I was drawn to this book on Net Galley by its gorgeous cover and intriguing premise. The story centers around a reclusive, aspiring writer and his return to home, set alongside a fictional Indigenous community created by a white author, which immediately concerned me. The community feedback on this aspect turned me off, it felt uncomfortable and inauthentic. Unfortunately, the execution didn't deliver above this icky start. The characters, including the protagonist who is supposed to be a gifted writer, felt like flat caricatures rather than fully realized. His intelligence and talent didn't come through. The romance was equally disappointing, it felt one-sided and lacked the necessary chemistry. Despite these issues, I was curious about how the mystery would unfold, but the resolution was also unsatisfying. While it had potential, the lack of character development and the problematic representation of Indigenous culture made it a disappointing read. I don’t recommend this book.

Thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I'm giving this book a 3.5 star rating rounded up to 4. I will absolutely be recommending this book to people who like mysteries as I feel like that was the best part of this book. I was guessing up until the very end about what actually happened, and even after the final resolution, I had my suspicions that we didn't have the whole truth.

My criticism would have to be that there was a bit too much exposition about Elijah coming back and learning to "live from the land." I don't necessarily feel like that helped move the story along. I don't think it needed to be completely removed, but it was just a bit excessive in my opinion. I think that comes probably from the fact that this book is meant to be atmospheric and I'm not always SUPER into the atmospheric aspects of books, so that is likely a personal preference.

I wanted to love this book! I love nature-based novels. I did enjoy the rich descriptions.

However, I didn’t enjoy the story, and I was bothered throughout by the invented indigenous tribe written by someone not indigenous. It felt forced, and I couldn’t see the point of including it.

Overall I would not recommend this read.

I am grateful to Aria Books and NetGalley for providing me with a digital advanced reader copy (ARC) of "Middletide," written by Sarah Crouch. Although I received approval to read this novel before its June 11, 2024, release date, I only recently had the opportunity to delve into it. I apologize for the delay in reading the book and submitting a review.

"Middletide" tells the story of Elijah Leith's returning to Point Orchard, WA, after leaving 20 years ago, and being accused of murdering Erin Landry, the town doctor, when her body is found hanging on his property. Elijah becomes the chief suspect in the murder since it was described in a novel Elijah wrote years ago titled "Middletide." Elijah and his friends fight for his innocence and his life. Did Elijah murder Erin? Why? Or did another town member? What took place for this suspicion to arise?

The sheriff and his deputy's investigation could have been more thorough, adding to the suspense of the story. Their focus on one person as the murderer seemed to lack logic. The love story between Nakita and Elijah, filled with angst, was a delightful addition. I must confess, the person I suspected of the murder turned out to be innocent, a twist that left me pleasantly surprised. As the story unfolded in alternating timelines of the past and the present, I was completely absorbed in this atmospheric novel.  The conclusion of 'Middletide' was deeply satisfying.  Overall, I found this debut novel enjoyable and eagerly anticipate future books by Ms. Crouch.

3.5 stars out 5

This was a hauntingly tragic story that made me so angry. I was angry for so many characters and felt like they just could not catch a break. I thought the storyline was very unique and creative, however the ending felt slightly rushed to me.

About halfway through I started to put some of the pieces together, but overall this was still a fun ride and I enjoyed it. I also really did enjoy the romance aspect of this story too. The setting was quaint and comfy, but also gave enough of an eerie vibe for a thriller setting,

This one was not for me. The story was interesting enough - a murder, a second chance love story and a newcomer to a sleepy town that rattles the status quo. Still, I found all of the characters grating. Elijah especially. He gave me weird vibes throughout - especially in the way that he approached relationships and seemed to have an expectation that the women he wanted were obligated to give him a chance. At first I liked Nakita, but as the crime unfolded she got on my nerves. The only solid character was Chitto.

I felt that the book was trying to be too much at once. It was quite beautifully written when describing the land, the people, and homesteading practices. Then it took a turn when Erin was introduced. Her diary entries seemed juvenile and unmatched with her persona as a highly respected doctor. The police seemed too incompetent and inexperienced to solve the murder. I didn't find the trial scenes very believable. Lastly, the romances were very high school and slow-moving.

I think many people would enjoy this novel and I would try another by the author in the future.

Middletide straddles the line between psychological thriller, mystery, and contemporary literature. The novel tells the story of Elijah, who returns to his remote hometown after a period living in San Francisco, trying to make a living as an author and selling his eponymous novel, "Middletide" to little success. There, he strives to live off of his land, learn a new trade, and win back the love of his life, Nakita. When a local doctor is discovered murdered on Elijah's land, he becomes the ultimate suspect in her death.

This novel started off so slowly for me that I put it down and didn't start reading it again for a month. I stuck with it, and was rewarded when it picked up in the second half as the murder investigation starts to draw to a close. Overall, I would like to read more from this author to see what she can come up with next!

As many others, the cover of the book was a definite draw. I figured if the cover was a reflection of the writing, it would have to be beautiful. And so it was. Very well-written prose littered the pages, sometimes waxing poetic more than necessary. We learn much about Elijah’s life and rebuilding of himself. We know he loves Nikita and we learn through a series of flashbacks what has happened to Elijah and Nikita’s relationship.
I like the story and premise. I enjoyed the writing. I figured out the killer before it was revealed. But like others, I believe the court portion of the story was not written as accurately as it could have been. There was evidence that was left out, questions not asked, and loopholes that a true court case would not have missed (I believe so, anyway). All in all, this is a wonderful debut, and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future. I would actually give this book 3.5 stars.
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book!

The book has one of the most beautiful covers I’ve seen in 2024. I was drawn to the synopsis, the cover and the PNW setting. However the opening of the book in the authors note talks about how it’s completely fictional including the information about the tribe and the reservation. I was put off by this note, as I felt why include a culture you don’t wish to represent…and why not research it if you want to include it in a novel. It left some questions for me. Despite that, I was enjoying the book, the language, the slow steady progression and short chapters had me intrigued. Up until, the turn of events…after that it fell very flat to me. The court and witness dialogue was very fake, the process did not seem correct.

Overall I was invested in the story, it was worth reading, it just had a twist and fell flat for me. I commend the author for her debut and hope she continues to write and look forward to her next works. I want to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the arc of this book in exchange for my review. I also loved the cover so much I chose it as my Book of the Month for May.

I was taken on a beautiful journey with this debut novel. It was a love story and a mystery. Elijah and Nikita seniors in High school fall in love. Elijah promises to come back after going away to college to become a writer. Nikita lives on the reservation never expecting Elijah to come back. Years later after failing Elijah returns home. Nothing is as expected. The beautiful town doctor, Erin Landry suffers a tremendous loss. The story is filled with love, death, illness, hope and twists.

Thank you #NetGalley, #AtriaBooks, #SarahCrouch and #Middletide for the advance readers copy for my honest review.

For a debut this was a solid read with a good story and interesting characters. I did want to keep reading to see how the story would unfold. However, the characters weren’t fully developed enough for me and the storyline isn’t completely plausible. I think there is great potential here and I would read further from this author but this one was just ok for me.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I enjoyed the atmospheric writing style and the PNW setting which was simultaneously enchanting and spooky. I didn’t particularly connect with any of the characters but overall a solid debut!

This story is based upon Elijah who is an aspiring writer. He left his small home town to pursue his dream of becoming an author, however his first published novel never reached successful sales numbers. He ends up coming back to his hometown feeling ashamed, and hoping to reconnect with an old flame. Things get messy as a murder takes place, and it is nearly identical to the one in Elijah’s book. It begs the question, did Elijah do it? Or was he framed?

The book description and the cover photo is what reeled me in. I will say the writing is well done, the descriptions are really beautiful. All the nature locations were written in a way to give a reader perfect imagery. That was akin to Where the Crawdad’s Sing (like it was suggested and I have to agree with that)! I really enjoyed the scenes. I did like the Epilogue and the very ending of that it was a great wrap up and reconnection to the beginning of the story. I liked how the title tied into the book.

Unfortunately, the story fell flat for me. I got about 80 pages in and then I was just getting tired of hearing the mundane day to day of Elijah and his homestead. I was under the assumption from the book description that the story focus would be on the mystery/murder but it turned out to be heavily focused on Elijah making a home for himself, reconnecting with Nakia and Chitto, and his struggles with his writing and his feelings of being ashamed. I kept craving for it to turn back to Jim and Jeremy POV because then I knew that the mystery side would progress.

I found Elijah mopey and needy. I grew to dislike him through his described interactions with Nakia because he kept trying to come onto her, rush her and it was really unfair given her circumstances and she communicated clearly to him she needs time while he kept ignoring her. She expresses needing to take it slow, yet tries to kiss her. When she is finally ready to kiss him, he immediately says wants to marry her (when she’s been a widow and dating for only ~ 5 months)? It didn’t make me root for them to be together based on Elijah’s continued disappointing actions.

Once the reveal happened on the whodunnit (which I knew), I didn’t feel invested to finish the story. Maybe it would have been better if it was a work backwards set up from courtroom to what happened before/reveal - being a reader unsure of who it was, Elijah or said person.

I thought it was an odd choice to make up a reservation and give it an imaginary name. As well, writing the story where Nakita lives on this reservation with her dad being a religious figure (Pastor) and stating they live in a huge “ski lodge” sized house. It is just a really questionable choice. At that point just make it a different location and don’t label it as a reservation because it wasn’t necessary and didn’t bring anything to the story. It was mainly used as a travel difference between locations, there was no world building or created culture behind it to make it a necessary addition.

I understand there is a disclosure at the beginning of the book under Author’s Note to say this book is a work of fiction and inspiration was taken from personal experiences with Indigenous people, but to start the book off with that was off putting. It made me not want to read the story to be honest so I think it might deter others as well. In Canada we are really sensitive to the wrongs in our history and the colonization that took place, with religious ties to the mistreatment and assimilation of Indigenous peoples. It just seems questionable for a white author to take creative liberties like this, it doesn’t read well - disclosure or not. I understand it is a work of fiction but creating a reservation for a story that doesn’t need it, and to not utilize it well to create a well thought out location or bring a sense of culture into it was a bit of a miss.

Thank you Atria Books and Netgalley for an eARC!

The writing was beautiful. I love a good mystery. This one was unique and I loved uncovering the truth with the characters.

It’s cunning and atmospheric. I love picking it up & returning to the story.

Sorry, this one was not enjoyable for me. I found the plot to be very slow-moving and it took a lot of effort to continue reading. Thank you to Netgalley, Sarah Crouch, and Atria for the opportunity to read this novel.

Middletide is a debut novel set in the Pacific Northwest about an author whose words come back to haunt him. Part mystery and part love story, we follow Elijah from high school to his adult life when he returns to his home town only to be accused of murder exactly as he wrote it in his novel.

The story has some lovely twists and turns and is well written. The book is a fast read too and I enjoyed it a lot! Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for this review!

I went into this book with low expectations and I was pleasantly surprised. I was immediately invested in the story from early on. This book was fantastic! An easy 5 star read for me!

3.5 stars rounded down for pacing

Whew, now that is a slow, slow burn. I really enjoyed the story but it wasn't until 80% of the way through the book that I fell in love - brilliant twist! But I wanted to spend more time with that twist and at that point the rest of the story was too rushed.

A great debut from Sarah Crouch but would have preferred a more steady pace.

Recluse Elijah Leith has returned home after many years away after a failed attempt at becoming a writer. His debut novel is panned by a critic and never sells. Elijah begins to reconcile his first and only love Nakita, homestead his property, and work in an auto shop. Living alone is often lonely for Elijah, especially when he a dead body of the towns beautiful doctor turns up on his property and there is no alibi for a man living alone in the woods.
I really liked this mystery, it was written in a non linear timeline which met by the end.
Once you are past the 60% mark this book was full speed ahead, almost rushed, but I still didn’t mind.
My biggest grievance with the book was why would the author have many of the main characters be indigenous people but then make up their tribe?
I don’t understand what purpose that serves the reader.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.