Sarah Crouch's rural thriller has been likened to Delia Owen's Where the Crawdads Sing. Since I was nowhere near a fan of Owen's runaway bestseller, I almost passed over this ARC, but I decided to give it a try because I am drawn to stories with an indigenous element.

The author, is an acclaimed long distance runner, and two of the lead characters in this story similarly share a love of long distance running - and, eventually, each other!

But, alas, the path to young love is rarely smooth and the young lovers are parted by time and Elijah Leith's "fatal flaw" - his overriding ambition to escape the constrictions of his small coastal town and make it big in the literary world.

Fast forward a decade and a half later: young Elijah is forced to return to Point Orchards, penniless and dispirited. This rambling story is told from the third person, omniscient narrator point of view.. There were the usual issues with a novice publication: character development was lacking, there was a tad too much telling and not enough showing, and the plot stretched my credulity one too many times.

Those of us who have anything to do with the legal profession often avoid reading amateur court room dramas: we can't help cringing at the blatant gaffs during those sensationalized court room scenes. Apart from the obvious ethical breach of a doctor dating her patient, the "copycat death" of Dr. Erin Landry and the reasons for her "murder" were too far fetched for me: I just wasn't buying the motive and the actual execution of the crime. (I kind of agreed with Elijah's literary critic on this one!!)

SPOILER ALERT:
<spoiler>The following highly dramatic legal gaffs spoiled the story for me:
1. Blatant Bias: The jury repeatedly broke out in accusations and condemnation of the prisoner during the trial: hardly the sign of an impartial jury - and yet the judge didn't do much to restrain or caution the jurors to reserve judgment until all the facts of the case had been placed before them. Conversely, Elijah's one emotional protestation in defense of his innocence during his trial was soundly rebuked by the judge, who immediately threatened him with contempt of court. My jaw just dropped at that glaring evidence of total bias on the part of the presiding judge AND the jurors. The words "Objection!" "Mistrial!" echoed in my bewildered mind more than one.
2. The police investigation was woefully inept. It took amateurs and the legal defense team to expose the shoddy investigation, find a vital piece of evidence and save the day!
3. Finally, that "last minute evidence" introduced by the defense at the end of the trial was a major "disclosure" procedural gaff. In an actual criminal trial, both the prosecution and the defense must allow each side to review all evidence which they intend to present during the trial so that each side can conduct an informed cross examination. When newly discovered evidence is introduced during a trial, it is customary to seek leave from the judge for permission to present the new evidence, and there is inevitably an adjournment ordered so that the opposing side can examine the fresh evidence.
Oh, and one last thing, which I may have forgotten or skimmed over because I put this book aside several times: Question: how was the issue of Dr. Landry's clean feet explained? This puzzled me at the very end. I even went back and skimmed through the sections where Elijah's book were mentioned, but couldn't find an explanation for it. The "clean feet" reference in Elijah's book and in this story made it obvious to the investigators that this was not a suicide, however....!?!?! Okay, I won't go any further for fear of an even worse spoiler.</spoiler>

My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. I'm rating this a 3.5 out of 5. This was a decent first novel: characterization and credibility need a bit more work, but I applaud the author's ingenuity. I guessed the culprit from the outset, but not the actual motive.

Elijah Leith leaves behind his first love, Nakita, to follow his dreams of living in a big city and becoming a famous writer. Years later, after a failed attempt with his first novel "Middletide,” he returns home broke and disheartened. From here, we follow two chronological timelines. 

The first timeline showed glimpses into Elijah’s life in the intervening years leading up to the death of Erin Landry, the town doctor. What at first looks like suicide quickly turns into a murder investigation. A murder that closely follows the events that occur in Elijah’s thriller "Middletide".

The second timeline follows the police chief’s progression through the evidence. It is immediately clear to me, as the reader, that this soon-to-be retired peacemaker is in over his head and is being spoon-fed the evidence.
 
The author wrote beautifully descriptive scenes of Puget Sound and the small town of Point Orchards where this story takes place. She brought the atmosphere to life. I could see what she saw in her mind's eye as she was writing this story. 
 
Unfortunately, I found this book to have issues that I just couldn’t see past. The narrative of life in a small town switches back and forth to suit the author’s needs. It was described as having one main street where everyone knew everyone until it suited the plot that characters didn’t know one another or had only meet a few times.  The judicial process was also hugely problematic. She took too many liberties with it that required a suspension of disbelief. Evidence that wasn’t given to the defense, a DNA database that doesn’t appear to exist, leads that were just taken as fact, etc. This story, and some of the motives behind the decisions, also lacked believability for me.

 If you are looking for a fast-paced thriller, this is not it, but if you are looking for a slower burn mystery with lots of atmosphere and a slice of life feel to it, I think you may like this book.

I really enjoyed the last 20% of the book, but felt the first 80% dragged on with its descriptions of chores and nature. I figured out the situation pretty early on, so I wouldn't necessarily consider this a thriller or a mystery. It seemed more general fiction or domestic based.

4.4 stars for me. Really loved this atmospheric mystery novel. There was just something about it that allowed me to really embrace the moodiness and weather of the setting which enhanced my read of the novel. It is a slow burn. In the first 70 pages, there was a lot of description of mundane activities and food—I wasn’t so sure where it was going, but then the author did something that made the book much more intriguing and I was sold. Relatively quick mystery read that was moody and atmospheric. Highly recommend.

This captivating debut novel unfolds in the Pacific Northwest, blending timelines before and after a prominent doctor, Erin Landry, is found dead on Elijah Leith's property. Elijah, a former author, becomes the main suspect. The story also delves into Elijah's past with high school sweetheart, Nakita, from the Squalomah indigenous people. The unique murder mystery and atmospheric setting create a suspenseful and intriguing read. The complex plot and beautiful prose make for a compelling narrative that keeps readers on edge.

Thank to NetGalley and Atria publishing for the arc.

Sarah Crouch's debut mystery novel has a beautiful, immersive sense of place. Puget Sound is an uncommon setting for novels, so I enjoyed the descriptions that made me feel like I was wandering around the Pacific Northwest woods. The novel's blurb likens it to Where the Crawdads Sing and the importance of the story on the location is similar; however, the overall plot and tone are very different, so don't expect it to be a similar reading experience.

Middletide changes timelines with almost every chapter; the backstories are as prevalent as the primary mystery. Both the primary and backstories are well written, but I would have enjoyed more depth to the relationships portrayed. The book is under 300 pages, so there is adequate room for elaboration.

There were two aspects of the book that fell flat for me. First, the two main characters are Native Americans but from a fictitious tribe. Why? There was no reason why the main character's first love interest needed to be indigenous. It didn't add much to the story, and it bothered me that the culture, names- everything - was made up. Sure, authors use fictitious locales and such - it's a novel - but it made the story feel contrived in this case. Also, Crouch sets the story in Port Orchards, a town she names after the real Port Orchard, WA. Using a place name this similar to an actual locale just leads to confusion by any reader familiar with the region. The author should have picked a more distinct name for the town.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an electronic ARC in exchange for a review.

Well, that was disappointing. I think this was trying to be a literary mystery and it’s just not. I have a lot of complaints here.

First of all, I do think the setting was well-done. All the descriptions of nature did create a vivid picture in my mind.

And that’s the only positive thing I can say.

The first thing that bugged me is that the writing is very cheesy. I rolled my eyes so many times. At one point, Elijah goes to find the girl he likes at her house and states that his Camaro had been his “divining rod, leading him to her”. Divining rod? [eyeroll]. Secondly, it isn’t much of a mystery. There’s much more plotwise about Elijah and Nakita’s romance and a lot of time-hopping developing this. There’s even more about Elijah’s homesteading and writing struggles than about the actual mystery. And speaking of the actual mystery…I figured it out within the first few chapters apart from the perpetrator’s motive. The details of how the death happened were never actually explained, the evidence implicating someone else was vague and hypothetical, never really explored beyond hunches by law enforcement, and the courtroom section is over in like 20 pages.

Then there’s this whole situation with the author choosing to make up an indigenous tribe. Her author’s note states that she did this “with the desire to explore the unique connections between U.S. reservations and the citizen towns that they touch”. There was zero exploration of this. Zero. The characters are just from this fictional tribe and that was absolutely no bearing or impact on the story whatsoever. Apart from being told two indigenous characters were “Squalomah”, I would never have known. It would have made no difference at all to the characters’ identities, lifestyles, or the plot if she had instead chosen to make them white. If Crouch wasn’t going to make this an actual factor in the plot, why did she bother to make up a tribe? It’s so weird to me.

This is Crouch’s debut and I think/hope there’s promise for her to improve in future books.

I’m honestly a little bit angry I spent so much time reading this book. I was invested and thought it was going to be so good.

3.5

This is a very slow-paced mystery, spanning several timelines and decades as it meanders through the story. Those who enjoy faster paced books may find themselves frustrated with this, but it's worth giving a shot if you don't mind a slower pace. I generally prefer something a bit quicker, but the pacing here worked for me, as it helps set the tone of the story.

The writing is very good; you can feel the emotions of the characters and picture the location very well. Even though the town of Point Orchards is fictional, it's easy to picture it as one of the actual towns on the Olympic Peninsula. I did enjoy the different timelines, as it helped add to the mystery. My biggest complaint was the ending. It felt a little too rushed and seemed to come together just a little too easily. Once the final witness was introduced, everything was over in a heartbeat. I also felt the murder was slightly unbelievable as to the reason it occurred. I don't think it's completely out of the realm of possibility as others have suggested, but it definitely makes you think as to the how and why.

For a debut, this is pretty solid, and I do think the author has a good future ahead of her in terms of writing. I'd be interested to see what she comes up with next.

What a fantastic debut! So glad I saw this book recommended. Perfect characters that kept me flipping pages late into the night. Loved the storyline. It was totally captivating and I had no idea who to trust. Packed with tension, secrets and lies. Did not see the final twist coming til it hit.
Thank you NetGalley and Sarah Crouch for the opportunity to read and review this book

Middletide starts with a promise between teenagers in love. It is a promise unkept.
Then the story moves it's attention to Elijah over two timelines in the 1990's as he starts over in his home town of Port Orchard, Washington. Crouch proves herself to be a master at developing characters and describing natural surroundings and landscapes to the point that the Washington outdoors become an important character, central to the storyline. As things progress and character, description, and timelines come together, Elijah finds himself on trial for murder and must find a way to prove his innocence.
This is a beautifully written story about mistakes, second chances, regrets, and true love. Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an early copy. I read this in digital format, but I wonder if an audio version would have been better for me. I tend to like books with abundant description on audio so the voice and my imagination can work together.

Middletide is an exceptional debut by Sarah Crouch that captivated me from start to finish. This novel masterfully combines elements of mystery and romance within a compact, under-300-page format. The atmospheric setting of Point Orchards drew me in, and Crouch's engaging writing style kept me hooked. While the courtroom scenes felt a bit rushed, the story's twists and turns made for an unforgettable read. I highly recommend Middletide and look forward to reading more from this talented author. Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Middletide is the perfect, quick mystery/thriller!! While most thrillers can be pretty lengthy, Sarah Crouch packed a punch in this one in less than 300 pages- a rarity. Actually- this is part love story, party mystery. Crouch’s debut novel is a superb, perfectly balanced mixture of the two. This is a very atmospheric story & I became a quick fan of Crouch’s writing style. You’ll want to read this one- so so good!! I even selected this as my BOTM pick to have a physical copy on hand.

Thank you NetGalley & Atria Books for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed Middletide! Part mystery, part coming-of-age story, and part romance, this book follows a beautiful and engaging story that covers a long list of relatable topics.

Don't let its relatively short length fool you. Middletide, less than 300 pages, manages to delve into impactful themes with a powerful punch. From the perils of ego and success to the heartache of lost love, the journey of self-discovery and revenge, this book had me hooked from the start. The stunning cover and vivid descriptions transport you to a small town in Washington, adding to the immersive reading experience.

My only critique is a courtroom scene towards the end of the book. I won't go into details because I don't want to spoil any crucial plot points, but this section felt rushed. It was the only part of the book that seemed unrealistic.

Overall, I highly recommend Middletide. The story overlaps many genres, and I think it would be enjoyable for every reader. It is Sarah Crouch's debut novel, and I can't wait to read her next book.

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for the opportunity to enjoy an advanced copy!

Suspicion settles over Point Orchards, a small town nestled within the picturesque woods of the Pacific Northwest, when a young doctor is found dead. Is her suicide as straightforward as it looks, or is there more to the story? Filled with plenty of love, loss, and a touch of vengeance, Middletide follows the life of a young author, Elijah Leith, as he navigates the return to his childhood town, reestablishes abandoned relationships, and finds himself struggling to prove his innocence in a crime that was quite literally ripped from the pages of a novel… his novel.

A solid debut for Crouch. She is a beautiful writer, but has a few areas to strengthen before her next. While she painted a lovely picture of the PNW, the attention to detail on setting was at the detriment of character development and overall pacing for me. Characters felt one-dimensional and dull. I found I honestly didn’t care if our main character was found guilty or not. I had no vested interest in him or any other character. Pacing was also off. I understand it takes time to build a background, but the book was slow for the first 50-65%, picked up for the second half, then went warp speed to the end. Our depiction of the court scenes and actual solving of the murder was too rushed in comparison to the rest of the book, and the ending left me with questions. Crouch did a wonderful job building her setting, but such lush prose ultimately hurt other areas of her book.

Overall, I agree that the book would appeal to those who enjoyed Where the Crawdads Sing, given the writing style, pace, and plot. It may also speak to those who enjoy homesteading and living off the land. That being said, if you’re looking for a fast-paced murder-mystery, with a twist that blows your socks off, I would look elsewhere. The crime/mystery plot was average… not awful, but it left me wanting better. The classic “twist” at the end didn’t satisfy and there were a few loose ends I wanted tied up. While appropriately labeled a mystery, I would not categorize this a thriller in any way.

As a side note, the inclusion of a fictional indigenous tribe was questionable. In the introductory author’s blurb, I took the addition and her comments to mean she herself was part of a tribe, my mistake, so I didn’t think too much about it initially. Upon finishing the book, I immediately wondered what the importance of their inclusion was. There was no major conflict, traditions, or plot points that made it necessary or relevant. Having learned the author is not an Indigenous American, her choice was even more questionable. Almost as if she was using it to bolster her book in some way? I can’t fully put my finger on it, but this didn’t land for me and didn’t seem fully appropriate or necessary.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest opinions.

Really enjoyed this one! A strong debut from Sarah Crouch, with a gorgeous sense of place. The mystery was compelling, but the love story is what kept me reading!

Beautiful debut novel! I really enjoyed this soothing, atmospheric story set in the incomparable Olympic Peninsula region. As a Washingtonian, this is our favorite vacation destination and the author richly and accurately portrayed this breathtaking area of our state. This story is a slow burn literary thriller beginning with the discovery of the local young doctor, Erin Landry, hanging from a tree. It is unknown if her death is by suicide or if she was murdered. As the story builds, we meet more characters, namely Elijah and Nakita, two young lovers who make a pact to reunite in four years, after Elijah finishes college. When he misses that important date and doesn’t return for many years, Elijah will not only have to fight for Nakita, he will also have to fight for his innocence in the death of the young doctor. People who enjoyed Where the Crawdads Sing will enjoy this one as it has similar vibes. Thank you Netgalley, Atria Books and the author for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. This book will be available for purchase on June 11, 2024

I got an ebook of this from Netgalley and really enjoyed it! I did find it had some pacing issues as some parts felt a little too drawn out. However, I could enjoy the slower bits of the book. I do think that if some people don't like slower paced novels that they might want to stay away from this, it does have an over arcing theme of a mystery, but it is very slow building which I could see being a turn off to some readers. Knowing that this is the authors debut the pacing situation makes sense and i can applaud her for being able to create such complexity and depth in her characters, story, and setting of the book. Its not a face paced thriller like i had originally thought it was, but a good slow burn mystery!!

Atria eARC
Overall, this book was fine for me. I liked the rich character development and how flawed they were. It was easy to want things to work for Elijah for just once in his life. It was also a great look at how impactful first loves can be for some people. The author also captured the atmosphere of this novel so well I could feel the cold and the stinging nettles. It was such a vivid book. It is a non-linear, slow burn and I think I was expecting a bit more mystery, especially with such a strong opening to the story. However, I am excited for this author and being chosen by BOTM and hope the literary lovers enjoy this novel.

I’m obsessed with books that take place in the PNW and none have perfectly encapsulated the atmospheric setting like Middletide has.

Middletide starts with Dr. Erin Landry found hanging from a tree. It doesn’t take long for the sheriff to realize it was actually murder and all sounds point to recluse Elijah Leith. Elijah’s story is then told over the span of decades leading to the present where he claims he’s being framed for murder.

The way this story was woven together so intricately had me unable to put the book down until I figured out what actually was going on. It’s truly my favorite when an author knows how to make an atmospheric setting its own character. You could feel like you were right there in the forest running through the trees or at their small town fireworks display. It’s definitely a slow burn but in the best way.

The twist was truly amazing. I could compare it to another book but that would spoil it but it was just done as well, if not better than the original. I really just can’t say enough good things about this book. I can’t believe it’s Sarah Crouch’s first book - Im so excited to read what she puts out in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!