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Hemlock Island
A standalone horror novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong.
Laney Kilpatrick has been renting her vacation home to strangers. The invasion of privacy gives her panic attacks, but it’s the only way she can keep her beloved Hemlock Island, the only thing she owns after a pandemic-fueled divorce. But broken belongings and campfires that nearly burn down the house have escalated to bloody bones, hex circles, and now, terrified renters who’ve fled after finding blood and nail marks all over the guest room closet, as though someone tried to claw their way out…and failed.
When Laney shows up to investigate with her teenaged niece in tow, she discovers that her ex, Kit, has also been informed and is there with Jayla, his sister and her former best friend. Then Sadie, another old high school friend, charters over with her brother, who’s now a cop.
There are tensions and secrets, whispers in the woods, and before long, the discovery of a hand poking up from the earth. Then the body that goes with it… But by that time, someone has taken off with their one and only means off the island, and they’re trapped with someone—or something—that doesn’t want them leaving the island alive.
Laney Kilpatrick has been renting her vacation home to strangers. The invasion of privacy gives her panic attacks, but it’s the only way she can keep her beloved Hemlock Island, the only thing she owns after a pandemic-fueled divorce. But broken belongings and campfires that nearly burn down the house have escalated to bloody bones, hex circles, and now, terrified renters who’ve fled after finding blood and nail marks all over the guest room closet, as though someone tried to claw their way out…and failed.
When Laney shows up to investigate with her teenaged niece in tow, she discovers that her ex, Kit, has also been informed and is there with Jayla, his sister and her former best friend. Then Sadie, another old high school friend, charters over with her brother, who’s now a cop.
There are tensions and secrets, whispers in the woods, and before long, the discovery of a hand poking up from the earth. Then the body that goes with it… But by that time, someone has taken off with their one and only means off the island, and they’re trapped with someone—or something—that doesn’t want them leaving the island alive.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 12, 2023
About the author
Kelley Armstrong
273 books31.9k followersKelley Armstrong has been telling stories since before she could write. Her earliest written efforts were disastrous. If asked for a story about girls and dolls, hers would invariably feature undead girls and evil dolls, much to her teachers' dismay. All efforts to make her produce "normal" stories failed.
Today, she continues to spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked away in her basement writing dungeon. She's the author of the NYT-bestselling "Women of the Otherworld" paranormal suspense series and "Darkest Powers" young adult urban fantasy trilogy, as well as the Nadia Stafford crime series. Armstrong lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids and far too many pets.
Today, she continues to spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked away in her basement writing dungeon. She's the author of the NYT-bestselling "Women of the Otherworld" paranormal suspense series and "Darkest Powers" young adult urban fantasy trilogy, as well as the Nadia Stafford crime series. Armstrong lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids and far too many pets.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,652 reviews
August 31, 2023
This book totally caught me off guard. It was easy to get into the story, become engrossed in the twisty mystery, and make guesses about the culprit while trying to gather the pieces to answer the questions that kept piling up in each chapter. The claustrophobic sensation of being trapped on an island with a killer lurking around and the entire connection between characters who keep secrets from each other, along with surprising revelations, kept me on my toes.
What I didn't expect was how things wrapped up. It was twisty, but it was also incredibly awkward! I found myself screaming "What the hell?" several times. When the paranormal vibes were thrown into the mystery meets horror equation, I felt a little confused about my feelings. The revelations honestly sucker-punched me because they were a little far-fetched. I had second thoughts about how the story concluded in the most logical way. At least the author found a way to patch the loopholes up by giving us less eye-popping and more earth-shattering and satisfying ending!
The only thing that bothered me was that the dialogues' tone resembled more young adults than mature adult conversations.
The story revolves around Laney Kilpatrick, an English teacher and debut thriller author who is recently divorced during the pandemic and grieving her sister who lost her battle to cancer. She is raising her 16-year-old niece, Madison, and reluctantly renting a vacation home on a remote island to strangers. The house was a marriage gift from her ex, Kit, who signed the place over after their split. Laney rejected his request for alimony but cannot afford the expenses of such a grandiose place: a two-thousand-square-foot custom-built home on a five-acre private island in Lake Superior.
By renting the house to strangers, she's not only letting them invade her privacy, but she is also allowing them to move chairs from her secret spots, burn down her gazebo with a bonfire, and destroy her grandmother's coffee table with what are clearly canine teeth marks, despite promising that their dog would stay outside.
Things get out of control when the renters call her in the middle of the night to inform her that there are blood and nail marks all over the green/guest room's closet. When Laney drives to the house with her niece Madison, she finds her ex-husband, Kit (a tech company CEO), Kit's sister (a counselor and Laney's ex-best friend, Jayla), their mutual friend, Sadie, and Sadie's cop brother, Garrett, who Laney has some unexplained irritation towards.
Laney still harbors resentment towards her ex-husband, suspecting he's having an affair with Sadie, trying to soothe things with her estranged friend Jayla, and gets irritated by Garrett's existence for some unknown reason.
When they decide to spend the night together at the house, things get out of control. A hand of someone they found in the backyard is only the beginning of the escalating situation. The whispers raise. The pressure trembles. The secrets they keep are about to come out and change the course of their lives. Somebody is playing a deadly game with them, but who?
Overall, I went back and forth between giving the book three and four stars and ultimately decided to round up 3.5 stars to 4 for the riveting writing style and great blend of paranormal meets horror elements.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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What I didn't expect was how things wrapped up. It was twisty, but it was also incredibly awkward! I found myself screaming "What the hell?" several times. When the paranormal vibes were thrown into the mystery meets horror equation, I felt a little confused about my feelings. The revelations honestly sucker-punched me because they were a little far-fetched. I had second thoughts about how the story concluded in the most logical way. At least the author found a way to patch the loopholes up by giving us less eye-popping and more earth-shattering and satisfying ending!
The only thing that bothered me was that the dialogues' tone resembled more young adults than mature adult conversations.
The story revolves around Laney Kilpatrick, an English teacher and debut thriller author who is recently divorced during the pandemic and grieving her sister who lost her battle to cancer. She is raising her 16-year-old niece, Madison, and reluctantly renting a vacation home on a remote island to strangers. The house was a marriage gift from her ex, Kit, who signed the place over after their split. Laney rejected his request for alimony but cannot afford the expenses of such a grandiose place: a two-thousand-square-foot custom-built home on a five-acre private island in Lake Superior.
By renting the house to strangers, she's not only letting them invade her privacy, but she is also allowing them to move chairs from her secret spots, burn down her gazebo with a bonfire, and destroy her grandmother's coffee table with what are clearly canine teeth marks, despite promising that their dog would stay outside.
Things get out of control when the renters call her in the middle of the night to inform her that there are blood and nail marks all over the green/guest room's closet. When Laney drives to the house with her niece Madison, she finds her ex-husband, Kit (a tech company CEO), Kit's sister (a counselor and Laney's ex-best friend, Jayla), their mutual friend, Sadie, and Sadie's cop brother, Garrett, who Laney has some unexplained irritation towards.
Laney still harbors resentment towards her ex-husband, suspecting he's having an affair with Sadie, trying to soothe things with her estranged friend Jayla, and gets irritated by Garrett's existence for some unknown reason.
When they decide to spend the night together at the house, things get out of control. A hand of someone they found in the backyard is only the beginning of the escalating situation. The whispers raise. The pressure trembles. The secrets they keep are about to come out and change the course of their lives. Somebody is playing a deadly game with them, but who?
Overall, I went back and forth between giving the book three and four stars and ultimately decided to round up 3.5 stars to 4 for the riveting writing style and great blend of paranormal meets horror elements.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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September 27, 2023
This is a tough one for me to review, because I can’t quite put my finger on why it didn’t work as well for me as other books by the author. I think what it comes down to is that I simply enjoy her series more than the standalone novels she writes. In her books where the characters are reoccurring, there’s more depth in the setting, plot, and personalities of the people we keep coming back to. In the standalone novels… not so much.
