Hello! I'm Afoma.
  • Book Reviews
    • Picture book
    • Chapter Books
    • Middle-Grade
    • Graphic Novels
    • Young Adult
    • Adult Fiction
    • Adult Non-Fiction
  • Book Lists
    • Picture Book Lists
    • Middle Grade Book Lists
    • Book Lists by Theme
    • Book Lists by Grade
    • Audiobook Recommendations
  • Join My Newsletter!
  • Go to the Blog
  • Summer Reading

Reading Middle Grade

Books for Kids and Grown Ups

  • Book Reviews
    • Picture book
    • Chapter Books
    • Middle-Grade
    • Graphic Novels
    • Young Adult
    • Adult Fiction
    • Adult Non-Fiction
  • Book Lists
    • Picture Book Lists
    • Middle Grade Book Lists
    • Book Lists by Theme
    • Book Lists by Grade
    • Audiobook Recommendations
  • Join My Newsletter!
  • Go to the Blog
  • Summer Reading

Book Reviews, Middle-Grade · June 27, 2019

REVIEW| MURDER AT TWILIGHT

Murder at Twilight - Book Review

Summary: Murder at Twilight

Murder at Twilight is one of the few middle-grade/young-adult mysteries I’ve read. The slash is because I couldn’t for the life of me figure out these kids’ ages. The book is marketed as middle-grade, but the mystery and plot (to me) convey the idea of older kids.

This story is set in the UK. Viv and Noah have grown up together — Viv’s mom works for Noah’s wealthy family — and have an obvious near-sibling-rivalry. Viv also resents Noah’s family’s influence and the fact that her mother has to work for them. The story opens with the two getting into a squabble right before school. They’re literally in Viv’s mother’s car about to be driven and Viv does end up smacking Noah and provoking a nosebleed (he’s prone to those).

However, her mother’s bloodstained car seat becomes an issue when Noah fails to return from school. Viv’s mother Lin becomes one of the main suspects for Noah’s kidnapping. Viv is sure that Noah is sulking and deliberately trying to upset his parents. But when she goes in search of him, they both become embroiled in a bigger, life-threatening mystery.

The Good

This book is riveting. I found the mystery quite compelling and even though I didn’t care too much for a lot of the drama, I wanted to know what would happen to the kids. Viv is a strong, fiery character of Asian descent whose race is not zoomed in on. I really enjoyed reading a story with two kids of such different socioeconomic statuses side by side. Noah is the last of a prominent (almost royal) bloodline, while Viv’s mother is his beloved nanny. If you enjoy books set in the UK, you’ll like this one for sure!

Readers who enjoy an action-packed novel will also love this book. I liked that while the mystery is realistic (for the most part), no one gets hurt too badly.

The Bad

I found Noah and Viv’s relationship and constant squabbling to be mostly annoying. Also, never knowing exactly how old both kids were or even what grade (unless I missed something) they were in was so frustrating for me. Sometimes, they acted like middle-schoolers, and at other times, I was sure they were at least fifteen. A few of the side characters were also poorly developed and essentially interchangeable to me.

Overall: Murder at Twilight

I would definitely recommend this one! Murder at Twilight is a compulsively readable middle-grade mystery. Filled with suspenseful action and adventure, this middle-grade mystery-thriller also explores what happens when a privileged existence and second-class living collide. Lovers of whodunits and gentler thrillers will enjoy this one — it’s perfect for a cozy night in.

@Fleurhitchcock's Murder at Twilight is a compulsively readable middle-grade mystery. Filled with suspenseful action and adventure, this middle-grade mystery-thriller also explores what happens when a privileged existence and second-class living… Click To Tweet

Buy This Book

murder at twilight cover

More Middle-Grade Reviews

  • Emily Out of Focus by Miriam Spitzer Franklin
  • Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga
  • Shouting at the Rain by Linda Mullaly Hunt

Have you read this book or anything by Fleur Hitchcock? What did you think? Apparently, this is one of a set of middle-grade mystery series. I want to read the rest! I’m really beginning to enjoy middle-grade series. What are your favorite mystery books? I’d love to know!

Don't Forget to Share!

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Pocket
  • Email
  • WhatsApp
  • LinkedIn

Related

Posted In: Book Reviews, Middle-Grade

Join My Newsletter

Like what you just read? Sign up for my Friday kidlit newsletter!

Privacy Policy

You’ll Also Love

REVIEW| The Fresh New Face of Griselda
Review | Kind of Sort of Fine
Review | Mystery on Magnolia Circle

What do you think? Leave a comment Cancel reply

Next Post >

REVIEW| SHOUTING AT THE RAIN

About Me
Hi, I'm Afoma! Thank you for stopping by. Learn more about me here.

Get 2 Months Free on Scribd


Follow on Bloglovin’

Follow

We’re Social Too!

  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest

Stock photos courtesy of our partners at DepositPhotos 📸
🌧️ when the clouds come in 🌧️ ♟️ chess in MG lit ♟️ ✨a suspenseful middle grade book✨ ✨chapter books worth reading!✨ Welcoming a second baby? Here’s a delightful picture book with tips for big kids. Although there’s more text in this one than I’d like for a typical picture book, I love that the information is factual and can be very helpful for parents tackling these specific questions with their big kids ❤️ ❓What happened to Rachel Riley❓
  • Blog
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Copyright © 2023 Reading Middle Grade · Theme by 17th Avenue

 

Loading Comments...