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Midnight Rain
Do you remember the exact moment your childhood ended?
1979. Jimmy Carter is elected America's 39th President. New York police apprehend the "Son of Sam," and the King of Rock n' Roll has permanently left the building. In a town called Midnight, North Carolina, twelve-year-old Kyle Mackey couldn't care less about any of that. He has his own problems to deal with, as he ventures toward a strange new world called manhood...
Kyle's older brother Dan is going away to college. Several years ago their father was killed in Viet Nam, and Mom is an alcoholic devoted more to the bottle these days than to her family. Kyle has never felt so alone. The night before Dan's flight leaves for Florida, Kyle visits what he calls his "Secret Place." All boys have a Secret Place, he believes, and his is an old shack in the woods bordering Midnight. Kyle's love for his secret place is shattered, however, when he stumbles upon something that proves his favorite spot in the world is neither as private nor as innocent as he once thought...
It begins with the naked, battered corpse of a young woman. And, standing over her, a man Kyle knows...
MIDNIGHT RAIN is a dark coming-of-age novel in the vein of Robert McCammon's BOY'S LIFE and Stephen King's THE BODY (STAND BY ME). It is a tale of growing up in the South, a reflection of boyhood and all its wonders, and the story of how one boy deals with a terrible secret that threatens to tear apart both his family and hometown.
1979. Jimmy Carter is elected America's 39th President. New York police apprehend the "Son of Sam," and the King of Rock n' Roll has permanently left the building. In a town called Midnight, North Carolina, twelve-year-old Kyle Mackey couldn't care less about any of that. He has his own problems to deal with, as he ventures toward a strange new world called manhood...
Kyle's older brother Dan is going away to college. Several years ago their father was killed in Viet Nam, and Mom is an alcoholic devoted more to the bottle these days than to her family. Kyle has never felt so alone. The night before Dan's flight leaves for Florida, Kyle visits what he calls his "Secret Place." All boys have a Secret Place, he believes, and his is an old shack in the woods bordering Midnight. Kyle's love for his secret place is shattered, however, when he stumbles upon something that proves his favorite spot in the world is neither as private nor as innocent as he once thought...
It begins with the naked, battered corpse of a young woman. And, standing over her, a man Kyle knows...
MIDNIGHT RAIN is a dark coming-of-age novel in the vein of Robert McCammon's BOY'S LIFE and Stephen King's THE BODY (STAND BY ME). It is a tale of growing up in the South, a reflection of boyhood and all its wonders, and the story of how one boy deals with a terrible secret that threatens to tear apart both his family and hometown.
354 pages, Nook
First published June 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
April 27, 2025
Phew, this was a long journey. I had someone ask me a while back why I don’t read Stephen King books much. I’ve read a handful, but he has a particular style of writing that I don’t necessarily jive with. Now most King fans get very uppity when someone says anything negative of him, which is not my intention. He is a wonderful and extremely talented author. But his stories have a habit of getting way too busy and adding in loads of unnecessary details. They’re meant to enhance certain aspects of the story, and may for some, but for readers like myself, it makes reading more of a chore. They just drag scenes out and make it hard to focus on the plot. And that’s how I felt with James Newman’s Midnight Rain. The writing is great, the story is a really nice coming-of-age adventure, the characters are engaging, and the last quarter of the book was an intense climax. But…the devil is in the details. Tons of overused details. And there were a handful of repetitive scenes and situations during the middle portions of the book. They felt unnecessary, and did not add further intrigue or interest in Kyle and his plight. Beyond all that, I think this was a solid thriller.
February 6, 2024
12 year old Kyle is eyewitness of a girl being murdered in his "secret place", an old hut in the woods. Who murdered her? Is there a connection to his family? What about his brother Dan and his mother? Is Henry, Sheriff Baker's son involved? Did a black man murder the girl? This is one of the best coming of age stories I read in a while. The story telling is superb, the pace great, it is very gripping and the twist at the end is fantastic. Lots of references to the 70s. I also like that the story continued from the narrator's later life and what became of him. Here you learn why Kyle can say when childhood ended for him. Brilliant stuff I can highly recommend!
August 14, 2022
4.5 Stars
This was such a powerful coming of age novel. The story was incredibly dark with a strong focus on the loss of childhood innocence. Readers should be aware of content warnings for abuse, sexual assault and domestic violence. Yet, if you are able to read about these dark subjects, then you should definitely pick up this novel.
The main character was well developed and very relatable. I really felt his emotions, sharing in his fears, grief and regret.
