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Midnight's Park
Midnight's Park tells the tale of an accidental encounter that causes a rift in the temporal flow. When it is discovered what has happened, Amalie determines it needs to be corrected. She enlists the help of Daniel Brandt, and together they must find a way to bring back the hundreds of thousands of people they caused to disappear.
Gripping, fast-paced and terrifying - Midnight's Park is a page-turner that will keep you on the edge of your reading chair until long after you have finished the book.
Gripping, fast-paced and terrifying - Midnight's Park is a page-turner that will keep you on the edge of your reading chair until long after you have finished the book.
299 pages, ebook
First published December 3, 2008
1 person is currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
Brandon Spacey
14 books28 followersBrandon has almost always been a writer. Since grade school, when teachers would assign book reports and creative writing essays, he has always loved to express himself with the written word. That still holds today. He has filled journals with poetry and prose, written hundreds of short stories and even wrote on several popular weblogs for many years. It is the one avenue in which he finds complete freedom for the release of emotional tension - including just the need to create.
Now in his middle-age years, he mostly focuses on his novels. The universe he has created over the span of his books is at once sweetly malleable and perfectly cozy: there's nowhere he won't take his characters. But it is also consistent. No one book contradicts any other - and some characters cross the boundaries from book to book, making it a homely and familiar place for his readers
Be it a dive to the depths of the Challenger Deep in a cold steel sphere or a brief visit with a recently deceased but reawakened cadaver, his characters are comfortable finding - or creating, if necessary - the science to make it happen. And Brandon feels right at home letting them tell their stories.
He lives in Dallas, Texas.
Now in his middle-age years, he mostly focuses on his novels. The universe he has created over the span of his books is at once sweetly malleable and perfectly cozy: there's nowhere he won't take his characters. But it is also consistent. No one book contradicts any other - and some characters cross the boundaries from book to book, making it a homely and familiar place for his readers
Be it a dive to the depths of the Challenger Deep in a cold steel sphere or a brief visit with a recently deceased but reawakened cadaver, his characters are comfortable finding - or creating, if necessary - the science to make it happen. And Brandon feels right at home letting them tell their stories.
He lives in Dallas, Texas.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 24, 2014
I have to be honest; this book would be more aptly named Cigarettes, Beer, Boobs, and Quantum Physics. What really makes this book is its characters. I feel that I must know them and their in-jokes from somewhere. I want to dislike the main character, Daniel Brandt, and his need to jokingly call girls "bitches", but his charismatic magnetism reaches out with freakish tentacles and makes you like him anyway. I want to bop Callie and Walter over the head and make them get it on and give up the just-friends charade when they're constantly cuddled up like kittens. And then I see myself in them and how many guy friends I had that were just as close that I am glad I kept as just friends even though the temptation might have been there every now and then. I feel more invested in these characters than I normally feel when reading about people who only exist as words on a page. I know these people. I've knocked on the door unannounced and spent time just hanging out doing nothing much with them. And they're intelligent. They're the nerdy kids who read only non-fiction quantum physics books or hack into top-security internet sites just because they can. They gather at coffee shops and bars, claiming their assigned seats by walking on the table to get there if necessary. They have adventures which leave their jeep teetering over a cliff or have them diving under trains. They write programs for quantum computers. And they time travel to try to recover the people who have mysteriously ghosted (disappeared from existence) all over the world. These are your friends and you're sad to see them go when the last page comes. You only wish they'd figure out how to use a gorram cell phone. Unfortunately, the story ties up nicely by the end and I fear I'll never get these friends back, but I'll most definitely greedily acquaint myself with the characters in the author's other book.
April 10, 2022
Midnight's Park is one of the most original and exciting books that I have read in a while. It is Riveting, Chilling, and Jaw-Dropping. I could not put it down. It is every bit exciting from one page to the next.
As soon as you start reading, you quickly find yourself in the middle of Daniel's world and the events that may have caused his finance Anna and 200,000 people to disappear. As you start reading, you get to know each of the characters. You start building a relationship with them.
