I have read a few Riley Sager books and love the old school thriller and horror style in which they are written and the suspense built. ‘Middle of the Night’ focuses on the disappearance of ten year old Billy in 1994 and the return of his best friend thirty years later to the place it happened. Ethan suffers with insomnia and vivid dreams of what happened that night and the time that followed because to this day no one really knows the truth.
I usually really enjoy Sager’s books but this one did lack pace a little too much for me, I get that the tension is being built up mainly through the evenings where Ethan is wide awake and still trying to process the past but there was just something lacking for me.
I still thought the ending was great and very satisfying with a few twists along the way but this just wasn’t my favorite of Sager’s novels.

Riley Sager is one of my all time favorite authors and I have now read all of his current works. I feel like this book, like all his others brings us an ominous setting with a great plot. Per usual each chapters ends making you want more.

I think this is one of my favorite plot lines since “Lock Every Door”. I love that Ethan had no memory of the night in question, it leads to him being an unreliable narrator, which is one of my favorite tropes. I love the idea of no place is safe, and this book did it so well, you had a “perfect” neighborhood and something tragic happens.

Riley Sager has in my opinion released another excellent book. A great move on his part was throwing in chapters from the years before, it made me think about things a little differently. Every year I look forward to this author’s new releases and have yet to be disappointed.

I didn't enjoy this one as much as Sager's others, as the pace was so slow that I found the tension built through Ethan's insomnia and the darkness throughout was stretched too thin with the slow pace, so my attention and enthusiasm lagged correspondingly.

I was thrilled to read this. Another favourite writer who never lets you down. This was set in my favourite era - 1990s! Flitting back to then and to the now it will keep you reading till late in the night. It’s got everything: strong characters and a twist and turn that you can’t help but love! 5/5

Writing a review without giving too much away is always a challenge, but here’s my attempt. This book captivated me from the very beginning with its exquisite prose. The dual timeline was especially compelling, adding layers of depth and intrigue that kept me hooked.

There were moments when the story misled me, and some character decisions left me frustrated and questioning. These twists and turns added complexity, but they also left me unsettled at times.

However, despite these frustrations, I couldn't help but be drawn deeply into the story. The main character completely stole my heart. Their journey was filled with raw emotion, struggles, and moments of profound vulnerability. I felt every high and low right alongside them, and their story left a lasting impression on me.

This book took me on an emotional rollercoaster, and though it wasn't always smooth, it was an unforgettable ride. The main character's journey resonated with me deeply, leaving a mark that will linger for a long time.

Riley Sager's books are always an automatic request for me—I just can't resist his writing style and the way he builds up a story. This latest read had me teetering between 3 and 4 stars. It’s definitely a slow burn, with the only fast-paced action hitting in the last few chapters. But oh, what a beginning! It grabbed me so fiercely that I had to keep reading, desperate for answers.

The story jumps between past and present, weaving a compelling tale. Years ago, young Ethan and Billy were camping in Ethan's backyard. Ethan wakes up to find a slash in the tent and Billy gone—never to be seen again. Flash forward to present day, and Ethan is still searching for answers. The mystery unfolds gradually, keeping you hooked till the very end.

The ending ties everything up nicely, and I found it satisfying. Once again, I’m eagerly awaiting Riley Sager's next book, ready to hit that Request button without hesitation.

Thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for letting me read and review this ARC.

Middle of the Night is a gripping dual timeline read that blends elements of mystery and the supernatural. The story revolves around Ethan Marsh, who returns to his hometown 30 years after his best friend, Billy, mysteriously disappeared during a backyard camping trip. Ethan's life has been haunted by that night, and he is determined to uncover the truth.

This read is best suited for fans of psychological thrillers and eerie, supernatural mysteries.

