I really wanted to like this book but it was so full of unlikable characters and predictable issues/situations that I just couldn’t even really get fully into it at all.

Unfortunately this was a DNF for me- even at 40% into the book I found myself uninterested and was waiting for something to happen. I felt like I couldn't wrap my head around the main storyline and couldn't form any type of connection to the characters.


I absolutely loved Blood Orange and would definitely give her books another try, this one just wasn't a winner for me

IT ENDS AT MIDNIGHT joins the legions of books with unreliable narrators and hidden identities. Sylvie is a British lawyer, striving to become a judge when the life she has so carefully constructed shatters. Her best friend gives her news that changes everything, along with demands that Sylvie help her apologize for past misdeeds. The book moves between the effects of those demands on Sylvie in the present and flashbacks to the past when those misdeeds took place. At the same time, Sylvie is the judge in a trial that brings back memories of the past that she has successfully repressed as well as threatening her desires to move up in the legal world. Her entire world seems to be disintegrating around her.

Unfortunately, Sylvie is not a sympathetic character. She is almost constantly drunk (both in the past and present), she makes choices no seasoned member of the legal profession should even consider making, and she deals with adversity by simply falling apart. None of the other characters is likeable either, leaving the reader no real emotional connection to the book. There is, however, the intellectual connection as we attempt to figure out what is actually going on and whether anyone is who they seem to be. The ending of the book is ludicrous, with characters metaphorically making the choice of a barn full of chainsaws instead of an idling car as their place of safety.

The structure of the book was interesting. The reader is taken through spiralling perspectives, from a bloody scene (of a crime, or an accident, we're not sure until the end of the book), to drunken teenagers making poor choices decades ago, to current 40-something characters making equally poor choices. I particularly liked the first chapter, which is a prologue, though not specifically identified as such. The author managed to insert us into Sylvie's mind, in spite of the many holes and unlikely events in the plot. The book somehow managed to keep me interested; it was a bit like watching a trainwreck.

Overall, this was a quick diversion…though somewhat immersive.

It Ends at Midnight tells a story about Sylvie and her friend Tess' friendship, starting as teenagers, with one of them facing their mortality and wanting to make ammends for things that happened in their past. But who is remembering things correctly and does their past want to forgive or get revenge.

Told mainly in one timeline, with some short flashbacks and flashforwards. There is a lot going on in this story. At times it felt a little disjointed. The different storylines didn't all obviously connect. But, as the story went on, pieces would fall into place. This story definitely left me guessing. I really wasn't sure which friend I liked or trusted, if I even liked either. Tess seemed rather manipulative and into herself. But, while Sylvie seemed to have her professional life together, the same couldn't be said for her personally. She seemed to make some very bad decisions. And, them as teenagers, whoa!

But, all merged together in this story to create one intensely suspenseful thriller, that was rather unputdownable.

This book was a little creepy but kept me wanting more. What a twisted friendship between Sylvia and Tess. The flashbacks had me confused me and by the end I found it disturbing, It left me with an uneasy feeling.

This is an intense and chilling psychological thriller that will keep you on edge and maybe even gasping at some of the twists. Revenge, lies, buried secrets, best friends; this book has it all.

There are many elements in this book that I enjoy in my thrillers…unreliable narrator, past flashbacks, multi timelines, a female MC that is ruling in a man’s career, frayed friendships and a shaky relationship.

Given all those things, I wanted to love this book so much and I read it to the very end hoping that it would be an exciting end. However, the story was boring and predictable. Plus it didn’t keep me in suspense as it took me longer than normal to read this type of book.

If you are newer to the genre and enjoy the above elements in a story, give this one a go. For me though, it was a miss. 2.5 stars

Many thanks for my arc for my honest opinion.

It’s New Years Eve and one of the most lavish parties is about to start. A gathering for old and new friends to come together. But as the night falls and the fireworks are about to start, a murder is set in motion. Someone isn’t looking for their New Year’s resolution, they want revenge.

First of all, every time I read of Scotland, I want to go back and explore more. Second, who doesn’t love a good revenge story… especially one set at a party. Because confronting the past and the person who’s hurt you is what this story has.

I have yet to read any of the authors work, but this book sold me. I love strong lead characters and mysteries that have you devouring them. And Harriet Tyce doesn’t disappoint. I love good who-done-it without already guessing.

All in all, this was definitely one I’ve enjoyed so far this year and got me back into my love of mystery novels.

It Ends at Midnight is a solid thriller/mystery/suspense has a lot of threads, but ties them up perfectly at the end. It's hard to say much about Harriet Tyce's latest without spoilers, but it's addictive enough to have kept me frantically swiping pages on my digital copy, anxious to get to the conclusion. I did suspect who the "villain" was early, but it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the story, In fact, it maybe even added to it, because there were enough red herrings for me to think that maybe I was wrong. Thanks so much for the opportunity to read early and review!

