Middle of the Night by Riley Sager

You know that creepy feeling you get sometimes, like someone’s watching you? That prickle on the back of your neck in the middle of the night? Riley Sager’s latest thriller, “Middle of the Night,” taps into those primal fears and cranks them up to eleven. Set in a seemingly idyllic New Jersey cul-de-sac, this twisted tale of long-buried secrets and childhood trauma will have you triple-checking your locks and sleeping with the lights on. Trust me, I’m still jumping at shadows days after finishing it.

Synopsis

Thirty years ago, ten-year-old Ethan Marsh woke up alone in a tent in his backyard. His best friend Billy had vanished without a trace, taken by someone who sliced open the tent in the night. Now, Ethan’s reluctantly back in his childhood home on Hemlock Circle, a place that holds nothing but painful memories. But strange things start happening – objects moving, security lights flickering on and off, and eerie signs that maybe, just maybe, Billy has returned.

As Ethan digs into the past, reuniting with old neighbors and friends, he uncovers dark secrets lurking beneath the surface of their picture-perfect suburban neighborhood. There’s more to Billy’s disappearance than anyone ever knew, and the truth might be even more disturbing than the mystery. With the help of his former babysitter Ashley, now a single mom, and his childhood frenemy Russ, Ethan races to unravel what really happened that fateful night before history repeats itself.

Atmosphere and Setting

Sager absolutely nails the creepy suburban vibe here. Hemlock Circle feels trapped in time, with most of the original families still living there decades later. You can practically smell the freshly mowed lawns and hear the hum of central air conditioning. But there’s an undercurrent of wrongness, like finding a maggot in a perfect apple. The woods surrounding the cul-de-sac loom large, full of childhood adventures and adult secrets. And don’t even get me started on the creepy Hawthorne Institute deeper in the forest—that place gave me serious Stranger Things vibes.

Characters and Relationships

Ethan makes for a compelling, if somewhat unreliable, narrator. His insomnia and recurring nightmares about the night Billy vanished blur the lines between past and present, memory and imagination. You really feel for the guy as he grapples with guilt, grief, and a growing suspicion that he might be losing his mind.

The supporting cast is equally well-drawn. Ashley, the former babysitter turned struggling single mom, carries her own heavy secrets. Russ, the onetime scrawny kid turned buff sporting goods store owner, has clearly been shaped by the tragedy in ways he doesn’t fully understand. And then there’s Ragesh, the former neighborhood bully turned local cop, who may know more than he’s letting on.

I particularly loved the dynamic between Ethan and Henry, Ashley’s precocious ten-year-old son. Their budding friendship provides some much-needed heart and humor amidst all the darkness.

Plot and Pacing

Sager is a master of slow-burn suspense, and “Middle of the Night” is no exception. The story unfolds through a combination of present-day narrative and flashbacks to that fateful summer in 1994. Each revelation raises new questions, and just when you think you’ve got it figured out, Sager pulls the rug out from under you.

The last third of the book is an absolute roller coaster, with twists and turns that had me gasping out loud. I literally couldn’t put it down, staying up way too late to finish it (which, given the subject matter, felt terrifyingly appropriate).

Themes and Subtext

While on the surface this is a gripping thriller, Sager weaves in deeper themes that elevate the story. There’s a poignant exploration of grief and how trauma shapes us, especially when experienced at a young age. The book also delves into the nature of memory and how our perceptions of the past can be distorted by time and emotion.

There’s also a fascinating examination of suburban life and the secrets that can fester behind pristine facades. The adults of Hemlock Circle are all hiding something, whether it’s affairs, addictions, or darker impulses. It’s a stark reminder that you never really know what’s going on behind closed doors.

Comparison to Other Works

If you’ve read Sager’s previous novels like “Final Girls” or “Home Before Dark,” you’ll find some familiar elements here – unreliable narrators, childhood trauma coming back to haunt adults, and twists that keep you guessing until the very end. But “Middle of the Night” feels more mature and nuanced, with deeper character development and a stronger sense of place.

The suburban setting and childhood friends reuniting as adults to confront past horrors definitely gave me Stephen King vibes, particularly “It” and “The Body” (which became the film “Stand By Me”). There are also echoes of Gillian Flynn’s “Sharp Objects” in its exploration of small-town secrets and the lasting impact of childhood tragedy.

Writing Style and Prose

Sager’s writing is crisp and propulsive, with short chapters that keep you turning pages well past your bedtime. He has a knack for crafting vivid, cinematic scenes that play out like a movie in your head. The dialogue feels natural and often provides welcome moments of levity amidst the tension.

One thing I particularly appreciated was how Sager captured the feeling of being a kid in the 90s. The pop culture references and general vibe of that era felt spot-on without being overly nostalgic or cloying.

Strengths and Weaknesses

What Worked:

• The atmosphere and sense of creeping dread
• Well-developed characters with complex motivations
• Clever plot twists that genuinely surprised me
• Exploration of deeper themes beyond just scares
• The blurring of reality and imagination

What Could Have Been Better:

• Some of the side characters felt a bit underdeveloped
• A few plot points required some suspension of disbelief
• The pacing in the middle section dragged slightly

Final Thoughts and Recommendation

“Middle of the Night” is Riley Sager at the top of his game. It’s a masterclass in suspense that will keep you guessing until the very last page. But beyond the thrills and chills, it’s a poignant exploration of how the past shapes us and the lengths we’ll go to protect the ones we love.

If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers with a dash of the supernatural, this book is an absolute must-read. Just maybe leave the lights on when you do. And whatever you do, don’t go camping in the backyard.

Who Should Read This Book

• Fans of Riley Sager’s previous work
• Readers who enjoy psychological thrillers with a supernatural edge
• Anyone who grew up in the suburbs and always suspected something sinister lurked beneath the surface
• People who like their mysteries with a side of nostalgia for the 90s

Who Should Skip It

• Those who prefer their thrillers more grounded in reality
• Readers sensitive to themes of child abduction or death
• Anyone looking for a light, breezy summer read (this ain’t it, folks)

Similar Books You Might Enjoy

• “The Chalk Man” by C.J. Tudor
• “The Whisper Man” by Alex North
• “I Remember You” by Yrsa Sigurdardottir
• “The Invited” by Jennifer McMahon

About the Author

Riley Sager is the pseudonym of a former journalist, editor and graphic designer. He’s the New York Times bestselling author of eight novels, including “Final Girls,” “The Last Time I Lied,” and “The House Across the Lake.” A native of Pennsylvania, he now lives in Princeton, New Jersey (coincidentally not far from where “Middle of the Night” is set).

Conclusion

“Middle of the Night” is the kind of book that lingers with you long after you’ve turned the final page. It’s a ghost story, a mystery, and a poignant drama all rolled into one masterfully crafted package. Sager has a gift for tapping into our deepest fears and bringing them to life on the page. This latest offering cements his place as one of the best thriller writers working today.

So grab a copy, settle in for a long night of reading, and prepare to be thoroughly creeped out. Just don’t blame me if you start eyeing your neighbors suspiciously or jumping at every little noise in the night. After all, you never know what secrets might be hiding right next door.