Heart pounding thriller that left me on the edge of my seat. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one. Definitely one of the best books this year.

Hemlock Island gripped me from the very first page and I could not put it down! I read the whole thing in one sitting I was so captivated! All the characters were really interesting and it definitely helped make the story more enjoyable. I loved the secluded Lake Superior island setting and how there was always something happening but everything happened] at a really good pace. I also really loved that there was a supernatural/nature force at play and that everything happening was because of disrespect of the land. There were twists and turns I wasn't expecting and drama that revealed dark secrets. Also this book was CREEPY! It was definitely original in its horror moments and man was it grotesque! Which I really loved, it's hard to make me cringe, creep me out and for me to actually enjoy the story all at the same time! Horror fans are absolutely going to love Hemlock Island.

Wow… what a horror story! If this was a movie I’d hide my head in my hands the whole way through! So many twists and mysterious vibes with some shivers!

What did I like? Your really kept guessing until the last couple of chapters and the story is highly engrossing. I’ve read many stories by this author and I have to say this was the first of a kind from her. I absolutely loved it!

Would I recommend or buy? If you love this author you won’t be disappointed! I didn’t want to put it down and it was a fantastic read! Five huge stars! I definitely recommend to horror lovers!

I received a complimentary copy to read and this is my opinion! Great book!

4/5 Stars

Read: April 25th-April 28th, 2023
Review: April 19th, 2023

This is a pretty solid first horror novel for Kelley Armstrong.

It starts out very strong. Pulling me in to a very mysterious story. It’s gets you guessing a lot and having no real idea where the story is going. It quickly turns creepy. I love that feeling you get when your getting to that real scary part of a horror movie. That’s exactly what I got while reading some of these scenes in this book.

There was a lot of back stories for these six characters. Either a little too much, or maybe the back stories should have been revealed earlier. Don’t get me wrong. I still loved the stories and the characters. They only reason this was an issue was because it took me out of the creepy horror vibe. You would be getting to a really creepy and intense part of the story, but loose the vibe to all these other stories happening within the characters.

Overall, it was a really good read. It’s written so you will think it was this and that, but it was really something you didn’t expect. It wasn’t the type of horror I was expecting or looking forward to reading, but it was still good.

Thanks to Kelley Armstrong, St.Martin’s Press, and Net Gallery for the opportunity to read this advanced readers edition ahead of the publication date!

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 was confused, however, about Madison’s character and how old she was supposed to be. She seemed more mature at times and less mature at times than what the book said she was. Also, if the renters actually did put the symbols there and woke up the entity or it just woke up when the other people were disrespecting the island.
I have already posted my spoiler-free goodreads review.

Laney is newly divorced and renting out her beautiful, isolated vacation home in order to keep it. When her renters flee due to strange things happening, Laney and a few others show up to figure out what’s happening. Things go from weird to bad to supernaturally spooky very quickly! I like the idea of this horror story, but I felt it was needlessly complicated by several subplots. I really wish the focus was 100% on the insane shit going on, because honestly who has time to think about their ex-husband when you’re fighting for your life??? In short: the horror was fun, but the other stuff dragged down the story.

I have loved Kelley Armstrong’s writing for years and her first horror novel is a must read! It is one of the best books I’ve read this year! Once I started reading, I could not put it down. The characters and story line were excellent with enough twists that you do not see the ending coming!

Laney and Kit divorce after Covid causing her to rent out the remote island on Lake Superior in order to afford the upkeep. It is only accessible by boat or helicopter and has no phone or internet service. She has had problems with previous renters not following the rules and the latest renters call to say they found blood and scratch marks in the closet.

Laney and her niece Madison go out to investigate and are joined by her ex, her former best friends Jayla and Sadie, and Sadie’s brother Garrett. They find the caretakers hand by the house and his body in a crevice, When Sadie and the boat disappear, they realize they are stranded in the island with a killer. What follows us a creepy, supernatural horror that will leave you breathless! I was given an arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

A bit of a stretch for the set up, but easily forgotten as the horror rises and the countdown of bodies rises! Lainey rents out her mansion on an deserted, personal island in order to afford the taxes. When she hears that her latest air bnb guests had a horrible time and are planning to report her, she rushes to the property. She is surprised but resigned to take help from her ex husband and his sister as they arrive at the same time. Add in a nemesis friend and a cop brother and there are quite a few people on the island. THEN the horror begins. A great spooky story with an original premise! #HemlockIsland #KelleyArmstrong #StMArting

I have been reading Kelley Armstrong for 7 years now and she never disappoints. Her foray into horror is no different. This book grabbed me from the beginning and didn’t let go until the last page. I had several of my own theories about why everything was happening but was complicated surprised by the ending. Did not expect it and liked it. Will definitely make me think twice about making any promises or oaths in the future! I hope Kelley keeps writing in this genre.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's
Press for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.

good story about an island and things going wrong from having guests staying on the island to things going wrong with the house. great horror story and that twist ending wow

Oh, I loved reading this book! I just love Kelley Armstrong's writing, and this is her first published foray into horror, as far as I'm aware. And oh, did I enjoy it! Her characters are smart and make rational decisions, or take calculated risks, and it was great to see those qualities in a horror novel!

I felt so badly for Laney. This house was her sanctuary, the place she could retreat to. But it was a honeymoon gift from her rich now ex-husband, and she can't afford to not rent it out, to let strangers occupy the space. And of course things go wrong.

As things get more and more intense, we're also learning more about these characters. Why Sadie and her brother have such a bad relationship with Laney. The way Laney and Kit's marriage ended. It added a good mix of emotion that wasn't terror!

There were some really shocking twists and reveals, like what was going on with the island, that I couldn't get enough of! And that ending, oh! Really enjoyed it, and it was utterly satisfying to read, if a bit bittersweet. It was just so great to read!

Loved reading this book, and I can't wait to read more by Kelley Armstrong!

This book follows Laney, an author and recent guardian of her teenage niece, Madison, after her sister has passed away. She owns and rents out her vacation home on Hemlock Island, a gift from her ex-husband, Kit, for extra income. After multiple renters complain about disturbing occurrences on the island, Laney and Madison decide to go investigate things themselves. Laney’s ex-husband, Kit, also tags along with his sister and Laney’s childhood friend, Jayla. Another childhood friend, Sadie, and her brother also show up, surprising them all. When their means of escape is gone, they must fight to survive as someone -or something- terrorizes them and keeps them trapped on the island.

I really enjoyed this book! It’s not the type of horror I typically like but I thought it was very well done in this story. The pacing was great, things started happening right away while still setting up the atmosphere and character dynamics along the way. I loved the twists/reveals and was genuinely creeped out by some of the scenes and imagery. But while the horror and gore felt very much intended for an adult audience, the characters and dialogue felt a little juvenile at times.

Overall, I had a great time reading this and was gripped all the way to the end. I highly recommend this book for fans of horror with thriller elements and twists, and for those who enjoy books that have you questioning if supernatural or paranormal forces are at play.

Content warnings: gore, death, blood, and sexual assault

**Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the eARC!**

I received an ARC of this novel from the author and publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

For a first real crack at writing a horror novel, this was pretty good. If you’re on the Squimish side, this may not be the book for you since it is very gory. However, if you’re all about the horror, violence, gore and love a good mystery, then this book is for you.

The reader is immersed in a bizarre mystery almost immediately within the first few pages. From there, it only continues to build and get stranger and stranger. Creepy, supernatural things are appearing all over the island but more focused around Laney’s house. While trying to figure out what’s actually going on, the cast of characters are subjected to violent attacks, disappearances, and some straight out weird stuff. Long buried secrets also come to the forefront making this simple horror story a little more complicated and adds some depth to the characters.

I just finished reading it. Overall I liked it but I’m still digesting it. I think I’m left feeling like I wanted just a bit more from it which is why I gave it a 4. But I’m also going to be one of the first people to pick up Kelley Armstrong’s next horror novel for sure.

Holy gory horror! Everyone can relate to the isolation feelings of post-world lockdown of COVID. What happens when relationships change after? What happens when the guest house you own on Lake Superior starts killing off guests? This story had me on my toes and I could not put it down.

Lane and her niece go to her rental property on island to investigate some weird things happening there, they are joined by some friends, fast read as you can't wait to see what happens next.

Laney has been renting out her secluded house from her ex husband on Hemlock Island. Renters has been having eerie things happen and fleeing. Laney and her ex go back to the island along with her niece and old friends. Creepy occult things start happening and they fight for their lives. This was a thrilling horror read that I finished quickly.
Thanks NetGalley and St.Martins Press for this ARC that will be published September 12, 2023!

It's been awhile since I read a Book by Kelley Armstrong.
This one sounded like a good creepy horror to me, and while I did enjoy it , it wasn't one of my favorites. I got a lot of YA vibes from the relationships in the book and that just didn't work for me.
This is a fairly quick read that I think a lot of people will enjoy.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review this book

Not for me. Too much chatting and unrealistic behavior. Read first few chapters then had to start skimming. ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.

4.5 Stars!

Kelley Armstrong's foray into horror was definitely a success. The weirdness, the creepiness, and the sheer terror of this island were absolutely wonderful. I couldn't get enough of this book, I devoured it in fact, every last creeptastic page. It was so much fun and perfect for this crazy rainy snowy spring we are having this year. It was exactly what I was looking for and exactly what I have come to love and expect from Armstrong's worlds, characters and genius writing.

I flew through this one partly because I needed to know who was responsible for all of the strangeness and partly because I was so freaked out I wasn’t going to sleep until I knew of the resolution! An unexpected grouping of acquaintances, a stormy night, and an isolated island makes this the perfect read for any horror lovers.