Midnight Crossroad by Charlaine Harris

October 13th, 2017 Kimberly Review 44 Comments

13th Oct
Midnight Crossroad by Charlaine Harris
Midnight Crossroad
by Charlaine Harris
Series: Midnight Texas #1
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Source: Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarHalf a Star

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...

urban Small-town mystery paranormal

I loved the first season of Midnight, Texas on NBC and although I own and have not read the Sookie series I decided to dive in and begin the Midnight, Texas trilogy. Midnight Crossroad is very much like the television show with some slight changes mostly in casting. In retrospect, I am almost glad I watched the first season before beginning.

Trying to look at this from the perspective of someone just reading the book who has NOT watched the television show my gut feeling tells me it may be a tad confusing. You know Midnight, Texas is different, but it takes a while before you really know who the key players are or rather WHAT they are. Aside from a few minor physical changes,  a missing RV and grandma it looks like the television series follows the book(s) pretty closely. Well, at least season one and book one.

I love the premise of Midnight. A small town with only one-stop light where the veil is thin between the dead and the living, a place that draws those who are different. Here we have all types of supernatural creatures living side by side along with humans who are hiding or different, like a certain kickass female. Manfred Bernardo a psychic has just moved in and through him, we learn about the town and its inhabitants. I am hoping that what we learned about him on the television show is reflected in the next book. We get a lot of different POVs and having watched the show, it made navigating them easier.

One of the things I loved is that Harris combines urban fantasy with mystery. Since these are two of my favorite genres, it stands to reason that together they would rock. We have a murder, but in the book, we also have the mystery of everyone’s secret and why Manfred suddenly relocated to Midnight. While this made things interesting and I am sure it will pay off, it also kept me from becoming attached to any of the residents. (This is where the tv show worked better)

They say the book is always better, but in this case, I Think I preferred the show. However, I enjoyed Midnight Crossroad and will continue with book two, Day Shift.

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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram

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44 Responses to “Midnight Crossroad by Charlaine Harris”

  1. Lorna

    I loved the show too. I wondered about reading this but I seem to remember a bad review I must have read at some point so I just forgot about it. I actually have never read this author. Watched probably 5? Seasons of True Blood before quitting. This will be a maybe someday for me. Thanks!

    • kimbacaffeinate

      I never watched True Blood. I am told from reliable sources that books two and three are stronger and worth the read. I shall, of course, give a full report.

  2. Tanya @ Rantings of a Reading Addict

    I read the series before I watched and I think I would have enjoyed the first book more if I had of watched the show first. I didn’t rate Midnight Crossroad very high. I just had a really hard time connecting with any of the characters. I definitely enjoyed books 2 and 3 more.

  4. Tyler H. Jolley

    I’ve accidentally done this exact thing before. It’s very confusing, especially when you get to parts the tv show/movie cut out. Great review, as always, Kimba.

  5. Debbie Haupt

    Oh Wow yes I’ve heard a lot about this new trilogy. I haven’t seen the TV series but I will put this on my wish list. Thanks

  6. Barb (boxermommyreads)

    I love this book series – probably more than Sookie, I really hope it’s renewed, Olivia is probably my favorite character and I have to admit, I was never a big fan of the gal that plays her but I actually think she’s done a great job.

  7. BookishBiker

    My first thought was to start reading the book after the first episode of the TV show. But, I haven’t gotten over the last couple of books in the Sookie Stackhouse series. I’m sure Charlaine Harris told the writers/producers of True Blood where she saw it going, but it felt like when it came to writing the books, she just got lazy and played catch-up. Whatever it was, the final books were not up to her usual standard. Now that I know the Midnight books are a trilogy and already finished, I may just change my mind – and refuse to read any more should the series go beyond 😉

    • kimbacaffeinate

      This was good, but having done it in reverse, I liked season one better. I did grab books two and three, and I am told they only get better. I will share and let you know.

  9. gaele

    Oh I love this series – and I FINALLY got the time to sit down and binge the series, They’re doing a good job with it – although I’m ready for Rev to show his cards! I started with the second in this series too, then went back to the first…. it’s nice to see something from Charlaine Harris that mixes all the bits she does well.

  10. Vanessa

    I honestly haven’t watched the tv series yet but sounds like it’s good. But overall, I’m still glad that you enjoyed it Kim 🙂

  12. Tanya @ Girl Plus Books

    I didn’t even know this was a TV show (I’m not a TV watcher) but I’m definitely intrigued by the premise. I just dipped my toes into the urban fantasy genre this year with The Others series by Anne Bishop and have been looking for some more good UF ever since. I might give this one a try since I’m definitely intrigued by the sound of the town.

    • kimbacaffeinate

      We DVR everything we watch, and I rarely add new shows, but this was all over Facebook and trailers called to me. I got the hubby to watch too, The Others is so dang good!! May I recommend Dannika Dark. All of her series – The Mageri, Seven and Crossbreed. Fantastic!

  13. Jessica

    Great review! I really enjoyed hearing your thoughts on this, as I loved the television adaptation. I also go to read more Charlaine Harris but for some reason, I never do. Even though I quite enjoy the works I have read by her and both this show and True Blood are amongst my favourites.

  14. Stormi Johnson

    I wasn’t a huge fan of this book, but I really like the show, so I need to try the second one and see if I like it better. 🙂

  15. Sophia Rose

    Good catch yesterday on the link. LOL

    I love both the book and the show. I enjoy the extra details in the book, but the show does tighten up the plot. The whole trilogy was great to me so hope you end up loving it, too.

  18. Angela

    I loved the first season of Midnight Texas on NBC. It made me want to check out the books, though I haven’t yet. I appreciate your honest review on this plus addicting in that you have watched the show too. That helps. I’ve got the books on my TBR and curious about them.

  20. kindlemom1

    I tried really really hard to like this book but I just couldn’t. I do like the TV series though, it’s okay and seems to have a lot of potential!