Hollow

by Shaun Allan

It was an experiment, that was all. Kill one person to see how it felt. See the beauty that must be in the moment of death. See if it filled the void within her. The hollow.

It didn't. Nor did it the next time. Or the next. Gwen is an ordinary person. Wife to Amanda. Mother to Grace and Alexandra. Suddenly, she is no longer ordinary as she finds herself battling her urges and demons before she hurts those closest to her.

But is it already too late?

Genres: Horror, Contemporary

258 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2024

About the author

Shaun Allan is a bestselling, award winning author who writes multiple genres, including psychological horror, introspective and emotive poetry, young adult and children’s. He has appeared on Sky TV to debate publishing, is a Wattpad Creator (previously Wattpad Stars), and been commissioned to write companion stories for such movies as The Purge: Anarchy, Sinister II, The Boy, A Quiet Place, IT and Amazon Prime’s Panic series. He also holds writing workshops at local schools. Many of his personal experiences are woven into the points of view and senses of humour of his characters, along with the places in and around his home town. His novel Sin has been adapted into a Chapters mobile game titled Straitjacket Lover and was optioned for television.

Shaun lives with his manic dog, Ripley (believe it or not). He works full time and, though his life feels as hyper as his dog, it probably isn't.

Reviews

[Roz Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a dark and brutal exploration of what it would be like to kill people just because you can. The story is told from Gwen's Pov. Gwen should feel fulfilled. She has a loving wife, a job, nice home and two beautiful children and yet she feels that something is missing from her life. Gwen kills her first victim expecting to feel something but she is still hollow inside... 

I liked the writing style and how we got to see what was making Gwen act in such a brutal unfeeling way. She has no guilt or remorse for what she has done. As she spirals deeper into the void, it becomes clear that she is not capable of feeling the emotions she is searching for. I thought the author did a great job at making her so detached from reality. I like when we get the story from the killer's perspective and this did not disappoint. 

The ending was somewhat expected not in the detail but in the sense that nothing good can come from bad... but it packed a punch and was so well done. It was like it was happening in slow motion!

Overall, a really enjoyable dark psychological thriller.

Huge thanks to the author and Hygge Book Tours for providing a copy of the book to review.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hollow tells the tale of Gwen, a woman who seemingly has it all. Wife, children, job etc. However, Gwen has a taste for death and she wants to feed that curiosity. When her first victim doesn't satisfy her desire to see what death is really about, she moves onto the next. And then the next.

This book really dives into the downward spiral of someone who is clearly a psychopath / sociopath. The scariest thing about Gwen is she feels no remorse. No guilt. She is stuck in her head that this is all for her, and her needs. She chooses her victims based on circumstances. She isn't picking those who may deserve it, she is just taking what she can, when she can.

It's obvious to the reader that this downward spiral and the collateral damage coming with it, is never going to give Gwen what she wants. And it's clear when she begins taunting and mocking her own wife (even if she doesn't see it that way) that there most certainly won't be a happy ending for anyone in this woman's way.

The ending of the book really was quite intense, fully in line with the rest of the brutality the book gives. I can't say I was surprised - I had a feeling it would end up going that way. I was actually frustrated with one particular character and how they handled the situation / the navity of who they brought into it. Read it and find out of course! I won't give spoilers here!

This is an uncomfortable but fascinating read. I recommend to those who enjoy their thrillers on the much, much darker side.

[Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5*

This is the first novel I've read by Shaun and I loved it. I got Criminal Mind vibes but through the eyes and POV of the killer.

Gwen was just wild and even though she was going around killing everyone I still really liked her and even sympathised with her at times. I cried and I laughed and I'm just so grateful that I got the chance to read a book by Shaun who has an inherent talent at storytelling.

I loved how the story wove together to reach its final conclusion and we can't forget Wendy. Wendy was a hoot and I loved her and her little plot twist.

[Gemma Owen-Kendall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a storyline, its not very often you read a book where a serial killers point of view, even more so a female serial killer's point of view. It was an excellent book, loved how there were elements of my hometown of Grimsby mentioned through out this. It had Dexter vibes during each moment with Gwen when she is about to take her next victim. a fabulous and horrifying (in a good way) book.

[Ali O · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hollow by Shaun Allan
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This is a fantastic horror/thriller story. This book has a unique and interesting premise. It’s a happy love story and also a dark murderous story. After Gwen’s first kill, she seems to be hooked on wanting additional killings. She’s trying to live a normal life with her wife and kids, but things are changing rapidly for her. There are lots of twists and shocking moments throughout the story. The ending is pretty wild too!
The book is very well written and an entertaining read!

