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Jack Quick #2
Either Side of Midnight: Jack Quick, Book 2
One million witnesses. One impossible murder.
An electrifying thriller with a mind-bending one million viewers witness a popular TV presenter commit suicide live on air - yet his twin brother is convinced it was murder.
How can it be murder when the victim pulled the trigger?
At 9.01 p.m., TV presenter Sam Midford delivers the monologue for his popular current affairs show Mr Midnight. He seems nervous, and the crew is convinced he’s about to propose to his girlfriend live on air. Instead, he pulls out a gun and shoots himself in the head.
Sam’s grief-stricken brother, Harry, is convinced his brother was murdered. But how can that be, when one million viewers witnessed Sam pull the trigger? Only Jack Quick, a disgraced television producer in the last days of a prison sentence, is desperate enough to take Harry’s money to investigate.
But as Jack starts digging, he finds a mystery more complex than he first assumed. And if he’s not careful, he'll find out firsthand that there’s more than one way to kill someone....
Either Side of Midnight is a stand-alone novel featuring Jack Quick.
An electrifying thriller with a mind-bending one million viewers witness a popular TV presenter commit suicide live on air - yet his twin brother is convinced it was murder.
How can it be murder when the victim pulled the trigger?
At 9.01 p.m., TV presenter Sam Midford delivers the monologue for his popular current affairs show Mr Midnight. He seems nervous, and the crew is convinced he’s about to propose to his girlfriend live on air. Instead, he pulls out a gun and shoots himself in the head.
Sam’s grief-stricken brother, Harry, is convinced his brother was murdered. But how can that be, when one million viewers witnessed Sam pull the trigger? Only Jack Quick, a disgraced television producer in the last days of a prison sentence, is desperate enough to take Harry’s money to investigate.
But as Jack starts digging, he finds a mystery more complex than he first assumed. And if he’s not careful, he'll find out firsthand that there’s more than one way to kill someone....
Either Side of Midnight is a stand-alone novel featuring Jack Quick.
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First published September 1, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 180 reviews
June 22, 2021
Jack Quick, introduced in the first book in this series, Greenlight, was the producer of a popular true crime podcast until he was jailed for perverting the course of justice. Newly released he finds himself hired by Harry Midford whose twin brother Sam has just shockingly committed suicide on live TV in front of a million viewers.
The Midnight twins, Sam and Harry, born on either side of midnight started off as a duo act on TV shows, but then Sam was asked to host a talk show on his own, going on to become a popular presenter. Harry is not convinced that Sam would willingly commit suicide and feels he was somehow pressured into doing so, which is why he wants Jack to look into Sam’s death. Although Jack is sceptical, he badly needs the fee Harry is offering.
There is an overarching theme of suicide by coercion in the novel, as Jack cites cases he has heard of, as well as a locked room mystery. Jack’s character as an investigator, who does whatever it takes to get at the truth, was well established in the previous book and he remains true to character here. He is still damaged, battling his demons (his 'soldiers') and his guilt about his brother’s accident, but there is hope that he is starting to deal with those issues. I did feel that the other characters, Harry, Sam and Beth could have done with a bit more depth to get a better sense of their personalities. This was certainly an original premise for a thriller and made for an intriguing plot with quite a few false leads and a very imaginative climax that will stick in my mind for some time. I hope we get to meet up with Jack again in the future.
The Midnight twins, Sam and Harry, born on either side of midnight started off as a duo act on TV shows, but then Sam was asked to host a talk show on his own, going on to become a popular presenter. Harry is not convinced that Sam would willingly commit suicide and feels he was somehow pressured into doing so, which is why he wants Jack to look into Sam’s death. Although Jack is sceptical, he badly needs the fee Harry is offering.
There is an overarching theme of suicide by coercion in the novel, as Jack cites cases he has heard of, as well as a locked room mystery. Jack’s character as an investigator, who does whatever it takes to get at the truth, was well established in the previous book and he remains true to character here. He is still damaged, battling his demons (his 'soldiers') and his guilt about his brother’s accident, but there is hope that he is starting to deal with those issues. I did feel that the other characters, Harry, Sam and Beth could have done with a bit more depth to get a better sense of their personalities. This was certainly an original premise for a thriller and made for an intriguing plot with quite a few false leads and a very imaginative climax that will stick in my mind for some time. I hope we get to meet up with Jack again in the future.
August 8, 2020
I absolutely loved Greenlight, the first book featuring Jack Quick. When I heard that Benjamin Stevenson had another book coming out I was excited to read it. And Either Side of Midnight was everything I hoped for, in fact I think that I enjoyed it even more.
Crime books are definitely one of my favourite genres to read and when it is written by an Aussie even better. And set in Sydney, my hometown! I spent a rainy Saturday reading it, start to finish. It was really hard to put it down.
Sam Midford is a talk show host on one of Australia's highest rating shows. So when he shoots himself on live TV, millions of people are witness. Surely it is suicide. But Sam's estranged, twin brother Harry is not convinced and enlisted Jack Quick to help him investigate. Jack is skeptical at first, I mean could it really be murder?
Jack is a damaged man, dealing with his own demons and he just wants to make some money. But the more they look, the more he starts to believe Harry . But can they prove it? Who wanted Sam dead and why? And how did they do it.
This is a clever and twisty case that will keep you guessing until the end. A fantastic and original story.
Thanks to Penguin Books Australia for my advanced copy of this book to read.
Crime books are definitely one of my favourite genres to read and when it is written by an Aussie even better. And set in Sydney, my hometown! I spent a rainy Saturday reading it, start to finish. It was really hard to put it down.
