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It Ends at Midnight
It's New Year's Eve, and the stage is set for a lavish party in one of Edinburgh's best postcodes. It's a moment for old friends to set the past to rights - and move on. And yet, the celebration fails to materialize.
Because someone at this party is going to die.
Midnight approaches and the countdown begins…and it seems one of the guests doesn't want a resolution.
They want revenge.
But there are many present at the party who might have reasons for seeking revenge, and just as many who have spent their lives trying to outrun it. So who is the killer, and who is the victim?
Perfect for fans of Gillian Flynn and Lucy Foley, It Ends at Midnight will haunt readers long after its stunning finale as it questions what we are willing to say – and believe – to ensure our own peace of mind.
Because someone at this party is going to die.
Midnight approaches and the countdown begins…and it seems one of the guests doesn't want a resolution.
They want revenge.
But there are many present at the party who might have reasons for seeking revenge, and just as many who have spent their lives trying to outrun it. So who is the killer, and who is the victim?
Perfect for fans of Gillian Flynn and Lucy Foley, It Ends at Midnight will haunt readers long after its stunning finale as it questions what we are willing to say – and believe – to ensure our own peace of mind.
368 pages, Paperback
First published June 11, 2020
760 people are currently reading
27621 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,268 reviews
September 27, 2024
Wow! This is extra intelligent, twisty thriller reading with so many mind games, unreliable- flawed characters! I kept biting my nails as the mystery kept me on my toes! I kept making guesses who the victims were! I found some of the characters not so much trustable: I was mostly right about my gut instincts but I didn’t foresee the bigger surprise at the end!
The ending just made my blood cold! This story is bleak, dark, containing many triggering subjects and so much unexpected twists made your jaw drop! Just expect the unexpected! We have a very smart author who is about pulling the rug out from under you! She’s at least five steps ahead of you!
The story starts at the crime scene: a lavish party of a couple who wanted to renew their vows in front of around twenty guests literally GOES OFF THE RAILS! The party at Regent Terrace during the New Year’s Eve turns into blood bath! Two people find themselves caught on the railings-one doubled over; spikes straight through their guts, the other caught on
their back, arms splayed backward, a spike protruding through their neck.
What went wrong? Who did die?
We move back to get introduced the aspiring solicitor Sylvia who is getting closer to become a judge, taking an important burglary case at junior court.
She starts seeing a hot chef and their relationship is getting more serious. First time in her life she has it all but she doesn’t want to rub it to her best friend Tess’ face as she suffers from marriage problems with her husband Marcus who recently left her.
One night Tess calls her late and they arrange to meet at the bar. But the meeting goes unexpected:Tess pins out of a grenade and throws it on her lap! She’s having a brain tumor, suffering from seizures. She needs support but her husband who rejects to talk to her so she kindly requests Sylvia to give him the news but that’s not the only request Tess asks for.
Yes, if Marcus returns back to their home, she wants to renew their vows at a special gathering. But her last wish is way too much tricky than Sylvia can assist with: Tess and Sylvia had involved in a murder case as witnesses at the court which changed a young girl’s life. Tess wants Sylvia to reconnect with that girl to clear her conscious.
Sylvia already erased those hurtful memories of her past, moving on with her life and her climbing on corporate ladders. She doesn’t want to open the fan of worms that may threaten her rising career!
But Tess keeps pushing her to confront with the skeletons she hid in her closet!
Confronting with the past might be more harmful they can imagine! At the end of the night: two people didn’t get the resolutions they expect. Two people are dead! Who are they? What happened to them?
I loved it! Building tension left me breathless! Definitely my kind of dark mystery I wholeheartedly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
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The ending just made my blood cold! This story is bleak, dark, containing many triggering subjects and so much unexpected twists made your jaw drop! Just expect the unexpected! We have a very smart author who is about pulling the rug out from under you! She’s at least five steps ahead of you!
The story starts at the crime scene: a lavish party of a couple who wanted to renew their vows in front of around twenty guests literally GOES OFF THE RAILS! The party at Regent Terrace during the New Year’s Eve turns into blood bath! Two people find themselves caught on the railings-one doubled over; spikes straight through their guts, the other caught on
their back, arms splayed backward, a spike protruding through their neck.
What went wrong? Who did die?
We move back to get introduced the aspiring solicitor Sylvia who is getting closer to become a judge, taking an important burglary case at junior court.
She starts seeing a hot chef and their relationship is getting more serious. First time in her life she has it all but she doesn’t want to rub it to her best friend Tess’ face as she suffers from marriage problems with her husband Marcus who recently left her.
One night Tess calls her late and they arrange to meet at the bar. But the meeting goes unexpected:Tess pins out of a grenade and throws it on her lap! She’s having a brain tumor, suffering from seizures. She needs support but her husband who rejects to talk to her so she kindly requests Sylvia to give him the news but that’s not the only request Tess asks for.
Yes, if Marcus returns back to their home, she wants to renew their vows at a special gathering. But her last wish is way too much tricky than Sylvia can assist with: Tess and Sylvia had involved in a murder case as witnesses at the court which changed a young girl’s life. Tess wants Sylvia to reconnect with that girl to clear her conscious.
Sylvia already erased those hurtful memories of her past, moving on with her life and her climbing on corporate ladders. She doesn’t want to open the fan of worms that may threaten her rising career!
But Tess keeps pushing her to confront with the skeletons she hid in her closet!
Confronting with the past might be more harmful they can imagine! At the end of the night: two people didn’t get the resolutions they expect. Two people are dead! Who are they? What happened to them?
I loved it! Building tension left me breathless! Definitely my kind of dark mystery I wholeheartedly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
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March 21, 2022
This is the first time I have read Harriet Tyce, this is a dark, atmospheric and well written psychological thriller set in London and Edinburgh revolving around a longstanding toxic friendship between 2 women, Sylvie Monroe and Tess, that goes back to their school days, involving secrets, lies and deception from their past. It is hogmanay in Edinburgh as the novel opens, and there are two bodies impaled on the cast iron railings, bleeding to death, their identities not revealed. We will learn of the circumstances behind these events, and the who, how and why of the macabre deaths in this story that goes back and forth in time. The ambitious barrister, Sylvie, has just tasted a sweet court victory, she is determined to become a Crown Court judge, she is a part time judge in the youth court which she hopes will help her application.
However, her life begins to become derailed when she meets Tess, whose marriage to QC Marcus is in trouble, for drinks. As she becomes drunk, Tess reveals she has what appears to be a terminal brain tumour, discovered after she had experienced some frightening seizures. A shell shocked Sylvie can't believe it, Tess is her closest, oldest and only friend, she cannot bear the thought of losing her. Tess wants her help, to tell Marcus what is happening to her so that he will return to her, to help her arrange a renewal of vows ceremony intending to replicate her original wedding, and to get in touch with a person from their past who was wronged by them to put things right. There is nothing Sylvie will not do for Tess, but her last request is a nightmare that she is unwilling to revisit, particularly as it will threaten her professional career and the future she has dreamed of. However, Tess refused to be denied and matters are exacerbated as Sylvie presides over a trial that brings back echoes of her disturbing past.
Tyce is a talented and gripping storyteller, her portrayal of a unreliable narrator and a toxic friendship is beautifully done and there is plenty of suspense and tension that keeps the reader glued to the pages right up to the concluding finale. For those who have read a lot of psychological thrillers, some of the twists will not come as a surprise, but this did not stop me enjoying this, although there are the occasional jarring moments in the narrative. One of the highlights for me were the level of legal details provided in the court trial, due to Tyce's background in the profession. I am delighted to have discovered this author, and look forward to reading whatever she writes next. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
However, her life begins to become derailed when she meets Tess, whose marriage to QC Marcus is in trouble, for drinks. As she becomes drunk, Tess reveals she has what appears to be a terminal brain tumour, discovered after she had experienced some frightening seizures. A shell shocked Sylvie can't believe it, Tess is her closest, oldest and only friend, she cannot bear the thought of losing her. Tess wants her help, to tell Marcus what is happening to her so that he will return to her, to help her arrange a renewal of vows ceremony intending to replicate her original wedding, and to get in touch with a person from their past who was wronged by them to put things right. There is nothing Sylvie will not do for Tess, but her last request is a nightmare that she is unwilling to revisit, particularly as it will threaten her professional career and the future she has dreamed of. However, Tess refused to be denied and matters are exacerbated as Sylvie presides over a trial that brings back echoes of her disturbing past.
