What do you think?
Rate this book
The Coal Mine: Buried Shadows of Appalachia a Paranormal Mystery
In the forgotten town of Black Hollow, nestled in the shadows of the Appalachian hills, the past lingers like a bitter chill. Children have vanished for decades, sucked up by the earth and its dark secrets. The townsfolk whisper of a malevolent force, an entity buried deep beneath the crumbling landscape, waiting for the right moment to resurface.
The summer of 1978 was hotter than anyone could remember. When three prisoners make a desperate escape from the local penitentiary cemetery, chaos erupts in the already beleaguered town. As Sheriff Thomas leads the frantic search, one of the fugitives is found huddled in a limestone outcropping, his mind fractured and his secrets buried. But the escapees are only the beginning. As the sheriff and a reluctant ally, young Alan Muncy, delve deeper into the darkness, they discover the horrific truth about the children who vanished over the years and the ancient evil lurking beneath their feet.
As the ground begins to crumble and the hills close in, Alan realizes that some forces cannot be contained. With time running out and the fate of the town hanging in the balance, he must confront the darkness that has haunted Black Hollow for generations, hoping to seal it away before it rises once more.
The summer of 1978 was hotter than anyone could remember. When three prisoners make a desperate escape from the local penitentiary cemetery, chaos erupts in the already beleaguered town. As Sheriff Thomas leads the frantic search, one of the fugitives is found huddled in a limestone outcropping, his mind fractured and his secrets buried. But the escapees are only the beginning. As the sheriff and a reluctant ally, young Alan Muncy, delve deeper into the darkness, they discover the horrific truth about the children who vanished over the years and the ancient evil lurking beneath their feet.
As the ground begins to crumble and the hills close in, Alan realizes that some forces cannot be contained. With time running out and the fate of the town hanging in the balance, he must confront the darkness that has haunted Black Hollow for generations, hoping to seal it away before it rises once more.
- GenresHorror
325 pages, Paperback
Published October 30, 2024
15 people are currently reading
2012 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
January 16, 2025
4 stars
Very good!
I found this so interesting. Especially the beginning with all the strange things that seem to be going on in this little town. The build up was a little slow so that's what's with the 4 star review. Good read overall.
Very good!
I found this so interesting. Especially the beginning with all the strange things that seem to be going on in this little town. The build up was a little slow so that's what's with the 4 star review. Good read overall.
January 28, 2025
Book Review: The Coal Mine: Buried Shadows of Appalachia by James Fouty
James Fouty’s The Coal Mine: Buried Shadows of Appalachia is a gripping paranormal mystery steeped in the haunting atmosphere of the Appalachian hills. Combining historical richness with supernatural suspense, this tale unfolds in the forgotten town of Black Hollow, where secrets buried beneath the earth threaten to consume everything above it.
The novel’s strength lies in its vivid setting. Fouty masterfully paints a portrait of Black Hollow, a town suffocating under its history of tragedy and whispers of a malevolent force. The Appalachian hills become a living, breathing entity—ominous and unyielding—while the oppressive heat of the summer of 1978 adds another layer of tension.
The story kicks off with a bang as three prisoners escape from a penitentiary cemetery, unleashing chaos in the already troubled town. Sheriff Thomas is a compelling protagonist—duty-bound yet vulnerable—as he teams up with Alan Muncy, a reluctant young ally with secrets of his own. Together, they unravel the chilling mystery of the vanished children and the ancient evil buried beneath Black Hollow.
Fouty’s pacing is superb, keeping readers on edge as the characters venture deeper into the darkness, both literal and figurative. The fugitive subplot is expertly intertwined with the supernatural horror, and the revelations about the town’s past are as harrowing as the entity they seek to contain. Themes of guilt, sacrifice, and the inescapable grip of history are woven seamlessly into the narrative, adding emotional depth to the horror.
With its richly drawn setting, well-rounded characters, and an ever-present sense of dread, The Coal Mine: Buried Shadows of Appalachia is a must-read for fans of paranormal mysteries and small-town horror. Fouty delivers a chilling reminder that some forces are better left buried—but once unearthed, they demand to be confronted. This book will leave you thinking about the shadows of Black Hollow long after you turn the last page.
James Fouty’s The Coal Mine: Buried Shadows of Appalachia is a gripping paranormal mystery steeped in the haunting atmosphere of the Appalachian hills. Combining historical richness with supernatural suspense, this tale unfolds in the forgotten town of Black Hollow, where secrets buried beneath the earth threaten to consume everything above it.
The novel’s strength lies in its vivid setting. Fouty masterfully paints a portrait of Black Hollow, a town suffocating under its history of tragedy and whispers of a malevolent force. The Appalachian hills become a living, breathing entity—ominous and unyielding—while the oppressive heat of the summer of 1978 adds another layer of tension.
The story kicks off with a bang as three prisoners escape from a penitentiary cemetery, unleashing chaos in the already troubled town. Sheriff Thomas is a compelling protagonist—duty-bound yet vulnerable—as he teams up with Alan Muncy, a reluctant young ally with secrets of his own. Together, they unravel the chilling mystery of the vanished children and the ancient evil buried beneath Black Hollow.
Fouty’s pacing is superb, keeping readers on edge as the characters venture deeper into the darkness, both literal and figurative. The fugitive subplot is expertly intertwined with the supernatural horror, and the revelations about the town’s past are as harrowing as the entity they seek to contain. Themes of guilt, sacrifice, and the inescapable grip of history are woven seamlessly into the narrative, adding emotional depth to the horror.
With its richly drawn setting, well-rounded characters, and an ever-present sense of dread, The Coal Mine: Buried Shadows of Appalachia is a must-read for fans of paranormal mysteries and small-town horror. Fouty delivers a chilling reminder that some forces are better left buried—but once unearthed, they demand to be confronted. This book will leave you thinking about the shadows of Black Hollow long after you turn the last page.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews