Middle of the Night

1. General Impressions

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

• Did you enjoy the book? What was your favorite (or least favorite) part? Who was your favorite (or least favorite) character? Why?
• What did you think of the resolution of the central mystery? Did you find it anticlimactic? Why or why not?
• Implicit in the novel’s conclusion is the idea that healing from an event like Billy’s disappearance requires uncovering the truth. Do you agree with this premise? Is it possible to move past a trauma you don’t fully understand? Why or why not?
• Have you read other books by Riley Sager? If so, how did this one compare? If not, how did you like Sager’s take on the thriller genre?

2. Personal Reflection and Connection

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

• Given the book’s subject matter, did you find any parts of it difficult to read? 
• Do you enjoy thrillers generally? If so, what about these works appeals to you? If not, what do you think others might find in them?
• Ethan has struggled to move on in part because of the intense guilt he feels over what happened to Billy. Have you ever felt guilty about something that wasn’t your fault? How did you cope?
• Middle of the Night depicts a strong bond between Ethan and Billy.