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The Blue Hour
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 . . .
A masterful novel that is as page-turning as it is unsettling, The Blue Hour recalls the sophisticated suspense of Shirley Jackson and Patricia Highsmith, and cements Hawkins’s place among the very best of our most nuanced and stylish storytellers.
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 . . .
A masterful novel that is as page-turning as it is unsettling, The Blue Hour recalls the sophisticated suspense of Shirley Jackson and Patricia Highsmith, and cements Hawkins’s place among the very best of our most nuanced and stylish storytellers.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published October 29, 2024
7,025 people are currently reading
104k people want to read
About the author
Paula Hawkins
30books37.2kfollowersPaula Hawkins is the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller The Girl on the Train, which was made into a major motion picture. Her new novel of psychological suspense, Into The Water, is coming May 2.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,491 reviews
October 17, 2024
The first 2/3 of the book were clear-your-schedule, extraordinarily addictive—the last 1/3 needs to be rewritten.
In an introvert’s dream On the small, isolated island of Eris lived a reclusive artist, Vanessa, with her long-time companion, Grace. When Vanessa departs this world, she surprisingly bequeaths her art collection to her nemesis.
As the art is examined, a thread of mystery will unravel.
Full disclosure: The publisher sent me this book with a painted canvas bookmark. Holding it between my fingers transformed the book into an incredible, immersive experience.
The first 200 pages of the book fly by, weaving together many mysterious, thrilling storylines.
As the last 100 pages loomed, the suspense is breathtaking—how will Paula Hawkins pull together all of the various threads?
But she didn’t.
The ending is lame, forgettable, and there are still unanswered questions. The paragraphs and chapters should have been trimmed, and the tone seemed a bit off (and not in a good way, overly focused on Grace).
*Thanks, NetGalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for my fair and unbiased opinion.
The Green Light at the End of the Dock (How much I spent):
Electronic Text � Free/Nada/Zilch through NetGalley
Connect With Me!
As the art is examined, a thread of mystery will unravel.
Full disclosure: The publisher sent me this book with a painted canvas bookmark. Holding it between my fingers transformed the book into an incredible, immersive experience.
The first 200 pages of the book fly by, weaving together many mysterious, thrilling storylines.
As the last 100 pages loomed, the suspense is breathtaking—how will Paula Hawkins pull together all of the various threads?
But she didn’t.
The ending is lame, forgettable, and there are still unanswered questions. The paragraphs and chapters should have been trimmed, and the tone seemed a bit off (and not in a good way, overly focused on Grace).
*Thanks, NetGalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for my fair and unbiased opinion.
The Green Light at the End of the Dock (How much I spent):
Electronic Text � Free/Nada/Zilch through NetGalley
Connect With Me!
October 22, 2024
My Reviews Can Also Be Found On:
4.5 Stars
This is a hard book to review because the writing was phenomenal but I found the ending rather underwhelming and a tad predictable. If you're expecting anything like The Girl on the Train you'll be sorely disappointed. This is a literary mystery at its finest. It is a slow burn of a book in the best way possible.
The setting of an isolated house in Scotland was brilliantly done and it felt like a character in and of itself. This plot is about a bone found in an artist's work that turns out to be human. Amongst the turmoil that the bone provokes we have the companion of the deceased fighting to keep some of her work, even though it was left in the will to a curator. That sets off an investigation not only by the police but by the curator's assistant.
What I really liked was how much of a character study this book was, even very minor characters are fully fleshed out, well-rounded and have incredible depth. And as slow as the pace was I was never bored. The descriptions, dialogue and internal thoughts had me enthralled. Hawkins is an amazing storyteller, I don't understand the low ratings. I am an outlier once again but on the other side this time, how refreshing. I loved everything about this book but the ending. I am rounding up because the low rating is not deserved.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
4.5 Stars
This is a hard book to review because the writing was phenomenal but I found the ending rather underwhelming and a tad predictable. If you're expecting anything like The Girl on the Train you'll be sorely disappointed. This is a literary mystery at its finest. It is a slow burn of a book in the best way possible.
The setting of an isolated house in Scotland was brilliantly done and it felt like a character in and of itself. This plot is about a bone found in an artist's work that turns out to be human. Amongst the turmoil that the bone provokes we have the companion of the deceased fighting to keep some of her work, even though it was left in the will to a curator. That sets off an investigation not only by the police but by the curator's assistant.
What I really liked was how much of a character study this book was, even very minor characters are fully fleshed out, well-rounded and have incredible depth. And as slow as the pace was I was never bored. The descriptions, dialogue and internal thoughts had me enthralled. Hawkins is an amazing storyteller, I don't understand the low ratings. I am an outlier once again but on the other side this time, how refreshing. I loved everything about this book but the ending. I am rounding up because the low rating is not deserved.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.
February 28, 2025
Wow! Okay! It took me nearly an hour to gather my thoughts about this incredibly sinister, claustrophobic psychological thriller! Did I like it? I don’t know. I’m a mess right now.
Being trapped on an island where access to the mainland is limited to 12 hours, with tides determining your fate, is the product of a creative mind! The complex, flawed characters, who you barely understand and barely connect with or even like, are intriguing.
The whirlwind life story of an artist and the secrets she left behind also drew me into the story. But the lack of connection with the characters and the ending, like a hard slap against my cheek, made me question if I fully enjoyed this wild ride and the author’s choices for the fates of her broken characters.
Let’s talk more about the plot to give you a clear picture so you can decide to dive into this book and reconsider your hesitations. Before you do that, if you’re a big fan of the author, you should absolutely give it a try because it’s much more intriguing than “Slow Fire Burning� and somehow even better than “Into the Water� (although I admit, the problem might be with me because I didn’t enjoy the author's latest books since “The Girl on the Train�).
Imagine a secluded Scottish island where one of the most talented artists, painter, and ceramic sculptor Vanessa Chapman lived. Not only was she famous for her art, but also for the unsolved mystery of her unfaithful husband Julian Chapman’s disappearance into thin air.
Interestingly, when Vanessa loses her fight to cancer, her entire collection of paintings and ceramic sculptures is inherited by the Fairburn Foundation, owned by her arch-nemesis/lover Douglas Fairburn. Her house is left to her old friend Grace, who took care of her until the day she died. Grace might have been more than just her friend, with the authority to provide the art pieces to the foundation, Vanessa’s secret diary, and her entire correspondence via letters to anyone who touched her life.
