My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Mariner Books for an advance copy of this thriller set in the Scottish isles, dealing with the crimes of the past, who owns a person's legacy, and secrets that are taken to graves, but don't stay there.

As a person, ok a nerd, with a large variety of interests, I do wonder what will happen to all the many wonderful things I have collected over the years. Comics, collectibles, vinyl albums, cassettes, laser discs, toys all the stuff I liked over my life, that I find hard to part with. My brother is happily married and given up his nerding ways, and my nephews well they are not of the same interests as I. I'd like to think there is something more than a dumpster awaiting stuff I have accumulated over a lifetime. This is something faced by a character in this book. Should the art be let go? Maybe set up a trust to protect the artist's legacy. However who could be trusted to oversee this trust, a longtime companion, or a person with plenty of reasons not to do best for the artist. Also, what happens when the art starts telling secrets. The Blue Hour by Paula Hawkins is a gothic-style thriller, with creepy old houses, mysterious deaths, class battles, and questions about who should oversee the memory and who should avenge those who have gone into that sweet goodnight.

Vanessa Chapman was an artist of rare skill, and a raw reputation, filled with love affairs, spats, and a husband whose disappearance rocked the world years earlier. Chapman spent most of her life on Eris, a tidal island that can only be traveled to twelve hours a day. Chapman has died, leaving her assistant and companion, Grace, as the only occupant on the island Grace lives in a small house, left to her by Chapman. A foundation controls the art collection, a foundation run by a woman who really doesn't like Chapman. When something is found in a display James Becker travels to Eris to meet with Grace to find out what could have happened. Becker has been infatuated with Chapman's art, and sees an opportunity to make a splash in the world, if he can find answers to his many questions. Questions that might come back to haunt him.

A different kind of story for Paula Hawkins. This is more of a slow-burn gothic-style thriller, with lots of characters and motivations. There are the usual untrustworthy narrators, though the story unfolds slower than Hawkins usually does. The story is told from Chapman's view of the past, with the more modern telling of the story. The locale is unique, and island that is cut off for certain times of the day is a good setting. I remember this from another book, a short story, but I can't remember where. Which is fine, as it works well with the gothic narrative. This is also a story about class, and responsibility, to the dead, and to ourselves. The art background is explained well, and the story after a time really starts moving.

A different kind of book from Hawkins which is I enjoyed as who needs to read the same story over and over. Spooky atmosphere, interesting setting, and a lot of greed make for a really good story.

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. I was very excited to dive into this as I have enjoyed other of Hawkins novels. However, I am left with lukewarm feelings toward this book. The story was well written and she set the setting spectacularly. I could easily see this being made into a movie. However, the story itself was slow moving, and just didn’t hold my attention the way I would hope. I’m confident that many will love this novel about a reclusive artist and the aftermath of her estate.

Paula Hawkins proves why she's one of my favorites in The Blue Hour. The story is unusual, twisty, surprising, heart-pounding. The plot is difficult to follow at times and requires re-reading certain parts, but all of Hawkins' are like that for me. It's worth it. If you are a fan of her work, you'll devour The Blue Hour. If you've never read her before (like, where have you been?), this will seal the deal.

To be honest, I’m disappointed in this book. I’ve considered DNFing so many times, but I kept going hoping for a light at the end of the tunnel. The only plot twist is that there is no light at the end of the tunnel- the ending was very predictable in my opinion. Being a fan of Paula Hawkins, I’m sad that this book didn’t hit the spot.

The characters are flat and I didn’t have any connection with them.

Nothing really happens in this book.

The plot is basic. Basically a struggling artist meets a lonely old woman with abandonment issues. Lonely old woman becomes attached and won’t leave her alone. She’s jealous of the artist’s male lovers and becomes even more unhinged. And there’s a random curator with his own messed up family, trying to make the crazy old lady give him the artist’s final works after she dies. He ends up finding out things that he shouldn’t.

