I really enjoyed this book and was impressed to discover it is Sara Crouch's debut novel. Yes it starts a bit slow but kept me turning pages to unveil the mystery. It has a mixture of romance, crime drama, mystery and courtroom drama

I really enjoyed "Middletide" by Sarah Crouch! A beautifully written novel, murder mystery as well as a drama, with a serene backdrop, living a simple life while exploring talents, finding true love, and full of (mostly) good people. Interesting and intriguing. Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for the review copy. All opinions are my own.

Wow!
This one had coming of age, murder mystery, romance, courtroom proceedings, small town, family relationships. Great pacing and great development for the shorter page length.

Elijah returns to his hometown after a failed attempt as a writer. His childhood home is situated on a secluded piece of property. Not long after his return a body is found on the property and Elijah becomes the prime suspect. This story is not only a mystery but a love story between Elijah and Nakita, his childhood love. This book was just ok for me. I felt the murder trial and ending were rushed and the twist at the end somewhat unbelievable. Thank you NetGalley and Atria for the advanced reading copy.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
This was such an atmospheric book about a small town murder. The beginning had me hooked when Dr. Erin Landry is found hanging from a tree on the property of Elijah Leith. Elijah wrote one novel. As the investigation of Dr. Landry’s death unfolds it looks as if the details were straight from Elijah’s novel. I enjoyed the dual timelines of this small town mystery/thriller. The middle was a bit slow for me, but overall I really enjoyed it.

Thank you @netgalley and @atriabooks for this eARC in exchange for my honest review

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

I felt this was a slow burn and it took me awhile to finish it. I was not really excited to keep picking it up, but I wanted to finish it to find out how it ends. It is more of a mystery and a crime fiction than a thriller, so if you go in thinking it is a thriller you will be disappointed. It begins with a body that is found hanging in the woods by two fishermen. It appears as a suicide but then the police begin to wonder if maybe it is a murder staged to look like a suicide. The body is found on the property of Elijah Leith, who had a brief relationship with the town doctor, Erin Landry, who is the body that was found hanging on Elijah's property. Elijah had written a mystery years ago that did not sell, and the body was staged right out of the pages of Elijah's book. I enjoyed the mystery, but I did end up guessing what happened. I felt the ending was rushed but I enjoyed the court scenes. This is a debut, and I think I will check out any other books the author writes in the future. I think she will get better with experience. It was very atmospheric as it takes place in the pacific northwest and the woods and the cabin and the land that Elijah owns becomes a character in and of itself, which I really enjoyed.

Lovely writing but the pace was so slow! I DNF’d at 22%

Hoping maybe it’ll be better as an audiobook?

I actually genuinely enjoyed this book what can I say? It’s VERY hard for me to be shocked about a book , especially a thriller or mystery and I really thought I knew who did it AND THEN I DIDNT! Wow wow wow 🤯
I don’t know why I put this book off for so long it was a good quick read and pallet cleanser from all romance I typically read.
The idea of using the book against him was giving To Kill a Mocking bird for some reason and I LOVED it.
3.8-4 star rating

Sarah Crouch makes her authorial debut with Middletide, a mystery set in the Pacific Northwest near where she grew up. Atmospheric and tense, it’s a damn fine start to what is sure to be a promising career.

My thanks go to NetGalley and Atria Books for the invitation to read and review. This book is for sale now.

The premise is that Elijah Leith leaves home when he reaches adulthood, eager to flee his violent alcoholic father, and make a name for himself in San Francisco. But his father dies, and when his first novel goes nowhere and he runs out of money, Elijah returns and takes up residence in the cabin where he grew up. He hopes to rekindle a relationship with his teenage sweetheart, but she has moved on, and since he was unreliable the first time around, she is reluctant to trust him anyway.

Then the cops find the body of Dr. Erin Landry hanging from a tree on Elijah’s property.

This whodunit is original and intelligently written. The pacing is perfect, and I never would have guessed the ending, at least not until nearly the end when the author spells it out. Elijah is not the most lovable protagonist, but Crouch develops him so that, although not a prince or a hero, he is nonetheless a decent human being by the end. Some will consider the solution to be over the top, but it’s only far fetched if the author fails to convince us that it’s true, and I am persuaded.

Those looking for a fun read to pack for a vacation, or just to occupy a weekend at home, here you go. Grab your book, your lemonade or your whatever, and head for your happy place. You can thank me later.

Middletide by Sarah Crouch
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After the suspicious death of a beautiful young doctor, all the clues seem to point to a reclusive young man in town.
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My thoughts:
-This was definitely an atmospheric story. It made me want to snatch up a cabin in a small northwestern community and teach myself to homestead. (I draw the line at churning my own butter though.)
-This mystery was good because it had me going back and forth between probably three possible solutions.
-My heart rate really picked up during the court case.
-This book was pretty sad but I was happy with how it ended.
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4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A very slow burn mystery, with an unusual ending!

Elijah grew up in a small town on the Puget Sound, and had plans to come a writer and after graduation from high school he left his father and his girlfriend to pursue his dream. Years later, after his father had died, he returned, not in triumph, but as a writer whose book had been a failure, and he resolves to live off the land in his old house. Then he gets involved in a murder. I did not care for the characters enough to get involved in the story, and the time frames were sometimes difficult to follow. I would choose a different book again. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc and no pressure for a positive opinion.

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!