Middle of the Night

Middle of the Night (2024) is a psychological thriller by American author Riley Sager. The novel’s protagonist, Ethan Marsh, is haunted by the mysterious disappearance of his childhood best friend, Billy Barringer. When Ethan returns to his childhood home 30 years later, he becomes consumed by the unresolved questions surrounding Billy’s vanishing and is determined to uncover the truth, no matter how dark or disturbing it may be.

The narrative follows Ethan’s obsessive quest for answers, weaving together his memories of their childhood in a quiet, seemingly idyllic town and the growing sense of unease that surrounded Billy in the days leading up to his disappearance. Through Ethan’s journey, Middle of the Night explores The Long-term Effects of Childhood Trauma, The Importance of Trust in Friendship, and Haunting as a Form of Memory.

Sager’s narrative style, which alternates between first-person reflections and third-person flashbacks, immerses readers in Ethan’s increasingly fractured psyche as he confronts the dark truths of the past. The novel is a gripping exploration of memory, guilt, and the darkness that can lurk within even the closest relationships.