4.5 stars rounded up
It's hard to believe that Middletide is Sarah Crouch's debut novel! Her writing is so beautifully descriptive, and the plot of this mystery/romance novel is a compelling page-turner. While the book itself is relatively short, the characters were well developed, the mystery had me guessing until the main character figured it all out, and the twists were unique.

I especially loved the descriptions of Elijah's homesteading experiences and his friendship with his father's friend, Chitto. His developing love for the home he had left as a young man added depth to the story, as well.

The story is written in multiple timelines, and jumps around a bit, which was a little confusing sometimes. It did not significantly impact my enjoyment, though I did have to page backwards to check the date on occasion.

Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for the digital ARC of Middletide by Sarah Crouch. The opinions in this review are my own.

I was very bored the first half of the book but am glad I stuck with it! The writing was great but the time and story jumping just didn’t hold my interest at first. I liked it better towards the end when I could better track where in time the chapter fell. I also liked that there were several plot twists so even if the reader guessed where it was heading, we were still surprised!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for sending me both a physical and digital ARC of this wonderful debut novel by Sarah Crouch. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

One morning, in a small northern Washington town, two fishermen come across the body of the young town doctor hanging from a tree. Suicide? Murder? The tree is on the property of Elijah Leith, who left Point Orchards to become a famous writer. Failing that, he's now home, living in his dad's cabin. Soon the investigation leads right to Elijah, with the plot of his failed novel mirroring the doctor's death.

This is a slow burn, very atmospheric, novel that really pulled me in. It took me a minute to get used to the different timelines. As a guide, it's set in 3 main time periods: the 1970s, when Elijah and his girlfriend, Nakita, are together; the 1980s, when Elijah returns; and the 1990s as more present day. Once I get that set in my mind, I liked the back and forth of the plot giving us background information. While it's definitely a character study into grief and second chances, the murder mystery played out well, with a few twists. I can't wait to read more from this author.

I think some of the reviews of this book are totally valid in their concern with the usage of Indigenous Americans. There really wasn't a reason to include that as part of the story. I also think the ending was rushed, with the trial taking up so few pages after all the build-up. That being said, I really enjoyed the way the timelines were woven together. I also could relate to Elijah as someone who left home for college (twice) and ended up moving back and making a life, unlike the one I imagined at 18. So for me, this book worked well and was a quick read, but I can see that not being the case for others.

Thank you for this complimentary copy of Middletide. This story wound up not being for me. I did not finish. Loved the cover and I think it would be a great story for some. Just not for me. The synopsis made it seem to be a different story than it turned out to be.
Thank you for the opportunity to read.

So I was attracted by the pretty cover and I love books set in the Pacific Northwest because it seems so atmospheric there but the author’s note at the start turned me off. Instead of researching a real indigenous tribe native to the area she made one up? That was a huge turn off for me but I read the first few chapters but didn't care for the story, I read the last 15% or so because I like to know how a story ends but this one just wasn’t for me. Too slow plus the fake Indigenous tribe was a huge turn off for me.

Congrats to the author on her debut novel and thanks to the publisher for the NetGalley copy, all opinions are my own.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

I requested this ARC from @netgalley after it was chosen as a book pick by @bookofthemonth, and I am SO glad I did. Honestly, I probably would have just glanced over it.

This story gave me all of the Perry Mason vibes. From backstory, setting, subjects, suspects, and jury trial I was hooked. It was a great book.

Set in the mountains of Washington State, which is equally part of the story, the prologue it begins with the discovery of a murdered woman. It follows in dual timelines the primary suspect of Elijah Leith, who had abandoned this small town to make it as a writer in San Francisco after his first book, Middletide, was published. When it fails to sell, he returns home considered a failure and becomes a recluse until this murdered woman is found in his property in the same way he had written about in his book.

Can this recluse prove his innocence in a small town that has already presumed his guilt? So good!

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This one was really interesting. A murder based off of a book, he author being pointed to as the obvious suspect. It was interesting to see how things played out and how information was revealed. I thought I had it figured out for a bit and then I realized I was completely wrong. There were a few things that still didn't add up and that I felt like needed to be addressed but otherwise it was really great.

Marking this as a DNF 36% in.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of Middletide by Sarah Crouch.

First off, this book has a gorgeous cover. And based on the blurb, I was expecting a bit more of a thriller/murder mystery. This is definitely way more towards the “Crawdads” comparisons than any thriller comparison. I liked Crawdads, but this book, while similarly descriptive and nature based, was way too slow moving for me. The moving timeline was also a bit hard to follow. The writing itself was very nice though, and I’d be willing to maybe pick up a second book by this author to check it out. This one wasn’t for me though.

not stylish enough to be gone girl even though it clearly wants to be. lots of time spent on our somewhat tragic, somewhat farcical hero and not enough on his female foils (because that's what they are). i'm not indigenous, but i'm also not sure "invent an indigenous tribe to make my love interest diverse" is the right way of going about "i want my love interest to be non-white." real mixed bag!

Thanks to NetGalley, Atria Books, Atria Thrillers, and Simon and Schuster for this copy of "Middletide."

Someone is trying to frame Elijah for the murder of a local doctor by using his only published novel "Middletide" to create the murder scene.

This book had many elements that I like:
-books about authors and writing
-murder mystery
-second chance love story
-thrilling legal scenes
-surprising, twisty ending

The ending was a little abrupt for me and I wish the trial scenes had been expanded, just to keep the suspense building. But it was definitely an ending I didn't expect!

This book started slow and kind of stayed there. It missed the mark for me and the multiple POV were a little confusing at times. Thanks to Net Galley and the author for this ARC.

Middletown by debut author Sarah Crouch is a classic “whodunnit” murder mystery. Set in a small town nearby a reservation of a fictiobal native tribe the “Squalomah” Elijah Leith is a reclusive former author and owner of some land where Erin Landry’s body is found. Elijah immediately becomes the main suspect for the murder and the reader follows along as he tries to prove himself innocent with the help of his high school sweetheart, Nakita.

The twists and turns of this novel were great, and the ending was definitely not one I was expecting! The multiple timelines were a little hard to follow at times as we switched between the present and past.

Thanks to Netgalley and Atria for the ARC!

Although a little confusing with multiple timelines and multiple POVs, this is a solid debut mystery. I loved the PNW setting. I'll be sure to check out this author's next works! Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

I saw a book blogger rave about this title and I rushed to request it on NetGalley. I was definitely not disappointed and I'm so surprised that this is a debut novel. It is hard to wrap your mind around just what is going on with the main character Elijah and you won't be able to stop reading until you find out. The setting in Puget Sound makes for such an atmospheric background and the author does a great job keeping you guessing until the end. I loved this book and I can't wait to see what Sarah Crouch creates next. Thanks to Sarah Crouch, Atria Books, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Great pacing and great development for the characters. I was heavily invested in the plot and descriptive settings.

The books starts slowly and seems to meander for the first half. It isn't until the last 50-60% that the story takes off and intrigue begins.

This is the author's first attempt, and she had a good story but just needed to move it along at a faster pace in my opinion.

I would like to express my gratitude to NetGalley and Atria Books for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Sarah Crouch’s novel, Middletide, is an enthralling read that kept me on the edge of my seat (and bed)! The story revolves around Elijah Leith, a struggling author who returns to his small hometown of Point Orchards after facing harsh criticism for his first book. Back in his hometown, Elijah attempts to rebuild his family's cabin, reconnect with an old flame, and start afresh. However, things take a dark turn when the town's beloved doctor is discovered dead on Elijah's property.

As the plot unfolds, Elijah finds himself grappling with his personal demons as he strives to clear his name and uncover the truth behind the murder. The unexpected twist and turns in the story kept me engaged, and I was particularly drawn to Elijah's journey as he is compelled to confront the shadows of his past. Middletide is a gripping mystery read that is perfect for the summer. Each chapter drew me further into the story, leaving me eagerly anticipating the next revelation.

Thank you NetGalley for sending me a digital arc of Middletide by Sarah Crouch!! This is Sarah’s debut novel and it was a complete hit for me. Small town boy leaves town to write a novel and when it flops he comes back home, hoping to stay out in his cabin and live off the land when his life gets flipped upside down. There is a mystery, there is an underlying love story and a main character who you want to see the best for. I honestly did not see where the ending was coming from, but was so pleasantly surprised with how it was tied together. I can’t wait to read what Sarah writes next!

To me this book had everything, great plot, suspense, mystery, love, atmospheric, dual timelines, nostalgia and revenge. It’s hard to believe that this is a debut novel! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!!