Week 16 Review: Hemlock Island

From Goodreads:

Laney Kilpatrick has been renting her vacation home to strangers. The invasion of privacy gives her panic attacks, but it's the only way she can keep her beloved Hemlock Island, the only thing she owns after a pandemic-fueled divorce. But broken belongings and campfires that nearly burn down the house have escalated to bloody bones, hex circles, and now, terrified renters who've fled after finding blood and nail marks all over the guest room closet, as though someone tried to claw their way out…and failed.

When Laney shows up to investigate with her teenaged niece in tow, she discovers that her ex, Kit, has also been informed and is there with Jayla, his sister and her former best friend. Then Sadie, another old high school friend, charters over with her brother, who's now a cop.

There are tensions and secrets, whispers in the woods, and before long, the discovery of a hand poking up from the earth. Then the body that goes with it… But by that time, someone has taken off with their one and only means off the island, and they’re trapped with someone—or something—that doesn’t want them leaving the island alive.

My Review:
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! 

Author: Kelley Armstrong 
Read: April 16th, 2023
Source: NetGalley 
Reason Why: Love her writing and it sounded really great, and it's a SAC 2023 Book and a WoW Book! 
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Expected Publication: September 12th 2023

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars