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

This book was interesting in that it had the reader in so many time changes and characters and motives all at once. I wanted to go down one avenue and stay there.
The main character goes full circle as we follow his life: teenage pledges of eternal love, intercepted when he goes away to college to discover a new world and doesn't look back, then his big career dreams fails and he finds himself back where he started, now hiding out in shame. Nothing has changed but everything has changed.
An interesting trial where the victim is also the perpetrator of the crime adds an intriguing concept at the end of the book. While prolonged I knew he'd be redeemed and saved by his old love. No nail biter there.
I stayed with the book till the end, just wished it had more mystery involved.

I mostly struggled with the pacing of Middletide. There were lots of descriptive fillers with which didn’t add anything to the plot and then important portions were rushed through. I prefer fiction to be further researched. A real indigenous tribe, and better understanding/portrayal of the legal system would have made this novel more enjoyable.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for a Reader’s Copy in exchange for an honest review.

In this gripping literary thriller set in the quiet town of Point Orchards, the mysterious death of Dr. Erin Landry—a respected local doctor—is initially ruled a suicide. However, Sheriff Jim Godbout soon uncovers unsettling details that suggest foul play, particularly when he discovers that the circumstances of the doctor's death mirror a plot from a novel written by Elijah Leith.

Elijah, a struggling writer, has returned to his childhood home to escape his failed career and personal regrets. As he works to restore his family's home and reconnect with Nakita, a woman from his past whom he once betrayed, the town turns against him. Elijah becomes entangled in a web of deceit, fighting to prove his innocence as an elusive adversary manipulates events to frame him for murder.

This novel explores themes of love, loss, and revenge while weaving a tense, psychological narrative where betrayal and personal redemption collide.

I always find myself reaching for intrigue/ mysterious stories set in small towns, and Middletide fit the bill perfectly. I really enjoyed the way the author made me feel immersed in the town, and invested in the characters. Well done. Highly recommend.

This one seemed a little slow to me in the beginning but the twisty end was very good. I would definitely read another novel by this author because this is the genre of book that I enjoy. I just wished I was more invested in the story from the beginning. I definitely was kept guessing about what was happening between Dr. Erin Landry and Elijah. This story has themes of love and jealousy weaved throughout and the atmospheric vibe of Puget sound and the nearby reservation added to the beauty of the book

I heard great things about this book but could not get into the setting. I might try again now that it is winter. Thank you for the arc copy but I will not be finishing at this time.

First thing you have to know about me is I absolutely love an atmospheric book and wow did this one meet the mark. An immersive setting with complex characters, I absolutely loved this one.

The prose flowed eloquently and gained traction throughout. This was a very intriguing murder mystery written between two timelines. The switching between the two kept me interested and hungry for more.

Definitely for fans of Where the Crawdads Sing, myself included. I absolutely loved this debut by Sarah Crouch.

Very slow to get into, but the atmospheric vibe pulled me in and made me kept going. I did enjoy the story, but wish it picked up a bit faster upfront. Overall, I think it was worth it to read and know so many of my friends who loved it. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

Middletide by Sarah Crouch presents an intriguing premise with the mysterious death of Dr. Erin Landry, but it ultimately struggles to maintain momentum. While the atmospheric setting and themes of grief are compelling, the pacing can feel sluggish, and some characters lack depth. Overall, the novel offers moments of insight but may leave some readers wanting more in terms of plot development and character complexity.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

*Middletide* by Sarah Crouch is a beautifully atmospheric novel that blends mysticism and coming-of-age themes with a quiet, lyrical style. Crouch’s writing captures the essence of small-town life, the weight of family secrets, and the yearning for belonging in a way that feels both intimate and universal. A compelling read that leaves a lasting impression.