Very well written but found it extremely slow at times. It took me a while to read because once I set it down, I didn't find the urge to pick it back up. But I couldn't leave it unread because the writing was enjoyable. I look forward to more novels from this author.

Review of Middletide by Sarah Crouch

Middletide is a gripping debut novel set in the small town of Point Orchards, where a young doctor’s suspicious death sends ripples through the community. The book offers a mix of suspense and atmosphere, with a plot that unfolds around the town’s prodigal son, Elijah Leith, who becomes the prime suspect.

While I found the story entertaining and appreciated the tense, small-town setting, it didn’t quite leave me in awe. The mystery kept me engaged, but it lacked the punch I was hoping for.

Middletide is an atmospheric mystery in which a local doctor is found dead hanging from a tree on the property of her ex (who just happened to be the author of a novel about a crime that was so eerily similar to the circumstances of her death). Middletide is written non-linearly and each chapter is labeled with the date so if you make a mental note to pay attention to that, you won't waste time momentarily confused like I did. The plot was intriguing and kept me interested but there were times I felt the scenery and background were overly described. There are a lot of mundane, everyday-action scenes. It definitely added to the overall vibes of the book but also slowed the pace down a little (which is why I wouldn't call this one a thriller).
This book is perfect for someone wanting to dip their toes into the mystery/thriller genre or is looking for a break from darker books.

This is the best pacific northwest book since "Snow Falling on Cedars". A thrilling mystery, captivating characters and one of the best starts to a crime novel in recent years, you don't want to miss this incredible ride.

Sarah Crouch's debut novel, "Middletide," promises a gripping and atmospheric thriller set in the small, picturesque town of Point Orchards on Puget Sound. While the novel delivers on its atmospheric setting and intriguing premise, it ultimately fell short for me due to its predictability.

The story begins with the shocking discovery of Dr. Erin Landry's lifeless body hanging from a tree on the property of Elijah Leith, a reclusive and failed writer who has recently returned to his hometown. Sheriff Jim Godbout's initial conclusion of suicide is quickly challenged when he finds eerie similarities between the circumstances of Erin's death and scenes from Elijah's novel. As he works to restore his childhood home, the town's suspicion turns towards him, and Elijah finds himself in a desperate fight to prove his innocence against a cunning adversary who has masterfully framed him for murder.

Crouch excels in creating a moody and immersive setting. The town of Point Orchards, with its close-knit community and scenic coastal beauty, serves as a compelling backdrop for the unfolding mystery. The author’s descriptive prose captures the essence of the place, drawing readers into its serene yet unsettling atmosphere.

However, the novel's predictability undermines its potential. The plot twists and revelations, while competently executed, are often telegraphed well in advance, reducing the overall suspense. Readers familiar with the genre may find themselves anticipating the next move long before it happens, which diminishes the impact of the story’s climactic moments. Additionally, some of the secondary characters and subplots feel underdeveloped, leaving certain aspects of the story lacking in depth.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC.

If you like mysteries explored through multiple timelines and multiple POVs, then you'll love this.

The atmosphere. The atmosphere! This book takes you to the Pacific Northwest and envelopes you in a way that is truly immersive. This character-driven story explores love and finding yourself through mystery, intrigue, and while seeking justice for the murder of a community member. Sarahs writing style is truly stunning and captivating. If you enjoy a slow build, detailed writing, and mystery you will love this debut novel.

Thank you Sarah Crouch, Atria Books, NetGalley and all involved for the opportunity to review this book!

Elijah Leith couldn't wait to get out of his small town. He wants to be an author and going off to college is his first step. He's leaving behind his father and his high school girlfriend, Nikita. After his first novel, Middletide, is a failure in the market, he returns home. His father is dead having drunk himself into oblivion. Nikita married another Native American and although she is now a widow, she isn't interested in rekindling things with Elijah.

At loose ends, Elijah has a short relationship with the town doctor, Erin Landrey, but his heart belongs to Nikita and he soon breaks things off with Erin. Months later, Erin is found murdered on Elijah's land, using the exact method he used in his novel. Elijah's blood is found under her fingernails and on her clothes. Despite his protests that he hadn't seen her in months, he is soon arrested and charged with murder. Who could have hated him enough to set him up?

This is a debut novel for Sarah Crouch. She is known as a professional marathoner but should have a career writing if she desires one. There are plenty of twists and turns and events that will surprise the reader. If there is a weakness, it is the legal aspects as Elijah is represented by Nikita's father who studied law but never practiced it and some of the trial aspects don't ring true. But the relationships are done to perfection and the ending is a surprise. This book is recommended for mystery readers.

This was a great read, it did take me some time to get into the whole story. I am a person who does like intensity and quick paced but I think it did add to the story. This was a great debut novel by Sarah and I am excited to see where else her writing career takes her!

Middletide is a thoughtful and moving novel that examines the ties that bind us to our past and the choices that shape our future. Sarah Crouch’s deft storytelling and complex character development make this a standout read for fans of literary fiction and character-driven narratives. It’s a compelling reminder that even the quietest places can harbor the most profound stories.

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc copy of this book. I really like the story itself. Without giving anything away, I will just say that I don't think I have ever read a storyline like this one. That being said, this book just was not for me. I did not like any of the characters. I read this book over the course of several days and that made the multiple timelines confusing for me. This one wasn't for me but I do think others will enjoy it.

This debut novel is a remarkable achievement, drawing compelling comparisons to "Gone Girl" and "Where the Crawdads Sing." The plot is undeniably captivating. However, the courtroom drama wasn't executed as well as I would have liked. The depiction of withheld evidence and the sudden appearance of a surprise witness strained credulity, impacting the overall believability. Additionally, the unresolved detail about the doctors clean feet at the end was particularly frustrating, as it undermines the plausibility of the suicide narrative. The tire scenario also seemed implausible. Despite these flaws, the book is enjoyable, though it would benefit from deeper character development.

