Middletide is a literary thriller about Elijah Leith, a failed author returning to his Pacific Northwest hometown. When the dead body of the town‘s doctor is found on his isolated property, Elijah finds himself under scrutiny. This book is a love letter to the Pacific Northwest, beautifully bringing its scenery to life, but that‘s where my praise ends.

The literary aspect of the story falls down on the job because the characters simply don't come to life. Elijah, who should be compelling and sympathetic, is, at best, wooden. At worst, he is annoyingly selfish, eagerly leaving behind the love of his life with unkept promises to follow his dreams. This wouldn't be so bothersome if he didn't follow it up by returning many years later to badger her back into a relationship too quickly after the loss of her husband.

The thriller aspect is poorly executed. While one might not expect top notch investigational prowess from a small-town police chief and his green deputy, their sloppy police work and easy willingness to buy into obviously leading evidence truly tests suspension of disbelief. The tension expected in a thriller isn't there, and the resolution is simplistic to the point of being unsatisfying.

Absolutely wonderful novel. Although it has a completely different plot, it reminds me of Mercury and The Berry Pickers - both 5 star reads for me. Sarah Crouch has a great talent for stringing words together to create depth. I’ll be thinking of this for years to come.

I sincerely appreciate the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review.

When a woman’s death is ruled a homicide, suspicion falls on Elijah, who owns the land she was found on. He must try to prove his innocence.

I wanted to like this one, but I didn’t like the time jumps. I felt like they were inconsistent. I almost wish it had been present day Elijah reflecting on his past within chapters. I think that would’ve made it a little easier. I also thought the twist at the end was just ok for me.

This was a very intriguing murder mystery. The plot was very unique.
I loved the setting of the Pacific Northwest. The atmospheric prose was just beautiful. Full of suspense and action!

A dual timeline atmospheric mystery that was both inventive and immersive. A small town doctor is found dead, hanging in the woods. All eyes point to Elijah, the small town creative recluse. A slow burn of a mystery.

Middletide delivered on mystery and romance. I enjoyed following the lives of two young kids in a small town in the northwest. The story was often confusing and disquieting, but that is fine with most readers.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book, which will be published in June.

4 🌟

Where were the twists or 🎢 ride?

When I saw this book compared to Where the Crawdad's Sing, I couldn't get my hands on it quick enough. I really enjoyed the premise of this book, the execution fell a little short. I did enjoy it, I just wish the ride had a little more 😳😳 moments.

Thanks, Netgalley for the ARC of this book!

Traditional format (digitial) 📕. This book is a slow burn romance, character study and a little mystery all rolled into one. Elijah and Nakita are high school sweethearts. Elijah, an inspiring writer, leaves their small town to pursue his dreams and returns many years later to his family cabin. The town Doctor is found hanging in a tree on Elijah’s land and the mystery unfolds

What I liked:
🌲The setting: I’m always a fan of homesteading and this book had plenty of it
🌲The chemistry btwn the two main characters
🌲 great character development
🌲the book was just the right length. Sometimes I find books like this go on and on but this one was perfect in pacing and length

What could have been better
🌲The plot twist ending was pretty anti-climatic and a little disappointing.
🌲 The plot of the book was super predictable right from the get go. It didn’t take away from the book for me though.
🌲 I was a little puzzled on the context of Indian reserved in the book. That area of the plot/setting was not developed well and seemed irreverent

If you enjoy slow burn type book that are well written I would recommend this book. Overall I really enjoyed this book despite the list of areas for improvement. I give this debut novel a solid 4/5.

Thank you to Atria books and Net Galley for a digital copy of this book in exchange for a review.

🌲 murder mystery
🌲 off the grid-ish living
🌲 a little bit of romance with zero spicy scenes
🌲 cabin by the woods
🌲 small town

If these are your vibes, this is the book for you! I absolutely loved it. I loved how the author described the scene perfectly. It really painted a picture of what the area looked like and the atmosphere. I enjoyed all of the characters. The chapters were told in alternate timelines and then eventually at the end it goes into present day. This book reminds me of Where The Crawdads Sing and Stillwater Girls. All different stories but that off the grid vibe with a little mystery added in is there, which I love!

I absolutely adored this book! From the captivating cover to the atmospheric setting in the woods, "MIDDLETIDE" had me hooked from the start. The dual timeline format and the intertwining of the main character's book with the real-life mystery added an extra layer of intrigue that kept me engaged throughout. I appreciated the balance of romance, drama, and suspense, all woven together with realistic characters navigating traumas and redemption. Even when I wasn't reading, I couldn't stop thinking about it. I could easily envision this story on the big screen with stunning visuals and a compelling soundtrack. However, my only gripe was the use of a diary as a narrative device, which felt a bit unrealistic for the character's age. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed the ending and would highly recommend this book to fans of slow-paced mystery tales set in the wilderness. Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free eARC of this captivating novel.

Wonderful debut book for Sarah Crouch! The plot had some interesting twists to keep the reader engaged.. The book was well written and easy to read. The descriptions of the weather and the scenery made the reader feel as if they were there. Well done!

I was so excited to read this since I love in Seattle and very familiar with the area. Love a good PNW thriller. But I was so bored by this "thriller". It wasn't captivating and I just wanted it to be over.

I received this from Netgalley.com.

Atmospheric, mysterious and overall a good read.

3.5☆

Thank you Atria and Netgalley for the ARC. Dr Erin Landry is found hanging on a tree by 2 fisherman early on a January morning. However, the way the crime scene is set up seems too simple, more homicide rather than suicide. The sheriff and deputy receive an anonymous book at the station by the title of Middletide. The book practically lays out a murder that looks like a suicide just like Erin's. The author of the book is Elijah who actually had a relationship with Erin. All signs point to him being the murderer, but is he?

Read this if you like:
•atmospheric books
•small town
•mystery

This book had beautiful writing. I just don’t think I was quite in the right mood to read this one

I loved it!
Not gonna lie: the art cover gives me everything. I absolutely love a mystery or horror novel set in the woods or any similar natural settings.
And this book didn't disappoint me. I found it to be very atmospheric, and I was sold by the first few chapters.
This is a duo timeline story, but pretty much with the same characters.
Also, something I really enjoyed is that MIDDLETIDE is the title of the book the main character has written, so it's a book about books, which I also love. What's more, that book is a mystery crime novel, and there is a similar crime happening in this small town, which totally held my attention even more.
There is romance, but not over the top, drama, but not melodrama, suspense and realistic characters going through traumas and redemption.
I really liked this one. It was that kind of read that even when I wasn't reading it, I was thinking of it.
I could easily see this turned into a movie with stunning cinematography and soundtrack.
My only reservation would be the diary. Somewhere in the middle of the story one of the character's diary surfaces and it is used to throw some pieces of the puzzle for us, the readers. I particuarly didn't like that. I felt like I had to totally suspend my disbelief in order to believe that a 30-something year old woman would keep a diary. I mean, I could easily believe a teenage girl doing that, for sure.
Anyway, I'd prefer the author chose a different narrative form to give the reader the pieces of information (also increasing the mystery of the story) she wanted to.

All in all, I had an amazing time with this book and I genuinely liked the ending.
I'd highly recommend this book to anyone who's into slow-paced mystery stories set in the woods.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read a free eARC of this novel.

3.5 stars -- a solid debut that encapsulates the PNW well!

Elijah always knew he wanted to get out of his tiny town of Point Orchards. He left his high school sweetheart behind to attend college but more than thirteen years later he has no choice but to return. His dreams of making it as a writer were dashed when his single book flopped and the only way he can afford to support himself is to move back into his father's cabin and work his father's old job at the auto shop. But the last thing Elijah wants is to inherit his father's life. He's ready for a reset and he's ready to win back the woman who's heart he broke many years ago.

What he isn't ready for is to be accused of murdering a beloved young local doctor. But all the evidence points directly to him -- including her death being eerily similar to the plot of his one novel that has limited readership. His recounting of the brief month they dated is completely different than the one left in the diary she left behind -- but without the technology of DNA the local sheriff's department does not have much to prove, or disprove, his involvement in her death.

This was a slow build but filled with tension and deep emotion. I didn't know who to believe for most of the plot, but it was beautifully written and a steady flow. I would not call it a thriller or a mystery but more of a small town drama centered around a mysterious death. I look forward to more from this author!

My goodness. First time reading this Author and will not be the last. Run....don't walk....to get this amazing book!!!
Thank you to Netgalley for providing this digital copy in exchange for a review.

This book tells the story of suscpious death of the towns doctor. Starts off a little slow but picked up towards the middle. Very interesting ending to the book.

Thank you NetGallery and Atria Publishing for the ARC.

Hold tight, friends, because I have things to say.

This was a stunning literary thriller debut – and I feel this point must be reiterated: it’s a literary thriller. This isn’t your summer night popcorn thriller under the stars. This is your snuggle under the covers with a candle and some kind of warm drink with whipped cream on top literary thriller. There IS suspense and murder and twists and turns – but there is also rich, descriptive, atmospheric language and dark nights of the soul. There is depth here – and slow burn – and you must go in knowing this.

Personally, I always connect better with deeper writing on audio, and if this is you, I definitely recommend this format. The narration by @kaleogriffith is so well-done, and he really brought the story to life for me.

I finished this book over twenty-four hours ago, and here I am still thinking about it and uncovering new layers. This book isn’t done with me yet, and I can’t read anything else until it is. That’s unusual for me.

I think this is going to be a big hit this summer, and I hope you will read it and love it as much as I did.

This is @sarahcrouch1989’s debut novel, and I can’t wait to see what she writes next. I will be first in line to read it.

🌿Read if you like:
✨Books within books
✨Literary thrillers
✨Pacific Northwest settings
✨Atmospheric natural settings
✨Revenge tales
✨Redemption tales