ARC Review: Hemlock Island by Kelley Armstrong

Hemlock Island
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Publication: St. Martin's Press (September 12, 2023)

Description: A standalone horror novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong.

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 Thoughts: This horror novel takes place on an island in Lake Superior. When Laney Kilpatrick's marriage blew up during the pandemic, she was awarded the island home she and her husband had built. However, as a high school English teacher, Laney needed to rent out the home and island in order to make ends meet. 

When her tenants cause problems, she regrets her choice, but renting is her only option. None of the offers to purchase the retreat have been tempting since she loves the island. But then the strange things start of happen. A hex circle or two and eerie wind chimes are the start. Blood and claw marks inside a closet are the end for the latest renters.

Laney and her niece travel to the island to find out what is going on. She doesn't know that her ex-husband and his sister who is her ex-best friend are also coming because they heard about the problems. And she certainly isn't expecting another ex-friend and her police officer brother to join them. 

The tensions between all the adults are palpable. It seems everyone is keeping secrets that gradually get shared as the group deals with find a dead body or two and having the boats that would let them leave the island sabotaged. And then a storm comes...

The story was entertaining and not too horribly scary. I liked Laney even though she was sort of a doormat who isn't willing to fight for what she wants out of life. 

Favorite Quote:

He laughs, and I am caught in the tractor beam of that laugh. This is how I want things to be between us. The happy version, where we can still laugh together and pretend he didn't walk away during the worst time of my life, pretend he isn't desperate to buy his way out of that guilt.

I want the lie.

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.