07/10/2023
Armstrong (Murder at Haven’s Rock) traps six people on a dangerous island in this tightly focused domestic horror tale. Laney Kilpatrick rents out her Lake Superior island getaway in the summer to cover its costs. A gift from her ex-husband, Kit, Hemlock Island and the lone mansion that stands on it have always been Laney’s sanctuaries, but they’ve become a perpetual headache during vacation season, with renters either complaining about the isolation or taking advantage of it to mess around with her property. When a series of occult incidents—including hex circles and animal sacrifices—drive off the tourists, Laney tries to pin down the culprits, who she believes must be a couple of pranksters. As incidents rapidly escalate, Laney finds herself trapped on the island with her niece, Madison; Kit and his sister, Jayla; uninvited ex-friend Sadie; and Sadie’s older brother, Garrett. Armstrong is experienced with the motifs of mystery fiction and fills in each character’s backstory with enough color and secrets to keep both Laney and the reader distracted from uncovering the real monster. The supernatural reveal, when it comes, is a bit rushed, however, and leads into a slightly unearned climax. It’s a lackluster ending, but the ride there offers plenty of thrills. (Sept.)
"A tech mogul gifts his ex-wife their perfect vacation home on a remote island. You'd think this is a dream come true—but this is a Kelley Armstrong story! With creepy twists on every page and a unique horror element, it's got an ending you'll never see coming." –Alma Katsu, author of The Fervor
“With Hemlock Island, Kelley Armstrong stakes a solid claim in the horror genre. A truly disturbing tale filled with complex characters, weird twists, genuine chills, and deep emotions. Highly recommended!” –Jonathan Maberry, NY Times bestselling author of Kagen the Damned and Patient Zero
“Armstrong is a master storyteller. Every time I thought I knew where the story was going, I was wrong—and I LOVED it! Also, I will never, ever look at wind chimes the same way…” -S.A. Barnes, author of Dead Silence
“Armstrong lures you in with mystery, but once she yanks back the curtain, the horror is full-tilt. A great read!” —Christopher Golden, New York Times bestselling author of Road of Bones and All Hallows
“Hemlock Island starts at 65mph and accelerates until you’re in a breathless tailspin, holding on for dear life…I’ve always loved Kelley’s writing and this is one of her best.” - Christina Henry, author of Near the Bone and The Ghost Tree
"A must-read for fans of atmospheric and occult horror with intricate storytelling." - Library Journal
06/10/2024
More known for horror-adjacent thrillers and fantasy, Armstrong (Murder at Haven's Rock) strands a cast of six ex-friends and lovers on remote Hemlock Island as they investigate ritualistic vandalism. While checking out reports of strange occurrences on her island property, Laney Kilpatrick, accompanied by her teenage niece, her ex-husband, his sister, and two former classmates, finds that they've all been trapped on the island together. This motley group must work through their issues with each other if they are to survive the increasingly gruesome events that befall them. Narrator Angela Dawe impressively creates distinct character voices that are never overdone and are distinguished primarily by pitch and tone. Dawe explores the full spectrum of the characters' emotions as they dredge up old wounds, sidestep new conflicts, and shift their alliances. Dawe's expert narration creates a layer of sympathy for the characters, even for those who are objectively frustrating. VERDICT A thrilling story, laced with horrors both real and otherwise; recommended for audiences who loved Nick Cutter and Andrew F. Sullivan's The Handyman Method and Thomas Olde Heuvelt's Echo.—Matthew Galloway
08/01/2023
Laney Kilpatrick finds herself facing a chilling nightmare in the first full-length horror novel by mystery writer Armstrong (A Rip Through Time). Renting out her beloved vacation home on Hemlock Island to cover its exorbitant expenses becomes a decision she soon regrets as strange occurrences escalate from mere wear and tear to sinister hex circles and terrified renters fleeing in the dead of night. Laney enlists the help of her teenage niece and is unexpectedly joined by a group of familiar faces from her past, including her ex-husband Kit and her former best friend Jayla. As the group arrives on isolated Hemlock Island, their investigation takes a grisly turn, with the discovery of a human hand and a series of eerie findings that point to a malevolent force at work. Armstrong skillfully builds tension as the novel morphs from a murder mystery to occult horror, revealing hidden pasts and weaving a complex web of secrets that add depth to the narrative. The novel's slow but steady pace enhances the sense of unease, allowing the horror to intensify right up to the final pages. VERDICT A must-read for fans of atmospheric and occult horror with intricate storytelling.—Ashlynne Watson
2023-07-26
Dark doings on a private island retreat.
Laney Kilpatrick could never have afforded a 2,000-square foot house on a five-acre private island in Lake Superior on a high school teacher’s salary. But Hemlock House on Hemlock Island was a present from Christian “Kit” Hayes, CEO of his family’s tech company, and now Laney’s ex-husband. Although Kit generously turned Laney’s dream home over to her when they split, the only way she can maintain his costly gift is to rent it out to vacationers. Of course, being a landlord means handling a variety of complaints, from dirty towels left on the floor to unreliable cell phone service. But when her latest renter, Mrs. Abbas, calls to report blood in the closet of the green bedroom, Laney feels obliged to investigate in person. She reluctantly brings her niece, Madison, since she’s served as the teenager’s guardian since her sister’s death. Kit and his sister, Jayla, show up, alerted by the owner of a nearby campground. So do Laney’s high-school classmate Sadie Emerson and her policeman brother, Garrett. All hell promptly breaks loose. The band of frenemies has barely begun inquiries when a storm cuts them off from the mainland, while someone or something blows up all their boats. Armstrong piles on the calamities, with detailed descriptions of blood, gore, and other derangements, until the investigation’s initial purpose fades in the distance. The result is a mishmash of mayhem, with wilderness adventure, supernatural phenomena, environmental activism, teenage angst, and #MeToo feminism all vying for the whiplashed reader’s attention.
Hard to imagine the audience for this.