Two tragic events follow each other: first, Douglas Fairburn is shot during a hunting trip by his own wife Emmeline (could she have done it intentionally to avenge her husband, who had a relationship with Vanessa Chapman?). Emmeline might be the most dislikable and vindictive character in the book. His son Sebastian postpones his wedding, and his fiancée Helena decides to unite her life with Julian Becker: the blue-collared art curator of the foundation who specializes in Vanessa Chapman’s works. When an anthropologist informs them that one of Vanessa’s works contains human bone, things escalate, forcing Becker to meet with Grace, who lives alone in Vanessa’s Eris Island home, to learn more about the mystery of the artwork and find out if the bone belongs to the late husband Julian, whose body has never been found by the authorities.
But Becker has no idea that connecting with Grace may open Pandora’s box and reveal so many tragic secrets that ruin lives, even making him question his obsession with Vanessa’s art and his love triangle, which affects his self-esteem with gnawing doubts every day.
I can honestly say that the dysfunctional relationship and strange friendship between Grace and Becker reminded me of King’s Misery at some parts. I couldn’t feel pity for any of the characters, finding each of them too selfish or obsessed with other forms like Vanessa’s obsession with creating art, Becker’s obsession with Vanessa’s works that brings him closer to his mom who was lost at a young age, and of course Grace’s intense obsession with protecting Vanessa at all costs.
The ending also irritated me a little, but it is still unexpected and matches the entire sinister execution.
I also have to admit that despite this book’s dark and intense trajectory and dislikable characters who I didn’t care what will happen to them, it’s still riveting, luring you with a balanced pace and helping you reach the finish line a little easier. That’s why I didn’t get bored; nothing was dragging or extra slow-burn to make me yawn.
Overall, I weighed the opposite qualities of the book and rounded up my 3.5 stars to 4 artsy, obsessed, dark, capturing, claustrophobic stars.
Especially, I recommend it to the devoted fans of the author!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Mariner Books for sharing this digital reviewer copy of one of the most anticipated thrillers of the year in exchange for my honest thoughts, which I truly appreciated.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
Being trapped on an island where access to the mainland is limited to 12 hours, with tides determining your fate, is the product of a creative mind! The complex, flawed characters, who you barely understand and barely connect with or even like, are intriguing.
The whirlwind life story of an artist and the secrets she left behind also drew me into the story. But the lack of connection with the characters and the ending, like a hard slap against my cheek, made me question if I fully enjoyed this wild ride and the author’s choices for the fates of her broken characters.
Let’s talk more about the plot to give you a clear picture so you can decide to dive into this book and reconsider your hesitations. Before you do that, if you’re a big fan of the author, you should absolutely give it a try because it’s much more intriguing than “Slow Fire Burning� and somehow even better than “Into the Water� (although I admit, the problem might be with me because I didn’t enjoy the author's latest books since “The Girl on the Train�).
Imagine a secluded Scottish island where one of the most talented artists, painter, and ceramic sculptor Vanessa Chapman lived. Not only was she famous for her art, but also for the unsolved mystery of her unfaithful husband Julian Chapman’s disappearance into thin air.
Interestingly, when Vanessa loses her fight to cancer, her entire collection of paintings and ceramic sculptures is inherited by the Fairburn Foundation, owned by her arch-nemesis/lover Douglas Fairburn. Her house is left to her old friend Grace, who took care of her until the day she died. Grace might have been more than just her friend, with the authority to provide the art pieces to the foundation, Vanessa’s secret diary, and her entire correspondence via letters to anyone who touched her life.
Two tragic events follow each other: first, Douglas Fairburn is shot during a hunting trip by his own wife Emmeline (could she have done it intentionally to avenge her husband, who had a relationship with Vanessa Chapman?). Emmeline might be the most dislikable and vindictive character in the book. His son Sebastian postpones his wedding, and his fiancée Helena decides to unite her life with Julian Becker: the blue-collared art curator of the foundation who specializes in Vanessa Chapman’s works. When an anthropologist informs them that one of Vanessa’s works contains human bone, things escalate, forcing Becker to meet with Grace, who lives alone in Vanessa’s Eris Island home, to learn more about the mystery of the artwork and find out if the bone belongs to the late husband Julian, whose body has never been found by the authorities.
But Becker has no idea that connecting with Grace may open Pandora’s box and reveal so many tragic secrets that ruin lives, even making him question his obsession with Vanessa’s art and his love triangle, which affects his self-esteem with gnawing doubts every day.
I can honestly say that the dysfunctional relationship and strange friendship between Grace and Becker reminded me of King’s Misery at some parts. I couldn’t feel pity for any of the characters, finding each of them too selfish or obsessed with other forms like Vanessa’s obsession with creating art, Becker’s obsession with Vanessa’s works that brings him closer to his mom who was lost at a young age, and of course Grace’s intense obsession with protecting Vanessa at all costs.
The ending also irritated me a little, but it is still unexpected and matches the entire sinister execution.
I also have to admit that despite this book’s dark and intense trajectory and dislikable characters who I didn’t care what will happen to them, it’s still riveting, luring you with a balanced pace and helping you reach the finish line a little easier. That’s why I didn’t get bored; nothing was dragging or extra slow-burn to make me yawn.
Overall, I weighed the opposite qualities of the book and rounded up my 3.5 stars to 4 artsy, obsessed, dark, capturing, claustrophobic stars.
Especially, I recommend it to the devoted fans of the author!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Mariner Books for sharing this digital reviewer copy of one of the most anticipated thrillers of the year in exchange for my honest thoughts, which I truly appreciated.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
December 6, 2024
Okay it’s official, Paula Hawkins is a one hit wonder!! I disliked this. It was terrible. Having read all four of her novels and only loving Girl On The Train, I think I’m done with her.
The plot was weird and the relationships were odd. I was super disappointed. It was super slow and finally got some legs in the third act, but by then all the air was let out of this. It was just plain flat.
Overall, bad. I usually like the stuck on an island thrillers but this left me wanting something else entirely. Even the big reveal was lacklustre. 2 stars.
The plot was weird and the relationships were odd. I was super disappointed. It was super slow and finally got some legs in the third act, but by then all the air was let out of this. It was just plain flat.
Overall, bad. I usually like the stuck on an island thrillers but this left me wanting something else entirely. Even the big reveal was lacklustre. 2 stars.
