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.

Definitely an interesting read. Anyone looking for an edge-of-your-seat mystery may end up being a little disappointed as this novel tends to be very slow paced, and takes more of an atmospheric approach to the genre. Although not what I was expecting I think it will linger with me for a long time.

I sped through the beginning of this title and then almost DNF once I got 3/4 through. You knew what was coming and the suspense seemed forced. I didn’t like any of the characters and really nothing was redeeming about anyone or anything. A bit of a disappointment.

Wow. This book was amazing and I could not put it down. I'm still thinking about it, days later. It's one of those books that you immediately need to talk to someone about it and that, to me, is the sign of an incredible writer. Paula Hawkins ceases to amaze me with her brilliant character development and plot lines. Highly recommend.

Of all the Paula Hawkins novels I've read, this felt the most human. Every character was a deep dive and had real motivations - so much grey area in the Blue Hour! This felt less of a murder mystery and more of a study in human nature... dealing with passion, depression, love, lust, jealousy, paranoia, loneliness. The novel is a real tour deforce of internal struggles, even leading to an ending that is left ambiguous. Thoroughly enjoyed it and I really feel its beautiful step in the author's writing.

The Blue Hour - Paula Hawkins
Pub Date: October 29, 2024
Rating: 2/5

Thank you to Netgalley and Mariner Books for an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. The Blue Hour surrounds a well known artist, who passed away from cancer and lived on an isolated island where she created most of her work. A recent discovery brings into question what happened on that island and how many bodies are buried there.

To be honest, this was a total miss for me. It was incredibly slow paced and I read an entire book before finishing this one. It was almost an DNF. The author takes the reader at a snail's pace and most of the pages are just descriptive language with nothing actually happening until you get 75% through the book. Even then, the ending is predictable, and just....disappointing. This story had potential, but sadly let me down.

a fast paced page turner until the end. I couldn't put this one down until I got to the end. Once you pick this up, you won't be able to put it down. If you love Girl On The Train, you will love this as well! I highly recommend for all mystery/thriller lovers out there.

An interesting mix of mystery, psychological thriller, and women's fiction. A bit less psychological thriller than Hawkins' previous titles, but it does come around to that in the end. Some great character development and intrigue throughout this novel.

Interesting plot with the world of art and artists in the background. Paula Hawkins fans will enjoy.

Hawkins weaves gorgeous descriptions of an isolated island retreat into her psychological thriller art mystery. Other reviewers didn't like the multi genre interludes, but I did. There is a lot to track here, but the twist at the end is worth it.

A compelling story of a gifted artist living on an isolated Scottish island and the mystery surrounding her missing husband.

Richly atmospheric with lush descriptions of the island, the characters are well drawn and intriguing. The story keeps you guessing to the end.

I am disappointed in this book - I was really looking forward to it but couldn't get into it, not for a lack of trying. Perhaps it was the format of back and forth in time mixed with old correspondence, diary pages and present day. It just was not interesting, only frustrating. Apologies to the publisher as it was definitely a DNF for me. Appreciate the ARC though.

On a remote Scottish island - only accessible 12 hours out of 24 - a woman, Gale, takes care of all of the art that a now dead artist, whom she also cared for, created. She also protects the artist's home, in which she now resides.

A theft occurs that unites three people on the island. This psychological thriller takes the reader on a winding path, as the reader seeks the resolution to the mystery.

I was looking for a fast paced mystery/thriller that would be impossible to put down so maybe this just wasn't a good fit.

If you like twisty psychological mysteries with multiple pov, this is for you!

I didn't care for any of the characters and I love rich character driven books, so that's always tough for me when I can't find anyone to root for.

When a famous art piece is thought to have a human bone in part of it, scandal ensues. Where did the bone come from? Is it human? Who could it be?

Years ago, the artist's husband disappeared and was never seen again, is it him? Could someone be mistaken and it is an animal bone? Follow along in this twisty tale.

Eris island is only reachable by car twice a day with the tide. Grace, Vanessa's remaining friend, lives on the island alone. Grace is a loner but is also deeply lonely.

Becker has always been obsessed with Vanessa as an artist and a person. He reads everything he can get his hands on and knows everything about her work. When the bone mystery arises, he is first to head to Eris to speak with Grace and see what she may know.

I am super picky about psychological thrillers, so it's possible you will absolutely love it!



Thank you to netgalley for an ARC to enjoy.

Sadly not a favorite, but the twist was good! The book felt a bit long, doctors are supposed to be good,they take the Hippocratic oath, but not all doctors follow that creed

So I really loved The Girl On The Train and maybe I’ve been hoping that her new books will live up to that, but I gotta say, good or not, this was utterly confusing. I wanted to trek through because I’ve heard so many good things about it, but I’m nearly halfway through and I still have no idea what’s going on. I will pick it up again later to try to make heads or tails out of the characters and plot, but for now I’m sadly putting it down.

I received an advanced copy from netgalley in exchange for a review and opinions are my own.

P.S. I just realized I had the same problem with her last two books. I tried reading Into The Water and A Slow Fire Burning but never finished either books.