What do you think?
Rate this book
The Fog
A woman on the brink travels to a remote writers' retreat to uncover the secrets of her past – and lands herself in a deadly situation that could destroy her future.
Kate arrives on the wild, remote island of Rathlin in the freezing Irish Channel for a ten-day writers’ retreat. Plagued by memories she can’t unravel and desperate to understand the breakdown of her marriage, Kate is determined to leave the retreat with answers.
As the retreat’s director uses techniques that tap into the eerie mythology of the island, Kate becomes increasingly fascinated by him and her surrounds. But as the temperature plummets and the strange therapy intensifies, her memories unspool. Triggered into a series of disturbing flashbacks, Kate realises her past hides a frightening truth, but can she trust her own mind?
Faced with dark secrets and duplicity, Kate must unlock the answers she’s so desperate to find – and survive the danger she has unwittingly walked into.
Kate arrives on the wild, remote island of Rathlin in the freezing Irish Channel for a ten-day writers’ retreat. Plagued by memories she can’t unravel and desperate to understand the breakdown of her marriage, Kate is determined to leave the retreat with answers.
As the retreat’s director uses techniques that tap into the eerie mythology of the island, Kate becomes increasingly fascinated by him and her surrounds. But as the temperature plummets and the strange therapy intensifies, her memories unspool. Triggered into a series of disturbing flashbacks, Kate realises her past hides a frightening truth, but can she trust her own mind?
Faced with dark secrets and duplicity, Kate must unlock the answers she’s so desperate to find – and survive the danger she has unwittingly walked into.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 4, 2024
34 people are currently reading
457 people want to read
About the author
Brooke Hardwick
1 book22 followersABOUT THE BOOK
In this spine-chilling gothic thriller, a woman on the brink travels to a remote writers’ retreat to uncover the secrets of her past and lands herself in a deadly situation that could destroy her future.
Kate arrives on the wild, remote island of Rathlin in the freezing Irish Channel for a ten-day writers’ retreat. Plagued by memories she can’t unravel and desperate to understand the breakdown of her marriage, Kate is determined to leave the retreat with answers.
As the retreat’s director uses techniques that tap into the eerie mythology of the island, Kate becomes increasingly fascinated by him and her surrounds. But when the temperature plummets and the strange therapy intensifies, her memories unspool. Triggered into a series of disturbing flashbacks, Kate realises her past hides a frightening truth, but can she trust her own mind?
Faced with dark secrets and duplicity, Kate must unlock the answers she’s so desperate to find – and survive the danger she has unwittingly walked into.
PRAISE FOR THE FOG
‘An eerily atmospheric debut … this was such a compelling read, very much enhanced by the interweaving of folklore and the rapid exchange of past and the present as the protagonist grapples with her memory of disturbing events.’ Anna Downes, author of Red River Road
‘The Fog is a haunting debut that delves into the human psyche and our ability to cope when pushed to extremes ... This dark, eerie read will keep you on edge until the very last page.’ Petronella McGovern, author of The Last Trace
‘A mind-bending gut punch of a novel. I had my heart in my mouth the entire time I was reading!’ Dinuka McKenzie, author of Taken
‘In this smouldering novel, past and present collide as secrets are unlocked and dangers lurk around every corner. Brooke Hardwick is a master of tension and suspense.’ Vikki Petraitis, author of The Unbelieved
‘This gothic thriller about control and manipulation is deeply unsettling and eerie in the best possible way, with atmosphere to spare, assured writing and a remote island setting that’s a character in its own right.’ Kate Riordan, author of Summer Fever
‘Suffused with a creeping sense of dread and an eclectic cast of characters, The Fog is an accomplished debut that draws deeply on its evocative setting to pull the reader into a dark secret.’ Amanda Reynolds, author of Close to Me
‘The Fog is a beautifully written, utterly absorbing and atmospheric thriller. I tore through it.’ Katy Brent, author of The Murder After the Night Before
‘I raced through this enigmatic and unsettling debut.’ Emma Styles, author of No Country for Girls
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Born in tropical North Queensland, Brooke graduated with a degree teaching English literature and left to see the world. Since then, she’s lived and worked in Australia, England, Scotland and Hong Kong and is currently based in an ancient fort town shaped like a snowflake in the Netherlands.
She’s fascinated with the psychology of psychological thrillers and thinks there’s nothing more terrifying than human nature.
When she isn’t writing, Brooke combs fields for shards of Delft pottery and reads thrillers until she’s too scared to sleep.
THE FOG is her debut novel.
You can find Brooke on
Instagram @BrookeHardwick
Facebook @BrookeHardwickAuthor
Website www.brookehardwick.com
or
join her writing community at www.thenovelsummit.com
In this spine-chilling gothic thriller, a woman on the brink travels to a remote writers’ retreat to uncover the secrets of her past and lands herself in a deadly situation that could destroy her future.
Kate arrives on the wild, remote island of Rathlin in the freezing Irish Channel for a ten-day writers’ retreat. Plagued by memories she can’t unravel and desperate to understand the breakdown of her marriage, Kate is determined to leave the retreat with answers.
As the retreat’s director uses techniques that tap into the eerie mythology of the island, Kate becomes increasingly fascinated by him and her surrounds. But when the temperature plummets and the strange therapy intensifies, her memories unspool. Triggered into a series of disturbing flashbacks, Kate realises her past hides a frightening truth, but can she trust her own mind?
Faced with dark secrets and duplicity, Kate must unlock the answers she’s so desperate to find – and survive the danger she has unwittingly walked into.
PRAISE FOR THE FOG
‘An eerily atmospheric debut … this was such a compelling read, very much enhanced by the interweaving of folklore and the rapid exchange of past and the present as the protagonist grapples with her memory of disturbing events.’ Anna Downes, author of Red River Road
‘The Fog is a haunting debut that delves into the human psyche and our ability to cope when pushed to extremes ... This dark, eerie read will keep you on edge until the very last page.’ Petronella McGovern, author of The Last Trace
‘A mind-bending gut punch of a novel. I had my heart in my mouth the entire time I was reading!’ Dinuka McKenzie, author of Taken
‘In this smouldering novel, past and present collide as secrets are unlocked and dangers lurk around every corner. Brooke Hardwick is a master of tension and suspense.’ Vikki Petraitis, author of The Unbelieved
‘This gothic thriller about control and manipulation is deeply unsettling and eerie in the best possible way, with atmosphere to spare, assured writing and a remote island setting that’s a character in its own right.’ Kate Riordan, author of Summer Fever
‘Suffused with a creeping sense of dread and an eclectic cast of characters, The Fog is an accomplished debut that draws deeply on its evocative setting to pull the reader into a dark secret.’ Amanda Reynolds, author of Close to Me
‘The Fog is a beautifully written, utterly absorbing and atmospheric thriller. I tore through it.’ Katy Brent, author of The Murder After the Night Before
‘I raced through this enigmatic and unsettling debut.’ Emma Styles, author of No Country for Girls
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Born in tropical North Queensland, Brooke graduated with a degree teaching English literature and left to see the world. Since then, she’s lived and worked in Australia, England, Scotland and Hong Kong and is currently based in an ancient fort town shaped like a snowflake in the Netherlands.
She’s fascinated with the psychology of psychological thrillers and thinks there’s nothing more terrifying than human nature.
When she isn’t writing, Brooke combs fields for shards of Delft pottery and reads thrillers until she’s too scared to sleep.
THE FOG is her debut novel.
You can find Brooke on
Instagram @BrookeHardwick
Facebook @BrookeHardwickAuthor
Website www.brookehardwick.com
or
join her writing community at www.thenovelsummit.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 154 reviews
February 26, 2025
So I got this book for Christmas and I didn’t really know what to expect from it. I’m also not the biggest fan of thrillers but this was pretty surprising!
Even though all of the twists were pretty obvious I still was pretty curious about how it all came together fully. Some parts I found a bit confusing and took me out of it a little bit but overall a really thrilling read!
Even though all of the twists were pretty obvious I still was pretty curious about how it all came together fully. Some parts I found a bit confusing and took me out of it a little bit but overall a really thrilling read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 9, 2025
This was a random choice, an eerie kind of mystery in which I went in blind. A random mix of troubled writers attending a writers retreat, which was to assist in the attendees push through the problems they are all facing in their writing work.
The location wild and remote, the strategies and program they are all following is intense and unconventional which suits the mystical feel of the place.
Kate is on the run from a terrible past and her disturbing flashbacks are building up almost driving her insane. Each member of the group have secrets and obvious problems, so the weird activities end up unsettling the atmosphere at a rapid pace.
A well written and clever book that I didn't seem to cling to, while all the poor attendees were clinging to their lives and sanity.
I listened to this via the BorrowBox app and my public library.
The location wild and remote, the strategies and program they are all following is intense and unconventional which suits the mystical feel of the place.
Kate is on the run from a terrible past and her disturbing flashbacks are building up almost driving her insane. Each member of the group have secrets and obvious problems, so the weird activities end up unsettling the atmosphere at a rapid pace.
A well written and clever book that I didn't seem to cling to, while all the poor attendees were clinging to their lives and sanity.
I listened to this via the BorrowBox app and my public library.
August 15, 2024
'The truth is, I'm not fine - I'm broken. I can't write, can't sleep, can't stop crying'.
Kate is undone by a block in her memory: traumatic amnesia. As her mental health seemingly teeters, her personal life is in tatters, 'If I had real courage, I'd confess the most horrible truth of all. It's why I left everything behind to come here. A 10 day writers' retreat, held on a remote island, promises to not only release writer's block, it guarantees to reveal the trauma that caused it. Perfect. As the small group of affected attendees gather, and move through the daily tasks, flashbacks illuminate like lightning and whirl as hauntingly as the island's storms. What's real and what's imagined, the past and the present, begin to morph and everyone's motives and sanity must be questioned, 'You think you can convince us that we're the broken ones. But it's not us. It's not me. It's you'.
3.5 stars. 'The Fog' begins slowly as a disturbed Kate can't seem to remember much at all as to what's gotten her to this state. However, as her flashbacks increasingly reveal more of her, and her fellow attendees' stories, I became riveted. Yet, as everything converged to a climactic end, I felt there were aspects that were just a little clean and convenient - given all the psychological harm leading up to the end.
'It's not a burden, this secret. It's the truth, and it reminds me who I am...'.
Kate is undone by a block in her memory: traumatic amnesia. As her mental health seemingly teeters, her personal life is in tatters, 'If I had real courage, I'd confess the most horrible truth of all. It's why I left everything behind to come here. A 10 day writers' retreat, held on a remote island, promises to not only release writer's block, it guarantees to reveal the trauma that caused it. Perfect. As the small group of affected attendees gather, and move through the daily tasks, flashbacks illuminate like lightning and whirl as hauntingly as the island's storms. What's real and what's imagined, the past and the present, begin to morph and everyone's motives and sanity must be questioned, 'You think you can convince us that we're the broken ones. But it's not us. It's not me. It's you'.
3.5 stars. 'The Fog' begins slowly as a disturbed Kate can't seem to remember much at all as to what's gotten her to this state. However, as her flashbacks increasingly reveal more of her, and her fellow attendees' stories, I became riveted. Yet, as everything converged to a climactic end, I felt there were aspects that were just a little clean and convenient - given all the psychological harm leading up to the end.
'It's not a burden, this secret. It's the truth, and it reminds me who I am...'.
August 27, 2024
Kate had lost everything and when a ten-day retreat for writers was offered on a remote Irish island, Rathlin, and she was accepted into the group, she hoped it would work to ease her mind; to recover the memories from a mind which was blank from trauma. The journey from London was a long one, the final few miles across the channel to the island by ferry, rough and exhilarating. Kate had no idea what to expect, all she had was hope.
Cormac ran the retreat, with help from Ewan. The old manor they were all housed in had been renovated; it was enthralling as they all sat around in a circle, listening to their host list the itinerary for the following ten days. He warned them some days would be hard but they weren't really prepared for what lay ahead. The wild weather accentuated the tasks; the howling wind and brutal storms caused fragmented memories to return to Kate and she wrote it all in her journal so she wouldn't forget again. It was all so intense...
Creepy, atmospheric and chilling best describes The Fog by debut Aussie author Brooke Hardwick. With well written characters who played their parts particularly aptly, the horror of some actions had me cringing. While there were a couple of places that didn't gel , it was a good psychological thriller, especially as the author's debut. Recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley & Simon & Schuster AU for my digital ARC to read.
Cormac ran the retreat, with help from Ewan. The old manor they were all housed in had been renovated; it was enthralling as they all sat around in a circle, listening to their host list the itinerary for the following ten days. He warned them some days would be hard but they weren't really prepared for what lay ahead. The wild weather accentuated the tasks; the howling wind and brutal storms caused fragmented memories to return to Kate and she wrote it all in her journal so she wouldn't forget again. It was all so intense...
Creepy, atmospheric and chilling best describes The Fog by debut Aussie author Brooke Hardwick. With well written characters who played their parts particularly aptly, the horror of some actions had me cringing. While there were a couple of places that didn't gel , it was a good psychological thriller, especially as the author's debut. Recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley & Simon & Schuster AU for my digital ARC to read.
October 6, 2024
It’s not often I feel like books require warnings on the front of them - like with movies… but this book could really be triggering. It dealt with some really dark and disturbing issues such as infanticide, domestic violence, alcoholism, psychological abuse, emotional abuse, coercive control, and the list goes on and on. The first half was well written, haunting and atmospheric… but then as more was revealed during the retreat, it took a really dark turn which I didn’t like at all. Also, as a migraine sufferer, when you know you have a migraine developing, wouldn’t you take medication as soon as you felt it coming on to alleviate it? The main character had numerous ‘migraines’ yet was able to function, write, move around and speak, eat etc without any medication, which made me think that the author had never experienced a migraine before or researched that aspect. It was mostly well written and I finished it, but the subject matter just wasn’t for me and the end was way too tidy for a very dark story like that. 2.5 stars rounded up.
September 18, 2024
Right. What to say about this one? Perhaps less is best. Look, The Fog by Brooke Hardwick is very clearly a debut, and in a genre where you can sometimes get away with plot holes and unreliable narrators, this one still falls through the cracks.
The premise was interesting, writer's retreat in a remote location, but honestly, from the get go this one was all over the place. The constant flash backs, the extreme unreliability of the narrator, Kate, the unlikeable characters, the melodrama, the over descriptive descriptions of the wind, the rain, the wind, the cold, the wind... you get the picture.
This was not well written. It was a mess to listen to, only marginally better to read. The twist was absurd, but wait, there's more. Another twist. And then pages of retelling the story to explain the twists. Don't be drawn in by the atmospheric cover and intriguing premise. They're the only good parts about this book.
Thanks to the publisher for the review copy.
The premise was interesting, writer's retreat in a remote location, but honestly, from the get go this one was all over the place. The constant flash backs, the extreme unreliability of the narrator, Kate, the unlikeable characters, the melodrama, the over descriptive descriptions of the wind, the rain, the wind, the cold, the wind... you get the picture.
This was not well written. It was a mess to listen to, only marginally better to read. The twist was absurd, but wait, there's more. Another twist. And then pages of retelling the story to explain the twists. Don't be drawn in by the atmospheric cover and intriguing premise. They're the only good parts about this book.
Thanks to the publisher for the review copy.
July 10, 2024
TY Netgalley for this ARC copy.
The Fog contains all my favourite elements: a culty mysterious guru figure, toxic relationships, and a cast of writers suffering writers block, and all situated on a Foggy isolated Irish/Scottish island (oh and Puffins)
I'm quite often leery of "flashback" type fiction where a lot of page-time is spent in the past but The Fog is an example of this trope done well. The pacing of the Fog is such that you rarely if ever feel annoyed by a flashback, and confusion only abounds when its supposed to (you'll understand when you read it).
Something that Hardwick really pulls off quite skilfully is an abundance and balance of mystery. Even looking at the blurb you know this tale is going to have a lot of questions needing answers and they way Hardwick weaves the different plot points together is fantastic. For (an non-specific no spoiler) example one element of Kate's past is relatively obvious what is going on, however due to its emotional charge is still compelling to learn about - whereas some of the questions about wtf is going on at this writers retreat are completely obscured right up to the last few minutes.
I will add that many of the topics in the Fog are pretty full on - I wouldn't usually mention a content warning however The Fog is so well written that it feels very realistic for much of the time.
There is however one beef I have to raise - and it is a mild spoiler (and its very bad form to discuss any spoilers on an advance review so there is about to be an abundance of 'whitespace' before it happens) [if you want to skip the spoiler the overall conclusion is The Fog is really great, highly recommended and massive props to the author!]
Okay so this isn't even a 'spoiler' per se but I know that some people feel even discussing a twist IS a spoiler so here goes.
There is just one Twist in the Fog that is just TOO Convenient and coincidental and a little oversaturated with cheese. Luckily it technically has very little bearing on the overarching plot, so doesn't actually damage the book that much - however I'm willing to bet that if you read this book you'll think so too. Like I said its not hugely consequential to the plot, technically, but is waaay too neat and tidy for a relatively grounded and realistic story. I considered ignoring it for this review but in all honesty in an otherwise perfect book it would be weird to say nothing.
