Broken Window

by D.Z. Hollow

Some things are not as they seem. Jason Daniels is 40 and divorced. After the death of his uncle, he is given the keys to the old family hunting cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Georgia. The rustic home is situated on immense rural acreage and offers the artist and poet a chance to leave the city of Atlanta. After twenty years of urban chaos, Jason is ready to live alone in the National Forest. After day one, things are not right in the woods. A man with an exposed jaw and severe gashes shows up wielding a rifle, ready to shoot. What happens next is a series of events, both harrowing and gut-wrenching. Jason is forced to play a game of survival, pitting himself against the Witch of Blue Ridge, the keeper of the sacred land. The game is one of life or death. Will Jason survive? Broken Window is Appalachian quiet horror with heart, sorcery, and a dash of cosmic energy.

113 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 22, 2025

About the author

D.Z. Hollow is an author and musician who lives in the Appalachian Mountains of North Georgia with his wife and a slew of rescue animals. When not writing, he enjoys watching horror movies and television shows. He also loves playing music and hiking with his wife and fellow author, Juliet.

Reviews

[Peter Topside · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very deep and very emotionally substantial. DZ Hollow took a fairly standard concept and molded it into something very meaningful. Following the heartbreaking journey of the witch and her son, Danny, with his disabilities and lifestyle choices being condemned by others. Compounded with her grief and rage was wonderful. And the culmination of Danny's earthly journey was everything that you hoped it wouldn't be, but then things had a way of working themselves out. Not in the most pleasant or optimistic lens, but the finale was heartwarming all while it split your heart into several pieces. Again, this wasn't a surface-level witch story. It makes you appreciate what you have and want to accept people for who they are. Empathy goes a long way. This was my first read from DZ Hollow, but I loved it. Well done!

[Ali O · Rating 5 out of 5]

Broken Window by D.Z. Hollow
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I loved this cosmic horror novella! This story took me on a wild ride that I truly didn’t see coming. It was thought provoking, heartfelt, intense and of course has death!
Jason Daniels is ready for a bit of a change in his life. When his uncle passes away and leaves his remote cabin to him, he is excited to spend a year out there working on his art and poetry. But as soon as he gets to the cabin, he immediately realizes things aren’t as he was expecting.
This book is an adventure and Jason gets way more than he bargained for!

Thank you to D.Z. Hollow for an arc of this fantastic story! It’s a book I didn’t want to put down!

*It’s out now and I highly recommend it!* 🪟🪟

[Bambi Ortiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This quiet horror packs a heavy punch to your gut and heart.

DZ Hollow grabs you by the heartstrings and doesn't let go until the very end making you feel like you've been abandoned.

My heart is completely shattered right now, and I don't know how I'm going to recover.

[Angel Medina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Broken Window is one crazy cosmic horror read. It starts off as grief horror as the MC, Jason, finds himself losing his relationship with his wife and sees his life falling apart. He heads to his family cabin in an attempt to rekindle his artistic side, hoping to get his life back in shape.

However, the trip proves to be anything but peaceful. He is pitted against a witch who vows to destroy him for something his family did to her. The mix between cosmic and grief horror is well done on this one. It manages to put you on a ride that will make you think long and hard. Empathy goes a long way. The ending is quite heartwarming, while at the same time enough to make you cry and think hard.

This was one heck of a story, which mixes the cosmic world with the battle of one's demons. A battle I'm all too familiar with. Loved this one!

[Bryn Grover · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great ride. Jason looks to escape a life of hell on earth and retreat to an old family cabin in the woods of the Blue Ridge Mountains. But this turns out to be anything but a peaceful retreat and chance to work on his art and poetry. It turns into a battle of survival with a witch hell bent on destroying him and making him, like others before him, pay for the crimes committed by his family against her and her son. Add in spectres, curses, the supernatural, and cosmic horror and Jason's task is daunting at best. Without a spoiler, the turn of events at the end was unexpected and well done. The question is whether or not Jason finds peace and survives his encounters with terror that plays upon the real life trauma he carries with him daily. Great read!

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this novella! It was kind of like a twisted fairy tail. I loved the woodland setting and the Blue Ridge witch character. It's a story of a mother's love and revenge. The ending was absolutely phenomenal and I almost teared up. As someone who lives in southern Appalachia, I love the setting of this story. If your looking for a quiet cosmic horror story that reads like folklore, I highly recommend Broken Window.

[Stephanie Rumbarger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first book by DZ Hollow and it deserves 10 stars! It was so good, that after I read the excerpt in the back I immediately downloaded Darktrees: Worthless Eaters. I love the way its written and it was horrifying without gore. I don't mind it but sometimes it's good to take a break from the extreme lol I highly recommend and am adding DZ to my list of favorite authors. Go read this book NOW!!

[Kati Chastain · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed Broken Window! With strong Blair Witch vibes and Appalachian quiet horror, this story blends supernatural terror, cosmic horror, and emotional depth. Jason seeks peace in his uncle’s cabin but ends up in a fight for survival against a powerful witch. Atmospheric, eerie, and heartfelt — a must-read for fans of folk horror and slow-burn suspense.

[Breanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I love me some grief horror but this... shattered me. Appalachian folklore is always fun and Broken Window is no exception! I was so attached to Charlotte and Danny's story. The ending caught me off guard and I loved every moment of it. thank youuu DZ for writing this absolutely heart wrenching and devastating horror!

[Shaina Renae · Rating 5 out of 5]

DZ Hollow never ceases to amaze me with his power to truly bring you into his world. This quiet horror novella kept me wanting more. I never paused for a moment. Witches? Roadkill? Heartbreak? A tough life lesson? Broken Window has it all. I'll be adding this to my books to reread.

[Dan Mckeithan · Rating 5 out of 5]

An emotional journey in this short tale as Jason fights against a witch in the Appalachian mountains. This piece had a folktale vibe to it and the way that D Z uses the trauma to increase the horror pays off great. Then the ending brings the whole piece together. Can't wait to read more from him.

[LADY BUGG · Rating 5 out of 5]

whoa... went into this book blindly, and it did NOT disappoint.
Deep and bone chilling!!
A game of survival that will mind fuck you until you're ready to give up.
D.Z. Hollow has done it again!

[Juliet Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great quiet Appalachian horror. This book will take you on a ride.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting characters and storyline. Loved the Appalachia setting. I enjoyed this novella!

[Jennifer Penn · Rating 4 out of 5]

twisty easy read

This was a supernatural Appalachian short story that managed to twist and address all kinds of societal
Issues in a concise story.