Hemlock Island definitely has a compulsive and addicting component that makes it incredibly accessible, but the lack of depth in the characters and the heavy handed message ultimately makes it forgettable in a sea of other environmental horror novels. There’s a good chunk of the book, mainly the minimal backstories that we receive, that is telling instead of showing, and the twists that I feel were supposed to be surprising felt obvious throughout. I actually kept feeling that I must be wrong in all my assumptions, because it seemed as if Armstrong was pushing the clues SO hard that they must have been red herrings? They weren’t, so that was a bit of a bummer as well.
Overall, if you’re looking for a fast horror read that packs a little gore but isn’t over-the-top in disturbing plot devices, give this one a try for yourself. Kelley Armstrong is a FANTASTIC author, and I’ll continue to look forward to her new releases.
TW (including but not limited to):
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
Hemlock Island definitely has a compulsive and addicting component that makes it incredibly accessible, but the lack of depth in the characters and the heavy handed message ultimately makes it forgettable in a sea of other environmental horror novels. There’s a good chunk of the book, mainly the minimal backstories that we receive, that is telling instead of showing, and the twists that I feel were supposed to be surprising felt obvious throughout. I actually kept feeling that I must be wrong in all my assumptions, because it seemed as if Armstrong was pushing the clues SO hard that they must have been red herrings? They weren’t, so that was a bit of a bummer as well.
Overall, if you’re looking for a fast horror read that packs a little gore but isn’t over-the-top in disturbing plot devices, give this one a try for yourself. Kelley Armstrong is a FANTASTIC author, and I’ll continue to look forward to her new releases.
TW (including but not limited to):
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy.
August 22, 2023
A vacation home on an island in the middle of Lake Superior sounds like a dream. The perfect place of rest, relaxation, and spending time with loved ones. But what happens when your dream place becomes a nightmare?
Laney Kilpatrick's ex-husband gave her Hemlock Island and the home they built there during their divorce. Laney loves being there but the upkeep is expensive and when she is not writing, she is a teacher. Wanting to keep the property, she takes on renters. One night she gets an upsetting phone call from her latest renters who have found blood and fingernail scratches in a closet in the home.
Laney and her sixteen-year-old niece, Madison come to investigate but they are not the only ones. Her ex-husband Kit and his sister Jayla are there plus her former school friend Sadie and her cop brother Garrett.
There is tension galore as this is not a happy reunion for all of them. Plus, there are secrets amongst the members of the group. One of them will take off leaving the rest stranded on the island. As they settle in a gruesome discovery is made. It will be the catalyst for more gruesome discoveries which are traumatic, shocking, and horrific.
This book has a creepy and tense vibe throughout. I love the trapped feeling in this book. No one can get off the island and the danger increased by the second. Plus, the dark skies and incoming storm provide atmosphere and add to the chilling and creepy feel of the book.
Kelley Armstrong likes to incorporate the supernatural into her books. I enjoy this touch and it makes for an interesting element. Having said that, things got a little OTT in the end. I loved everything about the book until the last 15% of it. Things do get summed up, but I wanted to tell two of the characters (Laney & Kit) to communicate, why didn't you communicate? That was my mantra while reading this. Plus, I also said "Grow up already" about one of the characters. What does it say when the sixteen-year-old in the group is more mature at times than the adults.
Other than my minor issues with the book, I enjoyed this and found it to be a fast read. Kelley Armstrong is one of my go-to authors, and I look forward to what she writes next.
Atmospheric, chilling, dark, creepy, and fast paced.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
Laney Kilpatrick's ex-husband gave her Hemlock Island and the home they built there during their divorce. Laney loves being there but the upkeep is expensive and when she is not writing, she is a teacher. Wanting to keep the property, she takes on renters. One night she gets an upsetting phone call from her latest renters who have found blood and fingernail scratches in a closet in the home.
Laney and her sixteen-year-old niece, Madison come to investigate but they are not the only ones. Her ex-husband Kit and his sister Jayla are there plus her former school friend Sadie and her cop brother Garrett.
There is tension galore as this is not a happy reunion for all of them. Plus, there are secrets amongst the members of the group. One of them will take off leaving the rest stranded on the island. As they settle in a gruesome discovery is made. It will be the catalyst for more gruesome discoveries which are traumatic, shocking, and horrific.
This book has a creepy and tense vibe throughout. I love the trapped feeling in this book. No one can get off the island and the danger increased by the second. Plus, the dark skies and incoming storm provide atmosphere and add to the chilling and creepy feel of the book.
Kelley Armstrong likes to incorporate the supernatural into her books. I enjoy this touch and it makes for an interesting element. Having said that, things got a little OTT in the end. I loved everything about the book until the last 15% of it. Things do get summed up, but I wanted to tell two of the characters (Laney & Kit) to communicate, why didn't you communicate? That was my mantra while reading this. Plus, I also said "Grow up already" about one of the characters. What does it say when the sixteen-year-old in the group is more mature at times than the adults.
Other than my minor issues with the book, I enjoyed this and found it to be a fast read. Kelley Armstrong is one of my go-to authors, and I look forward to what she writes next.
Atmospheric, chilling, dark, creepy, and fast paced.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
November 29, 2023
I've read a couple of books by Kelley Armstrong but nothing like this! A private island in Lake Superior sounds like a tranquil summer home but I couldn't be more wrong. I wish Armstrong didn't throw so many extra themes in though. It was just one too many? Pedophilia, rape, LGBTQ, racism, environment on top of blood and gore.
Laney Kilpatrick owns Hemlock Island which is a marriage gift from her tech CEO ex, Kit Hayes. The Hemlock House is a custom-built sleek and minimalist Scandinavian-style on a five-acre off-the-grid isolated island. She can't maintain it on her school teacher's salary and is forced to rent it out.
A couple that is renting the house called one day to report blood and scratches in one of the bedroom's closets. There were also other disturbances known prior so Laney and her niece, Madison had to go take a look.
Also heading to the island uninvited are Laney's ex-husband and his sister. A former bestie Sadie and her cop brother, Garrett. They all are childhood friends of sorts. Sounds like a party?
All I'm going to say is this one mean island! Imagine being trapped with no way to contact the outside except for a little boat. Very good ingredients for a locked-room thriller with supernatural elements. I don't normally read gory types of horror but the storytelling pulled me in from the beginning. There are a lot of secrets that will slowly come to light. Fun stuff but I can understand why other reviewers compared this book to a B-rate horror movie. 🫣 3.5⭐
Thank you St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the DRC.
Published Sep 12, 2023.
Laney Kilpatrick owns Hemlock Island which is a marriage gift from her tech CEO ex, Kit Hayes. The Hemlock House is a custom-built sleek and minimalist Scandinavian-style on a five-acre off-the-grid isolated island. She can't maintain it on her school teacher's salary and is forced to rent it out.
A couple that is renting the house called one day to report blood and scratches in one of the bedroom's closets. There were also other disturbances known prior so Laney and her niece, Madison had to go take a look.
Also heading to the island uninvited are Laney's ex-husband and his sister. A former bestie Sadie and her cop brother, Garrett. They all are childhood friends of sorts. Sounds like a party?
All I'm going to say is this one mean island! Imagine being trapped with no way to contact the outside except for a little boat. Very good ingredients for a locked-room thriller with supernatural elements. I don't normally read gory types of horror but the storytelling pulled me in from the beginning. There are a lot of secrets that will slowly come to light. Fun stuff but I can understand why other reviewers compared this book to a B-rate horror movie. 🫣 3.5⭐
Thank you St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the DRC.
Published Sep 12, 2023.
February 18, 2024
Hemlock Island pulled me in right from the beginning. I am a big fan of Kelley Armstrong's writing, so I was delighted to read The Twisty Mystery with the added supernatural element that kept me furiously turning the pages late into the night. It made me guess who the culprit(s) were while trying to gather all the puzzle pieces and make them fit. Armstrong does an excellent job of bringing all the details together and tying up all the threads into a satisfying conclusion.
Armstrong is a master at creating an atmosphere that sets the tone; it feels isolating, claustrophobic and creepy. The characters were flawed, which made them more realistic and relatable. There were also two unlikeable characters that I wanted to throttle. The idea of being trapped on an island with a killer skulking in the woods and the high school connection between the characters who are keeping dark secrets from each other, along with the surprising revelations and twists, kept me on my toes.
My only issue was that one would have to suspend their disbelief to make the entirety of the plot plausible, which didn't distract from me thoroughly having an enjoyable experience. And the repetitive use of the word Lake Superior. I was screaming I get it!! The location is on Lake Superior. I just went with it and enjoyed the wild ride that had my heart racing; the tension around the 80% mark was palpable at times and heart-rending
The story focuses on the MC Laney Kilpatrick, an English teacher and debut mystery author who recently divorced during the pandemic and is grieving her older sister, who lost her battle with cancer. She is raising her 16-year-old niece, Madison, and has to rent out her off-the-grid summer house to strangers to offset the costs of the upkeep of "Hemlock Island," a two-thousand-square-foot custom-built home on a five-acre private island on Lake Superior.
By renting the house to strangers, she lets them invade her private domain and deface her property; that is not the worst thing. The worst thing is someone knowing every inch of your personal space, and they can do whatever they want to it— and, maybe, to you. Too!!
The current renters called Lanie in the middle of the night to inform her that she found blood and deep scratch marks on the closet door, like somebody tried to claw their way out all over the green bedroom's closet. Laney, with her niece, Madison, drives to Fox Bay. To her surprise, she finds her ex-husband, Kit and his sister, Jayla, preparing to take the boat to the island and check it out for her. They checked out Hemlock Island together since they were all at THE Foxy Lady Campground, where the boat launch is. Then, to make matters even more complicated, Laney's former high school best friend and their mutual friend Sadie. Sadie and her brother, Garrett, a cop, showed up uninvited on the island. How did they even know that they were at Hemlock Island? To everyone's shock and surprise, things are about to get complicated, uncomfortable, and chaotic.
Things become a nightmare when they decide to spend the night together at the house. And come across the hand of someone they found sticking out of the ground. And then Sadie disappears, leaving them stranded with no way off the island. The backyard and Sadie's disappearance are the beginning of the intensifying situation. When the secrets, lies, and betrayals they've kept come to light, they will change their lives indefinitely. Somebody is playing a deadly game with them, and to what end? But who? And why?
"The biggest tragedy here is the death that came at the hands of ordinary people with ordinary greed."
I went back and forth between giving the book three and four stars. I ultimately decided to round up 3.5 stars to 4 for the great writing style and excellent balance of mystery and supernatural elements.
I know this book won't be for everyone, but grab a copy if you like a mix of mystery with supernatural elements. It wasn't full of jump-scares and horror gore. There was some light body gore., but it's more of a whodunit with supernatural elements than a horror book. If you expect a horror book, you might want to pass on this one.
I want to thank Kelley Armstrong St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review,
Armstrong is a master at creating an atmosphere that sets the tone; it feels isolating, claustrophobic and creepy. The characters were flawed, which made them more realistic and relatable. There were also two unlikeable characters that I wanted to throttle. The idea of being trapped on an island with a killer skulking in the woods and the high school connection between the characters who are keeping dark secrets from each other, along with the surprising revelations and twists, kept me on my toes.
My only issue was that one would have to suspend their disbelief to make the entirety of the plot plausible, which didn't distract from me thoroughly having an enjoyable experience. And the repetitive use of the word Lake Superior. I was screaming I get it!! The location is on Lake Superior. I just went with it and enjoyed the wild ride that had my heart racing; the tension around the 80% mark was palpable at times and heart-rending
The story focuses on the MC Laney Kilpatrick, an English teacher and debut mystery author who recently divorced during the pandemic and is grieving her older sister, who lost her battle with cancer. She is raising her 16-year-old niece, Madison, and has to rent out her off-the-grid summer house to strangers to offset the costs of the upkeep of "Hemlock Island," a two-thousand-square-foot custom-built home on a five-acre private island on Lake Superior.
By renting the house to strangers, she lets them invade her private domain and deface her property; that is not the worst thing. The worst thing is someone knowing every inch of your personal space, and they can do whatever they want to it— and, maybe, to you. Too!!
The current renters called Lanie in the middle of the night to inform her that she found blood and deep scratch marks on the closet door, like somebody tried to claw their way out all over the green bedroom's closet. Laney, with her niece, Madison, drives to Fox Bay. To her surprise, she finds her ex-husband, Kit and his sister, Jayla, preparing to take the boat to the island and check it out for her. They checked out Hemlock Island together since they were all at THE Foxy Lady Campground, where the boat launch is. Then, to make matters even more complicated, Laney's former high school best friend and their mutual friend Sadie. Sadie and her brother, Garrett, a cop, showed up uninvited on the island. How did they even know that they were at Hemlock Island? To everyone's shock and surprise, things are about to get complicated, uncomfortable, and chaotic.
Things become a nightmare when they decide to spend the night together at the house. And come across the hand of someone they found sticking out of the ground. And then Sadie disappears, leaving them stranded with no way off the island. The backyard and Sadie's disappearance are the beginning of the intensifying situation. When the secrets, lies, and betrayals they've kept come to light, they will change their lives indefinitely. Somebody is playing a deadly game with them, and to what end? But who? And why?
"The biggest tragedy here is the death that came at the hands of ordinary people with ordinary greed."
I went back and forth between giving the book three and four stars. I ultimately decided to round up 3.5 stars to 4 for the great writing style and excellent balance of mystery and supernatural elements.
I know this book won't be for everyone, but grab a copy if you like a mix of mystery with supernatural elements. It wasn't full of jump-scares and horror gore. There was some light body gore., but it's more of a whodunit with supernatural elements than a horror book. If you expect a horror book, you might want to pass on this one.
I want to thank Kelley Armstrong St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review,
April 19, 2023
This is the horror story I needed this year. I love Kelley Armstrong and every time she ventures into another genre I love her just a little bit more. This book would make a great movie and I hope that happens sometime. Laney Kilpatrick kept her vacation home on it’s own private island after her divorce. Unfortunately on her teacher’s salary she needs to rent it out when she’s not there to be able to afford the fees and taxes. When several renters complain of occult type pranks she decides to go to the island to figure out what is happening. She brings her niece who is she guardian for when she refuses to stay behind. When she gets there her ex-husband and an old friend there to help the investigation. Their party is completed when another old friend who has drifted away from Laney also comes and brings her brother who was just made a detective. As they discover more and more on the island the sense of dread and doom rises. A creep-tastic read that is perfect for a fall read.
October 3, 2023
2.5 Thrills and chills.An Island, I love books set on islands but maybe not this island. There is a lot going on, much back and forth, characters running here and there. Not confusing but some of the characters actions didn't make much sense. Quite gory the end, horrific, but for me, it was too drawn out.
Message: It might be wise to take better care of the natural world.
Good Book for Halloween reading.
Audio, in my opinion, is the way to go for this one. The narrator was super.
ARC from Netgalley.
Message: It might be wise to take better care of the natural world.
Good Book for Halloween reading.
Audio, in my opinion, is the way to go for this one. The narrator was super.
ARC from Netgalley.
Read
August 21, 2023DNF
I couldn't invest in the story or the characters. It wasn't developed; everything seemed hurried.
I couldn't invest in the story or the characters. It wasn't developed; everything seemed hurried.
September 13, 2023
Hemlock Island by Kelley Armstrong
Horror. Paranormal.
Laney Kilpatrick owns Hemlock Island, a remote spot in Lake Superior. It’s free of daily intrusions such as internet access or phone lines. Laney rents the house out to pay bills but recent problems from tenants has her returning to the island to investigate blood and scratches in a closet and other complaints. Finding a severed hand causes terror and then one of their party goes missing along with their only way off the island.
🎧 I listened to an audiobook edition of this book narrated by Angela Dawe. The performance was compelling and chilling. I enjoyed the tenseness of the playback and could clearly hear uneasy feelings turning to terror as the story continues.
I found the best speed for me was 1.5 which is my standard.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and publisher @MacmillanAudio.
Horror. Paranormal.
Laney Kilpatrick owns Hemlock Island, a remote spot in Lake Superior. It’s free of daily intrusions such as internet access or phone lines. Laney rents the house out to pay bills but recent problems from tenants has her returning to the island to investigate blood and scratches in a closet and other complaints. Finding a severed hand causes terror and then one of their party goes missing along with their only way off the island.
🎧 I listened to an audiobook edition of this book narrated by Angela Dawe. The performance was compelling and chilling. I enjoyed the tenseness of the playback and could clearly hear uneasy feelings turning to terror as the story continues.
I found the best speed for me was 1.5 which is my standard.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and publisher @MacmillanAudio.
September 15, 2023
Loved this! The characters draw you in instantly while the darkness slowly creeps in, until sleep becomes optional. Get ready to stay up all night. I did!
September 29, 2023
3.5 Stars
Laney has been leasing out her vacation home on Hemlock Island. However, she has recently discovered some unsettling items appearing at her house. These items include bones, hex circles, and even bloody scratches. Worried about her business and the safety of her guests, Laney is now racing back to Hemlock Island to investigate the truth behind these strange occurrences before it's too late.
Although the book had some suspenseful and scary moments that I enjoyed, I couldn't help but feel disconnected from the characters. Maybe they needed more depth and development. Nevertheless, it was still an entertaining read. Would recommend it to those who enjoy paranormal horror.
*** Thank you to NetGalley, Kelley Armstrong, and Macmillan Audio for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
Laney has been leasing out her vacation home on Hemlock Island. However, she has recently discovered some unsettling items appearing at her house. These items include bones, hex circles, and even bloody scratches. Worried about her business and the safety of her guests, Laney is now racing back to Hemlock Island to investigate the truth behind these strange occurrences before it's too late.
Although the book had some suspenseful and scary moments that I enjoyed, I couldn't help but feel disconnected from the characters. Maybe they needed more depth and development. Nevertheless, it was still an entertaining read. Would recommend it to those who enjoy paranormal horror.
*** Thank you to NetGalley, Kelley Armstrong, and Macmillan Audio for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
Read
October 17, 2023DNF at 51%
Kelley Armstrong is one of my favorite authors, but I couldn't stomach reading this book anymore. I realize it's horror, but the descriptions of body gore were too much for me to listen to. I kept hoping it would be minimal but I can't listen to
That and small nitpicky thing that did take me out of the story, the audiobook narrator who did this book also narrates the Finlay Donovan series and does the same exact voices so I honestly was getting confused (not the fault of the author, just a weird rando "me" problem).
Kelley Armstrong is one of my favorite authors, but I couldn't stomach reading this book anymore. I realize it's horror, but the descriptions of body gore were too much for me to listen to. I kept hoping it would be minimal but I can't listen to
That and small nitpicky thing that did take me out of the story, the audiobook narrator who did this book also narrates the Finlay Donovan series and does the same exact voices so I honestly was getting confused (not the fault of the author, just a weird rando "me" problem).
December 8, 2023
This is a well-written, intense and gripping horror novel. It is fast paced with a diverse cast of characters, suspense, secrets, paranormal elements, a vividly described setting, twists and turns, and a satisfying conclusion. I listened to the audio book, while walking alone in the park after dark, and the miles flew by, although it was quite creepy! The narrator, Ms. Angela Dawes, has a lovely voice and does an outstanding job depicting the characters and their personalities.
April 22, 2023
Laney has been renting out her secluded house from her ex husband on Hemlock Island. Renters has been having eerie things happen and fleeing. Laney and her ex go back to the island along with her niece and old friends. Creepy occult things start happening and they fight for their lives. This was a thrilling horror read that I finished quickly.
Thanks NetGalley and St.Martins Press for this ARC that will be published September 12, 2023!
Thanks NetGalley and St.Martins Press for this ARC that will be published September 12, 2023!
October 11, 2023
Laney Kilpatrick is still working through her feelings of being divorced from the love of her life (Kit) when they struggled through the pandemic. Since the divorce, Laney has has had a difficult time with finances since she has also become guardian to her niece (Maddison) so she has to rent out her beloved vacation home on Hemlock Island which was a wedding gift from Kit. Laney gets a call from her current tenant saying strange things have been occurring in the house so she and Maddy go out to the island and find Kit has been contacted also so he brings his sister along since he's determined not to let the girls go to the island alone especially since there has been hex symbols and items of satanic origin that have been previously found around the small island. They don't understand why their young caretaker didn't meet them when they docked instead they just found an uninvited and unwanted old friend and her brother who happens to be a police officer but Laney can't stand to be anywhere around him. So this ends up becoming a very uncomfortable situation for Laney but she'll cope for a few hours until they come upon a disembodied hand and of course there is no cell service on the island (right?) so they can't leave until the police arrive but someone has to get back to the mainland to make a call and that's when they find their boat gone and one of their guests missing. They are now all stranded together until someone else arrives or brings their boat back not knowing how dire their situation will turn out to be.
Someone wants to scare these people especially Laney but no-one could have foreseen the diabolical evil that will bring death and devastation to all of them unless they figure out who or what is behind the horrific happenings that are centered around Laney although she doesn't have a clue what's going on and just thinks it's been renters trying to scare her into selling the island and she's not about to be bullied into selling Hemlock Island.
Little could any of the group have known that they may never leave the island and that who or what is taunting them will be a force so strong that whatever they originally believed will test their sanity if they are lucky enough to survive their terror and horror that won't let them leave Hemlock Island!
Another entertaining book by author Kelley Armstrong. This book was based on the Supernatural which I always enjoy and while it was entertaining I didn't find it scary although there were a couple of really good unexpected twists that were fun. I found the characters were somewhat opaque for me without much depth to the horrific situations that would occur. Maybe the romance got in my way since it played too big a part throughout the entire story which took away from the tension or terror that I expected from them so their reactions were too vague and unrealistic for my taste. I think this book will have a great appeal to readers who enjoy lighter supernatural mysteries or thrillers although be forewarned some of the murders are gory but didn't seem to line up with what I consider dark and frightening horror novels. With that said, I loved all the Kelley Armstrong "Rockton and Haven's Rock" series and I can't wait to read more of them in the future. There are just so wonderful!
I recommend this book to others so the can form their own opinions and enjoy this book for how it was written. I have always enjoyed this author's books in the past so I will continue to look forward to read other books that she continues to write in the future.
I want to thank the publisher "St. Martin's Press" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating of 3 ENTERTAINING & STRANDED ⭐⭐⭐ STARS!!
Someone wants to scare these people especially Laney but no-one could have foreseen the diabolical evil that will bring death and devastation to all of them unless they figure out who or what is behind the horrific happenings that are centered around Laney although she doesn't have a clue what's going on and just thinks it's been renters trying to scare her into selling the island and she's not about to be bullied into selling Hemlock Island.
Little could any of the group have known that they may never leave the island and that who or what is taunting them will be a force so strong that whatever they originally believed will test their sanity if they are lucky enough to survive their terror and horror that won't let them leave Hemlock Island!
Another entertaining book by author Kelley Armstrong. This book was based on the Supernatural which I always enjoy and while it was entertaining I didn't find it scary although there were a couple of really good unexpected twists that were fun. I found the characters were somewhat opaque for me without much depth to the horrific situations that would occur. Maybe the romance got in my way since it played too big a part throughout the entire story which took away from the tension or terror that I expected from them so their reactions were too vague and unrealistic for my taste. I think this book will have a great appeal to readers who enjoy lighter supernatural mysteries or thrillers although be forewarned some of the murders are gory but didn't seem to line up with what I consider dark and frightening horror novels. With that said, I loved all the Kelley Armstrong "Rockton and Haven's Rock" series and I can't wait to read more of them in the future. There are just so wonderful!
I recommend this book to others so the can form their own opinions and enjoy this book for how it was written. I have always enjoyed this author's books in the past so I will continue to look forward to read other books that she continues to write in the future.
I want to thank the publisher "St. Martin's Press" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating of 3 ENTERTAINING & STRANDED ⭐⭐⭐ STARS!!
September 16, 2023
I always feel so bad writing negative reviews, but it was not for me at all. After reading quite a few high reviews, I thought I would love Hemlock Island. Sadly, I did not. Not even a little bit. The plot had so much promise! The creepy house on an island, weird things happening, past drama with friends bubbling to the surface during a major emergency - it had all the elements of a great slasher movie-esque story. The first half of the book was even decent, but the second half along with the conclusion was so outlandish and ridiculous.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the Publisher for gifting me an ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the Publisher for gifting me an ARC in exchange for my honest review!
October 21, 2023
Severed hands🤚… blood 🩸 blood 🩸 and MORE blood 🩸… this book literally made me cringe… in a good way.😉
Laney is a writer… who just happens to own an island 🏝… Hemlock Island … an absolutely deserted island except for her amazing home her ex husband built… Aww right?? 🥰…Perfect getaway from EVERYONE. Except… what about if things go wrong… 😬..like VERY… VERY wrong…😳… you are all ALONE… with no contact with the outside world…. Umm no thank you… 🏃♀️ Bye!! Peace ✌️
Guys this was so atmospheric… it creeped me out! I am very hit or miss with horror.. and this was a definite win! 🥳
I kept wondering if our thriller writer Laney was behind this.. or if she was trying to drive her husband back into her arms… or… was this really… happening?? 😳 That ending!! 😧🫢🤯🤐
Thank you St Martin's Press for my gifted copy
Laney is a writer… who just happens to own an island 🏝… Hemlock Island … an absolutely deserted island except for her amazing home her ex husband built… Aww right?? 🥰…Perfect getaway from EVERYONE. Except… what about if things go wrong… 😬..like VERY… VERY wrong…😳… you are all ALONE… with no contact with the outside world…. Umm no thank you… 🏃♀️ Bye!! Peace ✌️
Guys this was so atmospheric… it creeped me out! I am very hit or miss with horror.. and this was a definite win! 🥳
I kept wondering if our thriller writer Laney was behind this.. or if she was trying to drive her husband back into her arms… or… was this really… happening?? 😳 That ending!! 😧🫢🤯🤐
Thank you St Martin's Press for my gifted copy
September 19, 2023
1.5 stars. I honestly feel tricked by this book. I was having fun in the beginning and then things started unraveling. The plot became more ridiculous every chapter and the characters began to annoy me. After the unhinged ending, I can’t remember why I thought reading this was a good idea in the first place.
September 29, 2023
Just awful. All the way around.
September 4, 2023
Great premise but so poorly written that I had to force myself to finish it. Do yourself a favor and save your money.
September 12, 2023
Happy Publication Day!
First things first, if you don’t enjoy books with a supernatural element, this one isn’t for you. No judgment, just trying to help let you know in advance.
Trigger warnings- Rape, body gore
Hemlock Island sits on Lake Superior of the Great Lakes. It has history and it has mysteries. When Laney becomes its owner, she builds a new modern home in which she rents out AirBnb-style since circumstances have put her in a pinch for the extra cash to maintain the island. When her guests start reporting weird sightings-bloody closets with claw marks, hex circles, and wind chimes made of bones-she heads out there to check it out. Friends from her complex past end up meeting her out there. Laney herself, her ex-husband corporate CEO, her estranged lawyer best friend, a detective and his sister all take over investigating the island when they discover a severed hand in the lawn.
This becomes a convoluted whodunnit when these old friends become trapped, and their only way out is just to survive and figure out the island’s secret.
The author, Kelley Armstrong, does an amazing job at setting a brisk pace right from the start. The characters are written beautifully and their secrets will blindside you.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and give it 4 stars! Will recommend to others, and while it has a great ending, I wasn’t necessarily mind blown.
A great thank you goes out to Kelley Simon, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
First things first, if you don’t enjoy books with a supernatural element, this one isn’t for you. No judgment, just trying to help let you know in advance.
Trigger warnings- Rape, body gore
Hemlock Island sits on Lake Superior of the Great Lakes. It has history and it has mysteries. When Laney becomes its owner, she builds a new modern home in which she rents out AirBnb-style since circumstances have put her in a pinch for the extra cash to maintain the island. When her guests start reporting weird sightings-bloody closets with claw marks, hex circles, and wind chimes made of bones-she heads out there to check it out. Friends from her complex past end up meeting her out there. Laney herself, her ex-husband corporate CEO, her estranged lawyer best friend, a detective and his sister all take over investigating the island when they discover a severed hand in the lawn.
This becomes a convoluted whodunnit when these old friends become trapped, and their only way out is just to survive and figure out the island’s secret.
The author, Kelley Armstrong, does an amazing job at setting a brisk pace right from the start. The characters are written beautifully and their secrets will blindside you.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and give it 4 stars! Will recommend to others, and while it has a great ending, I wasn’t necessarily mind blown.
A great thank you goes out to Kelley Simon, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 4, 2024
5/5 🌟
4/5 ❤️🩹
3/5 🥰
0/5 🌶️
0/5 🔎
4/5 😰A
4/5 🎭T
5/5 👻C
⚠️⛔️TRIGGERS:⛔️⚠️
Blood
Gore
Body Horror
Injury/Injury Detail
Violence
Murder
Grief
Rape
Sexual Assault
Sexual Violence
Adult/Minor Relationship
Toxic Friendship
Torture
Animal Cruelty
Animal Death
Emotional Abuse
Physical Abuse
Death of a Parent
Emesis
Terminal Illness
Cancer
Pandemic/Epidemic
Gaslighting
Confinement
Bullying
Profanity
Homophobia
Biphobia
Lesbophobia
Transphobia
Panic Attacks
Physical Abuse
Racism
Medical Content
Medical Trauma
Pregnancy
Stalking
Infertility
Alcohol Use
🗯️💬BOOK BLURB:💬🗯️
Laney Kilpatrick has been renting her vacation home to strangers. The invasion of privacy gives her panic attacks, but it’s the only way she can keep her beloved Hemlock Island, the only thing she owns after a pandemic-fueled divorce. But broken belongings and campfires that nearly burn down the house have escalated to bloody bones, hex circles, and now, terrified renters who’ve fled after finding blood and nail marks all over the guest room closet, as though someone tried to claw their way out…and failed.
When Laney shows up to investigate with her teenaged niece in tow, she discovers that her ex, Kit, has also been informed and is there with Jayla, his sister and her former best friend. Then Sadie, another old high school friend, charters over with her brother, who’s now a cop.
There are tensions and secrets, whispers in the woods, and before long, the discovery of a hand poking up from the earth. Then the body that goes with it… But by that time, someone has taken off with their one and only means off the island, and they’re trapped with someone—or something—that doesn’t want them leaving the island alive.
🌎📖OVERALL REVIEWS📖🌎
Courtesy of Storygraph
COMMUNITY REVIEWS
SUMMARY OF 833 REVIEWS
Moods
dark 94%
mysterious 80%
tense 78%
emotional 31%
adventurous 18%
sad 18%
challenging 14%
reflective 6%
hopeful 2%
funny 1%
Pace
medium 50%
fast 44%
slow 4%
Plot- or character-driven?
A mix: 57% | Plot: 35% | Character: 7%
Strong character development?
Yes: 38% | No: 33% | It's complicated: 27%
Loveable characters?
It's complicated: 46% | Yes: 31% | No: 21%
Diverse cast of characters?
Yes: 84% | No: 11% | It's complicated: 2% | N/A: 1%
Flaws of characters a main focus?
Yes: 51% | It's complicated: 24% | No: 23%
Average rating
3.51
🤔🧐🤯MY THOUGHTS:🤯🧐🤔
Yes, I did stay up all night reading this in one sitting!! It was that good! I would still rate this in the thriller genre but it leaned toward horror with a big lean in the occult genre.
I’m not really sure but it was good and it creeped me out in a major way! You may have noticed I added a 👻 emoji for any horror-occult books. I felt this book deserved an emoji.
I’m ashamed to admit this is my first Kelley Armstrong book despite having several of her YA books on my TBR shelf for years 😬. After reading this book… I’ll go on an Armstrong binge after I get some more books off of my current list. I’m also very shocked that this book has such a low rating. I loved the writing style and I felt like there was more than a sufficient amount of character and world building. There was a sweet little twist in there as well.
RATING KEY:
🌟 Stars - based on the overall plot and theme or idea of the book
❤️🩹 Emotions - based on how emotional I got while reading
🥰 Romance - based on how well I got invested in the love story aspect
🌶️ Spice - based on how the sex scenes were portrayed and written as well as the number of sex scenes
🔎 Mystery - based on how well it kept me guessing who, how and why
😰 Scared/Anxious - based on how scared or anxious the book made me while reading
🎭 Comedy/Tragedy based on if I laughed or if there was a tragic event and how it affected me. I will mark the Masks with either a C or T to indicate Comedy or Tragedy
👻 Spooky/Creepy based on if this had any occult or paranormal themes and if those elements creeped me out or gave me anxiety! 😬
4/5 ❤️🩹
3/5 🥰
0/5 🌶️
0/5 🔎
4/5 😰A
4/5 🎭T
5/5 👻C
⚠️⛔️TRIGGERS:⛔️⚠️
Blood
Gore
Body Horror
Injury/Injury Detail
Violence
Murder
Grief
Rape
Sexual Assault
Sexual Violence
Adult/Minor Relationship
Toxic Friendship
Torture
Animal Cruelty
Animal Death
Emotional Abuse
Physical Abuse
Death of a Parent
Emesis
Terminal Illness
Cancer
Pandemic/Epidemic
Gaslighting
Confinement
Bullying
Profanity
Homophobia
Biphobia
Lesbophobia
Transphobia
Panic Attacks
Physical Abuse
Racism
Medical Content
Medical Trauma
Pregnancy
Stalking
Infertility
Alcohol Use
🗯️💬BOOK BLURB:💬🗯️
Laney Kilpatrick has been renting her vacation home to strangers. The invasion of privacy gives her panic attacks, but it’s the only way she can keep her beloved Hemlock Island, the only thing she owns after a pandemic-fueled divorce. But broken belongings and campfires that nearly burn down the house have escalated to bloody bones, hex circles, and now, terrified renters who’ve fled after finding blood and nail marks all over the guest room closet, as though someone tried to claw their way out…and failed.
When Laney shows up to investigate with her teenaged niece in tow, she discovers that her ex, Kit, has also been informed and is there with Jayla, his sister and her former best friend. Then Sadie, another old high school friend, charters over with her brother, who’s now a cop.
There are tensions and secrets, whispers in the woods, and before long, the discovery of a hand poking up from the earth. Then the body that goes with it… But by that time, someone has taken off with their one and only means off the island, and they’re trapped with someone—or something—that doesn’t want them leaving the island alive.
🌎📖OVERALL REVIEWS📖🌎
Courtesy of Storygraph
COMMUNITY REVIEWS
SUMMARY OF 833 REVIEWS
Moods
dark 94%
mysterious 80%
tense 78%
emotional 31%
adventurous 18%
sad 18%
challenging 14%
reflective 6%
hopeful 2%
funny 1%
Pace
medium 50%
fast 44%
slow 4%
Plot- or character-driven?
A mix: 57% | Plot: 35% | Character: 7%
Strong character development?
Yes: 38% | No: 33% | It's complicated: 27%
Loveable characters?
It's complicated: 46% | Yes: 31% | No: 21%
Diverse cast of characters?
Yes: 84% | No: 11% | It's complicated: 2% | N/A: 1%
Flaws of characters a main focus?
Yes: 51% | It's complicated: 24% | No: 23%
Average rating
3.51
🤔🧐🤯MY THOUGHTS:🤯🧐🤔
Yes, I did stay up all night reading this in one sitting!! It was that good! I would still rate this in the thriller genre but it leaned toward horror with a big lean in the occult genre.
I’m not really sure but it was good and it creeped me out in a major way! You may have noticed I added a 👻 emoji for any horror-occult books. I felt this book deserved an emoji.
I’m ashamed to admit this is my first Kelley Armstrong book despite having several of her YA books on my TBR shelf for years 😬. After reading this book… I’ll go on an Armstrong binge after I get some more books off of my current list. I’m also very shocked that this book has such a low rating. I loved the writing style and I felt like there was more than a sufficient amount of character and world building. There was a sweet little twist in there as well.
RATING KEY:
🌟 Stars - based on the overall plot and theme or idea of the book
❤️🩹 Emotions - based on how emotional I got while reading
🥰 Romance - based on how well I got invested in the love story aspect
🌶️ Spice - based on how the sex scenes were portrayed and written as well as the number of sex scenes
🔎 Mystery - based on how well it kept me guessing who, how and why
😰 Scared/Anxious - based on how scared or anxious the book made me while reading
🎭 Comedy/Tragedy based on if I laughed or if there was a tragic event and how it affected me. I will mark the Masks with either a C or T to indicate Comedy or Tragedy
👻 Spooky/Creepy based on if this had any occult or paranormal themes and if those elements creeped me out or gave me anxiety! 😬
September 18, 2023
Let me say right away that I’m not generally a reader of the horror genre. In fact, this may be the first one I’ve read, but I wanted to try it because I love the other books by Kelley Armstrong that I’ve read, and I wanted to step out of my comfort zone a bit.
There are plenty of appropriately creepy things that happen in this book. (If you’re “into” horror stories, you can guess some of them without me getting into specifics, to avoid spoilers.) Laney owns a gorgeous custom house on a private island about 5 miles off shore in Lake Superior - part of a divorce settlement. Since she’s a teacher and a not-yet-successful writer, she can’t really afford to keep up the place, so she rents it out for extra income. The action starts when she finds out that there have been complaints by renters about weird/scary stuff they’ve experienced. Her ex-husband, Kit, comes along to help check out what’s been happening, as well as his sister Jayla, who used to be Laney’s BFF. Also along is Madison, Laney’s teenage niece who lives with Laney since her mom (Laney’s sister) died. Plus two others who Laney has fallen out with, Sadie and Garrett. So it’s an odd assortment of people who go to the island to investigate. You eventually get everyone’s backstory and why they are no longer friends, etc.
The island descriptions are very atmospheric. Armstrong does a great job of building up the tension. If you’re looking to dip your toes into the horror genre, this would be a good place to start.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
There are plenty of appropriately creepy things that happen in this book. (If you’re “into” horror stories, you can guess some of them without me getting into specifics, to avoid spoilers.) Laney owns a gorgeous custom house on a private island about 5 miles off shore in Lake Superior - part of a divorce settlement. Since she’s a teacher and a not-yet-successful writer, she can’t really afford to keep up the place, so she rents it out for extra income. The action starts when she finds out that there have been complaints by renters about weird/scary stuff they’ve experienced. Her ex-husband, Kit, comes along to help check out what’s been happening, as well as his sister Jayla, who used to be Laney’s BFF. Also along is Madison, Laney’s teenage niece who lives with Laney since her mom (Laney’s sister) died. Plus two others who Laney has fallen out with, Sadie and Garrett. So it’s an odd assortment of people who go to the island to investigate. You eventually get everyone’s backstory and why they are no longer friends, etc.
The island descriptions are very atmospheric. Armstrong does a great job of building up the tension. If you’re looking to dip your toes into the horror genre, this would be a good place to start.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
October 25, 2023
Oh man, talk about mixed feelings. I’ll try to explain without spoilers…
First off, this was a totally random choice for me. A brand new horror book by an author I’m unfamiliar with, with a cool cover? Yes. What’s that, it takes place on a secluded island in Lake Superior in October? Yes, absolutely!!! The plot revolves around a woman and her “stepdaughter”, who own a summer house on an island in Lake Superior, and some bizarre happenings that went on there, and it’s followed through to it’s inevitably wild outcome.
Overall, this was a pretty average book for me, right down the middle. It had some good parts, as well as some disappointing parts. Without spoiling anything, I do have to mention that the ending of this book was a letdown for me. It was way too on the nose and even ridiculous. The author decided to make a very heavy handed message with the climax as well; a message I agree with, but I felt that it was not done very well here unfortunately.
I don’t mean to complain too much, and it’s a shame because I really did enjoy a good bit of this book. It’s an entertaining read, with a very fast moving plot, making it very easy to turn the pages. Disappointing ending aside, it was fun and I would recommend it to horror fans—maybe the ending will land a bit better for you. Overall it may not top my list, but I don’t regret reading it as it was a short, entertaining read and did have some good spooky scenes.
First off, this was a totally random choice for me. A brand new horror book by an author I’m unfamiliar with, with a cool cover? Yes. What’s that, it takes place on a secluded island in Lake Superior in October? Yes, absolutely!!! The plot revolves around a woman and her “stepdaughter”, who own a summer house on an island in Lake Superior, and some bizarre happenings that went on there, and it’s followed through to it’s inevitably wild outcome.
Overall, this was a pretty average book for me, right down the middle. It had some good parts, as well as some disappointing parts. Without spoiling anything, I do have to mention that the ending of this book was a letdown for me. It was way too on the nose and even ridiculous. The author decided to make a very heavy handed message with the climax as well; a message I agree with, but I felt that it was not done very well here unfortunately.
I don’t mean to complain too much, and it’s a shame because I really did enjoy a good bit of this book. It’s an entertaining read, with a very fast moving plot, making it very easy to turn the pages. Disappointing ending aside, it was fun and I would recommend it to horror fans—maybe the ending will land a bit better for you. Overall it may not top my list, but I don’t regret reading it as it was a short, entertaining read and did have some good spooky scenes.
November 25, 2023
Kelley Armstrong’s stand-alone dives into the horror genre with Hemlock Island as she creates a thrilling and unique paranormal experience. It’s a page-turning, spine-chilling, bizarre adventure on an isolated island where odd and sinister things happen. The island becomes something more than a character; this is not your typical horror novel. Armstrong plays with familiar tropes—the isolated setting, the stranded characters, the looming storm—but she spins them into something new, avoiding the standard locked-room scenario.
The characters of Hemlock Island don't fit the typical horror mold, and these characters are not necessarily the ones you find yourself rooting for. However, the story’s surprising and gripping villain motivations anchor the book's suspense.
Armstrong weaves in various themes and elements like a wilderness adventure, supernatural occurrences, environmental activism, teenage turmoil, feminism, and LGBTQ representation with a nod to #MeToo feminism. It feels overly ambitious, and she misses the mark with some things.
Despite its shortcomings, I thought Hemlock Island was thrilling and kept me turning the pages. It offered an intense experience that didn’t demand much introspection while providing twists and a meaningful villainous drive.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.
The characters of Hemlock Island don't fit the typical horror mold, and these characters are not necessarily the ones you find yourself rooting for. However, the story’s surprising and gripping villain motivations anchor the book's suspense.
Armstrong weaves in various themes and elements like a wilderness adventure, supernatural occurrences, environmental activism, teenage turmoil, feminism, and LGBTQ representation with a nod to #MeToo feminism. It feels overly ambitious, and she misses the mark with some things.
Despite its shortcomings, I thought Hemlock Island was thrilling and kept me turning the pages. It offered an intense experience that didn’t demand much introspection while providing twists and a meaningful villainous drive.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.
October 6, 2023
This is some real Scooby Doo shit. The end is kind of interesting, but not much else is.
October 7, 2023
I'm obviously not going to reveal the twist to this one but it's weird that this is this is the second book of it's kind, with the same kind of twist, I've read in the last few months. The difference, though, was the added layer of fraught inter-personal dynamics and the slow reveal of a big secret from their past.
And, I mean, it wasn't that big of a reveal. Armstrong laid some pretty heavy clues as to one of the elements that went down but the other? Yeah, that took me by surprise.
All that to say, if you are looking for a locked-room style mystery with that sense of foreboding claustrophobia, this is the book for you. You may also never want to visit a remote island or, like, camp ever again. Nature gets nasty in this one and really shows her teeth. Just more reason to never leave the house!
Trapped on this remote island is an unlikely group. Laney, her niece, her ex-husband and his sister, her sorta ex-bestie and said ex-bestie's brother. And when I say this is an unbalanced mix, hoo boy. None of them are particularly all that developed because the tension around their history, their secrets, is what drives the dynamic. And for this kind of story I guess that's all you really need. Plus, I mean, not all of them survive so why waste the word count! I can't say I'm mad about who bit the dust, it feels rather deserved (one especially deserved much worse because they were a garbage creature in human form), but the reveal of the why it was all going down, and the resolution? Interesting choices, I guess. Moreso the latter bit. The other does kind of.. beg you to suspend disbelief but hey if you can do that, you might really enjoy the ride.
For me there was just.. something that didn't quite grab me. And maybe it just ties into the fact that I may be on the outs with what has to be my most-read author. I think we've grown apart. But the eerie bits were eerie, and rather gory (be warned), and if you want to curl up and get into the autumnal season vibe, you could probably pick a worse book than this one. But sadly I don't think it'll be all that memorable for me and it does not stand out. But it passed the time.
2.5 stars
** I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
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This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
And, I mean, it wasn't that big of a reveal. Armstrong laid some pretty heavy clues as to one of the elements that went down but the other? Yeah, that took me by surprise.
All that to say, if you are looking for a locked-room style mystery with that sense of foreboding claustrophobia, this is the book for you. You may also never want to visit a remote island or, like, camp ever again. Nature gets nasty in this one and really shows her teeth. Just more reason to never leave the house!
Trapped on this remote island is an unlikely group. Laney, her niece, her ex-husband and his sister, her sorta ex-bestie and said ex-bestie's brother. And when I say this is an unbalanced mix, hoo boy. None of them are particularly all that developed because the tension around their history, their secrets, is what drives the dynamic. And for this kind of story I guess that's all you really need. Plus, I mean, not all of them survive so why waste the word count! I can't say I'm mad about who bit the dust, it feels rather deserved (one especially deserved much worse because they were a garbage creature in human form), but the reveal of the why it was all going down, and the resolution? Interesting choices, I guess. Moreso the latter bit. The other does kind of.. beg you to suspend disbelief but hey if you can do that, you might really enjoy the ride.
For me there was just.. something that didn't quite grab me. And maybe it just ties into the fact that I may be on the outs with what has to be my most-read author. I think we've grown apart. But the eerie bits were eerie, and rather gory (be warned), and if you want to curl up and get into the autumnal season vibe, you could probably pick a worse book than this one. But sadly I don't think it'll be all that memorable for me and it does not stand out. But it passed the time.
2.5 stars
** I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher (thank you!) in exchange for an honest review. **
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This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
July 4, 2023
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ 2/5 stars
➸ racked with nail-biting twists, hemlock island is a claustrophobic thriller scored by scenes ripped straight out of a nightmare.
➸ following a divorce from her now ex-husband, laney kilpatrick has been begrudgingly renting out her vacation home on hemlock island now that owning said island has become financially untenable on her own. as a result, laney finds herself at the mercy of countless panic attacks as she struggles to deal with this decision of allowing perfect strangers into her most jealously treasured home. not only that, but laney’s still reeling from the death of her sister which brought her teenaged niece to her door and under her care. much to her horror, she's also been having to field complaints from renters who report all manner of horrifying and almost ritualistic tableaus on the island. when laney receives a call from horror-stricken renters who’ve run for the hills after making a gruesome discovery in one of the guest rooms - she decides to head down there herself and investigate. with her niece insisting on sticking at her side, the two of them bump into some strained former friends and laney’s ex-husband kit. veiled in tension and secrets of their own, their motley crew arrive at the isolated island and things quickly take a dark turn from there.
➸ the plot itself is fairly simple - disregarding the many plot twists (the plausibility of which are another issue unto themselves). it’s an eerie atmospheric blend of horror and mystery which draws heavily on the innate ambience of an isolated island and occultist imagery. the relationships are underlined with furtive tension and for the most part appear to be pulled so taut they’re on the precipice of snapping. i'd even go so far as to posit that this fraught tenor percolating through these interpersonal connections contributes more substantively towards the ‘thrill’ of the novel. for while the atmosphere is effectively constructed by way of the ostensibly haunted island setting, there is nothing new or exciting in its presentation. having been inoculated by now to similar storylines, none of this held much interest to me and my attention zeroed in more so on the character relations.
➸ in saying this, however, the characters themselves - beyond their veneers of secrecy and the more titillating plot twists - offered little in the way of depth. their secretive behaviour provided a sort of cosmetic interest to them, which, when the makeup remover of the plot barrelled onwards, revealed them to be rather shallow iterations of typical mystery characters. i’d level this accusation most particularly in laney’s direction as the flighty, anxious novelist who specialises in mystery herself. not only does her vocation do her a disservice in making her seem kind of derivative on the whole, but it also lends her an air of stupidity. for someone who is allegedly well-informed within the realm of what not to do when one finds oneself in the midst of a murder mystery, she seems to pride herself on doing just that. as an aside, i’d also argue against labelling this an adult work as the dialogue and the surface level scope is far more befitting of ya.
➸ conclusion :
taking into account that this is kelley armstrong’s first foray into horror, hemlock island succeeds in what it is - a gripping and compacted unraveling of tightly-spun secrets.
thank you netgalley for the arc !
➸ racked with nail-biting twists, hemlock island is a claustrophobic thriller scored by scenes ripped straight out of a nightmare.
➸ following a divorce from her now ex-husband, laney kilpatrick has been begrudgingly renting out her vacation home on hemlock island now that owning said island has become financially untenable on her own. as a result, laney finds herself at the mercy of countless panic attacks as she struggles to deal with this decision of allowing perfect strangers into her most jealously treasured home. not only that, but laney’s still reeling from the death of her sister which brought her teenaged niece to her door and under her care. much to her horror, she's also been having to field complaints from renters who report all manner of horrifying and almost ritualistic tableaus on the island. when laney receives a call from horror-stricken renters who’ve run for the hills after making a gruesome discovery in one of the guest rooms - she decides to head down there herself and investigate. with her niece insisting on sticking at her side, the two of them bump into some strained former friends and laney’s ex-husband kit. veiled in tension and secrets of their own, their motley crew arrive at the isolated island and things quickly take a dark turn from there.
➸ the plot itself is fairly simple - disregarding the many plot twists (the plausibility of which are another issue unto themselves). it’s an eerie atmospheric blend of horror and mystery which draws heavily on the innate ambience of an isolated island and occultist imagery. the relationships are underlined with furtive tension and for the most part appear to be pulled so taut they’re on the precipice of snapping. i'd even go so far as to posit that this fraught tenor percolating through these interpersonal connections contributes more substantively towards the ‘thrill’ of the novel. for while the atmosphere is effectively constructed by way of the ostensibly haunted island setting, there is nothing new or exciting in its presentation. having been inoculated by now to similar storylines, none of this held much interest to me and my attention zeroed in more so on the character relations.
➸ in saying this, however, the characters themselves - beyond their veneers of secrecy and the more titillating plot twists - offered little in the way of depth. their secretive behaviour provided a sort of cosmetic interest to them, which, when the makeup remover of the plot barrelled onwards, revealed them to be rather shallow iterations of typical mystery characters. i’d level this accusation most particularly in laney’s direction as the flighty, anxious novelist who specialises in mystery herself. not only does her vocation do her a disservice in making her seem kind of derivative on the whole, but it also lends her an air of stupidity. for someone who is allegedly well-informed within the realm of what not to do when one finds oneself in the midst of a murder mystery, she seems to pride herself on doing just that. as an aside, i’d also argue against labelling this an adult work as the dialogue and the surface level scope is far more befitting of ya.
➸ conclusion :
taking into account that this is kelley armstrong’s first foray into horror, hemlock island succeeds in what it is - a gripping and compacted unraveling of tightly-spun secrets.
thank you netgalley for the arc !
November 26, 2023
I don't know why I have been waiting so long to read a book by Kelley Armstrong, but Hemlock Island was quite the one to start with! I listened to it on audio and literally could not stop once I started and listened to it all in one sitting - and my headphones didn't even die! The atmosphere of the story was fantastic, and things just got creepier and creepier as the book went on. I can definitely say I was completely lost in the world Armstrong created, and I was incredibly glad that I wasn't on that island with the characters! There is a touch of humor as well as interactions among the characters that don't have anything to do with the horrors they are facing, and it was nice to have the added storyline on top of the gore and general eeriness.
The audiobook is fantastic, and I highly recommend that as the best way to enjoy this book. Angela Dawe was an amazing narrator for the audio, and I don't know if there is anyone else who could have made it come alive quite the way she did. I got my physical copy in a subscription box that also included a QR code for one part, and it made the book even creepier if that is even possible, though this has nothing to do with the audiobook itself. This book ends up getting super wild, and I definitely didn't expect the way things were going to go. Personally, I think that Armstrong's first foray into full-length horror was an enormous success, and I loved every minute of this read gore and all.
Thank you to the publishers for my complimentary listening and reader copies of this book. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
The audiobook is fantastic, and I highly recommend that as the best way to enjoy this book. Angela Dawe was an amazing narrator for the audio, and I don't know if there is anyone else who could have made it come alive quite the way she did. I got my physical copy in a subscription box that also included a QR code for one part, and it made the book even creepier if that is even possible, though this has nothing to do with the audiobook itself. This book ends up getting super wild, and I definitely didn't expect the way things were going to go. Personally, I think that Armstrong's first foray into full-length horror was an enormous success, and I loved every minute of this read gore and all.
Thank you to the publishers for my complimentary listening and reader copies of this book. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
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