Sam Midford is a talk show host on one of Australia's highest rating shows. So when he shoots himself on live TV, millions of people are witness. Surely it is suicide. But Sam's estranged, twin brother Harry is not convinced and enlisted Jack Quick to help him investigate. Jack is skeptical at first, I mean could it really be murder?
Jack is a damaged man, dealing with his own demons and he just wants to make some money. But the more they look, the more he starts to believe Harry . But can they prove it? Who wanted Sam dead and why? And how did they do it.
This is a clever and twisty case that will keep you guessing until the end. A fantastic and original story.
Thanks to Penguin Books Australia for my advanced copy of this book to read.
September 1, 2020
Either Side of Midnight explores the concept of murder by suggestion, using media and live television as a platform. For the most part, this works pretty well and despite the conforming subject nature the plot is engaging with a core mystery reigning supreme; what seems straight forward is anything but.
However, the pace and engagement didn’t hold throughout the duration of book. For me, I failed to make any real connection with the characters; Sam and Harry felt two dimensional, as did Sam’s wife and his co-workers while Jack Quick, the lead character from Greenlight came across as a stock standard mainstream crime fiction protagonist on the hunt for the truth (said ‘truth’ was a little underwhelming too).
In any book there’s an element of repetition; rehashing and retelling the story to keep the reader on track, typically presented in the form of a backstory, introspective character narrative, and/or character conversation. Here, Quick’s introspective thoughts were too frequent, the persistent approach to document his inner workings as he conversed with himself to ultimately set out a new course of investigation led to distraction and didn’t really add any value to the story. Whilst there is room for this in the book, the sheer amount here felt like filler content and did little to progress the story.
I must admit I had high hopes for Either Side of Midnight given how good Greenlight was, and whilst I enjoyed the concept of this book, the execution was a little off for me.
I want to thank the publisher for providing me a copy for review.
However, the pace and engagement didn’t hold throughout the duration of book. For me, I failed to make any real connection with the characters; Sam and Harry felt two dimensional, as did Sam’s wife and his co-workers while Jack Quick, the lead character from Greenlight came across as a stock standard mainstream crime fiction protagonist on the hunt for the truth (said ‘truth’ was a little underwhelming too).
In any book there’s an element of repetition; rehashing and retelling the story to keep the reader on track, typically presented in the form of a backstory, introspective character narrative, and/or character conversation. Here, Quick’s introspective thoughts were too frequent, the persistent approach to document his inner workings as he conversed with himself to ultimately set out a new course of investigation led to distraction and didn’t really add any value to the story. Whilst there is room for this in the book, the sheer amount here felt like filler content and did little to progress the story.
I must admit I had high hopes for Either Side of Midnight given how good Greenlight was, and whilst I enjoyed the concept of this book, the execution was a little off for me.
I want to thank the publisher for providing me a copy for review.
September 23, 2020
Another enjoyable crime thriller by Benjamin Stevenson, with his second book in the Jack Quinn series. A murder investigation in what is an obvious suicide, makes for an intriguing mystery to solve. Fans of his previous Greenlight will know the backstory with this second installment taking up some months later. It is recommended to read it prior to starting this latest Jack Quinn investigation. A successful follow and I look for to another chapter in this fine Australian crime drama - rating 5 stars.
August 24, 2020
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
#Better Reading Preview Title
Benjamin Stevenson is an award winning stand-up comedian who has successfully made the transition to crime writing, thanks to his first novel, Greenlight, which was shortlisted for a coveted Ned Kelly Award. Either Side of Midnight is the sequel to Stevenson’s 2018 debut, but it can be read as a standalone release. This latest Australian based crime novel from Benjamin Stevenson is the compelling story of a murder mystery masked as a standard suicide. A complex case involving twins, a television presenter and a connected second murder, ensures that the reader is kept on their toes from start to finish. Stevenson also intersperses the main narrative crux with a glimpse into the personal life of his lead investigator, which adds an extra edge to this pacy crime thriller offering. Stevenson pulls out all the stops in his second novel, which ensnares the reader in plenty of speculation, theories, diversions, ambiguity, blockages and cat and mouse games. The audience is never sure who to trust, or what to believe in this unrelenting crime novel. It is wicked race to the conclusion, which is spread over six thrilling parts, each building carefully on the other in an urgent race to close this investigation.
*Thanks is extended to Better Reading/Penguin Books Australia for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
#Better Reading Preview Title
Benjamin Stevenson is an award winning stand-up comedian who has successfully made the transition to crime writing, thanks to his first novel, Greenlight, which was shortlisted for a coveted Ned Kelly Award. Either Side of Midnight is the sequel to Stevenson’s 2018 debut, but it can be read as a standalone release. This latest Australian based crime novel from Benjamin Stevenson is the compelling story of a murder mystery masked as a standard suicide. A complex case involving twins, a television presenter and a connected second murder, ensures that the reader is kept on their toes from start to finish. Stevenson also intersperses the main narrative crux with a glimpse into the personal life of his lead investigator, which adds an extra edge to this pacy crime thriller offering. Stevenson pulls out all the stops in his second novel, which ensnares the reader in plenty of speculation, theories, diversions, ambiguity, blockages and cat and mouse games. The audience is never sure who to trust, or what to believe in this unrelenting crime novel. It is wicked race to the conclusion, which is spread over six thrilling parts, each building carefully on the other in an urgent race to close this investigation.
*Thanks is extended to Better Reading/Penguin Books Australia for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
September 1, 2020
I enjoyed this one, this is the second book from this Australian Author and my first read from him.
