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Midnight
No. 1 bestselling author Josephine Cox returns with a powerful, dark love story shrouded in shocking secrets and malignant forces.
400 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2011
137 people are currently reading
419 people want to read
About the author
Josephine Cox
111 books331 followersJosephine Cox was born in Blackburn, one of ten children. At the age of sixteen, Josephine met and married her husband Ken, and had two sons. When the boys started school, she decided to go to college and eventually gained a place at university but was unable to take this up as it would have meant living away from home. Instead, she went into teaching – and started to write her first full-length novel. She won the ‘Superwoman of Great Britain’ Award, for which her family had secretly entered her, at the same time as her novel was accepted for publication. She is now a No.1 bestselling author with over 40 books to her name.
She wrote dark psychological thrillers under the name Jane Brindle.
She wrote dark psychological thrillers under the name Jane Brindle.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
September 30, 2016
The story started off very well. It was intriguing and captivating and showed much promise of more surprises and thrills to come. The characters were all building quite nicely. But then it started to lose its momentum, and I found myself, by half way through, just reading on because I had to find out where the story would take me.
Towards the end, the momentum picked up again, but then all of the threads of the storyline just snapped shut, one by one, and I was left in a bewildered daze.
I was particularly unhappy about the way that one of the leading characters suddenly was killed off in just a few short paragraphs. I have no argument with the reality of sudden death, but there was no continuation into what happened next, or the impact that the tragedy had upon the other characters who had surrounded her, and been part of her life, up until that point. She was just dead, and so was her part in the story.
The book was OK, and I wouldn't like to distract you if you were just about to pick it up, but there are plenty of other books which I would choose to read before Midnight!
Towards the end, the momentum picked up again, but then all of the threads of the storyline just snapped shut, one by one, and I was left in a bewildered daze.
I was particularly unhappy about the way that one of the leading characters suddenly was killed off in just a few short paragraphs. I have no argument with the reality of sudden death, but there was no continuation into what happened next, or the impact that the tragedy had upon the other characters who had surrounded her, and been part of her life, up until that point. She was just dead, and so was her part in the story.
The book was OK, and I wouldn't like to distract you if you were just about to pick it up, but there are plenty of other books which I would choose to read before Midnight!
January 7, 2012
Never read a book from this author before and if this book is anything to go by, I won't be doing it again either. In a word - dreadful. Poorly written, weak story, loads of unnecessary padding. Don't waste your time.
November 11, 2021
This is the first Josephine Cox novel I have read and I am astounded! How could a traditional publisher - Harper Collins - allow such a badly edited novel onto the market? There were a number of errors and, glaringly, in one place toward the end, the name "Molly" is used instead of "Libby" - a very silly error.
The plot rambles, the nightmares secondary to the domestic details of the characters' lives. What could have been a cracking thriller, lost urgency very early in the story. Molly, the ex-girlfriend is a monster - that is undeniable - but she is also a one-dimensional character whose motivation for revenge is obsession over Jack.
I was disappointed in the way this experienced author appeared to have cobbled everything together in the last few lame pages of the novel- and how Jack's nightmares disappeared with nary a whimper.
I wonder, because of the amateur writing, if this was an urgent pot-boiler demanded by the publishers to fill a gap in the market?
A half-hearted effort at best on behalf of the author who is a fine writer and who deserves - overall - a better write up than the one I have HAD to give for this book.
The plot rambles, the nightmares secondary to the domestic details of the characters' lives. What could have been a cracking thriller, lost urgency very early in the story. Molly, the ex-girlfriend is a monster - that is undeniable - but she is also a one-dimensional character whose motivation for revenge is obsession over Jack.
I was disappointed in the way this experienced author appeared to have cobbled everything together in the last few lame pages of the novel- and how Jack's nightmares disappeared with nary a whimper.
I wonder, because of the amateur writing, if this was an urgent pot-boiler demanded by the publishers to fill a gap in the market?
A half-hearted effort at best on behalf of the author who is a fine writer and who deserves - overall - a better write up than the one I have HAD to give for this book.
December 7, 2014
I was given this book from a family member who is a huge Josephine Cox fan but since it's not really my kind of book (I'm more of a dystopian/fantasy/YA kinda gal myself) I never had high hopes of enjoying it. That was around 3 years ago. This week however I decided it was probably high time I read it and boy was I disappointed.
It started out not bad and I found myself pleasantly surprised at the fact I was (semi) enjoying it, I liked the main character, Jack (couldn't stand his girlfriend Molly though) and the plot had great potential. I found the idea of the mystery surrounding his nightmares intriguing and was really interested to find out where his journey to find the truth behind them would lead. It was flowing and developing nicely.
And then it hit a brick wall.
All of a sudden it wasn't about the nightmares but the day to day goings on of the characters, there was literally no more mention of any nightmares from about part 3 onwards (or at least not nearly enough considering it was a book ABOUT them) and the whole middle section of it was just unnecessary padding.
The ending, it gave me the impression that Cox couldn't really be bothered and was in a rush to finish the book. After so much "build up" I was hoping for an exciting finale but it was extremely flat and wrapped up in two chapters. I must admit the slight twist at the did surprise me however it did not compensate for the rushed, half-hearted attempt at a book.
Overall the book had so much potential but I was thoroughly disappointed. The first and last Josephine Cox book I will ever read
It started out not bad and I found myself pleasantly surprised at the fact I was (semi) enjoying it, I liked the main character, Jack (couldn't stand his girlfriend Molly though) and the plot had great potential. I found the idea of the mystery surrounding his nightmares intriguing and was really interested to find out where his journey to find the truth behind them would lead. It was flowing and developing nicely.
And then it hit a brick wall.
All of a sudden it wasn't about the nightmares but the day to day goings on of the characters, there was literally no more mention of any nightmares from about part 3 onwards (or at least not nearly enough considering it was a book ABOUT them) and the whole middle section of it was just unnecessary padding.
The ending, it gave me the impression that Cox couldn't really be bothered and was in a rush to finish the book. After so much "build up" I was hoping for an exciting finale but it was extremely flat and wrapped up in two chapters. I must admit the slight twist at the did surprise me however it did not compensate for the rushed, half-hearted attempt at a book.
Overall the book had so much potential but I was thoroughly disappointed. The first and last Josephine Cox book I will ever read
August 21, 2017
The writing style could've been a bit better but other than that the story was pretty good.
June 30, 2015
I feel bad rating only 2 stars as I did read this and mostly enjoyed it, but there was just too many issues to rate it any higher.
Firstly, I'm amazed this is such a successful writer with so many published novels. Honestly, this reads like a kindle freebie.
The characters are caricatures. I didn't like how a lot of the women were painted as harlots. Their personalities changed to suit the story. Molly changes from sweet, wanting Jack to get help, to harpy within a chapter, all hell to pay. And that storyline just comes to an abrupt ending too after a huge buildup. I honestly couldn't believe what I was reading.
Eileen's craziness just conveniently disappears when the truth comes out.
Actually, scratch kindle freebie, this reads like a novel I wrote when I was 12.
Pages of filler. Jack and Thomas in particular could say exactly the same thing three different ways within a paragraph.
The Libby relationship I could see coming from chapter two. Way too fast and convenient.
The actual secret was okay, but the novel really doesn't read like a professional wrote it. Very amateur and a lot of stuff that doesn't need to be in.
Having said that, it is a page turner which is engaging enough to make you want to know what happened, but you may get to the end and feel like you wasted your time. I would read this author again, just to see if this is just an off book for her.
Firstly, I'm amazed this is such a successful writer with so many published novels. Honestly, this reads like a kindle freebie.
The characters are caricatures. I didn't like how a lot of the women were painted as harlots. Their personalities changed to suit the story. Molly changes from sweet, wanting Jack to get help, to harpy within a chapter, all hell to pay. And that storyline just comes to an abrupt ending too after a huge buildup. I honestly couldn't believe what I was reading.
Eileen's craziness just conveniently disappears when the truth comes out.
Actually, scratch kindle freebie, this reads like a novel I wrote when I was 12.
Pages of filler. Jack and Thomas in particular could say exactly the same thing three different ways within a paragraph.
The Libby relationship I could see coming from chapter two. Way too fast and convenient.
The actual secret was okay, but the novel really doesn't read like a professional wrote it. Very amateur and a lot of stuff that doesn't need to be in.
Having said that, it is a page turner which is engaging enough to make you want to know what happened, but you may get to the end and feel like you wasted your time. I would read this author again, just to see if this is just an off book for her.
June 18, 2020
Not a bad story, but the execution failed for me.
I felt that there were a lot of irrelevant lines of the story that led to dead ends and that the ending was very rushed. Perhaps if these irrelevant parts had been left out the revelation could have been better explored and executed.
I like the idea of this book, but for me the way it was written meant I couldn’t connect or believe in the characters at all.