Again The Fog is still awesome, one of my highlights of 2024 reading so far!
The Fog contains all my favourite elements: a culty mysterious guru figure, toxic relationships, and a cast of writers suffering writers block, and all situated on a Foggy isolated Irish/Scottish island (oh and Puffins)
I'm quite often leery of "flashback" type fiction where a lot of page-time is spent in the past but The Fog is an example of this trope done well. The pacing of the Fog is such that you rarely if ever feel annoyed by a flashback, and confusion only abounds when its supposed to (you'll understand when you read it).
Something that Hardwick really pulls off quite skilfully is an abundance and balance of mystery. Even looking at the blurb you know this tale is going to have a lot of questions needing answers and they way Hardwick weaves the different plot points together is fantastic. For (an non-specific no spoiler) example one element of Kate's past is relatively obvious what is going on, however due to its emotional charge is still compelling to learn about - whereas some of the questions about wtf is going on at this writers retreat are completely obscured right up to the last few minutes.
I will add that many of the topics in the Fog are pretty full on - I wouldn't usually mention a content warning however The Fog is so well written that it feels very realistic for much of the time.
There is however one beef I have to raise - and it is a mild spoiler (and its very bad form to discuss any spoilers on an advance review so there is about to be an abundance of 'whitespace' before it happens) [if you want to skip the spoiler the overall conclusion is The Fog is really great, highly recommended and massive props to the author!]
Okay so this isn't even a 'spoiler' per se but I know that some people feel even discussing a twist IS a spoiler so here goes.
There is just one Twist in the Fog that is just TOO Convenient and coincidental and a little oversaturated with cheese. Luckily it technically has very little bearing on the overarching plot, so doesn't actually damage the book that much - however I'm willing to bet that if you read this book you'll think so too. Like I said its not hugely consequential to the plot, technically, but is waaay too neat and tidy for a relatively grounded and realistic story. I considered ignoring it for this review but in all honesty in an otherwise perfect book it would be weird to say nothing.
Again The Fog is still awesome, one of my highlights of 2024 reading so far!
October 1, 2024
An atmospheric psychological thriller set on Rathlin Island in Northern Ireland. The narrator, Kate travels to the remote island for a writers retreat run by a local, Cormac Boyd. Kate has memory loss, and her husband has left her after their baby daughter’s death. There are three other writers in attendance for the 10 day program. The events are tense and sometimes chaotic, it’s hard to know what’s important and sometimes what’s real as Kate begins having flashbacks to the events with her husband.
I was drawn into the story and wanted to know what was going on. The conclusion draws it together and was cleverly done. But the writing did annoy me, lots of paragraphs filled with questions - a style that I find so irritating, it’s okay once of twice but over and over… way too much of it here. So I think it could’ve been shorter and written in a tighter fashion, it would’ve added to the tension for me anyway.
I was drawn into the story and wanted to know what was going on. The conclusion draws it together and was cleverly done. But the writing did annoy me, lots of paragraphs filled with questions - a style that I find so irritating, it’s okay once of twice but over and over… way too much of it here. So I think it could’ve been shorter and written in a tighter fashion, it would’ve added to the tension for me anyway.
September 16, 2024
Clever title, a melodrama at its best, or worst, a literary version of a Netflix pot-boiler with Kate going in and out of psychotic episodes which she unwittingly and unwillingly triggers. From domestic incidents to an Irish sweathouse, sheep, Robert the Bruce spider cave etc, she never seems to get close enough to know the whole truth. The other writers with her on a windswept remote Irish island retreat have their own disastrous backstories which are revealed in absurd fashion like an odd version of an Agatha Christie novel. See chapter 44, page 292 in this book. It’s not their personal situations I mind, it’s the delivery of their jousting and male/female posturing involving cruel mental manipulation. Shattered Sarah (who worked for Médecins Sans Frontières) had been outside screaming like a banshee to relieve tension.
Later Sarah is saved from violence by Ruby. “Get out of my way, hag!” says Mark. “No!” says Ruby. She’s hyperventilating and drenched in perspiration. She slaps the perpetrator and later Cormac (note name) the smug convenor who watches over their antics says “You’re doing well, everyone. Keep encouraging each other to find answers.” Ugh! While their relationships are being publicly shredded (thank goodness for handsome Ewan) the weather outside is howling rain and thwarted Mark throws a book through the one of the windows which smashes and triggers another flashback for poor Kate and it’s a horrible one. She certainly suffers physically and mentally although I felt it was drawn out. For those readers who like closure with nice Puffins and bonsai, the drama concludes Eighteen Months Later and tidies up frayed ends.
Later Sarah is saved from violence by Ruby. “Get out of my way, hag!” says Mark. “No!” says Ruby. She’s hyperventilating and drenched in perspiration. She slaps the perpetrator and later Cormac (note name) the smug convenor who watches over their antics says “You’re doing well, everyone. Keep encouraging each other to find answers.” Ugh! While their relationships are being publicly shredded (thank goodness for handsome Ewan) the weather outside is howling rain and thwarted Mark throws a book through the one of the windows which smashes and triggers another flashback for poor Kate and it’s a horrible one. She certainly suffers physically and mentally although I felt it was drawn out. For those readers who like closure with nice Puffins and bonsai, the drama concludes Eighteen Months Later and tidies up frayed ends.
September 3, 2024
Kate arrives on the remote island of Rathlin in the freezing Irish Channel. She is attending a ten day writers retreat, and as a retreat from her marriage breakdown. She is plagued by memories and is determined to leave the retreat with answers but as the journey goes on, it is clear she may have walked into danger.
I was completely immersed in this eerie island setting and the host of suspicious characters! The writing was fabulous and the author really kept me guessing throughout. It was atmospheric and terrifying in places and another novel where I was glad I'd read it during the day. I look forward to more by this author in the future.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster for this gifted review copy.
I was completely immersed in this eerie island setting and the host of suspicious characters! The writing was fabulous and the author really kept me guessing throughout. It was atmospheric and terrifying in places and another novel where I was glad I'd read it during the day. I look forward to more by this author in the future.
Thank you to Simon and Schuster for this gifted review copy.
January 15, 2025
This was…. Okay.
It was a bit slow. I predicted some of the ending which made for an anticlimactic end to something that dragged.
It was a bit slow. I predicted some of the ending which made for an anticlimactic end to something that dragged.
August 1, 2024
This review has spoilers
I struggled with this book.
It's an interesting concept and I think it had a lot of potential, but I found the whole thing overwrought.
Hugh is a caricature of a manic villain. The author could have dialed his wicked ways down by a lot and had a more nuanced discussion on coercive control and abusive relationships.
The wind appeared to be a main character, who was also a manic villain. I could have taken 70% fewer references to the wind 'whipping' and 'howling' and it still would have been too many references.
I found little things frustrating too - like giving a newborn a bracelet and having a token Australian character greet someone with 'hey sexy'. It felt a bit poorly researched and these little things really pulled me out of the story.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
I struggled with this book.
It's an interesting concept and I think it had a lot of potential, but I found the whole thing overwrought.
Hugh is a caricature of a manic villain. The author could have dialed his wicked ways down by a lot and had a more nuanced discussion on coercive control and abusive relationships.
The wind appeared to be a main character, who was also a manic villain. I could have taken 70% fewer references to the wind 'whipping' and 'howling' and it still would have been too many references.
I found little things frustrating too - like giving a newborn a bracelet and having a token Australian character greet someone with 'hey sexy'. It felt a bit poorly researched and these little things really pulled me out of the story.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
September 9, 2024
10 day writers retreat tailored for authors with writers block.... set on a remote island off the coast of Ireland.
The atmosphere, rugged windswept island plagued by storms and the bitter cold, well its not your usual retreat. The four guests are selected by Cormac, come stay at my mansion on the island you will be challenged, we will get you out of your comfort zone to face your fears to clear the "writer block"
We follow along with Kate one of the selected few. She embraces the Cormacs techniques, she unlocks memories, dark secrets with disturbing flashbacks. The eerie atmosphere and isolated location had me captivated. Really enjoyed this debut novel from Brooke Hardwick.
I give this one 3.5⭐️
The atmosphere, rugged windswept island plagued by storms and the bitter cold, well its not your usual retreat. The four guests are selected by Cormac, come stay at my mansion on the island you will be challenged, we will get you out of your comfort zone to face your fears to clear the "writer block"
We follow along with Kate one of the selected few. She embraces the Cormacs techniques, she unlocks memories, dark secrets with disturbing flashbacks. The eerie atmosphere and isolated location had me captivated. Really enjoyed this debut novel from Brooke Hardwick.
I give this one 3.5⭐️
November 11, 2024
The Fog is an exciting psychological thriller by Australian author, Brooke Hardwick. Kate travels to a remote island off the coast of Ireland, to attend a writer’s retreat which specialises in treating writer’s block. The small group of participants are subject to unconventional methods to encourage their love of writing to return. They stay in an isolated mansion, overlooking the cliffs, to ensure there are limited distractions from the outside world. Kate has experienced trauma in the past, which resurfaces at the retreat. What follows is a creepy and unexpected turn of events. I loved this atmospheric story and couldn’t put it down! Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for my ARC.
January 19, 2025
Did not see those twists coming!
August 4, 2024
Creepy and chilling this made me deeply uncomfortable from the very beginning. A psychological thriller, literally, set on a remote island between Northern Ireland and Scotland that's hosting a writer's retreat.
Not for Agatha Christie fans, they aren't mystery writers and this isn't a twee countryside murder to solve, it's a deeply unsettling unmasking of the participants pasts and psyches.
Riveting stuff, aptly named. Fear not, you (and the protagonist) will ascend the fog into clarity
Not for Agatha Christie fans, they aren't mystery writers and this isn't a twee countryside murder to solve, it's a deeply unsettling unmasking of the participants pasts and psyches.
Riveting stuff, aptly named. Fear not, you (and the protagonist) will ascend the fog into clarity
July 1, 2024
A traumatised woman with gaps in her memory attends an unorthodox writer's retreat at a cliffside mansion on an isolated island in Northern Ireland, that promises to unlock whatever's causing your writer's block. But as the methods become more bizarre, is she prepared for what she'll uncover...?
This was a really solid suspense read. I was quickly hooked on this book and it held my usually-sporadic attention. I could barely put the last half down.
I love an isolated location vibe and this one delivered plenty of atmosphere. Loved the Celtic mythology woven into the story, adding to the sense of otherworldly-ness and delusion felt by the main character.
The slowly revealing aspects of the MCs memory was done really well and kept you hooked on wanting to know the truth. The depiction of coercive domestic abuse was masterful, demonstrating how the victim gets twisted up until they no longer trust their own mind or judgement.
I think it wrapped up pretty well and I liked how the MC got to take her power back.
There are some pretty heavy traumatic themes that may not be for everyone, so check content warnings if you feel you need to.
Overall a gripping remote-location psychological suspense read that keeps you turning pages.
Content warnings (may be slight spoilers): coercive domestic abuse, forced abortion, infant death, scenes of dubious sexual consent, animal death
This was a really solid suspense read. I was quickly hooked on this book and it held my usually-sporadic attention. I could barely put the last half down.
I love an isolated location vibe and this one delivered plenty of atmosphere. Loved the Celtic mythology woven into the story, adding to the sense of otherworldly-ness and delusion felt by the main character.
