Middletide is a great mystery suspense book. It keeps you guessing throughout the book and it has different timeframes for each chapter so you have to pay attention to that. It is a story about friendships, family, love, loss, grief, and forgiveness. Elijah, Nakita and Dr. Erin Landry are the main characters. Elijah and Nikita are friends growing up and they fall in love. It is about a Murder in the small town of Point Orchards and Elijah is the main suspect. Is Elijah really a murderer? Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for giving me the opportunity to receive a complimentary ARC of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.

I received an advance copy of Middletide by Sarah Crouch from NetGalley, and I thoroughly enjoyed her debut novel. The story follows a fictional Indigenous tribe in the Pacific Northwest, and Crouch’s rich, immersive writing beautifully brings both the characters and the stunning natural setting to life. The slow-burn mystery, centered around solving a murder, kept me captivated, while the lyrical prose made every page a pleasure to read. Surprisingly, this was a quick read for me, as I found myself eager to unravel the mystery. Middletide is a compelling debut that left me excited to see what Crouch writes next.

I loved, loved, loved this book. Very well written and the main characters we like able. Will be reading more from this author in the future.

I enjoyed reading this atmospheric debut by Elijah was a mixed bag. It was an interesting story if not wholly believable. I would read more by this author.

This was a really enjoyable story that struck a great balance between being engaging and easy to follow. The plot had just the right amount of twists and turns to keep me on my toes without becoming overly complicated or hard to follow. Each surprise felt intentional and well-placed, adding layers to the narrative while still keeping the overall story grounded. While the plot kept me engaged, it was the characters that truly made this book memorable. I appreciated how the author created a world that was both entertaining and thoughtful, with just enough unpredictability to make it exciting without feeling overwhelming.

Overall, it was a solid read—perfect for when you want something intriguing but not overly complex. I’d definitely pick up another book featuring these characters!

I’ll give this a SOLID 3.5⭐️ I want to round this up to 4 but I’m just not sure yet. It was extremely character-driven and read more like contemporary fiction that mystery but the mysterious elements were definitely there. This is one that has to sit with me for a while. It started out as creepy as I expected but fell a little flat in the middle. It picked up later on and I was ultimately satisfied with the ending.

Elijah Leith left home with dreams of writing the next big novel. Now at thirty-three years old, Elijah comes back home after his novel, Middletide failed to sell after a bad review. Elijah now spends his time cleaning the old cabin his father left him and trying to rekindle the relationship with the woman he left behind. When the body of Dr. Erin Landry is found hanging from a tree on Elijah's property, the initial cause is believed to be suicide, but the Sheriff soon finds evidence of foul play. When someone sends the sheriff a copy of Middletide, the sheriff quickly finds similarities of the doctor's death and Elijah's story. With a community turning against him, Elijah must quickly prove his innocence.

This was a different mystery than I am used too, and I feel like I need to read this book a second time to fully understand the story. There are so many changes of timelines that occur, that it took me a while to piece together the mystery. I enjoyed the overall concept of this book and the slow beginning that gradually picks up the pace and although the ending was slightly predictable, I did enjoy the conclusion. This is book that I plan to keep and read again in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria books for the opportunity to review Middletide. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Middletide was a good book. It had good twists but still felt predictable. It was easy to read and follow. I enjoyed it, and I would recommend to for others to read.

In this gripping debut, a small town is rocked by the suspicious death of Dr. Erin Landry, with all clues pointing to reclusive failed writer Elijah Leith. As the town turns against him, Elijah must prove his innocence before it’s too late.

Elijah returns to his childhood home in Point Orchards, Washington, after his writing career collapses, only to find himself at the center of a murder investigation. When Erin Landry is found hanging from a tree on his property, the police suspect suicide—until eerie similarities to Elijah’s own novel emerge. As the investigation deepens, secrets unravel, forcing Elijah to confront past betrayals and an unexpected enemy intent on framing him.

Crouch’s writing shines with lush descriptions and a strong sense of place. The novel’s alternating timelines between Elijah’s teenage romance with Nakita and the present-day murder investigation create a layered, character-driven mystery. While some narrative shifts slow the pacing, the final act delivers a satisfying and well-executed twist.

For readers who enjoy atmospheric thrillers with complex characters, Middletide is an engaging debut with an intriguing premise. Though not flawless, it’s an impressive start for Crouch, and I look forward to seeing what she writes next. 4 stars.

Sarah Crouch's debut novel, Middletide, is a haunting and atmospheric thriller that delves deep into the tangled emotions of love, betrayal, and suspicion. Set in the small, close-knit town of Point Orchards, the story unfolds with the mysterious death of Dr. Erin Landry, a young doctor whose body is found hanging from a tree on the property of Elijah Leith, a reclusive figure with a dark past.

Elijah, a failed writer who returned to his hometown seeking redemption, finds himself thrust into the heart of the investigation. Though Sheriff Jim Godbout initially believes it to be a suicide, eerie clues suggest that the circumstances mirror the plot of Elijah’s own abandoned novel. As the town turns against him, Elijah’s struggle to prove his innocence is complicated by his rekindled relationship with Nakita, a girl he left behind long ago, and the mounting tensions of a community that has long held its secrets.

middletide captures the claustrophobic tension of a small town where everyone knows everyone else's business, and the thin line between love and revenge is razor-sharp. The novel’s evocative descriptions of the Puget Sound setting provide an ominous backdrop that amplifies the suspense and disquiet surrounding the town’s unraveling mystery. Crouch expertly blends elements of literary fiction with a gripping thriller, making Middletide a compelling read for fans of All Good People Here and Where the Crawdads Sing.

With intricate character development and a plot that twists and turns at every corner, Middletide is a debut that promises to keep readers on the edge of their seats long after they’ve turned the final page.

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

I’m a little backlogged with my ARCs but working diligently to get caught up. I really liked the premise of this story! Washed up author returns to hometown only to have a woman turn up dead in the exact same way he wrote about in his book. It was definitely a page turner and very descriptive. I had trouble discerning if it was an unreliable narrator situation or not but I’ll let you be the judge. I would recommend if you like fiction, mysteries, and psychological thrillers!

Gorgeous cover, Pacific Northwest setting, a great premise. Horribly executed. This book was a bore. The author spent a lot of time talking about the character eating. It really needed a little more depth. I can’t pinpoint what all the real issues were but I know it fell flat.

I was intrigued by the description of the book, but unfortunately there was nothing appealing or redeeming as I read it. The characters and the storyline were both lackluster. Frankly I’m not even sure why I finished it except I don’t like to give up on books.
Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for my ARC.

This book was just not for me! I saw a beautiful cover and a mystery/thriller tag, and went for it! I'd absolutely read something else by this author, but this one was a skip for me.

Started off good, and is super well written. Unfortunately I found the pace a bit too slow, and bit too predictable. If you’re looking for an easy read, this is it.

Middletide by Sarah Crouch

Elijah returns to his childhood home in Puget Sound, no longer the boy who left with dreams of writing the Great American Novel. With his father gone, Elijah immerses himself in the natural beauty of his surroundings, develops a relationship with his father's best friend, and reconnects with a lost love. When the town doctor is found hanging from a tree on Elijah's property—mimicking a scene from his only published book—Elijah finds himself on trial for murder.

Told through three intersecting timelines, this story explores themes of revenge, love, and redemption. The premise is strong but the execution falters. Different editing choices could have elevated the story significantly. The trial, which could have been more central and impactful, felt flat, particularly from my perspective as a trial lawyer. The narrative's momentum stalls about two-thirds in, and the timeline jumps often feel disjointed.

Despite these issues, the book is still worth a read. Sarah Crouch’s debut novel offers an intriguing glimpse into life in a small Puget Sound community. The mystery, told through various points of view and timelines, is a slow burn that holds interest, though the ending may feel unsatisfying to some.

The story starts slowly and meanders through the first half, only picking up in the latter part. This late intrigue wavers before fully delivering. While the plot is good, improvements in pacing and character development could enhance the overall experience.

Recommended for mystery readers who appreciate a slow-building narrative.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. This was not a great thriller, but it is not supposed to be. Good writing. Solid storyline.

Why am I not hearing more about this book? Several different timelines make it necessary to pay attention to every detail and clue you are given. Unreliable narrator? Red herrings? You be the judge. Just don't skip this book!!
I'm looking forward to reading more books by this author.

Thank you so much to @Atriabooks and @netgalley for the copy of this eARC!

Where do I even begin? This debut literary thriller is absolutely stunning. It’s a compelling story of love, loss, and redemption, and the cover perfectly captures its essence. From the start, the plot will keep you guessing until the very last moment, when the jury delivers its verdict.

The book pulls you in immediately, opening with the shocking discovery of Dr. Erin Landry’s lifeless body hanging from a tree on the property of Elijah Leith, a failed writer and the so-called "prodigal son." The next chapter takes us back to the 1970s, to a poignant scene between two young lovers—one of whom is Elijah himself, now the prime suspect in a murder investigation.

The narrative weaves two timelines together, skillfully building suspense with well-drawn characters and vivid descriptions. The reader is left piecing together what really happened that fateful night, and the emotional journey leading up to it.

This book is a true roller coaster, rich in atmosphere. I especially loved how the setting captured the rugged beauty of homesteading and the Pacific Northwest was brought to life. The details are captivating. And Elijah and Nakita’s love story? Simply beautiful. This is a novel that will stay with you long after you've finished reading.

I was quickly hooked into Elijah's story, however i feel like this book was trying to be too many things. The last third of the book felt rushed and unrealistic. I just kept thinking there would be more but it never came. 2.5 rounded up to 3 stars