The writing style was fairly simple, yet almost ageless. The author also did an amazing job creating a sense of nostalgia. While this book was set in the late 70s, before I was born, I still felt a strong sense of the time. Likewise, this book had such a strong atmosphere and setting. I will undoubtedly think of this book on rainy nights
Sometimes you find a book ar exactly the right time. This was certainly the case here. I was craving a familiar coming of age narrative and I found it in this book. I was gripped by the first sentence and held captive by the narrative until the very end. I clung on every sentence, savouring the subtle details sprinkled throughout the story. The narrative had just the right amount of suspense to keep me glued to the page, worrying about characters that I quickly came to love.
I would highly recommend this one to readers who love coming of age stories, particularly ones with a darker edge.
This was such a powerful coming of age novel. The story was incredibly dark with a strong focus on the loss of childhood innocence. Readers should be aware of content warnings for abuse, sexual assault and domestic violence. Yet, if you are able to read about these dark subjects, then you should definitely pick up this novel.
The main character was well developed and very relatable. I really felt his emotions, sharing in his fears, grief and regret.
The writing style was fairly simple, yet almost ageless. The author also did an amazing job creating a sense of nostalgia. While this book was set in the late 70s, before I was born, I still felt a strong sense of the time. Likewise, this book had such a strong atmosphere and setting. I will undoubtedly think of this book on rainy nights
Sometimes you find a book ar exactly the right time. This was certainly the case here. I was craving a familiar coming of age narrative and I found it in this book. I was gripped by the first sentence and held captive by the narrative until the very end. I clung on every sentence, savouring the subtle details sprinkled throughout the story. The narrative had just the right amount of suspense to keep me glued to the page, worrying about characters that I quickly came to love.
I would highly recommend this one to readers who love coming of age stories, particularly ones with a darker edge.
July 31, 2019
”Do you remember the exact moment at which your childhood ended?”
Fabulous first line. One that filled me with dread because it really is an example of apprehension spoken in a single sentence. The novel wastes no time pandering in other aspects. Like the opening line, it gets to the point and moves with it. 12-yr old Kyle wakes his older brother to describe what he'd just witnessed in the woods near their house. No one wishes to experience what Kyle saw that night. For a boy of 12, holding onto innocence, it's sudden proof that life is fragile and cruel. Cruel for Kyle because he will spend the next two weeks feeling more alone than he could have ever imagined.
As much as I wanted to dive deep into this story, I can't say that it held me there beyond the exceptional premise. Put a boy alone against what seem to be insurmountable odds – that's a great premise. It's what the best coming-of-age novels do. But there were cliché circumstances and phrases too, that I ran into akin to hitting unexpected speed bumps (i.e. an obnoxiously drunken mom that makes Kyle particularly isolated). I can't complain about the ending though. The early setup provides for a pretty good twist during the closing 50 pages. Therefore, I will try another Newman, because one book does not tell the whole story of an author. I'm thinking "Odd Man Out" or "Animosity".
Fabulous first line. One that filled me with dread because it really is an example of apprehension spoken in a single sentence. The novel wastes no time pandering in other aspects. Like the opening line, it gets to the point and moves with it. 12-yr old Kyle wakes his older brother to describe what he'd just witnessed in the woods near their house. No one wishes to experience what Kyle saw that night. For a boy of 12, holding onto innocence, it's sudden proof that life is fragile and cruel. Cruel for Kyle because he will spend the next two weeks feeling more alone than he could have ever imagined.
As much as I wanted to dive deep into this story, I can't say that it held me there beyond the exceptional premise. Put a boy alone against what seem to be insurmountable odds – that's a great premise. It's what the best coming-of-age novels do. But there were cliché circumstances and phrases too, that I ran into akin to hitting unexpected speed bumps (i.e. an obnoxiously drunken mom that makes Kyle particularly isolated). I can't complain about the ending though. The early setup provides for a pretty good twist during the closing 50 pages. Therefore, I will try another Newman, because one book does not tell the whole story of an author. I'm thinking "Odd Man Out" or "Animosity".
September 18, 2013
This was a coming of age tale that was compared to Boy's Life on the cover. That's a bold statement.
A young boy, Kyle, witnesses a murder. ( Very Boy's Life-ish so far.) " Do you remember the exact moment when your childhood ended? I do."
So begins the mystery and the rain. This is a fine tale of growing up the hard way. Kyle is discovering that all is not what it seems to be. Not the sheriff, not his mother, and not even his older brother, Dan. He's trying to do the right thing, but that isn't always easy.
I was expecting a horror novel, but that's not what this is. Again, it's a coming of age novel, but what's different about it is that Kyle has no friends. I can't think of any COA novel where the protagonist didn't have any friends. I found that a bit strange.
