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!

I've loved Hawkins' previous work, such as The Girl on The Train, but this one was a bit of a disappointment. It took me forever to read (i.e., nearly 2 months!!), as I was engrossed for about the first ten percent of the book and the last ten percent. Other than that, it dragged and did not live up to my expectations, unfortunately. I found myself constantly putting it down and reading other books in the interim.

I enjoyed the remote island setting in Scotland, which was very atmospheric. Barring that, the book lacked the plot twists of the author's prior novels. I was able to predict the ending, which is not something I personally enjoy in a thriller. This was more of a descriptive slow-burn mystery focused on the art world, which may still be appealing to some. So if that sounds like it's up your alley, then give this one a chance, but otherwise you may want to pass.

Thank you to NetGalley and Mariner Books for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

The book begins with the discovery of a human bone within a sculpture by the late artist Vanessa Chapman. Soon, an investigation begins (which is complicated by the fact that they will have to destroy artwork to examine the bone). The story brings us to Eris, a secluded Scottish island, and weaves together the lives of three central characters: Grace Winters, Vanessa's companion; James Becker, an art scholar; and Julian, Vanessa's estranged ex-husband.

The novel is told in flashbacks and diary excerpts which makes the story more unique. And the isolated island definitely contributed to making the book feel a lot more creepy.

Why Jackie likes it

I love the idea of art in a thriller novel and Hawkins does a great job at pulling apart the relationships of the characters. This was not my favorite Paula Hawkins book- That would have to be "Girl on a Train". But, this book is worth the read.

This is the first Hawkins book I did not enjoy. I was bored for the first half, which i think is inexcusable in a thriller. The changes in perspective were interesting, and the suspense built at the end was done well. I liked the use of art.

A lot of readers hated the ending. I didn't, I just resented how long it took to get there.

Unsatisfying, don't recommend.

I did purchase for my library and will share.

What in the world.

I had to go to the other reviews on this novel to see if it was just me. We started off with a random human bone at an art exhibit, than made it all the way to a doctor who seems totally infatuated with a woman who died years before. There’s a random son who wants to get to know the mother that is now dead, so he reaches out to this infatuated woman to help him.

This book was a mess…..I thought I had missed something somewhere but it doesn’t seem like I did. I had high hopes but I couldn’t find anything I was super stoked on. Nor did I finish this. Upon reviews, there seems to be two camps, very liked and very not liked.

this was my first Paula Hawkins book and overall...I was disappointed. It started out with promise and a very hooky premise but got bogged down with highly unlikeable characters (and none in a fun or intriguing way) and too many jumps between times and characters and diary entries. Like many others said, the setting is the best part of the book, but even that for me didnt feel quite as meaty as it could of. And the ending was quite frankly, the worst. Just abrupt and sudden with no resolution at all. The twists were not twisty as they were too overtly foreshadowed, so there wasn't any surprise at the end except for how it just cut off.

Classic Paula Hawkins. What I love about her books are that things are never straight forward. To say anymore about the book takes away the reader’s own discovery. Thanks to NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

This one unfortunately wasn’t my favorite. I love Paula Hawkins but this fell flat and failed to keep me interested. I was invested in the beginning, but it started to drag and it took me a long time to finish it. I love her books and can’t wait to read the next one in hopes it’s more like her previous writing!

I have to just come out and admit that Paula Hawkins is not for me. I am assuming if you liked other Hawkins titles, you will also like this one. Her books just don't capture me.

Paula Hawkins is always a good idea. Sinister and atmospheric and eerie, The Blue Hour is a slow-burn with a fantastic premise: a human bone in a work of art, To hear Paula talking about her inspiration for this book, surf to killerauthorclub.com/killer-episodes

The Blue Hour is a cut above the dime-a-dozen domestic thrillers that proliferate these days. The characters, plot and setting are well-drawn and the writing is fairly literary. The pacing is a little slow, but that doesn't bother me. I would recommend to fans of literary fiction. 3.5 stars.

I'm sure that I'm an outlier on this one, but I did not like The Blue Hour by Paula Hawkins. I keep waiting for her to write another book as good as The Girl on the Train but I'm just not getting it. I think Hawkins is a one-hit-wonder for me. This is probably the last of her novels I'll choose to read.

The Blue Hour was supposed to be a thriller, but turned out to be a snooze. I was bored and had to force myself to pick it back up again numerous times so that I could review and rate it instead of DNFing it. I found it to be excruciatingly slow and extremely boring. I didn't like the rich, snobby characters and found nothing thrilling about the plot. It was quite predictable and took forever to go anywhere. I really enjoyed the setting and was able to imagine myself there, but that was about it.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchagne for my honest thoughts.

Delve into the atmospheric and haunting psychological drama of Jules and Beck in modern London. With short chapters that move the plot forward this is a slow burn thriller with psychological depth. Thanks to NetGalley and Mariner Books for a free book in exchange for an honest review.

During an exhibit of artist Vanessa Chapman's work, an anthropologist recognizes a bone in one of the sculptures as human. Thus begins James Becker's, the Chapman collection curator, exploration into Chapman's life. Told through an alternating timelines, Becker learns about Chapman, her work and life, through her notebooks and friend, Grace Haswell. At first standoffish, Grace soon opens up to Becker about Vanessa and their time on Eris Island together (and apart). Becker develops not only a deeper appreciation for Chapman's art but also her friendship with Grace and the deep loss Grace has felt since Vanessa's death. It is through this grief that Becker learns the truth about Eris, Vanessa, Grace, and himself.

I enjoyed the majority of this novel, but I wanted a different ending. The ending was good, but it was unexpected, and I felt like more should have happened/changed. I appreciated the subtle mystery throughout and the depth of character within the text. It just needed something different at the end. I still recommend it for those who love classic mysteries.

LOVED this read so much! Hawkins has always been a favorite and seeing this on the netgalley list made me so happy.

I loved the art aspects but felt the pacing was very erratic. I was not invested in the characters at all.