The Blue Hour
About the Book
On Eris, an island accessible from the Scottish mainland only twelve hours a day, resides Grace, a solitary figure content in her isolation. The island was once home to Vanessa Chapman, a renowned artist whose unfaithful husband vanished two decades ago. Following Vanessa’s death, a shocking discovery in one of her artworks—a human bone—sparks a series of revelations that intertwine the lives of Grace and those connected to Vanessa’s legacy.
Characters
Grace Haswell
A former doctor, Grace resides alone on Eris Island, having been the close companion and caretaker of the late artist Vanessa Chapman. Their relationship was intense and possibly codependent, with Grace displaying obsessive tendencies and a fierce protectiveness over Vanessa’s legacy. Her reluctance to part with Vanessa’s belongings and her evasiveness raise questions about her true motives.
Vanessa Chapman
A reclusive and renowned artist, Vanessa lived and worked on Eris Island until her death. Her art, often incorporating found objects, becomes the center of controversy when a human bone is discovered in one of her sculptures. Vanessa’s tumultuous marriage to Julian Chapman and her complex friendship with Grace are pivotal to the unfolding mystery.
James Becker
An art curator at the Fairburn Foundation, James is tasked with investigating the origins of the bone found in Vanessa’s sculpture. His journey to Eris Island brings him into contact with Grace, leading to a tense dynamic as he seeks the truth about Vanessa’s life and art. James’s personal connections and insecurities add depth to his character.
Julian Chapman
Vanessa’s estranged husband, Julian disappeared under mysterious circumstances two decades prior. His absence looms over the narrative, with suspicions about his fate intertwined with the secrets held by Grace and the revelations in Vanessa’s art.
Helena Becker
James’s pregnant wife, Helena has a complicated history, having been previously engaged to Sebastian Lennox, the heir to the Fairburn Foundation. Her past and James’s insecurities about their relationship add another layer of tension to the story.
Their relationships, marked by obsession, secrecy, and the shadows of the past, drive the novel’s exploration of the human psyche and the complexities of art and legacy.
Lady Emmeline Fairburn
Mother of Sebastian, Reserved, controlled, and observant. She speaks with deliberate precision and always seems to be three steps ahead in any social interaction. There’s a regal confidence to her, but also a subtle chill — as if she’s always withholding something.
Lady Emmeline Fairburn is a symbol of the old guard, representing a legacy of secrecy and preservation of reputation. She acts as a keeper of history on Eris Island and is intricately connected to the island’s past tragedies and betrayals. Her refined presence masks a sharper instinct to protect certain truths — even at the expense of justice.
She raises critical moral and thematic questions in the novel:
How much truth should be buried for the sake of legacy? And who gets to decide?
Artistic Inspiration: The novel intricately weaves art into its narrative, exploring how creativity can both reveal and conceal truths.
Isolated Setting: Eris Island’s unique geography—being cut off from the mainland for half the day—adds to the novel’s suspenseful atmosphere.
Narrative Style: The story unfolds through multiple perspectives and timelines, including Vanessa’s diary entries, providing a multifaceted view of events.
Vanessa Chapman: The Artist
Vanessa’s artwork is a reflection of her inner turmoil, longing for freedom, and deep connection to Eris Island. A trained and passionate artist, her works explore the fragility of self, the power of nature, and the cycles of isolation and revival. Her ceramic and painting series carry an emotional undercurrent—inviting the viewer into a deeply personal and layered psychological landscape.
29 Ceramics & 18 Paintings
Ceramics:
SEA Series 1–9
Glazed in oceanic blues and greens with texture reminiscent of waves or erosion.
Evokes movement, transformation, and the uncontrollable force of nature.
Suggests a desire for emotional cleansing or surrender.
Eris Series 1–12:
Inspired by Eris Island, where Vanessa lived. Likely uses natural materials (sand, ash, stone glaze).
Possibly asymmetrical or weathered in appearance—reflecting isolation, erosion, and endurance.
Symbolizes Vanessa’s conflict with the island—both refuge and prison.
Flourish 1–3
A rare note of hope. Possibly floral-inspired ceramics—delicate yet strong.
Representing moments of regrowth, healing, or clarity.
Breathe 4, 7, 8, 9, & 12
A recurring series. Likely simple forms—open bowls or minimalist vessels.
The title suggests calmness, resistance, and the necessity of space.
The use of air or breath implies a search for peace in suffocating circumstances.
Division / Division II
Likely stark, cracked, or intentionally split pieces.
Metaphor for personal fracture or the split between public and private identities.
Speaks to inner conflicts or emotional separation.
