creativeflow's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
lilolmel's review against another edition
5.0
Can't wait for the next book to come out! I love how characters from the Sookie Stackhouse series are becoming interwoven with the people of Midnight and yet the focus is not on vampires and werewolves but on other types of "supes." Looking forward to learning more about their stories as she slowly reveals who and what they are, especially Joe and Chuy. I'm a little confused as to exactly what the hotel's purpose and story is, that part seemed a bit rushed to me, but I assume that will be expanded upon in the next book.
bexbooksandstuff's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book not realising that it was the second in a series but it didn't detract.
Also I hadn't realised that this book was the basis for the TV show Midnight Texas which I watched a few years ago. So I already had quite a bit of insider knowledge about all of the characters. That definitely helped.
This is a book where a lot happens but I don't think it actually feels like a lot happens. If that makes sense? There is a problem for Manfred with a crazy son of one of his clients, there are were tigers
Also I hadn't realised that this book was the basis for the TV show Midnight Texas which I watched a few years ago. So I already had quite a bit of insider knowledge about all of the characters. That definitely helped.
This is a book where a lot happens but I don't think it actually feels like a lot happens. If that makes sense? There is a problem for Manfred with a crazy son of one of his clients, there are were tigers
caszriel's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars
Day Shift was a definite improvement from Midnight Crossroad, but I still think some thinks don't make sense. In this book we explore Olivia Charity in a lot more depth; she is given a strong POV throughout parts of the book, and we begin to understand where her personality comes from.
The supernatural identities of more townsfolk are revealed, however I didn't understand why questions only begin to be asked after Manfred comes to Midnight. Charlaine Harris has said many times that Midnight townsfolk are quiet, secretive, and unobtrusive, yet only now are they overtly investigating their neighbours.
The main reason Day Shift got an extra half star is because of Olivia Charity. She is my favourite Midnight character for sure, and her voice is so much louder in Day Shift compared to Midnight Crossroad.
The Midnight, Texas Series is written in a style different to all other books I've read, and not in a bad way. I really liked the multiple perspectives and mystery, even if the perspectives were annoying in Midnight Crossroad.
Day Shift was a definite improvement from Midnight Crossroad, but I still think some thinks don't make sense. In this book we explore Olivia Charity in a lot more depth; she is given a strong POV throughout parts of the book, and we begin to understand where her personality comes from.
The supernatural identities of more townsfolk are revealed, however I didn't understand why questions only begin to be asked after Manfred comes to Midnight. Charlaine Harris has said many times that Midnight townsfolk are quiet, secretive, and unobtrusive, yet only now are they overtly investigating their neighbours.
The main reason Day Shift got an extra half star is because of Olivia Charity. She is my favourite Midnight character for sure, and her voice is so much louder in Day Shift compared to Midnight Crossroad.
The Midnight, Texas Series is written in a style different to all other books I've read, and not in a bad way. I really liked the multiple perspectives and mystery, even if the perspectives were annoying in Midnight Crossroad.
rmesquirrel's review against another edition
4.0
I love this series and how Harris ties together characters from her other books.
rockchickchickyrock's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this second book. Love how characters from other series pop up. Can't wait for the next installment.
sueotwell's review against another edition
4.0
I am really enjoying this series and the crossover of people within this book. I am not wanting to read the next book because I know it is the last in this series....
yvnn's review against another edition
4.0
We get to know a little more about the residents of midnight in this one.
After Manfred has a client dying on him during a psychic reading, he is set on proving he had nothing to do with it. He get's help from an unexpected person: Olivia.
But that's not all: a hotel has opened in the isolated town of midnight, and none of the characters seem too pleased about this. On top of that, a boy named Diederik is dropped of at the Rev's, but he doesn't seem like a regular child.... At all.
Enough problems for Manfred, Olivia, Fiji, Joe en Chuy to worry about. Lemuel is out of town during this story and Bobo is way in the background. We do however learn a bit more about Olivia's past and a lot more about Chuy, Joe and the Rev, which is really nice.
I love how the Midnight Texas series has no singular main character and the town is filled with interesting, odd people. But what I love most about these books is the way they combine all of Harris' previous universes. We see people popping up from Shakespeare (Bobo, who you might remember as a friend of Lily Bard's), Harper's friend Manfred, Arthur the policeman (who seems to be Aurora's Arthur, if I am not mistaken) and of course the obvious vampire parallels to Sookies Universe. In Day shift, the link to Bon Temps becomes more tangible when Barry Bellboy pops up out of nowhere. I just love these cameo's because they show there's life after Sookie.
Also, one of the reasons I gave this book four stars is that it's not your typical Harris cosy mystery. It's not as much a whodunnit as some of her other work. It builds an enriched environment which seems to be the setting for many more stories for us to enjoy. I really liked this one and I can't wait to find out what's next for the people in midnight!
After Manfred has a client dying on him during a psychic reading, he is set on proving he had nothing to do with it. He get's help from an unexpected person: Olivia.
But that's not all: a hotel has opened in the isolated town of midnight, and none of the characters seem too pleased about this. On top of that, a boy named Diederik is dropped of at the Rev's, but he doesn't seem like a regular child.... At all.
Enough problems for Manfred, Olivia, Fiji, Joe en Chuy to worry about. Lemuel is out of town during this story and Bobo is way in the background. We do however learn a bit more about Olivia's past and a lot more about Chuy, Joe and the Rev, which is really nice.
I love how the Midnight Texas series has no singular main character and the town is filled with interesting, odd people. But what I love most about these books is the way they combine all of Harris' previous universes. We see people popping up from Shakespeare (Bobo, who you might remember as a friend of Lily Bard's), Harper's friend Manfred, Arthur the policeman (who seems to be Aurora's Arthur, if I am not mistaken) and of course the obvious vampire parallels to Sookies Universe. In Day shift, the link to Bon Temps becomes more tangible when Barry Bellboy pops up out of nowhere. I just love these cameo's because they show there's life after Sookie.
Also, one of the reasons I gave this book four stars is that it's not your typical Harris cosy mystery. It's not as much a whodunnit as some of her other work. It builds an enriched environment which seems to be the setting for many more stories for us to enjoy. I really liked this one and I can't wait to find out what's next for the people in midnight!
laurenjodi's review against another edition
4.0
Day Shift
4 Stars
Series note: If you are new to Harris's works, I do not recommend starting with this series. There are several crossover characters from Lily Bard, Harper Connelly, Sookie Stackhouse, and even one from Aurora Teagarden. The backstories for the characters in these series add another layer of enjoyment to the books.
The tiny town of Midnight, Texas with its single stoplight and reticent residents gets an unwelcome influx of attention when Manfred Bernardo, the local medium, is involved in the suspicious death of one of his clients. Matters are only compounded with the reopening of the local hotel and the arrival of a mysterious boy who is anything but normal.
Harris writing style is particularly engaging. She has a knack for captivating the reader and making seemingly mundane characters and situations interesting and intriguing. In this installment, readers learn more about the enigmatic Olivia Charity and there are revelations regarding other characters as well as hints at developments to come - I do wish.
The mystery is the weakest element in the book. To begin with, it is never clear why the reader should care about the victim aside from the inconvenience her death creates for Mandred and the other inhabitants of Midnight. Moreover, the resolution is very anti-climactic with an obvious culprit and motive.
In sum, an entertaining read and I look forward to the final installment.
4 Stars
Series note: If you are new to Harris's works, I do not recommend starting with this series. There are several crossover characters from Lily Bard, Harper Connelly, Sookie Stackhouse, and even one from Aurora Teagarden. The backstories for the characters in these series add another layer of enjoyment to the books.
The tiny town of Midnight, Texas with its single stoplight and reticent residents gets an unwelcome influx of attention when Manfred Bernardo, the local medium, is involved in the suspicious death of one of his clients. Matters are only compounded with the reopening of the local hotel and the arrival of a mysterious boy who is anything but normal.
Harris writing style is particularly engaging. She has a knack for captivating the reader and making seemingly mundane characters and situations interesting and intriguing. In this installment, readers learn more about the enigmatic Olivia Charity and there are revelations regarding other characters as well as hints at developments to come - I do wish
Spoiler
Bobo and Fiji would get a move on with their romance thoughThe mystery is the weakest element in the book. To begin with, it is never clear why the reader should care about the victim aside from the inconvenience her death creates for Mandred and the other inhabitants of Midnight. Moreover, the resolution is very anti-climactic with an obvious culprit and motive.
In sum, an entertaining read and I look forward to the final installment.