Midnight on Beacon Street is a quick fun throwback to the old teen thriller movies a la Michael Myers though not exactly like it.
It was fun to read - the climax of this story did have me a little on edge which as someone who DOES NOT like scary movies, I actually enjoyed it.
I recommend this book if you need something easy but fun to read.

In the pulse-pounding debut, "Midnight on Beacon Street" by Emily Ruth Verona, the night of October 1993 unfolds into a heart-stopping midnight showing of terror and devotion. Cool single mom Eleanor leaves her children, Ben and Mira, in the care of anxiety-ridden babysitter Amy. As the night progresses, seemingly innocent activities spiral into a chilling nightmare—unexpected visitors, mysterious calls, and a shocking discovery with young Ben standing in a pool of blood. Drawing inspiration from classic horror films, Verona crafts electrifying twists, keeping readers on edge, but the heart of this thriller is a tale of responsibility to those in our change as well as the profound strength of familial bonds, exploring the lengths individuals are willing to go to safeguard their loved ones. The characters are vividly drawn, and Verona's prose is both atmospheric and evocative, capturing the essence of horror while infusing moments of tenderness and warmth. The juxtaposition of terror and sibling bonds creates a compelling narrative tension that resonates long after the final page.

A love letter to vintage horror movies—in which a teenager must overcome her own anxiety to protect the two children she’s babysitting when strangers come knocking at the door.

October 1993. One night. One house. One dead body.


With that premise I had to read this book. As a fan of horror movies myself I see the appeal of classic horror movies and the references to the nineties. Reading the book is exactly like seeing one of those classic horror movies.
A house in the suburbs, recent break-ins, unexpected phone calls while one teenager is responsible for two kids.

The book is leaning heavily on nostalgia and the idea of classic slasher movies.
Sadly it wasn't a fast-paced cat and mouse thriller. It was more a slow-paced, character study of a teenager and her inside musings and at the same time strange events happening.
I expected something differently from the book which made it an okay read, but not what I had in mind when I started it.

Reading Midnight on Beacon Street transported me back to the early nineties when I would devour YA horror paperbacks in between babysitting jobs. I'm not sure how to describe it, except it's like reading one of those 90s-era horror paperbacks written with a modern sensibility and the nostalgic adult reader in mind.

This was definitely a book tailor-made for me, but I'm not sure if it will have broad appeal.

This book! I wouldn't call myself a huge fan of super scary books but this one was a perfect balance! This book gave all the feelings and thrills of a classic 80s slasher film but with just a little gore and it was so fun to read. It had me on the edge of my seat the whole time. I loved the main character!

“The blood beneath Ben’s bare feet is too fresh to be sticky.” Here are reasons to read the YA Horror book:

1993 - it’s 1993 and this book definitely gives you those retro vibes
Babysitter - Amy is babysitting for Ben and Mira
Break In - and with all the breakins happening around the neighborhood, Amy is doing her best to make sure the kids are safe

So this book really did give me the creepy vibes and at times it was quite intense. However, it jumps around the timeline to before and after the dead body as it happens at midnight. And SO much happens that evening that each time you think it might be that person who winds up dead. Many times though I felt like there was too much jumping around, and that this book could use some focus as some of the chapters make it glaringly obvious who is involved. However, the conclusion was quite interesting.

Many thanks to Net Galley for the advance reading copy of this fantastic eBook.

I’m very pleased to say this is a 5-star read for me and has become one of my favorites. Not only am I excited to see what Verona writes in the future and interested in checking out her other work, I immediately preordered the audiobook of Midnight on Beacon Street after I finished reading the ARC and will be rereading it ASAP upon publishing. I would recommend this book to people who have a deep love for the horror genre, particularly horror film, especially those who approach the genre from a feminist analytical lense. The strongest aspect of this novel is the character work: even the briefest glimpses we get of characters is effective in establishing who they are, and each character feels very meticulously crafted to feel genuine and real. After thinking on it deeply, I think the weakest aspect is the length: while it’s perfectly paced and doesn’t drag on too long, I would have loved it to be a little longer and to flesh out some smaller details a little more. I honestly don’t think I have any feedback for how this book could be improved, because frankly, it was an instant love for me—which isn’t something I find in books often, so I’m both very taken with it and stumped on how to weigh this particular aspect of the review.

I loved the character dynamics at the core of the book, especially those between Amy and the children she’s babysitting, Mira and Ben. The different dynamics between each of them—Amy and Ben’s bond as anxious people who tend to acquiesce; Mira’s reluctance to let Amy in and Amy’s determination to do right by her; Mira and Ben’s complicated sibling dynamic that is ultimately founded on love and protection—resonate so well throughout this book and develop in ways that feel natural. Furthermore, Amy, Mira, and Ben were incredibly memorable, as were less-prominent characters like Sadie, Amy’s former babysitter, and Eleanor, Mira and Ben’s mother. Even Mr. Darren, who appears very briefly in the book, feels lived in and lifelike. The characterization is not just strong, but also vivid: the main and recurring characters are well-rounded and consistent. The author did a great job at constructing scenes to illustrate the broad idea of, and eventually the subtleties of, the cast.

I think every aspect of this novel, not just every scene or chapter, pulls its weight. No detail is wasted: everything ties into the big picture somehow, and that includes the nuances of each character. The portrayal of Judaism in particular feels very intentionally crafted with care. The author’s dedication to weaving the Mazinski’s Jewish identity into the framework of the narrative was masterful, lending a lot of depth to the characters. You can feel the love and intention in this book, from the characters, to the setting, to the choices of references the author makes. The narrative is well-crafted and readable, tied together with evocative prose, striking characters, and a tight, coherent plotline. The exposition is concise and sprinked throughout the book, expertly building up and out the world the characters live in.

Description in Midnight on Beacon Street is elegant and poetic without being daunting. The imagery is evocative, and the metaphors are strong. There’s a good balance between dialogue and narrative prose, neither one ever noticably overwhelming a scene. Word choice comes across as very deliberate, ultimately coming off with a sense of stylishness without sacrificing readability. There’s no over- or under-writing to be found here. I think one of Verona’s most noticeable skills on display is giving everything just the right attention to detail, whether a lingering detail or a subtle, passing one.

This novel is paced well, quick while making great use of the time it has. It reminds me of older horror movies, 70s and backwards, that don’t waste your time or rush you through the building blocks of its atmosphere. The narrative structure is effective: I love non-linear storytelling, and have wrestled with its difficulties in my own work. For that reason, I admire authors who can not only commit to non-linear storytelling but also do it well, and Verona’s usage of it in this novel is a fantastic example. It adds to the novel rather than bogging it down, working with the pace rather than against it.

The transition between chapters is succinct and forward, telling us the date and time in relation to midnight of the day that most of the novel centers around. Similarly, shifts in point of view were clear and consistent, alternating chapter to chapter, each one being anchored in the point of view of Amy or Ben. Character voice was a strong aspect of this novel to me, not just in the dialogue, but in the narration itself. The stylish clarity of Verona’s prose is present throughout the book, but in their respective chapters, Amy and Ben’s voices shine through, too.

The major narrative throughline to me here was the insecure concept of safety: how safe and secure is the home, really? How is a teenage babysitter supposed to be equipped with the tools and wherewithal to protect children if something terrible happens? How do we make ourselves feel safe and handle our fears? That, in particular, is communicated in an incredibly powerful way: we see the manner in which each character tries to make themselves feel safe and find power over their fear. As someone who struggles with severe anxiety and loves horror because, in a lot of ways, it gives me a sense of control over the emotion of fear, I related to Amy a lot. We also see how Ben makes himself feel secure and protected through the recurring references to the mezuzah, and how Mira utilizes the concept of fear to keep herself and her family safe.

Overall, I had a fantastic time reading this book. The first time Amy referenced Debra Hill, I whooped: that was when I knew this book would be genre-savvy in a genuine way as opposed to a surface-level one. Hill was equally as responsible for the Halloween ‘78 we know and love as John Carpenter, but her name is frequently forgotten in pop-culture discussions of Halloween, especially ones that aren’t necessarily coming from the horror community. I have a lot of love for Carpenter, but namedropping Debra Hill first feels like a way of giving Hill her dues. It makes a statement of love for the genre, its history, and for the feminist and critical analysis that has spawned from it. The love and respect for the genre and for the women of horror—on screen and off—sings from every page. I could go on and on about all of the things I love about this book. I’m incredibly thankful that I was approved for the ARC of this book and that I decided to request it on whim because I loved the cover. It’s like catnip for me.

It is October 1993 and Amy is babysitting two children in a suburban New Jersey house, while their mother is on a date. She is a horror movie fanatic, so much so that she wants to study filmmaking. Told in a non-linear timeline, from several perspectives, the novel mainly takes place during this evening, with occasional flashbacks to Amy’s past. This night will turn out to rival the scariest movies Amy has ever seen.

Ok, so the good stuff: the characterization is great. Amy is a realistic teenager and I loved her. I so appreciated the themes of anxiety and trauma, something many people struggle with. I felt genuinely scared during the first chapter. I also appreciated that the family was Jewish, which I don’t think I’ve encountered in horror fiction before. Emily Ruth Verona is a talented writer.

The less good stuff: the story sagged in the middle, where it should have done the opposite. It became a slow burn with an abrupt ending, and I also figured out the twist early on. That doesn’t mean it wasn’t enjoyable, but it wasn’t the fast paced horror I was hoping for.

I love the cover and the title of the book! This is my first time reading anything from the author.

The book is easy to read meaning the writing flows nicely and I find it easy to want to keep reading. I really enjoyed the character of Amy. I love that she loves horror movies and the references throughout the book. It is based in the 90’s but honestly for me I didn’t get a huge 90’s vibe other than the lack of cellphones.

I like when thrillers are told through multiple point of views and I liked how the timeline was split.

If you enjoy thrillers, check out Midnight on Beacon Street. Thank you to NetGalley, Emily Ruth Verona and Harper Perennial. I have written this review voluntarily.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Perennial for the chance to review this title in exchange for feedback. I enjoyed the 90s vibe of the book and the main character. The ending seemed a bit rushed with the pacing of the book. It is a good thriller, especially for Halloween season.

I absolutely loved this book. It was really well written and it was also surprising. Thank you for the arc. I really appreciate it.

A huge thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Harper Perennial for providing this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A fun homage to 90s slasher movies where you think you know the ending - until it happens.

This book was a fun and quick read, and the entire time reading it felt like I was relaxing with a Goosebumps paperback while a classic babysitter slasher movie is playing in the background. In my opinion, a large portion of this book is to be enjoyed with Vibes, and Vibes only.

Told with multiple POVs and a mixed timeline, we slowly see how all the pieces on this chessboard come together for this one fateful night. This book starts off with the crescendo of the night, which occurs at midnight, and we then skip around throughout the day of all the events that happened before this. We also get glimpses of our babysitter when she was still a child, and had her own babysitter, and we can see how our main character grew up into the teenager she is today.

If you want to curl up and relax for a bit with something that feels like watching a classic slasher movie, or playing Puppet Combo’s “Babysitter Bloodbath,” then this is the book for you.

Midnight on Beacon Street was an eerie, quick read!

I’ve never felt so seen by a character, than with Amy. When I was younger, I struggled with anxiety and was obsessed with classic horror movies (Scream, Halloween, Nightmare on Elm Street, etc.). On the surface, it doesn’t make much sense to binge horror movies when you’re anxious, but the predictability was comforting. This seemed like such a niche thing to have in common with a main character that it really connected me to the story!

The multiple POVs and how the timeline was written was so impactful! It added to the creep factor for me, especially Ben’s POV.

