Things That Surprised Me in In the Middle of the Night
Let’s talk about the moments in Riley Sager’s In the Middle of the Night that completely threw me for a loop. Because honestly? I didn’t see these twists coming, and they made the book all the more satisfying. Reader beware, this pos is FULL of spoilers.
1. Russ Cutting the Tent
Of all the people, I never would’ve guessed it was Russ who cut open the tent that night. I mean, Sager had me looking in every other direction, thinking it had to be someone sinister or supernatural lurking in the shadows. But nope—turns out Russ was just a jealous kid acting out because he wasn’t included in Billy and Ethan’s campout. Such a simple explanation, yet it packed such an emotional punch.
2. Billy Was Hit by a Car
The biggest whoa moment for me was finding out Billy was hit by a car. I’d been so sure we were getting a ghostly or paranormal explanation—this is Riley Sager, after all. But when it was revealed that Ashley accidentally hit Billy all those years ago while driving drunk? My jaw dropped. It was so unexpected, yet it made so much sense. The way Sager built up to this reveal was masterful, and it hit like a gut punch in the best way.
3. The Ghost That Wasn’t
This is where Sager really pulled a switcheroo on me. Unlike The House Across the Lake, where the supernatural elements kind of came out of nowhere, here I went in fully expecting ghosts or a paranormal resolution. Instead, it turns out there wasn’t a ghost haunting Ethan—it was Billy’s little brother Andy leaving the “signs.” But what I loved was that Sager still gave us a paranormal moment at the end. That scene where Billy’s spirit helps Andy and Ethan get out of the water? So beautifully done. It tied everything together and gave me chills in the best way.
4. Ethan Taking Custody of Andy
I loved how everything came full circle with Ethan’s character. He starts the story grappling with guilt and fear of having a family, only to end up taking custody of Andy after Ashley confesses and goes to prison. Ethan’s growth throughout the book felt so authentic, and this resolution was both heartwarming and well-earned. It was such a meaningful way to close his arc while bringing a sense of hope to the story.
5. Every Character Had Growth
What surprised me most overall was how every single character felt complete by the end of the story. Ethan found peace and a sense of purpose. Ashley finally faced the truth and took responsibility for her actions. Even Andy—whose obsession with uncovering Billy’s fate drove so much of the plot—found closure. I loved how Sager gave all of the characters room to grow, and it made the ending feel incredibly satisfying.
Those twists and turns kept me guessing until the very end, and while I didn’t get the full-on sci-fi Bermuda Triangle explanation I was kind of hoping for, I still loved how everything played out. Sager kept the emotional stakes high, and the way he balanced mystery, suspense, and character development? Chef’s kiss.
What about you—did any of these moments catch you by surprise? Let’s chat!