Even though this wasn't really a horror novel, I did enjoy it. The pacing was steady, the story compelling, and the characters believable. I enjoyed this novel and would recommend it to fans of coming of age tales.
Recommended!
A young boy, Kyle, witnesses a murder. ( Very Boy's Life-ish so far.) " Do you remember the exact moment when your childhood ended? I do."
So begins the mystery and the rain. This is a fine tale of growing up the hard way. Kyle is discovering that all is not what it seems to be. Not the sheriff, not his mother, and not even his older brother, Dan. He's trying to do the right thing, but that isn't always easy.
I was expecting a horror novel, but that's not what this is. Again, it's a coming of age novel, but what's different about it is that Kyle has no friends. I can't think of any COA novel where the protagonist didn't have any friends. I found that a bit strange.
Even though this wasn't really a horror novel, I did enjoy it. The pacing was steady, the story compelling, and the characters believable. I enjoyed this novel and would recommend it to fans of coming of age tales.
Recommended!
January 5, 2020
A dark coming of age story that fans of McCammon's Boy's Life will enjoy without feeling like they've read it all before, as Newman's voice is uniquely his own. This is my first encounter with this author, and I look forward to reading more by him.
July 17, 2014
I'll try to review this without mentioning Boy's Life. Dammit!
I couldn't help it. It's an easy comparison. The Body and Summer of Night also come to mind. Midnight Rain was less a horror novel and more of a coming of age story blended with mystery/crime elements. All in all, very well done and the tension really builds near the end. "Gripping" is a word I'll use for the last 15%.
I also want to note that I believe this is one of the first books published by the author (2004.) I've read three of his others, Animosity, Ugly As Sin and The Wicked. I thought the writing was significantly smoother in his later works and couldn't help noticing how much he seems to have grown as a writer in between each of the four novels I have read. If by chance you just read Midnight Rain as your first Newman experience and it wasn't your thing, check out one of his more recent releases like Animosity. That book was a work of art.
I'm looking forward to all future releases by James Newman. I haven't been disappointed yet and he just keeps getting better.
I couldn't help it. It's an easy comparison. The Body and Summer of Night also come to mind. Midnight Rain was less a horror novel and more of a coming of age story blended with mystery/crime elements. All in all, very well done and the tension really builds near the end. "Gripping" is a word I'll use for the last 15%.
I also want to note that I believe this is one of the first books published by the author (2004.) I've read three of his others, Animosity, Ugly As Sin and The Wicked. I thought the writing was significantly smoother in his later works and couldn't help noticing how much he seems to have grown as a writer in between each of the four novels I have read. If by chance you just read Midnight Rain as your first Newman experience and it wasn't your thing, check out one of his more recent releases like Animosity. That book was a work of art.
I'm looking forward to all future releases by James Newman. I haven't been disappointed yet and he just keeps getting better.
March 10, 2017
Obviously contrary to popular opinion, this did not work at all for me. The writing is actually better than the one-star suggests, but two stars at Goodreads translates to "It was OK" and it really wasn't, so after a short debate with myself, I'm going to have to put the lone star on here... The story is a coming-of-age that borrows, quite shamelessly, from Simmon's 'Summer of Night', McCammon's 'Boy's Life' and King's 'It' and 'The Body' (add more at your leisure). This part is OK, even if the story develops in only the most predictable directions and furthermore, it takes it sweet time getting there. The writing is so padded at times that I had to double-check that I really turned page on my eReader, because I felt I read the same build-up to the reveal (which was.... exactly what I expected) two or three times. This is not what earns this one a measly one in my book, though. Nor is the fact that the only really odd thing and difference between this and the others that come to mind is that the 12 year old in this story, ̶G̶o̶r̶d̶i̶e̶ ̶L̶a̶c̶h̶a̶n̶c̶e̶ Kyle Mackey, has zero friends. No schoolmates, no-one. It's a coming-of-age without the gang. Odd. But, he does have his trusty bicycle; ̶S̶i̶l̶v̶e̶r̶ Burner and his older brother. This is not why the story does not work at all, either. The questions that scream in my head about actions, reactions, non-actions and generally totally unlikely events are. If you really want to know, read on, but this is in spoiler section for a reason:
As if these hang-ups wasn't enough, my buddy in this buddy read, Edward Lorn, kindly pointed out that the midnight rain of the story was not only mentioned an awful lot - it also fell more or less 24 hours a day. Thanks, Edward, I really needed something more to stumble upon! BTW, if you are counting - the words "Apple Gala" also make up a large percentage of the total.
As if these hang-ups wasn't enough, my buddy in this buddy read, Edward Lorn, kindly pointed out that the midnight rain of the story was not only mentioned an awful lot - it also fell more or less 24 hours a day. Thanks, Edward, I really needed something more to stumble upon! BTW, if you are counting - the words "Apple Gala" also make up a large percentage of the total.
September 7, 2013
A very emotionally compelling read of a 12 year-old boy who witnesses a murder in his small hometown. Comparisons have been made with McCammon's BOY'S LIFE, but this story has a feel all of its own. The repercussions and hidden things that come to light in the aftermath of this tragedy makes for a gripping tale, leaving you wondering just where the ride will take you next. Newman has a voice all of his own, and I anticipate reading more from him.
Recommended!
Recommended!
April 3, 2016
Kyle is your typical twelve-year-old growing up in the late 1970s. His best friend is his bicycle, which he's named Burner, and he enjoys hanging out in his secret place, an old, deserted hermit's shack in the middle woods in Midnight, North Carolina. On a rainy night, he witnesses the murder of a young girl by the local sheriff in his secret place and his life will never be the same again. All alone with his fears, he doesn't know who he can turn to. His brother is heading to college on a basketball scholarship. His mom is a raging alcoholic and pickles herself every night since his father was killed in Vietnam. As more violence unfolds as a result of his inaction, Kyle knows that he cannot sit by any longer and be the frightened child. He has to put a stop to this madness before more innocent people are hurt.
Midnight is a Coming-Of-Age story in the vein of Boy's Life and Newman does a fantastic job at putting us in the frightened mind of 12-year-old Kyle and small town North Carolina, circa late 1970s. While Midnight isn't quite as good as McCammon's Boy's Life, I'd argue that no book is, it is still a damn good story that's even more amazing when you realize this was his first novel-length story. McCammon didn't hit his stride until about his fifth novel in. If you haven't discovered Newman yet, you need to. He's a heavy hitter in the horror genre and you owe it to yourself see why I feel that Midnight is required reading. Highly recommended.
5 Broken Necks out of 5
You can also follow my reviews at the following links:
https://kenmckinley.wordpress.com
http://intothemacabre.booklikes.com
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5...
Midnight is a Coming-Of-Age story in the vein of Boy's Life and Newman does a fantastic job at putting us in the frightened mind of 12-year-old Kyle and small town North Carolina, circa late 1970s. While Midnight isn't quite as good as McCammon's Boy's Life, I'd argue that no book is, it is still a damn good story that's even more amazing when you realize this was his first novel-length story. McCammon didn't hit his stride until about his fifth novel in. If you haven't discovered Newman yet, you need to. He's a heavy hitter in the horror genre and you owe it to yourself see why I feel that Midnight is required reading. Highly recommended.
5 Broken Necks out of 5
You can also follow my reviews at the following links:
https://kenmckinley.wordpress.com
http://intothemacabre.booklikes.com
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5...
January 30, 2019
Wow! This was a pretty great read with a lot of twists and turns. My only surprise happened in the end of the book. It’s amazing what a traumatizing time will do to you. Sometimes I think we all have a place we run from, but maybe it’s going back that heals us.....
February 3, 2014
Where do I begin to talk about a book that I thought was magnificent and that brought with it such colourful and personal memories of childhood. For a short time I rode with Kyle Mackey on this trusty bike "Burner" (mum and dad would not allow him a dog) and I felt his pain as the world of a young 12 year old boy collapsed and all his dearest and trusted friends betrayed him...where does a young mind go when trust and truth no longer exist?
One day in August of 77 Kyle Mackey witnessed an event that changed his life forever, the murder of Cassie Rourke and how was he to respond when the perpetrator of that murder was non other than the respected Sheriff Burt Baker. "Later, as I lay in the darkness not daring to close my eyes, I heard the high-pitched warble of a police siren peaking and fading somewhere across town. I wondered if it was him. Out there, doing his thing, roaming my town under the guise of upholding the law.
Kyle's brother Dan has gone to university, his mum drinks to forget the sad death of his father and the only person Kyle feels happy to confide in is deputy Sheriff Mike Linder "Linder was a big man but he possessed one of the kindest, gentlest faces I ever saw. His bright blue eyes seemed to sparkle with kindness.....That was the thing I like most about Mike Linder. He always spoke to me as if I were his equal, not just another dumb kid." However very soon as the story takes a shocking twist, Kyle finds himself adrift with no where to turn and no one to help in his quest for justice and as we ride with him on the back of "Burner" through the streets of Midnight we hold our breath in hope and anticipation that the murderer will be brought to account for his wicked deed.
I think for a "coming of age" story to be successful the tone of the book and the believability of the lead character must be beyond reproach. I totally believed in Kyle, I wept with him when events and situations seemed to be spiraling out of control, and I rode with him as he raced around town in his attempt to enlist support and uncover the evidence that would see Burt Baker entrapped and strangled by his own lies. This book is a great achievement by the author James Newman. He has succeeded in writing a story of the highest quality, a story that will overwhelm you, a story that will make you smile, and a conclusion that will encourage you to applaud the resilience of young Kyle Mackey resident of Midnight North Carolina......
One day in August of 77 Kyle Mackey witnessed an event that changed his life forever, the murder of Cassie Rourke and how was he to respond when the perpetrator of that murder was non other than the respected Sheriff Burt Baker. "Later, as I lay in the darkness not daring to close my eyes, I heard the high-pitched warble of a police siren peaking and fading somewhere across town. I wondered if it was him. Out there, doing his thing, roaming my town under the guise of upholding the law.
Kyle's brother Dan has gone to university, his mum drinks to forget the sad death of his father and the only person Kyle feels happy to confide in is deputy Sheriff Mike Linder "Linder was a big man but he possessed one of the kindest, gentlest faces I ever saw. His bright blue eyes seemed to sparkle with kindness.....That was the thing I like most about Mike Linder. He always spoke to me as if I were his equal, not just another dumb kid." However very soon as the story takes a shocking twist, Kyle finds himself adrift with no where to turn and no one to help in his quest for justice and as we ride with him on the back of "Burner" through the streets of Midnight we hold our breath in hope and anticipation that the murderer will be brought to account for his wicked deed.
I think for a "coming of age" story to be successful the tone of the book and the believability of the lead character must be beyond reproach. I totally believed in Kyle, I wept with him when events and situations seemed to be spiraling out of control, and I rode with him as he raced around town in his attempt to enlist support and uncover the evidence that would see Burt Baker entrapped and strangled by his own lies. This book is a great achievement by the author James Newman. He has succeeded in writing a story of the highest quality, a story that will overwhelm you, a story that will make you smile, and a conclusion that will encourage you to applaud the resilience of young Kyle Mackey resident of Midnight North Carolina......
April 16, 2016
Midnight Rain was released in 2004, and I think it's a shame that at the time of this review there's only 34 reviews given on Amazon, yet whenever I bring the book up people seem to love it as much as I do. Get with it, people! Leave some words!
Midnight Rain is a book that flew way under my radar, and if it wasn't for a friend of mine picking up a print copy and sending it old school, snail mail style, there's a chance I never would have discovered it.
An absolute must read for fans of Robert McCammon's Boy's Life, Midnight Rain is the story of a 12-year-old boy growing up in the late 70s in a small town in North Carolina. While minding his own business, the adventurous young man witnesses a brutal murder that takes place at his safe haven—a shed in the woods that he's claimed as a fort. That's all I'll say. This isn't a horror story per se. But neither is Dandelion Wine, neither is Boy's Life. Yet horror consumers from all over adore the two. Midnight Rain offers murder, mystery, and twists. And there is a very real first-person fear from the mind of a 12-year-old boy who is struggling to come to terms with what he has seen, what to do about it, and exactly who he can trust.
There are times when the book may seem a bit wordy, slowing down ever so slightly. But that's because Newman has so expertly established a "need-to-know-NOW" mentality within us as we flip page after page late into the night, cursing the author because work in the morning comes early. Like a drug, the book was disruptive throughout the daylight hours while I was required to carry on with adult responsibilities; when all I really desired was to rip my bookmark from the pages and head back to Midnight, North Carolina with the hopes of watching justice prevail and our protagonist victoriously crush each dilemma beneath his pre-teen feet.
This is easily one of the top 20 books I've ever read. However, I do recognize that it had a lot going that hit me personally. I'm a very nostalgic person—particularly for the 70s and 80s—I'm nuts about coming-of-age stories, and I often reflect on days of yesteryear where bikes were getaways and fear didn't involve financial responsibilities or whether or not I'm raising my children right. I will be spreading the word about this book with anyone I know who reads. And like my two hard copies of Boy's Life, I'll be adding a second copy of Midnight Rain to my library—a lending copy.
Midnight Rain is a book that flew way under my radar, and if it wasn't for a friend of mine picking up a print copy and sending it old school, snail mail style, there's a chance I never would have discovered it.
An absolute must read for fans of Robert McCammon's Boy's Life, Midnight Rain is the story of a 12-year-old boy growing up in the late 70s in a small town in North Carolina. While minding his own business, the adventurous young man witnesses a brutal murder that takes place at his safe haven—a shed in the woods that he's claimed as a fort. That's all I'll say. This isn't a horror story per se. But neither is Dandelion Wine, neither is Boy's Life. Yet horror consumers from all over adore the two. Midnight Rain offers murder, mystery, and twists. And there is a very real first-person fear from the mind of a 12-year-old boy who is struggling to come to terms with what he has seen, what to do about it, and exactly who he can trust.