I wouldn’t call this a thriller. I wasn’t on the edge of my seat and there was no surprising twist for me. However, I really did like the idea of the island and how you can only access it during certain parts of the day. Of course, that means you can easily get trapped there too.

A great thank you goes out to Paula Hawkins, Mariner, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The first 2/3 was good. I lost interest during the last part. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

This review contains spoilers.

Unfortunately, this one was not for me. I found the story to be very slow from the get-go and the Interstitials were incredibly distracting for me. The story also bounced around throughout time too much. Perhaps if the flashbacks had been chronological leading to the present, it would have made more sense. However, it went back and forth too much and I had a difficult time keeping track of where I was in the flashback sequences. The pace of the last 1/4 of the book picked up significantly which I felt was a bit rushed. I also didn't like the inconclusive ending. I chose to read it as help was on the way for Beck. An epilogue to clear that up, as well as provide some sort of resolution with Grace, would have been better than a last Interstitial from Vanessa's POV.

Pass along to those looking for a thriller. Hawkins is a popular author so this will be purchased for the library's collection.

This is very different from the other books by this author that I have read. It was pretty slow, esp the first half and then it picked up, very atmospheric, alot about art and the landscape. It was told in three voices, Vanesa the artist in mostly diary entries, Grace, her friend that loved her in an obsessive way and the art lover, Becker, his story was mostly present time, The whole book has a historical fiction feel to it, poetic at times, insightful It contained some mysteries, what happened to Vanesa missing husband, what happened to her missing art? It was primarily a character study. It was good, very well written, but also hard to read

This book was so eerie and I loved the atmosphere of it. I felt like there was so much backstory tho that kept it a slow burn. Grace was something else for real. I wasn’t a fan of her from the start. It was a bit convoluted. I wanted the story to quicken its pace. I felt like more could have unraveled with Beck. And the events with Grace weren’t altogether surprising. The end left me with some questions. I think was a bit too slow of a burn without a huge payoff. I enjoyed aspects of it but wanted more with others.

3.5 stars; ARC review.

A mystery thriller that takes place on an isolated Scottish island. An infamous artist whose notoriously unfaithful husband disappeared after visiting her twenty years ago. A present-day discovery that connects three people and threatens a carefully concealed secret.

It took me a little bit to get into the story because it felt a little bit scattered. Which is probably intentional, it’s just not for me. I did get pulled in and needed to know how it ended. And then, with all the build up and twists, I wanted a bit more from the ending; it felt abrupt.

An infamous artist dies on a remote tidal island in Scotland. Her estate is left in the care of the foundation run by the family of her former nemesis/gallerist. Her companion, carer, and friend Grace is left with nothing but the small island home. Told through the perspective of Grace, Becker, the curator, and the notebooks of Vanessa Chapman, the artist. There are many twist and secrets unravelled leading to shocking ending.

This is a slow burn mystery thriller and more so a study of the characters and their lives, losses, and insecurities.

This is a thriller, but it is also an exploration of what it means to be a curator. Who decides what is kept and what is shared? Who owns the meaning of a piece of art or a sample of writing? Art historian and curator Julian Becker is obsessed with the infamous dead artist, Vanessa Chapman and jumps at the chance to become the curator of her collection. However, the collection is owned by his childhood friend Sebastian Fairburn, and her letters and diaries are guarded by Vanessa’s companion, Grace. Julian’s attempts to gain access to the “meaning” of Vanessa’s art explores questions of class, gender, and authenticity. Fans of The Girl on the Train will appreciate the gothic suspense of the characters and settings, and literary fiction lovers will find much to enjoy in this sophisticated character exploration.

Another winner from Ms. Hawkins! I really enjoyed this. The plot is fairly minimal, but I felt very immersed in this little world. The setting is particularly brilliant, and really adds to the tension of the story. Interesting characters and choices made by the characters. Would definitely recommend this one!

Really enjoyed this! A slow build but once it got going, I couldn't put it down. I thought the ending was excellent as well and did a great job of tying everything together.

I had really high hopes for this book. I absolutely loved The Girl on the Train. However, this book fell flat. I felt like I was in second grade trying to read at college level-- the language used felt very antiquated and hard to follow.  I also had a hard time keeping up with the art terms and all of the characters. I will definitely try to read the book again--maybe it just wasn't the right time for me.

Thank you Net Galley for allowing me to read the ARC for an honest review.

I’m honestly not sure how I feel about this book. There were times when I couldn’t put it down, and then other times when I was completely confused. I enjoyed the premise of this book as I’ve never read anything like it. But I didn’t really care for any of the characters. The were a few subplots that were unnecessary in my opinion and the book ended so abruptly.


Thank you Netgalley for an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Sometimes I wish I had a tail to wiggle when I got excited.

That’s bizarre, right?

Well if I DID have a tail it would be wagging right now.

I went on a book binge for the past week and would put one book down and pick up the best without even so much as a pee break .

I was lost in the pages and I couldn’t not quench my insatiable lust for more and more thrillers. Deep down, subconsciously, I was searching for a book that would make me stop dead in my tracks.

Mission accomplished

The Blue Hour

Paula Hawkins is the queen when it comes to delivering 5 star books and this book literally broke the 5 star scale.

Mesmerized by the cover, this was a book I just had to have. I wish I could whisper a warning in my naive little ear before I picked this one up as my day became completely consumed by Hawkins’ words. Yes, this book is THAT good.

My mind is blown…

I will be unable to pick up another book for a bit. I need to let this one settle in.

Here’s a bit of a teaser for you :

Welcome to Eris: an island with only one house, one inhabitant, one way out. Unreachable from the Scottish mainland for twelve hours each day.

Once home to Vanessa: A famous artist whose notoriously unfaithful husband disappeared twenty years ago.

Now home to Grace: A solitary creature of the tides, content in her own isolation.

But when a shocking discovery is made in an art gallery far away in London, a visitor comes calling.

And the secrets of Eris threaten to emerge....

I’ve been a fan since Girl on the Train and I’m so happy that Paula Hawkins gets better with each book! I absolutely loved this one.

I really enjoy Paula Hawkins’ books, but to be honest, it was obvious who killed Julian, the revenge on Nick, and poor Beck. Having said that, Grace is a fantastic psychopath, and it’s wonderful to see her rage unfold. Entertaining, and swift, I look forward to the next one.

Solid if unspectacular story from Hawkins centering around the estate of a late painter/sculptor who led a mysterious and sheltered life, and the foundation to whom she left her work and their efforts to obtain all of her works. Controversy arises over one of her sculptures, which leads our intrepid hero to travel to her home and speak to the woman who now resides there, a mousy sort who may be hiding many secrets about the artist and what went on at the island home. Too much art talk causes it to drag at times, and it gets to be a bit ponderous, but the second half picks up and the last third is quite good, with revelations bringing the whole thing to a head in satisfactory style. Not my favorite Hawkins but, in the end, a pretty good read. 3.5 stars. Thanks to Netgalley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Blue Hour’s pace is a lot different from Hawkins’s previous works. A whole lot slower, to be precise. You do feel the storm building from within but it requires patience, loads of it. I almost gave up, only kept going because the eerie atmosphere reminded me of some of Mary Higgins Clark’s novels, then about Stephen King’s Misery, but reading the ending, I’m almost sorry I didn’t trust myself and stop reading on the numerous times I wanted to. This story obviously wasn’t for me.
The Blue Hour’s pace is a lot different from Hawkins’s previous works. A whole lot slower, to be precise. You do feel the storm building from within but it requires patience, loads of it. I almost gave up, only kept going because the eerie atmosphere reminded me of some of Mary Higgins Clark’s novels, then about Stephen King’s Misery, but reading the ending, I’m almost sorry I didn’t trust myself and stop reading on the numerous times I wanted to. This story obviously wasn’t for me.