I also want to mention how obsessed with this cover I am!! It captured the spooky 90s vibe perfectly😍

I was really excited for this book and the whole 90's vibe but in the end I was so distracted by editing and formatting issues that I couldn't get into the book. The story seemed a bit disjointed, parts were hard for me to follow. I may go back and read again, once final publication is released but overall I think this author just wasn't for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in advance of publication.

If you were ever a fan of Christopher Pike and R.L. Stine when you were growing up, this book is perfect for you! (I was a huge fan of both, so this book was absolutely perfect for me!) As a child of the 80s and a teenager of the 90s, I could identify with so much of this book--well, except for the whole ending. I used to babysit like Amy, I used to be the quiet girl, and to this day I love horror movies! This book took me back to those years immediately, and I sat ad read this is one quick sitting because I felt like I was in my element! I loved this book and I cannot wait for whatever else Emily Ruth Verona writes!

Thank you netgalley for an advanced copy of this book.

I had pretty high hopes for this book early on. The opening really channeled 1990’s horror movie vibes. I was compelled, a little creeped out, and definitely eager to see how the story would unfold.

The timeline jumped around quite a bit, focusing on a teen babysitter and her charges for the evening. The story not only focused on the events in the present, but also dove into events from the past as well.

While there were several cliffhanger chapter endings and a few eerie happenings, I didn’t feel like this book quite achieved its goal. I think it wanted too badly to be a 90’s inspired horror tale but didn’t have the substance to truly live up to that lofty status. For a debut, however, I think the author shows promise, and I look forward to seeing what she puts out in the future.

I think I need to read a finished version of this book before I can through my weight behind a review because I feel like the uncorrected proof I got was very much not the finalized version. It seemed very disjointed and hard to understand with the plot holes/grammar (editing errors?). Will potentially come back to re-review this one!

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Perennial for this advanced copy!

A part of me resonated with this book. I am a lifelong sufferer of anxiety and found the depiction of it from both Amy and Ben’s “POV” absolutely spot on. Dealing with anxiety as a child/teen is so paralyzing, especially when you don’t even know what you are so afraid of.

That being said, there wasn’t much else here that I enjoyed. Aside from the touches of early 90s nostalgia and classic horror films, I found the plot itself to really fall apart around the 60% mark. I can appreciate a red herring but how many people are showing up to this house at night??

This is definitely a character driven story, which is something to note before going in. Given the sub header I expected a focus on the events of the evening when in reality it was mostly just focused on the characters reactions and thoughts. Overall, the classification of this book as a horror/thriller led to the disappointment I am feeling in the wake of reading it.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC copy.

I know that this was an uncorrected ARC, but it read like it needed a lot more editing and developmental work.

Parts of this did more telling instead of showing. The punctuation was weird throughout this book. I'm not sure if it was an artistic thing and what the author wanted.

The whole book jumps around, and it is difficult to remember what is going on. I felt like there were some characters that were unnecessary and didn't add anything to the story. Also, for parts of the book, the children are referred to as M and B then later, we find out their names are Mira and Ben. This was confusing as well and could have been avoided.

Some of the lines in this were quite cringy. We also got information thrown at us that was irrelevant and had no purpose. We got backgrounds on the characters that didn't really have a purpose.

There is a lot I could complain about, but I'm trying to be nice and not let this be a rant. This book was very underwhelming. It's definitely disappointing.

3.5 stars!
Midnight on Beacon Street is the kind of novel you want to read by the fire on a cold, snowy night. It takes place in the 90’s and follows a few different POVs and timelines throughout a single night–and some flashbacks…basically, there’s a lot to follow in this short but packed book, but each switch has an interesting change to the story's pacing.
It reads like many thriller books of the genre, so there wasn’t anything necessarily groundbreaking, but going into this wanting a quick, light mystery book, I had a great time reading it!

Thank you to NetGalley for the copy of the ARC. All opinions are my own!