There are times when the book may seem a bit wordy, slowing down ever so slightly. But that's because Newman has so expertly established a "need-to-know-NOW" mentality within us as we flip page after page late into the night, cursing the author because work in the morning comes early. Like a drug, the book was disruptive throughout the daylight hours while I was required to carry on with adult responsibilities; when all I really desired was to rip my bookmark from the pages and head back to Midnight, North Carolina with the hopes of watching justice prevail and our protagonist victoriously crush each dilemma beneath his pre-teen feet.
This is easily one of the top 20 books I've ever read. However, I do recognize that it had a lot going that hit me personally. I'm a very nostalgic person—particularly for the 70s and 80s—I'm nuts about coming-of-age stories, and I often reflect on days of yesteryear where bikes were getaways and fear didn't involve financial responsibilities or whether or not I'm raising my children right. I will be spreading the word about this book with anyone I know who reads. And like my two hard copies of Boy's Life, I'll be adding a second copy of Midnight Rain to my library—a lending copy.
September 15, 2022
Well this was a bad ass dark coming of age thriller that just kept me turning pages. This book was really hard to put down. It put me in a place that made me feel how I used to feel when I would read Stephen King as a kid. This book was just fucking awesome and James Newman is a damn fine writer \storyteller that can just put you in the book the characters you can feel for and relate to and you can just feel the dark dreary and rainy setting that's in this story just a awesome book. If you like coming of age psychological thrillers this is one for you. Highly recommended
July 3, 2013
This was a pretty good coming of age story. The strength of the book was mostly in the characters and the writing itself. Newman did a great job capturing the psyche of a scared 12 year old boy navigating the treacherous, murderous really, adult world of a small town in 1977. Plenty of cultural references to set the mood and only minor editing/spelling errors. Very quick read. Recommended.
November 7, 2019
I really loved this book, which you can say about anything with Newman's name on it. A great CoA story that should be mentioned in the same conversation as King, Lansdale and Keene. Highly recommend.
April 14, 2008
Kyle is coming of age in a small southern town. He's right on the edge of boyhood, about to take the plunge into the scary morass of puberty. He idolizes his older brother, Daniel, and struggles with his mother and her alcoholism. One fateful night, as he's visiting his secret place in the woods, his bastion of childhood is forever sullied by the terrible event he witnesses. Who can he trust? What can he do?
Kyle must wrestle with his desire to hold onto his childhood and his desire to do the right thing. A tale of innocence lost, coming-of-age, and murder. Great story with some great twists. Really enjoyed this thriller.
Kyle must wrestle with his desire to hold onto his childhood and his desire to do the right thing. A tale of innocence lost, coming-of-age, and murder. Great story with some great twists. Really enjoyed this thriller.
August 13, 2016
Childhood lost. The town of Midnight has an evil lurking beneath the surface and it's fate rests in the hands of a twelve year old boy. An engaging tale of tragedy in a small town. James Newman kicks out yet another winner with Midnight Rain. Solid 4+ Stars! Highly Recommended!
October 11, 2017
It’s James, so it’s great. This book set out to pay homage to the greats like Boy’s Life, Summer of Night, and The Body, and it does a good job of doing so. I really enjoyed it.
March 7, 2023
Sometimes you finish a book and are like, “Why aren’t more people talking about this one?” This coming of age style thriller is beautifully written, fast paced, and hard to put down. James Newman knows how to write a book.
March 6, 2021
Kyle Mackey has a secret place in the woods, somewhere out of the way where he can be undisturbed, yet a late-night visit to the Old Shack doesn’t go as planned – for the first time, other people are there. Kyle can’t help but watch a gruesome murder, the culprit someone he once trusted. Fearful and confused, he struggles with how to deal with the knowledge that a killer lives so close to home.
(WARNING: This review contains minor spoilers.)
Diving into a small town in the ’70s, Midnight Rain was an engrossing coming-of-age that centred around the rather depressing town of Midnight, North Carolina. Newman’s first novel, it opened with a memorable line that has stayed with me since: Do you remember the exact moment your childhood ended? Probably around the time I was told Santa wasn’t real, to be honest. The story of Kyle was, however, a great deal more disturbing, his harsh and premature initiation into adulthood involving murder, his innocence abruptly shattered. It was something he couldn’t fully comprehend, and I thought it did a great job in conveying his turmoil, which progressed and only became more tragic over the course of the book – first-person can be great in that respect, it’s why I love it so much. It also didn’t shy away from heavy topics such as addiction, racism and corruption, made all the more horrific from a twelve year old’s point of view. What was scary was how much it encouraged me to recollect my own youth, when such a thing as law and order was a straightforward concept.
I liked the writing style, and how introspective it was at times. There were moments that made me nervous, even shocked, the twists coming unexpected, and despite having the knowledge that Kyle would survive the ordeal, I still worried for him. Granted, things would’ve been over much quicker had Kyle not made some bad decisions, but then I just needed to keep in mind how ill-equipped he was to handle the situation. Something that struck me as a bit odd was Kyle’s distinct lack of friends; usually a significant ingredient of coming-of-age is the gang or traditional best friend, yet the topic of friendship or fellow children of his age weren’t even mentioned. It wasn’t a bad thing, but definitely different, his loneliness made more apparent by his relationship with his bicycle. Was his mother’s illness responsible? In any case, Kyle’s existence was miserable, as was the novel in general.
I had just a couple of issues, minor as they were, mostly to do with the lack of information regarding some aspects – the death of a certain character, for instance, just seemed to be glossed over fairly quickly – and I feel there were some little snags in the plot that appeared borne of convenience rather than logic. I was still able to enjoy it regardless of these small complaints.
In conclusion: Suspenseful and thought-provoking, Midnight Rain sucked me into the life of Kyle Mackey, a young boy who, by chance, witnessed an appalling crime. It explored the ugliness that can run underneath the facade of a small community, especially the blind trust put in figures of authority, as well as how damaging it can be to young people. I was surprised by some of the revelations I didn’t see coming, my sympathy for the protagonist persisting until the end. All in all, I’m glad I picked this one up as it satisfied my love of coming-of-age stories, but even though I enjoyed it very much overall, I believed some elements could’ve been better explored.
Notable Quote:
I was the King of Midnight, back then.
© Red Lace 2021
Blog ~ Twitter
(WARNING: This review contains minor spoilers.)
Diving into a small town in the ’70s, Midnight Rain was an engrossing coming-of-age that centred around the rather depressing town of Midnight, North Carolina. Newman’s first novel, it opened with a memorable line that has stayed with me since: Do you remember the exact moment your childhood ended? Probably around the time I was told Santa wasn’t real, to be honest. The story of Kyle was, however, a great deal more disturbing, his harsh and premature initiation into adulthood involving murder, his innocence abruptly shattered. It was something he couldn’t fully comprehend, and I thought it did a great job in conveying his turmoil, which progressed and only became more tragic over the course of the book – first-person can be great in that respect, it’s why I love it so much. It also didn’t shy away from heavy topics such as addiction, racism and corruption, made all the more horrific from a twelve year old’s point of view. What was scary was how much it encouraged me to recollect my own youth, when such a thing as law and order was a straightforward concept.
I liked the writing style, and how introspective it was at times. There were moments that made me nervous, even shocked, the twists coming unexpected, and despite having the knowledge that Kyle would survive the ordeal, I still worried for him. Granted, things would’ve been over much quicker had Kyle not made some bad decisions, but then I just needed to keep in mind how ill-equipped he was to handle the situation. Something that struck me as a bit odd was Kyle’s distinct lack of friends; usually a significant ingredient of coming-of-age is the gang or traditional best friend, yet the topic of friendship or fellow children of his age weren’t even mentioned. It wasn’t a bad thing, but definitely different, his loneliness made more apparent by his relationship with his bicycle. Was his mother’s illness responsible? In any case, Kyle’s existence was miserable, as was the novel in general.
I had just a couple of issues, minor as they were, mostly to do with the lack of information regarding some aspects – the death of a certain character, for instance, just seemed to be glossed over fairly quickly – and I feel there were some little snags in the plot that appeared borne of convenience rather than logic. I was still able to enjoy it regardless of these small complaints.
In conclusion: Suspenseful and thought-provoking, Midnight Rain sucked me into the life of Kyle Mackey, a young boy who, by chance, witnessed an appalling crime. It explored the ugliness that can run underneath the facade of a small community, especially the blind trust put in figures of authority, as well as how damaging it can be to young people. I was surprised by some of the revelations I didn’t see coming, my sympathy for the protagonist persisting until the end. All in all, I’m glad I picked this one up as it satisfied my love of coming-of-age stories, but even though I enjoyed it very much overall, I believed some elements could’ve been better explored.
Notable Quote:
I was the King of Midnight, back then.
© Red Lace 2021
Blog ~ Twitter
February 2, 2016
Midnight Rain is the first full-length novel by James Newman. It's a coming-of-age story about Kyle, whose childhood comes to a very abrupt end when he witnesses a murder. Over the course of a (very rainy) couple of weeks, Kyle learns a lot about life, as well as the people around him, and how little he really knew about them. He also learns about family, and the extremes people will go to in order to protect their own.
The story is interesting and well-paced, the characters fleshed-out, and the environment is very well painted - I felt like I knew the town of Midnight, NC (much like the little town I grew up in) by the time I finished, and I felt like I really needed a towel - man, it just never stopped raining! :-)
Being a first novel, the writing is a bit rough, and very heavy on similes. If you look past that, you'll find a very entertaining story, and see the beginnings of a great writer. If this is your first book by James Newman, pick up another, like Animosity or Ugly as Sin, and see what an amazing writer he is now!
The story is interesting and well-paced, the characters fleshed-out, and the environment is very well painted - I felt like I knew the town of Midnight, NC (much like the little town I grew up in) by the time I finished, and I felt like I really needed a towel - man, it just never stopped raining! :-)
Being a first novel, the writing is a bit rough, and very heavy on similes. If you look past that, you'll find a very entertaining story, and see the beginnings of a great writer. If this is your first book by James Newman, pick up another, like Animosity or Ugly as Sin, and see what an amazing writer he is now!
December 15, 2022
Crazy town
I just took a ride in the crazy train to a town called Midnight. What a journey. a 12 year old boy sees the sheriff kill a girl in 1977 and is scared to tell anyone. He eventually does and the consequences are horrible. I felt so sorry for him. His Mother was pathetic, and even his brother ended up not being what he thought. Everyone in the story wore masks and behind those masks were evil, hate, prejudice, pain. And monsters. It all came full circle eventually and I don't want to spoil anything. It was twisted and honestly I felt his Mother was the biggest monster ever. Very interesting take on small town life. I really enjoyed this book and I do look forward to reading more of his stories.
I just took a ride in the crazy train to a town called Midnight. What a journey. a 12 year old boy sees the sheriff kill a girl in 1977 and is scared to tell anyone. He eventually does and the consequences are horrible. I felt so sorry for him. His Mother was pathetic, and even his brother ended up not being what he thought. Everyone in the story wore masks and behind those masks were evil, hate, prejudice, pain. And monsters. It all came full circle eventually and I don't want to spoil anything. It was twisted and honestly I felt his Mother was the biggest monster ever. Very interesting take on small town life. I really enjoyed this book and I do look forward to reading more of his stories.
May 20, 2015
A tense, emotional, dark tale of a horrific crime witnessed by a twelve-year-old boy in a small North Carolina town, and the decisions he makes in its aftermath, and how those decisions impact everyone around him.
I want to say thank you, Mr. Newman; thank you for writing Midnight Rain. I absolutely loved this book. The prose was smooth, the story-telling personal, and the pace was perfect. It's been a long time since I felt for a character as much as I did for Kyle. Fantastic read.
I want to say thank you, Mr. Newman; thank you for writing Midnight Rain. I absolutely loved this book. The prose was smooth, the story-telling personal, and the pace was perfect. It's been a long time since I felt for a character as much as I did for Kyle. Fantastic read.
December 28, 2024
A boy and his bike. I do love this.
May 9, 2020
Such a great coming-of-age story. Right up there with the best of them. I was hooked from the word go. Tore through the last 30%.
James Newman never seems to put a foot wrong in my eyes. I've read quite a few of his books now. Need to work my way through just a couple more.
Can't recommend this one highly enough.
Five stars.
James Newman never seems to put a foot wrong in my eyes. I've read quite a few of his books now. Need to work my way through just a couple more.
Can't recommend this one highly enough.
Five stars.
January 29, 2023
A suspense thriller from the eyes of a child. Hit real hard about the need to do what's right and deal with small-town secrets.
October 6, 2016
A decent debut novel from James Newman. It had the potential to be a great novel, but it was a tad bloated and overwritten in some respects and underdeveloped in others. The plot had some serious weak links and some criminally under explored avenues and the book had a really uneven resolution. That said, Newman's writing is very strong in large chunks of this novel, with fantastic imagery and description. I can see why people are crazy about this novel, and I liked it, but the problems in plot and resolution kept me from jumping up and down about it. Also, the ending felt undercooked. That said, it is a good book, and I'll definitely be reading more James Newman in the future.
June 18, 2017
I really enjoyed this coming of age story by James Newman. 'Midnight Rain' reminded me a lot of 'Boy's Life' by McCammon but with a little bit more of the mystery element to it. I thought Kyle made some really bad decisions throughout the story but maybe that's what 12 year old kids do. Sheriff Baker was quite a good villain in the story along with his son Henry.
I look forward to some more James Newman stories.
I look forward to some more James Newman stories.
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