Thank you for allowing me to read this ARC. I particularly appreciated the PNW setting and think the cover is gorgeous.

**Review of "Middletide"**

"Middletide," a captivating debut by Sarah Crouch, unfolds in the picturesque yet ominous backdrop of Point Orchards, a small Puget Sound town. The narrative opens with the shocking discovery of Dr. Erin Landry's lifeless body hanging from a tree on the property of Elijah Leith, a prodigal son and failed writer who has returned home under a cloud of suspicion.

Sheriff Jim Godbout initially believes the death to be a suicide, but as he delves deeper, he uncovers eerie parallels between the circumstances of Erin's death and events described in Elijah's unpublished novel. With the town turning against him, Elijah finds himself in a desperate struggle to clear his name and unravel the mystery behind Erin's demise.

Elijah, a once-promising writer now grappling with disillusionment and regret, becomes a compelling protagonist as he navigates his tumultuous return to Point Orchards. His attempts to rebuild his life, reconnect with his past love Nakita, and restore his childhood home add layers of depth to the narrative.

The novel's strength lies in its evocative atmosphere and intricate plotting. The author skillfully weaves together themes of love, betrayal, and redemption against a backdrop of small-town intrigue and suspicion. The portrayal of Point Orchards and its inhabitants enhances the sense of unease and suspense, drawing readers deeper into the unfolding drama.

"Middletide" is reminiscent of literary thrillers like "Where the Crawdads Sing" and "All the Good People Here," offering a blend of mystery and emotional depth. The exploration of Elijah's character development and the complex dynamics within the community make for a compelling read, with twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the final revelation.

Overall, "Middletide" is a scintillating literary thriller that grips from the first page to the last, exploring themes of love, loss, and the search for identity amidst suspicion and betrayal in a small-town setting. Crouch's debut promises a promising future in the genre.

I'm giving this 2.5 stars rounded up to 3.

This was super slow, but once it got going, parts of it were interesting. The writing was beautiful and atmospheric, and I enjoyed the setting and time period. Unfortunately, that's about all I have to say about it. Much of the book was boring and forgettable.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I’m not the reader for this book unfortunately. The made up tribe isn’t the type of story I’d like to read, I would’ve Rather the author use a real tribe and do research on doing it justice. The mystery was okay. Thank you for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest revie

Overall i liked this - not leaning into extremes either way. enough character and plot to keep going, will probably recommend to mom.

I was drawn to this book on Net Galley by its gorgeous cover and intriguing premise. The story centers around a reclusive, aspiring writer and his return to home, set alongside a fictional Indigenous community created by a white author, which immediately concerned me. The community feedback on this aspect turned me off, it felt uncomfortable and inauthentic. Unfortunately, the execution didn't deliver above this icky start. The characters, including the protagonist who is supposed to be a gifted writer, felt like flat caricatures rather than fully realized. His intelligence and talent didn't come through. The romance was equally disappointing, it felt one-sided and lacked the necessary chemistry. Despite these issues, I was curious about how the mystery would unfold, but the resolution was also unsatisfying. While it had potential, the lack of character development and the problematic representation of Indigenous culture made it a disappointing read. I don’t recommend this book.

Thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I'm giving this book a 3.5 star rating rounded up to 4. I will absolutely be recommending this book to people who like mysteries as I feel like that was the best part of this book. I was guessing up until the very end about what actually happened, and even after the final resolution, I had my suspicions that we didn't have the whole truth.

My criticism would have to be that there was a bit too much exposition about Elijah coming back and learning to "live from the land." I don't necessarily feel like that helped move the story along. I don't think it needed to be completely removed, but it was just a bit excessive in my opinion. I think that comes probably from the fact that this book is meant to be atmospheric and I'm not always SUPER into the atmospheric aspects of books, so that is likely a personal preference.

I wanted to love this book! I love nature-based novels. I did enjoy the rich descriptions.

However, I didn’t enjoy the story, and I was bothered throughout by the invented indigenous tribe written by someone not indigenous. It felt forced, and I couldn’t see the point of including it.

Overall I would not recommend this read.

I am grateful to Aria Books and NetGalley for providing me with a digital advanced reader copy (ARC) of "Middletide," written by Sarah Crouch. Although I received approval to read this novel before its June 11, 2024, release date, I only recently had the opportunity to delve into it. I apologize for the delay in reading the book and submitting a review.

"Middletide" tells the story of Elijah Leith's returning to Point Orchard, WA, after leaving 20 years ago, and being accused of murdering Erin Landry, the town doctor, when her body is found hanging on his property. Elijah becomes the chief suspect in the murder since it was described in a novel Elijah wrote years ago titled "Middletide." Elijah and his friends fight for his innocence and his life. Did Elijah murder Erin? Why? Or did another town member? What took place for this suspicion to arise?

The sheriff and his deputy's investigation could have been more thorough, adding to the suspense of the story. Their focus on one person as the murderer seemed to lack logic. The love story between Nakita and Elijah, filled with angst, was a delightful addition. I must confess, the person I suspected of the murder turned out to be innocent, a twist that left me pleasantly surprised. As the story unfolded in alternating timelines of the past and the present, I was completely absorbed in this atmospheric novel.  The conclusion of 'Middletide' was deeply satisfying.  Overall, I found this debut novel enjoyable and eagerly anticipate future books by Ms. Crouch.

3.5 stars out 5