November 17, 2024
This didn’t keep my interest for long enough
November 19, 2024
Deeply poignant and with resounding observations about human nature, The Blue Hour was quite the powerful read. From the evocative descriptions that rang with vibrancy to the sense of constant impending doom, I quickly got sucked into the immersive storytelling, which kept me glued to the pages. With a plot that was atmospheric and psychologically acute, even the dark, eerie setting delivered as it managed to bring the story—and Eris—to life. Needless to say, all of the above was an utter home run despite this reader’s love for all things thriller.
Starting off with one heck of a riveting reveal, I certainly appreciated the brief synopsis that initially withheld it from view. From there, the plot took on a definite character-driven perspective with three fully fleshed out POVs in Vanessa, Becker, and Grace. Coloring in their personalities as if being sketched in real-time, I also watched competing obsessions that kept me from truly rooting for either of those still alive. Nonetheless, they were all exceptionally well-developed personas that pulled me deeply into the story.
The only piece that somehow missed the mark for me was the conclusion. Open-ended and with plenty of unanswered questions, it frustrated me to the point that I had the urge to fling my book straight out of the room. Don’t get me wrong, the final twist was simply sublime as were the characters� responses. Where it fell flat was the distinctly non-spelled-out finale. But then, this might also be my own personal vexation as I prefer everything to have nice, pretty, little bows by the time I flip the last page.
All in all, from the mixed media format that helped bring the enigmatic Vanessa to life to the almost literary feel, this claustrophobic tale of dark secrets and well-guarded lies was mostly a win. To be frank, I was astounded by Ms. Hawkins’s masterful storytelling prowess with this slow building yet spellbinding mystery. Just don’t expect a fast-paced, twist-filled, suspense-driven plot. Oh no. This was much more nuanced and instead kept the focus on what the reader should feel. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
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....
Thank you to Paula Hawkins and Mariner Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: October 29, 2024
Trigger warning: miscarriage, dementia, infidelity, suicide, drug overdose
Starting off with one heck of a riveting reveal, I certainly appreciated the brief synopsis that initially withheld it from view. From there, the plot took on a definite character-driven perspective with three fully fleshed out POVs in Vanessa, Becker, and Grace. Coloring in their personalities as if being sketched in real-time, I also watched competing obsessions that kept me from truly rooting for either of those still alive. Nonetheless, they were all exceptionally well-developed personas that pulled me deeply into the story.
The only piece that somehow missed the mark for me was the conclusion. Open-ended and with plenty of unanswered questions, it frustrated me to the point that I had the urge to fling my book straight out of the room. Don’t get me wrong, the final twist was simply sublime as were the characters� responses. Where it fell flat was the distinctly non-spelled-out finale. But then, this might also be my own personal vexation as I prefer everything to have nice, pretty, little bows by the time I flip the last page.
All in all, from the mixed media format that helped bring the enigmatic Vanessa to life to the almost literary feel, this claustrophobic tale of dark secrets and well-guarded lies was mostly a win. To be frank, I was astounded by Ms. Hawkins’s masterful storytelling prowess with this slow building yet spellbinding mystery. Just don’t expect a fast-paced, twist-filled, suspense-driven plot. Oh no. This was much more nuanced and instead kept the focus on what the reader should feel. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
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....
Thank you to Paula Hawkins and Mariner Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: October 29, 2024
Trigger warning: miscarriage, dementia, infidelity, suicide, drug overdose
December 3, 2024
A lot of the discussion of this fine novel begins with the premise it's a thriller and a mystery -- which it is. But I sometimes fear when we present a book in terms of genre, its intellectual chops get lost in the "page-turner" expectations. "The Blue Hour" felt to me like a far deeper book than a page-turner. (And, I should note, I love page-turners. It's only good to write a book that's a page-turner, in my opinion.) Paula Hawkins's new novel is reminiscent of the best of Daphne du Maurier or Patricia Highsmith: yes, it is a mystery triggered by a human bone in a work of art, but it's more than that. It's a smart and moving exploration of class, and the role that art plays in class distinctions -- and how, very much like the Buchanans in The Great Gatsby, the very rich can be very awful, with consequences that lead to someone (literally) dead in the water.
November 24, 2024
⭐️ 2 stars ⭐️
[ Another pretty cover that will sit on my shelf just for me to glare at it every time I see it. *intense hate stare* ]
The Blue Hour was excruciatingly boring and predictable. It was a painful slow burn, a mess of annoying characters, boring art fluff and an absolutely unsatisfying ending.
I’m pretty sure I hated every moment of this.
Possible spoilers.
The Eris Island setting was evocative and had a very chilling yet beautiful vibe to it. I loved the imagery of the endless sea, the not-quite-an-island getting cut off from the mainland for hours or even days. It was a perfect mix of artistically stunning but also eerie and daunting at the same time.
The setting is where my praise for this book ends.
�The fuck, my dude??
Let’s leave the “mystery� to the side for a sec and take a look at these awful characters, ‘cause this quote is just the tip of the fuckery iceberg. From the late reclusive artist, center point of the mystery, to the curator of her pieces aka the lovely man whom this quote belongs to, the wife the exes the missing husband the friends � they all sucked. The relationships are messy and borderline toxic, everyone cheating on everyone, manipulative and scheming.
Not having a relatable or even simply an enjoyable character made this read 10 times more unbearable and a chore to finish.
We all know the ending is what makes or breaks a thriller. Not that I thought this was salvageable by then, but the ending definitely made it worse than I thought possible.
The plot is really slow and the mystery completely predictable. You know when you think Nah, that’s too obvious it can’t be that?
Yeah, it was the super duper obvious thing.
Not only was it predictable, but it felt rushed and incomplete, unfinished plot points left unraveled, more questions than there were answers.
I could rant for ages but would rather spare myself the migraine, so TL;DR slow burn mystery with too little action and an unsatisfying ending.
« How very odd it must be, living at the mercy of the tide. »
[ Another pretty cover that will sit on my shelf just for me to glare at it every time I see it. *intense hate stare* ]
The Blue Hour was excruciatingly boring and predictable. It was a painful slow burn, a mess of annoying characters, boring art fluff and an absolutely unsatisfying ending.
I’m pretty sure I hated every moment of this.
Possible spoilers.
When the tide comes, Eris is unreachable.
The Eris Island setting was evocative and had a very chilling yet beautiful vibe to it. I loved the imagery of the endless sea, the not-quite-an-island getting cut off from the mainland for hours or even days. It was a perfect mix of artistically stunning but also eerie and daunting at the same time.
The setting is where my praise for this book ends.
It is strangely thrilling, the idea of her as forbidden object of desire rather than wife.
�The fuck, my dude??
Let’s leave the “mystery� to the side for a sec and take a look at these awful characters, ‘cause this quote is just the tip of the fuckery iceberg. From the late reclusive artist, center point of the mystery, to the curator of her pieces aka the lovely man whom this quote belongs to, the wife the exes the missing husband the friends � they all sucked. The relationships are messy and borderline toxic, everyone cheating on everyone, manipulative and scheming.
Not having a relatable or even simply an enjoyable character made this read 10 times more unbearable and a chore to finish.
He sees the light again, from the lighthouse, it is strobing, flashing faster now, faster, it is no longer white, now it’s blue.
Now it’s blue.
We all know the ending is what makes or breaks a thriller. Not that I thought this was salvageable by then, but the ending definitely made it worse than I thought possible.
The plot is really slow and the mystery completely predictable. You know when you think Nah, that’s too obvious it can’t be that?
Yeah, it was the super duper obvious thing.
Not only was it predictable, but it felt rushed and incomplete, unfinished plot points left unraveled, more questions than there were answers.
I could rant for ages but would rather spare myself the migraine, so TL;DR slow burn mystery with too little action and an unsatisfying ending.
An act of violence can be an act of devotion, too.
November 2, 2024
I am seriously angry that I wasted this many hours of my life on this book. It might be the most unsatisfying book I have ever read. It ended very abruptly to the point I investigated whether my audio copy was missing part of the recording. What made the experience worse was that the characters were unlikeable, underdeveloped and not in the least interesting. I honestly cannot think of a single positive comment about this horrific read.
May 25, 2024
There is a fine line between love and obsession, and once that line is crossed, control is no longer possible.
Like her other books, Hawkins tale starts out slowly. A man who has devoted his working life to the artistic endeavors of Vanessa Chapman. A woman who has devoted her life personally in service to Vanessa. The tone is forbidding, tense, with a growing sense of dread. Something is going to happen, but what and to whom.
Can’t say I liked these characters, I really didn’t, but the author is skillful enough in her storytelling, for that to matter much. One can at least identify with some of their feelings, without approving of their actions. Patience is required of the reader, especially in the first part. Another solid read by Hawkins.
ARC from Edelweiss
Like her other books, Hawkins tale starts out slowly. A man who has devoted his working life to the artistic endeavors of Vanessa Chapman. A woman who has devoted her life personally in service to Vanessa. The tone is forbidding, tense, with a growing sense of dread. Something is going to happen, but what and to whom.
Can’t say I liked these characters, I really didn’t, but the author is skillful enough in her storytelling, for that to matter much. One can at least identify with some of their feelings, without approving of their actions. Patience is required of the reader, especially in the first part. Another solid read by Hawkins.
ARC from Edelweiss
November 24, 2024
A London gallery receives a shocking letter about a sculpture they’ve been displaying. A scientist says one of the “animal bones� included in the piece actually appears to be human. Now, a representative of the sculpture’s owner must visit the now-deceased artist’s home on a remote Scottish island and speak to her longtime best friend to try to get to the bottom of the mystery. What he doesn’t realize is that he may be in terrible danger.
Overall, I enjoyed this book a lot. I think the author did a great job of creating complex characters and digging into themes like misogyny and loneliness. This is definitely a slower-paced thriller on the literary end of the spectrum, so don’t go into it expecting rapid twists and turns. I didn’t love the ending, but I think it was a bold choice and I like when authors take risks. This book wasn’t a favourite for me, but I’d still recommend giving it a try.
Overall, I enjoyed this book a lot. I think the author did a great job of creating complex characters and digging into themes like misogyny and loneliness. This is definitely a slower-paced thriller on the literary end of the spectrum, so don’t go into it expecting rapid twists and turns. I didn’t love the ending, but I think it was a bold choice and I like when authors take risks. This book wasn’t a favourite for me, but I’d still recommend giving it a try.
March 8, 2025
3 Stars
When Becker, a curator from the Fairburn Foundation, learns that one of Vanessa Chapman's pieces, titled "Division II" (circa 2005), may contain a human bone, he travels to her home on Eris Island, off the Scottish coast. His goal is to speak with Grace, the caretaker of Vanessa's estate, to find out what happened to the missing artworks from Chapman's collection and how to bring them into the hands of the Fairburn Foundation. Sebastian, the owner of the Foundation, is thrilled by the possibility of making headlines across the country. The potential story of a human bone belonging to Vanessa Chapman’s estranged husband—who has been missing for 20 years—excites him.
Eris Island is isolated, only accessible during low tide, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere. Grace is not pleased to have a visitor; she enjoys her solitude and is particularly wary of a stranger asking probing questions about Vanessa’s art collection and her relationship with the artist.
Paula Hawkins crafts an intriguing narrative filled with twists toward the end. The story begins slowly but develops a complex plot featuring unreliable narrators, unlikable characters, unexpected developments, and intense tension. Included are journal entries and letters from Vanessa.
However, the pacing felt painfully slow, and the ending was disappointing. It was predictable and didn't integrate well with the story. Additionally, several peripheral characters seemed unnecessary to the plot. It's unclear if Hawkins intended for readers to interpret the ending independently.
Even with these niggles I still pushed on and finished the book. I wanted to find answers to the mystery of Julian’s disappearance all those years ago on the island.
Eris Island stands isolated, almost as though it has a personality and is a character in its own right. I find it captivating when a location becomes an integral part of the narrative, contributing to the danger and intrigue of the story. The relentless tide and the howling winds deeply affect Grace as she navigates her loneliness. This connection to the island also resonates with the thoughts of Vanessa, whose troubled paintings were shaped by her experiences in that tempestuous environment. It becomes an integral part of the story’s narrative and of the characters themselves. I became invested in Hawkins's writing and how she used the atmosphere (the island) as a vital character, which kept me reading.
All is fair in love and war, and friendship is love, too, isn’t it? And a kind of war sometimes as well.
When Becker, a curator from the Fairburn Foundation, learns that one of Vanessa Chapman's pieces, titled "Division II" (circa 2005), may contain a human bone, he travels to her home on Eris Island, off the Scottish coast. His goal is to speak with Grace, the caretaker of Vanessa's estate, to find out what happened to the missing artworks from Chapman's collection and how to bring them into the hands of the Fairburn Foundation. Sebastian, the owner of the Foundation, is thrilled by the possibility of making headlines across the country. The potential story of a human bone belonging to Vanessa Chapman’s estranged husband—who has been missing for 20 years—excites him.
Eris Island is isolated, only accessible during low tide, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere. Grace is not pleased to have a visitor; she enjoys her solitude and is particularly wary of a stranger asking probing questions about Vanessa’s art collection and her relationship with the artist.
Paula Hawkins crafts an intriguing narrative filled with twists toward the end. The story begins slowly but develops a complex plot featuring unreliable narrators, unlikable characters, unexpected developments, and intense tension. Included are journal entries and letters from Vanessa.
However, the pacing felt painfully slow, and the ending was disappointing. It was predictable and didn't integrate well with the story. Additionally, several peripheral characters seemed unnecessary to the plot. It's unclear if Hawkins intended for readers to interpret the ending independently.
Even with these niggles I still pushed on and finished the book. I wanted to find answers to the mystery of Julian’s disappearance all those years ago on the island.
Eris Island stands isolated, almost as though it has a personality and is a character in its own right. I find it captivating when a location becomes an integral part of the narrative, contributing to the danger and intrigue of the story. The relentless tide and the howling winds deeply affect Grace as she navigates her loneliness. This connection to the island also resonates with the thoughts of Vanessa, whose troubled paintings were shaped by her experiences in that tempestuous environment. It becomes an integral part of the story’s narrative and of the characters themselves. I became invested in Hawkins's writing and how she used the atmosphere (the island) as a vital character, which kept me reading.
All is fair in love and war, and friendship is love, too, isn’t it? And a kind of war sometimes as well.
November 5, 2024
A Bone of Contention...
THE BLUE HOUR
by Paula Hawkins
No spoilers. 4 stars. James Becker, curator of artwork at the Fairburn Museum...
Has a problem...
A piece of artwork by his favorite artist Vanessa Chapman, on loan to the Tate Modern Museum, must be returned to Fairburn...
A human bone was used to make it...
The late Vanessa Chapman was enigmatic and reclusive. Her unfaithful husband went missing twenty years prior...
His body was never found...
He vanished on the Scottish tidal almost island of Eris, which is joined to the mainland by a spit of land for twelve hours out of the day...
Until the tide comes in...
Becker went to Eris to study Vanessa's notes and try to retrieve artwork bequeathed to Fairburn from Vanessa's companion and executor, Grace Haswell...
But...
He has problems with Grace, who wants to keep Vanessa's personal items and several pieces of her artwork...
Becker finds himself straddling fences. He's trying to make a success of the museum and honor Vanessa's artwork and her last wishes...
And keep Grace happy...
But on Eris, in the blue hour with night coming on, the sky slowly beginning to fill with stars...
The hour when one thing might appear to be another and something benign might seem to be threatening...
An enemy might come calling in the shape of a friend...
And...
Many years ago, the mainland villagers buried their dead on Eris Isle to keep their bodies safe from wolves...
Now...
Becker must find out where the human bone came from and who it belonged to...
This is an excellent, atmospheric mystery. Although I was able to solve the first reveal, the second reveal I didn't see coming.
I've read some reviews that complained of technical art jargon, but I didn't think it was overly so... and I know nothing about art, lol.
My only complaint was the cliffhanger ending. I would have liked a few things cleaned up at the end, but overall, I couldn't put the book down.
THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN by this author was also an excellent book.
THE BLUE HOUR
by Paula Hawkins
No spoilers. 4 stars. James Becker, curator of artwork at the Fairburn Museum...
Has a problem...
A piece of artwork by his favorite artist Vanessa Chapman, on loan to the Tate Modern Museum, must be returned to Fairburn...
A human bone was used to make it...
The late Vanessa Chapman was enigmatic and reclusive. Her unfaithful husband went missing twenty years prior...
His body was never found...
He vanished on the Scottish tidal almost island of Eris, which is joined to the mainland by a spit of land for twelve hours out of the day...
Until the tide comes in...
Becker went to Eris to study Vanessa's notes and try to retrieve artwork bequeathed to Fairburn from Vanessa's companion and executor, Grace Haswell...
But...
He has problems with Grace, who wants to keep Vanessa's personal items and several pieces of her artwork...
Becker finds himself straddling fences. He's trying to make a success of the museum and honor Vanessa's artwork and her last wishes...
And keep Grace happy...
But on Eris, in the blue hour with night coming on, the sky slowly beginning to fill with stars...
The hour when one thing might appear to be another and something benign might seem to be threatening...
An enemy might come calling in the shape of a friend...
And...
Many years ago, the mainland villagers buried their dead on Eris Isle to keep their bodies safe from wolves...
Now...
Becker must find out where the human bone came from and who it belonged to...
This is an excellent, atmospheric mystery. Although I was able to solve the first reveal, the second reveal I didn't see coming.
I've read some reviews that complained of technical art jargon, but I didn't think it was overly so... and I know nothing about art, lol.
My only complaint was the cliffhanger ending. I would have liked a few things cleaned up at the end, but overall, I couldn't put the book down.
THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN by this author was also an excellent book.
November 17, 2024
This is the latest book by this author.
After reading the disappointing “A Slow Fire Burning� I had no expectations about this one.
But I have to admit that I was delighted and surprised by the writing and storytelling. Such an improvement! Hence my ratings.
I thought that the atmosphere was eerie enough and the development of the storyline was very slow, but its execution was well done (and I loved the diary entries).
It’s not a book that will satisfy all readers, especially because the characters are not that likeable and the conclusion was not very satisfying as it left the readers with some unanswered questions.
I read the book while simultaneously listening to the audiobook narrated by Gemma Whelan, who did a marvelous job and doubled my enjoyment, so I do recommend the audiobook (although you have to pay attention in order to recognize the diary entries).
Hardcover (Doubleday Canada): 320 pages
e-book (Kobo): 288 pages (default), 83k words, 48 chapters
Audiobook: 10.6 hours (unabridged)
After reading the disappointing “A Slow Fire Burning� I had no expectations about this one.
But I have to admit that I was delighted and surprised by the writing and storytelling. Such an improvement! Hence my ratings.
I thought that the atmosphere was eerie enough and the development of the storyline was very slow, but its execution was well done (and I loved the diary entries).
It’s not a book that will satisfy all readers, especially because the characters are not that likeable and the conclusion was not very satisfying as it left the readers with some unanswered questions.
I read the book while simultaneously listening to the audiobook narrated by Gemma Whelan, who did a marvelous job and doubled my enjoyment, so I do recommend the audiobook (although you have to pay attention in order to recognize the diary entries).
Hardcover (Doubleday Canada): 320 pages
e-book (Kobo): 288 pages (default), 83k words, 48 chapters
Audiobook: 10.6 hours (unabridged)
October 1, 2024
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
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
November 16, 2024
This is one of the most boring, pointless books I've ever read. I didn't even feel like it had an actual plot. And don't get me started on the non-ending.
August 11, 2024
It is funny to me that Paula Hawkins got popular with Girl on the Train, and then proceeded to never write another book like that again. That may be her breakout but clearly what she's really interested is the slow burn not the twisty speed-read. But she holds steady in her interest in not-that-good people, living in suspicion, failure, lying (to yourself and others) and slowly letting them reveal their true nature to us.
While there are a lot of pieces here, many histories for us to gradually learn, the center of the story is simple. Becker, our primary protagonist, is a curator at a foundation focusing on the now-deceased artist Vanessa Chapman. When one of her sculptures is under suspicion for containing human remains rather than animal bones, Becker is motivated to finally get her estate sorted out. There is additional concern because Chapman's estranged husband disappeared decades earlier, and any controversy around these bones could lead to more unsightly gossip than artistic appreciation. The estate, owned by the foundation, is in a delicate relationship with Grace, the woman who was Chapman's close friend and eventually her caretaker before her death. Grace lives in Chapman's house and is supposed to be sorting through her letters and works to determine what is personal (which stays with Grace) and what is professional (which will go to the foundation). As Becker tries to carefully get Grace to share more of Chapman's papers, we follow along through both the two characters as well as snippets of Chapman's letters.
Becker and Grace are in a strange detente. They both have a strong loyalty to Chapman, but because Becker cares only about her work and Grace doesn't care about her work at all, they can't help but get defensive with each other. Still, they both seem to mean well and slowly they get to know each other better. But there are mysteries everywhere. Becker doesn't understand Grace or her relationship with Chapman, and he doesn't understand Chapman's relationship to the foundation, which was nonexistent for years after she had a falling out with Becker's boss's father. The family behind the foundation has their own secrets and pose their own threat to Becker, not only as holding his livelihood but also because Becker's boss was engaged to Becker's wife, who left the boss for Becker.
All these triangles and jealousies play out slowly through the novel. It's not clear if we'll ever have any kind of big revelation, Hawkins doesn't seem to be any hurry. Until the end when we all of a sudden have several reveals in a row, followed by a quick bang-up finish without a nice little bow. It's a surprising path, but I like surprises so it worked well for me.
Quite readable, though Hawkins is a little wordy here. Because she's going for slow much of the time, this is likely some intentional padding to slow us down. It was never enough for me to mind it. Now we just need to stop taking GotT off the cover as a frame of reference and just let Hawkins be the writer she clearly wants to be.
While there are a lot of pieces here, many histories for us to gradually learn, the center of the story is simple. Becker, our primary protagonist, is a curator at a foundation focusing on the now-deceased artist Vanessa Chapman. When one of her sculptures is under suspicion for containing human remains rather than animal bones, Becker is motivated to finally get her estate sorted out. There is additional concern because Chapman's estranged husband disappeared decades earlier, and any controversy around these bones could lead to more unsightly gossip than artistic appreciation. The estate, owned by the foundation, is in a delicate relationship with Grace, the woman who was Chapman's close friend and eventually her caretaker before her death. Grace lives in Chapman's house and is supposed to be sorting through her letters and works to determine what is personal (which stays with Grace) and what is professional (which will go to the foundation). As Becker tries to carefully get Grace to share more of Chapman's papers, we follow along through both the two characters as well as snippets of Chapman's letters.
Becker and Grace are in a strange detente. They both have a strong loyalty to Chapman, but because Becker cares only about her work and Grace doesn't care about her work at all, they can't help but get defensive with each other. Still, they both seem to mean well and slowly they get to know each other better. But there are mysteries everywhere. Becker doesn't understand Grace or her relationship with Chapman, and he doesn't understand Chapman's relationship to the foundation, which was nonexistent for years after she had a falling out with Becker's boss's father. The family behind the foundation has their own secrets and pose their own threat to Becker, not only as holding his livelihood but also because Becker's boss was engaged to Becker's wife, who left the boss for Becker.
All these triangles and jealousies play out slowly through the novel. It's not clear if we'll ever have any kind of big revelation, Hawkins doesn't seem to be any hurry. Until the end when we all of a sudden have several reveals in a row, followed by a quick bang-up finish without a nice little bow. It's a surprising path, but I like surprises so it worked well for me.
Quite readable, though Hawkins is a little wordy here. Because she's going for slow much of the time, this is likely some intentional padding to slow us down. It was never enough for me to mind it. Now we just need to stop taking GotT off the cover as a frame of reference and just let Hawkins be the writer she clearly wants to be.
October 13, 2024
A slow burning mystery/thriller from Paula Hawkins. The Blue Hour had me glued to the pages all day and I loved it . You know this author always has realistic characters and clever writing, I am such a fan of all her books. It is intense and chilling and really deserves your attention.
Eris, an isolated island off the coast of Scotland, only accessible during low tide. There is one house there, formerly inhabited by artist Vanessa Chapman. After her death, he left her works, journals and letters to a former enemy and art specialist but the executor and artist is not working quickly to hand it over. Then one of the pieces is found to have a human bone in it. Becker heads up to investigate.
The setting is dark and eerie, especially when the storms hit. The cliffs are high and dangerous, the woods dense. It is the perfect setting for a thriller. While the story moves slowly, it is quite intense and addictive.
Out in Australia October 8th, get this on your TBR. Thanks so much to Penguin Books Australia for sending me an early copy to read.
