Book Review: Middle of the Night by Riley Sager
As a long-time fan of Riley Sager’s gripping thrillers, I eagerly anticipated his latest release, Middle of the Night. Known for crafting suspenseful tales drenched in atmospheric tension, I was curious to see how he would expand his storytelling palette, particularly with a nod to a queer relationship for the first time under his pen name. Settling down with it, I was ready to dive into a tale of mystery, familial strife, and the haunting aftermath of a childhood tragedy.
At its core, Middle of the Night juxtaposes the fragile nature of memory against the heavy weight of guilt and unresolved grief. The story follows Ethan, who is still reeling from the traumatic loss of his childhood friend, Billy, who mysteriously disappeared years prior. The narrative unfolds through multiple perspectives, which at times adds depth but often muddled the clarity of each character’s motivations. The title is aptly echoed throughout the text, serving as a constant reminder of Ethan’s insomnia and lingering dread—a clever touch but one that felt slightly overindulgent at times.
Sager’s writing immerses readers in a richly atmospheric world, perfect for a dark night of reading. Who could resist such a captivating cover? Still, I found myself grappling with the overwhelming repetitiveness of certain phrases, like the incessant mention of “the middle of the night.” It created a rhythm that, while intended to heighten suspense, sometimes felt more tedious than tantalizing.
Ethan’s character, burdened with the weight of his past, often felt like a shell of a person, lacking the complexity I crave in a protagonist. His obsessive fixation on Billy gives the narrative tension, but it also risks stripping him of any other discernible personality traits. I found myself longing for the nuanced exploration of his emotional landscape, which occasionally slipped through the cracks amid all the chaos.
The multiple POVs contributed to some intriguing twists, although they also cluttered the narrative. For example, the threads surrounding Ashley and her unpredictable actions could have been more effectively woven into the main story rather than presented as a separate tangent. Sager is no stranger to plot twists, but here, the convoluted outcomes sometimes detracted from the overall impact, leaving me scratching my head rather than gasping in surprise.
Yet, I can’t deny that moments of suspense kept me turning the pages, eager to unravel the mystery at its heart. I particularly appreciated Sager’s handling of complex themes such as anxiety, depression, and toxic familial relationships, all echoing the realities many face today. One quote really resonated with me: “There were no villains in the story. There were no heroes. Just a neighborhood of flawed people.” This beautifully phrased sentiment encapsulates much of the nuance I yearn for in thrillers, even if the journey to get there felt rocky at times.
In conclusion, Middle of the Night offers a mixed bag of suspense and reflection. While it may not fully meet the expectations set by Sager’s previous works, it still delivers moments of intrigue that some fans may treasure. I recommend it to those who enjoy atmospheric thrillers that dare to explore darker themes—just be prepared for a winding path with more than a few bumps along the way.
Whether it adds a spooky thrill to your fall reading list or simply sparks a reflection on childhood trauma, this book might just keep you up well into the middle of the night. Happy reading!