As soon as I saw perfect for Crawdad fan’s I wanted to try this out! I can see the comparisons; the vibes (setting) are the same. Can see people really enjoying this

2 stars. I had high hopes for this one. Unfortunately, the writing makes it hard to stay engaged- it is very verbose and overly descriptive. I couldn’t wait for it to be over. The last 1/3 of the book was the best part of it but it could’ve easily been a lot shorter.

Sarah Crouch's debut novel, *Middletide*, is a masterful blend of suspense, atmosphere, and emotional depth that grips readers from the very first page. Set in the hauntingly beautiful Puget Sound town of Point Orchards, the story unravels the mysterious death of Dr. Erin Landry, weaving a complex tapestry of intrigue, betrayal, and the enduring power of love.

The novel opens with a chilling scene: the body of the beloved Dr. Erin Landry is discovered hanging from a tree on the property of Elijah Leith, a failed writer who has recently returned to his hometown. Sheriff Jim Godbout’s initial assessment of suicide is quickly overshadowed by suspicions of foul play, especially when eerie parallels between the circumstances of Erin's death and the plot of Elijah's novel come to light.

Elijah, a character marked by his failures and haunted by his past, becomes the prime suspect. Crouch deftly portrays his struggle, not only with the accusations but also with his personal demons. His return to Point Orchards is a journey of seeking redemption and reconnection, particularly with Nakita, a remarkable woman from the nearby reservation who embodies both his deepest regret and his hope for forgiveness.

Crouch’s writing is richly atmospheric, capturing the eerie beauty of the Pacific Northwest and the claustrophobic tension of a small town quick to judge. The town of Point Orchards is vividly brought to life, its inhabitants drawn with a keen eye for human complexity. The narrative is propelled by a series of twists and turns that keep readers guessing, as Elijah’s quest to clear his name leads him into a web of deceit and long-buried secrets.

The novel excels in its character development. Elijah is a deeply flawed yet sympathetic protagonist, whose inner turmoil and determination are portrayed with sensitivity and nuance. Nakita’s character is equally compelling, her strength and resilience providing a poignant counterpoint to Elijah’s struggles. The relationship between them is beautifully explored, adding emotional weight to the suspenseful plot.

Sheriff Jim Godbout also deserves mention as a character who adds depth to the investigative thread of the story. His methodical approach and growing doubts about the easy conclusions reflect a more profound commentary on the nature of justice and truth in a close-knit community.

*Middletide* is not just a thriller; it is a profound exploration of human emotions and relationships. The themes of love, loss, and revenge are interwoven with a keen understanding of the human condition. Crouch's prose is both lyrical and gripping, making this a book that is hard to put down and even harder to forget.

Fans of *All Good People Here* and *Where the Crawdads Sing* will find much to admire in *Middletide*. It stands as a testament to Sarah Crouch's storytelling prowess, promising an exciting future for this talented new author. In *Middletide*, Crouch has crafted a haunting and memorable tale that lingers long after the final page is turned.

It appears I am in the minority on this one. I enjoyed the authors writing style but felt the story was dragging throughout the middle of the story. Overall I was just not pulled in like I would have liked.

Loved this exciting book. Filled with all my favorites , young love, murder, twists, and a small town procedural. I was guessing until the very end, trying to hunt down the truth for myself. Definitely a great one!

Dr. Erin Landry is found hanging from a tree on the property of Elijah Leith. At first it appears to be a suicide after Sheriff Jim Godbout’s initial investigation. After further investigation it seems to be murder. All evidence points to the prime suspect is Elijah Leith. It was on his property, he had a brief relationship with the deceased, and witnesses relayed a fight between the two. The most damaging evidence is that the murder is that it follows the events in Leith’s first novel, The Middletide. This novel has suspense, twists and even romance. It is a page turner and exciting read. I recommend this book and hope to read more stories by Sara Crouch.

Middletide by Sarah Crouch was a fun debut novel. I enjoyed the setting and story. I was kept guessing throughout the book and multiple timelines. I felt for the characters.

The one downside I found was reading this novel digitally, was that it was hard to keep track of the different timelines. It would have been helpful to have the dates the chapters took place in the table of contents to better follow the progression of the novel.

I can’t wait to read what Sarah Crouch writes next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria books for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

When the town doctor is found hanging in the middle of the woods, it’s initially deemed a suicide. But further investigation shows that something more be at play.

Crouch paints a beautiful setting for novel and digs in well to that. I think this book will strike a chord with fans of mystery, procedural/courtroom type books with a strong romance thread throughout.

I also appreciated that the nursery mystery took an unexpected turn and the motive is one I don’t think I’ve ever seen in a novel before.

I did want more out of the characters. I felt we had a good grasp on Elijah but I really could have used more exploration into the other characters in the novel.

Thank you to Atria books and to NetGalley.

I really enjoyed this book. It’s a true crime murder mystery with characters that are familiar but still interesting. It has a rustic vibe but it’s definitely more Ethel Cain Americana than, let’s say, bright & happy cottage-core. The story is entwined with its surroundings which is why I’ve included that chronically online comparison; it’s very important that you know the vibes going in. Without spoiling anything, this is a book for David Fincher fans (specifically that movie he made in 2014 iykyk…). I loved it. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a cozy fast read with twists that aren’t too complicated and characters that truly come alive. My only complaint has to do with originality specifically regarding the similarities between this book and the previously mentioned Fincher film. I look forward to reading more of Sarah Crouch’s work!

Thank you Netgally and the publishers for this ARC :)

What a way to enter the thriller world! Middletide is a killer debut. The atmospheric setting really pulled me in from the beginning. We get to follow alternating timelines as we learn the truth behind an apparent suicide. I truly can’t wait to see what Crouch writes next!

Thank you NetGalley for an early copy of this book! Middletide is my favorite book I’ve read so far this year. While half way through the book I did figure out what was going to happen, I enjoyed every second of watching the story unfold. I also liked that instead of throwing in a same sex relationship into the story (which is in almost every book I’ve read recently) she spoke about God. I can’t wait to see what she comes out with next!

The “flavor” of this book reminded me a little of Where the Crawdads Sing in that the nature of the Pacific Northwest setting is such an atmospheric presence in the story.

Middletide is told via alternating timelines, which I enjoy. There is a lot going on in this story. At the heart of the plot is the apparent suicide of Erin, the town’s beautiful young doctor, but it is also a story about love, coming home, identity, nature, and revenge. The accused is one of the town’s native sons and the evidence against him is quite specific and apparently ironclad. With the help of his childhood girlfriend and her father, he must prove his innocence.

I did have a few issues. My biggest issue was believing the root cause of Erin’s death; it seemed quite a stretch. I also struggled to truly relate to the love story that is at the heart of this book. It begins when the main characters are 16 and 18 and then they are reunited later in life. I didn’t have a good sense of the root of their relationship.

All-in-all I did like this debut despite my complaints above. It was rich in its descriptions of nature and living off the land, and I enjoyed the small-town environment of the Pacific Northwest. The mystery had enough uniqueness to keep my attention.

Sarah Crouch made her debut into the book world with the beautifully atmospheric literary thriller, Middletide. I've heard it compared to Where the Crawdads Sing for the incredible imagery, and they weren't wrong. The descriptive detail of this book was sublime. Crouch has such a wonderful style of writing, and I'm sure this would be excellent listening pleasure in an audiobook.

It's a quiet thriller that pulls you in and gets you acquainted with the characters and immersing you into the stunning Point Orcards. There is romance, mystery, loss, and small town gossip.
The chapters are divided into several timelines, building intrigue.
I really loved the depection of homesteading, and how utterly lonely ,backbreaking but rewarding the job is.

What didn't work for me was there wasn't enough work put into the characters. They felt one dimensional and flat, which made it difficult to connect with them. Considering this is a debut novel, I can't wait to see what she writes next.

Thank you to Netgally and Atria Books for my copy. My review was voluntary.

This is definitely a book to read to put you into a certain mood read, just by the story and the setting alone. It's giving Twilight vibes for the setting, with a murder mystery intertwined, making for a great and entertaining story.

I had a really hard time getting into the book. I felt slightly bored. Around 60% is when it started to pick up for me. The story line had potential but needed to move faster

I really wanted to love this book but in unfortunately I just didn’t. The MMC was pushy and came across as very desperate and was irritating to me. I also felt like the book has a very slow start and was repetitive at times. The cover is beautiful and the author did a great job with her descriptions of the landscapes. There are many time jumps between past and present so that can get a little confusing at times. There is a twist at the end of the book but it wasn’t anything mind blowing or super believable. I wouldn’t deter people from reading this book but I will not actively recommend it to others.

I want to thank NetGalley, the publisher and author for the e-ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for an advanced copy of this ebook.

I saw this compared to Where the Crawdads Sing, and as I progressed through the novel, I was definitely able to understand and appreciate the similarities between the two. I found the very beginning to be intriguing, then there was a slight lull, but then about half way through, I became fully invested in this story. There was mystery, intrigue, heartbreak, and redemption woven throughout the layers of this book. I look forward to more from this author!

This is a slow burn mystery set in the Pacific Northwest with excellent atmospheric writing reminiscent of Where the Crawdads Sing. The novel starts with the discovery of a hanging woman and then goes back in town to figure out how and why she ended up there. It is more of a character driven story and I did like the main character but understand that not everyone will . I was loving the novel and even the small twist for about the first 2/3rds. However the final 1/3 felt rushed, the investigation and courtroom scenes were unrealistic, and everything seemed to tie up a little too neatly in a bow . Overall I still enjoyed this debut novel and would read more from this author in the future.

Thank you to Cindy Burnett from Thoughts from a Page podcast and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy.

This book reminded me a lot of Where The Crawdads Sing, but with a much better storyline. I absolutely loved this mystery, and the characters. I did struggle with the pace a bit, but overall I highly recommend.

This book pulled me in from the very beginning. Set in a small town outside of Seattle, the book explores moving back to where you grew up, long lost loves and potential future loves, love triangles and how far a person will go for their relationships. Elijah leaves his small hometown to go to college, explore the world outside the bubble he grew up in and hopes to write the next great American novel. He leaves his first love Nakita behind. After his book is failure, he moves back home again. While trying to rebuild his life, the body of a woman he had recently dated is found on his property and he finds himself on the wrong side of a murder investigation.

I couldn't put the book down for the first half. I felt like I was getting to know the characters very well and was fully immersed in how their lives intertwine.. A little more than halfway through, all the characters seem to have a complete change of personality and it's stretch to reconcile the two parts of the book. The end is tied up with a pretty little bow. Overall, I enjoyed the book and can definitely see it being made into a movie.