I often found myself laughing at some of the things the characters said or did. I enjoyed where the writer took each one of these characters. They are likable in so many ways.
The writer did a fantastic job balancing the story between the characters. How the writer was able to take each of their stories and intertwine them up to the point they meet was outstanding. You find yourself going from Daniel and Amalie to Walt and Callie. For me, this made it very interesting to read. The left hand didn't know what the right hand was doing and then all of a sudden, its a slap in the face. You don't see it coming. True element of surprise. The ending blew my mind and it will blow yours as well. This is a must-read!
As soon as you start reading, you quickly find yourself in the middle of Daniel's world and the events that may have caused his finance Anna and 200,000 people to disappear. As you start reading, you get to know each of the characters. You start building a relationship with them.
I often found myself laughing at some of the things the characters said or did. I enjoyed where the writer took each one of these characters. They are likable in so many ways.
The writer did a fantastic job balancing the story between the characters. How the writer was able to take each of their stories and intertwine them up to the point they meet was outstanding. You find yourself going from Daniel and Amalie to Walt and Callie. For me, this made it very interesting to read. The left hand didn't know what the right hand was doing and then all of a sudden, its a slap in the face. You don't see it coming. True element of surprise. The ending blew my mind and it will blow yours as well. This is a must-read!
December 19, 2013
This book is about that guy you knew in school who was smart enough and good looking enough that he didn’t have to try very hard at anything. Now he has a Jeep and smokes all the time. He’s a little lazy, and sort of an asshole, but he still has a variety of good-looking women wanting to hook up with him. That guy has his girlfriend disappear in a cataclysmic rapture-type event. Then he meets a stunning physicist who suggests there might be a way to fix it. So they are going to try.
But first they need to drink a lot.
I wasn’t sure what to think of this at first. I read it as a group book of the month selection. The writing style is fun and casual but took some getting used to, as it seemed to be written either for people with short-term memory loss, or to show the characters suffered from it. The dialogue would frequently repeat itself or loop around to the same topics but not get you any further knowledge. The frequent scene changes that had no apparent relevance to the plot also drove me crazy, until I learned to let go and concentrate on getting to know the characters.
This story is a good time because the characters have a good time. Daniel, the main character, is not anyone you’d want your daughter to date, but he’s entertaining, and the other cast of characters is as well. They drink their coffee, talk about quantum physics and rank the hotness of girls in terms of baseball teams. The women use their overt sexuality to tempt the guys, and once everyone has gotten all of that out of the way, they think about dealing with the issues outside their circle, like why did 200 thousand people just vanish?
If you read this book looking for logical plot or plausible time travel you will be disappointed. The action is a little suspect too. But if you read it because you’re curious to see how an oversexed twenty-something slacker would handle a mind-bending crisis, you’ll get caught up in it. It’s fun and cool in it’s own way, and while you could nit-pick the details all you want, if that’s the case, none of the characters in this book would want to hang out with you anyway. They’re too busy having a blast. While you’re complaining, they’ll be smoking and drinking and nailing their ex-girlfriends.
But first they need to drink a lot.
I wasn’t sure what to think of this at first. I read it as a group book of the month selection. The writing style is fun and casual but took some getting used to, as it seemed to be written either for people with short-term memory loss, or to show the characters suffered from it. The dialogue would frequently repeat itself or loop around to the same topics but not get you any further knowledge. The frequent scene changes that had no apparent relevance to the plot also drove me crazy, until I learned to let go and concentrate on getting to know the characters.
This story is a good time because the characters have a good time. Daniel, the main character, is not anyone you’d want your daughter to date, but he’s entertaining, and the other cast of characters is as well. They drink their coffee, talk about quantum physics and rank the hotness of girls in terms of baseball teams. The women use their overt sexuality to tempt the guys, and once everyone has gotten all of that out of the way, they think about dealing with the issues outside their circle, like why did 200 thousand people just vanish?
If you read this book looking for logical plot or plausible time travel you will be disappointed. The action is a little suspect too. But if you read it because you’re curious to see how an oversexed twenty-something slacker would handle a mind-bending crisis, you’ll get caught up in it. It’s fun and cool in it’s own way, and while you could nit-pick the details all you want, if that’s the case, none of the characters in this book would want to hang out with you anyway. They’re too busy having a blast. While you’re complaining, they’ll be smoking and drinking and nailing their ex-girlfriends.
July 20, 2015
I feel so stupid right now...well, actually disappointed and stupid. I guess I'm too literal and am not good at inferring the meaning of subtle things. If you want me to "get it", please just tell me what you mean and mean what you say.
You know how people loved the movie "Field of Dreams"? Yeah? Me too! I thought it was great until the end. I didn't "get it". Had to have the missus explain it to me. In books as in life, Don't leave it to me to interpret what you mean. Just tell me straight out!
Before writing this, I looked at the other reviews looking for a spoiler but did not find one. So, after all my time investment, I still don't know (understand) the outcome. Ugh! If anyone reading this also read the book could email me an explanation, it would be greatly appreciated.
Because the story was so strong up to the ending, I'll still go with the 3 star (I liked it) because I think others will enjoy it even though I'm a dolt.
You know how people loved the movie "Field of Dreams"? Yeah? Me too! I thought it was great until the end. I didn't "get it". Had to have the missus explain it to me. In books as in life, Don't leave it to me to interpret what you mean. Just tell me straight out!
Before writing this, I looked at the other reviews looking for a spoiler but did not find one. So, after all my time investment, I still don't know (understand) the outcome. Ugh! If anyone reading this also read the book could email me an explanation, it would be greatly appreciated.
Because the story was so strong up to the ending, I'll still go with the 3 star (I liked it) because I think others will enjoy it even though I'm a dolt.
September 23, 2025
Fabulous. I love the mix of tech/sci-fi and emotional entanglement.
January 8, 2014
Midnight's Park...Just saying it makes me remember something but I can't put my finger on it...Anyways, Daniel is our Hero and yet he is quite the apathetic, when is my next meal and who can I flirt with kind of guy. In a nut shell Daniel hacks a time machine and by doing so makes 200,000 ghost or just cease to exist. Without giving away the entire plot, Daniel and others are able to fix this problem but they don't seem to hurry much. This book is about character development and relationships. A lot of talking, eating, drinking, smoking.
I would say as most adventure stories its implied the protagonists eats, sleeps, takes bathroom breaks goes to the dentist...its not part of the narrative as authors want to emphasize the adventure and minimize the mundane of real life. The author chooses to emphasize the realness makes the characters more real and in a sense the extreme sci-fi plot all the more believable. You might be frustrated by Daniel's reactions to things but you might also see yourself in him as a irresponsible 20 something. To point fingers at others and not myself, would say I saw Daniel in some of my friends growing up. I liked this book it is unusual in its approach but more human.
I would say as most adventure stories its implied the protagonists eats, sleeps, takes bathroom breaks goes to the dentist...its not part of the narrative as authors want to emphasize the adventure and minimize the mundane of real life. The author chooses to emphasize the realness makes the characters more real and in a sense the extreme sci-fi plot all the more believable. You might be frustrated by Daniel's reactions to things but you might also see yourself in him as a irresponsible 20 something. To point fingers at others and not myself, would say I saw Daniel in some of my friends growing up. I liked this book it is unusual in its approach but more human.
December 31, 2013
Whoo hoo!! What a great time I had reading this book! This is another book that I read as part of my Time Travel book club and I am so glad I did because I would never have heard of it otherwise.
It goes like this: There is a sudden mass, rapture-like disappearance of 200,000 people all across the world without discrimination. Our main character, Daniel is a regular guy who witnesses his girlfriend disappear into thin air right in front of him. No one can explain the disappearances of the "ghosters" and it becomes a world wide tragedy.
Daniel meets people that have answers and they work together and against each other to correct the massive blip in time that caused the ghosting.
The characters are real and likable people that are constantly in action. I liked the fast pace and I really liked the premise and explanations of the disappearances and how they relate to time. However, I wanted a bit more actual time travel. I also thought that the way the character's explained the impossible made it seem not quite so impossible! I need that in a Time Travel book!
The ending blew my mind.
I had many questions and rolled my eyes more than a few times over the Don Juan-ness of our leading man, ugh! But this is the only reason for not adding the full 5 stars. Yay!
It goes like this: There is a sudden mass, rapture-like disappearance of 200,000 people all across the world without discrimination. Our main character, Daniel is a regular guy who witnesses his girlfriend disappear into thin air right in front of him. No one can explain the disappearances of the "ghosters" and it becomes a world wide tragedy.
Daniel meets people that have answers and they work together and against each other to correct the massive blip in time that caused the ghosting.
The characters are real and likable people that are constantly in action. I liked the fast pace and I really liked the premise and explanations of the disappearances and how they relate to time. However, I wanted a bit more actual time travel. I also thought that the way the character's explained the impossible made it seem not quite so impossible! I need that in a Time Travel book!
The ending blew my mind.
I had many questions and rolled my eyes more than a few times over the Don Juan-ness of our leading man, ugh! But this is the only reason for not adding the full 5 stars. Yay!
December 14, 2011
I like science fiction, but it is hard to find books in that genre with new and original ideas. Midnight's Park sparked my interest within the first few pages; it's completely original. I loved the author's use of imagery, and it really allowed me to create a great mental picture of the characters and their surroundings. I am a grammarphile and was relieved to find that the author seems to be as well. He also doesn't go into unnecessary details about the characters (I appreciate that because it allowed the book to be very fast paced), but enough is known about them for the reader to empathize with each one. When I finished the book, I was wishing it had been part of a series so I could have immediately gone from one book to the next to the next. I wanted to know more about what happens in the future to the characters I had grown so close to and been through so much with during the course of the book. I was happy to see there is another book with one of the same main characters - Resurrecting Mars.
October 21, 2013
I love this book! Midnight’s Park is exhilarating and gripping. Brandon Spacey takes the reader on an exciting journey. From the beginning I was completely caught up in this intriguing story. In Midnight’s Park, Spacey includes ample scientific theory in his explanation of how temporal delineation or time travel might actually occur that he ensures it is plausible and convincing. I felt like it could really happen. Awesome!
The well-developed characters became very real. Before I knew it, I was emotionally involved…I was happy when they were, and sometimes I was scared and worried for them, and even cried for them at times. I love it when I feel connected to the characters in this way.
Spacey has a remarkable ability to make the reader think about the world, one’s own life and one’s place in time and space. I thoroughly enjoyed Midnight’s Park. It is an exciting read! I highly recommend it. I will definitely read more from this gifted author.
The well-developed characters became very real. Before I knew it, I was emotionally involved…I was happy when they were, and sometimes I was scared and worried for them, and even cried for them at times. I love it when I feel connected to the characters in this way.
Spacey has a remarkable ability to make the reader think about the world, one’s own life and one’s place in time and space. I thoroughly enjoyed Midnight’s Park. It is an exciting read! I highly recommend it. I will definitely read more from this gifted author.
December 16, 2013
I didn't really enjoy this, although others may find it compelling. I got frustrated by the total lack of urgency the major characters showed for the plot (stopping off for long evenings in coffee shops and bars whilst on the run), the total absence of law enforcement concerns (no police ever appear despite the characters mounting break-ins and going AWOL from hospital), and the laddish culture that surrounds the "hero" and his girlfriends. Sorry.
February 23, 2014
It was such a bummer when I was half finished with this book, I got sick and didn't get to finish it until a couple days ago (I don't have a kindle so I am stuck reading e-books on my computer).
This was one of the most unique time travel books I have read! I completely enjoyed it and I would recommend to all time travel fans out there!
This was a very very fun read!
This was one of the most unique time travel books I have read! I completely enjoyed it and I would recommend to all time travel fans out there!
This was a very very fun read!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews