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Darkridge Hollow: A dark and fast-paced thriller set deep in Midwest America
After losing his wife to a drunk driver, Joshua Raymond’s only wish was to show his young stepdaughter, Georgina, the country where her mother was born and meet her estranged family.
However, after an unexpected car accident leaves their rental in a ditch, Joshua wakes to find Georgina missing. He is concussed, bruised, and covered in blood not his own. When a passing car stops to help, an unwitting stranger claims to have seen Joshua at a local gas station.
Yet, according to her, he was alone.
However, after an unexpected car accident leaves their rental in a ditch, Joshua wakes to find Georgina missing. He is concussed, bruised, and covered in blood not his own. When a passing car stops to help, an unwitting stranger claims to have seen Joshua at a local gas station.
Yet, according to her, he was alone.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 5, 2024
2 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 19, 2025
A fast-paced yet descriptive mystery/thriller
March 1, 2024
This was my second novel from this author and I surprisingly found it very different. Although the variegated and elegant writing style is still recognisable, it feels different, evidence (for me) of Nicky Shearsby's talent.
After losing his wife Josh is confronted with every parent's nightmare: the disappearance of a child. As they travel to visit his late wife's hometown in Ohio, after a car accident Josh wakes up to find his daughter Georgina is not there anymore. What's even more terrifying is that every proof of her existence has disappeared initiating a spiral into panic, paranoia and self doubt.
I mean, since the first chapter this novel grabs you by the hair and just swing you around without letting you catch your breath, ever! I was literally caught in the same panic and terror of Josh and just couldn't believe all the shit thrown at him. And don't get me started on the small town of Darkridge Hollow, all throughout the reading trying to decipher its inhabitants and the events.
This is a dark thriller that keeps you on your toes with every page, full of doubts until the end, also painted in dark, leaving the reader with a bitter taste and a far from optimistic view of the future of this family remnants.
Thanks to the author and SRL Publishing for a copy and this is my honest opinion.
After losing his wife Josh is confronted with every parent's nightmare: the disappearance of a child. As they travel to visit his late wife's hometown in Ohio, after a car accident Josh wakes up to find his daughter Georgina is not there anymore. What's even more terrifying is that every proof of her existence has disappeared initiating a spiral into panic, paranoia and self doubt.
I mean, since the first chapter this novel grabs you by the hair and just swing you around without letting you catch your breath, ever! I was literally caught in the same panic and terror of Josh and just couldn't believe all the shit thrown at him. And don't get me started on the small town of Darkridge Hollow, all throughout the reading trying to decipher its inhabitants and the events.
This is a dark thriller that keeps you on your toes with every page, full of doubts until the end, also painted in dark, leaving the reader with a bitter taste and a far from optimistic view of the future of this family remnants.
Thanks to the author and SRL Publishing for a copy and this is my honest opinion.
March 6, 2024
3.5 stars. This was a dark and disturbing thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. I was never sure how it was going to conclude right up until the last act which shows the skill of Nicky Shearsby as a writer.
The story for me was 4 stars, it was creepy and atmospheric with some really intriguing characters. The descriptions of the town of Darkridge Hollow brought to life its desolation and isolation - a place forgotten, inhabited by a small community who viewed outsiders with suspicion...and the rest! The growing desperation of the main character, Joshua, as he tries to find his daughter was nerve-jarring. I kept thinking what I would do in his situation and never coming up with any good answers, I think I would just succumb to the seeming hopelessness of it all.
The reason for my overall rating of 3.5 stars was that I found the writing style a little challenging to get used to. Shearsby uses long sentences that include a lot of commas (I'm no English expert so I'm not sure if this is compound sentences or comma splicing, or both/neither) and it took me a minute to get used to reading this kind of composition. I think this was totally a 'me' issue rather than there being an actual issue, but it did draw me out of the story in the first handful of chapters.
Thanks to SRL Publishing for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
The story for me was 4 stars, it was creepy and atmospheric with some really intriguing characters. The descriptions of the town of Darkridge Hollow brought to life its desolation and isolation - a place forgotten, inhabited by a small community who viewed outsiders with suspicion...and the rest! The growing desperation of the main character, Joshua, as he tries to find his daughter was nerve-jarring. I kept thinking what I would do in his situation and never coming up with any good answers, I think I would just succumb to the seeming hopelessness of it all.
The reason for my overall rating of 3.5 stars was that I found the writing style a little challenging to get used to. Shearsby uses long sentences that include a lot of commas (I'm no English expert so I'm not sure if this is compound sentences or comma splicing, or both/neither) and it took me a minute to get used to reading this kind of composition. I think this was totally a 'me' issue rather than there being an actual issue, but it did draw me out of the story in the first handful of chapters.
Thanks to SRL Publishing for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 17, 2024
I've become a real fan of her writing.
This book is fast moving from the start. It was especially poignant because I'm also a step dad.
The book brings back memories of other work, Stephen King's Misery and the film Deliverance starring Burt Reynolds. It also had Hotel California playing in my head. However, it works best with Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska playing in the background.
It grabbed me from the start, I would have loved to have finished in one session, but life got in the way, and it had to split my reading into a number of shorter sessions.
What I like most about Nicky's writing is that I come away with a deeper understanding of what makes people tick, and especially people I must avoid at all costs.
It is a great examination of the nature versus nurture paradigm, and I think I know where Nicky stands on this now. The story also treads on our reliance on the police when we are at our lowest, and the angst when they let us down.
This is a book and an author I strongly recommend.
I will be back for my next fix in September.
Andrew Goddard - Bossfansheff
This book is fast moving from the start. It was especially poignant because I'm also a step dad.
The book brings back memories of other work, Stephen King's Misery and the film Deliverance starring Burt Reynolds. It also had Hotel California playing in my head. However, it works best with Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska playing in the background.
It grabbed me from the start, I would have loved to have finished in one session, but life got in the way, and it had to split my reading into a number of shorter sessions.
What I like most about Nicky's writing is that I come away with a deeper understanding of what makes people tick, and especially people I must avoid at all costs.
It is a great examination of the nature versus nurture paradigm, and I think I know where Nicky stands on this now. The story also treads on our reliance on the police when we are at our lowest, and the angst when they let us down.
This is a book and an author I strongly recommend.
I will be back for my next fix in September.
Andrew Goddard - Bossfansheff
March 13, 2024
More twists than a car crash
Not many books keep me guessing, I've become pretty food at figuring the ending by about half way or sooner. This writer deserves my highest praise as its very rare I don't have a clue what's coming.
This writer has shown her talent in serial novels with characters we revisit. Yet her return to a stand alone novel shows just how powerful her pen really is. Worthy of Stephen King horror. The story was out of the writers comfort zone, yet is possibly her best work yet.
I felt like I'd visited this fictional town a million times. The characters, dialect, location felt spot on for a place I've never been.
One final word. Beware, this isn't just a thriller...its knocking loudly on the door of horror. Chilling, gory, messing with your mind even after the book ends.
Not many books keep me guessing, I've become pretty food at figuring the ending by about half way or sooner. This writer deserves my highest praise as its very rare I don't have a clue what's coming.
This writer has shown her talent in serial novels with characters we revisit. Yet her return to a stand alone novel shows just how powerful her pen really is. Worthy of Stephen King horror. The story was out of the writers comfort zone, yet is possibly her best work yet.
I felt like I'd visited this fictional town a million times. The characters, dialect, location felt spot on for a place I've never been.
One final word. Beware, this isn't just a thriller...its knocking loudly on the door of horror. Chilling, gory, messing with your mind even after the book ends.