Thank you to Shaun Allan for an arc of this great dark thriller!
*This awesome book is out now, so grab your copy!!* 🩸🖤🔪❤️

[Katie Morton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into this blind having forgotten what the book was meant to be about and I'm glad I did because I felt like I witnessed a journey of someones transition from sanity to insanity over an obsession of an ideaology. The writing style really worked in an almost poetic way which really left me fully immersed in the mental and emotional journey that Gwen went through even to the point of understanding her decisions a little too much. If you want an immersive psychological experience of a murderer I would highly recommend this one.

[Hayley Anderton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dark and horrifying tale with a hint of humor! I’ll definitely remember this one. I always love stories from the POV of a villain and this one was super dark, but highly entertaining! I would’ve loved a bit more backstory but I did enjoy this a lot!

[HippieWitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

[Monica Nichols · Rating 4 out of 5]

I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect when I picked this up. Not like any book I’ve ever read. I was very shocked and loved the surprise we find out about Wendy halfway through. It started off slow, but I am satisfied with how the book progressed. Very enjoyable read and couldn’t put down.

[Kaylen Trejo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my first time reading this author, and this is NOT my typical genre but I wanted to branch out and read something different, so I entered its Goodreads giveaway. While I think I would have loved watching this as a movie, reading it as a book just didn't do it for me 😬

Maybe it's because I find myself too full of emotions to the point of overflowing and Gwen's character is so void of emotions - HOLLOW, if you will - that I'm having a hard time relating to anything in the book. Maybe it was this particular style of writing, experiencing everything from Gwen's dark and unnerving point of view, I'm not sure.
I also just finished the Kitty Collins' books, another female serial k!ller who unalives (but for an actual reason and is more humorous than horror) whereas Gwen does it as a form of filling a hole, chasing a high, and because she feels compelled to/takes advantage of circumstances as they come to her. There's a level of delusion that just makes it hard to take seriously. Perhaps if I hadn't just read Kitty, I would have appreciated Gwen more.

Words and thoughts were repetitive, sometimes lacking substance, and maybe that was intentional to show Gwen's spiral into what I would consider insanity, but it almost felt like the author was just trying to meet a word count. I'd still like to branch out and try new genres, but this one fell a bit flat for my taste. I'm not one to yuck anyone's yum though, so if psychological thriller/horror is your yum and you like a good plot twist here and there (and a somewhat unexpected although slightly predictable ending), give it a go!

[Rebecca Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely excellent and I was hooked from the start. I loved getting into Gwen's head as she went on her killing spree, seeing why she did it, her reasoning and what she was searching for. The book starts right after she kills her first person and we see how disappointed she is that it didn't give her what she wanted and fill that hollow part of her or provide her the enlightenment she was searching for. I won't give away how many more people she kills though or whether she finds it. I loved her internal monologue throughout, constantly doubting, not necessarily what she's doing but whether she's going about it the right way and which path she should take. It also made it less scary which was great for me because I like to be able to sleep at night haha! It was definitely still creepy and disturbing though which I loved! Although not super surprising, I liked the ending and hadn't been completely sure which way it would go until the very end. There were also a few little twists and unexpected moments earlier in the book though to keep it exciting all the way. My absolute favourite thing though might have been the writing style. It was somehow humorous almost throughout the whole book which really lightened it a bit despite the very dark content and it worked perfectly! I'll definitely be grabbing more of Shaun's books!

[Emma book blogger Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you @hyggebooktours @singularityspint for letting me be part of this tour and reviewing this book. Hollow is psychological horror genre. I do enjoy reading a good horror and this was brilliant. Hollow is not for the faint-hearted. It is brutal and may shock you in some places. The story is very dark and intense all the way through and is from Gwen perspective, wanted to see what it’s like to kill someone. This is a book I could not put down, I was hooked until the end, needing to know what was going to happen. The story at fast pace that you will be able to keep up with. I could not help but like Gwen there was something about her that I was drawn to and her wife was a lovely person that I was drawn to straight the way. The story is brilliantly written, and I loved Shaun Allan writing style, it was so easy to get into. If you like horror/ psychological books than this book is definitely for you. I found it a breath of fresh air to read something entirely different from the normal books I read. Brilliant, strongly recommend 5 stars.

[Sonja Charters · Rating 4 out of 5]

 

There was never any chance that I wasn't going to grab this book!

As soon as I spotted that front cover, I didn't even need any more information ..... I was sold!

 

I was, however, expecting something a little more horror or paranormal from this - but having said that, the cover still perfectly depicts what we get from this brilliantly dark psychological thriller.

 

Luckily, this is my absolute favourite genre, so this all worked out well and I was completely hooked from the first chapter.

We're thrown in at the deep end as we meet our main character just after committing her first murder.

I refuse to give any further spoilers, but suffice to say I loved getting to delve around in Gwen's mind for a time.

