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!

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.