Hemlock Island

No.

Started out really strong, eerie vibes, interesting story. Got a little lost as it went on, and got way too tied up in human drama that was made to seem a bigger deal than it ended up being. This made the story feel underdeveloped and the drama kinda seemed like it was there to carry the story through parts the author didn't have material to cover rather than incorporate more of the actual story at hand. Sure the characters back stories are relevant, but they could have been taken care of in a less heavy handed way. It was a fun read though.

While I read this book quickly. The jump right into action made me want to read more to know what the heck is going on. There was I felt the drama between characters was too much like stereotypical high school drama from “adults”. This took me out of the story. Okay, story but glad I borrowed it from the library and it wasn't a purchase.

I just finished Hemlock Island By Kelley Armstrong and here are my musings.

Laney has no choice but to rent out her vacation home, a place she loves, to strangers. The island is the only thing she received in the divorce. The latest tenants left the island screaming after discovering blood all over a closet and nail marks on the door.... Like someone tried to claw their way out.

Going to inspect what is going on, Laney with her teenage niece and find hex circles and bloody bones.... When Laney's ex Kit and his sister arrive to help, along with an old friend of theirs and her brother who is a cop, they find more than they bargained for.

After finding a hand and the caretaker of the island missing, their nerves are on edge. When Sadie goes missing, tensions rise and everybody is holding on to their secrets. Learning that someone or something has destroyed their only way off the island, they soon come to realize that none of them will make it off the island alive.

I got chills reading this book. Hardcore chills. The whole atmosphere of the island was super intense and I loved all the descriptive prose that delivered the imagery to my brain! I felt like I was walking around there in my mind.

I really liked the character development although the childhood issues seemed really idiotic until we got the big twist! Then it all made sense. I didn't much care for Sadie and the brother but I understood what their part was eventually.

I loved the supernatural elements in this book and adored being kept guessing. I didn't figure it out until it was all revealed and was blown away by the ending. I sat up late to finish it and part of me hopes this doesn't stay a standalone. I would love more on the history of the island and how it came to be.... What happens to Laney.... Or a prequel!!

Loved the family drama and the dark secrets... This book really ticked every single box for me.

If you love horror with a mystery thriller mashed in, this has to be your go to...

4.5 stars!

Thank you @netgalley and @stmartinspress for my gifted copy

Rating: 2.97 leaves out of 5-Characters: 2.75/5 -Cover: 3.75/5-Story: 2/5-Writing: 1.75/5Genre: Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Suspense, Thriller-Fantasy: 4/5-Horror: 2/5-Mystery: 3.75/5-Suspense: 1.75/5-Thriller: 2/5 Type: EbookWorth?: UuuhhhhHated Disliked Meh It Was Okay Liked Loved FavoritedWant to thank Netgalley and publishers for giving me the chance to read this book.Oh god okay, let me see if I can write this review through the headache. I will start off with the good. I liked the setting. I could see where the story was at and the place it was. Sometimes the characters were really good. It was a quick read. The story had promise.Now for the bad. Where the describing of the place was good the characters were... 2 dimensional. There wasn't much for us to really grasp on to and have a connection. Though it was quick read it was a hard one. Not only for the cringe of some characters and scenes but because of how the story was written. I do get that Kelley wanted to give when doing those scenes of things happening back to back but I think some time studying how those are done would have done the story justice. With that being said I liked the premise of the story. The concept of it all was interesting. I think if Kelley took the time to study more of the writings from people in the genre she is writing about it could do some wonders.

This will be a SPOILER-FREE review. Firstly, thank you NetGalley for letting me read the eGalley of this book. I give this book 4.5 stars in the horror genre because it DELIVERS. One part made me not want to read anymore horror books ever, but in a good way. It builds a sense of isolation, suspense and mystery throughout.
I recommend this book when it comes out SEPTEMBER 12, 2023!!!

I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this. Holey moley, wow. I knew what it was going in, but somehow, I was still surprised.