The Fog follows protagonist Kate as she struggles through writers block, propelling her to sign up for a 10 day retreat targeted at authors.

The eerie dynamic of the retreat coupled with mysterious and untrustworthy characters creates a compelling psychological thriller. When Kate regains her memory in flashes, the credibility of the retreat as well as her fellow participants comes into question.

This story takes you through a rollercoaster of emotions. Because Kate herself is so unstable and uncertain of who she is, it becomes difficult to know who to trust. This is ultimately what makes this story work so well.

Whilst the beginning of the book was quite slow and difficult to advance through, the story slowly built up suspense and drama, ultimately leading to a successful and well written piece.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for an advanced copy of this novel.

Kate had lost everything and when a ten-day retreat for writers was offered on a remote Irish island, Rathlin, and she was accepted into the group, she hoped it would work to ease her mind; to recover the memories from a mind which was blank from trauma. The journey from London was a long one, the final few miles across the channel to the island by ferry, rough and exhilarating. Kate had no idea what to expect, all she had was hope.

Cormac ran the retreat, with help from Ewan. The old manor they were all housed in had been renovated; it was enthralling as they all sat around in a circle, listening to their host list the itinerary for the following ten days. He warned them some days would be hard but they weren't really prepared for what lay ahead. The wild weather accentuated the tasks; the howling wind and brutal storms caused fragmented memories to return to Kate and she wrote it all in her journal so she wouldn't forget again. It was all so intense...

Creepy, atmospheric and chilling best describes The Fog by debut Aussie author Brooke Hardwick. With well written characters who played their parts particularly aptly, the horror of some actions had me cringing. While there were a couple of places that didn't gel (view spoiler), it was a good psychological thriller, especially as the author's debut. Recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley & Simon & Schuster AU for my digital ARC to read.

Oh my goodness! The emotional ride I have just been on is almost indescribable - I am struggling to find the words - which is why I’m not an author! The Fog is one of the best psychological thriller I’ve read for a while, and is certainly going to be a top read of mine for this year.

The main character, Kate, is in a state - as the book opens she is on edge, scared, close to tears, a migraine building. In short she is an emotional wreck. She has travelled alone from London and is waiting to catch a ferry out to Rathmine island just off the Irish coast near the Giants Causeway. She has been accepted into a ten day retreat run by a man called Cormac to help overcome writers block. Kate is scared the retreat won’t work. She tells herself she’s broken and it is clear something has happened to her husband, but she doesn’t know what. She has lost so many memories - nothing is clear to her. The Fog appears to be a description of Kate’s mind. She is hoping the retreat will clear the fog, at the same time she is scared it won’t.

The whole book has an edge of menace, creepy house, creepy director and assorted mentally disturbed characters who all seem to have an ulterior motive - and not for good. Along with Kate, there is another single woman and a married couple. All four characters have issues. Nothing is clear, and as the reader I didn’t know who to trust. Even Kate is unreliable as she has no idea which way is up and what her slowly emerging memories mean. All that is certain is that something traumatic resulted in the end of her marriage and she has no idea where her husband is. As well as the retreat Director Cormac, did I mention he is creepy, there is his brother who has just rocked up and a general handyman, cook and helper.

The island is rugged with tall cliffs and crashing sea, it is actually based on a real island that the author visited. The weather is bitterly cold with strong winds and storms sweeping off the North Atlantic and across the island. There are Celtic ruins which are used for some of the sessions, as Cormac’s therapies are linked to the mythology of the island - which adds to the overarching creepiness. Tension rises as members of the retreat start to fall apart as the daily sessions progress. Are they being helped, or are they being mentally tortured? Kate’s sessions trigger flashbacks with just enough information for me to gradually figure out what might of happened. I did correctly figured a lot of it out - only to discover that our tricky author, Brooke Hardwick, was not content with her readers working out what was going on - but added a twist at the end which I, for one, could not even guess was going to happen. Bravo Brooke - I am now waiting with baited breath for your next book.

For me successful suspense has to feature a certainty of danger, feelings of anxiety and uncertainty which all increase as a story progresses. This book fulfilled all my expectations in bucket loads. Was a slow but unrelenting build up of tension to the eventual climax. An absolute page turner because I had to know how it was going to turn out

This was an absolutely thrilling read! I was hooked by the story from the beginning and really enjoyed the way that snippets of memory were revealed as the story progressed. Lots of twists and turns throughout, and never really a dull moment - I read this book over the course of a weekend! Highly reccomended.
(Check trigger warnings!)
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

In this dark and gritty psychological thriller, Kate attends a ten day retreat for authors with writer’s block on windswept, remote Rathlin Island off the northern coat of Ireland. Ever since the traumatic end to her marriage to her husband Hugh, she has been unable to move on with her novel and hopes the retreat will release whatever is blocking her.

The setting for the retreat is very atmospheric. The island is rugged and it’s bitterly cold with regular storms rushing in. The retreat is unlike no other. A small group of four people carefully selected by Cormac, the director, stay in the mansion that has been in his family for generations and are exposed to a range of challenging and often unpleasant experiences designed to make them face their trauma. Kate starts to experience flashbacks that make her see her marriage in a new light. Many of Cormac’s therapies are tied to the mythology of the island which adds to the eeriness of the location.

Kate comes across as a very needy woman who is unsure of herself allowing others to trample her and allowing herself to be put in dangerous situations so it’s difficult to understand her behaviour at times. As the group all start to crumple and fall apart from the unusual therapies, the tension rises inexorably, keeping the reader on edge as the novel heads to its dramatic climax. I wasn’t totally convinced by the final twist which wrapped up everything a bit too neatly but I enjoyed the journey and the author’s skill in maintaining the unsettling sense of mystery and danger throughout the novel.

4.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨

I changed my mind so many times while I was reading this book about whether I was enjoying it, did I want to keep going but I have to say I am glad I did because by the end I thought it was a great read.

I seem to pick books lately, though not on purpose, whose themes are around mental health and I wasn't expecting that theme to run through to The Fog also.

This is a very different mystery book and the setting itself added to the mystery surrounding the whole retreat for writers with writer's block.

There is a lot of back and forth in time as Kate starts to remember things she has forgotten due to trauma and we learn about her husband, her marriage and her child. This is a dark theme of abuse that plays through the story and is used by the man who runs the retreat for his own purposes carefully crafted and designed for the retreat goers to believe he is helping them, his methods are very unconventional, but he is constantly telling them they have a purpose, all will become clear.

The other retreat participants have their own issues and trauma that has led them to be there and this adds to the intrigue and drama that plays out on the island.

I thought that the author weaved an intriguing tale that took me to many places I wasn't expecting to go. Do be aware there are some triggering themes and events in this novel.

Thanks to NetGalley & Simon & Schuster Australia for providing me with a free ebook in return for an honest review.

The Fog by Brooke Hardwick had all the elements of a great mystery—a writer with amnesia and writer’s block, a retreat on a remote Irish island, and a dark local history. Initially, the story hooked me, but as it progressed, it began to lose its grip.

The plot follows Kate, a writer who arrives at Rathlin, a desolate Irish island, for a 10-day retreat designed to help authors overcome creative blocks. Kate hopes to fill the gaps in her memory and break through her writer's block, which began after her marriage fell apart. The retreat’s director incorporates the island’s eerie mythology and harsh weather into the therapy, pushing participants to their limits. As Kate starts to recover her memories, she realises she may not be able to trust herself or those around her.

I really enjoyed the first half of this book with it’s the slow-burn setup and getting to know the island and its inhabitants. The island's gloomy, cold atmosphere perfectly matched the unfolding events, and I loved the rich history woven into the narrative.

Unfortunately, the story’s direction in the second half didn’t work for me. The ending felt too contrived and convenient, with twists that seemed hastily added to tie up loose ends felt unsatisfying. It's worth noting that the book explores some dark themes; while I typically avoid including trigger warnings to prevent spoilers, it may be wise to check them out if you're unsure.

While The Fog didn’t completely connect with me, I’m still eager to read more from this author. There was enough potential in the story to keep me intrigued about what she writes next.

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster for providing me ARC copy of this title for honest review.

The Fog by Brooke Hardwick ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Fog by Brooke Hardwick is a gripping psychological thriller that plunges you into the chilling atmosphere of a remote island retreat, where secrets lurk in the shadows and memories twist into something far more dangerous. The story follows Kate, a woman on the brink, who travels to the desolate island of Rathlin in the freezing Irish Channel for a ten-day writers’ retreat. Haunted by fragmented memories and the unresolved trauma of her broken marriage, Kate is determined to leave the retreat with answers.

As the retreat’s enigmatic director employs techniques that tap into the eerie mythology of the island, Kate becomes increasingly drawn to him and the strange surroundings. But as the temperature drops and the therapeutic methods grow more intense, Kate's memories begin to unravel, revealing a terrifying truth. Faced with dark secrets and growing duplicity, Kate must navigate her past and survive the deadly situation she has unwittingly entered.

I love an isolated location vibe, and this one delivered plenty of atmosphere. The wild, remote island setting was perfectly executed, and the Celtic mythology woven into the story added a sense of otherworldliness and delusion that mirrored Kate’s mental state.

The way the story gradually revealed aspects of Kate’s memory was masterful, keeping me on edge and desperate to uncover the truth. The depiction of coercive domestic abuse was chillingly accurate, showcasing how victims can be manipulated to the point of questioning their own sanity. Hardwick’s writing is excellently executed, maintaining a constant state of intrigue and engagement throughout the novel.

However, as much as we can sympathize with what Kate is going through emotionally and psychologically, her character is inconsistent due to her repeated questioning and doubting herself. She often comes across as timid, feeble, and insecure—traits that made her difficult to root for. Her constant self-undermining behavior, along with her inability to recognize alarming situations, was frustrating and made her a rather unlikeable protagonist. Kate’s weakness and neediness left me more annoyed than empathetic, and I found it hard to truly connect with her.

I also felt that the character of Hugh was a bit overdone, coming off as a caricature of a manic villain. A more nuanced portrayal could have deepened the discussion on coercive control and abusive relationships. Additionally, the ending was a bit over the top and far-fetched, which took away from the otherwise compelling narrative.

Ruby, on the other hand, was a standout character, and I would have loved to see more of her. She was easily the strongest among the guests at the retreat. Also, a surprising twist towards the end had me rethinking my perception of Ewan, which was a nice touch, although it left me slightly confused.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the setting—there’s nothing quite like a remote location to heighten the tension in a thriller. The Fog is a strong entry in the genre, and while it had its flaws, it kept me engaged and entertained from start to finish.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Simon & Schuster (Australia) for the ARC. The Fog will be published on September 4th.

While I like psychological thrillers I found this book to be a bit boring and drawn out. I found myself skim reading a few times just to hurry the story along. After a very slow build up it was all over in a few pages.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book.

I enjiyed this book it was easy to read and it had drama and thriller with th characters and drama and suspence that kept me wondering about the fog

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of The Fog from NetGalley. The novel follows the main protagonist, Kate, to a remote island off the coast of Northern Ireland to participate in an exclusive Writer’s Retreat focused on freeing the creative mind of writers block. The plot follows Kate’s journey as her memory is unlocked and pieces of her lost past come flooding back, all while encountering the strange and eerie goings on of the island and the people visiting it.

I’m a thriller girl (and a writer) and there were so many elements of The Fog that were the perfect ingredients of a chilling story. Unfortunately, the copy read a bit more like a first draft. The characters, especially the main protagonist and antagonists, felt underdeveloped. The villains, Hugh and Cormac, were a little stereotypical and I didn’t know enough about them to understand their motivations. These, combined with some plot holes, left me feeling as though it was all a bit far fetched.

The most frustrating part was that the climactic scene was done and dusted in about half a page after my interest ebbed and flowed for 95 percent of the book.

I’d like to be clear that the author is a talented writer and the plot itself had the makings of a page turner. But the issues flagged previously as well as the repetition of phrases (the “howling wind” and the frequent references to a secondary character touching the shaved part of her head) were frustrating. I think it just needed a stronger edit - tightening in some areas while characters were fleshed out. I would absolutely pick up future books written by Brooke Hardwick.

The fog was shocking! Harrowing and downright haunting. A really good read and one I’m very happy to have dipped into

“The Fog”, by Queensland-born author, Brooke Hardwick, is a clever psychological thriller with enough twists to satisfy any reader. It’s well paced, gripping plot swiftly engaged me and didn’t let go. I finished the book in 48 hours and loved every page.

I’m keen to avoid any spoilers here, so suffice to say that the novel’s protagonist, Kate, is on her way to a ten day retreat in the wilds of Scotland for writers needing to breakthrough writer’s block. Of course, there’s more to Kate’s journey than this. Much more. But to find the answers she seeks, Kate must not only brave the savage elements of the remote island where the retreat is set, but also the mental fog which has effectively masked her key memories in a cloud of unknowing. Her fellow participants have their own traumas to navigate and generate their own fog of drama and confusion in the process. However, their host, the enigmatic Cormac, promises that if they commit themselves fully to the retreat programme, all will be resolved come day ten.

The author skilfully develops this entertaining premise, building to a suitably dramatic climax and emotionally satisfying resolution. For the most part, I went along with the escalating twists and reveals, in part because Hardwick does such a good job in developing the small cast of characters and building such a compelling crucible in which their respective psychological wounds are laid bare.

I’m a fan. Looking forward to more psychological thrillers like “The Fog”. Highly recommended.

My thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for a complimentary copy in return for an honest and independent review.

- Sharon Barba

'The truth is, I'm not fine - I'm broken. I can't write, can't sleep, can't stop crying'.

Kate is undone by a block in her memory: traumatic amnesia. As her mental health seemingly teeters, her personal life is in tatters, 'If I had real courage, I'd confess the most horrible truth of all. It's why I left everything behind to come here. A 10 day writers' retreat, held on a remote island, promises to not only release writer's block, it guarantees to reveal the trauma that caused it. Perfect. As the small group of affected attendees gather, and move through the daily tasks, flashbacks illuminate like lightning and whirl as hauntingly as the island's storms. What's real and what's imagined, the past and the present, begin to morph and everyone's motives and sanity must be questioned, 'You think you can convince us that we're the broken ones. But it's not us. It's not me. It's you'.

3.5 stars. 'The Fog' begins slowly as a disturbed Kate can't seem to remember much at all as to what's gotten her to this state. However, as her flashbacks increasingly reveal more of her, and her fellow attendees' stories, I became riveted. However, as everything converged to a climactic end, I felt there were aspects that were just a little clean and convenient - given all the psychological harm leading up to the end.

'It's not a burden, this secret. It's the truth, and it reminds me who I am...'.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review

The book is set on a remote island in the middle of the Irish strait . The weather is freezing with gale force winds which are a constant threat . Kate arrives at the retreat for writers with writers block. Kate is plagued by memories she can’t understand and is desperate to understand the breakdown of her marriage, Kate is determined to leave the retreat with answers. She soon finds out all is not what it seems and her memories come flooding back with the bizarre rituals the writers have to go through . This book has a constant theme of dread and dysfunction, strange things are happening . Kate becomes infatuated with the retreat leader Gabriel which leads Kate into more confusion.

This is a well written creepy book with a massive twist.

When Kate thought she was going on a writers retreat to help her write again what did she expect to learn? The truth comes out, it is not in anyway a relaxing retreat. Many secrets are hidden and many are exposed! What happened on the island of Rathlin? You’ll have to read to find out!

Thankyou @brookehardwickwriter and @netgalley for the opportunity to read this amazing book.

All I can say is wow just wow. This book had me hooked and on the edge of my seat. At every chapter I was confounded with another mystery until it all fell into place.
This book shows what we can do and deal with when pushed to our limits. It’s dark and eerie but will keep you hooked until that very last page!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

This book, particularly early on in the story, had the makings of a great thriller. I was hoping to find out more about the characters and their motivations, and why things were the way that they were. The setting had a lovely air of menace about it, and it really set things up to be structured well.

Unfortunately, as the story progressed, I found myself losing interest a bit. The main antagonist, Hugh, was almost comical in his 'evilness', and I just found that it drew me out of the book more and more as it went along. I started with a good feeling about the main character too, but unfortunately I feel like she got a little lost in the rest of the story. Kate just wasn't there for me, and it was such a shame.

I feel like this one had the makings of a great book - but sadly, it just didn't quite reach that for me!

I struggled with this book.
It's an interesting concept and I think it had a lot of potential, but I found the whole thing overwrought.

Hugh is a caricature of a manic villain. The author could have dialed his wicked ways down by a lot and had a more nuanced discussion on coercive control and abusive relationships.

The wind appeared to be a main character and there were so many references to the wind 'whipping' and 'howling'.

I found little things frustrating too - like giving a newborn a bracelet and having a token Australian character greet someone with 'hey sexy'. It felt a bit poorly researched and these little things really pulled me out of the story.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

I'm not quite sure how I feel about this one.
The beginning was a bit slow and I found it difficult to get into. About a third of the way through it got a bit more interesting, but it was frustrating watching our protagonist figure things out from her past that we could see so clearly already!
And whilst every effort was made to give the island a mysterious, dangerous feel, I feel it was lacking. I didn't feel that sense of 'oh my goodness something is about to happen!' suspense that I have with other books in this genre.
I did enjoy being suspicious of every character, however, and having my brain race to try to figure out what was going to happen, however the way that the characters interacted and were stereotyped felt a bit forced.

The content was often disturbing, particularly the domestic violence.

‘Congratulations! You’ve been accepted into our Ten-Day Therapeutic Retreat – A Radical Course That Will Change your Life.’

Kate hopes that this retreat will provide answers to the questions plaguing her. Kate is haunted by memories she can’t explain or interpret and is trying to understand the breakdown of her marriage. The retreat is on the remote island of Rathlin in the Irish Channel, and Kate is one of a small number of participants, all of whom are suffering from writer’s block.

‘You’re on the island where Kings find their courage.’

The retreat’s director uses unorthodox methods to try to move each participant beyond their writer’s block. And the eerie atmosphere on the island sparks worrying flashbacks which serve to magnify Kate’s concerns. Can she trust her own mind?
There’s plenty of suspense as this story unfolds and – be warned – a significant number of traumatic themes. While the ending works for me, there’s a twist beforehand that I found difficult to accept. But by then, I was deeply invested in the story keen to find out how it would end.

I enjoyed this well-written novel, but I would not recommend it to anyone who would find traumatic themes triggering.

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Australia for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith