figured out?! Wrong!!! And another massive twist is thrown in. Really enjoyed the split timeline flashing back to when the incident happened and getting a really good sense of who they all were as kids. It brought a nice kind if nostalgia from my own childhood to be honest. .. another winner!!!

It has become my second favorite book by this author pretty easily. It was definitely a gripping read. The plot is very well-constructed, divided into present and past. What I especially liked was that the past chapters focused on the day everything happened, the tension built slowly but with a lot of efficiency. I really appreciated that for once, the main character was a man; Ethan was an interesting character with a lot of emotional luggage to carry around. I did not see the final reveals coming, because I had other theories, but it was rather satisfying. Also, the paranormal aspect of the plot was very to my liking. The very last chapters were not the strongest part of the novel for me because I actually saw these coming and I was not the biggest fan. But still, I highly recommend this book.

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for a honest review.

This book is creepy as hell with a sense of unease lurking around every corner. The characters were spot on and the younger versions of them gave me a sort of stranger things vibe which was cool and fitted in well with the storyline. I sure as heck didn’t guess how things were going to end. I do love a book with a dual timeline - especially one that goes back in time to when I would have been a kid too, and Middle of the Night had exactly that. Riley Sager doesn’t disappoint with his latest creepy blockbuster.

Riley Sager’s books never disappoint and In The Middle of the Night is no exception.

After returning to his childhood home, Ethan is haunted by memories of the disappearance of his childhood friend Billy. Thirty years on, and a trail that has gone cold, this haunting becomes much more real as Ethan receives messages from an unknown entity. As Ethan investigates, he learns that life on the cul de sac might be more sinister than he thought.

I was ecstatic to read this book early. Much like his other works, this story was spooky, twisty and completely engaging. I loved that it featured a male character, with a focus on boyhood friendships. I thought Sager captured the dynamics of the neighbourhood so well with rich characterisations.

I loved the meandering pace, and the more gentle twists, which was were so compelling. The story tied in the supernatural in a way that is teasingly haunting, but not terrifying. The way Sager plays with innocuous situations to create eerie tension gets me every time.

My favourite of his books is Home Before Dark, and while this one doesn’t beat it, it rates pretty close. I highly recommend!

Thank you Hodder and Stoughton and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.

I love every single one of Riley Sager books and I was lucky enough to get a chance to read his newest book Middle of the Night before its release, thanks to NetGalley. Once I started, I couldn't put it down! What an amazing, gripping, atmospheric book! Set in two timelines, 1994 and the present day, it tells a story of the disappearance of Billy, Ethan's best friend at the age of 10 and the effect it has on Ethan's life. Another five star read by Sager! Thank you, NetGalley.

Another Sager book that had me on the edge of my seat throughout the entire thing. From the first chapter, I was hooked. The multiple narratives worked so well, as did the dual timeline, to create suspense and keep the reader desperate for answers. The last 15% of the book was especially mind boggling, with twists and turn on every page. I don’t want to talk about the plot too much, because going into this book blind is the best thing. But wow, an incredibly captivating thriller with stand out characters and a haunting story.

Outstanding..
Once again, Sager knocks it out of the park in this outstanding and cleverly woven propulsive tale. When Ethan returns to Hemlock Circle he is plagued by acute memories of the past - most especially of the night that his best friend Billy disappeared. When circumstances transpire, several of the original group of friends and acquaintances find themselves back in that same place of their childhood. What really happened to Billy? With an intriguing narrative, a deftly drawn cast of characters populating a pacy plot with a constant underlying vein of menace and nicely woven threads including an emotionally and keenly observed coming of age theme, this is a tremendous addition to this authors already impressive canon.