A super interesting character who I found fascinating to explore - but this is definitely a dark and twisted read....so check out the content warnings before reading.

 

The writing style was so immersive and I loved the fact this was written in first person.

I do like multi-pov books a lot, but I found this form refreshing and it allowed us to really see the spiralling of our main characters' mind.

 

The story plays out as we expect and the ending definitely didn't surprise me - but what a journey it was!

 

This was my first read by this author but I will be looking out for more in the near future!

An uncomfortable read in places, but I loved that darkness and just couldn't drag myself away.

[The Kneaded Tales · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hollow
By: Shaun Allan
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What an incredible journey that was. I couldn't put this horror novella down from the first line to the very last. The horrifying and shocking twist at the end was completely unexpected and left me absolutely stunned.

Told from Gwen's perspective, a wife and mother of two, we experience her unfiltered thoughts as she embarks on her journey as a serial killer. It is a continuous stream of curiosity versus a moral dilemma as she grapples with her compulsion to seek answers to the question that haunts her.

Seemingly normal, the author skillfully makes you admire certain qualities of the murderer as she navigates the struggles of keeping her newfound hobby a secret from her loved ones. I found it very easy to connect with Gwen and hope for her redemption.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

A family woman surrenders to her darkest thoughts with an experiment gone wrong.
Gwen wants to see firsthand the beauty of death in the exact moment a person breathes their last breath, and for that, people must die.

After a young woman tragically dies at the tainted hands of Gwen, there is no going back. Gwen can’t hush the screams of the void inside her, it needs to be filled, but one innocent life doesn’t seem to be enough.
Gwen finds herself struggling with her demons. A difficult challenge that could determine life or death for those closest to her.

This was a stress-inducing journey from page one. The plot was intriguing. However, the main character’s thought process and actions were difficult to understand. Gwen was having a disturbing battle with her mind, convincing herself she was a good person rather than a cold-blooded killer. In her mind, she was targeting those who ‘deserved’ to be killed. However, she also had zero hesitation in taking innocent lives with no rhyme or reason. During some of those instances, her thoughts didn’t align with her reasons and actions, making it challenging to make sense of it all. She was incredibly careless, which added to the stress of her journey, but the lack of immediate consequences was hard to believe considering her act now, think later approach. Some elements within the storyline were challenging to make sense of, which raised some confusion.

With that being said, this was a page-turner from the start. Whether you were hoping for Gwen’s downfall or looking forward to learning the conclusion of her “experiment,” this storyline was nothing short of thrilling. There were also some parts where Gwen’s inner thoughts were strong, the way they were written helped paint a vivid picture for the reader in helping to understand what she’s feeling in some of the situations. The story had its ups and downs but was attention-grabbing as the storyline progressed, especially near the end. Gwen’s spiral into deep paranoia pulls the reader in right along with her. The ending was great, the author pulls it all together with a strong ending. It was dark, twisted, and shocking. There is something about a psychological horror/thriller that, when done right, can keep you thinking well after you’ve read the story, and this story has that perfect ending.

Overall, this was a good, fast-paced psychological horror. If you are squeamish, this might not be the story for you, but if you enjoy the dark and twisted nature of one’s mind, add this to your to-be-read list.

I received an Advanced Review Copy on Reedsy Discovery.

https://reedsy.com/discovery/book/hol...

[Stacey Dighton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I met Shaun at a HorrorCon event we were both trading at and picked up a copy of Hollow. As usual, I didn't read the blurb (although I write the odd book description for other people, I personally prefer to dive in completely blind) and so there was at least one big surprise I got a few chapters in that you won't get if you research the book, scan these reviews, or read the blurb first (just a little tip). I found the first person POV really intriguing for the genre, the insights into the killer's psyche a nice touch, and the relationship between the killer and their partner both believable and emotionally charged. There are a lot of kills, a bit of gore (not too much), and some unexpected twists. I also have to give a big shout out to Shaun for holding his nerve for the big finale. A lot of authors would have shied away. All in all, a great read with some thought provoking ideas.

[Ivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an interesting topic to read. Murder in the eyes of the murderer. I really enjoyed this book alot and I just liked the calm story with hints of murder that put a soft and defending spin on it. To see it from Gwen's view and all that with a wife and kids that love her.

She had no reason to murder but still felt compelled to and in a way could not really control her moments. Well done, and well written.

[Kenia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Criminal Minds has been my comfort show ever since I was 12 years old and this book gave me those vibes - I was an absolute sucker afterwards.
It started off slow, however, I was hooked. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the way the author told the story. I will definitely be reading more of his work as this was my first! If you love Criminal Minds, I think you will love this book.

[Gemma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic book!

[Sue Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hollow by Shaun Allan.
I loved the cover of this book. This was a disturbing read. I did like the writing style and the story. I wasn't sure how I felt about the characters. Dark but fascinating.

[Amber Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gwen, the FMC, is living an average life like everyone else. She struggles with herself (think we can all relate to having inner impulses that we fear), but she tries holding it together. Then she does it, and she spirals. In a great way.

I love serial killer books, but this is only the second time (separate authors) I've read one that had the killer's POV, which adds great intensity and thrills. You feel way more through their eyes than you do reading from a bystander, or the police hunting them.

There's a lot of suspense, you're questioning Gwen (and yourself), has amazing details, and a plot that keeps giving. I didn't want it to end. I've just found another favorite author, and I need to read more.

[Laura Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨s
HOLLOW by Shaun Allan.
I didnt know what to expect from this book at all but let me tell you it did not disappoint. It was Fantastic.
I loved it.
Horror/slasher book.
Highly recommend.
First time reading Shaun's work and it will not be the last.

[Megneto♓️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hollow is a story from Gwen's pov. Having thoughts about murder and what it would feel like. Not what I expected but a really enjoyable read.

[Brandy Wine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my God. This book is so unhinged. It looks like a series of unfortunate event train wrecks that happen in the life yet the thoughts of the main character really make you question everything. This was one hell of a read. I can’t wait to read more from this author.

[Jessica Huntley · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Holy crap, this book was brutal. The ending shocked me, I won't lie. I didn't know where it was going but I didn't expect it to go there!

As a reader, this book really allows you to get into Gwen's head. It's uncomfortable and makes you question her judgement all the time. I'm not sure I rooted for her because clearly she's not a nice person. I feel like there's something missing from her character development though. The question "why?" kept repeating in my head.

Overall, a dark and creepy psychological thriller/horror that will definitely be one I'll remember for a while! Thanks to that ending!

[Smutty Demi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a gem! Very nice to read what is going on in her mind. You quickly bond with the main character, the mother of 2 children. I also have 2 children myself, so I sometimes had to laugh.

[Becs_24 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so spooky I absolutely loved it, would absolutely recommend

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

A change from what I'm normally found reading but worth it! Horror and thriller all in one as you follow the main character go through the process of trying to understand why she feels the need to kill while keeping a life at home under control with kids. Naturally, it falls apart a little but not in the way you expect it. The twist

First book I've read by Shaun and will absolutely be looking forward to reading more!

A few notable quotes--

"Why do we do things? Because we must? Because we can? Because, if you ask any teenager, 'I don't know?' Or, just because? I crossed the road because, unlike the hedgehog who wanted to see his flat mate, I needed to. I ate the milk chocolate Hob-Nob biscuit because I wanted to. I killed her just because.""


"Relationships are odd things. A beast of emotions, they can take myriad forms, each designed to lift you or destroy you on the flip of a coin. They're dogs that are placid and friendly, ready to lick your hand or your cheek for a smile and kind word. And they can want to bite off that hand or chew on that cheek without warning or consideration."

[Hannah May Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I organised a Book Tour for this book, I was fascinated by it so much, I had to add this to my ‘to be read pile’ and I’m so glad I made the time to sit down and dig in! I have to start by saying, Shaun’s writing style is like no over I’ve experienced before, he really captivated me and had me impressed with his ability to weave humour and a dark storyline together.

This was a very unique psychological horror, it’s not often you get a story told through a perpetrator’s point of view and I loved this aspect. I enjoyed being in Gwen’s head, it made everything feel that much darker and it gave me insight to what possible goes on in psychopath’s heads, no remorse, no guilt, all for themselves and their needs. The plot was fantastic too and I like my reads dark, so Shaun ticked that box too.

I was honestly gripped from start to finish, as soon as I finished reading the powerful opener, I knew I was in for a book that would have me in its clutches. Thank you so much to Shaun for dropping in my inbox and introducing me to his work, I’m very grateful for the experience I had with this book!

[Tami Wylie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gwen killed because she could. She had an itch that needed scratching but her first killed didn’t, nor the next or the next. I don’t know if I’ve ever read a book with a killer quite like her. First of all, her being female was unique. There aren’t lots of books out there that I’ve read with a lady killer. Secondly, there wasn’t a reason or pattern for what she did. Gwen‘s life seemed perfect. I thought it was interesting how she kept telling herself that the reason she killed a person was okay until she convinced herself that it was. She even fancied herself as some kind of a hero at times. The story was very well written with convincing characters. There was plenty of suspense to keep me eagerly turning the pages. However, I kind of felt the end was a bit rushed and the story crumbled a bit. I kept asking myself why her wife hadn’t stopped her sooner and why she needed to have the children involved at the end when she knew that Gwen was dangerous. I still enjoyed the book and would definitely recommend it to fans of psychological/horror.