The slowly revealing aspects of the MCs memory was done really well and kept you hooked on wanting to know the truth. The depiction of coercive domestic abuse was masterful, demonstrating how the victim gets twisted up until they no longer trust their own mind or judgement.
I think it wrapped up pretty well and I liked how the MC got to take her power back.
There are some pretty heavy traumatic themes that may not be for everyone, so check content warnings if you feel you need to.
Overall a gripping remote-location psychological suspense read that keeps you turning pages.
Content warnings (may be slight spoilers): coercive domestic abuse, forced abortion, infant death, scenes of dubious sexual consent, animal death
June 30, 2024
Thank you NetGalley for this book, it delivered.
If suspense is what you’re after this is a book for you.
The writing was excellently executed to keep the reader in a constant state of intrigue and engagement. I was in a constant state of trying to figure it all out.
I have to admit I was not overly fond of the fmc and I wanted to shake her out of pure frustration, but her character personality had its place in the story.
Overall it was atmospheric, at times spooky and an enjoyable read. 4 stars
If suspense is what you’re after this is a book for you.
The writing was excellently executed to keep the reader in a constant state of intrigue and engagement. I was in a constant state of trying to figure it all out.
I have to admit I was not overly fond of the fmc and I wanted to shake her out of pure frustration, but her character personality had its place in the story.
Overall it was atmospheric, at times spooky and an enjoyable read. 4 stars
September 16, 2024
DNF! A book about some woman whining so much you want to push her off the cliff during the fog. Absolutely intolerable.
August 25, 2024
Oh my goodness! The emotional ride I have just been on is almost indescribable - I am struggling to find the words - which is why I’m not an author! The Fog is one of the best psychological thriller I’ve read for a while, and is certainly going to be a top read of mine for this year.
The main character, Kate, is in a state - as the book opens she is on edge, scared, close to tears, a migraine building. In short she is an emotional wreck. She has travelled alone from London and is waiting to catch a ferry out to Rathmine island just off the Irish coast near the Giants Causeway. She has been accepted into a ten day retreat run by a man called Cormac to help overcome writers block. Kate is scared the retreat won’t work. She tells herself she’s broken and it is clear something has happened to her husband, but she doesn’t know what. She has lost so many memories - nothing is clear to her. The Fog appears to be a description of Kate’s mind. She is hoping the retreat will clear the fog, at the same time she is scared it won’t.
The whole book has an edge of menace, creepy house, creepy director and assorted mentally disturbed characters who all seem to have an ulterior motive - and not for good. Along with Kate, there is another single woman and a married couple. All four characters have issues. Nothing is clear, and as the reader I didn’t know who to trust. Even Kate is unreliable as she has no idea which way is up and what her slowly emerging memories mean. All that is certain is that something traumatic resulted in the end of her marriage and she has no idea where her husband is. As well as the retreat Director Cormac, did I mention he is creepy, there is his brother who has just rocked up and a general handyman, cook and helper.
The island is rugged with tall cliffs and crashing sea, it is actually based on a real island that the author visited. The weather is bitterly cold with strong winds and storms sweeping off the North Atlantic and across the island. There are Celtic ruins which are used for some of the sessions, as Cormac’s therapies are linked to the mythology of the island - which adds to the overarching creepiness. Tension rises as members of the retreat start to fall apart as the daily sessions progress. Are they being helped, or are they being mentally tortured? Kate’s sessions trigger flashbacks with just enough information for me to gradually figure out what might of happened. I did correctly figured a lot of it out - only to discover that our tricky author, Brooke Hardwick, was not content with her readers working out what was going on - but added a twist at the end which I, for one, could not even guess was going to happen. Bravo Brooke - I am now waiting with baited breath for your next book.
For me successful suspense has to feature a certainty of danger, feelings of anxiety and uncertainty which all increase as a story progresses. This book fulfilled all my expectations in bucket loads. Was a slow but unrelenting build up of tension to the eventual climax. An absolute page turner because I had to know how it was going to turn out
Thank you Simon and Schuster for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own
The main character, Kate, is in a state - as the book opens she is on edge, scared, close to tears, a migraine building. In short she is an emotional wreck. She has travelled alone from London and is waiting to catch a ferry out to Rathmine island just off the Irish coast near the Giants Causeway. She has been accepted into a ten day retreat run by a man called Cormac to help overcome writers block. Kate is scared the retreat won’t work. She tells herself she’s broken and it is clear something has happened to her husband, but she doesn’t know what. She has lost so many memories - nothing is clear to her. The Fog appears to be a description of Kate’s mind. She is hoping the retreat will clear the fog, at the same time she is scared it won’t.
The whole book has an edge of menace, creepy house, creepy director and assorted mentally disturbed characters who all seem to have an ulterior motive - and not for good. Along with Kate, there is another single woman and a married couple. All four characters have issues. Nothing is clear, and as the reader I didn’t know who to trust. Even Kate is unreliable as she has no idea which way is up and what her slowly emerging memories mean. All that is certain is that something traumatic resulted in the end of her marriage and she has no idea where her husband is. As well as the retreat Director Cormac, did I mention he is creepy, there is his brother who has just rocked up and a general handyman, cook and helper.
The island is rugged with tall cliffs and crashing sea, it is actually based on a real island that the author visited. The weather is bitterly cold with strong winds and storms sweeping off the North Atlantic and across the island. There are Celtic ruins which are used for some of the sessions, as Cormac’s therapies are linked to the mythology of the island - which adds to the overarching creepiness. Tension rises as members of the retreat start to fall apart as the daily sessions progress. Are they being helped, or are they being mentally tortured? Kate’s sessions trigger flashbacks with just enough information for me to gradually figure out what might of happened. I did correctly figured a lot of it out - only to discover that our tricky author, Brooke Hardwick, was not content with her readers working out what was going on - but added a twist at the end which I, for one, could not even guess was going to happen. Bravo Brooke - I am now waiting with baited breath for your next book.
For me successful suspense has to feature a certainty of danger, feelings of anxiety and uncertainty which all increase as a story progresses. This book fulfilled all my expectations in bucket loads. Was a slow but unrelenting build up of tension to the eventual climax. An absolute page turner because I had to know how it was going to turn out
Thank you Simon and Schuster for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own
October 18, 2024
Kate arrives on the wild, remote island of Rathlin in the freezing Irish Channel for a ten-day writers’ retreat. Plagued by memories she can’t unravel, Kate is determined to leave the retreat with answers. As the retreat’s director uses techniques that tap into the eerie mythology of the island, Kate becomes increasingly fascinated by him and her surrounds. Triggered into a series of disturbing flashbacks, can she trust her own mind?
I wasn’t sure what to expect about this book when I saw its synopsis. But I decided to give it a go given all the rave reviews I had seen on bookstagram. And, I’m glad I did!
The atmospheric setting was top notch. Nothing much could be creepier than the scene of a fog slowly swallowing an entire hill and reducing visibility to zero. Combine that with an already existing psychological suspense and paranoia, and you’ve got the perfect backdrop of a horror movie.
Kate’s memory flashes and paranoia nicely blurred reality and imagination. This wasn’t a jump scare story, and the unexpected depth made me think. I’d recommend you jump in blind.
(Thanks to Libro.fm and Simon & Schuster Australia for a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review)
See my bookstagram review.
I wasn’t sure what to expect about this book when I saw its synopsis. But I decided to give it a go given all the rave reviews I had seen on bookstagram. And, I’m glad I did!
The atmospheric setting was top notch. Nothing much could be creepier than the scene of a fog slowly swallowing an entire hill and reducing visibility to zero. Combine that with an already existing psychological suspense and paranoia, and you’ve got the perfect backdrop of a horror movie.
Kate’s memory flashes and paranoia nicely blurred reality and imagination. This wasn’t a jump scare story, and the unexpected depth made me think. I’d recommend you jump in blind.
(Thanks to Libro.fm and Simon & Schuster Australia for a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review)
See my bookstagram review.
September 27, 2024
Easily one of most atmospheric stories I have read! I could hear the waves crashing, feel the chill of the wind and the heaviness of the clouds and it really leant into the haunting, chilling, secluded and twisted vibe of this story.
I never quite knew who to trust, every character gave off a level of madness and no one was quite as they seemed. Kate and her flashbacks to her past were traumatic and sad, I was even bought to tears a couple of times, but I could never truly trust that what we were being told was real.
This story is surrounded with Irish Mythology and I’m usually someone who struggles with this aspect in stories, but each myth that was used was explained in simple terms and truely made this story even more dark and haunting.
Not much more can be said without giving away spoilers and while I did find the ending a little too perfect, just know that I loved every other minute of this chilling, mind-bending, heart-breaking and secret filled gothic thriller and, Writers…. beware of such retreats 🫣
Thank-you Brooke, @tandemcollectiveglobal and @simonschusterau for sending me a copy of the book and for having me as part of the Readalong ❤️
I never quite knew who to trust, every character gave off a level of madness and no one was quite as they seemed. Kate and her flashbacks to her past were traumatic and sad, I was even bought to tears a couple of times, but I could never truly trust that what we were being told was real.
This story is surrounded with Irish Mythology and I’m usually someone who struggles with this aspect in stories, but each myth that was used was explained in simple terms and truely made this story even more dark and haunting.
Not much more can be said without giving away spoilers and while I did find the ending a little too perfect, just know that I loved every other minute of this chilling, mind-bending, heart-breaking and secret filled gothic thriller and, Writers…. beware of such retreats 🫣
Thank-you Brooke, @tandemcollectiveglobal and @simonschusterau for sending me a copy of the book and for having me as part of the Readalong ❤️
August 2, 2024
3.5 stars. The remote Irish Channel island setting / weather, the ten day anti ‘writer’s block’ program and a writing retreat had me intrigued when picking up this book. However I struggled to keep going at times with what appeared to be gaps in Kate’s interactions with others (eg never answering questions asked of her on the way to the retreat mansion) and the unlikeliness of each day’s challenge in achieving meaningful progress in dealing with the cause of each participant’s writer’s block. However Hardwick pulls everything together as the novel progresses and we learn more of Kate’s backstory in this engaging thriller. Masterful if upsetting coverage of domestic violence and control. Thanks to #NetGalley for the ARC.
August 9, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
This book, particularly early on in the story, had the makings of a great thriller. I was hoping to find out more about the characters and their motivations, and why things were the way that they were. The setting had a lovely air of menace about it, and it really set things up to be structured well.
Unfortunately, as the story progressed, I found myself losing interest a bit. The main antagonist, Hugh, was almost comical in his 'evilness', and I just found that it drew me out of the book more and more as it went along. I started with a good feeling about the main character too, but unfortunately I feel like she got a little lost in the rest of the story. Kate just wasn't there for me, and it was such a shame.
I feel like this one had the makings of a great book - but sadly, it just didn't quite reach that for me!
This book, particularly early on in the story, had the makings of a great thriller. I was hoping to find out more about the characters and their motivations, and why things were the way that they were. The setting had a lovely air of menace about it, and it really set things up to be structured well.
Unfortunately, as the story progressed, I found myself losing interest a bit. The main antagonist, Hugh, was almost comical in his 'evilness', and I just found that it drew me out of the book more and more as it went along. I started with a good feeling about the main character too, but unfortunately I feel like she got a little lost in the rest of the story. Kate just wasn't there for me, and it was such a shame.
I feel like this one had the makings of a great book - but sadly, it just didn't quite reach that for me!
October 6, 2024
After her husband disappeared, Kate has no memory of why and is trying to put her life back together. She is also struggling to finish her book, and agrees to a 10 day retreat specialising for those with ‘writers block’
Located on remote island off Ireland and promises to help uncover these memories of her past she has blocked and Kate is determined to find the truth
It is run by Cormac, who seems genuine having grown up on the island, his methods appear to be slightly unconventional but as soon as the other guests arrive the 10 day retreat begins
As Kate begins to give in the process her mind starts giving her glimpses and flashbacks of her past, dark memories begin to surface. What really happened to Kate’s husband? And why cant Kate remember?
This eerie psychological thriller gave me goosebumps, literally! I felt I was on cliff of the island getting caught in the ice cold winds. The setting is equally as an important character as is Kate, and Brooke created such an atmospheric read. There is plenty of mystery and shady characters, and I was left shocked by the conclusion.
Thank you so much @tandemglobal for including me on this #readalong
The Fog is a great book club read, with many layers to unpack, process and discuss
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it was twisty and mysterious
What a debut! Highly recommend
CONTENT WARNING - domestic abuse, mental health issues, miscarriage, death,
Located on remote island off Ireland and promises to help uncover these memories of her past she has blocked and Kate is determined to find the truth
It is run by Cormac, who seems genuine having grown up on the island, his methods appear to be slightly unconventional but as soon as the other guests arrive the 10 day retreat begins
As Kate begins to give in the process her mind starts giving her glimpses and flashbacks of her past, dark memories begin to surface. What really happened to Kate’s husband? And why cant Kate remember?
This eerie psychological thriller gave me goosebumps, literally! I felt I was on cliff of the island getting caught in the ice cold winds. The setting is equally as an important character as is Kate, and Brooke created such an atmospheric read. There is plenty of mystery and shady characters, and I was left shocked by the conclusion.
Thank you so much @tandemglobal for including me on this #readalong
The Fog is a great book club read, with many layers to unpack, process and discuss
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it was twisty and mysterious
What a debut! Highly recommend
CONTENT WARNING - domestic abuse, mental health issues, miscarriage, death,
June 29, 2024
A quick easy read of a thriller.
A woman goes on a writers retreat in order to find answers to her failed marriage. However all is not what it seems to be…
I enjoyed this book and the mystery behind Kate, (MFC). The constant flashbacks gets a little tedious at times.
The story moves along at a reasonable pace. There are some relationships I wish that were more fully developed.
My issues however is with the ending. The author didn’t stick the landing. Semi guessed the big ‘reveals’ and they fell flat.
But overall, I enjoyed the story and kept reading it for a reason. I would recommend to others.
A woman goes on a writers retreat in order to find answers to her failed marriage. However all is not what it seems to be…
I enjoyed this book and the mystery behind Kate, (MFC). The constant flashbacks gets a little tedious at times.
The story moves along at a reasonable pace. There are some relationships I wish that were more fully developed.
My issues however is with the ending. The author didn’t stick the landing. Semi guessed the big ‘reveals’ and they fell flat.
But overall, I enjoyed the story and kept reading it for a reason. I would recommend to others.
September 22, 2024
Oh My lord!
I read this in a readalong with tandem global collective and WOW! This debut novel had me on the edge of my seat!
I was gripped and thrilled!
The characters of Kate and Hugh, then we learn about others at the retreat.
Ruby, Ewan, Sarah, Mark and Cormac and Wow! The impacts these have on each other!
The twist and the and I did not see that coming!
If you love thrillers you’ll this.
I read this in a readalong with tandem global collective and WOW! This debut novel had me on the edge of my seat!
I was gripped and thrilled!
The characters of Kate and Hugh, then we learn about others at the retreat.
Ruby, Ewan, Sarah, Mark and Cormac and Wow! The impacts these have on each other!
The twist and the and I did not see that coming!
If you love thrillers you’ll this.
September 28, 2024
Thank you @tandemcollectiveglobal for including me in this readalong!
Ok first things first… this book is creepy! The atmosphere and feeling the author created is immersive, it felt like the plot of a TV show… strangers go to an island for a writers retreat, creepy things happen- they all have a past etc etc
I considered DNF’ing about 100 pages in, i didn’t think i had the brain capacity to follow the thriller. But i pursued nonetheless.
The last third of the book is very captivating and the twists at the end are very well done.
TW: DV, alcoholism, pregnancy loss
Ok first things first… this book is creepy! The atmosphere and feeling the author created is immersive, it felt like the plot of a TV show… strangers go to an island for a writers retreat, creepy things happen- they all have a past etc etc
I considered DNF’ing about 100 pages in, i didn’t think i had the brain capacity to follow the thriller. But i pursued nonetheless.
The last third of the book is very captivating and the twists at the end are very well done.
TW: DV, alcoholism, pregnancy loss
April 18, 2025
I was torn between 3 and 4 stars for this book. I really enjoyed the bulk of the story, it was mysterious and kept me guessing the whole way through. I just felt like the ending read like an explanation rather than revealing the unknown through good storytelling., which was a little disappointing for me.
So, three and a half stars.
So, three and a half stars.
October 28, 2024
2.5 rounded down
A writers retreat to solve writers block. An isolated island. A cast of people with problems. Lots of weather and atmosphere. This novel had promise but overall it just felt too contrived and the ending fell very flat. I also struggled with some inconsistencies, for example, the key protagonist suffered with migraines but in one line she is suffering and literally in the next is doing things that anyone who truly suffers from migraines would/could not.
This is a debut, and given this, and the fact that I finished the novel, I would read the next book.
A writers retreat to solve writers block. An isolated island. A cast of people with problems. Lots of weather and atmosphere. This novel had promise but overall it just felt too contrived and the ending fell very flat. I also struggled with some inconsistencies, for example, the key protagonist suffered with migraines but in one line she is suffering and literally in the next is doing things that anyone who truly suffers from migraines would/could not.
This is a debut, and given this, and the fact that I finished the novel, I would read the next book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 154 reviews