Interesting premise to this crime novel. Set in Sydney, popular late-night Television presenter Sam Midford is preparing for just another live broadcast. The Crew are taking bets "will he, or won't he?" speculation is rife that Sam will propose live on air to his long-term girlfriend sitting at home waiting for the show to air.
3,2,1 we are live.... Sam radiates charisma, he delivers another great show, as he’s wrapping up, the crew tense it looks like he’s about to propose .....instead he pulls out a gun and shoots himself in the head live on air. BAM! Yep I know….
Enter Jack Quick……he’s commission by Harry Midford (Sams Twin Brother) he is adamant his brother was murdered and wants Jack to investigate. Jack has a troubled past with his own problems, he thinks it’s a clear-cut suicide, I mean it was live on TV he shot himself.
He needs the money and accepts…. I found this book engaging, it kept me guessing and questioning characters, if you enjoy crime mysteries give this book a go.
I gave this book 3.5 stars. Thank you to Penguin Random House Australia and Benjamin Stevenson for my copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Interesting premise to this crime novel. Set in Sydney, popular late-night Television presenter Sam Midford is preparing for just another live broadcast. The Crew are taking bets "will he, or won't he?" speculation is rife that Sam will propose live on air to his long-term girlfriend sitting at home waiting for the show to air.
3,2,1 we are live.... Sam radiates charisma, he delivers another great show, as he’s wrapping up, the crew tense it looks like he’s about to propose .....instead he pulls out a gun and shoots himself in the head live on air. BAM! Yep I know….
Enter Jack Quick……he’s commission by Harry Midford (Sams Twin Brother) he is adamant his brother was murdered and wants Jack to investigate. Jack has a troubled past with his own problems, he thinks it’s a clear-cut suicide, I mean it was live on TV he shot himself.
He needs the money and accepts…. I found this book engaging, it kept me guessing and questioning characters, if you enjoy crime mysteries give this book a go.
I gave this book 3.5 stars. Thank you to Penguin Random House Australia and Benjamin Stevenson for my copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
July 10, 2021
The plot is confrontingly original!
Sam Midford is a top-rated Aussie talk show host on one of the highest rating shows. As the crew wraps another episode, they are betting he will propose, but instead, he pulls out a gun and shoots himself on live TV, which millions of people witness. Suicide. But Sam's estranged twin brother Harry (they were born either side of midnight) is not convinced it is suicide. Enter Jack Quick (who really needs the money) to investigate. All three men are very interesting characters and easy to relate to.
The main characters have all been damaged by life, and they are dealing with their demons amid the tragedy. The author had me tooing and froing between the highly plausible options for Sam's death.
This is a very clever plot that was convincingly written, and it had me guessing until the end. A really original premise.
(I had not read the first book in the series and did not feel I needed to understand this one; however, it is no on my TBR List)
Sam Midford is a top-rated Aussie talk show host on one of the highest rating shows. As the crew wraps another episode, they are betting he will propose, but instead, he pulls out a gun and shoots himself on live TV, which millions of people witness. Suicide. But Sam's estranged twin brother Harry (they were born either side of midnight) is not convinced it is suicide. Enter Jack Quick (who really needs the money) to investigate. All three men are very interesting characters and easy to relate to.
The main characters have all been damaged by life, and they are dealing with their demons amid the tragedy. The author had me tooing and froing between the highly plausible options for Sam's death.
This is a very clever plot that was convincingly written, and it had me guessing until the end. A really original premise.
(I had not read the first book in the series and did not feel I needed to understand this one; however, it is no on my TBR List)
September 12, 2020
“How can it be murder when the victim pulled the trigger?”
I somehow overlooked Benjamin Stevenson’s debut novel, Greenlight, shortlisted for the Ned Kelly Award for Best Debut Crime Fiction in 2018, which introduces true crime documentary producer, Jack Quick, but i was intrigued by the premise of Either Side of Midnight, and assured it could stand on its own.
It seems events in Greenlight didn’t go particularly well for Jack Quick. When he is introduced in Either Side of Midnight, Jack is in prison on multiple charges related to perverting the course of justice. Just before his release, he is visited by the identical twin brother of a TV presenter who had recently shot himself live on air. Despite the suicide being witnessed by millions of viewers, Harry Midford is convinced his brother was murdered, and offers Jack a substantial sum to prove it. Jack, who has his issues with his own brother, reluctantly agrees to investigate and begins by poking around the studio where ‘Mr Midnight’ was filmed and Sam killed himself. What he learns piques his interest, and as he digs deeper, Harry’s claim doesn’t seem so outlandish after all.
Inspired in part by a recent-ish landmark case in the US involving the use, or rather misuse, of technology, Stevenson presents a creative and intriguing plot, with an original twist on the ‘locked room’ mystery. I thought the storyline of Either Side of Midnight was very clever, I generally had no idea how the plot would unravel until the moment Stevenson intended it, with red herrings deftly distracting from the culprit and their motive. The action ramps up as Jack grows closer to understanding why Sam died, culminating in a exciting confrontation.
I do feel that in not having reading Greenlight, I may have missed some of the nuances of Jack’s character. He is certainly an interesting protagonist, with a unique vice. Traditionally male crime solvers tend to be alcoholics, or womanisers, or handy with their fists, or all three, Jack is bulimic. In Jack’s case the eating disorder was triggered in early adolescence by his brother’s accident, and I think the author’s representation of his illness, and his relationship with his brother, is portrayed sensitively.
Though Either Side of Midnight is set on Australia’s east coast, I didn’t think there was really a strong sense of place, which was a tiny bit disappointing.
An entertaining thriller with a complex lead and an original plot, I enjoyed Either Side of Midnight and I’ve added Greenlight to my WTR list.
I somehow overlooked Benjamin Stevenson’s debut novel, Greenlight, shortlisted for the Ned Kelly Award for Best Debut Crime Fiction in 2018, which introduces true crime documentary producer, Jack Quick, but i was intrigued by the premise of Either Side of Midnight, and assured it could stand on its own.
It seems events in Greenlight didn’t go particularly well for Jack Quick. When he is introduced in Either Side of Midnight, Jack is in prison on multiple charges related to perverting the course of justice. Just before his release, he is visited by the identical twin brother of a TV presenter who had recently shot himself live on air. Despite the suicide being witnessed by millions of viewers, Harry Midford is convinced his brother was murdered, and offers Jack a substantial sum to prove it. Jack, who has his issues with his own brother, reluctantly agrees to investigate and begins by poking around the studio where ‘Mr Midnight’ was filmed and Sam killed himself. What he learns piques his interest, and as he digs deeper, Harry’s claim doesn’t seem so outlandish after all.
Inspired in part by a recent-ish landmark case in the US involving the use, or rather misuse, of technology, Stevenson presents a creative and intriguing plot, with an original twist on the ‘locked room’ mystery. I thought the storyline of Either Side of Midnight was very clever, I generally had no idea how the plot would unravel until the moment Stevenson intended it, with red herrings deftly distracting from the culprit and their motive. The action ramps up as Jack grows closer to understanding why Sam died, culminating in a exciting confrontation.
I do feel that in not having reading Greenlight, I may have missed some of the nuances of Jack’s character. He is certainly an interesting protagonist, with a unique vice. Traditionally male crime solvers tend to be alcoholics, or womanisers, or handy with their fists, or all three, Jack is bulimic. In Jack’s case the eating disorder was triggered in early adolescence by his brother’s accident, and I think the author’s representation of his illness, and his relationship with his brother, is portrayed sensitively.
Though Either Side of Midnight is set on Australia’s east coast, I didn’t think there was really a strong sense of place, which was a tiny bit disappointing.
An entertaining thriller with a complex lead and an original plot, I enjoyed Either Side of Midnight and I’ve added Greenlight to my WTR list.
March 5, 2022
I am happy to report I liked this book just as much, maybe even more, than the first in the series, Greenlight, which was for me a 5 star read last year.
Our hero, Jack Quick, is a podcaster who specialises in true crime cold cases. I really don’t want to say too much and spoil anything so I’ll just say the crime he is asked to investigate this time around seems to have been carried out as per the original police report. But, hey, Jack needs the money and is willing to enter into discussions with the victim’s family and friends if it means he gets paid. But then, Jack starts to believe his new client and wonder if he might just be correct and the case is not as cut and dried as the police claim.
I love Jack and his struggles to cope following his brother’s accident. I think on this point at least, it would be beneficial to read the Greenlight first. There’s some details explained again but not in any way as detailed. Jack’s illness is such a unique inclusion; I don’t think I’ve ever read anything in this vein before and I really admire Stevenson for the way he presents it and, also, the very controversial subject of euthanasia.
Last point I need to mention is that Stevenson is a twin in real life and on this aspect he really is an expert and I think this adds authenticity to the plot and characters.
I’m really looking forward to Stevenson’s new book coming out at the end of the month. Easy 5 stars for this one.
Our hero, Jack Quick, is a podcaster who specialises in true crime cold cases. I really don’t want to say too much and spoil anything so I’ll just say the crime he is asked to investigate this time around seems to have been carried out as per the original police report. But, hey, Jack needs the money and is willing to enter into discussions with the victim’s family and friends if it means he gets paid. But then, Jack starts to believe his new client and wonder if he might just be correct and the case is not as cut and dried as the police claim.
I love Jack and his struggles to cope following his brother’s accident. I think on this point at least, it would be beneficial to read the Greenlight first. There’s some details explained again but not in any way as detailed. Jack’s illness is such a unique inclusion; I don’t think I’ve ever read anything in this vein before and I really admire Stevenson for the way he presents it and, also, the very controversial subject of euthanasia.
Last point I need to mention is that Stevenson is a twin in real life and on this aspect he really is an expert and I think this adds authenticity to the plot and characters.
I’m really looking forward to Stevenson’s new book coming out at the end of the month. Easy 5 stars for this one.
September 20, 2020
Brilliant!
Once more I am delighted by the back story – of the film making/tv making process – its so accurate 😊 But there is more to this read that the matter of how tv shows are made; there is a lot of depth to this narrative and the characters and surprising reveals that you will not so coming.
Bulimia takes a leading role in this edition; it was discussed in Greenlight but did not have a starring role as it does here. We really feel the daily struggles, the effect on daily life and on those around the afflicted. Its very eye opening.
This was a fast paced, compelling read. The characters, good and bad are really fleshed out - I particularly liked how all had some redeeming feature, something that showed their humanity, no black and whites here, lots of shades of grey, just like life. One paragraph really stood out for me, it is where a character gives some advice to Jack about dealing with loss, with grief and making peace …it really spoke to me. (no spoilers here).
There is a shout out to social media responsibility/laws etc that flows like a current underneath the main storyline. This too I thought was very enlightening and sad; how easily lives can be influenced and destroyed.
The overall message that I took from this – you don’t always know what is happening with someone from the surface, from the “face” they show to the world. Ask that question – “Are you Ok?”
This is a great crime fiction read, it has so much depth. I look forward to the next book by this author.
Once more I am delighted by the back story – of the film making/tv making process – its so accurate 😊 But there is more to this read that the matter of how tv shows are made; there is a lot of depth to this narrative and the characters and surprising reveals that you will not so coming.
Bulimia takes a leading role in this edition; it was discussed in Greenlight but did not have a starring role as it does here. We really feel the daily struggles, the effect on daily life and on those around the afflicted. Its very eye opening.
This was a fast paced, compelling read. The characters, good and bad are really fleshed out - I particularly liked how all had some redeeming feature, something that showed their humanity, no black and whites here, lots of shades of grey, just like life. One paragraph really stood out for me, it is where a character gives some advice to Jack about dealing with loss, with grief and making peace …it really spoke to me. (no spoilers here).
There is a shout out to social media responsibility/laws etc that flows like a current underneath the main storyline. This too I thought was very enlightening and sad; how easily lives can be influenced and destroyed.
The overall message that I took from this – you don’t always know what is happening with someone from the surface, from the “face” they show to the world. Ask that question – “Are you Ok?”
This is a great crime fiction read, it has so much depth. I look forward to the next book by this author.
April 11, 2020
I received an ARC of this book.
Reminds me of the logic puzzles I did as a kid, those conundrum questions...If a man shoots himself on live tv is it suicide or murder??
The character of Jack, exploring this conundrum (and the ones that follow) is a broken man, trying to do the right for his family. Takes on what he assumes is a tale that won’t end well, only to find unique questions and answers.
It is the tale of two brothers, who haven’t spoke in five years but who still love each other and find ways to do right by each other. It is about young love just as the digital age was being born.
I love that it kept me guessing right up to almost the very end. Great work Benjamin!!!
Reminds me of the logic puzzles I did as a kid, those conundrum questions...If a man shoots himself on live tv is it suicide or murder??
The character of Jack, exploring this conundrum (and the ones that follow) is a broken man, trying to do the right for his family. Takes on what he assumes is a tale that won’t end well, only to find unique questions and answers.
It is the tale of two brothers, who haven’t spoke in five years but who still love each other and find ways to do right by each other. It is about young love just as the digital age was being born.
I love that it kept me guessing right up to almost the very end. Great work Benjamin!!!
May 4, 2023
4.5 stars
First things first ‐
Triggers warning, better skip this book and review if the subject matter is sensitive to you: Suicide, Eating disorders, Decision to withdraw or not from life support, depression
°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°
If the answer’s impossible, the question’s wrong.
Isn't this just a perfect sentence? This book genuinely deserves a 5 star rating just on the basis that it had top notch prose and a totally atmospheric and intriguing detective plot. Personally, however, I did not wholeheartedly love it because the deliberately languid pace weighted heavily on me (almost in a choking way, but then I guess that it was indeed the aim), esp. in the first third of the book. I still have the utmost respect for everything BS poured into this excellent book. Really, it ranks amongst the finest modern thrillers and as a bonus, it promotes thrillers à la Aussie style in a royal way.
Words kill people all the time.
Despite my personal discomfort, the puzzle was so addictive that it kept sucking me deeper into its mystery. When the culprit was revealed, I realised that BS's words totally blindsided me. In fact, at some point, I did ask myself the good questions where it was weird that no one asked or digged into, but the clever narrative casually pushed aside my interrogations and redirected them in the wrong direction. The author is clearly at his best with words, and their power to mislead and threading his chosen themes throughout the book's events. This is specially significant for me because my job involves using the right words, for the right meaning, to the right persons. The power of words and how easy it is to misunderstand their meanings is a RL conundrum that most people never ponder upon. BS does, and did in such a masterful manner. Kudos really BS!
As mentioned above, the subject matter at the heart of this book is very sensitive and explores a social phenomenon that is very disturbing but true. BS approached teenage suicide with no detours but still with sensitivity. The characters of Jack, Harry and Ryan again and again depicted the consequences of the death (or quasi death) of an older sibling on the lives of those who remain behind. Another big related theme was the complex, often excruciatingly silent, relationships between members of a family. Again, the power of words, or the absence of. BS peppered the book with lots of poignant moments, that were not always easy to digest, but which made the book that much more beautiful. It hurt but I loved the scenes between Jack and his father. I also specially loved the Morse revelations that will console Harry. Life is indeed complicated and nothing is neatly white or black.
At the end of the book, there are still unanswered questions, not on the puzzle, but on lives of the flawed characters, namely what will be Jack's decision about Liam. Are we meant to know? Maybe yes, maybe no. If there is a Book 3, maybe there will be an answer. But otherwise, I understand that some things are just private and personal, just like in RL.
Finally, the prose was so specially exquisite and intricate in most pages that I really needed to at least highlight one so that the atmospheric writing of BS might be glimpsed at, and hopefully appreciated:
It was the same white-painted weatherboard-slatted build as those along the beach, but while those were wind-whipped and paint-peeled, this was moss-streaked and water-stained. Two-storey, with brown wooden roof-tiles nailed down like scales. Rope swing out the front, a red plastic kayak on the lawn. It wasn’t luxury, but it was peaceful. In TV land, this was the type of place that a high-powered advertising executive inherits from her dead father – Jack could see her walking up the drive, flicking her heels at every wet leaf that papier-mâchéd itself to her feet – and decides to fix up, learning about small-town friendships and love along the way.
P.S. I love the book's title to pieces, it was really so perfect!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2020
Benjamin Stevenson's first book featuring documentary maker Jack Quick was a revelation, particularly when considered again, in hindsight, from the viewpoint of the second novel in the series. Quoting from my own review of GREENLIGHT at the time:
Hinted at by me then, but discussed more succinctly by fellow AustCrime contributor Andrea Thompson is the central character of Jack Quick:
Those mental health issues are explored more in EITHER SIDE OF MIDNIGHT, from multiple perspectives, and it's the realisation that this is what's occurring that made this novel a serious page turner.
First assumptions are obviously suicide, but it's Sam's twin brother Harry who is convinced his brother was murdered. Convinced enough to hire now disgraced TV producer Jack Quick to investigate. That investigation is intertwined with the story of two struggling families. The twin brothers (born either side of midnight / hence the title of the novel) who have had a fractious, difficult relationship, in part initially it seems because ... brothers; but something was triggered by an event in their teenage years which has come back to bite them big time in the present. The other family is Jack's own. There's enough in this novel to fill in some of the background to Jack's torment and his mental health and physical challenges, although the extent of the damage is even more understandable if you've read the first novel.
The truth of what happened in that TV studio, and why, goes to human behaviour that's had more attention in recent years, with some high profile cases in real life. Impossible to discuss here without major spoilers, there is a point at which the reader may very well work out the who and why, and even have some insight into the how, but the devastation, and destructive forces unleashed by this behaviour are part of what made this such a page turner.
Along the way there's yet more insight into the damage that unresolved, or unaddressed, mental health issues can cause. It's good to see this approached from a male perspective in this case, but there's plenty here to be learnt about the human condition overall.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...
"There's a something about GREENLIGHT that feels like a non-too-subtle dig at the commercialisation of true crime. There's always been a sub-set of true crime writing that's been about the crims, their exploits, personalities and too big to be believable criminal histories. Ranging from reflective and analytical in style, to tongue in cheek, many books and programs seem to have contributed to the rise of the "celebrity criminal".
It's no surprise then that the rise and rise of the true crime investigative journalist is increasingly leaking over into the crime fiction realm, with GREENLIGHT by debut Australian author Benjamin Stevenson introducing documentary maker Jack Quick doing a major TV program on the murder of Eliza Daley. "
Hinted at by me then, but discussed more succinctly by fellow AustCrime contributor Andrea Thompson is the central character of Jack Quick:
"The mental health issues raised in this novel are not often addressed in fiction in relation to the males of our species. This is quite enlightening to read of, as negotiating your everyday working life around a full blown eating disorder is just another difficulty to your day. Jack’s character and life outside of his career are fully fleshed, and the read is all the better for it."
Those mental health issues are explored more in EITHER SIDE OF MIDNIGHT, from multiple perspectives, and it's the realisation that this is what's occurring that made this novel a serious page turner.
"At 9.01pm, TV presenter Sam Midford delivers the monologue for his popular current affairs show Midnight Tonight. He seems nervous and the crew are convinced he's about to propose to his girlfriend live on air.
Instead he pulls out a gun and shoots himself in the head."
First assumptions are obviously suicide, but it's Sam's twin brother Harry who is convinced his brother was murdered. Convinced enough to hire now disgraced TV producer Jack Quick to investigate. That investigation is intertwined with the story of two struggling families. The twin brothers (born either side of midnight / hence the title of the novel) who have had a fractious, difficult relationship, in part initially it seems because ... brothers; but something was triggered by an event in their teenage years which has come back to bite them big time in the present. The other family is Jack's own. There's enough in this novel to fill in some of the background to Jack's torment and his mental health and physical challenges, although the extent of the damage is even more understandable if you've read the first novel.
The truth of what happened in that TV studio, and why, goes to human behaviour that's had more attention in recent years, with some high profile cases in real life. Impossible to discuss here without major spoilers, there is a point at which the reader may very well work out the who and why, and even have some insight into the how, but the devastation, and destructive forces unleashed by this behaviour are part of what made this such a page turner.
Along the way there's yet more insight into the damage that unresolved, or unaddressed, mental health issues can cause. It's good to see this approached from a male perspective in this case, but there's plenty here to be learnt about the human condition overall.
https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi...
September 7, 2021
Gritty and uncomfortable Either Side of Midnight is guaranteed to make you rethink everything you thought you knew about mental health, holding on to the past or guilt over past actions, and cyber bullying.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 17, 2025
Excellent follow up. Wish there were more Jack Quick books.
July 23, 2023
It took me a bit to get into this coming off a popular murder mystery book series, but I zoomed through it in 4 days! My rating is 3.5! I bought this and green light after being obsessed with everyone in my family has killed someone. This book took a bit to peak my interest, but it had so many twists and turns that it had was enough for me to binge read and find out what happened!!! Happy I read this!
September 16, 2020
http://jessjustreads.com
Australian author Benjamin Stevenson publishes his second crime novel Either Side of Midnight, and it’s another page-turning, fast-paced, high-tension masterpiece. Either Side of Midnight wraps its claws around the reader, drawing them closer with each passing chapter. Readers will have no choice but the ride the rollercoaster of this novel.
Fans of Benjamin’s previous novel, Greenlight, will recognise disgraced TV documentarian Jack Quick as the protagonist. He’s been serving a prison sentence after the events in Greenlight, and when he’s released, he accepts the paid opportunity investigating news anchor Sam Midford’s suicide. Jack is thrust back into the world he’d left behind — another suspicious death, more deceitful suspects, and plenty more complex and complicated truths.
Either Side of Midnight explores the power of technology, and how easily words can influence others. Services aren’t yet equipped to handle criminal cases where technology is used as a weapon.
“Jack hadn’t been prepared enough to come back here. The whole building was triggering. The epileptic rotation of adverts. The rustle of the ground floor. Any of the bathrooms where, sometimes, at ten in the morning, Jack on his knees and a man snorting a line off the basin would lock eyes conspiratorially.”
Once again, we’re thrust back into Jack’s world, quickly remembering what made us like him so much the first time around. He’s flawed, but likeable. Relatable. He’s calculated and intelligent — quick to join the dots in the case. Dialogue is quick and blunt, Benjamin only using as many words as necessary to keep the pacing consistent, to keep the story moving forward.
Chapters end with revelations and unveilings, drawing the reader in and forcing them to keep reading. Benjamin is incredibly talented at dropping hints and clues without the reader feeling like they can guess the ending.
“Harry didn’t know if he slept. The night blurred past, timeless. Some moments he was counting the seconds, and others he seemed to zone out and when he zoned back… was the moon in a different spot? Time must have passed.”
Set in Sydney, an underlying theme is familial loyalty, and processing feelings of regret. Jack is still dealing with an accident from his childhood that left his brother in a permanent vegetive state and entirely reliant on care. Jack’s father has been forced to take on the burden of his son’s care while Jack has been in prison, and Jack feels deep regret.
There isn’t much I can fault with this novel. The cast of characters are three-dimensional and engrossing, the plot feels original and incredibly inviting, and Benjamin has incredible skill crafting scrumptious crime/thriller novels.
“It’s a cliche in film and television to present recent widows as brittle, frail. To have the make-up team use pale foundation, ghost-like, and smear dark circles under their eyes. Every time a widow opens a door in a film, they’ve just finished crying. The message being that, without their husband, they are barely keeping it together.”
Recommended for fans of crime and thriller. Readers don’t need to read Greenlight to understand or follow the events in this new novel — Either Side of Midnight functions as a standalone.
Thank you to the publisher for mailing me a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Australian author Benjamin Stevenson publishes his second crime novel Either Side of Midnight, and it’s another page-turning, fast-paced, high-tension masterpiece. Either Side of Midnight wraps its claws around the reader, drawing them closer with each passing chapter. Readers will have no choice but the ride the rollercoaster of this novel.
Fans of Benjamin’s previous novel, Greenlight, will recognise disgraced TV documentarian Jack Quick as the protagonist. He’s been serving a prison sentence after the events in Greenlight, and when he’s released, he accepts the paid opportunity investigating news anchor Sam Midford’s suicide. Jack is thrust back into the world he’d left behind — another suspicious death, more deceitful suspects, and plenty more complex and complicated truths.
Either Side of Midnight explores the power of technology, and how easily words can influence others. Services aren’t yet equipped to handle criminal cases where technology is used as a weapon.
“Jack hadn’t been prepared enough to come back here. The whole building was triggering. The epileptic rotation of adverts. The rustle of the ground floor. Any of the bathrooms where, sometimes, at ten in the morning, Jack on his knees and a man snorting a line off the basin would lock eyes conspiratorially.”
Once again, we’re thrust back into Jack’s world, quickly remembering what made us like him so much the first time around. He’s flawed, but likeable. Relatable. He’s calculated and intelligent — quick to join the dots in the case. Dialogue is quick and blunt, Benjamin only using as many words as necessary to keep the pacing consistent, to keep the story moving forward.
Chapters end with revelations and unveilings, drawing the reader in and forcing them to keep reading. Benjamin is incredibly talented at dropping hints and clues without the reader feeling like they can guess the ending.
“Harry didn’t know if he slept. The night blurred past, timeless. Some moments he was counting the seconds, and others he seemed to zone out and when he zoned back… was the moon in a different spot? Time must have passed.”
Set in Sydney, an underlying theme is familial loyalty, and processing feelings of regret. Jack is still dealing with an accident from his childhood that left his brother in a permanent vegetive state and entirely reliant on care. Jack’s father has been forced to take on the burden of his son’s care while Jack has been in prison, and Jack feels deep regret.
There isn’t much I can fault with this novel. The cast of characters are three-dimensional and engrossing, the plot feels original and incredibly inviting, and Benjamin has incredible skill crafting scrumptious crime/thriller novels.
“It’s a cliche in film and television to present recent widows as brittle, frail. To have the make-up team use pale foundation, ghost-like, and smear dark circles under their eyes. Every time a widow opens a door in a film, they’ve just finished crying. The message being that, without their husband, they are barely keeping it together.”
Recommended for fans of crime and thriller. Readers don’t need to read Greenlight to understand or follow the events in this new novel — Either Side of Midnight functions as a standalone.
Thank you to the publisher for mailing me a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 5, 2024
Having recently read two other books by this author, I thought I knew what I was in for. I was wrong. This isn't like the others (.'Everyone in my family has killed someone and 'Everyone on this train is a suspect)'
This is much as its 'blurb" describes.
A host of a popular late night chat show kills himself live on air and his twin brother asks Jack Quick to investigate it as a murder.
The book is the second of the series and unusually I have not read the first. If I had I might have been less surprised by the opening location or the frequent reference to Quick's eating disorder.
I think it was a good story as the background was uncovered and the tale was unwrapped. At the end as it was all explained you realised that there were a good many pointers that, I admit, I missed.
Maybe it was because of the way that the story was told by Quick and that was the way the character thought. I regret that I found it difficult to follow sometimes. I also thought that some of his important deductions/conclusions that he came out with seemed to come out of the blue.
I liked the final part and probably because I had no idea who the guilty party was, I didn't forsee it or the excitement it generated.
I'm not sure if Quick's final act in the story was supposed to be one that the reader knew or whether it was supposed to be left open ended. I know what I think.
I am not sure if I will read more from this author although 'Everyone this Christmas has a secret' looks interesting.
This is much as its 'blurb" describes.
A host of a popular late night chat show kills himself live on air and his twin brother asks Jack Quick to investigate it as a murder.
The book is the second of the series and unusually I have not read the first. If I had I might have been less surprised by the opening location or the frequent reference to Quick's eating disorder.
I think it was a good story as the background was uncovered and the tale was unwrapped. At the end as it was all explained you realised that there were a good many pointers that, I admit, I missed.
Maybe it was because of the way that the story was told by Quick and that was the way the character thought. I regret that I found it difficult to follow sometimes. I also thought that some of his important deductions/conclusions that he came out with seemed to come out of the blue.
I liked the final part and probably because I had no idea who the guilty party was, I didn't forsee it or the excitement it generated.
I'm not sure if Quick's final act in the story was supposed to be one that the reader knew or whether it was supposed to be left open ended. I know what I think.
I am not sure if I will read more from this author although 'Everyone this Christmas has a secret' looks interesting.
August 25, 2020
Either Side of Midnight is the second in the Jack Quick series, (assuming Benjamin Stevenson will add more to these fast pased thrilling crime novels) which sees television presenter go from reading the midnight news to committing suicide live on air.
Firstly, this novel does have two triggers in both suicide and eating disorders in men, both very rarely written about, let alone in novels.
If the prologue doesn't reel you into this Australian crime fiction, then the mystery of Mr Sam "Midnight" Midford will when Harry, Sam's brother, hires the recently released from jail, Jack Quick.
Both Quicks' and the Midfords' past and present are told, unlocking clues and twisting into a gripping ending
Firstly, this novel does have two triggers in both suicide and eating disorders in men, both very rarely written about, let alone in novels.
If the prologue doesn't reel you into this Australian crime fiction, then the mystery of Mr Sam "Midnight" Midford will when Harry, Sam's brother, hires the recently released from jail, Jack Quick.
Both Quicks' and the Midfords' past and present are told, unlocking clues and twisting into a gripping ending
May 3, 2021
If this guy keeps it up, he'll be a another Aussie crime/thriller writing star. He'a terrific writer and tells a commercial crime story very well. The only issue I had with this one is the topic of suicide. I'm not big into suicide being used in a plot like this. Michael Connelly nailed it in The Poet, but I think Benjamin Stevenson went too far. It put me off, I'm sure a lot of readers will be put off also, or find it triggering. The suicide death of a guy on tv involves graphic description that was truly unnecessary. Author could have still presented his story without all that gratuitous description. But once I got past those scenes, the novel was an enjoyable read. I'll definitely read more by him,
August 28, 2020
Benjamin Stevenson's second book, Either Side of Midnight again features (former) true-crime documentary-maker Jack Quick which I assumed meant I needed to refamiliarise myself with his character.
Deep diving into our past (mine and Jack's), ie. reading my review of Greenlight, reminded me I really enjoyed the book and found Jack to be a bit of an enigma. However I also discovered I'd cunningly kept spoilers out of my review. Spoilers that obviously included VITAL information about Jack and the events at the end of that book. (Well, shit!)
Thankfully, Stevenson recaps pretty quickly here and I was reminded that, in Jack, we're offered a rare insight into a really fragile and complex male character.
Read my review here: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
Deep diving into our past (mine and Jack's), ie. reading my review of Greenlight, reminded me I really enjoyed the book and found Jack to be a bit of an enigma. However I also discovered I'd cunningly kept spoilers out of my review. Spoilers that obviously included VITAL information about Jack and the events at the end of that book. (Well, shit!)
Thankfully, Stevenson recaps pretty quickly here and I was reminded that, in Jack, we're offered a rare insight into a really fragile and complex male character.
Read my review here: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
January 4, 2024
I didn’t love this nearly as much as Everyone in my Family Has Killed Someone, and Everyone On This Train is a Suspect - but, it’s got a very different tone and it was interesting to see how Benjamin has evolved as a writer. I didn’t find it really grabbed me the way the two later novels did, at times I felt it was a bit of a slog. It certainly wasn’t bad, but probably wouldn’t recommend if you really loved the two more recent books.
January 23, 2025
This books contains lots of suicide content, which is quite uncomfortable. There are some interesting connections between the present and past, and Jack Heath, the podcaster who is released from jail is a curious investigator. The plot feels like it jumps around a lot, and the final Ferris wheel scene is quite disturbing.
January 26, 2021
3.5 disconnected stars, rounded up because it was an easy read. I struggled to engage with the characters - identical twins Harry & Sam (who seemingly commits suicide on live national TV at the beginning of the book), and Jack Quick, who is employed by Harry to investigate Sam's death. Perhaps I should have read "Trust Me When I Lie", which also features Jack Quick first.
March 27, 2025
This was a clever, grounded mystery that doesn’t try too hard—and that’s exactly what makes it work. Stevenson delivers a gripping, realistic plot that kept me engaged without relying on over-the-top twists. A solid 4 stars.
January 21, 2023
I was totally unaware after reading Either Side Of Midnight, that it is actually Book Two in the Jack Quick series. Obviously I need to get my hands on the first book, Green Light as soon as I can. I was ALSO unaware that another book that has been on my TBR list - Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone - was by the same author! SO, it looks as though I have some excellent reading ahead of me if Either Side Of Midnight is anything to go by - thoroughly enjoyed and a pretty original storyline.
May 2, 2024
Good ending!
August 25, 2026
Excellent mystery. Well laid out, regular twists and turns. Very satisfying.
October 12, 2023
Some murder mysteries are cozy, in a train or a manor home, with a sinister butler or a bumbling conductor. Some are fantastical, weaving magic and mystery in a symphony of senses. And some are so damn realistic they hit you like a truck to the chest. Guess which one this was.
May 1, 2025
It’s no secret I love Benjamin Stevenson books and man did this ending ruin me like all the others did. Can’t wait for a new book :)
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