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Slayton Thrillers #1
The Midnight Man
From number one bestselling author Caroline Mitchell, comes the first chilling Slayton thriller for fans of C. J. Tudor and Stephen King.If you open your door to the Midnight Man, hide with a candle wherever you can. Try not to scream as he draws near, because one of you won't be leaving here...On Halloween night in Slayton, five girls go to Blackhall Manor to play the Midnight Game. They write their names on a piece of paper and prick their fingers to soak it in blood. At exactly midnight they knock on the door twenty-two times - they have invited the Midnight Man in.It was supposed to be a game, but only four girls come home.Detective Sarah Noble has just returned to the force, and no one knows more about Blackhall Manor than her. It's a case that will take Sarah back to everything she's been running from, and shake her to the core.Will she be ready to meet the Midnight Man?
336 pages, Paperback
First published October 13, 2021
1403 people are currently reading
4236 people want to read
About the author
Caroline Mitchell
40 books2,182 followersNew York Times, USA Today, Washington Post and International #1 Bestselling Author. Shortlisted by the International Thriller Awards for best ebook 2017 and the Killer Nashville Best Police Procedural 2018.
** See all my books in order here: https://caroline-writes.com/books **
**Join my writing course here: https://www.caroline-mitchell.com **
Now available:
Amy Winter thriller series: https://geni.us/AmySeries
Slayton thriller series: https://geni.us/Slaytonseries
Jennifer Knight thriller series: https://geni.us/JKSeries
The Islanders psych thriller: https://geni.us/TheIslandersCM
The Village psych thriller: https://geni.us/thevillage
** See all my books in order here: https://caroline-writes.com/books **
**Join my writing course here: https://www.caroline-mitchell.com **
Now available:
Amy Winter thriller series: https://geni.us/AmySeries
Slayton thriller series: https://geni.us/Slaytonseries
Jennifer Knight thriller series: https://geni.us/JKSeries
The Islanders psych thriller: https://geni.us/TheIslandersCM
The Village psych thriller: https://geni.us/thevillage
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 700 reviews
December 18, 2021
I had amazing reading journey! I loved the mystery of haunted house, I loved the paranormal - oh let’s say: premonition-al part of the story! I loved the plot line reminds us of a chilling mash up of Whisper Man and Broadchurch! I loved the characters: Sarah who is survivor of big traumas, a loner, a fighter who struggles to gather her composure to adjust in civil life! I also loved Elliot and Maggie! I also loved Elsie and her secret passion about books!
The heart pounding pacing, the chapters which end with striking cliffhangers keep you guessing whodunnit till the end!
Only thing I got a little disappointed was the big revelation ( the identity of perpetrator) I have to admit that person was not the one I putted my bet on! But there are some little plot holes weren’t completely filled! Normally I cut one point when I’m not fully satisfied with the wrapping up of the story but I only cut half star and gave 5 stars ( 4.5 was rounded up to) because sometimes the journey is matters more than your goal. My reading journey was much enjoyable then seeing the story’s conclusion.
I think after reading the story I thought I wanted to spend more time with those characters and made sure they were all right: they already suffered so much and I wished to see their closure.
Let’s take a closer look to blood chilling, terrifying plot line. The story starts 25 years ago on Halloween in Blackhall Manor which turns into a haunted crime scene as a husband massacres his entire family, including his dad and after the carnage he’d created, he takes his own life! The young girl of the family hid in the closet when her father found him to pull the trigger. The last thing she remembered her mother’s pleading voice screaming : “not my little girl”
Now 25 years later, the place is empty but the ghost of young girl’s mother keeps screaming: “not my little girl”! Midnight man is rumored to lurk around the corridors of manor to take the lives who dares to intrude.
There’s already a poem was written about him:
“If you open your door to the Midnight Man,
Hide with a candle wherever you can.
Try not to scream as he draws near,
Because one of you won’t leave here.”
Five girls are invited to play Midnight Game in Blackhall Manor.
Libby thinks this was Angelica who likes to intimidate the four of her friends must be the one who sent the invitations to them.
The rules of the games are clear :
-Rule one: Stain some paper with a drop of your blood
-Rule two: Turn off the lights at midnight, leave the paper at the front door and knock twenty-two times. Open the door. You have invited the Midnight Man in.
-Rule three: Relight the candle. You must avoid the Midnight Man until the 3.33 a.m. If your candle extinguishes , it means the Midnight man is near. If he finds you, you will die.
And actually at the end of the night: one of them couldn’t leave the manor.
After the impactful two events later, we’re introduced officer Sarah who is returning back to her job because of one year long absence of leave. Her colleagues talk behind her back, her superiors walk on eggshells around her. Something so tragic might have happened to her connected with her husband she has ill fated relationship.
She’s sent to take statements of people after Halloween pranks which lead her to talk to two women from her past: her childhood best friend Maggie who is raising her seven years old son Elliot alone after her war hero husband was taken to the hospital for psychiatric care. And Elliot also suffers from nightmares related to Blackhall Manor and Midnight Man which picks Sarah’s interest.
The other woman of her past is Essie who is also dealing with obesity, taken care of by her 25 years old, introvert, counsel games addict son.
When Sarah plans to stay out of trouble, the threat letters she’s gotten forces her to confront with her hidden past. Somebody tries to avenge her by going after five girls who played the midnight game and the person has no intention to stop till she surrenders! Should she sacrifice herself to save the lives of the girls?
What’s the connection of Sarah with this haunted place?
Overall: the characters were multi dimensional and easily relatable. I couldn’t put it down! I love Mitchell’s previous works! But I mostly enjoyed this one! I hope we see Sarah back in near future for another crime mystery! We need more Slayton thrillers!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Embla Books for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
The heart pounding pacing, the chapters which end with striking cliffhangers keep you guessing whodunnit till the end!
Only thing I got a little disappointed was the big revelation ( the identity of perpetrator) I have to admit that person was not the one I putted my bet on! But there are some little plot holes weren’t completely filled! Normally I cut one point when I’m not fully satisfied with the wrapping up of the story but I only cut half star and gave 5 stars ( 4.5 was rounded up to) because sometimes the journey is matters more than your goal. My reading journey was much enjoyable then seeing the story’s conclusion.
I think after reading the story I thought I wanted to spend more time with those characters and made sure they were all right: they already suffered so much and I wished to see their closure.
Let’s take a closer look to blood chilling, terrifying plot line. The story starts 25 years ago on Halloween in Blackhall Manor which turns into a haunted crime scene as a husband massacres his entire family, including his dad and after the carnage he’d created, he takes his own life! The young girl of the family hid in the closet when her father found him to pull the trigger. The last thing she remembered her mother’s pleading voice screaming : “not my little girl”
Now 25 years later, the place is empty but the ghost of young girl’s mother keeps screaming: “not my little girl”! Midnight man is rumored to lurk around the corridors of manor to take the lives who dares to intrude.
There’s already a poem was written about him:
“If you open your door to the Midnight Man,
Hide with a candle wherever you can.
Try not to scream as he draws near,
Because one of you won’t leave here.”
Five girls are invited to play Midnight Game in Blackhall Manor.
Libby thinks this was Angelica who likes to intimidate the four of her friends must be the one who sent the invitations to them.
The rules of the games are clear :
-Rule one: Stain some paper with a drop of your blood
-Rule two: Turn off the lights at midnight, leave the paper at the front door and knock twenty-two times. Open the door. You have invited the Midnight Man in.
-Rule three: Relight the candle. You must avoid the Midnight Man until the 3.33 a.m. If your candle extinguishes , it means the Midnight man is near. If he finds you, you will die.
And actually at the end of the night: one of them couldn’t leave the manor.
After the impactful two events later, we’re introduced officer Sarah who is returning back to her job because of one year long absence of leave. Her colleagues talk behind her back, her superiors walk on eggshells around her. Something so tragic might have happened to her connected with her husband she has ill fated relationship.
She’s sent to take statements of people after Halloween pranks which lead her to talk to two women from her past: her childhood best friend Maggie who is raising her seven years old son Elliot alone after her war hero husband was taken to the hospital for psychiatric care. And Elliot also suffers from nightmares related to Blackhall Manor and Midnight Man which picks Sarah’s interest.
The other woman of her past is Essie who is also dealing with obesity, taken care of by her 25 years old, introvert, counsel games addict son.
When Sarah plans to stay out of trouble, the threat letters she’s gotten forces her to confront with her hidden past. Somebody tries to avenge her by going after five girls who played the midnight game and the person has no intention to stop till she surrenders! Should she sacrifice herself to save the lives of the girls?
What’s the connection of Sarah with this haunted place?
Overall: the characters were multi dimensional and easily relatable. I couldn’t put it down! I love Mitchell’s previous works! But I mostly enjoyed this one! I hope we see Sarah back in near future for another crime mystery! We need more Slayton thrillers!
Special thanks to NetGalley and Embla Books for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
September 7, 2021
An atmospheric read that starts off with a bang!
“If you open your door to the Midnight Man
Hide with a candle wherever you can
Try not to scream as he draws near
Because one of you won’t be leaving here”
The small town of Slayton is rocked to its core when a group of 5 girls go to Blackhall Manor on Halloween night to play the Midnight Game. The game, along with the legend of the Midnight Man, has been around for decades. Unfortunately, one of the girls never makes it home after the Midnight Man actually shows up.
Detective Sarah Noble, having just returned to work after suffering a scandalous loss, knows all about Blackhall Manor and the dangers within the walls. With the help of others, including a sensitive boy who feels things on a deeper level, can she stop the Midnight Man before she herself becomes one of his victims?
This is an enjoyable mystery filled with atmosphere and a sense of dread. There were a few moments of unease as goosebumps appeared on my arms. The characters are all compelling, and it was interesting to see how three seemingly separate POVs came together to solve two different mysteries.
I wasn’t impressed with the revelations towards the end. While they sort of worked, they didn’t seem completely plausible. I felt a bit duped.
Overall, this is an enjoyable and engrossing read that was hard to put down. Perfect for a chilly fall evening (wrapped in a blanket and drinking wine to keep warm...of course), when leaves are falling and jack-o-lanterns line the porch stairs. 🎃🍂
Thank you to Embla Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Expected Publication Date: 10/13/21.
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
“If you open your door to the Midnight Man
Hide with a candle wherever you can
Try not to scream as he draws near
Because one of you won’t be leaving here”
The small town of Slayton is rocked to its core when a group of 5 girls go to Blackhall Manor on Halloween night to play the Midnight Game. The game, along with the legend of the Midnight Man, has been around for decades. Unfortunately, one of the girls never makes it home after the Midnight Man actually shows up.
Detective Sarah Noble, having just returned to work after suffering a scandalous loss, knows all about Blackhall Manor and the dangers within the walls. With the help of others, including a sensitive boy who feels things on a deeper level, can she stop the Midnight Man before she herself becomes one of his victims?
This is an enjoyable mystery filled with atmosphere and a sense of dread. There were a few moments of unease as goosebumps appeared on my arms. The characters are all compelling, and it was interesting to see how three seemingly separate POVs came together to solve two different mysteries.
I wasn’t impressed with the revelations towards the end. While they sort of worked, they didn’t seem completely plausible. I felt a bit duped.
Overall, this is an enjoyable and engrossing read that was hard to put down. Perfect for a chilly fall evening (wrapped in a blanket and drinking wine to keep warm...of course), when leaves are falling and jack-o-lanterns line the porch stairs. 🎃🍂
Thank you to Embla Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Expected Publication Date: 10/13/21.
Review also posted at: https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com
May 19, 2022
Blackhall Manor has a dark past, and it sits on a hill in Slayton, abandoned. Teenagers gather in the empty, rat infested halls to pay The Midnight Game. Five teenage girls play the game, calling The Midnight Man to appear. Only four live to tell the tale.
I disliked Sarah, intensely. The whole book, she was crying or being someone's doormat. I was screaming for her to get a backbone halfway through the book. The entire reveal was trash. The person who it was, and the reason why, is just dumb. The only reason I gave it three stars was because of Elliot. Scrappy little dude won my heart.
I disliked Sarah, intensely. The whole book, she was crying or being someone's doormat. I was screaming for her to get a backbone halfway through the book. The entire reveal was trash. The person who it was, and the reason why, is just dumb. The only reason I gave it three stars was because of Elliot. Scrappy little dude won my heart.
October 4, 2021
I liked the premise and had high hopes. I'm definitely in the minority so please read other reviews as well to decide whether you want to read this. This just wasn't for me.
This is my first time where a book has actually gotten on my nerves and I found a few parts hard to read. I don’t normally DNF but I wish I had.
1 Liner Summary: Detective Sarah investigates a murder case where only 4 out of the 5 girls who had played the Midnight Man game (like Bloody Mary) in the Black Manor returned, forcing Sarah to revisit and confront her traumisiting past.
Read this if you like: Mystery, thriller, crime, detective, spooky, multiple 3rd person point of views.
What I Didn’t Enjoy.
• This book started off with a bang but I didn’t feel the impact. Since it was only chapter 1 I wanted to give the book a chance but it never recovered for me. Perhaps it was the writing, it felt quite simple, straightforward and surface level so I could never engage or connect with any characters. The parts that should’ve invoked some sort of reaction or emotion, had no impact on me (or maybe I just have a heart of stone haha).
• We were in 4 different points of views and except for the Midnight man chapters, the rest did not have a distinct voice. Other than Sarah, I didn’t feel like each of them added significantly to the story. The whole book could have been from Sarah’s point of view.
• There was so much mystery around Sarah’s past and yet the reveal about her partner and this mysterious incident was extremely anticlimactic. They were mentioned very briefly in conversations as if I was telling you about my bad day yesterday and then brushed under the rug never to be revisited again. It felt insignificant when in fact, they were extremely traumatic events!
• There was little set up around the midnight man game and the Blackhall Manor. It didn’t feel dark, creepy or haunted. We were told a bit of history and then I had to simply accept it.
• There was a lot of meandering around. In between the major events, I don’t remember much of the actual investigation, it felt like a lot of fillers. I was skimming the book pretty fast and by the time the twist came I had already lost all interest and just wanted to get it done. The identity of the Midnight man and his obsession was really random and didn’t make much sense to me.
Cringeworthy and what got on my nerves:
The Midnight Man and office dialogue was cringey and hard to read.
• The Midnight man sounded like a sassy teenager dishing out some lame comebacks. When the identity was revealed and why, it feels even more ridiculous because the tone was very very young and immature.
• The police workplace scenes were essentially petty and immature school yard drama. The protagonist didn’t grow from it and I didn’t feel touched when they slowly accepted her. It was completely unnecessary and wouldn’t have made a difference to the story if they had welcomed Sarah back with open arms.
It actually got on my nerves because it was outright bullying and for no good reason. The protagonist - Sarah had gone on sick leave for her mental health due to a traumatic incident. When she returned to work everyone treated her like crap, threw her under the bus where possible, gave her the less desirable tasks, gossipped and left her out. Initially, we were led to believe it was because they were blaming her for the incident (even then it doesn’t justify their behaviour), but it turned out they were angry because she took sick leave for a long time and therefore couldn’t backfill her role so everyone had to take on extra workload. I have no words. There simply wasn't enough world building of the workplace such as detail about the characters or impacts to make it feel realistic to me.
Here are some example dialogue that raised an eyebrow (These are adults talking):
“Slayton's biggest loser cop”
"I don't think you’re ready to play the Midnight Game yet, are you? Have you figured out who I am? No. Of course you haven’t. You’re not really cut out for policing, are you, Sarah? If incompetence was a sport, you’d come in first every time.”
“But then, you have a forgettable face. Your clothes blend in...even your house feels like its hiding”
“Shouldn’t you be going home, Ms Part-Timer? The grown-ups have work to do”
Many thanks to NetGalley and Emblabooks for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
This is my first time where a book has actually gotten on my nerves and I found a few parts hard to read. I don’t normally DNF but I wish I had.
1 Liner Summary: Detective Sarah investigates a murder case where only 4 out of the 5 girls who had played the Midnight Man game (like Bloody Mary) in the Black Manor returned, forcing Sarah to revisit and confront her traumisiting past.
Read this if you like: Mystery, thriller, crime, detective, spooky, multiple 3rd person point of views.
What I Didn’t Enjoy.
• This book started off with a bang but I didn’t feel the impact. Since it was only chapter 1 I wanted to give the book a chance but it never recovered for me. Perhaps it was the writing, it felt quite simple, straightforward and surface level so I could never engage or connect with any characters. The parts that should’ve invoked some sort of reaction or emotion, had no impact on me (or maybe I just have a heart of stone haha).
• We were in 4 different points of views and except for the Midnight man chapters, the rest did not have a distinct voice. Other than Sarah, I didn’t feel like each of them added significantly to the story. The whole book could have been from Sarah’s point of view.
• There was so much mystery around Sarah’s past and yet the reveal about her partner and this mysterious incident was extremely anticlimactic. They were mentioned very briefly in conversations as if I was telling you about my bad day yesterday and then brushed under the rug never to be revisited again. It felt insignificant when in fact, they were extremely traumatic events!
• There was little set up around the midnight man game and the Blackhall Manor. It didn’t feel dark, creepy or haunted. We were told a bit of history and then I had to simply accept it.
• There was a lot of meandering around. In between the major events, I don’t remember much of the actual investigation, it felt like a lot of fillers. I was skimming the book pretty fast and by the time the twist came I had already lost all interest and just wanted to get it done. The identity of the Midnight man and his obsession was really random and didn’t make much sense to me.
Cringeworthy and what got on my nerves:
The Midnight Man and office dialogue was cringey and hard to read.
• The Midnight man sounded like a sassy teenager dishing out some lame comebacks. When the identity was revealed and why, it feels even more ridiculous because the tone was very very young and immature.
• The police workplace scenes were essentially petty and immature school yard drama. The protagonist didn’t grow from it and I didn’t feel touched when they slowly accepted her. It was completely unnecessary and wouldn’t have made a difference to the story if they had welcomed Sarah back with open arms.
It actually got on my nerves because it was outright bullying and for no good reason. The protagonist - Sarah had gone on sick leave for her mental health due to a traumatic incident. When she returned to work everyone treated her like crap, threw her under the bus where possible, gave her the less desirable tasks, gossipped and left her out. Initially, we were led to believe it was because they were blaming her for the incident (even then it doesn’t justify their behaviour), but it turned out they were angry because she took sick leave for a long time and therefore couldn’t backfill her role so everyone had to take on extra workload. I have no words. There simply wasn't enough world building of the workplace such as detail about the characters or impacts to make it feel realistic to me.
Here are some example dialogue that raised an eyebrow (These are adults talking):
“Slayton's biggest loser cop”
"I don't think you’re ready to play the Midnight Game yet, are you? Have you figured out who I am? No. Of course you haven’t. You’re not really cut out for policing, are you, Sarah? If incompetence was a sport, you’d come in first every time.”
“But then, you have a forgettable face. Your clothes blend in...even your house feels like its hiding”
“Shouldn’t you be going home, Ms Part-Timer? The grown-ups have work to do”
Many thanks to NetGalley and Emblabooks for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
December 4, 2024
So creepy all the stars for this one don’t read with the lights off! 😱
November 9, 2021
This is the first fictional audiobook I’ve read and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
The Midnight Man follows the residents of Slayton after 5 teenage girls play the midnight game and one goes missing. Sarah has to work to try and track down the culprit by looking into the past.
It’s very rare that I’m shocked by a thriller at this point. But this one was definitely able to shock me! It actually took me a while to fully wrap my head around the twists. This was great to listen to during October, it had a great spooky vibe. However, this did reduce a little after the first chapter (which I really loved).
It’s possible that I may have enjoyed this more if I had read the physical book. I’m still new to audiobooks and did find I kept drifting off and then struggled to follow what was happening. That being said, I thought the narrators and finished production were excellent. I admit I did find one of the final twists hard to get my head around, I’m not sure if that was because of the format, but I’m still trying to fit the pieces together in my head. I will definitely be grabbing future books in this series!
I would recommend this audiobook to thriller/mystery lovers! I want to thank Tandem Collective, Embla books, Bonnier books and Caroline Mitchell for allowing me to listen to a copy of this audiobook and give my personal thoughts.
The Midnight Man follows the residents of Slayton after 5 teenage girls play the midnight game and one goes missing. Sarah has to work to try and track down the culprit by looking into the past.
It’s very rare that I’m shocked by a thriller at this point. But this one was definitely able to shock me! It actually took me a while to fully wrap my head around the twists. This was great to listen to during October, it had a great spooky vibe. However, this did reduce a little after the first chapter (which I really loved).
It’s possible that I may have enjoyed this more if I had read the physical book. I’m still new to audiobooks and did find I kept drifting off and then struggled to follow what was happening. That being said, I thought the narrators and finished production were excellent. I admit I did find one of the final twists hard to get my head around, I’m not sure if that was because of the format, but I’m still trying to fit the pieces together in my head. I will definitely be grabbing future books in this series!
I would recommend this audiobook to thriller/mystery lovers! I want to thank Tandem Collective, Embla books, Bonnier books and Caroline Mitchell for allowing me to listen to a copy of this audiobook and give my personal thoughts.
October 26, 2021
'If you open your door to the Midnight Man,
Hide with a candle wherever you can.
Try not to scream as he draws near,
Because one of you won’t be leaving here…'
The Midnight Game has become a tradition for teenagers to play at Halloween in the small town of Slayton. A select group is ‘invited’ to play by sneaking into a creepy, derelict house before midnight and follow a set of instructions to invite in the Midnight Man on the stroke of midnight. Each player then lights candle so they can explore the house, but if the candle goes out it means the Midnight Man is near and one of you could die.
You are cordially invited to play the Midnight Game
Blackhall Manor, 31st October 2019 00:00
If you tell you’ll go to hell
In 2019, five teenage schoolgirls receive this invitation to play the Midnight Game. But only four of them will go home again.
Detective Sarah Noble, just returned to work after a year’s leave, has been assigned a desk job to ease her back in to work. The rest of the team are less than welcoming, resenting her for being away for so long and are reluctant to involve her in the investigation of the missing girl. However, unknown to them, Sarah knows more about Blackhall Manor than anyone else in Slayton. She knows what happened there twenty-five years ago on Halloween and why the house has never been lived in since. It’s something she’s been trying to forget all her life but now she’ll have to face her worst nightmares if the Midnight Man is to be stopped.
This atmospheric, suspenseful novel is a combination of police thriller and horror story with a touch of the supernatural. It’s an intense and spine chilling read that will hook you in and compel you to keep reading. Blackhall Manor is the perfect gloomy ruined mansion for the creepy game the teens play. Like every small town Slayton has its secrets and its odd characters like Christian, at the beck and call of his obese mother when he’d rather be in his room gaming, and Elliot the psychic young boy who has nightmares about the Midnight Man.
While the build-up of the plot was terrific with plenty of spookiness and some nail-biting moments, the ending felt somewhat contrived. The revelations suddenly came a bit too fast without enough prior lead in and the appearance of a new character could have been better foreshadowed. However, the journey was still well worth the ride, especially if you enjoy the thrills of a good horror story. Perfect for reading at Halloween or on a cold, dark winter’s night.
With thanks to Embla Books and Netgalley for a copy to read. Publication 13th October 2021.
Original review first published in Mystery and Suspense Magazine https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/th...
Hide with a candle wherever you can.
Try not to scream as he draws near,
Because one of you won’t be leaving here…'
The Midnight Game has become a tradition for teenagers to play at Halloween in the small town of Slayton. A select group is ‘invited’ to play by sneaking into a creepy, derelict house before midnight and follow a set of instructions to invite in the Midnight Man on the stroke of midnight. Each player then lights candle so they can explore the house, but if the candle goes out it means the Midnight Man is near and one of you could die.
You are cordially invited to play the Midnight Game
Blackhall Manor, 31st October 2019 00:00
If you tell you’ll go to hell
In 2019, five teenage schoolgirls receive this invitation to play the Midnight Game. But only four of them will go home again.
Detective Sarah Noble, just returned to work after a year’s leave, has been assigned a desk job to ease her back in to work. The rest of the team are less than welcoming, resenting her for being away for so long and are reluctant to involve her in the investigation of the missing girl. However, unknown to them, Sarah knows more about Blackhall Manor than anyone else in Slayton. She knows what happened there twenty-five years ago on Halloween and why the house has never been lived in since. It’s something she’s been trying to forget all her life but now she’ll have to face her worst nightmares if the Midnight Man is to be stopped.
This atmospheric, suspenseful novel is a combination of police thriller and horror story with a touch of the supernatural. It’s an intense and spine chilling read that will hook you in and compel you to keep reading. Blackhall Manor is the perfect gloomy ruined mansion for the creepy game the teens play. Like every small town Slayton has its secrets and its odd characters like Christian, at the beck and call of his obese mother when he’d rather be in his room gaming, and Elliot the psychic young boy who has nightmares about the Midnight Man.
While the build-up of the plot was terrific with plenty of spookiness and some nail-biting moments, the ending felt somewhat contrived. The revelations suddenly came a bit too fast without enough prior lead in and the appearance of a new character could have been better foreshadowed. However, the journey was still well worth the ride, especially if you enjoy the thrills of a good horror story. Perfect for reading at Halloween or on a cold, dark winter’s night.
With thanks to Embla Books and Netgalley for a copy to read. Publication 13th October 2021.
Original review first published in Mystery and Suspense Magazine https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/th...
October 19, 2021
Halloween Night - Slayton
Five girls go to Blackhall Manor (Yes! The Blackhall Manor!) to play the midnight game. They write their names on paper, soak it in their blood and knock (not three times) twenty-two times - thus, inviting in the Midnight Man!
"If you open your door to the Midnight Man, Hide with a candle whenever you can. Try not to scream as he draws near, because one of you won't be leaving here..."
Remember, he is not Candyman - he is the midnight man. Five entered the Manor - only four will go home! Some game, huh?
Detective Sarah Noble has just returned to the force, and she knows a very painful thing or two about Blackhall Manor. This new case will not be a welcomed blast from the past. In fact, it is going to be a nightmare!
Intriguing, dark, atmospheric, and deadly. This is the beginning to the Slayton Thrillers and what a first installment! I enjoyed this intriguing and tension filled book. It kept me on my toes, guessing and doing my own detective work. I was way off with my guess and though the reveal was a little out of left field, I didn't mind it too much. I hope future books dive a little more into Sarah's past and her character is fleshed out a little more. There were times when I read this that I felt as if I had missed something. But I have a feeling the next book will fill in some gaps and dazzle me even more.
Enjoyably dark and sinister.
Thank you to Embla books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
Five girls go to Blackhall Manor (Yes! The Blackhall Manor!) to play the midnight game. They write their names on paper, soak it in their blood and knock (not three times) twenty-two times - thus, inviting in the Midnight Man!
"If you open your door to the Midnight Man, Hide with a candle whenever you can. Try not to scream as he draws near, because one of you won't be leaving here..."
Remember, he is not Candyman - he is the midnight man. Five entered the Manor - only four will go home! Some game, huh?
Detective Sarah Noble has just returned to the force, and she knows a very painful thing or two about Blackhall Manor. This new case will not be a welcomed blast from the past. In fact, it is going to be a nightmare!
Intriguing, dark, atmospheric, and deadly. This is the beginning to the Slayton Thrillers and what a first installment! I enjoyed this intriguing and tension filled book. It kept me on my toes, guessing and doing my own detective work. I was way off with my guess and though the reveal was a little out of left field, I didn't mind it too much. I hope future books dive a little more into Sarah's past and her character is fleshed out a little more. There were times when I read this that I felt as if I had missed something. But I have a feeling the next book will fill in some gaps and dazzle me even more.
Enjoyably dark and sinister.
Thank you to Embla books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
July 21, 2022
This audiobook was amazing-full cast narration + creepy sound effects! It was a bit like watching a horror movie but without my eyes if that makes sense?
January 19, 2022
3.5 Stars
Despite not being as suspenseful as I would have liked it was still an entertaining book. I like multi POVs in this genre as Readers get pieces of the story from different points of view and get to work out how they all connect. That being said, the ending was a bit out of left field for me but in a 'that was weird' way, not 'Oooooo, dang I did not see that coming!' way. I quite liked the main character and it was a good set up for book 2. I look forward to seeing where this series goes.
CW:
Despite not being as suspenseful as I would have liked it was still an entertaining book. I like multi POVs in this genre as Readers get pieces of the story from different points of view and get to work out how they all connect. That being said, the ending was a bit out of left field for me but in a 'that was weird' way, not 'Oooooo, dang I did not see that coming!' way. I quite liked the main character and it was a good set up for book 2. I look forward to seeing where this series goes.
CW:
September 7, 2021
Another excellent book by the talented author Caroline Mitchell. Every book she writes is of a consistently high standard and this standalone is no different.
It’s Halloween night in Slayton and five girls go to Blackhall Manor to play the Midnight Game. They write their names on a piece of paper and prick their fingers to soak it in blood. At exactly midnight they knock on the door twenty-two times – they have invited the Midnight Man in. What was thought of as a game turns out to be far more serious when only four girls come home. Detective Sarah Noble has just returned to the force, and no one knows more about Blackhall Manor than her. It’s a case that will take Sarah back to everything she’s been running from, and shake her to the core.
This is a real page turner, good characters, well written and an exciting plot make this a read you will struggle to put down. Just what we have come to expect from author Caroline Mitchell.
I would like to thank both Net Galley and Embla books for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
It’s Halloween night in Slayton and five girls go to Blackhall Manor to play the Midnight Game. They write their names on a piece of paper and prick their fingers to soak it in blood. At exactly midnight they knock on the door twenty-two times – they have invited the Midnight Man in. What was thought of as a game turns out to be far more serious when only four girls come home. Detective Sarah Noble has just returned to the force, and no one knows more about Blackhall Manor than her. It’s a case that will take Sarah back to everything she’s been running from, and shake her to the core.
This is a real page turner, good characters, well written and an exciting plot make this a read you will struggle to put down. Just what we have come to expect from author Caroline Mitchell.
I would like to thank both Net Galley and Embla books for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
September 20, 2021
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: October 13, 2021
“If you open your door to the Midnight Man, hide with a candle wherever you can. Try not to scream as he draws near, because one of you won't be leaving here...” begins the urban legend of “The Midnight Man”. For years, young people have participated in the game, gathering together in vacant buildings and calling on the Midnight Man, who, if he finds you, will gut you and display your insides. When a new group of children try out the game at Blackhall Manor, an abandoned home in Slayton, things immediately go wrong as one-by-one, the participants start to vanish. Sarah Noble is back on the job as a detective, after taking a leave, and only she knows how dangerous Blackhall Manor can be; after all, her entire family was killed within its walls. Sarah must use her knowledge of Blackhall Manor even though her history with the house has been a well-kept secret, to find the missing girls before they turn up dead.
Caroline Mitchell’s newest novel, “The Midnight Man” is a haunting and terrifying story of an urban legend come to life. Similar to “The Whisper Man” with a little bit of “The Amityville Horror”, Mitchell’s “Midnight Man” is the perfect freaky fall read.
Although Mitchell has many novels under her belt, I have only read those that belong in her murder mystery Ruby Preston series (which I also thoroughly enjoyed). “Midnight Man” has some police procedural components to its plot as well, yet Mitchell takes it one step farther, combining all of her talents into one creepy thriller.
Mitchell’s characters are all equally suspicious and likable, and the “Midnight Man” himself is completely unexpected, bringing a shocking final twist to the satisfyingly delicious ending.
The novel is told from varying perspectives of characters in the novel; Sarah, of course, but also a few more of Slayton’s key players. I thoroughly enjoyed being able to see the plot from varying angles, and this writing style only added to the “who-dunnit” part of the story.
I adore urban legend stories, and I’m so glad that Mitchell chose to share “The Midnight Man”. It has all the elements of a horror novel, mixed with a detective story and just a little snippet of the paranormal. A hands-down success for Mitchell!
Expected publication date: October 13, 2021
“If you open your door to the Midnight Man, hide with a candle wherever you can. Try not to scream as he draws near, because one of you won't be leaving here...” begins the urban legend of “The Midnight Man”. For years, young people have participated in the game, gathering together in vacant buildings and calling on the Midnight Man, who, if he finds you, will gut you and display your insides. When a new group of children try out the game at Blackhall Manor, an abandoned home in Slayton, things immediately go wrong as one-by-one, the participants start to vanish. Sarah Noble is back on the job as a detective, after taking a leave, and only she knows how dangerous Blackhall Manor can be; after all, her entire family was killed within its walls. Sarah must use her knowledge of Blackhall Manor even though her history with the house has been a well-kept secret, to find the missing girls before they turn up dead.
Caroline Mitchell’s newest novel, “The Midnight Man” is a haunting and terrifying story of an urban legend come to life. Similar to “The Whisper Man” with a little bit of “The Amityville Horror”, Mitchell’s “Midnight Man” is the perfect freaky fall read.
Although Mitchell has many novels under her belt, I have only read those that belong in her murder mystery Ruby Preston series (which I also thoroughly enjoyed). “Midnight Man” has some police procedural components to its plot as well, yet Mitchell takes it one step farther, combining all of her talents into one creepy thriller.
Mitchell’s characters are all equally suspicious and likable, and the “Midnight Man” himself is completely unexpected, bringing a shocking final twist to the satisfyingly delicious ending.
The novel is told from varying perspectives of characters in the novel; Sarah, of course, but also a few more of Slayton’s key players. I thoroughly enjoyed being able to see the plot from varying angles, and this writing style only added to the “who-dunnit” part of the story.
I adore urban legend stories, and I’m so glad that Mitchell chose to share “The Midnight Man”. It has all the elements of a horror novel, mixed with a detective story and just a little snippet of the paranormal. A hands-down success for Mitchell!
December 2, 2021
with all its chilling vibes and halloween
atmosphere I feared the solution for the
mystery might be a supernatural one - but
no, the horror here is much more complex
than that, and its reasons most human. ♡
atmosphere I feared the solution for the
mystery might be a supernatural one - but
no, the horror here is much more complex
than that, and its reasons most human. ♡
October 29, 2021
Omg!!!!! One of the best mystery thrillers I’ve read this year! A must read!
December 19, 2022
RTC but another ending flop!
February 5, 2022
This was an interesting little thriller with a compelling detective, a house haunted by past tragedy, a creepy children’s game (a la Slender Man), and a decades-old murder mystery with a tiny supernatural flair.
Sarah is a police detective investigating a missing girl when suddenly the case comes up connected to the town’s scariest “haunted house,” Blackhall Manor. Sarah is not particularly keen to investigate the Manor because years before, as a child, she was the only survivor of a mass murder of her family in that house. But now it seems a supernatural (?) character called the Midnight Man is leading kids to their deaths inside the dilapidated home. While investigating the new series of crimes, the murder Sarah survived is called into question and Sarah wonders for the first time if the wrong person was blamed for the murders and the attack she survived.
I thought this was a nicely written and suspenseful thriller that moved at a quick pace and kept me engaged and interested. Sarah was a great heroine and her backstory was well-developed and interesting. While I had a bone or two to pick with one of the ending twists, I did think the book was well-executed, scary, original, and well worth my reading time. 3.75 stars and I’ll read this author’s next thriller for sure!
Thanks to Embla Books and NetGalley for this nice and spooky little thriller! This would be a great story for Halloween.
Sarah is a police detective investigating a missing girl when suddenly the case comes up connected to the town’s scariest “haunted house,” Blackhall Manor. Sarah is not particularly keen to investigate the Manor because years before, as a child, she was the only survivor of a mass murder of her family in that house. But now it seems a supernatural (?) character called the Midnight Man is leading kids to their deaths inside the dilapidated home. While investigating the new series of crimes, the murder Sarah survived is called into question and Sarah wonders for the first time if the wrong person was blamed for the murders and the attack she survived.
I thought this was a nicely written and suspenseful thriller that moved at a quick pace and kept me engaged and interested. Sarah was a great heroine and her backstory was well-developed and interesting. While I had a bone or two to pick with one of the ending twists, I did think the book was well-executed, scary, original, and well worth my reading time. 3.75 stars and I’ll read this author’s next thriller for sure!
Thanks to Embla Books and NetGalley for this nice and spooky little thriller! This would be a great story for Halloween.
June 15, 2022
THE MIDNIGHT MAN is book 1 in the chilling Slayton Thrillers by bestselling author Caroline Mitchell.
The books in the Slayton Thriller Series Include:
1. The Midnight Man (2021)
2. The Night Whispers (2022)
This is my review of The Midnight Man.
On Halloween, Nigel Middleton loaded his gun and shot his parents, wife and two children in Blackhall Manor in the small community of Slayton. He then took his own life.
Thirty years later on Halloween night, five teenager girls break into the abandoned manor to play the midnight game. They write their names on a piece of paper and prick their fingers to soak it in blood. At exactly midnight they knock on the door twenty-two times - they have invited the Midnight Man in.
It was supposed to be a game, but only four girls come home… thirteen-year-old Angelica Lawson disappears. Nobody knows what happened. Nobody except seven-year-old Elliot. But nobody wants to listen to him. ‘The Midnight Man is coming… and soon he will strike again.’
Detective Sarah Noble has just returned to the force, and no one knows more about Blackhall Manor than her. It's a case that will take Sarah back to everything she's been running from.
And as more teenagers start to go missing, Sarah realizes there is a killer on the loose.
Who is the Midnight Man?
This well written page turner, compelling plot and good engaging characters, make this a read you will struggle to put down… a perfect read for Halloween. Another winner from author Caroline Mitchell!
Many thanks to the author and Amazon Prime for my digital copy.
The books in the Slayton Thriller Series Include:
1. The Midnight Man (2021)
2. The Night Whispers (2022)
This is my review of The Midnight Man.
On Halloween, Nigel Middleton loaded his gun and shot his parents, wife and two children in Blackhall Manor in the small community of Slayton. He then took his own life.
Thirty years later on Halloween night, five teenager girls break into the abandoned manor to play the midnight game. They write their names on a piece of paper and prick their fingers to soak it in blood. At exactly midnight they knock on the door twenty-two times - they have invited the Midnight Man in.
It was supposed to be a game, but only four girls come home… thirteen-year-old Angelica Lawson disappears. Nobody knows what happened. Nobody except seven-year-old Elliot. But nobody wants to listen to him. ‘The Midnight Man is coming… and soon he will strike again.’
Detective Sarah Noble has just returned to the force, and no one knows more about Blackhall Manor than her. It's a case that will take Sarah back to everything she's been running from.
And as more teenagers start to go missing, Sarah realizes there is a killer on the loose.
Who is the Midnight Man?
This well written page turner, compelling plot and good engaging characters, make this a read you will struggle to put down… a perfect read for Halloween. Another winner from author Caroline Mitchell!
Many thanks to the author and Amazon Prime for my digital copy.
October 13, 2021
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publishers for an ARC, in exchange for an honest review.
I had high hopes for this book the premise was enticing and sounded a bit spooky. Slightly different to some of the other books I have read and loved by this author. It starts off with a great prologue that really made me feel intrigued to read on. However it became a bit of a mundane supernatural thriller, albeit with few thrills.
Fortunately, this was a fairly easy read so didn’t take too much time to read, fairly simple and the basic plot was confusing. But I didn’t really relate to any of the character’s. Could do with a bit more detail in the back story of the main character. ⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀
Overall not a bad book, but not a great one either. Will definitely read more by this author in her usual genre
I had high hopes for this book the premise was enticing and sounded a bit spooky. Slightly different to some of the other books I have read and loved by this author. It starts off with a great prologue that really made me feel intrigued to read on. However it became a bit of a mundane supernatural thriller, albeit with few thrills.
Fortunately, this was a fairly easy read so didn’t take too much time to read, fairly simple and the basic plot was confusing. But I didn’t really relate to any of the character’s. Could do with a bit more detail in the back story of the main character. ⠀⠀
⠀⠀⠀⠀
Overall not a bad book, but not a great one either. Will definitely read more by this author in her usual genre
October 5, 2025
#1 The Midnight Man - ★★★★
#2 Untitled - To be read
The Midnight Man is the first ever book I’ve read by Caroline Mitchell, and I am now a huge fan! The Midnight Man is the first book in the Slayton Thrillers Series, and I will keep my eyes peeled for the second one, whilst exploring the other books Caroline has written in the meantime!
Synopsis:
From number one bestselling author Caroline Mitchell, comes the first chilling Slayton thriller for fans of C. J. Tudor and Stephen King.
If you open your door to the Midnight Man, hide with a candle wherever you can. Try not to scream as he draws near, because one of you won’t be leaving here…
On Halloween night in Slayton, five girls go to Blackhall Manor to play the Midnight Game. They write their names on a piece of paper and prick their fingers to soak it in blood. At exactly midnight they knock on the door twenty-two times – they have invited the Midnight Man in.
It was supposed to be a game, but only four girls come home.
Detective Sarah Noble has just returned to the force, and no one knows more about Blackhall Manor than her. It’s a case that will take Sarah back to everything she’s been running from, and shake her to the core.
Will she be ready to meet the Midnight Man?
My Thoughts:
Listening to The Midnight Man by Caroline Mitchell was such an adventure!
The Midnight Man is an action packed book that keeps you hooked and keeps you guessing until the very end. Even though I’ve read many mysteries in an audiobook format, this one managed to grip me from the first minute. The music at the beginning gave me goosebumps and set the mood for the book. And the narrators did their job perfectly well. Very interestingly, there was always a certain suspense in their voices, in the way they said things, in the anticipation of a very unsettling moment. Especially those suspenseful parts…
I liked the mystery side of it, and I was intrigued the whole way through. I especially liked the hidden mystery aspect and the connection of different people – it made me suspect everyone and everything. We are led on a path to believe a few different theories. We have the Haunted House, the game this person is playing. But we also have a few people that are newly involved, as well as some people who have been haunted by it for a long time. This mixture added greatly to the intensity of the story, and I did enjoy its culmination, although it was a little bit predictable for me, especially in the few chapters leading to the end.
The Midnight Man is a very solid mystery novel, especially for the spooky season. And if you choose the audiobook, I promise you there won’t be any regret. It adds a little bit of that pumpkin spice mystery taste to it.
Wishlist | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Ko-fi
#2 Untitled - To be read
The Midnight Man is the first ever book I’ve read by Caroline Mitchell, and I am now a huge fan! The Midnight Man is the first book in the Slayton Thrillers Series, and I will keep my eyes peeled for the second one, whilst exploring the other books Caroline has written in the meantime!
Synopsis:
From number one bestselling author Caroline Mitchell, comes the first chilling Slayton thriller for fans of C. J. Tudor and Stephen King.
If you open your door to the Midnight Man, hide with a candle wherever you can. Try not to scream as he draws near, because one of you won’t be leaving here…
On Halloween night in Slayton, five girls go to Blackhall Manor to play the Midnight Game. They write their names on a piece of paper and prick their fingers to soak it in blood. At exactly midnight they knock on the door twenty-two times – they have invited the Midnight Man in.
It was supposed to be a game, but only four girls come home.
Detective Sarah Noble has just returned to the force, and no one knows more about Blackhall Manor than her. It’s a case that will take Sarah back to everything she’s been running from, and shake her to the core.
Will she be ready to meet the Midnight Man?
My Thoughts:
Listening to The Midnight Man by Caroline Mitchell was such an adventure!
The Midnight Man is an action packed book that keeps you hooked and keeps you guessing until the very end. Even though I’ve read many mysteries in an audiobook format, this one managed to grip me from the first minute. The music at the beginning gave me goosebumps and set the mood for the book. And the narrators did their job perfectly well. Very interestingly, there was always a certain suspense in their voices, in the way they said things, in the anticipation of a very unsettling moment. Especially those suspenseful parts…
I liked the mystery side of it, and I was intrigued the whole way through. I especially liked the hidden mystery aspect and the connection of different people – it made me suspect everyone and everything. We are led on a path to believe a few different theories. We have the Haunted House, the game this person is playing. But we also have a few people that are newly involved, as well as some people who have been haunted by it for a long time. This mixture added greatly to the intensity of the story, and I did enjoy its culmination, although it was a little bit predictable for me, especially in the few chapters leading to the end.
The Midnight Man is a very solid mystery novel, especially for the spooky season. And if you choose the audiobook, I promise you there won’t be any regret. It adds a little bit of that pumpkin spice mystery taste to it.
Wishlist | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Ko-fi
May 7, 2023
Rounded up to four stars this is a good murder-mystery but not quite a thriller.
The story arc is clear and relatively concise but I’m not a fan of reads that require some suspended logic. There were enough red herrings to keep it going and the story came together in the end. Even though there is enough for a second book, this one tied up neatly.
A book that will suit readers who like Stephen King but not quite as brilliantly told. Halloween vibes, some paranormal aspects and characters with depth.
Will keep reading the series.
The story arc is clear and relatively concise but I’m not a fan of reads that require some suspended logic. There were enough red herrings to keep it going and the story came together in the end. Even though there is enough for a second book, this one tied up neatly.
A book that will suit readers who like Stephen King but not quite as brilliantly told. Halloween vibes, some paranormal aspects and characters with depth.
Will keep reading the series.
September 1, 2023
Het middernachtspel van Caroline Mitchell trok al eerder mijn aandacht op Goodreads, door de felle blauwe cover en het gruwelijke aspect eraan. De korte inhoud leek me wel wat en ik was dan ook verheugd toen ik het plots ook in het Nederlands aangekondigd zag staan. Snel dus die wishlist op! Toen het boek dan ook al vrij snel in Kobo Plus leesbaar was, kwam het dus al hoog op die te lezen stapel liggen. Het boek las niet altijd even makkelijk voor mij moet ik zeggen en af en toe begonnen er bepaalde stukken wel wat te vervelen. Ik kan er zo niet meteen de vinger op leggen waar dit aan lag, maar misschien had ik er toch meer van verwacht als het aankomt op gruwelijk, spannend en bibberend op je stoel zitten. Het was soms misschien wat te braaf. Ook de politieagente die het onderzoek leidt, krijgt een hele hoop verwijten naar haar hoofd geslingerd omdat ze een tijdlang op ziekteverlof is moeten gaan. Collega’s nemen dat haar kwalijk en de sfeer op kantoor is dus echt verziekt. Sommigen gingen daarin wel heel ver en dat was pijnlijk om te lezen. Ook het spookhuis dat in de achterflap heel mysterieus en gevaarlijk overkwam, viel wat tegen en kon wat meer uitgewerkt worden. Het verhaal zelf zat wel goed in elkaar verder, maar bovenstaande punten waren dus wel storend en vergruisden een beetje het leesplezier. Toch was het leuk om te raden naar ‘the Midnight man’ en blijkbaar is er dus nog een 2e deel – De nachtfluisteraars- uitgekomen. Dat is eveneens al te lezen in Kobo Plus, maar wat mij betreft zal het nu dus iets minder hoog op mijn stapeltje komen. Het middernachtspel kan rekenen op 3.5 sterren.
https://elinevandm.wordpress.com/2023...
https://elinevandm.wordpress.com/2023...
September 3, 2021
Nail biting stuff from beginning to end in that good ole inimitable British crime drama way.
A great read = 4 stars ⭐️
January 23, 2022
3.5 stars, rounded up. The first half of this was 4 and the second half was more around 3. Nothing that surprising here. Pretty atmospheric and creepy initially.
October 12, 2021
The Midnight Man is a gritty, enthralling and compulsively readable second instalment in the Slayton Thrillers series about a crime that happened many decades previously that comes back to haunt the locals. On 31st October as the clock struck midnight, Nigel Middleton loaded his gun and shot his parents, wife and two children in Blackhall Manor in the small community of Slayton. He then took his own life. Thirty years later on Halloween night, some teenagers break into the abandoned manor to play the midnight game. But things take a devastating turn when thirteen-year-old Angelica Lawson disappears. Nobody knows what happened. Nobody except seven-year-old Elliot. But nobody wants to listen to the creepy little kid from the poor part of town. Across the neighbourhood, Sarah Noble lives a lonely existence. Shunned by the community for crimes committed by her husband, Sarah recognises an outsider when she sees one. So when Elliot whispers ‘The Midnight Man is coming…’ into her ear, she takes him seriously. The words echo in Sarah’s consciousness, a shiver driving its way up her spine.
And as more teenagers start to go missing, Sarah realises there is a killer on the loose. Who or what has brought a murderer to their door? Some games should never be played. Because the Midnight Man is coming… And soon he will strike again. This is a compelling and absorbing continuation of the series in which Mitchell has penned another cracking thriller with all the drama, peril, twists and red herrings needed to keep even the most demanding of crime readers chilled and entertained. It's chock full of mystery and gritty darkness as well as having that eerie autumn evening atmosphere that is perfect for the spooky season when the nights are drawing in exponentially. It moves at a brisk pace and features a cast of characters that engage you from the start, and the grisly murders we're certainly a little more gruesome and brutal than we are used to with Mitchell, which I didn't mind at all. It's a spine chilling and intensely creepy read from start to finish with supernatural elements to it and a terrifying and truly vice-like opening that grips you fully. The dread seeps through the pages from the moment you start to read and never subsides. Highly recommended.
And as more teenagers start to go missing, Sarah realises there is a killer on the loose. Who or what has brought a murderer to their door? Some games should never be played. Because the Midnight Man is coming… And soon he will strike again. This is a compelling and absorbing continuation of the series in which Mitchell has penned another cracking thriller with all the drama, peril, twists and red herrings needed to keep even the most demanding of crime readers chilled and entertained. It's chock full of mystery and gritty darkness as well as having that eerie autumn evening atmosphere that is perfect for the spooky season when the nights are drawing in exponentially. It moves at a brisk pace and features a cast of characters that engage you from the start, and the grisly murders we're certainly a little more gruesome and brutal than we are used to with Mitchell, which I didn't mind at all. It's a spine chilling and intensely creepy read from start to finish with supernatural elements to it and a terrifying and truly vice-like opening that grips you fully. The dread seeps through the pages from the moment you start to read and never subsides. Highly recommended.
October 13, 2021
Twenty-five years ago, shot and killed his wife, their two children and then turned the gun on himself. The large house they lived in still stands and has become one of those places that kids like to visit on Halloween.
Five teenage girls brave visiting the Blackhall Manor to play the Midnight Game. They write their names on a piece of paper and prick their fingers to soak it in blood. At exactly midnight they knock on the door twenty-two times - they have invited the Midnight Man in.
But only four girls return that night.
Detective Sarah Noble has just returned to the police force, having been gone for a year due to personal issues. She's only working limited hours, taking witness statements for various police reports received. She knows more about Blackhall Manor than anyone ... but then Sarah harbors a secret... and this case will take Sarah to places in her head she just doesn't want to go.
Who is the Midnight Man? And what does he ultimately want?
This is a well-thought out plot with an intriguing story line. There are several elements that are compelling, even riveting. Elements of a haunted house mystery, a bit of crime fiction, a little of the paranormal... makes this the perfect read for Halloween. There is a cat.. but not a black one. No witches, goblins, etc ... just pure suspense from start to finish.
Many thanks to the author / Embla Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of this paranormal suspense. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Five teenage girls brave visiting the Blackhall Manor to play the Midnight Game. They write their names on a piece of paper and prick their fingers to soak it in blood. At exactly midnight they knock on the door twenty-two times - they have invited the Midnight Man in.
But only four girls return that night.
Detective Sarah Noble has just returned to the police force, having been gone for a year due to personal issues. She's only working limited hours, taking witness statements for various police reports received. She knows more about Blackhall Manor than anyone ... but then Sarah harbors a secret... and this case will take Sarah to places in her head she just doesn't want to go.
Who is the Midnight Man? And what does he ultimately want?
This is a well-thought out plot with an intriguing story line. There are several elements that are compelling, even riveting. Elements of a haunted house mystery, a bit of crime fiction, a little of the paranormal... makes this the perfect read for Halloween. There is a cat.. but not a black one. No witches, goblins, etc ... just pure suspense from start to finish.
Many thanks to the author / Embla Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of this paranormal suspense. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
July 20, 2024
*Its all in the Game*
This was a creepy dark tale which centres around Blackhall Manor in Slayton. This is a place which carries a very dark past. Murders that ripped apart the lives of an entire family.
The whole town knows about the tragedy and the history of the house. That being said the Midnight Game as they call it continues… five girls break into the house thinking how fun it would be to play the game …..
The girls arrive as a quintet and leave as a quartet.
In the background we have DC Sarah Noble. She left the area for a while and as she returns soon discovers that you can leave Slayton but, the past has a habit of rearing its ugly head.
Blackhall manor is a place of trepidation for Sarah and it is a place she never wants to return to.
She has a case which involves the manor and she is carrying a dark past that only one or two people know about.
Now, she has to face her worst fear as a young child is dreaming about things that are happening in Slayton. There are glimmers of the film ‘The Sixth Sense’ …..
There is a constant sense of foreboding throughout most of the book, I suggest that you add the audio for this really adds to the book.
This was a creepy dark tale which centres around Blackhall Manor in Slayton. This is a place which carries a very dark past. Murders that ripped apart the lives of an entire family.
The whole town knows about the tragedy and the history of the house. That being said the Midnight Game as they call it continues… five girls break into the house thinking how fun it would be to play the game …..
The girls arrive as a quintet and leave as a quartet.
In the background we have DC Sarah Noble. She left the area for a while and as she returns soon discovers that you can leave Slayton but, the past has a habit of rearing its ugly head.
Blackhall manor is a place of trepidation for Sarah and it is a place she never wants to return to.
She has a case which involves the manor and she is carrying a dark past that only one or two people know about.
Now, she has to face her worst fear as a young child is dreaming about things that are happening in Slayton. There are glimmers of the film ‘The Sixth Sense’ …..
There is a constant sense of foreboding throughout most of the book, I suggest that you add the audio for this really adds to the book.
September 16, 2021
I had such a high hopes for this book. The premise was such an intriguing one and I was hooked from the opening lines. With such a shocking start to the novel, I fully expected the book to take me on a tense journey. The first 50% of the book continued to intrigue me, I was hanging on each page, looking for clues and was shocked by a very early twist that I did not see coming. The dark gothic atmosphere was perfectly done and I was fully immersed in the gritty world.
However, it all went downhill after the halfway mark. I began to get bored in the second half of the book and concerned that the plot wasn't going anywhere good. I found myself reading purely to finish the book, rather than being genuinely interested in what was to come. As for the ending, I was so disappointed. For me, the murderer's reasons for their actions made absolutely no sense and included some bad mental health representation. This was a particularly disappointing read because the beginning started off so strong.
However, it all went downhill after the halfway mark. I began to get bored in the second half of the book and concerned that the plot wasn't going anywhere good. I found myself reading purely to finish the book, rather than being genuinely interested in what was to come. As for the ending, I was so disappointed. For me, the murderer's reasons for their actions made absolutely no sense and included some bad mental health representation. This was a particularly disappointing read because the beginning started off so strong.
July 23, 2022
3.4 🏡
Not grejt not teribl
Ako je ikad prevedu svrstala bih je u akciju '3 za 999'
Okej za pročitati, okej i ako se ne pročita.
Čitala bih nastavke...nekad.
Not grejt not teribl
Ako je ikad prevedu svrstala bih je u akciju '3 za 999'
Okej za pročitati, okej i ako se ne pročita.
Čitala bih nastavke...nekad.
January 15, 2022
The Midnight Man is one of those stories that make you feel everything. The intensity of the story, the victims whose fear is so palpable that it’s jumping from the pages, a book that makes you feel so intensely you feel like you’ve gone three rounds with Mike Tyson.
The town of Slayton has been rocked to its core once again when 5 girls play the midnight game in notorious Blackhall Manor. I say again because over twenty years ago the community was in mourning after the murder/suicide of the Middleton family. Grandparents, two children, and mother were murdered before the father finally turned the gun on himself after the bloody rampage. The game has been around since then, but this group of girls decides that Halloween is a great time to play the game. Unfortunately, one girl doesn’t make it home, Angelica, who is the daughter of a local property developer and a community hero.
Sarah Noble is taking a tentative step back to work after a period of poor mental health. She had previously worked under her husband, David but some scandal had broken out (you find out later what kind of scandal and you can then piece together the awkward working conditions). She doesn’t get fanfare when she returns, and her Sergeant has more than a few words for Sarah to digest. I enjoyed getting to know Sarah and Noble in all her problems and difficulties. She’s not perfect, the aftermath of her illness is a struggling woman. Making her way back to the police is like treading through muddy water. She doesn’t have it easy, but I admire her strength to regain her sense of self back.
When it is reported that Angelica is missing, Sarah knows this case will blow up considering her father’s standing in the community. Sarah gets reacquainted with her old friend, Maggie, and discovers that her son, Elliot seems to have some psychic ability. She’s dubious at first but as she learns more about Elliot, she begins to trust his sensitive abilities.
Reminded me of The Candyman by Clive Barker in its sinister depravity. The spiral of events sucks the characters into a whirlpool of fear and emotive anguish. The cast is explosive and team that with a murder case that is both complex and personal and you have an instant winner.
“If you open your door to the Midnight Man,
Hide with a candle wherever you can.
Try not to scream as he draws near,
Because one of you won’t leave here.”
The rules of the games are simple:
–Rule one: Stain some paper with a drop of your blood
–Rule two: Turn off the lights at midnight, leave the paper at the front door, and knock twenty-two times. Open the door. You have invited the Midnight Man in.
–Rule three: Relight the candle. You must avoid the Midnight Man until 3.33 a.m. If your candle extinguishes, it means the Midnight man is near. If he finds you, you will die.
The Midnight Man is bristling with tension and accomplishes what it set out to do an account of survival. Caroline Mitchell knows how to lead you down an abandoned track only to jump out at you and stop your heart with her twists and turns
The town of Slayton has been rocked to its core once again when 5 girls play the midnight game in notorious Blackhall Manor. I say again because over twenty years ago the community was in mourning after the murder/suicide of the Middleton family. Grandparents, two children, and mother were murdered before the father finally turned the gun on himself after the bloody rampage. The game has been around since then, but this group of girls decides that Halloween is a great time to play the game. Unfortunately, one girl doesn’t make it home, Angelica, who is the daughter of a local property developer and a community hero.
Sarah Noble is taking a tentative step back to work after a period of poor mental health. She had previously worked under her husband, David but some scandal had broken out (you find out later what kind of scandal and you can then piece together the awkward working conditions). She doesn’t get fanfare when she returns, and her Sergeant has more than a few words for Sarah to digest. I enjoyed getting to know Sarah and Noble in all her problems and difficulties. She’s not perfect, the aftermath of her illness is a struggling woman. Making her way back to the police is like treading through muddy water. She doesn’t have it easy, but I admire her strength to regain her sense of self back.
When it is reported that Angelica is missing, Sarah knows this case will blow up considering her father’s standing in the community. Sarah gets reacquainted with her old friend, Maggie, and discovers that her son, Elliot seems to have some psychic ability. She’s dubious at first but as she learns more about Elliot, she begins to trust his sensitive abilities.
Reminded me of The Candyman by Clive Barker in its sinister depravity. The spiral of events sucks the characters into a whirlpool of fear and emotive anguish. The cast is explosive and team that with a murder case that is both complex and personal and you have an instant winner.
“If you open your door to the Midnight Man,
Hide with a candle wherever you can.
Try not to scream as he draws near,
Because one of you won’t leave here.”
The rules of the games are simple:
–Rule one: Stain some paper with a drop of your blood
–Rule two: Turn off the lights at midnight, leave the paper at the front door, and knock twenty-two times. Open the door. You have invited the Midnight Man in.
–Rule three: Relight the candle. You must avoid the Midnight Man until 3.33 a.m. If your candle extinguishes, it means the Midnight man is near. If he finds you, you will die.
The Midnight Man is bristling with tension and accomplishes what it set out to do an account of survival. Caroline Mitchell knows how to lead you down an abandoned track only to jump out at you and stop your heart with her twists and turns
September 14, 2024
Audio - 4.5 Stars
Story - 4.25 Stars
Story - 4.25 Stars
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