This little mystery was so easy to read and a quick read as well. I only had one real issue with it, and that is it jumped around too much. What I liked a lot was that it was told in more than one timeline, so as I read the book I could look for clues of things in the "past timeline" to see if/what I could figure out...I'm definitely not very good detective material.

It starts with a very pastoral and serene setting with a couple people fishing. That scene resonated with me until there was a discovery of a dead body. That began a mystery with twists and turns, and one that was told in such a way that I really could feel like I was a detective. Nothing is usually exactly as it seems and such was the case with this mystery.

I also loved the characters of Elijah and Nakita and how relatable they were. Both were down to earth and struggled with aspects of their lives (as most of us do), so seeing them as real people with character flaws and all, they were just so likable.

This was a quick read about someone coming home after a less than successful career. He's a different person and things a definitely not the same. It was a little hard to follow at the beginning of the book as the dates moved and it wasn't as clear to me. I did suspect some of the end but not all.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I was captivated from the very first chapter and could not stop until I found out the truth. Definitely would recommend to friends!

In the realm of literary thrillers, few novels manage to weave together a compelling mystery with richly atmospheric settings and deep character development. “Middletide” by Sarah Crouch is one such novel that not only enthralls readers with its intricate plot but also immerses them in the evocative landscape of Point Orchards, a small town nestled along the Puget Sound.
The story opens on a serene morning shattered by the grim discovery of Dr. Erin Landry’s body, an event that sets the stage for a tale of suspense and intrigue. The initial verdict of suicide quickly unravels as Sheriff Jim Godbout uncovers unsettling parallels between Erin’s death and the fictional murder in Elijah Leith’s novel. This coincidence thrusts Elijah, a struggling writer grappling with his own failures, into the center of a real-life mystery that mirrors his literary creation.

Elijah’s return to his childhood home in Point Orchards is not just a retreat from his professional woes but a journey into self-discovery and redemption. His efforts to restore his father’s dilapidated cabin and reconnect with Nakita, the woman he wronged yet cannot forget, are poignant threads that intertwine with the central mystery. The town’s mounting suspicion against Elijah propels the narrative forward, as he must navigate a labyrinth of betrayal and deceit to prove his innocence.

As a reader, I was captivated by the atmospheric quality of “Middletide.” Crouch’s ability to paint the small-town setting in vivid strokes is remarkable, creating a backdrop that feels almost like a character in itself. While the pacing may have been measured at times, this deliberate tempo allowed for a deeper exploration of the characters’ inner worlds and the town’s undercurrents of tension and secrets.

The resolution of the mystery is where “Middletide” truly shines. It is both intriguing and original, steering clear of clichés and offering a denouement that is as satisfying as it is unexpected. The characters, especially Elijah and Nakita, are endearing in their flaws and struggles, making their journeys resonate with authenticity and emotional depth.

In conclusion, “Middletide” is a testament to Sarah Crouch’s storytelling prowess. It is a novel that not only provides a gripping whodunit but also examines themes of love, loss, and revenge with nuance and sensitivity. For those who appreciate a thriller that challenges the mind while touching the heart, “Middletide” is a literary gem that should not be missed.

Middletide brings us in to a small town after the suspicious death of a young doctor. The nature and setting of this book is well played and can be considered a character in itself. As far as the indigenous people written into this book there seem to be some inconsistencies and plot holes that were a snag for me. I did like that there was a bit of a twist and it wasn't totally unrealistic. Overall a good book, I would compare it to Where the Crawdads sing in it's presentation.

Interesting mystery and a quick read.

At fist, this story is a bit confusing. Keep track of the dates at the start of each chapter and it will get easier -but, at the start, it's really hard to remember which Elijah and other characters are which. But it's a very fast read. It has an interesting twist, one I think many will enjoy, as even just past halfway I had suspects but not all the facts yet. The very end felt a bit rushed but I was entertained and enjoyed this one.

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

I know I didn’t read the blurb before taking the advanced reader opportunity here – if I like a cover and it gets presented to me generically as “mystery” or “thriller” I’ll read the book. I also don’t know why my hopes were so high for this one, but they were. Maybe if I had lower expectations it would have worked better for me.

I thought the story here was about a young doctor whose body is found hanging in a remote area only accessible by water and the attempt to figure out if it was suicide or murder (and if murder, the whodunit). And it was about that, but it also timehopped right away to some teenage love story that I absolutely was not digging whatsoever. I’ll blame myself for not being aware of the “Crawdads” comparison (a book which I loved, by the way, but either because right time/right place is everything for me or because it was “fresh” enough that I got absorbed). This love story portion did not seem particularly fresh, nor did all the "homesteading" about a boy who returns to his small hometown after failing as a novelist who knows all about how to not only forage everything edible off the land as well as how to can veggies and make homemade jams and preserves, but somehow doesn't think about fishing until he has a real Homer Simpson "DOH!" moment and wishes he knew how to make a pancake. Srsly? Not to mention the real rush towards justice at the end with a nearly zero page trial thrown in complete with surprise exhibits and witnesses that 100% does not happen in real life. And don't even get me started the big “twist” when it came to the reveal. Chrissy Teigen eesh face for sure.

ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Kudos to Sarah Crouch on her debut novel, ‘Middletide’. A suspenseful mystery with a very interesting twist. I would definitely Italy be interested in Ms. Crouch’s future books.

Genre: Literary Fiction, Mystery
{TW: suicide, grief/loss, intimate partner violence}

From the moment I picked this book up, I couldn't put it down. I am absolutely dumbfounded that this has not gotten much more acclaim and attention since it's release in June 2024. Crouch writes a story that is both beautiful and suspenseful at the same time, with atmospheric writing similar to William Kent Kruger and Delilah Owens. I loved the love story that served as a background plot to the larger plot about what it means to move on in life after significant grief and loss and this theme of the story was done so incredibly well. She wrote a story that gives life to the idea that grief comes in all shapes and sizes and there is no right way to heal.

Crouch is an outstanding writer and I was compelled to find out how the story ended while also rooting for each and every character...even the ones who turned out to not be so great. Overall, I will recommend this book to anyone and everyone who will listen because it was that good. Do yourself a favor, read the damn book.

What a pleasant surprise this was. I am a fan of mysteries and more so the classic text books ones. Throw court room procedural drama and you had me! I could not stop reading this. Very well done, gripping and I couldn’t believe the resolution was the one I was thinking of because I was sure I was wrong!

This book was a joy to read. I enjoyed the way the story flowed and I had a few moments that kind of made me question a few things. The characters were very interesting and I had smile quite a few times. This author really knows how to tell a story that will captivate you from the very beginning. I highly recommend this book and this author.

Middletide is a fantastic debut from author Sarah Crouch. The Pacific Northwest setting is perfect for this story. The author does a fantastic job of setting the scene and allowing you to feel like you are in the cabin on a lake living off the land with the main character Elijah. I loved the atmospheric elements of nature. This book is a mix of mystery, drama, romance, revenge, and ends with a courtroom trial. Although this book is under 300 pages, it reads quickly due to the tension being revealed as well as the past/present timelines. The ending was unexpected and my only disappointment was that it wrapped up very quickly. If you enjoyed reading “Where the crawdads sing” or books by authors William Kent Krueger and Peter Heller, then you’ll enjoy Middletide by Sarah Crouch!

This was a nice and easy to follow mystery/thriller about the death of a doctor, a man who may or may not be guilty that wrote a book exactly like how the person died, some slight romance interwoven, and a small town community shaken by the crime. I like that we get all the answers in the end and how it wraps up for the main characters. I didn’t really connect to them in particular but did like the story told about them.
My rating for this is little lower just because it wasn’t very exiting and thrilling. It had more of a low key mystery vibe to it that made it easy to read without paying too much attention to the details. This is one of those mysteries that you kind of piece together the twist as you uncover more clues. I did really appreciate the past and present timelines that made it fun as a reader to go back and see the clues laid out building up to the present time, post death of the doctor. I would still recommend this book if it interests you or is your type of vibe that you like mysteries that aren’t scary, but overall a more average read for me.

I received a digital copy from NetGalley & the author of this novel in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Sarah Crouch for this novel!

I absolutely loved this one. Taking place in the Pacific Northwest, this one reminded me of "Where the Crawdad's Sing" with mystery and love. Highly recommend this one.

Middletide was a murder mystery that kept me going back and forth throughout. I really enjoyed the time hopping through the years to put the truth together. The characters were all very likable.. until they weren’t.

Loved this book! It was a quick read that kept me interested from the beginning! Finished in one sitting. Sarah Crouch knocked it out of the park with this book! Elijah had to do everything he needed to do to prove his innocence of the murder of the young doctor.

Well I want to start by saying I loved the characters, I really loved the setting, and I think crouch has a beautiful writing style. Unfortunately this book was "Middletide" literally. Like Elijah's Middletide the whole murder thing just didn't work. This books would have been Elijah's second book. There was so much potential for this to be a great literary fiction, coming of age, redemption story. The parts about Elijah coming home finding himself finding his family again earning back his love with Nakita, all of that was enough. But then unfortunately it felt like there was this outlandish deranged murder trial just dropped into the middle of a beautiful life story and it didn't work, it didn't make sense, it didn't mesh.
I also didn't like the made up tribe. The name didn't even sound right. I think an unnamed tribe or a real tribe name from the area would have served better.

I’ll start with what I liked. The setting and the imagery in the PNW was well done. While reading it I felt like I was part of the environment.

I didn’t love the made up indigenous tribe. It felt unnecessary and tokenizing. I also didn’t like how the case played out and how everything was neatly cleaned up. It felt a little too convenient.

Lovely writing. Great story. Loved the setting, too. An easy read that keeps you wanting more!

4 stars

Gotta love a book about a book/author!

This one had a lot that I love in - small town, a recluse with a story, a mysterious death. This one was a bit of a slow burn, but burned enough that I was invested.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Atria Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.