On the back…

In the dead of night, Grace wakes…

The Scottish island of Eris is largely unreachable from the mainland. Cut off by the tide for twelve hours each day. No way in. No Way out. The island’s only house is home to Grace -content in her own isolation, guarding the island’s past.

But when a shocking discovery is made in an art gallery far away in London, Grace receives an unexpected visitor. And the secrets of Eris threaten to emerge.

Suddenly, this is a very dangerous time to be alone…

My thoughts…

I remember reading The Girl on the Train back in 2016. I just just finished some very heavy reading and critiquing as I was coming to the end of my studies with the Open University. I was desperate for something I could fall in to. Something that would grip me from the start and not let me go. The Girl on the Train did exactly that. I LOVED it. It was a clever, clever story and had me gripped from the first page. I haven’t read any Paula Hawkins since then, I still have A Slow Fire Burning sat on my bookshelf but haven’t quite felt the pull yet. But, I chose The Blue Hour as one of our book club reads. It has received some great reviews and I thought it might make some interesting discussion. Most people I know loved The Girl on the Train, a runaway success that must be hard to follow.

So did The Blue Hour live up to my expectations? It is a slow burn. The story ticks along nicely. I loved the backstory that was gradually built within the narrative. The life and death of artist Vanessa Chapman was a fascinating component. It was fascinating to see her story unfold and to see how her story related to the here and now characters that we were presented with. It does all unfold nicely and the plot gradually culminated in quite a tense and thrilling end. It’s an ending you’ll either love or hate…or perhaps feel a slight anti climax too…but I do feel the author was allowing us a little freedom as the reader to fill in the blanks. I didn’t hate it but I must admit I do kind of like things wrapped and tied in a bow for me. Saying that, I wouldn’t change the ending, I think it’s good to be pushed out of our comfort zone from time to time. The blanks that I filled in have given me the perfect ending. 🙂

All in all, it is a well written, engaging thriller. Who doesn’t love a creepy island where no one can hear you scream, right? The Blue Hour is an atmospheric, slow burn that would translate brilliantly on to the screen.

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