Midnight Crossroad

A Novel of Midnight Texas

By: Charlaine Harris

Narrated by: Susan Bennett

Length: 9 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

First in a new trilogy

From Charlaine Harris, the best-selling author who created Sookie Stackhouse and her world of Bon Temps, Louisiana, comes a darker locale - populated by more strangers than friends. But then, that's how the locals prefer it. Welcome to Midnight, Texas, a town with many boarded-up windows and few full-time inhabitants, located at the crossing of Witch Light Road and Davy Road. It' s a pretty standard dried-up western town. There' s a pawnshop (someone lives in the basement and is seen only at night). There' s a diner (people who are just passing through tend not to linger). And there' s new resident, Manfred Bernardo, who thinks he' s found the perfect place to work in private (and who has secrets of his own). Stop at the one traffic light in town, and everything looks normal. Stay awhile, and learn the truth....

©2014 Charlaine Harris, Inc. (P)2014 Recorded Books

The verdict is still out

I'm not sure what to think of this book. It's very different from Charlaine Harris' other series. Although it included characters from other series. That was a surprise that I appreciated. Especially since I wish The Lily Bard series continued. This book started off very slow with just a hint that something good was coming. I had faith in Harris so I continued. The book didn't really pick up until the last few chapters. Then things took a very strange turn. I won't spoil the ending for anyone but it's rather shocking. I can see good things coming and I will get the next book.

Rough start blah ending

I like the idea and atmosphere Charmaine created at Midnight Texas. It was a little more difficult to get invested in the beginning and like her other series the characters are quaint and interesting. However the ending left me feeling kind of blah and not feeling overly inspired to keep reading more. Although I like this narrator in other series some if the character voices I recognized and didn't feel they fit for these characters. Worth a listen though

Welcome Back

What made the experience of listening to Midnight Crossroad the most enjoyable?

Fairly good narrator and a more functional twist on the urban fantasy.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Fiji, she was well done.

Which character – as performed by Susan Bennett – was your favorite?

Again, Fiji

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, it was well paced.

Any additional comments?

No

I didn't see the ending coming

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed the Sookie Stackhouse novels and the summary to this one sounded interesting. I'm glad I gave it a try. It was a little hard to follow in parts so I ended up borrowing the Kindle version from the digital library. It's a long book so that also made comprehension while listening a challenge.

It was worth the listen, though. A town of misfits bands together and makes their own impromptu family. I enjoyed the characters' stories and the twists that the tale takes. Since I couldn't guess who the killer was, it's a thumbs up for me!

Fav of series so far

I like this better than book one. I love seeing all the people from the other series like aurora teagarden, sookie Stackhouse, and Harper connelly

Weak plot, but has series potential...maybe

The plot, or at least the main one, doesn't get much attention. It's a straight forward whodunnit that weaves in and out of character development subplots that lead nowhere. Or at least it seems they lead nowhere because just when you think there will be a discovery or an understanding, everything goes unsaid. Even the final reveal seemed disappointing. What this book felt like was the backdrop and character introductions for an upcoming series. The characters are all equal part like-able and disagreeable and thus a series might have potential. It's all good if the series does come about and if the subsequent tales have greater complexity. Overall not a bad performance or a bad read, but lacked umph!

Interesting elements - ended up a dud

Charlaine Harris is a good plotter and her language flows wonderfully smoothly. I began the book delighted with the quirky characters, their bluntly described faults and . . . the heart that nonetheless comes through along with their human frailties - when push comes to shove they help each other. There is also a deadpan humor in the book which can be deliciously funny when done right. In Midnight Crossroad it never got the lift that makes deadpan funny. It just ended up dead. It was disconcerting to finish a book I thought was promising wit, humor and humanity along with an interesting plot -- and find myself feeling kind of dead too.

Very entertaining

Ms. Harris at her best! From the small town in
Texas to the silly cat. The reader also nailed it.

Loved it!

The book is great with some surprising twists! Read it and you will love it!

You can't stop listening.

Would you listen to Midnight Crossroad again? Why?

I would listen to and have listened to this one again and again. Each time I have there is something new I didn't pick up the first time. Charlaine Harris is a master at this.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Manfred is the psychic that brings a little laugh now and then with his regular thoughts. As the newbie to the town he just seems to pick up things even if he doesn't voice them.

What about Susan Bennett’s performance did you like?

I loved the difference in each and ever character. Especially Fiji.

If you could take any character from Midnight Crossroad out to dinner, who would it be and why?

I can't pick one character it would have to be all of them from Midnight, except maybe the Reeds. But even them maybe.