Flare-Lip Vases
Unconventional design. Possibly echoing emotion bursting outward, repressed feelings escaping.
Suggests a dramatic, passionate edge to her creative output—her emotions barely contained.
Paintings:
To Me She Is a Wolf
A striking title—suggesting female strength, wildness, and danger.
Likely features symbolic, possibly abstract representations of wolves.
A tribute to fierce independence or unspoken rage.
Darkness Causes / Us Not Discomfort
Possibly a diptych or conceptually linked pair.
Explores the duality of darkness—not as fear, but familiarity or truth.
Suggests Vanessa’s growing comfort with isolation and emotional shadow.
Black I & II
Monochromatic studies. Could be textural or minimalist.
Representing void, silence, or grief.
A surrender to depth or mourning.
Follow Me
Intriguing, possibly disorienting. May include a path, stairway, or abstract movement.
Could reflect manipulation, desperation, or desire for connection.
Whispers of both a call and a trap.
Totem
Stacked or layered symbols. A portrait of personal identity or ancestral memory.
Suggests Vanessa’s attempt to find meaning in structure or spirituality.
North
Directional and metaphorical. Could be cold, stark, and barren.
Represents her longing for orientation or truth.
May indicate emotional “true north” or a destination of hope.
The Tide Always Comes (Summer & Winter)
Two-part series showing emotional cycles.
Summer might feature vibrant blues and hope; Winter—grays and erosion.
Speaks to inescapable change, and inevitable loss or rebirth.
Eris Rock: Arrival, Spring, Winter & Winter II
A geographic and emotional anchor.
Abstracted or realistic depictions of the island through seasons.
Shows Vanessa’s evolving relationship with isolation, from initial arrival to enduring solitude.
Hollow
A deep emotional work. Likely features empty space, soft contours, or negative space.
Represents loss, emotional exhaustion, or numbness.
Sea Series (Paintings)
Sundown: Warm light fading, a sense of closure.
Storm I & II: Chaotic brushstrokes, energy, fear.
Wreck: Debris, collapse—an emotional unraveling.
Revival: Calm after the storm. Light, soft tones—rebirth or resilience.
Drink Pairings
Blue Lagoon Cocktail
A vibrant mix of vodka, blue curaçao, and lemonade, reflecting the novel's title and moody tones
Islay Scotch Whisky
A nod to the Scottish setting, offering smoky flavors that mirror the book's mysterious ambiance.
Chamomile Tea:
A calming herbal infusion to balance the novel's tension-filled narrative.
Book Club Outfit Inspiration
Embrace the novel’s themes with these outfit ideas:
Coastal Chic: Layered knits and earthy tones reflect the island’s rugged beauty.
Artistic Flair: Incorporate bold accessories or patterns as a tribute to Vanessa’s artistic legacy.
Mystery Mood: Dark hues and structured pieces echo the novel’s suspenseful elements.
Book Club Discussion Questions
How does the isolated setting of Eris Island influence the characters’ behaviors and decisions?
In what ways does art serve as both a revelation and a concealment of truth in the novel?
Discuss the dynamics between Grace and Vanessa. How do their pasts shape their relationship?
What role do Vanessa’s diary entries play in unfolding the narrative?
How does the novel explore the theme of isolation, both physical and emotional?
How does the remote setting of Eris Island function as a character in the story?
What atmosphere does it create, and how does it influence the characters’ behaviors?In what ways do the characters use art as a form of communication or concealment?
Do you think art in the story is more revealing or deceptive?Trust and perception play a big role in the novel — how do your perceptions of the characters shift throughout the story?
Did any character surprise you?How is isolation—both physical and emotional—depicted in the story?
How does it affect different characters in different ways?What role does legacy play in the novel?
How do characters manage the weight of the past, especially when it involves others’ secrets?How do you interpret Vanessa’s art—do you see it as confessional, cryptic, or something else entirely?
Do you think the author uses the past effectively as a narrative device?
How do the diary entries shape our understanding of the present?How does The Blue Hour compare to other psychological thrillers or Gothic mysteries you’ve read?
What emotions did the book stir in you—suspicion, empathy, unease?
Was there a specific moment that felt particularly intense?If this story were adapted into a movie or series, what kind of visual or cinematic style would best suit it?
Who would you cast as the main characters?
Games and Trivia
1. Character Match-Up: Create cards with character names and separate cards with their descriptions or roles. Players match them correctly.
2. Timeline Challenge: List events from the novel out of order. Participants rearrange them chronologically.
3. Art or Artifact?: Present images of various artworks and artifacts. Players guess whether each item is a real artwork or a fictional piece from the novel.