Eris, an isolated island off the coast of Scotland, only accessible during low tide. There is one house there, formerly inhabited by artist Vanessa Chapman. After her death, he left her works, journals and letters to a former enemy and art specialist but the executor and artist is not working quickly to hand it over. Then one of the pieces is found to have a human bone in it. Becker heads up to investigate.
The setting is dark and eerie, especially when the storms hit. The cliffs are high and dangerous, the woods dense. It is the perfect setting for a thriller. While the story moves slowly, it is quite intense and addictive.
Out in Australia October 8th, get this on your TBR. Thanks so much to Penguin Books Australia for sending me an early copy to read.
February 4, 2025
Am văzut că toți cei care au citit cartea au dat peste 3 stele. Mă întreb de ce? Un subiect plicticos cu un criminal ușor de ghicit, un final în coadă de pește, adică mai nimic. Cred că numele autorului contează mai mult decât subiectul.
September 5, 2024
perhaps if i had gone into this not expecting a thriller, then i would have enjoyed it more. but i found it super slow, dull, and lacklustre. by the time the twists happened, they had no effect on me and i wasn’t surprised by them. the characters were flat and under developed and overall i found the story boring. that being said, the writing itself is good, that’s not where the problem lies. i just feel that the story wasn’t executed right and needed a lot more development.
December 17, 2024
I liked that Hawkins tried a different direction on this, but ultimately the book dragged to the point I didn’t care what was happening to anyone. I guessed and was right, but ended up not really liking the characters we do get to see in this one.
Full review:
"The Blue Hour" follows Becker. He's is an art curator who is focused on deceased artist, Vanessa Chapman. His boss, former/or weirdly still friend, Sebastian Fairburn is determined that his foundation which was bequeathed all of Vanessa's art works, gets everything owed to it. Vanessa's former companion Grace, won't speak to the lawyers that Sebastian has hired, and now he's ready to play hard ball when a human bone is found to be part of one of the works that Vanessa created. Julian is ordered to go visit Grace on Eris, off the coast of Scotland.
Long story short, there's not a lot of people to like in this one. I know like or dislike doesn't really matter if the book is good, but since the book dragged, it was a chore to keep going to find out what would happen to people I either disliked or was not invested.
First, Becker. I think Hawkins was smart to make him one of the anchors of the story. His obsession with Vanessa Chapman comes shining through, he's pretty similar in fact (somewhat) to Grace when it comes to that.
Speaking of Grace and her story, it takes a long time to get going and I didn't think it fit with what we know of Vanessa. What I mean is that Hawkins sets up Vanessa as a person that does not form relationships, does not really need anything but her art, so the whole meet up with Grace and becoming bosom buddies did not work at all. It felt off. And then Hawkins ties herself into knots I think trying to over explain every little thing.
The book jumps back and forth between Becker in the present, Grace in the present, and then her remembering the past, and the diary entries of Vanessa Chapman.
The flow was up and down. Maybe because every time we got to Grace, it felt like the book came to a brutal stop and you were just forced to read about someone who reminded me of Hans Christian Anderson and his relationship/friendship with Charles Dickens. If you don't know about it, look it up, it's funny and messy and yeah, I was on Dickens side there. The other characters we hear about don't really get developed. We get to see Vanessa's estranged husband via Grace's point of view, and also Vanessa's writing, but he felt like a cartoon character to me.
The setting of Eris should have worked, but it didn't, probably because it just felt like one big room after a while. I didn't get a Gothic setting at all from the book and or any vibes from Shirley Jackson's works at all.
The ending was pretty bad. I just didn't believe it and it leaves so many issues that I just went bah. I think Hawkins was going for too many "twists" but at least with this book, you could see them coming. I just didn't think that Hawkins did a great enough job of selling us on the friendship between Vanessa and Grace. And there's a whole spoiler I won't get into now, but once that was revealed I went, okay I definitely don't buy it now.
Full review:
"The Blue Hour" follows Becker. He's is an art curator who is focused on deceased artist, Vanessa Chapman. His boss, former/or weirdly still friend, Sebastian Fairburn is determined that his foundation which was bequeathed all of Vanessa's art works, gets everything owed to it. Vanessa's former companion Grace, won't speak to the lawyers that Sebastian has hired, and now he's ready to play hard ball when a human bone is found to be part of one of the works that Vanessa created. Julian is ordered to go visit Grace on Eris, off the coast of Scotland.
Long story short, there's not a lot of people to like in this one. I know like or dislike doesn't really matter if the book is good, but since the book dragged, it was a chore to keep going to find out what would happen to people I either disliked or was not invested.
First, Becker. I think Hawkins was smart to make him one of the anchors of the story. His obsession with Vanessa Chapman comes shining through, he's pretty similar in fact (somewhat) to Grace when it comes to that.
Speaking of Grace and her story, it takes a long time to get going and I didn't think it fit with what we know of Vanessa. What I mean is that Hawkins sets up Vanessa as a person that does not form relationships, does not really need anything but her art, so the whole meet up with Grace and becoming bosom buddies did not work at all. It felt off. And then Hawkins ties herself into knots I think trying to over explain every little thing.
The book jumps back and forth between Becker in the present, Grace in the present, and then her remembering the past, and the diary entries of Vanessa Chapman.
The flow was up and down. Maybe because every time we got to Grace, it felt like the book came to a brutal stop and you were just forced to read about someone who reminded me of Hans Christian Anderson and his relationship/friendship with Charles Dickens. If you don't know about it, look it up, it's funny and messy and yeah, I was on Dickens side there. The other characters we hear about don't really get developed. We get to see Vanessa's estranged husband via Grace's point of view, and also Vanessa's writing, but he felt like a cartoon character to me.
The setting of Eris should have worked, but it didn't, probably because it just felt like one big room after a while. I didn't get a Gothic setting at all from the book and or any vibes from Shirley Jackson's works at all.
The ending was pretty bad. I just didn't believe it and it leaves so many issues that I just went bah. I think Hawkins was going for too many "twists" but at least with this book, you could see them coming. I just didn't think that Hawkins did a great enough job of selling us on the friendship between Vanessa and Grace. And there's a whole spoiler I won't get into now, but once that was revealed I went, okay I definitely don't buy it now.
March 26, 2024
A deceased artist, her companion and an obsessive curator propel this well written thriller that takes place on an island accessible only during low tide. There’s a sense of gothic menace throughout as the story reaches its revealing conclusion.
December 5, 2024
If it wasn’t for the ending, I would have given it 4 stars. I was absolutely glued to the pages, but then as I could see where this was heading, I started skimming pages, never a good sign. Also not many likable character, not that there has to be, but I think it is essential that you are able to feel if not sympathy then at least an interest in them.
September 4, 2024
Paula Hawkins is very hit or miss for me. She is more of a miss because I have read three books by her and I have only liked one. This book focused too much on art and not enough on the thriller vibes. I found myself bored and just wanting this book to end.
July 21, 2024
To be honest, I’m disappointed in this book. I’ve considered DNFing so many times, but I kept going hoping for a light at the end of the tunnel. The only plot twist is that there is no light at the end of the tunnel- the ending was very predictable in my opinion. Being a fan of Paula Hawkins, I’m sad that this book didn’t hit the spot.
The characters are flat and I didn’t have any connection with them.
Nothing really happens in this book.
The plot is basic. Basically a struggling artist meets a lonely old woman with abandonment issues. Lonely old woman becomes attached and won’t leave her alone. She’s jealous of the artist’s male lovers and becomes even more unhinged. And there’s a random curator with his own messed up family, trying to make the crazy old lady give him the artist’s final works after she dies. He ends up finding out things that he shouldn’t.
I wouldn’t call this a thriller. I wasn’t on the edge of my seat and there was no surprising twist for me. However, I really did like the idea of the island and how you can only access it during certain parts of the day. Of course, that means you can easily get trapped there too.
A great thank you goes out to Paula Hawkins, Mariner, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The characters are flat and I didn’t have any connection with them.
Nothing really happens in this book.
The plot is basic. Basically a struggling artist meets a lonely old woman with abandonment issues. Lonely old woman becomes attached and won’t leave her alone. She’s jealous of the artist’s male lovers and becomes even more unhinged. And there’s a random curator with his own messed up family, trying to make the crazy old lady give him the artist’s final works after she dies. He ends up finding out things that he shouldn’t.
I wouldn’t call this a thriller. I wasn’t on the edge of my seat and there was no surprising twist for me. However, I really did like the idea of the island and how you can only access it during certain parts of the day. Of course, that means you can easily get trapped there too.
A great thank you goes out to Paula Hawkins, Mariner, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 30, 2025
É daqueles livros perfeitos para se ler no inverno porque é muito atmosférico, as descrições da ilha são ótimas e não são nada chatas.
As personagens são um bocado "rasas", não há desenvolvimento nenhum e muitas personagens que parece que só estão lá para encher.
Não demorei muito a perceber qual era o "twist" portanto acabou por ser muito previsível, de qualquer forma não consegui largar o livro enquanto não o acabasse.
O fim desapontou-me um bocado, acho que as 3 estrelas são mais pelas descrições que foram feitas tanto da ilha como da artista e das suas obras, a maneira como criava os quadros e as esculturas.
O uso da obsessão em uma personagem específica também me fez pensar um bocado, é um tema que acho bastante interessante.
Se recomendo?? Sim, é um livro que se lê rapidamente mas que não se deve criar assim muitas expectativas!
August 4, 2024
An artist who lived a reclusive life as the lone inhabitant on an island accessible only during low tide dies and leaves her works to be exhibited by her former lover’s foundation rather than leaving them to a woman who had been a confidante for years. A bone believed to be human is discovered as part of one of her pieces. Could it belong to her ex husband who mysteriously disappeared years ago? To investigate that and the fact that there seem to be some of her works missing, a young employee of the foundation, enthralled with the artist, is dispatched to meet with the confidante. But, there is so much more to this story�
There is a sense of something ominously foreboding throughout this novel. It is a study of insecurity, obsession, friendship, gender, love, the artistic process, loneliness, pathology. Written with multiple POVs and timelines and interspersed with the artist’s journal entries, there are twists and turns that are slowly revealed. I had a difficult time engaging with any of the characters or the plot. Fans of the author and art enthusiasts may well enjoy the story more than I did.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #MarinerBooks for the DRC.
There is a sense of something ominously foreboding throughout this novel. It is a study of insecurity, obsession, friendship, gender, love, the artistic process, loneliness, pathology. Written with multiple POVs and timelines and interspersed with the artist’s journal entries, there are twists and turns that are slowly revealed. I had a difficult time engaging with any of the characters or the plot. Fans of the author and art enthusiasts may well enjoy the story more than I did.
Thanks to #NetGalley and #MarinerBooks for the DRC.
June 28, 2024
The Blue Hour is a dark and gripping story set on an isolated Scottish island.
I don't know if it's just me, but I could have used a character guide. There's a lot of names that get thrown around right at the beginning and I had a hard time keeping them straight.
I have such a love for multiple POVs/timelines. Did I like any of the characters? Not particularly. It certainly didn't make me enjoy the story any less. If anything I couldn't wait to see what questionable things they would do next. My only complaint is that the ending was so rushed. The story would have also benefited from an epilogue to tie up some loose ends.
Overall I enjoyed this one. This is Hawkins best book since A Girl On The Train in my opinion.
My thanks to Penguin Random House Canada for this gifted copy!
I don't know if it's just me, but I could have used a character guide. There's a lot of names that get thrown around right at the beginning and I had a hard time keeping them straight.
I have such a love for multiple POVs/timelines. Did I like any of the characters? Not particularly. It certainly didn't make me enjoy the story any less. If anything I couldn't wait to see what questionable things they would do next. My only complaint is that the ending was so rushed. The story would have also benefited from an epilogue to tie up some loose ends.
Overall I enjoyed this one. This is Hawkins best book since A Girl On The Train in my opinion.
My thanks to Penguin Random House Canada for this gifted copy!
February 9, 2025
I’m angry for sticking with this book until the very end. The plot went nowhere, the characters were dull, and I hated the ending. There wasn’t even an ending! I thought the audiobook was cut short by mistake. Nope!
Don’t get me wrong, I love a good slow-burn, character-driven plot. But this was NOT it! Okay, rant over.
Don’t get me wrong, I love a good slow-burn, character-driven plot. But this was NOT it! Okay, rant over.
November 25, 2024
I honestly think I'm in the minority here, as this one fell flat for me. Some parts were truly gripping and had me on the edge of my seat. But a lot of it (especially the last half) was a bit lack luster. Like there was a massive build-up for a flat line. I wanted to love this so much more than I did. 😭 Please still give this a go, as I seem to be having an unpopular opinion on this one.
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