“Middle of the Night” by Riley Sager
Thirty years ago, ten-year-old Ethan Marsh and his best friend Billy fell asleep in a tent on a quiet New Jersey cul-de-sac. In the morning, Ethan woke up alone. The tent had been sliced open, and Billy was gone—never to be seen again. Now, plagued by bad dreams and insomnia, Ethan reluctantly returns to his childhood home. Strange occurrences in the middle of the night lead him to investigate what truly happened that fateful night. As he delves deeper, he uncovers dark secrets and realizes that no place is completely safe.
Main Characters
The main character in “Middle of the Night” is Ethan Marsh. He’s haunted by the mysterious disappearance of his childhood friend, Billy, which occurred thirty years ago. Ethan’s quest for the truth drives the suspenseful plot of the novel.
Plot
The plot of “Middle of the Night” unfolds as follows:
Thirty years ago, ten-year-old Ethan Marsh and his best friend Billy fell asleep in a tent on a quiet New Jersey cul-de-sac. In the morning, Ethan woke up alone. The tent had been sliced open, and Billy was gone—never to be seen again. Now, plagued by bad dreams and insomnia, Ethan reluctantly returns to his childhood home.
Setting
The setting of “Middle of the Night” by Riley Sager is a quiet, quaint New Jersey cul-de-sac called Hemlock Circle. Thirty years ago, ten-year-old Ethan Marsh and his best friend Billy fell asleep in a tent on a manicured lawn in this neighborhood. Now, as Ethan investigates strange occurrences, he delves into the woods surrounding Hemlock Circle, where secrets and mysteries await¹²
Themes
“Middle of the Night” by Riley Sager is a spooky thriller set to be released on June 18, 2024. Here are the key themes:
- Unsolved Mystery and Childhood Friendships: The novel revolves around the long-ago disappearance of a childhood friend named Billy.
- Atmospheric and Supernatural Elements: Early reviews describe the book as atmospheric and hint at something supernatural going on. The setting, including the quiet New Jersey cul-de-sac and the surrounding woods, contributes to the eerie atmosphere.
