This book was trying to be more than it ended up being. As much as it tried to give that Castle Rock, Twin Peaks sort of vibe, it just didn't quite work for me. The mystery was fine, but the pace was a slow overall and the only characters I was truly invested in were George and Daniel. Not quite the book for me.

Whatever you are thinking this book is going to be, it isn't. This book includes the following: a lake with mysterious water, potentially the world's largest lava lamp, a murder or 5, an absent husband, small town drugs, oh and an urban legend named TreeTop who protects the apple orchards in the middle of the Washington desert. While the publisher blurb invokes Twin Peaks, there was nothing to do with anyone dancing backwards or pie, just some really good coffee and a lava lamp. I loved so many of the characters in this book, but we get to really know only a few of them. The plot led the progress of the book with multiple timelines and points of view. As always, I found one timeline more appealing, but in this case I think the book was set up to be that way. This was really close to a 5 star read for me. I was surprised in a wonderful way!

I want to thank @mickmatthew1 @htpbooks @htphive and @harlequinbooks for the #gifted book and audiobook.

This thriller is a gripping page-turner that captivated me from the very first chapter.

Set against the eerie backdrop of Soap Lake, Washington—a town steeped in dark urban legends—Abigail's life takes a frightening turn when she discovers a young boy covered in blood, shortly after his mother, Esme, is savagely murdered. As Abigail delves into the tragedy and investigates a series of mysterious deaths, she unwittingly draws the attention of dangerous forces and begins to unravel a complex web of conspiracies. She discovers there are deep secrets about the lake and the water that intertwine her with Esme. This chilling narrative reveals that even the smallest of towns can harbor unsettling secrets.

The story unfolds through the intertwined perspectives of Esme and Abigail, offering deep insights into their lives. As Esme’s past is uncovered, we learn about her reasons for leaving the town after high school, adding layers of intrigue that connect her to Abigail. With a blend of a sinister local legend, science fiction elements, and the nuanced dynamics of small-town life, the suspense in this novel is nothing short of extraordinary. Each twist and turn keeps readers on the edge of their seats, while the richly drawn characters breathe life into the narrative. The science of the lake and the potential possibilities provide the secrets of this small town.

The narrator’s outstanding performance brings the characters vividly to life, enhancing the already palpable eerie atmosphere of the town.

With its chilling ambiance, intricate mysteries, and unforgettable setting, this book is an essential read for anyone who enjoys unsettling thrillers and urban legends. Don’t miss out—mark your calendars for its release on April 15, 2025.

Matthew Sullivan is so underrated and I have no idea why and every time I read something by him, I leave baffled by his lack of following! This man should be known as one of the best thriller writers around, what gives??

Sullivan is constantly pushing boundaries in the genre by expertly weaving genres together to make an amalgamation of something new while also retaining what makes the thriller genre so good. He leads you into a curiousity as a reader which makes the entire experience so enjoyable and participatory. Is it supernatural? Is it just bad people? Who are the main players? What’s the outcome? What’s the secret that everyone else seems to know? These are all questions you will have reading any of his books but especially Midnight in Soap Lake.

I love that Sullivan spent time living in this town and it sparked the creative juices to create a whole story based on it and created a mythological, cult-esc urban legend that many small towns seem to collect. I was intrigued by the characters and their motives and also so curious about the actual scientific properties of the lake that brought our characters to the town. I loved that this was also imperative to the overall storytelling instead of a simple backdrop.

Every single aspect of this story was met with so much care and detail that everything mattered. No bit of dialogue, setting, or character was thrown away or there for the sake of being there. With a well rounded cast, mystery lurking around every corner, and an overarching villainous boogeyman lingering over you while reading, it begs the question, does TreeTop kill or do we need to band together to kill TreeTop??

Midnight in Soap Lake is the story of a troubled, desert, small town in Washington that is famous for the lake with strange properties/magical healing powers. Told through intertwined timelines, this story has a complex multilayered plot, with an eerie mysterious atmospheric feel, and some interesting, eccentric characters who all have secretive pasts. It has a good blend of elements of mystery, sci-fi, family drama, true crime, paranormal, urban legend/folklore and conspiracy theory.

