Name of Book: Hemlock Island
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Publisher: Saint Martin’s Press
Genre: Horror/Mystery
Pub Date: September 12, 2023
My Rating: 3.3 Stars!
Pages: 304


Laney Kilpatrick and her now ex-husband Christian “Kit” Hayes have a vacation home on a Hemlock Island (so named after ‘water hemlock’ the deadliest plant in North America).
The home was a wedding present to Laney from Kit. The vacation home is not an average little cottage but a two-thousand square foot custom-built home on five-acres of the private island. However now that they are divorced she cannot maintain the expense of such a large home on her teacher’s salary so rents it out.
The current renters have complained about some strange things including blood in the guest closet. The husband believes it is a prank ~ the wife wants no part of it and wants to leave.
Laney and her sixteen year niece Madison go to the island to figure out what is happening.

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.
When Kit finds out he and his sister Jayla (Laney’s former best friend) offers to help as well. Soon Kit’s new girlfriend Sadie Emerson who was a friend of Laney’s and her detective brother Garrett also shows up to help.

These six decide to spend the night at the house so they might experience what it happening; which, of course, turns out to be more than they bargained.
Since this is a horror story we readers know a lot more is in store for them.
Story kept me reading although I did say “Yikes” a lot!

This is my seventh Kelley Armstrong which is just a drop in the bucket as she has written so many!!! Of the six I read, I really liked "Wherever She Goes," and "Aftermath" thought both were great. The others were good. This story falls in with the second group.

Want to thank NetGalley and Saint Martin’s Press for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for September 12, 2023.

Absolutely amazing read. Loved it from the first chapter... So many epic twists and turns, with a super creepy setting. Definitely a must read for thriller lovers!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was such a surprise of a book. I was fully annoyed by the protagonist like 80-90% of the novel and then I was on board. Despite that, I think Armstrong does such a great job with building tension and although the characters felt pretty two-dimensional and their relationships...also two-dimensional, I enjoyed the atmosphere that Armstrong created in their book. I just wish I could have cared about the characters more so that their deaths had more impact. That said, I loved the gore and the thrill in this one.

Although this wasn't my favorite, I appreciated it for being "out there" with the twist and for having a fun and creepy atmosphere.

Overall I liked this book and would recommend to anyone that likes thrillers and locked door mysteries.

I only had a few complaints. The first is really nit-picky but there were a lot of sections of the book where portions dialogue was repeated by multiple characters or the same character more than once. The one that drove me crazy was "badly injured" which the main character used a lot and other characters repeated after her a lot.

Next, the Madison character was a bit hard to believe. She's a teenager so I'd expect she'd have at least a few moments where she has really strong emotional reactions. She seemed to take everything in stride, even finding out that she was the product of a rape.

Finally, I would have leaned in to the paranormal stuff more. It felt like it was added in too late and the ending wrapped up really quickly and neatly. I like a happy ending, but the evil "entity" was too reasonable for me!

Mysterious happenings, murders, body parts and a haunted island—what more would one want from a spooky read. The story line unfolds cleverly with periodic spacing of body parts and creepy events. Gifted an island by an ex, we find the island has its own thoughts about what Laney, the island owner, should do. The book captures you, scares you and yet ends with words of wisdom, “Don’t focus on what I’ve lost but on what I’ve gained.” And also “what does my island need from me today.” I’ve been thinking of those two quotes since I read it. Quite a feat for a spooky book. A good, solid read!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the Advanced Review Copy.

Kelley Armstrong’s Hemlock Island is a horror/suspense tale that just doesn’t work. This story feels like it was written for a YA audience, right down to the trite “reason” for the chaos, blood, and horror on the island. The characters are poorly drawn, the relationships and interactions are pretty improbable, and the “secret” plot element when it was finally revealed, felt overly dramatic. Laney’s inner dialogue was repetitive and clumsy. This is no ordinary slasher/horror tale, and in some ways that is just really what it needed to be, leaving the paranormal/morality lesson for a better written book.

Hemlock Island was horrifyingly good. This was my first book by the author and wow. It made me want to go back and read the author’s entire backlog. I understand. This was her first foray into her, but she did such an incredible job, that the hair on the back of my neck student, and for most of this book. So good.

I have read other books by this author so when I saw this I thought I'd give it a try even though horror is not my usual genre, my feelings on this book were mixed. Laney is single, divorced and raising her niece (her sister had passed), to make money she rents out a house she was given in her divorce settlement. The house is on its own island in Lake Superior, a very long distance from land, and the house is a dream, all glass on the front, lots of natural light and guaranteed isolation. Her current renters call her to say that there is blood/claw marks in a closet and they are leaving and want a refund. So Laney decides to check out what's going on, her ex and a few others join in. Things start to go bad very quickly, the boat and boat house are destroyed, they find a hand (missing the body), wind chimes made from the ribs of a person and on and on. That part was the good part, the parts that slowed the narrative was the almost non stop discussion on who was with who (Laney was convinced her ex was with one of the people that showed up, someone she wasn't real keen on). It does come to a satisfying if a tad out there resolution, didn't see that coming. I would recommend if you enjoy horror and some romance. Thanks to #Netgalley and #St Martin's Press for the ARC.

3.5 stars

Hemlock Island is an interesting book to review. It's one of those 'What did I just read?' books. I had been looking for a read to say that about.

Laney owns the house of her dreams on Hemlock Island. Built for her by her now ex-husband, it's a dream vacation home. However, she is unable to take care of the upkeep without renting it out. Dealing with renters and the damage they cause is hard and gets harder when she gets a call in the middle of the night. There has already been some evidence of pranks like hex circles and witchcraft. With her niece she heads out to the island to see what's going on.

This book has a lot of scary moments. Don't read when alone at night! It's hard to see where it's going though. The different things that are happening don't seem to go together and we get our ideas of what's happening from the characters' assumptions.

The book reads both as a thriller and horror. I also think it almost reads like a movie. There is a lot of talking about personal relationships between scary events which is what some movies do. I still felt it was too much especially since a lot of the relationships didn't make sense. There is too much going on there with the characters' backgrounds. I don't know why some of it is included.

Hemlock Island has some good jump scares and some wild scenes. That all entertained me. I would have rated this higher, if not for the end, because of all the action. The end though is too out there for me. The reason for everything wasn't strong enough. I also wasn't happy with the resolution. All that being said, Hemlock Island is a pretty unique read. It did scare me which is hard to do and if you think of it as a horror movie then you might really enjoy this!

Hemlock Island Publish Date September 12, 2023 3.5⭐ rounded up

I was so excited to have the opportunity to read another book by Kelley Armstrong. I really enjoyed Someone is Always Watching, and I always love a good horror story.

Laney was gifted her dream home on Hemlock Island from her husband Kit. But after their divorce, and her sister's death, her focus was on raising her niece Madison. She moves closer to Madison's school, and did everything she could to provide for her, including renting out her home on the island to vacationers. It was frustrating enough to have strangers living in her home ruining her things and her boat, but now someone is coming on the island and scaring off the guests
When she receives a strange call about a bloody closet door she takes Madison and heads to the island to try to get to the bottom of it.. Her ex-husband Kit, his sister, and some old friends surprise her by coming along to help her.
.
But no one was prepared for what they were about to walk into, and as the terror increases so does their need to leave, Only someone has taken off with the boat, and left them fighting to survive.

While I thought this story had good bones, it read more like a mystery to me. The character's in the book had an interesting story with it's own secrets and surprises, but I almost feel like it took away from the build up of the developing tension on the island. Towards the end of the book I was happy to get swept up in the creepy murderous island vibes, but the ending was a little bazaar and unsatisfying.
As a whole it was another entertaining book by Kelley Armstrong.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me a copy of this book for an honest review.

Laney has had a lot of change in her life in the last couple of years. Her sister lost a battle with cancer, her marriage didn't make it through covid and now she is the guardian of her teenage niece. One of the only things Laney holds on to after the divorce is an off the grid island getaway her now ex-husband built for her, and she loves it dearly. But to be able to continue to afford it she must rent it out to tourists. When she hears reports from guests of blood-filled closets and occult symbols appearing, she knows it has to be vandalism, but she still goes out to investigate. She does not count on the motley crew of helpers she ends up with. Her ex-husband tags along with his sister, his new love interest and her brother - a local police officer. As they investigate a strange mystery, it unravels into bone chilling terror as they quickly become trapped on the island. Realizing they are not alone and not at all safe, they scramble to save themselves from an unknown horror, all while personal secrets are uncovered and bitter grudges are dragged out into the open. Laney knows that if she survives, her life will never be the same again.

Armstrong's first full blown horror novel is tremendously successful. This chilling story is a real page turner that is gripping and terrifying and has a mystery that will keep readers engrossed. Perfect for lovers of Supernatural Horror and for longtime Armstrong fans.

Title? Check. Cover? Check. Story full of supernatural horror and gore? Check and Check! I wanted to like this book and I absolutely did. Laney is a writer who just happens to own an island on Lake Superior where she likes to get away and write. Lately it's been a little tough to pay the bills so she decides to rent the house to vacationers. When she gets a call from one of them claiming to have seen what looks like a lot of human blood coming from one of the closets, Laney decides to head out to investigate - taking her niece Madison with her. Once she gets there, and of course, once she realizes she has company in the form of an ex husband, friend and ex friends all wanting to help out, Laney realizes all too quickly that there is something extremely strange and horrifying happening on her peaceful island. Something or someone that doesn't want anyone to survive.

I liked the dynamic between most of the characters, the fast pace of the plot and how it all plays out. I kept getting tricked right when I thought I knew what was happening - and I definitely had moments when my hand went to my mouth in shock. And the horror was well played! I needed this to deliver in that department and thankfully it did! Armstrong thinks of it all, giving the reader not only background into each relationship and why it matters, but also a thorough education in wilderness safety. The only issue I had with it was the sometimes juvenile discussion between the characters in a handful of scenes. Especially where Garrett was concerned. It felt out of place, almost like someone else wrote the scenes. Otherwise it did what I wanted: gave me scares, fast-paced action, and some very intense supernatural activity. Thank you St. Martin's Press for the chance to read this!

book is impossible to put down once you start it. The creepiness of the island will haunt you. I’m never going to an island with no wifi or where the only access is by boat! It started out as a locked room mystery then turned into a horror fest that I wasn’t expecting! (The downside to reading on a Kindle is you can’t read the book description.) I thought the setup of the characters’ stories was lost, as well as the locked room aspect. The writing was great and I couldn’t stop reading until I found out what happened in the end. I can see why the book ended the way it did, but I found it a big letdown. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

Incredible!
Absolutely incredible!
I was captivated by this book from start to finish. The characters are so vividly depicted, and the plot twists kept me on the edge of my seat!

Laney's divorce settlement granted her ownership of a private island. In order to cover the expenses, she decides to rent out the luxurious house she and her ex-husband built there. However, her renters start experiencing mischievous pranks. Who could be behind them? Are they opportunistic vacation seekers, shady resort developers, or perhaps the previous owners of the island who were forced to sell to fund their matriarch's cancer treatments?

If you've been a fan of Armstrong's previous works, you may find a slight difference in this book as it delves into the realms of outright horror. Brace yourself for some truly gruesome scenes. However, if you're a fan of the horror genre, this book will undoubtedly captivate you.

Every time a new Armstrong novel is released, I can't contain my excitement. I've adored her time travel books, the gripping Bitten series, and the thrilling Darkest Power series.

The setting for Hemlock Island is an ominous one. Steeped in Native American legends, Lake Superior is the largest and coldest of the Great Lakes. Hemlock House is located on a small, private island in the middle of the lake and lacks any internet, cell, or landline phone access. For author, Laney, it’s a dream come true — a place to write without interruption, a place of inspiration. However, following the Covid pandemic, Laney and her techie husband, Kit, split and he leaves the island and house they built on it to her. However, it’s expensive to maintain and, following the death of her sister, Laney has become guardian for her niece, Madison, and must rent out Hemlock House in order to make ends meet. Sounds like a plan, but someone is messing with Laney — leaving hex signs on the property to frighten the renters. When her current renters call in the middle of the night saying they’re leaving because of blood in one of the spare bedroom closets, Laney knows she must take action.

Laney, with Madison in tow, travels to Fox Bay where her boat is moored and are surprised when they find Kit, his sister (Jayla) and another former high school friend (Sadie) and her brother (Garrett) on the wharf planning to go with them. It’s obvious that there are secrets amongst this motley crew — secrets that go back to their high school days together. Secrets that could prove deadly.

Hemlock Island is a scary read and I, for one, couldn’t help but keep turning those pages wanting to discover who or what was behind all the mayhem and madness that takes place. Secrets are finally revealed and someone will have to die. But who? And, why?

I really enjoyed this novel. It gets a little hokey at the end, but it still kept me up late at night wanting to find out what was going to happen. Highly recommended for those who love Gothic mysteries, horror stories, and stories rooted in the malevolent forces of nature.

Laney is a teacher and writer, struggling after a pandemic-fueled divorce, the death of her sister, and becoming the guardian of her teenage niece. To help make ends meet, she decides to rent out the private island her tech company CEO ex-husband bought for her. But renters can be a nightmare, and she keeps finding hex circles and other acts of ritualistic vandalism left behind. When the latest renters flee in the middle of the night after finding bloody scratches on the inside of a closet– as though something was trying to get out– Laney decides it’s time to take a look for herself. When Laney and her niece, Madison, go to check things out, she is less than thrilled to find her ex and his sister (and her former best friend). And then another old high school friend and her brother (now a cop) join, uninvited.
Once they get to the island, Laney and crew expect to just find some pranks former renters left to spook other guests. Instead, they find more ritualistic drawings, vandalism, and a disembodied hand. As the situation escalates, the tensions among the group rise and the danger increases. Will Laney and the rest make it off the island alive?

Y’ALL. I was expecting this to be another Kelley Armstrong thriller, but HOLY MOLY. It immediately had me enthralled, I didn’t want to put it down, and it was SCARY. I’m not usually one to find books particularly scary. Unsettling? Yes- but not really scary. This book? It had me afraid I was going to have nightmares. I loved the creepiness and the horror. While it was pretty graphic at times, it didn’t feel as gratuitous as some horror seems, but still beware if you don’t like gore.

I would give this book 5 stars, but there were some side plots that created long explanations and conversations between the characters so they could work it out– which is fine. But when it’s thrown in the middle of a book filled with horror and jump scares and the tension is off the charts? It kills the mood a bit. Even though, I guess if you’re facing unspeakable horrors, you might as well finally have all the conversations with your loved ones that you’ve been putting off.

Overall, this is a solid horror. Aside from the lulls when the conversations are happening, the action does not let up and it is just so gripping. I will absolutely be recommending this book to others, so they can have nightmares, too.

Wow! This was a surprisingly good read that I don’t think I was expecting. I really love the setting. It makes the creepy factor extra high and the whole situation makes a great horror mystery location. The storyline was also very intriguing! As new characters were introduced the tension levels would rise. There was horror/ mystery, suspense, and thrills. I do feel like because it was such an easy read that perhaps it was more of a YA type category? But simple and easy read is fine with me! I was shocked by the ending and I will say it was just ok. But overall I loved the read and think it will be perfect for the start of fall. I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.

This book wasn’t what I expected, and I say that in the best way possible. What started out as a basic thriller premise morphed into something more akin to The Evil Dead. Toss in some eco-horror and a couple of frenemies, and you’ve got the story of Hemlock Island.

There were ultimately less stakes than I expected, but Hemlock Island still worked its claws into me. If you want some good old-fashioned horror, be sure to check it out!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC. This review contains my honest, unbiased opinion.

Pretty good horror whodunit story! I loved how it went from strange to spooky, it will be a great fall read. The only thing I didn't love were the subplots, it took away from the story for me.

I haven't been in the mood to read horror books in a while but this was a great read. The horror story itself is intertwined with the drama of the strained relationships, long buried secrets and the possibility that her former friends could be involved or die on Hemlock Island.

You can feel the tension between the characters in the writing as well as the confusion as they deal with everything going on and struggle to understand what is happening to them. The gore is there but limited mostly to the end of the book and not overly descriptive. The ending may not be for everyone though.

It mixes a bit of mystery, death, supernatural forces and the isolation of a private island with no way off. Stuff like this is why I would never spend time on an isolated small island. The idea of the peace and gorgeous surroundings vs anything could go wrong and help is so far away.

Overall, I really enjoyed this and it would probably make a great movie.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, St. Martin's Press, for the ARC.