Yep, we’re already on the next book of the month. It was a quick read thanks to Armstrong’s exciting cliffhangers and short chapters that make one want to keep going, and going until it’s 2 in the morning and the mystery is revealed.

The titular Hemlock Island is owned by author/writer, Laney. Well the cabin on the island is owned by Laney. It was a gift from her ex-husband and her favorite place in the world for writerly retreats. But since her divorce, she has to stay afloat and has rented it out.

But when walls started bleeding and nature starts attacking the horrified renters, Laney heads to the island with her niece, Madison in tow. The island where her ex-husband, her sister, and her estranged best friend, Sadie and Sadie’s brother have all come to help.

But the island is turning on them one by one, and all the secrets and tensions may be their downfall.

This was definately an interesting book that kept me on the edge of my seat but I felt the first half was more tightly plotted than the last. You have a clear sense of the loathing simmering between characters and can guess at the reasons Laney and her friend split apart, and question whether or not her sister had an affair with her husband.

But some things I felt weren’t explained like why Sadie came to the island after like a decade of not talking to her. Like did not one question how weird that was?

I let that go because sometimes you need a little plot hole in order to let the story go on, but I felt that the fighting and tensions between everyone soon overshadowed the horror. Like there were murder vines strangling and impaling people but they decide that’s the moment to have it out. Like find a cave first?!

Also you get a sense that these supernatural happenings are more of a Scooby Doo hoax so part of the mystery is figuring out who and why, but then Armstrong tries to have it both ways in the last 50 pages that doesn’t mesh.

My friend enjoyed it. She is really good with mysteries so some these books rarely surprise her but this one did. She literally gasped so she rates it higher than I. But she does agree that Christie mysteries are more tightly plotted where every detail has some significence even if you don’t realize it. THen again, this more thriller than mystery so I guess I shouldn’t compare the two.

Still if you want a spooky read for the season then Armstrong will provide you with a combinationn of murder and pyschological horror.

Next up, we’re continuing the spooky vein (somewhat) with Jane Austen’s gothic satire, Northanger Abbey.