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The Blue Hour

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The Blue Hour

By: Paula Hawkins
Narrated by: Gemma Whelan, Paula Hawkins
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

As seen on BBC 2’s Between the Covers.
A Guardian Audiobook Of The Week

Includes an exclusive bonus interview between Paula Hawkins and Gemma Whelan.

For twelve hours each day, the Scottish island of Eris is cut off from the mainland. No way in. No way out.

The island’s only house was once home to Vanessa, whose notoriously unfaithful husband disappeared twenty years ago. Now this remote and beautiful place is home to Grace . . . a solitary creature of the tides, guarding the island’s past.
But far away in London, a stranger has just made a startling discovery - a human bone where no human bone should be. And in that moment Grace’s precious isolation is threatened.
How will she respond? Can she be trusted? Or is it Grace who should be afraid?
Suddenly this is a very dangerous time to be alone . . .


'[Gemma Whelan] captures the clashing interests and inner complexities of Hawkins’ protagonists' THE GUARDIAN
'A darkly atmospheric, engaging mystery - her best book since The Girl On The Train.' Good Housekeeping (Book of the Year)
'A masterpiece! Gorgeous and chilling, and I couldn’t put it down.' SHARI LAPENA
‘An atmospheric, stylish puzzle box of a thriller’ - LIZ MOORE

©2024 Paula Hawkins Biography (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Crime Fiction Mystery Psychological Suspense Thriller & Suspense Highlander

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All stars
Most relevant  
Didn’t want it to end
Her best book yet
Loved it
Great narrator too
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Wonderful

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There could be many routes to go with this and assumptions so kept you thinking and gripped. Good audio version as well

Good twists and turns.

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I have enjoyed Paula Hawkins other novels but as others have said this was very different . The narration was excellent and the style of writing was good - dark and atmospheric although sometimes it felt a bit pretentious . The story is of a mystery that has happened in the past revealed by diary extracts and by the narration of the other characters. It’s a slow burn that having listened to over half was still burning slowly, and I didn’t really ever feel gripped by it. The ending was a bit exciting but wasn’t unexpected. If I was reading the book I probably would have given up, however Gemma Whelan gave such a good performance I felt compelled to listen to the end. Horses for courses though , I think I personally prefer books with action happening ‘now’ rather than it already having happened. Reader though you may love it.

Very Very Slow Burner

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Sorry Paula, am a fan of your other novels, and whilst the characters in this one were well written and built up a mental picture of their interactions the ending was not to my taste, in fact didn't really understand it, and read it again three times to try and work out why it seemed such a wrong ending with no real justice for the innocent victims. However, the way Gemma read the novel, the voices she adopted for each character was brilliant.

Interesting insights into the art world

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I simply love Paula Hawkins’ books. Every single one has been fantastic, and this was no exception. The narrator was SUPERB, giving each character an original voice - I particularly loved the utter poshness of Sebastian, Helena and the awful Emmeline. A perfect mixture of literature and thriller. Absolutely wonderful.

Deliciously posh

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This story draws you in, and you gradually realise that everything you thought was true is not. Every character has hidden secrets that are gradually revealed, several quite shocking. I found it compulsive listening, though the ending was disappointing. Possibly because I was so involved I wanted it to go on. The narrator was excellent.

Intriguing, complex

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Paula Hawkins is a great author but this seemed a lot of effort for little result. Great narration

Disappointing ending

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I did struggle to get into this book, took me two months to listen too, where Paula’s other two books have been binged. Maybe it was the busy time of year, but it just didn’t hook me. I did finish it tho and the ending was good.

Wonderful landscapes

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Loved the art background and the sinister tidal island atmosphere. Gemma Whelan read beautifully and played each character really well.

Brilliant characters beautifully played

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I liked the way the different timelines all intertwined until they made sense and the way the layers were gradually peeled off from one of the main characters until a completely different person emerged!

Slightly disappointing ending, only in that I like to know what actually happened, did he escape or not! Otherwise would have been 5 stars!

Suspenseful

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