Thriller Review: Middle of the Night by Riley Sager

- September 23, 2026

Hello, Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons,

Middle of the Night is written by Riley Sager and published by Dutton Books. When Ethan Marsh was ten-years-old his best friend Billy disappeared. Decades later, Ethan is once again living in his childhood home on Hemlock Circle. As bizarre incidents begin to occur, Marsh is certain his childhood friend is contacting him from beyond the grave.

As he reacquaints himself with his past, the present unravels. A mysterious figure lurks in the shadows, and fear has returned to the neighborhood. But is it the ghost of a long-dead boy or a new threat?

Middle of the Night was a day read for me. An excellent thriller with a lot of emotion. This was a different novel for Sager, who brought in elements of trauma and child loss. It was a heart-tugger at times that had me feeling as emotional as the characters. Ethan's journey through PTSD was a layered narrative. It brought in a child's fear and the subsequent questioning and media coverage. As an adult, the recollection of that fateful night were marred by fractured memories and grief. And when the finale arrived, I was not only shocked; I was extremely satisfied.

I read Middle of the Night in part with the audiobook narrated by Santino Fontana. He did an excellent switching between the child and adult versions of the characters. He also gave the novel an extra layer with his portrayal of the character trauma. And when the action amped up, he did not fail to inject a chilling performance.

A cul-de-sac filled with suspicious neighbors. A mysterious institute on the outskirts of town. A possible haunting. This combination was filled with dread, thrills, and chills. Five stars later, this is one Riley Sager book I highly recommend. A great spooky season read.

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