Hemlock Island

I just finished Hemlock Island By Kelley Armstrong and here are my musings.

Laney has no choice but to rent out her vacation home, a place she loves, to strangers. The island is the only thing she received in the divorce. The latest tenants left the island screaming after discovering blood all over a closet and nail marks on the door.... Like someone tried to claw their way out.

Going to inspect what is going on, Laney with her teenage niece and find hex circles and bloody bones.... When Laney's ex Kit and his sister arrive to help, along with an old friend of theirs and her brother who is a cop, they find more than they bargained for.

After finding a hand and the caretaker of the island missing, their nerves are on edge. When Sadie goes missing, tensions rise and everybody is holding on to their secrets. Learning that someone or something has destroyed their only way off the island, they soon come to realize that none of them will make it off the island alive.

I got chills reading this book. Hardcore chills. The whole atmosphere of the island was super intense and I loved all the descriptive prose that delivered the imagery to my brain! I felt like I was walking around there in my mind.

I really liked the character development although the childhood issues seemed really idiotic until we got the big twist! Then it all made sense. I didn't much care for Sadie and the brother but I understood what their part was eventually.

I loved the supernatural elements in this book and adored being kept guessing. I didn't figure it out until it was all revealed and was blown away by the ending. I sat up late to finish it and part of me hopes this doesn't stay a standalone. I would love more on the history of the island and how it came to be.... What happens to Laney.... Or a prequel!!

Loved the family drama and the dark secrets... This book really ticked every single box for me.

If you love horror with a mystery thriller mashed in, this has to be your go to...

4.5 stars!

Thank you @netgalley and @stmartinspress for my gifted copy