I am a big Paula Hawkins fan but sadly I didn't really enjoy this book. I found it a bit slow and couldn't really get into it. I'm sure others will enjoy it, but it just wasn't for me. Thank you for the advanced copy.

I found The Blue Hour by Paula Hawkins to be a thrilling thriller. It was an intriguing story with an interesting setting. I really enjoyed the well thought out characters that were in the present, as well as Vanessa and Julian in the past. No one was really all that likable, which normally will make me put a book down and not finish it, however, the story seemed to move along and kept me reading. The mysteries drew me in and kept me guessing. I liked the way the book’s moodiness and that it switched from the past to the present. It’s not always often that a story’s ending keeps me thinking for days later but this story did just that!

I've enjoyed Paula Hawkins' books in the past so I was interested to read this! It ended up falling a little flat for me, but her writing is beautiful like it always is. It's a slow burn that was too slow for me. I'll be interested to see what she does next. Thank you NetGalley and Mariner Books for this ARC!

DNF @ 47%

Paula Hawkins, I love you. This review hurts me to write. What happened here?

I have never before DNF'd an ARC. If a publisher grants me an early review copy, I feel I should at least take the time to read it and hammer out my thoughts. This book, though, defeated me.

The premise follows two different timelines - past and present - and numerous different characters. The central mystery of the story revolves around an art piece that was donated to a museum by a reclusive artist named Vanessa may or may not contain human bone. One of the curators visits Grace, the friend and long-time caretaker for the artist, to find out more. Interspersed are letters and diary entries from Vanessa chronicling her life and relationships.

The premise of the book pulled me in, but ultimately has very little to do with the plot. Based on the summary, our main mystery is, "Did Vanessa kill her husband and use his bones as an art piece?" I did want to know the answer to that! But after the question is brought up, we inexplicably don't really hear about it again (at least to the point I read up to). Instead, there's a lot of general whining coming from Vanessa's letters (which, hy the way, are insufferable to read. Someone get this woman a clue) and general day-to-day life stuff coming from Grace. There's a bit of a will-they-won't-they (queer!!!) romance that they tease us with, but by the aforementioned 47% mark, they still had not.

I found the timelines a bit hard to follow and they often featured the same characters. The chapters that followed Grace were especially difficult because sometimes there would be a chapter about her relationship with Vanessa in the past, and sometimes she would talk about Vanessa in the present. But also sometimes there would be a flashback in the middle of the present-day chapter! How's a girl supposed to cope with that?

The other thing that really solidified my DNF on this item is that none of the characters were at all likable. Aside from Grace, nearly every character was some variety of art snob. Vanessa herself felt vapid and pretentious at the same time, often pulling out lines with such drama that I found myself rolling my eyes. The goal was probably to make her seem like an artistic sort with creative thoughts on every matter, but it instead felt silly and annoying. People who talk that way are, buy-and-large, pretty insufferable to be around.

Grace was this book's only saving grace (ha) as she at least seemed normal, pulled into Vanessa's orbit by the same charms that seemed to effect everyone else. The thing is, I didn't feel like I knew her well enough to really form much of an opinion on her. I think by 50% into a book, I should have A Feeling, no?

By the time I gave up, I realized that I no longer cared whether the rib was Julian's or not. Vanessa killed him? Cool, he seemed like an asshole. She put his rib in an art piece? OK, kind of stupid and really asking to get caught, but fine. The weird love triangle between the present-day art snobs meant nothing to be except to give me the opinion that none of these people should reproduce. The whole book just felt very blah for me. I wish I had enjoyed it more, but alas, I did not.

No recs from me on this one. It is not a thriller and it's a rather boring slice-of-life, too. This author's other work is much, much better. Read that instead.

Ooooh weee this was a slow burn. Not a bad thing, really; I actually enjoy books with a lot of build up. I’m just not sure the ending was really worth the anticipation? I can’t decide, honestly. I think that’s why this falls so middle of the pack for me. It wasn’t super thrilling, but it was definitely atmospheric and mysterious. There were multiple mysteries at play, but I only really found myself interested in one. I have a soft spot for artists on remote islands though so bonus nostalgia points there (DIARY by Chuck Palahnuik was my favorite book in high school circa 2005 lol).

Thank you NetGalley and Mariner Books for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

While this wasn't my favorite book by Paula Hawkins, I did really enjoy the first part of this book. It was incredibly suspenseful and kept me really engaged. I felt the ending was a bit flat and did not tie the book together very well.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review this book.

You probably should not go into this one expecting a thriller. It was more of a slow burn mystery or suspense, and not quite what I was expecting, but still a decent read.

I thought it was wonderfully atmospheric and very well written.

The story was just a bit too slow for me to absolutely love.

What even was this book? I read the whole thing and never had a clue what was going on. Back and forth timelines plus a whole host of barely relevant side characters to the story and an incredibly slow plot.

A very slow burn suspense that suffered from dense pacing. It's not a terrible story but the novel just doesnt hold my attention or grab me the way I expect from a well crafted. Suspense.

The Blue Hour is slow-burn suspense at its most hypnotic. Paula Hawkins trades urban thrillers for something quieter, more remote—and somehow even more unsettling. Set on a bleak, windswept Scottish island that’s more character than setting, the story unfolds like fog creeping in: soft at first, then suddenly all-consuming.

When a human bone is found inside a sculpture by the late artist Vanessa Chapman, art historian James Becker is drawn to the island of Eris to uncover the truth. But what he finds is not just a mystery buried in art—it’s secrets wrapped in grief, obsession, and the slippery nature of truth. And at the center of it all is Grace Haswell, Vanessa’s companion and keeper of more than just her artwork.

This isn’t a thriller that races to the finish line—it lingers. It simmers. It builds tension in quiet glances, in rising tides, in the unspoken things between people. Hawkins leans into atmosphere and character psychology, and the result is a haunting exploration of how far people will go for love, legacy, and control.

The Blue Hour is not about a single twist. It’s about the slow, inevitable realization that everything you thought was solid is actually shifting beneath your feet.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for sending a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I always enjoy Paula Hawkins' books and this one did not disappoint! The book is very well written, and I really felt like I knew the characters based on their description. There was suspense and build up, and there was a lot to think about. The book starts out slow but builds up and keeps you wanting to read more.

I don't know if it's just me but I feel like Paula Hawkins is losing me as a reader. Girl on the train was great. Slow fire burning was exactly that, a slow burning fire type of read, except it never really roared to life how I thought it might. This was the opposite, came in with a bang, riveting and then all of a sudden the adrenaline crashes and you're left feeling dizzy from how little is happening.

What is going on!?! The premise is there, everything needed to set up this glorious mystery but it just fizzles out? A remote island, some art history mystery, a bit of a greymail situation - all golden opportunities for a killer mystery. I did not finish this book, I gave up around like 76% and just said no. I don't think I am going to early request any more books from this author. I've just been so disappointed recently.

Thank you, NetGalley, for an e-ARC of The Blue Hour by Paula Hawkins.
A mysterious island, a reclusive artist, a piece of art made with human bones. The Blue Hour sets the scene for a compelling mystery; however, the pacing was slow. The book lacked the thriller aspect and instead was a slow mystery.

I found The Blue Hour by Paula Hawkins to be a solid thriller. It was an intriguing story with an interesting setting. The island of Eris was a character all on its own! I really appreciated the multifaceted characters of Grace and James in the present, as well as Vanessa and Julian in the past (and through her journal). No one was really all that likable, which usually is a turnoff for me but in this case I found it worked. The setting and the mysteries of what was really in the sculpture drew me in. I liked the way the book was written, both the author's moody and thoughtful writing style and the narrative structure switching between the present, the past, and the diary. All together, this book was a quick read for me and days later I am still thinking about the openness of the ending!

3.5 stars - may have been a bit higher if I was more emotionally connected to the characters but I really enjoyed this book. It was moody and dark without being depressing or violent, so that is a win for thrillers for me.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for this eARC. All opinions are my own.

The Blue Hour by Paula Hawkins takes readers to the remote island of Eris, a place with one house, one inhabitant, and only one way in or out—accessible only during a small window of time each day. The island’s haunting isolation is the perfect backdrop for a slow-burn psychological thriller, drawing from both the past and the present as secrets long buried begin to resurface.

