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.

Middletide by Sarah Crouch was a sharp, well written mystery! It starts off slow in the beginning, but don’t let that discourage you from finishing it! Once you get going you have to find out what happens next! I can't wait for Sarah Crouch's next book!

Thanks to #NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC The cover is what read drew me in. It wasn’t my favorite but wasn’t terrible.

I really wanted to love Middletide, but I just could not connect with the characters. They were all unlikeable and I didn’t care for them. I will say, this book was very atmospheric and the author wrote the setting extremely well. I would still read another by this author because of how well the setting was written.

The language of the book was beautiful, and I really liked the way that the story unfolded. The mystery element felt a bit secondary to Elijah's story.

Absolutely loved the setting (PNW) and felt like it was talently woven story. Was quickly pulled in needed to know how the story would unfold. Would definitely recommended and will likely be a book club pick for us.

Sucked me in from the beginning and such a great mystery, although I thought it should've moved along a bit faster. The characters were strong and I overall enjoyed it!

I enjoyed the PNW setting, atmospheric writing and different timelines.

I will say if you are looking for a thriller, this isn’t it. However, I found Middletide to have a good amount of twists, hold my attention and although it’s a bit of a slow burn, I NEEDED to know what the outcome was.

This is the perfect camping read, or a book to add to your fall TBR! Sarah Crouch does such a great job with character depth and creating an immersive setting!
Such a great debut & I look forward to seeing what else Sarah Crouch writes!

Middletide had a lot of potential, but the ending and a major plot point really fell flat for me. The town’s beautiful doctor, Erin, is found dead, hanging from a tree on property owned by Elijah Leith, a failed novelist who returned home to work at an auto repair shop and pick up the pieces of his life. But when Erin is found, all signs point to Elijah as the perp, as he briefly dated Erin.

I am sorry for the inconvenience but I don’t have the time to read this anymore and have lost interest in the concept. I believe that it would benefit your book more if I did not skim your book and write a rushed review. Again, I am sorry for the inconvenience.

Not my jam... thought it'd give me different things.
I enjoyed the writing but the plot choices not that much.