I definitely enjoyed this even more than I originally thought I would. The author did a great job giving a vivid description of the town and lake and developing a balance of well rounded characters. The plot was mysterious, suspenseful, and intriguing and kept me hooked the entire story. However, the ending was abrupt and I felt like a few things weren’t ever wrapped up, leaving it to your interpretation/imagination or maybe leaving it open for a sequel.

This was my first audiobook narrated by Kristen Sieh. Her tone and voice were perfect for this mix of genres, differentiating the multiple eccentric characters, and setting the eerie, mysterious, atmospheric vibes. She definitely helped bring the story and characters to life and delivered a flawless performance from start to finish.

Thank you @htpbooks, @htp_hive, @harlequinaudio, @hanoversquare, and @netgalley for the #gifted ARC & ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

3.5 stars

This book was so intriguing! It's chalk full of mysteries, creepy urban legends, science fiction elements, and general small town everyone-is-in-your-business. It got a little science-heavy at times, which honestly went right over my head and I glossed over, but otherwise I couldn't get enough. Full of quirky characters and written in dual POV and multiple timelines, I was captivated.

All that being said, I was left completely confused by the ending. It's left very open ended with nothing really resolved and that doesn't work for me. I'm very much a wrap it all up in a bow kind of gal, I don't like being left with questions in a mystery/thriller so that lowered the rating.

I wanted to like this more than I did. It had a great premise that promised to be original but it fell a little flat for me. The set up was good and I found myself sucked into the story very quickly but I felt the pacing was off and it lost me after the initial set up. I was hoping that it would pick back up in the third act and it did slightly pick up but unfortunately it was a bit too late.
I enjoyed following the 2 main characters through their alternating timelines but there were quite a few side characters that I found myself not really caring about.

I think there were just a few too many puzzle pieces and it lost me along the way.

"Midnight in Soap Lake" by Matthew Sullivan is a story that takes place in the small town of Soap Lake, Washington, where Abigail moves with her husband, Eli, who is conducting research on the town's mysterious mineral lake. When Eli departs for an assignment in Poland, Abigail finds herself alone in a community steeped in urban legends and unsettling secrets. Her life takes a dramatic turn when she encounters a blood-covered boy in the desert, leading her to investigate the death of his mother, Esme, and unravel the town's dark past.​

This book alternates between Abigail's present-day experiences and flashbacks to Esme's earlier life, gradually revealing the connections between the characters and the town's enigmatic history. This dual timeline structure helps build suspense and depth. ​

The novel blends elements of mystery, supernatural intrigue, and small-town dynamics. The character of TreeTop, a local boogeyman figure, adds a layer of eerie suspense to the plot. This novel is some similarities to the storytelling in "Twin Peaks," highlighting the book's rich, expansive universe filled with quirky and complex characters. ​

Overall, "Midnight in Soap Lake" offers a captivating exploration of a town teetering between its bright past and a mysterious decline, weaving together themes of generational survival, hidden truths, and the complexities of human nature. It's a recommended read for those who appreciate atmospheric mysteries with richly developed characters and a touch of the supernatural.

The cover and it’s unique title initially piqued my interest. And the untimely death of a main character, leaving a boy orphaned and stranded became the ultimate hook. It was one of the strongest point in the book. The mystery behind the quiet rather hushed little town with its town mascot and urban legend kept me suspended in suspense the entire time. I was very eager to discover the identity and unmask the person behind the Tree Top killings. Unfortunately, the execution was painfully slow-burn and by the time the curtains were peeled back, it had ended abruptly and was anti-climatic. The story had very little action, was long-winded in certain areas, and was clouded mostly in mystery.

Descriptions of the town and character development were the highlights of the story; both were fully fleshed out. But the alternate POV was where I struggled the most and I typically do not have issue with it. Even with the help of audio I still had trouble keeping up with what was happening and who said what.

Overall, I enjoyed the eerie backdrop, small town feel, and its eccentric characters. My takeaways from this were the somber vibes and some limnology terms but not much else. Wish I could say it was great but overall it was about a fair and brooding read.

Abigail's husband is a researcher and the couple is sent to Soap Lake for him to investigate the lake, take samples, and otherwise learn more about what gives this lake the great ability to heal various ailments as it has seemed to do over the years...but almost as soon as they arrive he is called away to Poland instead and Abigail is left alone in this strange place.

The next few days send her down a rabbit hole of adventure and entangle her in a mystery involving the town's eerie mascot TreeTop, a murder (actually a couple of murders in all honesty), and a young boy wandering in the desert...what do all these things have to do with eachother and to what degree...

There is so much more to this story and unraveling the mystery is great fun! I adored this book and I can't wait to read it again in the future!

I was interested in the premise, and especially the location because I’ve visited Soap Lake
For some reason I couldn’t get into the story itself though
Other people do seem to love it, so I’m keeping it in mind to maybe try again at another time

I honestly don’t know how to categorize what I just read—or even how I feel about it. It’s not quite a mystery, though it has elements of one. There are no shocking twists, no intense climax, yet somehow, it still got under my skin.

What really struck me were the raw relationships between the characters. No single character stood out as the "main" one, but they were all memorable in their own way. The story felt deeply human, full of emotions and the complexity of human nature, and that’s what stayed with me the most.

The part that intrigued me most was the science aspect, especially the mention of the lake microorganisms. It was such a small piece of the story, but I found myself wanting *more* of it. I wish they were real—just like Soap Lake itself is real—because that would have made the story even more fascinating.

In the end, I can’t say whether I loved the book, but I can say it made me think. It’s the kind of story that lingers in your mind, even if you’re not entirely sure why.

I would like to express my deep gratitude to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for their generosity in allowing me to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Midnight in Soap Lake takes place in...you guessed it... Soap Lake. It's a small town in Washington that seems like any other dry desert on the surface, until you figure out what's really going on behind the scenes. Through intertwined timelines and lore of a small town monster lurking in the shadows, suspense builds. I felt like there were a lot of loose ends mostly tied up but not entirely clear by the end, which docked it a bit for me. 4.25 stars! Overall a great blend of sci-fi, mystery, and thriller. Kind thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for sending me an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review!

This book felt like I was reading an intriguing, paranormal,true crime,conspiracy theory, family drama, and small town murder mystery. Three-dimensional characters, complete with back stories and excellent world building (in this case, town building).

The reader really gets immersed in this town, which feels like it's stuck under its own dome. Some people are fighting to get out but are ultimately drawn back into its drama, history, and darkness. Others enjoy being captive to the town's past, power, and corruption.

The ending thankfully answered most questions but did leave some things open to interpretation as well as your imagination. Possibly even a sequel.

I read this book and listened to the audiobook. I admit it was a slow start for me, but it didn't take long to suck me in. So, trust me, stick with this! The narrator was very good, but I did find myself going back to reading with my own internal voice bringing it to life.

This is my first book by this author, and it definitely won't be my last.
4.5 stars rounded up to 5⭐️

PS This really should be made into a Netflix series.

PPS This is one of those digital reads that I now want a physical copy!

As always, I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to have an advanced ebook and audiobook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Midnight In Soap Lake by Matthew Sullivan is a very compelling addictive mystery about a lake and it’s magical properties. Abigail and Eli, had a whirlwind courtship she married him and left everything behind when he got a grant to study soap Lake but after moving there he was sent to do work for another Grant team in Poland, leaving Abigail alone. She used her time to walk around the desert surrounding the little town. One day while there a little boy who is covered in blood runs up to her grabbing her not wanting to let go but when he does it’s to bring her to his mom who is dead in the backseat of her cutlass. This is when she meets the only good policeman in town and learns about the dead woman whose name is Aspera. She grew up there and it’s part of one of many mysteries plaguing this miraculous yet troubled place. She will learn many things including why her husband Eli‘s predecessor Dr. Carla picked up and left town without a goodbye and what that may mean for her safety but mostly she will learn the truth about Treetop, and the dark, But deadly secrets a little town can keep. The story really got me out of a reading slump I was sitting up in bed in the dark not wanting to stop reading this book. I absolutely loved it I found it felt authentic and like it could be a real story and or conspiracy theory but either way makes for a great reading and an awesome mystery. There’s lots of tentacles to the story but the author definitely ties them all up by the end and OMG it was so good!#NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview, #MathewSullivan, #MidnightAndSoapLake,

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Review: Midnight in Soap Lake

A lake with strange properties. A town steeped in urban legend. Two women whose lives intersect in terrifying ways. Midnight in Soap Lake is an eerie, atmospheric mystery blending folklore, crime, and small-town secrets.