This was a fun psychological thriller that builds giving you bits and pieces with twists along the way to indicate that not everything is as it seems. I really enjoyed the pace of the book and the little bits of flashes to the present keeping me wondering how it was all going to. That turns in the end were pretty intense and I am still thinking about how I feel about it – ha! Overall this was a fast paced read that was hard to put down and quick to finish! This is a new to me author that is now on my “must read” list!

I love how this book is laid out. I love that we are starting with a crime scene New Years Day and it counts backwards to what events led to this crime. I’m also a sucker for anything set in England or Scotland so this was an immediate win.
The secrets between these two are dark and deceptive and watching them confront their past and see the inner workings of a very turbulent and toxic friendship made this book for me.
This was an excellent twisty thriller with flawed characters that kept me on my toes.

This one is out now and I highly recommend adding this to your TBR immediately!

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC eBook in exchange for my honest review.

WOW, such toxic friendship between Sylvie and Tess it was disturbing to read at times. You wonder why would you stick around each other. You know two people are going to die but you have no idea who? I was just intrigued and gripped by the pages that I read the book in one sitting.

I just love twisty thrillers when you get to the end and are shocked! I have to say I thought I knew what was going to happen but I was wrong. That is when I know a book will stick with me and I will be looking for other books by this author.

Creepy but so good!

It Ends at Midnight Earns 5+/5 Judges’ Robes … Couldn’t Put Down Gem!

Sylvie wants the past buried deep, and Tess wants to reconcile with it, so whose body is impaled on the railing? Harriet Tyce has won the case with her latest crime fiction novel “It Ends at Midnight.” There’s the past, one decades spent forgetting, another past, one where secrets are hidden, there’s the present, one that exposes lies and reveals truths, and there’s the future where retribution is exacted. The complicated time line is easy to follow with details of an upcoming tragedy woven together with the present and past all meant to reveal the facts and events that lead to a suspenseful, shocking, and karmic conclusion! Tyce keeps some details, identities, and connections hidden, doling them out slowly as she creates an intense picture of a homicide twenty-five years ago and the angst that bubbles up to the surface challenging friendships, reigniting emotions, and creating a powder keg of vengeance and retribution. Sylvie, a dedicated and driven barrister and Deputy court judge, also finds herself a victim of an accusation of impropriety that threatens her reputation and career and sets up a spiraling of emotions. Tess, her long-time friend, is very ill and her hopes to make peace with the past could destroy others in the process. The characters, past and present, were just as realistic and compelling as the challenges they face. The novel was intense with several adult themes, and as truths are closely scrutinized, it caused for me to have several “Oh, my-s!” and literal gasps. And the Verdict is … Brilliant! Definitely a contender for “Best of 2023.”

What do you get when you cross a criminal barrister with a pen and a character desperate for revenge?

A GREAT thriller.

This new-to-me author has penned a compelling and rich story that is brimming with insight.

It’s no surprise that Harriet Tyce has mastered intriguing characters; after all, she’s had years of career experience, resulting in an understanding of human behaviour. The tension she creates with ‘unreliability’ is stellar. Once I tuned in to the mind games, I was hooked…smirking as I read…only to discover that BAM - Tyce got me!

Tcye’s creative forces utilized in her career have enhanced this plot. Her proficiency and her love affair with words have produced a dark and twisty story with unbeatable plotting and a finale that will send you reeling.

I’m glad I didn’t get an invite to the party at Regent Terrace!

Tyce expertly explores the dangers of confronting our past and the deadly wake we can leave when we try to take things into our own hands in an effort at absolution and restoration.

❗ Oh, and some warnings: it’s a gruesome opening and there’s some kinky sex play.

If I had to highlight a disappointing area:
💥 Someone with legal expertise sharing sensitive information with a stranger online
💥 Gore
💥 S & M

I’m not giving any more away. Go read it.

I was gifted this copy by SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

Thank you Netgalley & Sourcebooks Landmark for an eARC of It Ends at Midnight by Harriet Tyce!

This book was not what I expected, which I loved! Based on the synopsis, I thought this book would kick off at a party and span the event - But there is SO much leading up to that that really comprises the entire story. Who at the party is going to die? I really enjoyed this read for a few aspects - The alternating timeline stories, not knowing who to trust, as well as the legal aspect (one of the main characters is a judge and finds herself struggling with choices based on things she's done in the past). Ending at a New Year's Eve party, I loved reading this one in the winter - but the creepy vibes are certainly welcome during all seasons of the year!

Sylvie Munro is on the cusp of attaining everything she’s ever wanted. After years as a London barrister and family court judge, she’s finally putting together her application for Crown Court judgeship, the pinnacle of her career ambitions. While the pursuit of justice has long been one of her watchwords, she fully acknowledges that there are certain other perks, too:

QUOTE
After getting rid of my bag and brushing my hair, I read through the papers until it’s time to go into court. Everyone in the courtroom stands and bows towards me; I bow back. Even though I know it’s the position they’re acknowledging, the role of judge, not just me, Sylvie, a flicker of excitement runs across me, as it does every time. I can’t deny that I like the feeling of power.
END QUOTE

Her personal life is going well, too. After years of ambivalence towards the concept of commitment, she’s finally in a relationship, having gone out with chef Gareth Quarry for almost half a year now. They met while he was catering a law conference back in her infrequently visited hometown of Edinburgh, and hit it off. Nowadays, he makes the trek down to London to both see and cook for her.

She’s just about ready to introduce him to the few friends she has in the city when her best friend Tess drops a bombshell on her. Tess has received a terrible diagnosis and wants Sylvie’s help in fixing two things in her own life before she dies. The first is relatively simple: help Tess renew her vows with her estranged husband Marcus. The second, however, is explosive.

Back when they were teenagers, Tess and Sylvie testified against a schoolmate, Linda, despite not having clear recollections of the night in question. Linda subsequently went to prison. Tess wants to reach out and make things right, a goal Sylvie is vehemently against. The last thing she needs is for a case of potential perjury to scupper her Crown Court aspirations. Besides, if Tess wants to apologize so badly, she should go do it herself.

But Tess’ hold on Sylvie has always been strong, perhaps too strong, as Sylvie realizes while reviewing the wedding vow renewal guestlist:

QUOTE
She hasn’t kept up with anyone from those days, no one at all.

Only me.

I know why. It’s not about me, really. It matters to her, this link to her past. Sometimes it feels as if Tess is the last piece of mooring to my past, too. Without her, I’d be rootless, rudderless, floating off into the ether with no sense of time or place. However angry we are, we both need the other to keep us grounded.
END QUOTE

This connection goes a long way towards explaining the toxic relationship between the two women. It helps, too, that flashbacks in the narrative bring us back to the turbulent final years of Sylvie and Tess’ secondary school experience, when their desire to be cool led them to do any number of questionable things. But will the past stay where it belongs as the clock ticks down on the night of Tess’ vow renewal party, with at least one attendee hell bent on revenge and, possibly, murder?

This page-turning psychological thriller explores unhealthy friendships and the way we self-blinker in order to paint ourselves as victims, regardless of what’s actually going on with the people around us. Sylvie’s mental decline is swift and seemingly inevitable as she grapples with Tess and with her own memories of what happened all that time ago, on top of the pressures that come with her job. Readers will want to know who dies and how in this suspenseful thriller, which has perhaps no heroes, but only ordinary, fragile people, trying to do the best they can to make sense of an often cruel and unfair world, even if it means being cruel and unfair to others.

Kept me guessing until the very end! Tyce's dark and captivating writing style kept me hooked throughout and her characters were both unlikable and compelling. Honestly one of the best thrillers I've read in a while!

Another tense chilling thriller by Harriet Tyce the opening scene drew me right in.I was on the edge of my seat trying to figure out all the twists and turns.Really enjoyed from first to last page.#netgalley #sourcebooks

Summary:
"It Ends at Midnight" is a fast-paced crime mystery. Harriets Tyce quickly draws the reader into the story through detail that sets enough context to paint a picture but also leaves the reader wondering. Chapters were easy to manage and I noticed I read a littler quicker than usual because the pace was easy to follow. The plot definitely has the unexpected twist this genre requires, and I certainly didn't see it coming. The characters are all connected, but I did feel they were a bit one-dimensional. To be fair, I think this is also quite typical for many books within this genre.

Who should read it?
Anyone who is looking for a quick read within the crime genre should definitely check out this book. There is a good deal of cursing and blood descriptions, so be cautious if you are not into that. This book wasn't really to my taste, but it's important to note that I typically read historical fiction or psychological thrillers.

Recommend?
Yes, for crime enthusiasts.

It Ends at Midnight is a complex thrilling mystery. It has multiple POV, multiple timelines and a few main stories. It is perfect if you like books that hook you and have you figuring out multiple plot lines at the same time. I loved this book, especially the ending. The author has a masterful way of writing characters that you want to trust but are not sure you can. The setting added a lot to the book as I’ve visited some of the areas and could picture them as I read. Excellent book!!!