Whenever I see that there is a new release from this author, it automatically jumps to the top of my TBR. So I was thrilled to receive an ARC of this!
Right from the very first page I was hooked. The writing style (as per usual with Riley Sager) was such a breeze to read and before I knew it 50 pages had flown by. The atmosphere and setting was really vivid for me and this definitely helped me be swept away with the story.
The plot had me fully invested and intrigued throughout the whole book.
I also did like the main character Ethan and I liked that we got the story only through his POV, not multiple POV's which you do find a lot with books in this genre.
One thing that I wasn't expecting going in to this were the paranormal elements. This was a nice surprise for me and I did enjoy those parts of the story.
One very slight issue I did have though was the pacing. It could have been a bit faster for me and I did feel that for parts of the book, not a lot was really happening. This didn't however spoil my enjoyment of it.
If you are looking for a slow burn mystery, I would highly recommend this.

This was one of my most anticipated reads for this year. I'm left a little disappointed that it didn't work for me like previous books by Sager has.
I found myself struggling to really get into this. The story just didn't grip me.
While I did want to know what happened and if the supernatural element played a real role. But the reveal at the end was underwhelming. While it makes sense for the story. It still felt a little weak.

This is the latest from Riley Sager, an intense atmospheric story set in New Jersey with dual timelines, in 1994 young 10 year old Ethan Marsh camps in his backyard with his close best friend, Billy Barringer, with Hemlock Circle deemed a safe and secire neighbourhood, only it turns it really is not. When he wakes up in the morning, the tent has been slashed and Billy is gone, taken. Poor Ethan is never the same again, haunted and suffering from disturbing nightmares after what happened, but 3 decades later, he comes back and starts to investigate. There are twists and turns galore, dark sinister woods that add a sense of creepiness, a billionaire, Ezra Hawthorne, who owns the strange Institute, of which little is known about and so much more that kept me gripped and engaged. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

Do you believe in ghosts? Billy Barringer certainly does. His most prized possession is his copy of “The Giant Book of Ghosts, Spirits and Spooks” and he is desperate to find proof of their existence.
His best friend, Ethan Marsh, thinks he’s a weirdo for believing in them.
One night, when the two of them are camping, Billy goes missing. 30 years later, strange things start happening to Ethan. Could it be the ghost of Billy? And is he coming back as friend, or foe?

I’m not a great fan of supernatural thrillers, so I was a bit disappointed there was nothing in the blurb as I probably wouldn’t have picked this book, had I known.

There’s some nice little twists here and there, but I feel like it didn’t quite hit the crescendo it should have. I think the characters fell a bit flat, although I did love little Henry, I feel he was the only character that I really had a clear picture of.

Overall, it was too slow and a little repetitive for me.

This was so good, it felt nostalgic in a way with the flashbacks to the past and the correlation to events in the present.

Ethan was a brilliant character alongside his neighbours kid Henry, their interactions are really my favourite throughout. They were such a wholesome pair and it just added something to the story that felt comforting.

The twists and the build up were satisfying and the conclusion was even better.

Saturday July 16th 1994 Ethan and Billy are camping in Ethan's backyard, and that is the last time Billy was seen. Ethan has been crippled ever since with insomnia and the nightmares of what happened that night. The sound of the tent being cut open wakes him every night, but that is all he remembers.
I really enjoyed this book! It's told from 1994 and the present day, 30 years later. Throughout the story you learn about the other residents living on the quiet cul-de-sac, and what secrets they are harbouring. It kept me gripped from the start with all the twists and the paranormal atmosphere, which were more than I had anticipated, but that ending I didn't see coming!
Would highly recommend to everyone!

Thank you to Netgalley, Hodder & Stoughton and Riley Sager for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

e-ARC review:

Middle of the Night follows Ethan, who has recently returned to his childhood home 30 years after his best friend was taken from the tent where they both slept and was never seen again. Ethan has struggled with the events of that night ever since; between insomnia and a recurring dream which always stops just short of the answers he's so desperate for.
When strange occurrences start happening, Ethan slowly starts to think that maybe Billy is back...

Told over dual timelines, Riley Sager is a master of slowly teasing information; keeping you hooked and desperate to continue reading. Multiple twists follow, and though I guessed a few, there were others that I never saw coming.

At this point, I think it's safe to Riley Sager one of my favourite authors and though this book wasn't my favourite of his, I thoroughly enjoyed it and would definitely recommend Middle of the Night. It was quick and easy to read, engaging and as twisty as you'd expect coming from this author. Full of both likable and flawed characters, believable and compelling relationships and heart breaking consequences.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this e-ARC Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley.
Now I return to catching up on his backlist.

On July 15 1994, ten year old Ethan and his best friend Billy fell asleep together in their quiet New Jersey cul de sac. In the morning Ethan woke up alone. The tent was sliced open and Billy was gone, taken. He was never seen again. Thirty years later, Ethan has returned to Hemlock Circle still desperate for answers.

The highlight of the summer is a new Sager release and this one is the perfect summer read. Flashing back to a summer gone by in the 90s, full of fun, adventure and sleeping under the stars in the safety of your garden. However one night wasn't safe as Ethan wakes up and his best friend is gone from beside and he has no recollection of what has happened, the only clue is a slice in the fabric of the tent. Right from the start I got Stranger Things vibes from this book with elements of Stephen King nostalgic friendships. The pacing was perfection and the build up kept me gripped while sorting through all the red herrings Sager threw my way. Ethan stood out for me in a number of ways, he is the first male protagonist from Sager for a start and I wonder if there is something of the author in him as he was so tenderly written. I felt deeply for Ethan throughout reading especially as a grown man searching...for answers, for his place in life and for relationships as good as he has lost. I did think (and really hope) the story was going to go in a certain direction which was not to be but I enjoyed the ride nonetheless. Sager always sails close to horror with his thrillers and that's why I look forward to them so much, but my favourite of his was when he fully committed to the horror genre! Middle of the Night was absolutely worth waiting for and delivered a dark mystery with heart.

Being a big fan of Riley’s I have been eagerly anticipating the latest offering and it almost had it all …

2 young boys Ethan and Billy who camp out one night when the tent gets ripped open and Billy is never seen again … Now the boys live in the Hemlock circle and I. The woods behind is the Hawthorne institute where all things paranormal are well …. You tell me …

Fast forward 30 years and Ethan whose life has been plagued by insomnia since the event returns to the scene and his hometown …: Haunted by the past will he now find out what truly happened …

Great book just seemed a bit repetitive at times

4 stars thank you netgalley

Wow what a book, I have enjoyed all Riley Sager books and this one didn't let me down. I love a spooky read that keeps you guessing. This story line was well thought out. It keeps you wanting to read more.

Loved it 5 stars from me

Firstly thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC of this book in return for my honest opinion.

I have only read one Riley Sager novel before this one which I thoroughly enjoyed . This book from the blurb sounded like it would be right up my street however felt it lacked the suspense of the previous novel that I read . The ending was a little anticlimactic and the paranormal aspect is not something I would normally enjoy.

I do however have more Riley Sager novels on my TBR and hope they live up to the first one I read .

Ethan's best friend Billy's disappearance still haunts him thirty years down the track. How could he disappear from their tent without Ethan hearing? When Ethan returns to his hometown, mysterious signs start to point towards Billy being alive. No one else knew so much of what the boys shared. Could it be that Billy is back?

Wow wow wow! That could be the end of my review and it sums it up perfectly. This book was so addictive. It was cleverly written with me constantly changing my mind as to who was at fault and trying to guess what was going on. While I did pick up on a minor twist, nothing prepared me for the major reveal at the end, which left me with my mouth hanging open. This book has definitely jumped up the rankings and is now my firm Riley Sager favourite.

I'm a big fan of Riley Sager and Middle of the Night is up there with his best. As usual for a Sager novel, it's an addictive, fast read that keeps you entertained throughout