When Abigail moves to Soap Lake for her husband Eli’s research, she expects quaint charm but finds isolation and an unsettling history. Left alone when Eli departs for work, she encounters a blood-covered boy in the desert—setting off a chilling investigation into the death of his mother, Esme.

As Abigail searches for answers, she’s drawn into the town’s dark past, aided by a recovering addict-turned-librarian, a grieving brother, and a conspiracy theorist. At the center of the mystery is TreeTop, a local boogeyman who seems to lurk around every corner. Told in a dual timeline, the novel slowly reveals Esme’s tragic story while Abigail uncovers the town’s secrets.

Sullivan crafts a setting as vivid and unsettling as Twin Peaks or Castle Rock, where every shadow hides a secret. The novel’s many twists and turns keep readers guessing, and the rich cast of characters makes the town feel real. While the complexity can be overwhelming, the gripping suspense and puzzle-like storytelling make it impossible to put down.

With its chilling atmosphere, layered mysteries, and unforgettable town, Midnight in Soap Lake is a must-read for fans of eerie thrillers and urban legends.

This book is a thriller about two women whose lives intersect. Abigail just moved to Soap Lake and is excited to learn more about some of the urban legends it has. Esme is a local in the town who loves one of those urban legends. There is a paranormal feel to this book and I was intrigued the whole time I was reading.

"When Eli first told her he’d landed a grant to research a rare lake in the Pacific Northwest, Abigail thought ferns and rain, ale and slugs, Sasquatch and wool. And then they got here, to this desert where no one lived. Not a fern or slug in sight."

☆☆☆.5 rounding up

I just finished reading Midnight in Soap Lake by Matthew Sullivan, and what a wild read!

This is an intense murder mystery that takes place in the very small town of Soap Lake, Washington. It's a dual timeline/dual point of view book that follows Abigail, a limnologist's wife, and Esme, a local woman who gets murdered in the desert just outside of town. Yes, a desert. In Washington.

Abigail and her husband, Eli, are there because of his work to study Soap Lake and its mysterious healing properties. On the other hand, Esme had been missing for years, and nothing is known about where she went or what she was doing. Until one fateful day when a little boy finds Abigail walking in the desert, and brings her back to his mother's car, where Esme is dead. You learn about present day from Abigail, and bits of the past from different years of Esme's life and her tragic backstory.

While the story itself is fascinating, the side characters really make this book special! It was like stepping into this small town, and there are so many little pieces to this puzzle!

This book is full of twists: mysteries, intrigue, environmental issues, urban legends, and conspiracy theories. It does get a little confusing at times, especially trying to keep track of who's who and what's what.

Midnight in Soap Lake gets released on April 15th, and is available to pre-order now!

Thank you to HTP Books, NetGalley, and the author for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I hate to say it, but I got 25% into Midnight in Soap Lake and I decided to DNF it. I'm not going to post this on other sites, as I don't want to hurt the author's chances of getting readers.

Here is my feedback:

I've heard really good things about this book, but it just ended up falling flat for me. I feel like Abigail's story is lagging and just not something I'm super interested in. I feel nothing for any of the characters other than George, because he's a small, innocent boy. Esme's story is definitely more interesting, but not enough to keep me reading, unfortunately. I just find myself really struggling to pick up the book. I wish I would have liked this more, because I was looking forward to reading it.

Thank you to @netgalley and @HarlequinTrade for this ARC. Abigal has moved to Soap Lake because her husband Eli received a research grant to study the secret healing powers of the lake. While on a walk, Abigal finds a 4 year wandering around in filthy pajamas. He leads her to his mom who has been murdered. This opens up an investigation in the past regarding the lake and all that are trying to cover up the mystery of the lake. I really enjoyed Sullivan's last book "Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore" so I requested this book. It is a thriller from the start but I felt the ending fell a little flat. However, the story flowed easily and I still really enjoyed it! #MidnightatSoapLake #MatthewSullivan #HarlequinTradePub #April2025