March 29, 2024
This creepy, atmospheric thriller was so well described that I felt like I was there. The way Nicky created this town with an eerie feel to it was brilliant. As usual with Nicky's books I couldn't put it down, I had to keep on reading to find out what happened next. The first half started off at a reasonable pace but the second half was like a roller coaster of twists and turns that had me shouting 'what!' several times in shock. Totally unpredictable, I couldn't guess what crazy things might happen next. I felt so sorry for the poor guy who nobody would help and who soon learned you can't trust anyone. A very mysterious and sinister thriller that I won't forget in a long time.
May 5, 2024
I read this book in a couple of days as it was extremely hard to put down. The story is unique and has the reader gripped throughout. At times I was screaming at Joshua, wanting to help him sort out what was happening. Just when you think you know what the outcome will be the story twists again and the end had me stunned. This is an excellent book and well worth a read if you love gripping thrillers who a good dose of gruesomeness.
November 9, 2024
i couldn't put it down.
i read the entire book in one sitting. it very much reminded me of stephen king's stories and earlier works, when he was at the height of his career.
i was TRULY HAPPY that i was unable to solve the mystery until the author finally made the reveal.
the story is riveting with many plot twists that keep you hooked into the story.
i look forward to reading other books written by this author.
i read the entire book in one sitting. it very much reminded me of stephen king's stories and earlier works, when he was at the height of his career.
i was TRULY HAPPY that i was unable to solve the mystery until the author finally made the reveal.
the story is riveting with many plot twists that keep you hooked into the story.
i look forward to reading other books written by this author.
August 16, 2025
What the hell! It was crazy. The plot twist was predictable but not at the same time but the ending was so disappointing. It was resolved but not at the same time. Idk. It felt rushed. And the names beginning with M got a bit confusing. Not too sure on this one
January 2, 2025
Darkridge Hollow is reminiscent of many of the thriller and horror novels I read in my youth. While I've mostly left this genre behind, the book sounded intriguing to me so I decided to try it out and I'm happy I did. I jumped head first into this novel and allowed Ms. Shearsby to drag me kicking and screaming through the dark world of Darkridge Hallow.
The two things that kept me turning the pages was 1) the mystery and intrigue about what was hidden around the next corner and 2) Shearsby portrayal of an area of America that I learned she's never been. Point 2 is not a detraction from the novel--very much the opposite! I discussed this with the author on X prior to reading, so I very much paid attention to her understanding of the Midwest! I think she captured the attitudes, culture (and yes, the stereotypes) very well--though I'd invite her to come to the much more warm and inviting state of Indiana and forget those Buckeyes! (I jest--a little)
As for point #1, I've read a LOT of novels over the years and can usually pick up on where the author is leading me, but Shearsby definitely pulled the wool over my eyes throughout most of this journey! The only thing I could even remotely say I didn't like about this book is personal preference really--I don't read these kinds of books in the winter because of the way the dreary winter days affect my mood. This book didn't have the pleasant ending I usually like to see.
All that to say, I highly recommend this book and this author! This is a must read for anyone that enjoys a dark themed thriller that'll keep you guessing!
The two things that kept me turning the pages was 1) the mystery and intrigue about what was hidden around the next corner and 2) Shearsby portrayal of an area of America that I learned she's never been. Point 2 is not a detraction from the novel--very much the opposite! I discussed this with the author on X prior to reading, so I very much paid attention to her understanding of the Midwest! I think she captured the attitudes, culture (and yes, the stereotypes) very well--though I'd invite her to come to the much more warm and inviting state of Indiana and forget those Buckeyes! (I jest--a little)
As for point #1, I've read a LOT of novels over the years and can usually pick up on where the author is leading me, but Shearsby definitely pulled the wool over my eyes throughout most of this journey! The only thing I could even remotely say I didn't like about this book is personal preference really--I don't read these kinds of books in the winter because of the way the dreary winter days affect my mood. This book didn't have the pleasant ending I usually like to see.
All that to say, I highly recommend this book and this author! This is a must read for anyone that enjoys a dark themed thriller that'll keep you guessing!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews