By Noah G. Schmidt
“Middle of The Night” book cover. (Noah G. Schmidt)
Looking to get into the Halloween spirit and add a book to your reading list? Consider Riley Sager’s latest novel, “Middle of the Night”, released on June 18. It’s a great find at local bookstores on Cape Cod, such as Eight Cousins in Falmouth.
Set in a small New Jersey town near Princeton, “Middle of the Night” follows the 1994 disappearance of 10-year-old Billy from his best friend Ethan’s backyard. Billy, fascinated by the paranormal, claims to have seen ghosts at the eerie Hawthorn Estate. The plot thickens with the involvement of two young adults, Ragesh and Ashley, who are charged with supervising the children. Sager uses a dual timeline structure, a hallmark of his novels. Flashbacks, indicated by chapter dates, recount past events, while present-day action unfolds in numbered chapters. This back-and-forth storytelling is characteristic of Sager’s style, seen in works like “The House Across the Lake” and “The Only One Left”. Full of twists and suspense, “Middle of the Night” also features a protagonist with a troubled past, struggling to be believed by law enforcement. A secondary character offers an alternate viewpoint, creating tension and uncertainty that keeps readers guessing.