The novel centers around Grace, a solitary woman who has chosen this desolate life after an eventful past. She lives on Eris, a place once inhabited by the famed artist Vanessa, whose notorious husband disappeared under mysterious circumstances two decades ago. Grace, cut off from the world, has found peace in her isolation. However, the tranquility of the island is shattered when a human bone, discovered in a London art gallery, leads to a visitor who threatens to unravel the tangled history of Vanessa, her husband, and the island itself.

My Thoughts:

Despite its intriguing premise, The Blue Hour didn't quite hit the mark for me. The book felt like it dragged on forever, with too many storylines that ultimately led nowhere satisfying. The constant shifting between past and present—along with the inclusion of Vanessa’s journal—made it feel disjointed and harder to follow. It lacked a cohesive flow, which often left me feeling confused and disconnected from the narrative.

The characters were another disappointment. I couldn’t find myself invested in any of them. Grace’s quiet, isolated existence should have made her a compelling character, but instead, she felt distant and unengaging. Vanessa, whose past holds so much potential, also failed to captivate me. I never felt drawn into their world, which made the twists and revelations seem less impactful.

As for the much-anticipated reveal about the human bone in the art gallery—while it seemed like a unique hook, it didn’t carry the weight or tension I was hoping for. Instead of a suspenseful, gripping mystery, the discovery felt more like a weak catalyst for an unsatisfying series of events.

Finally, the book ends rather abruptly, leaving several plot threads unresolved. While some readers may enjoy an open-ended conclusion, I found myself frustrated by the lack of closure and the failure to tie everything together neatly.

This was an enojoyable thriller. While not overly groundbreaking, I thought the characters and setting were compelling and kept me reading.

3 stars/middle of the pact thriller for me. it’s a very slow burn which i didn’t mind—however when you have a slow burn that’s very obviously building up to the end, the ending will then make or break the book for you. for me, i decided the ending was semi-shocking but left me wanting more!

things i liked:
- her writing (she’s so talented) and the descriptions were spot on
- the setting—a remote Scottish island with secrets and a history
- the MMC, he was so charming and cute, albeit a bit naive
- the mystery—why are artists so weird!

this was a quick read and had my attention throughout, but i was left craving more at the end!! selfishly didn’t like part of the ending (although the shock factor was there)

worth the read, but not a “bump up on the TBR ASAP” thriller.

read if you liked: DAISY DARKER, THE GUEST LIST, THE SOULMATE

Boring. Such a slow ascend to the climax and when it hit I wasn’t intrigued because the plot was easy to figure out. I also hated the ending.

Paula Hawkins, renowned for her bestseller The Girl on the Train, returns with The Blue Hour, a psychological thriller set against the haunting backdrop of a remote Scottish island. The novel intertwines art, mystery, and the complexities of human relationships, delivering an atmospheric and suspenseful narrative. The Blue Hour is characterized by a deliberate, slow-burning pace that gradually builds tension. Hawkins meticulously unravels the plot, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the eerie setting and the intricate lives of the characters. This measured progression may not appeal to those seeking rapid action but offers a rewarding experience for readers who appreciate a profound, unfolding mystery. Central themes in the novel include obsession, the burdens of legacy, and the often blurred line between art and reality. The story delves into the impact of past relationships and secrets on the present, exploring how personal histories can shape and, at times, distort one's reality. The isolated setting amplifies feelings of solitude and introspection, prompting characters and readers to confront hidden truths. Hawkins employs a multi-layered narrative, blending present-day events with flashbacks and diary entries. This structure offers varied perspectives, enriching the storytelling and deepening the mystery. Her descriptive prose vividly captures the Scottish island's desolate beauty, creating an enchanting and foreboding immersive atmosphere. The Blue Hour is recommended for readers who enjoy atmospheric thrillers prioritizing character development and setting over fast-paced action. Fans of literary suspense and those who appreciate narratives exploring the darker facets of human nature will find this novel compelling. While some may find the pacing leisurely, the intricate plot and rich thematic elements offer a satisfying and thought-provoking read.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of The Blue Hour by Paula Hawkins!