Tyce is a talented and gripping storyteller, her portrayal of a unreliable narrator and a toxic friendship is beautifully done and there is plenty of suspense and tension that keeps the reader glued to the pages right up to the concluding finale. For those who have read a lot of psychological thrillers, some of the twists will not come as a surprise, but this did not stop me enjoying this, although there are the occasional jarring moments in the narrative. One of the highlights for me were the level of legal details provided in the court trial, due to Tyce's background in the profession. I am delighted to have discovered this author, and look forward to reading whatever she writes next. Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
February 15, 2023
Outlier alert! I wanted to like this one, I really did. But the more I read the more I rolled my eyes and got so absolutely annoyed with the characters. I saw where this was going from a mile away and was sad when I was right.
Sylvie is a barrister who has aspirations to be a judge. Her best friend Tess has just been diagnosed with a brain tumor and wants to renew her wedding vows and wants Sylvie to be part of her wedding again. She also wants to the two of them to confront a situation that happened when they were young in school. We know that some deaths have taken place in the present day, and so the narrative looks back in the recent past and in their time in school to piece together the sequence of events.
I didn't like Sylvie. I thought she was in turn overly naïve, overly a doormat, and overly just plain stupid with her choices. For as intelligent as she had to be to do her job, she certainly spent a lot of time making poor choices and acting hysterical and simpering, especially towards Tess. Having a brain tumor doesn't make you queen of the world and Sylvie should have just told Tess firmly "No, I'm not going to do that."
And as I said, I saw the ending "twist" coming from a mile away, and how Sylvie couldn't see it made me do another round of serious eye rolling.
As she is sitting on the bench, presiding over the trial, her mind kept wandering to the past and to other things. I would never have wanted her to be my judge, as little attention as she paid to the proceedings.
Let me not fail to mention the events of the past when they were in school. Where were the parents/guardians? There was a lot of scary stuff going on (drugs, sex, etc) and you would have thought they were much older than 16 for their lack of any sort of supervision.
I generally love a good unreliable narrator story, but this one was just not for me. I listened to the audiobook and I thought the narrators did a great job at keeping me interested and invested in the story. Props to them for one of the best parts of the book.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
Sylvie is a barrister who has aspirations to be a judge. Her best friend Tess has just been diagnosed with a brain tumor and wants to renew her wedding vows and wants Sylvie to be part of her wedding again. She also wants to the two of them to confront a situation that happened when they were young in school. We know that some deaths have taken place in the present day, and so the narrative looks back in the recent past and in their time in school to piece together the sequence of events.
I didn't like Sylvie. I thought she was in turn overly naïve, overly a doormat, and overly just plain stupid with her choices. For as intelligent as she had to be to do her job, she certainly spent a lot of time making poor choices and acting hysterical and simpering, especially towards Tess. Having a brain tumor doesn't make you queen of the world and Sylvie should have just told Tess firmly "No, I'm not going to do that."
And as I said, I saw the ending "twist" coming from a mile away, and how Sylvie couldn't see it made me do another round of serious eye rolling.
As she is sitting on the bench, presiding over the trial, her mind kept wandering to the past and to other things. I would never have wanted her to be my judge, as little attention as she paid to the proceedings.
Let me not fail to mention the events of the past when they were in school. Where were the parents/guardians? There was a lot of scary stuff going on (drugs, sex, etc) and you would have thought they were much older than 16 for their lack of any sort of supervision.
I generally love a good unreliable narrator story, but this one was just not for me. I listened to the audiobook and I thought the narrators did a great job at keeping me interested and invested in the story. Props to them for one of the best parts of the book.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
February 11, 2023
WOWZA!
I could not stop listening to this audiobook! Loved both the narration and the gripping and captivating plot!
Two people were found impaled on a gate after midnight on New Year’s Eve. This book looks back at the events leading up to the bodies being found.
Sylvie Monroe has been friends with Tess since school. Sylvie is a highly motivated barrister who is on her way to becoming a judge. She has worked hard and has always had her eye on the target career wise. She is in a relationship with a man named Gareth and is happy that for once she has chosen a good guy.
Tess and her husband are estranged, and Tess would like to reconnect with him. Over drinks Tess informs Sylvie that she has been diagnosed with a devastating (could be terminal) tumor. Tess asks Sylvie if she will tell her estranged husband, Marcus of her diagnosis. Tess also informs Sylvie that she would them both to right old wrongs which occurred when they were teenagers. Guilt has weighed heavy on both for years, but are both looking for closure?
Holy Moly!
This book is told in two timelines in which readers see the characters in the past and the present. Decisions have consequences. Perception is everything. The truth will set you free, or will it? This was such a hard to put down, perfectly paced and gripping book. I listened to the audiobook and loved the narrator.
This book was a pleasure from beginning to end. I thoroughly enjoyed the courtroom sections, seeing Sylvie at work and getting into her mind. I also enjoyed the red herrings, and I had a few moments where I shook my head at Sylvie for choices she made. Just when I thought I had a handle on things, the author turned the tables on me. I love when this happens.
If you enjoy books with unreliable narrators, toxic friendships, courtroom scenes and a good mystery, this book is for you! I enjoyed how things played out and there was never a dull moment in this book. I found this book to be perfectly paced and well thought out. I can't believe that I have not read a book by Harriet Tyce before, I will be righting that.
I found this to be a well written, brilliant, perfectly paced mystery that I could not get enough of.
Gripping, dark, and engrossing!
4.5 stars
#ItEndsatMidnight #NetGalley #HarrietTyce #HighBridge Audio
Thank you to HighBridge Audio 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
I could not stop listening to this audiobook! Loved both the narration and the gripping and captivating plot!
Two people were found impaled on a gate after midnight on New Year’s Eve. This book looks back at the events leading up to the bodies being found.
Sylvie Monroe has been friends with Tess since school. Sylvie is a highly motivated barrister who is on her way to becoming a judge. She has worked hard and has always had her eye on the target career wise. She is in a relationship with a man named Gareth and is happy that for once she has chosen a good guy.
Tess and her husband are estranged, and Tess would like to reconnect with him. Over drinks Tess informs Sylvie that she has been diagnosed with a devastating (could be terminal) tumor. Tess asks Sylvie if she will tell her estranged husband, Marcus of her diagnosis. Tess also informs Sylvie that she would them both to right old wrongs which occurred when they were teenagers. Guilt has weighed heavy on both for years, but are both looking for closure?
Holy Moly!
This book is told in two timelines in which readers see the characters in the past and the present. Decisions have consequences. Perception is everything. The truth will set you free, or will it? This was such a hard to put down, perfectly paced and gripping book. I listened to the audiobook and loved the narrator.
This book was a pleasure from beginning to end. I thoroughly enjoyed the courtroom sections, seeing Sylvie at work and getting into her mind. I also enjoyed the red herrings, and I had a few moments where I shook my head at Sylvie for choices she made. Just when I thought I had a handle on things, the author turned the tables on me. I love when this happens.
If you enjoy books with unreliable narrators, toxic friendships, courtroom scenes and a good mystery, this book is for you! I enjoyed how things played out and there was never a dull moment in this book. I found this book to be perfectly paced and well thought out. I can't believe that I have not read a book by Harriet Tyce before, I will be righting that.
I found this to be a well written, brilliant, perfectly paced mystery that I could not get enough of.
Gripping, dark, and engrossing!
4.5 stars
#ItEndsatMidnight #NetGalley #HarrietTyce #HighBridge Audio
Thank you to HighBridge Audio 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
December 21, 2021
Ambitious Sylvie wins a court case, her eyes on the prize of becoming a judge; she’s in a relationship with Gareth and it’s going well. Over drinks her old friend Tess reveals she is very ill and asks Sylvie for help in breaking the news to her estranged husband Marcus. Sylvie rallies round but distinctly hesitates when Tess asks for closure on the guilt that has burdened them since their sixth form days in Edinburgh. The countdown to midnight is on and someone will have their revenge as the unwelcome ghosts from the past are back. Told in the present by Sylvie as we head to Hogmanay and from the autumn term of 1989, these sections are vivid as a very unpretty story emerges. Interspersed are sections post midnight that are terrifying and freeze your blood and fill you with a multitude of questions.
Harriet Tyce is a must read author for me as her novels transfix and keep you superglued to the narrative. This is another clever and impossible to put down belter. It’s all about your honour (in more ways than one), reputation and honesty versus regret, guilt, lies, restitution and retribution as timescales collide. Sylvie‘s court case is both fascinating and illuminating as it brings her past into sharper focus. The characterisation is excellent and you make up your mind about the key characters but we’re in for a few unpredictable surprises but it’s very clear that there is much toxicity involved. One character spirals down in the most dramatic of ways as the gods of vengeance descend. As midnight approaches you feel a sense of impending doom and appreciate that your feelings there is something distinctly whiffy at the heart of the drama is right, it’s not just whiffy, it stinks. As the ending approaches I can scarcely breathe, I do guess part but not all by any means and it’s tension and suspense personified as horror unfolds before your eyes.
Overall, yet another outstanding novel from the talented Harriet Tyce. It’s dark, atmospheric, it’s totally messed up and utterly believable. Highly recommended and an easy five star read.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Headline/Wildlife for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
Harriet Tyce is a must read author for me as her novels transfix and keep you superglued to the narrative. This is another clever and impossible to put down belter. It’s all about your honour (in more ways than one), reputation and honesty versus regret, guilt, lies, restitution and retribution as timescales collide. Sylvie‘s court case is both fascinating and illuminating as it brings her past into sharper focus. The characterisation is excellent and you make up your mind about the key characters but we’re in for a few unpredictable surprises but it’s very clear that there is much toxicity involved. One character spirals down in the most dramatic of ways as the gods of vengeance descend. As midnight approaches you feel a sense of impending doom and appreciate that your feelings there is something distinctly whiffy at the heart of the drama is right, it’s not just whiffy, it stinks. As the ending approaches I can scarcely breathe, I do guess part but not all by any means and it’s tension and suspense personified as horror unfolds before your eyes.
Overall, yet another outstanding novel from the talented Harriet Tyce. It’s dark, atmospheric, it’s totally messed up and utterly believable. Highly recommended and an easy five star read.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Headline/Wildlife for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
November 11, 2023
I’m a bit of an outlier on this one.🙋🏻♀️
The pieces of Sylvie’s life are finally about to come together. Her law career is on track for her to become a judge. And personally, she may have just found Mr. Right.
Sylvie can’t wait to share her good fortune with lifelong best friend Tess. But before she can, Tess announces she’s dying of a brain tumor. Sylvie now must put everything aside to help her friend.
With Tessa facing her mortality she wants to confront her past, hoping to right any wrong she may have done. This includes searching out an old classmate. Sylvie will oblige her friend's request, but is terrified of bringing the past to lite. What buried secrets will be revealed? And will it jeopardize her career or her romantic interest?
I listened to the audio and enjoyed the first half. But with the twist becoming extremely obvious, my excitement was tempered.
The characters themselves were unlikable. Both Tess and Sylvie grated on me. Their relationship was so toxic I can’t imagine they stayed friends as adults. As for their childhood, their years at school were wild beyond belief. At times, the behaviors didn’t seem to match the age.
Lots of readers loved this one so I hope you fall into that category if you decide to give this one a try!
The pieces of Sylvie’s life are finally about to come together. Her law career is on track for her to become a judge. And personally, she may have just found Mr. Right.
Sylvie can’t wait to share her good fortune with lifelong best friend Tess. But before she can, Tess announces she’s dying of a brain tumor. Sylvie now must put everything aside to help her friend.
With Tessa facing her mortality she wants to confront her past, hoping to right any wrong she may have done. This includes searching out an old classmate. Sylvie will oblige her friend's request, but is terrified of bringing the past to lite. What buried secrets will be revealed? And will it jeopardize her career or her romantic interest?
I listened to the audio and enjoyed the first half. But with the twist becoming extremely obvious, my excitement was tempered.
The characters themselves were unlikable. Both Tess and Sylvie grated on me. Their relationship was so toxic I can’t imagine they stayed friends as adults. As for their childhood, their years at school were wild beyond belief. At times, the behaviors didn’t seem to match the age.
Lots of readers loved this one so I hope you fall into that category if you decide to give this one a try!
May 8, 2023
2.5⭐
Featuring ~ multiple 1st person POV, dual timeline, lawyer, court proceedings, s$xual assault, toxic friendship
Sylvie & Tess are bff's and Tess has dropped a bomb that she has a brain tumor. The story weaves back in forth in the present and when they were teenagers with toxicity galore.
This was just okay for me. I did not really care for any of the characters or feel invested in the story. It was pretty predictable too.
On the plus side ~ I like the cover, I like the name Sylvie because that’s what my vehicles name is, it was fast paced and it didn't take me long to get through. There are a bunch of 4 and 5 star reviews, so don't let mine sway you.
Narrated by George Weightman, Lucy Paterson and Samara MacLaren for 8 hours and 20 minutes. I was happy with all of their performances.
*Thanks to the author, HighBridge Audio and NetGalley for my audio copy. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Follow me here ➡ Blog ~ Facebook
Featuring ~ multiple 1st person POV, dual timeline, lawyer, court proceedings, s$xual assault, toxic friendship
Sylvie & Tess are bff's and Tess has dropped a bomb that she has a brain tumor. The story weaves back in forth in the present and when they were teenagers with toxicity galore.
This was just okay for me. I did not really care for any of the characters or feel invested in the story. It was pretty predictable too.
On the plus side ~ I like the cover, I like the name Sylvie because that’s what my vehicles name is, it was fast paced and it didn't take me long to get through. There are a bunch of 4 and 5 star reviews, so don't let mine sway you.
Narrated by George Weightman, Lucy Paterson and Samara MacLaren for 8 hours and 20 minutes. I was happy with all of their performances.
*Thanks to the author, HighBridge Audio and NetGalley for my audio copy. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
Follow me here ➡ Blog ~ Facebook
December 10, 2023
Sylvie Munro is a full-time barrister, part-time deputy district judge. Flying high on a recent win in court, she is determined to send in her application for judicial appointment. She also sees the impending case before her in the youth court as just another opportunity to feather her cap for her application, especially since it appears cut and dried to her eye.
That evening, at the promised drink with her oldest and most dear friend Tess, Sylvie hopes to celebrate her recent win. But her beloved friend seems rattled. When she asks what is wrong, a horrifying truth is revealed. Tess has a tumor in her brain.
Then things go from bad to worse. Tess wants to make amends with an old friend from their past. A woman they’ve both agreed never to speak of again lest it ruin both their lives. But, as Tess sees the clock on her life running out, she is determined to set things right before it’s too late. Will Sylvie help her? Tess has to know.
Their shared past, however, is a nightmare that Sylvie is far from ready to revisit. The more she drags her heels though, the more insistent Tess becomes. She must meet her maker with a clean slate. How will Sylvie both appease her friend and salvage her career? After all, she cannot imagine her life without Tess. Shouldn’t she pay her this one kindness?
Sigh. It Ends at Midnight was one difficult novel to review. On one hand, it was riveting and packed full of lies and deception that made it an epic thriller. On the other hand, it made me decidedly uncomfortable given the subject matter and seemingly unjust edge that ran throughout. I kept waiting for the evil-doer’s comeuppance, but when it finally arrived, right there at the end, it left me not smiling, but instead with a strong urge to hurl the book across the room.
Don’t get me wrong, there were some absolutely sublime elements to this one to be sure. I mean, even the desire to send the book flying wasn’t because the story was lacking in any way. No, from the gloriously detestable characters to the multitude of red herrings that made this one extremely hard to guess, it was a triumph of well-timed suspense. Granted, I did accurately predict a teeny, tiny piece of the conclusion, but certainly not enough to ruin it in the least. Even better, there was plenty that still managed to knock my socks off. And don’t get me started on the almighty big twist that turns the entire storyline on its head. I was 100% gobsmacked by that one.
So, if you enjoy toxic friendships, unreliable narrators, and deep, dark secrets, this one’s definitely for you. Despite some scenes that gave me pause, I was fully spellbound from start to finish. And don’t get me started with the genuine and wholly authentic events at the center of the plot. As twisted as it all was, I could completely imagine seeing these events gracing our nightly news. In the end, it was yet another success of a novel by Harriet Tyce who always seems to be able to take me to the edge of unease without forcing it even a smidge into DNF territory. Loud applause for that one. So please, give this (and any other by Tyce) a try. Your brain will thank you. Rating of 3.5 stars.
Trigger warning: cancer, robbery at knifepoint, drug and alcohol abuse, sexual assault, miscarriage, toxic friendship, sending sexually explicit pictures to a minor, gaslighting
That evening, at the promised drink with her oldest and most dear friend Tess, Sylvie hopes to celebrate her recent win. But her beloved friend seems rattled. When she asks what is wrong, a horrifying truth is revealed. Tess has a tumor in her brain.
Then things go from bad to worse. Tess wants to make amends with an old friend from their past. A woman they’ve both agreed never to speak of again lest it ruin both their lives. But, as Tess sees the clock on her life running out, she is determined to set things right before it’s too late. Will Sylvie help her? Tess has to know.
Their shared past, however, is a nightmare that Sylvie is far from ready to revisit. The more she drags her heels though, the more insistent Tess becomes. She must meet her maker with a clean slate. How will Sylvie both appease her friend and salvage her career? After all, she cannot imagine her life without Tess. Shouldn’t she pay her this one kindness?
Sigh. It Ends at Midnight was one difficult novel to review. On one hand, it was riveting and packed full of lies and deception that made it an epic thriller. On the other hand, it made me decidedly uncomfortable given the subject matter and seemingly unjust edge that ran throughout. I kept waiting for the evil-doer’s comeuppance, but when it finally arrived, right there at the end, it left me not smiling, but instead with a strong urge to hurl the book across the room.
Don’t get me wrong, there were some absolutely sublime elements to this one to be sure. I mean, even the desire to send the book flying wasn’t because the story was lacking in any way. No, from the gloriously detestable characters to the multitude of red herrings that made this one extremely hard to guess, it was a triumph of well-timed suspense. Granted, I did accurately predict a teeny, tiny piece of the conclusion, but certainly not enough to ruin it in the least. Even better, there was plenty that still managed to knock my socks off. And don’t get me started on the almighty big twist that turns the entire storyline on its head. I was 100% gobsmacked by that one.
So, if you enjoy toxic friendships, unreliable narrators, and deep, dark secrets, this one’s definitely for you. Despite some scenes that gave me pause, I was fully spellbound from start to finish. And don’t get me started with the genuine and wholly authentic events at the center of the plot. As twisted as it all was, I could completely imagine seeing these events gracing our nightly news. In the end, it was yet another success of a novel by Harriet Tyce who always seems to be able to take me to the edge of unease without forcing it even a smidge into DNF territory. Loud applause for that one. So please, give this (and any other by Tyce) a try. Your brain will thank you. Rating of 3.5 stars.
Trigger warning: cancer, robbery at knifepoint, drug and alcohol abuse, sexual assault, miscarriage, toxic friendship, sending sexually explicit pictures to a minor, gaslighting
December 6, 2022
Right I’m going to be harsh here as I have loved Harriet Tyce’s last 2 books these were 5 stars for me - on the other hand this is 1.5 stars for me rounded up so trying to be a bit fair
This must have been a rush job but that’s the least of it
Brief synopsis
Sylvie has a promising future as a Judge but a current case and big complications from her past her “best friend” Tess is forcing her to confront threatens to jeopardise everything
The lead character Sylvie is an idiot. Sorry but it’s an insult to the intelligence to expect readers to believe she is an educated woman with some of the shit she thinks and comes out with
Her best friend Tess is an absolute arsehole. Like really
No one would put up with that shit from friends in their 40s regardless of how far they went back
And their teen year experiences were disturbing- not normal and I haven’t lived a sheltered life
Where the F were their parents?
And the twist was obvious from about 100 pages in
Will give author’s next book a chance as I enjoyed the other 2
This just wasn’t good enough
This must have been a rush job but that’s the least of it
Brief synopsis
Sylvie has a promising future as a Judge but a current case and big complications from her past her “best friend” Tess is forcing her to confront threatens to jeopardise everything
The lead character Sylvie is an idiot. Sorry but it’s an insult to the intelligence to expect readers to believe she is an educated woman with some of the shit she thinks and comes out with
Her best friend Tess is an absolute arsehole. Like really
No one would put up with that shit from friends in their 40s regardless of how far they went back
And their teen year experiences were disturbing- not normal and I haven’t lived a sheltered life
Where the F were their parents?
And the twist was obvious from about 100 pages in
Will give author’s next book a chance as I enjoyed the other 2
This just wasn’t good enough
March 15, 2023
That was fucking awful oh my good god
December 6, 2022
It Ends at Midnight is a tension filled suspense drama set at the end of the year. Two people end up dead at midnight on New Year's Eve. The book tells the story leading up to their deaths as well as a mystery from the past, when the two main characters, Sylvie and Tess, are in high school. While the main story plays out, we get glimpses of the past through Sylvie's memories and conversations.
Sylvie is having a long run of misfortune. And "misfortune" is probably putting it mildly. She's in it deep, but all she really wants to do is make Tess happy. Until she doesn't. I never really clicked with Sylvie's character completely, which made the story a bit difficult to get fully lost in. Instead, I felt detached and not really caring about what happened to these people. They were very well developed. I was just missing the little endearing quality that made me want to care.
The story line was good. It was well paced. It never seemed to drag or get confusing and all jumbled up. There were a few red herrings here and there. But I suspected the big reveal early on.
In conclusion, I really wasn't wowed by It Ends at Midnight, but it was still a good book. I enjoyed it and am glad I took the time to read it. I'm giving it 3 out of 5 stars. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the electronic copy in exchange for my honest opinion. Which most definitely is my own and nobody else's.
Sylvie is having a long run of misfortune. And "misfortune" is probably putting it mildly. She's in it deep, but all she really wants to do is make Tess happy. Until she doesn't. I never really clicked with Sylvie's character completely, which made the story a bit difficult to get fully lost in. Instead, I felt detached and not really caring about what happened to these people. They were very well developed. I was just missing the little endearing quality that made me want to care.
The story line was good. It was well paced. It never seemed to drag or get confusing and all jumbled up. There were a few red herrings here and there. But I suspected the big reveal early on.
In conclusion, I really wasn't wowed by It Ends at Midnight, but it was still a good book. I enjoyed it and am glad I took the time to read it. I'm giving it 3 out of 5 stars. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the electronic copy in exchange for my honest opinion. Which most definitely is my own and nobody else's.
February 13, 2023
‘It Ends Before Midnight’ is a psychological thriller which bounces back and forth between the present, recent past, and distant past, to slowly build a picture of misconception. How do we construct, and re-construct, or memories to suit our beliefs and needs?
Sylvie is a high powered lawyer with ambitions of being appointed to the Crown Court as a judge. Tess, her high school friend who, after learning she has brain cancer, wants Sylvie to help tie up a ‘loose’ end from their teenage years. That door though, was closed for a reason, and opening it might just lead Sylvie to ruin.
I’ve never read this author before and found her style of writing easy to read and, despite a slow start, a good pace. Although I had my suspicions as to what might have happened, I did not guess the end, but this mostly was due to a whirlpool of events thrown in to the last quarter of the book. The result was that some of the plot twists felt forced.
For me this was an ok read.
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Sylvie is a high powered lawyer with ambitions of being appointed to the Crown Court as a judge. Tess, her high school friend who, after learning she has brain cancer, wants Sylvie to help tie up a ‘loose’ end from their teenage years. That door though, was closed for a reason, and opening it might just lead Sylvie to ruin.
I’ve never read this author before and found her style of writing easy to read and, despite a slow start, a good pace. Although I had my suspicions as to what might have happened, I did not guess the end, but this mostly was due to a whirlpool of events thrown in to the last quarter of the book. The result was that some of the plot twists felt forced.
For me this was an ok read.
Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to read and review this book.
November 27, 2021
I really enjoy legal thrillers as well as the writing of author Harriet Tyce so this novel was a win, win for me.
A New Year’s Eve party in Edinburgh is tragically disrupted when two guests fall from the roof and are impaled on the cast iron railings.
Tess, who was recently diagnosed with a possible terminal illness was getting back together with old friends. Being faced with the sudden threat of death she was feeling it was her last chance to make things right. Her marriage to Marcus had hit a rough patch and they were growing apart but she knew this would be the perfect opportunity to renew their vows, surrounded by everyone they love.
Both Tess and her closest friend Sylvie had carried guilt for many years and now Tess was desperate to obtain closure. But as midnight approaches it becomes clear that someone doesn’t want a resolution, they want revenge.
I really enjoyed this one and in particular the court scenes. Great characters and plenty of suspense, twists and excellent writing.
I would like to thank both NetGalley and Wildfire for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
A New Year’s Eve party in Edinburgh is tragically disrupted when two guests fall from the roof and are impaled on the cast iron railings.
Tess, who was recently diagnosed with a possible terminal illness was getting back together with old friends. Being faced with the sudden threat of death she was feeling it was her last chance to make things right. Her marriage to Marcus had hit a rough patch and they were growing apart but she knew this would be the perfect opportunity to renew their vows, surrounded by everyone they love.
Both Tess and her closest friend Sylvie had carried guilt for many years and now Tess was desperate to obtain closure. But as midnight approaches it becomes clear that someone doesn’t want a resolution, they want revenge.
I really enjoyed this one and in particular the court scenes. Great characters and plenty of suspense, twists and excellent writing.
I would like to thank both NetGalley and Wildfire for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
March 4, 2024
It seems as if book plots, subjects come I groupings. This is one of several that I have read, though not yet reviewed, in a relatively short period of time, that focuses on women's friendships. Often toxic friendships. Where one is not sure if the narrator is a reliable. I have mixed feelings about this book. On one hand it is a quickly laced read, and the audio was super, but on the other hand, I didn't like many of these characters and too much was happening g at one time. Is everything that happens feasible, believable? Not for me but I seem to be an outlier on this one. It was good but imho could have been better.
December 29, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 (rounded down)
When two people are found dead and impaled on railings after a NYE party outside a posh house in a posh district of Edinburgh, we are left wondering who they are and what happened. The book then flashes back to a couple of months earlier and the events that occurred in the run up to the fateful night.
Sylvie and Tess have been friends since school. Our MC, Sylvie’s life is going great, she‘s a barrister working her way up to becoming a judge, she has a new boyfriend who is wonderful and life is looking really good for her. Tess on the other hand is in the throes of separating from her husband (not her choice) and has just been diagnosed with a potentially terminal illness, which makes her start to evaluate her life and the choices she’s made. At the top of the list is something that happened when her and Sylvie were teenagers, which led to a school friend being imprisoned for a crime they didn’t commit.
The story is told in two timelines, the period when they were at school and the events that led to the conviction of their school friend, and the present situation that both women find themselves in. Sylvie’s life is rocked to the core and the life that she has fought so hard to build starts to crumble down around her.
The story is compelling, the author manages to keep you dangling and giving you just enough to want to keep turning those pages as quickly as possible. The pacing of the book is spot on and it’s a “just one more chapter” type of book. I was desperate to see how the story was going to unfold and I was completely captivated. The courtroom scenes are interesting and sets this book apart from standard thrillers. There are twists and turns aplenty, and just when I thought I had things figured out, the tables were turned and I was back at square one.
This is the third book I’ve read by Harriet and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all of them. She’s definitely become one of my go to authors. I can’t wait for the next.
When two people are found dead and impaled on railings after a NYE party outside a posh house in a posh district of Edinburgh, we are left wondering who they are and what happened. The book then flashes back to a couple of months earlier and the events that occurred in the run up to the fateful night.
Sylvie and Tess have been friends since school. Our MC, Sylvie’s life is going great, she‘s a barrister working her way up to becoming a judge, she has a new boyfriend who is wonderful and life is looking really good for her. Tess on the other hand is in the throes of separating from her husband (not her choice) and has just been diagnosed with a potentially terminal illness, which makes her start to evaluate her life and the choices she’s made. At the top of the list is something that happened when her and Sylvie were teenagers, which led to a school friend being imprisoned for a crime they didn’t commit.
The story is told in two timelines, the period when they were at school and the events that led to the conviction of their school friend, and the present situation that both women find themselves in. Sylvie’s life is rocked to the core and the life that she has fought so hard to build starts to crumble down around her.
The story is compelling, the author manages to keep you dangling and giving you just enough to want to keep turning those pages as quickly as possible. The pacing of the book is spot on and it’s a “just one more chapter” type of book. I was desperate to see how the story was going to unfold and I was completely captivated. The courtroom scenes are interesting and sets this book apart from standard thrillers. There are twists and turns aplenty, and just when I thought I had things figured out, the tables were turned and I was back at square one.
This is the third book I’ve read by Harriet and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all of them. She’s definitely become one of my go to authors. I can’t wait for the next.
February 21, 2023
I listened to the audiobook for this one and I have to say that the narration was one of the best parts. I had a hard time connecting to the narrator mostly because every choice she made had me rolling my eyes and groaning. I had the twists figured out for quite some time before they finally twisted and I didn’t find it to be as suspenseful as I would have liked. (I’ll admit I was suspicious of something else that didn’t happen, but overall it was a lackluster ending for me). The story is told in two main timelines with glimpses of where the second timeline ends. The first is what happened with Sylvia and her friend Tess were in their teens. The point of these was looking at the death of Sylvie’s boyfriend but it goes into more of their relationship, her relationship with Tess and everything that was happening. I know she was 16 but every choice she made back then kind of had me hating her (and Tess based on the descriptions). The other timeline is the present day where Sylvie is an ambitious barrister set on being a judge. But the things happening in present day are tearing apart the life Sylvie worked so hard to build for herself. Overall I gave this one 3.5 stars which I rounded up for the narration.
November 10, 2022
*Buried Secrets*
**4.5 Stars**
Where to start this is a tense psychological thriller. The main star of the book is Sylvie she is a ambitious Barrister and her goal is to become a judge and she is on her way to achieving her goal. She has a childhood friend called Tess who is married to Marcus. They both share a secret. Sylvie is enjoying a new relationship with Gareth & has kept it under wraps fearful that she would jinx it.
One day she arranges to meet Tess and is on the brink to tell all about Gareth, when this stops abruptly as Tess floors her with a revelation. Tess has one request Sylvie must find and track down Linda who was at school with them is the crux of the enormous secret they share.
Linda is also a name that Sylvie desperately wants to keep buried. She feels she has no choice as because as Tess always has a way of talking everyone around.
As Sylvie starts to look for Linda, her whole life go starts to unravel professionally and personally, then we eventually find out who the biggest liar is and someone has been playing the long game.
**4.5 Stars**
Where to start this is a tense psychological thriller. The main star of the book is Sylvie she is a ambitious Barrister and her goal is to become a judge and she is on her way to achieving her goal. She has a childhood friend called Tess who is married to Marcus. They both share a secret. Sylvie is enjoying a new relationship with Gareth & has kept it under wraps fearful that she would jinx it.
One day she arranges to meet Tess and is on the brink to tell all about Gareth, when this stops abruptly as Tess floors her with a revelation. Tess has one request Sylvie must find and track down Linda who was at school with them is the crux of the enormous secret they share.
Linda is also a name that Sylvie desperately wants to keep buried. She feels she has no choice as because as Tess always has a way of talking everyone around.
As Sylvie starts to look for Linda, her whole life go starts to unravel professionally and personally, then we eventually find out who the biggest liar is and someone has been playing the long game.
August 8, 2024
This book had me hooked from page one, I couldn't put it down I read it in one sitting. The characters in this book aren't likeable they an flawed and so completely believable. This book didn't slow for a second.
For a thriller this had quite a decent description of gore, it isn't horror level but it was pretty effective. Harreit Tyce did such a good job to make the reader question each character and to build suspense too. I liked the multiple timelines that separated the main plot and gave the reader a snippet into the future or into the past it really helped build the plot up and the intrigue.
The only reason it didn't get 5 stars is because I didn't love the final reveal/ending it was alright but it just didn't feel that plausible and there wasn't enough explanation after the reveal to satisfy me. I can't wait to read more from this author I had just a good time reading this one.
For a thriller this had quite a decent description of gore, it isn't horror level but it was pretty effective. Harreit Tyce did such a good job to make the reader question each character and to build suspense too. I liked the multiple timelines that separated the main plot and gave the reader a snippet into the future or into the past it really helped build the plot up and the intrigue.
The only reason it didn't get 5 stars is because I didn't love the final reveal/ending it was alright but it just didn't feel that plausible and there wasn't enough explanation after the reveal to satisfy me. I can't wait to read more from this author I had just a good time reading this one.
February 22, 2023
3.5 ⭐ rounded up
What do you get when you cross a criminal barrister with a pen and a character desperate for revenge?
A GREAT thriller.
This new-to-me author has penned a compelling and rich story that is brimming with insight.
It’s no surprise that Harriet Tyce has mastered intriguing characters; after all, she’s had years of career experience, resulting in an understanding of human behaviour. The tension she creates with ‘unreliability’ is stellar. Once I tuned in to the mind games, I was hooked…smirking as I read…only to discover that BAM - Tyce got me!
Tcye’s creative forces utilized in her career have enhanced this plot. Her proficiency and her love affair with words have produced a dark and twisty story with unbeatable plotting and a finale that will send you reeling. I'm still scratching my head!!!!
I’m glad I didn’t get an invite to the party at Regent Terrace!
Tyce expertly explores the dangers of confronting our past and the deadly wake we can leave when we try to take things into our own hands in an effort at absolution and restoration.
❗ Oh, and some warnings: it’s a gruesome opening and there’s some kinky sex play.
If I had to highlight a disappointing area:
💥 Someone with legal expertise sharing sensitive information with a stranger online
💥 Gore
💥 S & M
I’m not giving any more away. Go read it.
I was gifted this copy by SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
What do you get when you cross a criminal barrister with a pen and a character desperate for revenge?
A GREAT thriller.
This new-to-me author has penned a compelling and rich story that is brimming with insight.
It’s no surprise that Harriet Tyce has mastered intriguing characters; after all, she’s had years of career experience, resulting in an understanding of human behaviour. The tension she creates with ‘unreliability’ is stellar. Once I tuned in to the mind games, I was hooked…smirking as I read…only to discover that BAM - Tyce got me!
Tcye’s creative forces utilized in her career have enhanced this plot. Her proficiency and her love affair with words have produced a dark and twisty story with unbeatable plotting and a finale that will send you reeling. I'm still scratching my head!!!!
I’m glad I didn’t get an invite to the party at Regent Terrace!
Tyce expertly explores the dangers of confronting our past and the deadly wake we can leave when we try to take things into our own hands in an effort at absolution and restoration.
❗ Oh, and some warnings: it’s a gruesome opening and there’s some kinky sex play.
If I had to highlight a disappointing area:
💥 Someone with legal expertise sharing sensitive information with a stranger online
💥 Gore
💥 S & M
I’m not giving any more away. Go read it.
I was gifted this copy by SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
August 18, 2022
It was all right and I was mildly intrigued in the beginning. The ending seemed a bit rushed tho, details glanced over, like nothing to see here, move along please...
November 15, 2024
There is a lot to unpack with this story and when the characters are not likeable, it puts the reader in a precarious position of trying to decide whether anyone is redeemable or should the author just kill them all off. The characters I was prepared to not like turned out to be redeemable after all. This book is an excellent example of how lies can destroy everything around us and we are responsible for not blindly accepting what we are told as truth without verifying it for ourselves.
Sylvie and Tess have been friends since they were schoolgirls. Through Sylvie, Tess met her husband Marcus. Nearly twenty years after their wedding and many years of not speaking to each other, Sylvie and Tess reconnect where Sylvie learns that Tess may have a brain tumor and Marcus has left her. Tess also wants Sylvie’s assistance in putting the past right. There are secrets galore both of these women are keeping and Sylvie, especially, stands to lose everything if the past is revealed.
This story packs quite a punch as it begins with two people falling to their death at a New Year’s Eve party in Edinburgh. The reader knows almost immediately that it’s a man and a woman, but the identity is not revealed until the last twenty minutes of the story. This story requires a lot of patience on the part of the reader as there are many twists and turns, both past and present, leading up to these deaths.
I was able to figure out fairly quickly the intentions of one of the characters but I couldn’t figure out if Tess or Sylvie or both of them were lying and shouldn’t be trusted. I was not able to figure out who died until it was revealed and it left me not only surprised but sad at the waste of life and the damage that secrets can cause.
The plotting was tight and kept me engaged in the story. As more of the past was revealed, the actions of both Tess and Sylvie shocked me. There are some quite graphic and gruesome scenes so reader be warned, if you go with the audiobook format, you might be in for a shock. The narration was performed exceptionally well and illustrated the personalities and emotions of the characters flawlessly. This was my first Harriet Tyce book and I will be looking for more of her work.
My Final Verdict: Overall, I found this to be a fantastic story that gives the reader a very edgy and twisty plot, with characters that are multi-layered and not easy to relate to. Readers who don’t mind the absence of a happy ending will find this story riveting.
Thank you to the publisher, HighBridge Audio who provided an advance reader copy via NetGalley.
Sylvie and Tess have been friends since they were schoolgirls. Through Sylvie, Tess met her husband Marcus. Nearly twenty years after their wedding and many years of not speaking to each other, Sylvie and Tess reconnect where Sylvie learns that Tess may have a brain tumor and Marcus has left her. Tess also wants Sylvie’s assistance in putting the past right. There are secrets galore both of these women are keeping and Sylvie, especially, stands to lose everything if the past is revealed.
This story packs quite a punch as it begins with two people falling to their death at a New Year’s Eve party in Edinburgh. The reader knows almost immediately that it’s a man and a woman, but the identity is not revealed until the last twenty minutes of the story. This story requires a lot of patience on the part of the reader as there are many twists and turns, both past and present, leading up to these deaths.
I was able to figure out fairly quickly the intentions of one of the characters but I couldn’t figure out if Tess or Sylvie or both of them were lying and shouldn’t be trusted. I was not able to figure out who died until it was revealed and it left me not only surprised but sad at the waste of life and the damage that secrets can cause.
The plotting was tight and kept me engaged in the story. As more of the past was revealed, the actions of both Tess and Sylvie shocked me. There are some quite graphic and gruesome scenes so reader be warned, if you go with the audiobook format, you might be in for a shock. The narration was performed exceptionally well and illustrated the personalities and emotions of the characters flawlessly. This was my first Harriet Tyce book and I will be looking for more of her work.
My Final Verdict: Overall, I found this to be a fantastic story that gives the reader a very edgy and twisty plot, with characters that are multi-layered and not easy to relate to. Readers who don’t mind the absence of a happy ending will find this story riveting.
Thank you to the publisher, HighBridge Audio who provided an advance reader copy via NetGalley.
March 19, 2022
3.5* --> 4*
Harriet Tyce’s books always seem to leave me somewhat conflicted. The same can be said about ‘It Ends At Midnight‘. For the most part, I enjoyed it but there are niggles.
‘It Ends At Midnight‘ begins with a tragedy. Two guests at a lavish party fall from a roof and find themselves impaled on cast iron railings. Ouch. The question is who are these two people and how did they end up there. I do rather enjoy it when a book kicks off like this. When you know where it will end but you’ve no idea how things got to that point and you’re given the opportunity to figure it out for yourself along the way.
To find out how we got there, we obviously have to go back. Not just to the months leading up to this party, but even further into the past. Sylvie and Tess have been friends since they were teenagers. But something happened back then and the guilt has plagued them for years. Tess has recently been diagnosed with an illness that could be terminal and she desperately wants to make things right. That involves finding someone from their past to reconnect with. Sylvie is reluctant. She’s making big strides in her career and she’s worried she might lose everything.
Here is what caused a niggle. Unfortunately I need to keep it vague so I don’t spoil anything. This past event is a rather big deal. It has made a massive impact on someone’s life. As the book description mentions, Sylvie and Tess have carried around guilt about their involvement for years. Yet somehow, Sylvia can’t remember that person’s name. I found that to be completely implausible. Surely that would be engraved into your brain. It’s not like forgetting where you put your keys!
While I’m at it, have another niggle. Putting aside the question whether or not Sylvie is a reliable narrator, why is it that a successful character like herself needs to be so desperately unlikable? Quite frankly, the entire cast of characters didn’t exactly warm my heart. The friendship between Sylvie and Tess is incredibly toxic, both in the past as in the present, and they both would have been better off without the other in their lives. Often they brought me to the point of thinking I’d quite happily shove both of them off a roof myself.
Anyway, back to the cast iron railing kebabs. It didn’t take me all that long to have a good idea about one of the victims but the other one remained a question mark for most of the story. Most everything else seemed a bit too predictable to me, though. There’s a heck of a lot of manipulation going on but ultimately I guess it’s about finding answers and peace of mind. Although, even with her possibly terminal diagnosis, I was never really sure why Tess was so desperate to revisit that period of her life.
Despite those niggles, I actually quite enjoyed this book. Could possibly have done without the graphic sex scenes, especially the one with “accidental back door entry” that read like a fantasy novel. In hindsight, I understand why those scenes were important but part of me couldn’t help but wonder if there couldn’t have been another way to get across the dubious behaviour of a character.
‘It Ends At Midnight‘ is a well-plotted psychological thriller. The tension builds with every page, and the pace and the snappy chapters make this quite the page-turner. Personally I felt the ending fell rather flat but that’s probably just me. Honestly, I know it may not really sound like it but I did actually have an entertaining time with this one. It’s extremely addictive and I think fans of the genre and of Harriet Tyce’s books will be glued to the pages.
Harriet Tyce’s books always seem to leave me somewhat conflicted. The same can be said about ‘It Ends At Midnight‘. For the most part, I enjoyed it but there are niggles.
‘It Ends At Midnight‘ begins with a tragedy. Two guests at a lavish party fall from a roof and find themselves impaled on cast iron railings. Ouch. The question is who are these two people and how did they end up there. I do rather enjoy it when a book kicks off like this. When you know where it will end but you’ve no idea how things got to that point and you’re given the opportunity to figure it out for yourself along the way.
To find out how we got there, we obviously have to go back. Not just to the months leading up to this party, but even further into the past. Sylvie and Tess have been friends since they were teenagers. But something happened back then and the guilt has plagued them for years. Tess has recently been diagnosed with an illness that could be terminal and she desperately wants to make things right. That involves finding someone from their past to reconnect with. Sylvie is reluctant. She’s making big strides in her career and she’s worried she might lose everything.
Here is what caused a niggle. Unfortunately I need to keep it vague so I don’t spoil anything. This past event is a rather big deal. It has made a massive impact on someone’s life. As the book description mentions, Sylvie and Tess have carried around guilt about their involvement for years. Yet somehow, Sylvia can’t remember that person’s name. I found that to be completely implausible. Surely that would be engraved into your brain. It’s not like forgetting where you put your keys!
While I’m at it, have another niggle. Putting aside the question whether or not Sylvie is a reliable narrator, why is it that a successful character like herself needs to be so desperately unlikable? Quite frankly, the entire cast of characters didn’t exactly warm my heart. The friendship between Sylvie and Tess is incredibly toxic, both in the past as in the present, and they both would have been better off without the other in their lives. Often they brought me to the point of thinking I’d quite happily shove both of them off a roof myself.
Anyway, back to the cast iron railing kebabs. It didn’t take me all that long to have a good idea about one of the victims but the other one remained a question mark for most of the story. Most everything else seemed a bit too predictable to me, though. There’s a heck of a lot of manipulation going on but ultimately I guess it’s about finding answers and peace of mind. Although, even with her possibly terminal diagnosis, I was never really sure why Tess was so desperate to revisit that period of her life.
Despite those niggles, I actually quite enjoyed this book. Could possibly have done without the graphic sex scenes, especially the one with “accidental back door entry” that read like a fantasy novel. In hindsight, I understand why those scenes were important but part of me couldn’t help but wonder if there couldn’t have been another way to get across the dubious behaviour of a character.
‘It Ends At Midnight‘ is a well-plotted psychological thriller. The tension builds with every page, and the pace and the snappy chapters make this quite the page-turner. Personally I felt the ending fell rather flat but that’s probably just me. Honestly, I know it may not really sound like it but I did actually have an entertaining time with this one. It’s extremely addictive and I think fans of the genre and of Harriet Tyce’s books will be glued to the pages.
January 5, 2023
Soooooooo painfully bad. Awful horrible main characters, badly written, dull as ditchwater.
February 9, 2023
Nu este un thriller foarte captivant, personajele foarte slab descrise, previzibila per total.
Finalul a vrut să fie surprinzător dar nici aici n-am fost impresionată.
Finalul a vrut să fie surprinzător dar nici aici n-am fost impresionată.
March 14, 2023
This is the first book I read by Harriet Tyce.
It won’t be the last. I’m actually going to read her
previous books.
I had some issues with the terms used in the story b/c they’re UK English (slang?), but I was able to look the words/terms up, easily.
Also, I’m not familiar with the judicial system in the UK, but was able to figure it out.
The above issues did not distract from the story.
This is a well written and excellent thriller (not horror). The story drew me in quickly and kept me interested. It’s a wonderful novel.
I highly recommend it.
It won’t be the last. I’m actually going to read her
previous books.
I had some issues with the terms used in the story b/c they’re UK English (slang?), but I was able to look the words/terms up, easily.
Also, I’m not familiar with the judicial system in the UK, but was able to figure it out.
The above issues did not distract from the story.
This is a well written and excellent thriller (not horror). The story drew me in quickly and kept me interested. It’s a wonderful novel.
I highly recommend it.
March 8, 2023
Mă aflu între negare și acceptare cu acestă carte. E vai și amar ca și thriller, dar autoarea scrie fain și am citit-o cu interes deși nu s-a întâmplat nimic vreo 65% din carte.
Bun, hai să vă zic marele plot. În tinerețe, Sylvie și Tess au fost martore într-un proces de condamnare a unei colege din liceu pentru uciderea iubitului lui Sylvie. În prezent, mulți ani mai târziu, Tess, diagnosticată cu cancer încearcă să o convingă pe Sylvie să ia legătura cu acea colegă să clarifice lucrurile cu privire la mărturiile lor. Clar e ceva suspect acolo.
Povestea se plimbă din prezent în trecut și sunt tare mândră de mine că l-am ghicit pe un personaj ca fiind un impostor să zic așa. A mai fost o surpriză acolo neprevăzută dar prea micuță ca să mă mai mire.
Prietenia dintre Tess și Sylvie e mai toxică decât cuvântul toxic, nu mi-a plăcut deloc interacțiunile dintre ele. Nu doresc nimănui să aibă o asemenea prietenie.
Cum Sylvie este cea care narează, gândurile ei au fost tare duse cu pluta uneori, chiar nu o înțelegeam ce e cu ea.
Nu e un thriller oribil dar nici bun. Deși are o idee ok la bază, execuția lasă de dorit. De data asta sigur nu sunt pretențiile mele după sute de thrillere citite, chiar e slăbuță cartea asta.
Bun, hai să vă zic marele plot. În tinerețe, Sylvie și Tess au fost martore într-un proces de condamnare a unei colege din liceu pentru uciderea iubitului lui Sylvie. În prezent, mulți ani mai târziu, Tess, diagnosticată cu cancer încearcă să o convingă pe Sylvie să ia legătura cu acea colegă să clarifice lucrurile cu privire la mărturiile lor. Clar e ceva suspect acolo.
Povestea se plimbă din prezent în trecut și sunt tare mândră de mine că l-am ghicit pe un personaj ca fiind un impostor să zic așa. A mai fost o surpriză acolo neprevăzută dar prea micuță ca să mă mai mire.
Prietenia dintre Tess și Sylvie e mai toxică decât cuvântul toxic, nu mi-a plăcut deloc interacțiunile dintre ele. Nu doresc nimănui să aibă o asemenea prietenie.
Cum Sylvie este cea care narează, gândurile ei au fost tare duse cu pluta uneori, chiar nu o înțelegeam ce e cu ea.
Nu e un thriller oribil dar nici bun. Deși are o idee ok la bază, execuția lasă de dorit. De data asta sigur nu sunt pretențiile mele după sute de thrillere citite, chiar e slăbuță cartea asta.
November 21, 2021
Harriet Tyce is one of the most extraordinary new writers around, with a masterful narrative voice and command of suspense. Everything she writes is exceptional. With a fascinating dose of unreliable narrator, some disconcerting cast members, uncomfortable realities of teenage life and toxic friendships, this book has it all. Highly recommended.
January 2, 2023
An unpleasant book full of unpleasant people, I wish I'd never picked it up. Usually I'm very happy to abandon a book I'm not enjoying but every now and then one piques my interest enough that I have to find out how it goes and unfortunately this was one. And it wasn't even worth sticking with for that because I'd already worked out the 'shock' twist halfway through!
April 12, 2023
This was my second Tyce read, and I enjoyed this one even more than her previous release. While this book delivered on some fronts, it didn't not have its' issues. Having just completed it, I'm still a bit conflicted on my overall rating, but at the moment I'll go with 3.5 Stars, rounded up, for this suspenseful legal thriller.
The title of this one eludes to the fact something major will happen at midnight, and while it does, I do believe the synopsis and title are a bit misleading. The event that leads to a murder felt almost like an afterthought for me, and at its' core this book was about a very toxic friendship between our protagonists that soured when they were teenagers and one of their mates was killed in the process of attempting to sexually assault a young woman. This death leads to a nationally sensationalized murder trial in which questionable witness testimony results in the intended victim actually being convicted of murder, rather than simply defending herself against a predator. But was this key testimony actually fabricated? The lingering questions and their answers have haunted these two friends decades later, and now that someone has decided they want revenge, it could ultimately be the cause of their own demise. Who actually told the truth that night?!
I was immediately intrigued by the plot of this one, and even though I found both main characters incredibly annoying and even quite stupid (especially considering one of them is an attorney aspiring to be a judge!), I had to stay the course and keep reading in order to get my answers! While some aspects of the 'reveal' were predictable, there were a few shockers. The conclusion leaves the reader to ponder a bit, as it eludes to what may have happened with the characters, but it's far from clear, and upon finishing, I couldn't help but feel like there were still some unanswered questions, which drove me absolutely crazy! I believe this was intentional, but I'm the type of reader that needs to know for certain, and that particular aspect of the conclusion didn't really work for me. Despite this, I really had a pretty good time reading this one, and would recommend this book with caution of the triggers previously mentioned. This third book by Tyce was an improvement upon her second book, and I can't wait to read any forthcoming releases!!
The title of this one eludes to the fact something major will happen at midnight, and while it does, I do believe the synopsis and title are a bit misleading. The event that leads to a murder felt almost like an afterthought for me, and at its' core this book was about a very toxic friendship between our protagonists that soured when they were teenagers and one of their mates was killed in the process of attempting to sexually assault a young woman. This death leads to a nationally sensationalized murder trial in which questionable witness testimony results in the intended victim actually being convicted of murder, rather than simply defending herself against a predator. But was this key testimony actually fabricated? The lingering questions and their answers have haunted these two friends decades later, and now that someone has decided they want revenge, it could ultimately be the cause of their own demise. Who actually told the truth that night?!
I was immediately intrigued by the plot of this one, and even though I found both main characters incredibly annoying and even quite stupid (especially considering one of them is an attorney aspiring to be a judge!), I had to stay the course and keep reading in order to get my answers! While some aspects of the 'reveal' were predictable, there were a few shockers. The conclusion leaves the reader to ponder a bit, as it eludes to what may have happened with the characters, but it's far from clear, and upon finishing, I couldn't help but feel like there were still some unanswered questions, which drove me absolutely crazy! I believe this was intentional, but I'm the type of reader that needs to know for certain, and that particular aspect of the conclusion didn't really work for me. Despite this, I really had a pretty good time reading this one, and would recommend this book with caution of the triggers previously mentioned. This third book by Tyce was an improvement upon her second book, and I can't wait to read any forthcoming releases!!
February 19, 2023
Sylvie she is a ambitious Barrister and her goal is to become a judge and she is on her way to achieving her goal. She has a childhood friend called Tess who is married to Marcus. They both share a secret. Sylvie is enjoying a new relationship with Gareth & has kept it under wraps fearful that she would jinx it.
One day she arranges to meet Tess and is on the brink to tell all about Gareth, when this stops abruptly as Tess floors her with a revelation. Tess has one request Sylvie must find and track down Linda who was at school with them is the crux of the enormous secret they share.
Linda is also a name that Sylvie desperately wants to keep buried. She feels she has no choice as because as Tess always has a way of talking everyone around.
As Sylvie starts to look for Linda, her whole life go starts to unravel professionally and personally, then we eventually find out who the biggest liar is and someone has been playing the long game.
One day she arranges to meet Tess and is on the brink to tell all about Gareth, when this stops abruptly as Tess floors her with a revelation. Tess has one request Sylvie must find and track down Linda who was at school with them is the crux of the enormous secret they share.
Linda is also a name that Sylvie desperately wants to keep buried. She feels she has no choice as because as Tess always has a way of talking everyone around.
As Sylvie starts to look for Linda, her whole life go starts to unravel professionally and personally, then we eventually find out who the biggest liar is and someone has been playing the long game.
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