Middle of the Night

A suburban kidnapping, spooky woods, and childhood trauma make this one of Riley Sager’s best.

Ethan returns to his childhood home where, 30 years earlier, his best friend disappeared from a backyard campout. Remembering the details of that night and processing his survivor's guilt turn out to be the least of Ethan's worries while he wonders who, or what, is hiding in the woods behind his house. For fans of Meddling Kids by Edgar Cantero or Stand by Me, this archetypal mystery has the perfect touch of nostalgia.