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Hollow - Who Put Bella in the Wych-Elm?: Gripping thriller based on the true story of a still unsolved murder
Britain 1943. In woods outside Birmingham, the remains of a woman are discovered inside the hollow of a tree. Despite her bizarre tomb and the distinctive features of the victim, no-one comes forward to identify her.
Assumed to be a traveller or a vagrant, it is an investigation that in the midst of the Blitz no-one is interested in pursuing. DC Alec Porter, a wounded Spanish Civil War veteran, is the officer tasked with completing the paperwork, a routine assignment he takes more seriously than his superiors anticipate. He soon finds his enquiries pull him to the heart of a terrifying conspiracy, one that threatens not only those he loves and all that he believes in, but one placing the fate of the country and the outcome of the war itself in his hands.
Drawing on archived police files of the still unsolved murder, the author imaginatively weaves a fictional tale around actual events and characters at times more fantastic than any fiction.
From the writer of the acclaimed political-crime thriller All the Dead Men Lie.
Assumed to be a traveller or a vagrant, it is an investigation that in the midst of the Blitz no-one is interested in pursuing. DC Alec Porter, a wounded Spanish Civil War veteran, is the officer tasked with completing the paperwork, a routine assignment he takes more seriously than his superiors anticipate. He soon finds his enquiries pull him to the heart of a terrifying conspiracy, one that threatens not only those he loves and all that he believes in, but one placing the fate of the country and the outcome of the war itself in his hands.
Drawing on archived police files of the still unsolved murder, the author imaginatively weaves a fictional tale around actual events and characters at times more fantastic than any fiction.
From the writer of the acclaimed political-crime thriller All the Dead Men Lie.
400 pages, Paperback
Published March 18, 2025
4 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 21, 2025
3☆
While I greatly appreciate the research and accuracy Rainsford put into writing Hollow the sharing of the facts came too slowly. The premise of Hollow, British intelligence being aware of specific matters during WWII and how those matters of national security were handled, is quite interesting.
The MC, Alec Porter, risks everything; his career, his relationship, his physical health and his own sanity to find the killer of a woman found inside a notorious wych-elm. Porter's search for clues and suspects leads him from the Romani to the highest levels of British Military Intelligence.
The story tended to get bogged down in minutiae that was not truly necessary for the plot. There were occasions when I was ready to walk away but then a nugget toward the truth was dropped, just enough to keep me reading.
I got a free copy of Hollow through Bookfunnel. Thank you to the author for offering Hollow as a free download.
While I greatly appreciate the research and accuracy Rainsford put into writing Hollow the sharing of the facts came too slowly. The premise of Hollow, British intelligence being aware of specific matters during WWII and how those matters of national security were handled, is quite interesting.
The MC, Alec Porter, risks everything; his career, his relationship, his physical health and his own sanity to find the killer of a woman found inside a notorious wych-elm. Porter's search for clues and suspects leads him from the Romani to the highest levels of British Military Intelligence.
The story tended to get bogged down in minutiae that was not truly necessary for the plot. There were occasions when I was ready to walk away but then a nugget toward the truth was dropped, just enough to keep me reading.
I got a free copy of Hollow through Bookfunnel. Thank you to the author for offering Hollow as a free download.
June 16, 2025
Barry N. Rainsford’s Hollow is a richly atmospheric and intelligently crafted historical thriller, inspired by the chilling real-life mystery of “Bella in the Wych-Elm”—an unsolved 1943 case where a woman’s remains were found in a hollow tree near Birmingham.
Set against the bleak backdrop of wartime Britain, the novel follows a methodical investigation that slowly unravels a web of secrets, suspicion, and societal decay. Rainsford’s attention to historical detail is exceptional; from archival police reports to the subtle social tensions of the era, the world feels hauntingly authentic.
The detective protagonist is nuanced and empathetic, carrying the story with quiet intensity. While the pacing is deliberate—occasionally veering into slow-burn territory—the sense of unease never truly lets up. The hollow tree becomes a powerful symbol of secrets buried and forgotten.
Fans of true crime, cold-case mysteries, and atmospheric historical fiction will find Hollow an engaging and thought-provoking read. It doesn't deliver the political urgency of Rainsford’s All The Dead Men Lie, but it more than makes up for it with eerie ambiance and psychological depth.
A compelling, slow-burning thriller that fuses real-world enigma with evocative fiction. Recommended for anyone intrigued by unsolved mysteries and the shadows of history.
Set against the bleak backdrop of wartime Britain, the novel follows a methodical investigation that slowly unravels a web of secrets, suspicion, and societal decay. Rainsford’s attention to historical detail is exceptional; from archival police reports to the subtle social tensions of the era, the world feels hauntingly authentic.
The detective protagonist is nuanced and empathetic, carrying the story with quiet intensity. While the pacing is deliberate—occasionally veering into slow-burn territory—the sense of unease never truly lets up. The hollow tree becomes a powerful symbol of secrets buried and forgotten.
Fans of true crime, cold-case mysteries, and atmospheric historical fiction will find Hollow an engaging and thought-provoking read. It doesn't deliver the political urgency of Rainsford’s All The Dead Men Lie, but it more than makes up for it with eerie ambiance and psychological depth.
A compelling, slow-burning thriller that fuses real-world enigma with evocative fiction. Recommended for anyone intrigued by unsolved mysteries and the shadows of history.
October 23, 2025
A gripping and atmospheric historical thriller that instantly pulls you into the dark heart of wartime Britain. The blend of real-life mystery and fiction gives this story an unsettling authenticity. I could almost feel the tension and fog of 1940s Birmingham. DC Alec Porter sounds like a complex, driven character, the kind of reluctant hero you root for as he uncovers layers of conspiracy and danger. The idea of tying an unsolved murder to the fate of a nation is brilliant. This one feels like it would satisfy fans of both crime fiction and historical intrigue, haunting, intelligent, and impossible to shake off.
August 8, 2025
I really enjoyed this book and found the story of Bella really interesting. It's very well written and you can tell how much research and love has gone into the book.
The story of Bella and her murder is based around a true unsolved murder and it was so interesting I really feel invested in the case now.
For me in all honesty the only reason it wasn't a five star is because of the war/ spy story which is a me problem not the book problem as I just don't enjoy as much as the horror/ crime side of things but if you enjoy war/ spy elements then this book is easily a five star.
The story of Bella and her murder is based around a true unsolved murder and it was so interesting I really feel invested in the case now.
For me in all honesty the only reason it wasn't a five star is because of the war/ spy story which is a me problem not the book problem as I just don't enjoy as much as the horror/ crime side of things but if you enjoy war/ spy elements then this book is easily a five star.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews