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

Delightful!

I like the writing style of this author and the way she weaves her tales within tales. I enjoyed being introduced to a new cast of characters in what is to be a new series for Harris. Almost all the names of this cast are somewhat ridiculous but I love the premise of an almost nothing town full of unusual people with something to hide. The mystery was not a slam dunk to figure out. While this book centered around one characters story, I am anticipating the stories of the other characters as we move along in the series should all be fun! I did not go into this book thinking of the Sookie Stackhouse series and neither should you.

First Audio Book

This is the first audio book I have listened to at length. I've given it a 3 star review because I felt the book did not get into a good rhythm until the very end, last 4 chapters. I didn't feel voices given to people matched the descriptions given for them either which was my main annoyance. Over all not Harris' best work but still alright. Not much happens but the ending was unexpected which is nice.

Love it

It took a little bit for the story to get going, but I totally was not expecting that ending! I'm happy with it though, it was a good mystery all and all. I can't wait to read the next book in the series. I love Fuji, she had to be my favorite character other than Bobo. I love how Charlaine Harris portrays witches. Not in a negative light, which I really appreciate. I wish more authors were like that.

Fun read

Similar to her other books this book has good characters and a fun story. She deals with current topics without preaching. I like her books.

Ms. Harris has done it once again!

I love her stories. I just do. This is the first in a new trilogy about a small town in Texas called Midnight and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The characters are well fleshed out, not one boring chapter in it. I am now reading the second installment and am enjoying it even more. Highly recommend it to all lovers of the supernatural and fantasy genre.

A fun romp

with a bit of a dark twist...a nice mix of supernatural and humanity. Mr. Snuggley the cat is one of my favorites.

midnight's residents

I want more about olivia and lem! esp thier back stories. Teacher and Madonna, I cant figure out if they also have a supernatural reason for being there or if they are purely just supporting characters.
i did enjoy this book, am looking forward to reading the next 2 but i wish it had a little more punch to it.
I definitely recommend the book.

New Urban Supernatural Series

i quite liked this. A decent urban supernatural mystery, more emphasis on the characters (who are quite likeable) than on the mystery. A nice introduction. I especially liked Figi and her cat.

More Mr Snuggly Please!

I liked Midnight Crossroads, the introductory book to a new series by Charlaine Harris. I wanted to love her previous series heroine, Sookie Stackhouse, as much as the rest of the world. I tried, really I did. I just cannot enjoy reading about mythical beings, so caring enough about a flying reappearing French vampire was way out of my comfort zone.

Why a mystery in a small town that hosts a vampire, a witch and a psychic worked for me, I am not sure but, it did. I think what I liked best about the book is that the psychic is basically a shop owner that sells whatever her clients are into purchasing. The psychic is half con man which I get. The people that think that they are vampires in this book, so far, are odd, keep to themselves and no one is having hot crazy sex with them – which is tolerable place for vampires.

I anxiously anticipating future installments in this series.

Better off watching the TV series.

** spoiler alert ** This review was harder then most. I had watched the first season of the tv show before reading the book so I already had some preset ideas. I will try and give the good vs bad when comparing this against the tv show.

The bad:

The ages of the main characters are way younger in the book. Creek is only 17-18 (having just recently graduated high school) and Manfred is maybe 22-23. Wheras the tv show Manfred is 33 and Creek is 25. The whole idea of a just graduated from high school girl and her love life gives me the creeps. I can identify with the tv characters way more. I can't buy into characters at their book age.

The cast in the book are very whitewashed. Having watched the tv show first I got to meet Lem as a very impressive looking black man. The book version is a white guy with bleach/white hair. The Lem in the TV show is far superior in looks, and personality. I would comment on Fiji but I can't recall her exact description in the books, but I got the impression she was white, whereas the tv show had a much more engaging character including looks and personality as well.


The Good:

There is actually more good then bad compared to the tv show. The first book itself is much quieter paced then the tv show. The story is focused and you get to know about the characters more.

There is no focus on Manfred. He is one of the characters, but he isn't the focus. I would argue Fiji is the biggest focus but all of the characters take turns. Also there is no dead grandmothers yet (maybe that is in the second book). This keeps the book more engaging as learn about the individuals, without focusing on the white guy as the star.

There are less tropes dealing with Aubrey, she isn't even that deserving of dislike. I won't talk more about her except to say her death/murder and her personality come out differently in the book. I definitely prefer this view more.

There is more good, but I can't write about it since I don't want to be 100% spoilery

The overall feeling resulting in a 3, meaning reading it is better then not. I did enjoy the book, and I recommend others read it. Just be warned it doesn't measure up in some ways to the tv show, and is better in others. I just wish we could have Lem from the tv show, that would be great.