Hemlock Island

A Novel

By: Kelley Armstrong

Narrated by: Angela Dawe

Length: 9 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press.

©2023 Kelley Armstrong (P)2023 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"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

Hemlock island review

It was ok until the ending struggled to complete this book liked her other books better

Not my fave

This was good, you know KA is an amazing writer. The characters were great. But it was a bit cheesy. Am I going to read more KA, duh!! But it just wasn’t my favorite story.

Loved!!!!

Narration and story was fabulous! I really enjoyed this book. Was the perfect escape from the day to day for a little while!

Phenomenal Scary Story

This is a great love story and a great horror story. This is a definite must read.

Woke - but readable (Semi Spoiler in review)

I am not a fan, nor am I an opponent, of Woke-ism (not the right word but close enough).
The author however is clearly a fan of the current progressive topic list.
The book covers Bullying, Me too issues, Racism, Gender identity, Anti Police portrayal, Anti Elite/Rich portrayal, Feminism - sort of, and on and on and on.
Even the horror is ‘Green’ based.
It seems like the author had a checklist and wanted make sure she checked every box.
She was very thorough.
That aside the plot was twisting and turning so much that the contrived characters, identifiers, and social justice concerns didn’t get in the way of the most important part - the story itself. It was a good read in the end.

Loved The Character Devlopement

This was a quick, enjoyable listen. I love the character development in this book. The layers that unfolded as the story went on kept me intrigued. I enjoyed the general concept for the ending, but did find it to be a little cheesy and drawn out. Still worth the read!

meh

I have loved every book Kelley has written and always wondered, when will she write a book I don't like. I am afraid it is this book. I couldn't get in to it. the story was okay at best, not what I am used to from this writer. But every writer is entitled to a lesser book every once in a while.

Unexpected twists, great narration

Small spoilers:
I've listened to other Kelley Armstrong books so I was expecting a more "traditional" crime to be the issue but enjoyed this new take. The narrator did a great job with the characters. I often make notes about who the characters are in audible books to keep them straight but didn't need to in this book. The beginning and end were strong. The middle did seem to slow down a but but overall it was a good book.

To the review that called this book "woke" I disagree. I thought it was a representation of the US. There were a couple non white characters (1 in 4 in the US are not white), one character was assaulted as a teen (1 in 6 US women face this in their life), etc. The characters stood on their own rather than being fillers for some agenda. There were no "token" characters. They all played essential roles in the story and seem to reflect what I've seen demographically in the US each day in various cities and states.

we didn't see that Coming

What a great story Mystery Murder with a island that you don't wanna mess because it will mess Back and thats never a Good thing

Absolutely amazing read!

If you like spooky horror, this is for you! It has all of the elements that make an amazing horror novel. It kept me on the edge of my seat wanting more. Finished in 3 days, I will definitely be looking at more from this writer😄