Three hours. That's it.
Usually, I don't get out of bed for an audiobook under ten hours. I like my horror long, sprawling, and full of existential dread that lingers for weeks. But Midnight in Death? It's a palate cleanser. A bloody, gritty little shot of espresso between the heavy, depressing meals I usually consume.
The "Comfort Murder" Vibe
Let's be real—J.D. Robb (aka Nora Roberts) isn't writing House of Leaves. This isn't horror that's going to make you question reality or check the corners of your ceiling. It's procedural comfort food. But here's the thing—it works.
Most holiday-themed thrillers are garbage. They rely on cheap gimmicks or force a "spooky Christmas" aesthetic that just feels like a Spirit Halloween store in December. (And trust me, I know what that looks like—my apartment is basically that year-round.)
But this novella cuts the fluff. It's concise. Eve Dallas has a serial killer to catch, the killer has a grudge, and the clock is ticking. It feels more like a really good, high-budget episode of a crime drama than a novel. Compared to some of the bloated 20-hour thrillers I've slogged through recently—where the author describes every single tree in the forest for three chapters—this pacing was a relief. Copper River had that same tight pacing—no wasted words, just pure momentum. Shirley (my cat) barely had time to settle into her nap before the climax hit.
Susan Ericksen Can Stay Forever
If Susan Ericksen ever decides to stop narrating this series, we riot. Seriously.
I'm picky. You know this. I've turned off books because the narrator breathed too loud or did a bad British accent. But Ericksen? She understands the assignment. She isn't just reading; she's acting.
Audiobook narrators are actors—I will die on this hill—and Ericksen treats this short novella with the same respect she'd give a magnum opus. She nails Eve's gruff, tired-of-your-crap attitude without making her sound like a caricature. Ericksen brings that same sharp character work to Ceremony in Death—another Eve Dallas case where her performance elevates the whole story. And the banter with Roarke? It actually lands. Usually, romance-adjacent dialogue in thrillers makes me want to crawl into a hole, but she sells the chemistry without it feeling cringey.
(Though, listening to the "steamy" bits while shelving books in the Children's section at the library was... a choice. A risky choice. I regret nothing.)
Who's This For (And Who Should Skip)
If you're looking for deep, psychological trauma, go read Jackson. This won't keep you up at night. But if you want to watch a competent woman kick a serial killer's ass in under four hours while you wrap presents (or just drink wine in the dark), this is it. Skip if you need your horror to leave scars—this one's more satisfying itch-scratch than existential wound.
The Espresso Shot Verdict
Is it the scariest thing I've ever heard? No. I didn't need to sleep with the lights on. But it's satisfying in a way that feels like scratching an itch. Polished, professional, and doesn't waste my time.
Susan Ericksen, you can stay.
