April 1, 2024
A disgraced novelist’s words come back to haunt him in Crouch’s cunning debut. Thirteen years ago, a poisonous pan from a Seattle book critic killed Elijah Leith’s dream of a literary career. Since then, he’s returned home to Point Orchards, Wash., a tiny town off the Puget Sound. When the body of beloved Point Orchards doctor Erin Landry is discovered hanging from a tree deep in the woods of Elijah’s family property, police initially consider her death a suicide. But then they receive a copy of Elijah’s first novel, accompanied by a note that draws attention to the uncanny similarities between Landry’s death and the book’s premise, which involves a murder staged to look like a suicide. Suddenly, Elijah—who briefly dated Landry while on a break from his volatile relationship with high school sweetheart Nakita—finds himself in the investigation’s crosshairs. Though Crouch squanders some narrative momentum by frequently hopping between Elijah and Nakita’s teenage courtship, Elijah’s trial, and his homesteading efforts, she brings the action to a satisfying boil by the final act. Despite a few too-convenient coincidences, the novel’s vivid prose and evocative sense of place win out in the end. Readers will be eager to see what Crouch does next. Agent: Jane Dystel, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret. (June)Correction: A previous version of this review misspelled Erin Landry’s last name and mischaracterized the initial police response to her death.
May 1, 2024
Crouch's debut novel is full of lush details and complex characters reflective of a seasoned writer. When the body of Dr. Erin Landry is found hanging from a tree, police initially think it's an unfortunate suicide. However, upon further investigation, it is evident that there's more to the scene. With the death occurring on Elijah Leith's land, he is an instant suspect. As Middletide unfolds, it becomes clear that there is a twisted motive that now makes Elijah the target suspect, despite him and those closest to him fighting for his innocence. Taking readers between past and present day, this thriller is entangled with moments of love and loss of all kinds. Each character is built with a rich history, and Crouch brings the emotions tied to memories into every instance of dialogue and action. The setting is in the heart of nature, with keen observations fleshed out to a skilled degree. Similar, though less suspenseful than Gone Girl, Crouch's novel is a beautifully written thriller, one that is impressive for a first-time author.
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