rosa3's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Eating disorder, Suicide, Mental illness, Drug use, and Murder
Minor: Vomit and Cancer
mandylovestoread's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved Greenlight, the first book featuring Jack Quick. When I heard that Benjamin Stevenson had another book coming out I was excited to read it. And Either Side of Midnight was everything I hoped for, in fact I think that I enjoyed it even more.
Crime books are definitely one of my favourite genres to read and when it is written by an Aussie even better. And set in Sydney, my hometown! I spent a rainy Saturday reading it, start to finish. It was really hard to put it down.
Sam Midford is a talk show host on one of Australia's highest rating shows. So when he shoots himself on live TV, millions of people are witness. Surely it is suicide. But Sam's estranged, twin brother Harry is not convinced and enlisted Jack Quick to help him investigate. Jack is skeptical at first, I mean could it really be murder?
Jack is a damaged man, dealing with his own demons and he just wants to make some money. But the more they look, the more he starts to believe Harry . But can they prove it? Who wanted Sam dead and why? And how did they do it.
This is a clever and twisty case that will keep you guessing until the end. A fantastic and original story.
Thanks to Penguin Books Australia for my advanced copy of this book to read.
Crime books are definitely one of my favourite genres to read and when it is written by an Aussie even better. And set in Sydney, my hometown! I spent a rainy Saturday reading it, start to finish. It was really hard to put it down.
Sam Midford is a talk show host on one of Australia's highest rating shows. So when he shoots himself on live TV, millions of people are witness. Surely it is suicide. But Sam's estranged, twin brother Harry is not convinced and enlisted Jack Quick to help him investigate. Jack is skeptical at first, I mean could it really be murder?
Jack is a damaged man, dealing with his own demons and he just wants to make some money. But the more they look, the more he starts to believe Harry . But can they prove it? Who wanted Sam dead and why? And how did they do it.
This is a clever and twisty case that will keep you guessing until the end. A fantastic and original story.
Thanks to Penguin Books Australia for my advanced copy of this book to read.
shelleyrae's review against another edition
4.0
“How can it be murder when the victim pulled the trigger?”
I somehow overlooked Benjamin Stevenson’s debut novel, Greenlight, shortlisted for the Ned Kelly Award for Best Debut Crime Fiction in 2018, which introduces true crime documentary producer, Jack Quick, but i was intrigued by the premise of Either Side of Midnight, and assured it could stand on its own.
It seems events in Greenlight didn’t go particularly well for Jack Quick. When he is introduced in Either Side of Midnight, Jack is in prison on multiple charges related to perverting the course of justice. Just before his release, he is visited by the identical twin brother of a TV presenter who had recently shot himself live on air. Despite the suicide being witnessed by millions of viewers, Harry Midford is convinced his brother was murdered, and offers Jack a substantial sum to prove it. Jack, who has his issues with his own brother, reluctantly agrees to investigate and begins by poking around the studio where ‘Mr Midnight’ was filmed and Sam killed himself. What he learns piques his interest, and as he digs deeper, Harry’s claim doesn’t seem so outlandish after all.
Inspired in part by a recent-ish landmark case in the US involving the use, or rather misuse, of technology, Stevenson presents a creative and intriguing plot, with an original twist on the ‘locked room’ mystery. I thought the storyline of Either Side of Midnight was very clever, I generally had no idea how the plot would unravel until the moment Stevenson intended it, with red herrings deftly distracting from the culprit and their motive. The action ramps up as Jack grows closer to understanding why Sam died, culminating in a exciting confrontation.
I do feel that in not having reading Greenlight, I may have missed some of the nuances of Jack’s character. He is certainly an interesting protagonist, with a unique vice. Traditionally male crime solvers tend to be alcoholics, or womanisers, or handy with their fists, or all three, Jack is bulimic. In Jack’s case the eating disorder was triggered in early adolescence by his brother’s accident, and I think the author’s representation of his illness, and his relationship with his brother, is portrayed sensitively.
Though Either Side of Midnight is set on Australia’s east coast, I didn’t think there was really a strong sense of place, which was a tiny bit disappointing.
An entertaining thriller with a complex lead and an original plot, I enjoyed Either Side of Midnight and I’ve added Greenlight to my WTR list.
I somehow overlooked Benjamin Stevenson’s debut novel, Greenlight, shortlisted for the Ned Kelly Award for Best Debut Crime Fiction in 2018, which introduces true crime documentary producer, Jack Quick, but i was intrigued by the premise of Either Side of Midnight, and assured it could stand on its own.
It seems events in Greenlight didn’t go particularly well for Jack Quick. When he is introduced in Either Side of Midnight, Jack is in prison on multiple charges related to perverting the course of justice. Just before his release, he is visited by the identical twin brother of a TV presenter who had recently shot himself live on air. Despite the suicide being witnessed by millions of viewers, Harry Midford is convinced his brother was murdered, and offers Jack a substantial sum to prove it. Jack, who has his issues with his own brother, reluctantly agrees to investigate and begins by poking around the studio where ‘Mr Midnight’ was filmed and Sam killed himself. What he learns piques his interest, and as he digs deeper, Harry’s claim doesn’t seem so outlandish after all.
Inspired in part by a recent-ish landmark case in the US involving the use, or rather misuse, of technology, Stevenson presents a creative and intriguing plot, with an original twist on the ‘locked room’ mystery. I thought the storyline of Either Side of Midnight was very clever, I generally had no idea how the plot would unravel until the moment Stevenson intended it, with red herrings deftly distracting from the culprit and their motive. The action ramps up as Jack grows closer to understanding why Sam died, culminating in a exciting confrontation.
I do feel that in not having reading Greenlight, I may have missed some of the nuances of Jack’s character. He is certainly an interesting protagonist, with a unique vice. Traditionally male crime solvers tend to be alcoholics, or womanisers, or handy with their fists, or all three, Jack is bulimic. In Jack’s case the eating disorder was triggered in early adolescence by his brother’s accident, and I think the author’s representation of his illness, and his relationship with his brother, is portrayed sensitively.
Though Either Side of Midnight is set on Australia’s east coast, I didn’t think there was really a strong sense of place, which was a tiny bit disappointing.
An entertaining thriller with a complex lead and an original plot, I enjoyed Either Side of Midnight and I’ve added Greenlight to my WTR list.
wolfalex's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
h_louise98's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
mylittlebookstagram's review against another edition
4.0
Thanks to Better Reading for an uncorrected advance proof of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
This kept me guessing the whole way - the ending was a surprise but did make perfect sense. The book explores the incredibly fast-changing society we've lived in for the past 15 years or so, and examines the impact of technology on our lives and on a legal system that suddenly needs to evolve with urgency. Even the premise of the deaths in the book are shrouded in legal clouds - are they murders? Suicides? Occasionally the story veered into overly wordy territory, but aside from that it was a thrilling read. None of the characters are particularly likeable, but they are all interesting. I haven't read the previous Jack Quick novel but I'd be keen to seek it out and find out more about him. This would be a great holiday read or a bit of rainy weekend escapism.
This kept me guessing the whole way - the ending was a surprise but did make perfect sense. The book explores the incredibly fast-changing society we've lived in for the past 15 years or so, and examines the impact of technology on our lives and on a legal system that suddenly needs to evolve with urgency. Even the premise of the deaths in the book are shrouded in legal clouds - are they murders? Suicides? Occasionally the story veered into overly wordy territory, but aside from that it was a thrilling read. None of the characters are particularly likeable, but they are all interesting. I haven't read the previous Jack Quick novel but I'd be keen to seek it out and find out more about him. This would be a great holiday read or a bit of rainy weekend escapism.
bookwirmmadi's review against another edition
5.0
First thing’s first: this book knocked the wind out of me. I don’t know what I was expecting from this darkly compelling cover, but a hard-boiled, wonderfully Australian podcaster—with an eating disorder and a middle finger raised at toxic masculinity—was the best kind of surprise. Stevenson won me over with Jack Quick, and he undoubtedly has made it onto my auto-buy list from now on.
While the subject matter of “what constitutes a murder?” can be quite bleak, this book balances out the darkness with softly comedic imagery. The descriptions are exquisite and juxtapose the grim premise nicely, as do the relationships forged between the characters. Jack’s ability to both enrage and bond with all the characters in this book is enchanting and simply a joy to read, while the crime only gets more captivating as the investigation unfolds. Stevenson taps into Jack’s emotions as well as his prowess of deduction in order to solve the crime, adding an extra layer to what’s already an excellent piece of crime fiction.
Essentially, I’m obsessed with this book. It’s such an original concept that plays on contemporary subjects of discourse in a way that acknowledges the controversy so poignantly while lending a touch of empathy that another platform might lack. I’ll admit to being brought to tears at certain points throughout the novel—even in Stevenson’s acknowledgements—and just want to recommend this book to all lovers of crime fiction. It hits all the bullseyes in my eyes. (Warning: suicide, murder, eating disorders, a fox dies).
Madi
While the subject matter of “what constitutes a murder?” can be quite bleak, this book balances out the darkness with softly comedic imagery. The descriptions are exquisite and juxtapose the grim premise nicely, as do the relationships forged between the characters. Jack’s ability to both enrage and bond with all the characters in this book is enchanting and simply a joy to read, while the crime only gets more captivating as the investigation unfolds. Stevenson taps into Jack’s emotions as well as his prowess of deduction in order to solve the crime, adding an extra layer to what’s already an excellent piece of crime fiction.
Essentially, I’m obsessed with this book. It’s such an original concept that plays on contemporary subjects of discourse in a way that acknowledges the controversy so poignantly while lending a touch of empathy that another platform might lack. I’ll admit to being brought to tears at certain points throughout the novel—even in Stevenson’s acknowledgements—and just want to recommend this book to all lovers of crime fiction. It hits all the bullseyes in my eyes. (Warning: suicide, murder, eating disorders, a fox dies).
Madi
quirkycynic's review against another edition
3.0
I've kept a lid on this so far but I'm now able to say that I've had my first chance to review an actual pre-release copy of a book for an actual external publication... so please check it out at QUT's Glass magazine if you want my unvarnished opinion on this interesting but frustratingly self-serious book
sarahbattersby01's review against another edition
4.0
Wow this book had me hooked from the start, I loved the plot and the characters. The fact that the male protagonist struggled with an eating disorder which was explored was eye opening as it is not often talked about, but needs to be. This book left me with a quote I think I'll love forever, "If the answer's impossible then the question is wrong". I feel like that's such a great philosophy to take on in life. This book proved that words carry emotions, they can bring joy and happiness but can also cause hurt and death. Words can kill.