I was a big fan of the Sookie Stackhouse series (the show, not so much.) But, for some reason, I just hadn’t been able to really get into Charlaine Harris’ other series’ (Lily Bard, Aurora Teagarden.) But, when I read about Midnight Crossroad, it felt like something different and yet, familiar at the same time. I was intrigued enough to buy the book and give it a once over. Well, let me tell you, I am HOOKED! Midnight Crossroad by Charlaine Harris is a fantastic urban fantasy read that feels like it should be read under the sun, with a fun drink in hand. I mean, there’s murder and mystery of course, but it still feels light. It feels fun. It feels quirky.
To start, if you aren’t a fan of kitsch, you might not like Midnight Crossroad. From the character names, Fiji, Bobo, Manfred, to location names Witch Light Road, Midnight Texas, to the local internet company Magic Portal, the entire town is just overwhelmingly ridiculous, in a cutesy way. All of the characters are so colourful, even the stern Reverend has a certain flair. What Harris does really well, is that they also feel heavy with history. When Manfred moves to town, he can tell immediately that there are so many layers to the people and Midnight itself, that he wants to know more, but can’t. Why? Because Midnight is a town for those looking to be forgotten, to become unknown and lost. Which is why Manfred’s arrival is the catalyst to a startling change in the status quo. Manfred needs to be known, he needs his name to be recognized. He actively promotes himself and his work as a psychic in a town where folks cater to each other only and actively work on staying under-the-radar.
The characters are what really sold me on the Midnight, Texas series being a winner. Plots, stories, relationships change from book to book in a series. Sometimes they build, sometimes they don’t. But, if you don’t have strong, likable characters, there’s no point in starting any series. Now, the plot of Midnight Crossroad is interesting, and kinda funny (not haha, just interesting.) Bobo’s girlfriend up and left one day. No one has heard from her. Then, they find her corpse. Now, everyone is wondering who did it, how, and why. The interesting part is how as a reader of urban fantasy, you automatically start thinking okay, let’s see who has the abilities to do something like this. You start coming up with all of these elaborate magical scenarios, because past experiences have shown it’s always something. Which is why I love the route Harris took with Crossroad, showing you these bad guy, racist, NRA bikers that don’t have enhanced abilities suddenly just be the baddies. A couple of normal folks kicking up trouble in a paranormal town. It’s great to see a bit of role reversal.
Would I recommend this book? Absolutely! Especially now as summer approaches, it feels like a fantastic urban fantasy to read while on a beach. It has solid, fun characters, a murder mystery, small-town country charm, and is a super easy read. Midnight Crossroad by Charlaine Harris is genuinely enjoyable and fun to read through, and I cannot wait to finish the second in the series!
