Middle of the Night by Riley Sager & Magnolia Court by J.L. Hyde
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟 both 5 Stars
Magnolia Court is a mystery thriller novel by J.L. Hyde that delves into the life of Ruby Windsor, a woman striving to rebuild her existence after a tumultuous past. The book explores themes of secrecy and discovery within the affluent society of a gated community's cul-de-sac in Door County, Wisconsin.
Middle of the Night by Riley Sager is a suspenseful thriller that revolves around the mysterious disappearance of a childhood friend. Thirty years ago, in a quiet New Jersey cul-de-sac called Hemlock Circle, a tragedy struck in Ethan Marsh’s backyard.
What they have in common:
✔️Cul-de-sac mystery
✔️90's references
✔️set in warmer months spring/summer
✔️flawed main characters with tumultuous pasts
✔️Neighbors harboring potentially dangerous secrets
✔️creep factor too close to home
✔️Ethan nor Ruby has visited the home in decades and must take up residence in a long since gentrified area with Stepford Wives undertons.
✔️Both characters are plagued with insomnia and waking in the middle of the night - a survival mode their bodies have developed to cope with fear and anxiety.
✔️Strange occurrences that take place right outside the home or in the cul-de-sac at night.
✔️Emotionally charged scenes that will leave you in tears. Especially chapter 28 of MOTN. I cried like a baby.
✔️Our main characters must explore their own past and seek out neighborhood secrets to find the truth and their own place within it.
✔️Someone who lives here definitely knows something.
Both excellent reads that I will continue to recommend.
Middle of the Night releases June 18th, so you have plenty of time to pick up Magnolia Court and get ready for this back-to-back read. Find my full review of Middle of the Night here.
Middle of the Night https://amzn.to/3UU8IRI
Magnolia Court https://amzn.to/4bNze66
J. L. Hyde was featured on The Sirens Podcast: Raven’s Reviews.