I felt that there were a lot of irrelevant lines of the story that led to dead ends and that the ending was very rushed. Perhaps if these irrelevant parts had been left out the revelation could have been better explored and executed.
I like the idea of this book, but for me the way it was written meant I couldn’t connect or believe in the characters at all.
Read
November 9, 2013Oh my. First Josephine Cox book I've read and have one question: how did this woman get published? Appalling writing style, hideous and shallow characters, feels like she is making it up as she goes along, rather than ensuring the plot - or at least the bare bones- is planned out before starting. Never again.
October 13, 2021
I'm so sorry to my mother whom I made listen to this audiobook with me on our roadtrip... such a pointless book and a waste of eight hours.
January 25, 2019
I have read probably half of this authors books and enjoyed them all . I was therefore disappointed to give this book only one star . At the beginning of the book she says her sister took ill while she was writing it ,that maybe explains things a little . I will read more books by her in the future but at present put off by the poor story and some weak areas .Not one of her novels to read first .
March 16, 2020
4.5 stars
Midnight is a modern day tale which was a little different as I’m accustomed to Josephine Cox’s historical fiction still, a most enjoyable read.
Jack and Libby were wonderful characters. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to find out the mystery behind Jack’s nightmares.
*Book #49/72 of my 2019 coffee table to-read challenge, cont. 2020
Midnight is a modern day tale which was a little different as I’m accustomed to Josephine Cox’s historical fiction still, a most enjoyable read.
Jack and Libby were wonderful characters. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to find out the mystery behind Jack’s nightmares.
*Book #49/72 of my 2019 coffee table to-read challenge, cont. 2020
February 18, 2021
It was a page turner of a book- but just being a page turner doesn't necessarily mean the writing was high quality. It wasn't. The writing and characterisation were mediocre, the editing was poorly done (there were many glaring errors), and yet somehow the main character- Jack- remains likeable and sympathetic.
SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER
Molly's character quickly degenerates into one dimensional, almost cartoonish villainy. I actually had a lot of sympathy for Molly at first. She came across as caring and kind. And she absolutely had a point- it is more than reasonable of her to be angry that Jack just instantly decided that they should both just move halfway across the country all by himself. As a couple in a stable, long term relationship, he is definitely in the wrong for making unilateral decisions like that which significantly affect her too. He expects her to leave behind her entire life, career, friends, without even having the courtesy to discuss it with her first. If I were Molly I would be more than willing to do whatever it takes to heal a trauma that my partner was facing but I would be furious if he took me for granted to the extent that he made such a major life decision without even TELLING me.
SPOILER SPOILER SPOILER
Molly's character quickly degenerates into one dimensional, almost cartoonish villainy. I actually had a lot of sympathy for Molly at first. She came across as caring and kind. And she absolutely had a point- it is more than reasonable of her to be angry that Jack just instantly decided that they should both just move halfway across the country all by himself. As a couple in a stable, long term relationship, he is definitely in the wrong for making unilateral decisions like that which significantly affect her too. He expects her to leave behind her entire life, career, friends, without even having the courtesy to discuss it with her first. If I were Molly I would be more than willing to do whatever it takes to heal a trauma that my partner was facing but I would be furious if he took me for granted to the extent that he made such a major life decision without even TELLING me.
May 10, 2013
I did not care for this at all. The story had good potential, but there was so much drivel in between the actual story that is was simply hard to read. Several of the characters were just downright annoying. The plot, which started out promising, became weak and tired. I hate leaving a book unfinished once I start, so I slogged through to the end, not caring one way or the other how the story turned out.
A main character is basically written out partway through the book, to be given only a passing sentence near the end, as if the author had simply forgotten about her.
The ending was trite and never really does a good job of explaining Jack's nightmare. The whole 'nightmare" storyline is a basically a gimmick to get the book sold.
I also found a several errors (referring to one character by the other's name for example) that really should have been caught in the editing process.
Ms. Cox is apparently a best-selling author, and it seems she and her publisher were hoping her readers would pick up this based soley on her previous sucesseses and overlook a poorly written book.
Based on this, I would be very hestitant to read anything else by Ms. Cox.
A main character is basically written out partway through the book, to be given only a passing sentence near the end, as if the author had simply forgotten about her.
The ending was trite and never really does a good job of explaining Jack's nightmare. The whole 'nightmare" storyline is a basically a gimmick to get the book sold.
I also found a several errors (referring to one character by the other's name for example) that really should have been caught in the editing process.
Ms. Cox is apparently a best-selling author, and it seems she and her publisher were hoping her readers would pick up this based soley on her previous sucesseses and overlook a poorly written book.
Based on this, I would be very hestitant to read anything else by Ms. Cox.
November 29, 2011
finally got to finish this at school because it's drop everything and read week yay
em okay I thought at the start it was very interesting and the main focus was on Jack and his nightmares and you were intrigued to find out the story behind them then the whole thing is just dragged out for a VERY LONG TIME and it fades more away from Jacks point of view and about his nightmares and at the end there's a few lines about how his life turned out and that's it ugh this book just I honestly think I could of wrote it better. I mean the whole book is "apparently" based AROUND Jack and it the end it isn't afghjklkjhgf idk how i feel
em okay I thought at the start it was very interesting and the main focus was on Jack and his nightmares and you were intrigued to find out the story behind them then the whole thing is just dragged out for a VERY LONG TIME and it fades more away from Jacks point of view and about his nightmares and at the end there's a few lines about how his life turned out and that's it ugh this book just I honestly think I could of wrote it better. I mean the whole book is "apparently" based AROUND Jack and it the end it isn't afghjklkjhgf idk how i feel
January 21, 2012
A quick, easy read. Starts off great, a bit long-winded and boring in the middle, but then builds again at the end. If you like Josephine Cox - you will probably like this, even though not her best.
July 11, 2015
Utter tosh.
May 26, 2016
If I had taken note of some of the bad reviews of this book, I could have missed out on a very enjoyable read.
July 21, 2021
I loved it. It was a very good read that I couldn't put down
July 5, 2020
I didn’t like this book. The writing style comes across a bit amateur-ish.
You are to dislike Molly. Boy, could it be spelt out any more obviously...
Jack moves up to Lancashire to find out what happened in the past that’s been causing him nightmares, only to not have to dig around at all because the truth just spills out of the culprits...
There are lots of unnecessary minor story lines padding out the book. No real contribution to the main story, but if they weren’t in the book the whole thing could be done and dusted in 3 chapters so I guess they had to stay...
Most of the book is about Molly trying to stop Jack moving away, then the actual ‘let’s find out what’s really happened’ is covered in a few paragraphs...disappointing...
And of course Jack goes home after 12 years gone without a word, sees Libby and they kiss instantly and they are together all of a sudden... very real...
Not to mention two bits in the book where obviously no one proofread the book properly because they were sitting in the garden then went back into the kitchen only for two pages later the person to run into the kitchen from the garden... 😒the other one I don’t remember now but it was an equally ridiculous error...
To end on a positive note, the story could be a good one, just executed badly ... it’s a quick read because the font size is huge so there’s not that many words to a page and Jack is a likeable character.... erm, that’s about it...
You are to dislike Molly. Boy, could it be spelt out any more obviously...
Jack moves up to Lancashire to find out what happened in the past that’s been causing him nightmares, only to not have to dig around at all because the truth just spills out of the culprits...
There are lots of unnecessary minor story lines padding out the book. No real contribution to the main story, but if they weren’t in the book the whole thing could be done and dusted in 3 chapters so I guess they had to stay...
Most of the book is about Molly trying to stop Jack moving away, then the actual ‘let’s find out what’s really happened’ is covered in a few paragraphs...disappointing...
And of course Jack goes home after 12 years gone without a word, sees Libby and they kiss instantly and they are together all of a sudden... very real...
Not to mention two bits in the book where obviously no one proofread the book properly because they were sitting in the garden then went back into the kitchen only for two pages later the person to run into the kitchen from the garden... 😒the other one I don’t remember now but it was an equally ridiculous error...
To end on a positive note, the story could be a good one, just executed badly ... it’s a quick read because the font size is huge so there’s not that many words to a page and Jack is a likeable character.... erm, that’s about it...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2020
A page turner, but in the bad sense for me. The idea was really captivating, the heroes interesting, and indeed the climactic events at the end were a surprise, but they were buried in so much repetition of the same feelings and thoughts that I was reading diagonally, wishing the story to speed up so I could find out what is torturing Jack.
I felt that the several relationships identified and described were not in any sense progressing through the story. Molly was entrenched, Jack was thinking of people but not making contact, Thomas and Eileen were locked in a decades-long limbo. I cannot stand such absence of progression and this really irritated me no end!
I felt that the several relationships identified and described were not in any sense progressing through the story. Molly was entrenched, Jack was thinking of people but not making contact, Thomas and Eileen were locked in a decades-long limbo. I cannot stand such absence of progression and this really irritated me no end!
November 11, 2020
Really enjoyed this book . The main four characters jack, Libby , Eileen and Thomas are so likeable and brought so much to the story.
In the beginning I thought Eileen had dementia , but in a later hospital diagnosis it was revealed to be psychosis. Josephine Cox write it so sensitively, I truly felt for Eileen and her daughter Libby when Eileen suffered her psychotic episodes.
I loved jack and how he escaped the horrible molly , but I feel that his nightmares and cause got abandoned at the end , by the revealing of that eventful night with Eileen and Thomas .
But all in all a very good read.
In the beginning I thought Eileen had dementia , but in a later hospital diagnosis it was revealed to be psychosis. Josephine Cox write it so sensitively, I truly felt for Eileen and her daughter Libby when Eileen suffered her psychotic episodes.
I loved jack and how he escaped the horrible molly , but I feel that his nightmares and cause got abandoned at the end , by the revealing of that eventful night with Eileen and Thomas .
But all in all a very good read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 9, 2020
The story is good and the language nice and compelling, but I feel like it lacks in character development. It is my personal opinion and in no way a truth. I feel like there was too many character point of views for me to connect to anyone, let alone the main character Jack. The story could have been told by Jack and Libby’s (without the POV of ALL the side characters).
Overall it was a good read, even though I feel like the ending was rushed.
Overall it was a good read, even though I feel like the ending was rushed.
January 16, 2024
I enjoyed this a lot and like the twist although I did see it coming before it was revealed the only thing that let it down for me is the end didn’t quite make a big part of the story actually add up but don’t want to spoil it for anyone else wishing to read it as it is definitely a good read and I would recommend if you like a love story which I believe is really the underlying theme of the book.
July 28, 2024
Brilliant book that will keep you turning the pages. I listened to the audiobook and loved the narrator he really brought the story to life with great emotions. You will not be able to put it down. The characters were realistic and extremely lovable. I absolutely loved the unexpected twist to the story. Well there are a few of them so enjoy. Many thanks to the author for creating such a wonderful story.
March 16, 2022
Love will find a way!
Really love Josephine Cox as an author, I've read so many of her books as they are so interesting and easy to read. This one in particular is a favourite as truth will out in the end! I don't want to say too much and give things away but I'm sure every one will love it! A must read book for sure!
Really love Josephine Cox as an author, I've read so many of her books as they are so interesting and easy to read. This one in particular is a favourite as truth will out in the end! I don't want to say too much and give things away but I'm sure every one will love it! A must read book for sure!
February 28, 2022
Night made that affected 3 lives
Josephine Cox at what she does best keep you guessing about nightmares that affected 3 lives it keeps you engrossed so much till you can't put it down to find out what has made 3 lives in a nightmare that made them frighten
Josephine Cox at what she does best keep you guessing about nightmares that affected 3 lives it keeps you engrossed so much till you can't put it down to find out what has made 3 lives in a nightmare that made them frighten
August 10, 2022
Rivetting read
Having read several of this ladies books, this one was slightly different in context from the ones I had read before. This was fast paced and a real page turner. You never knew what was going to happen next synaptic how a good book should be.
Having read several of this ladies books, this one was slightly different in context from the ones I had read before. This was fast paced and a real page turner. You never knew what was going to happen next synaptic how a good book should be.
March 23, 2023
A BOOK TO TEST YOUR SKILLS IN PROBLEM SOLVING
A worthwhile read. The story keeps the reader intrigued and challenges them to persist in solving the links with the characters. Although Jack is the main character the others also have a story that brings the book to its conclusion.
A worthwhile read. The story keeps the reader intrigued and challenges them to persist in solving the links with the characters. Although Jack is the main character the others also have a story that brings the book to its conclusion.
June 30, 2023
A well told story that keeps you guessing until right up to the near end of exactly what has happened in the past . What has caused jack's dreams , what secrets are Eileen and Thomas hiding and how is it all interwoven.
July 13, 2023
Disturbing reality
Nightmares haunt us all at some point in our lives, this story has shown that , they can explain a traumatic time ,and with help and in this case a touch of fate, a deep sense of relief is felt, and a new start , bringing happy memories,
Nightmares haunt us all at some point in our lives, this story has shown that , they can explain a traumatic time ,and with help and in this case a touch of fate, a deep sense of relief is felt, and a new start , bringing happy memories,
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews