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The Hollow Boys
Two children lost. The wrong one found.
It's a warm evening in September when nine-year-old Danny Yates comes back from the dead. He walks into town half-starved and silent, ten months after he and his best friend Will Keefe were presumed drowned. And when Danny does finally speak, he swears that he's not Danny. He's Will.
Danny's mother is convinced that her boy has come back wrong. More than that, she thinks the town itself is now at risk from whatever dark force returned her son. Chief of Police John Deacon is more interested in how the sinister disappearance of two boys could have been written off as a tragic accident, and who was responsible. What happened to Danny to make him take on his friend's name, his personality? And does Danny's return mean there's a chance that Will is still alive?
It's a warm evening in September when nine-year-old Danny Yates comes back from the dead. He walks into town half-starved and silent, ten months after he and his best friend Will Keefe were presumed drowned. And when Danny does finally speak, he swears that he's not Danny. He's Will.
Danny's mother is convinced that her boy has come back wrong. More than that, she thinks the town itself is now at risk from whatever dark force returned her son. Chief of Police John Deacon is more interested in how the sinister disappearance of two boys could have been written off as a tragic accident, and who was responsible. What happened to Danny to make him take on his friend's name, his personality? And does Danny's return mean there's a chance that Will is still alive?
349 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 14, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
April 23, 2026
I’m going to need a minute to recover from this one. Wow. I loved The Midnight King by Tariq Ashkanani but this one takes the crown. I couldn’t put it down, it was so dark and gave me chills. The end has left me staring at a wall. So gripping, I went into it completely blind and I’m so glad, I was taken on an absolute ride. Absolutely recommend!
Thank you for my ARC.
Thank you for my ARC.
May 19, 2026
Absolutely loved it! Brilliant, fantastic story telling. Will be looking for other books by this author 🥰
May 21, 2026
4⭐️
AD-PR PRODUCT
An engaging psychological thriller that simmers with unease! 🔥
I loved the dark and atmospheric feel to this book that instantly grabs your attention and propels you to read on. I enjoyed how easy it was to turn the page and how Ashkanani makes the most of suspense to deliver this read.
With one of two missing children returning, but believing they are the other child, I instantly loved the premise of this book. Whilst there were numerous characters to get familiar with, it didn’t take me too long to remember each of them and their role either in town or the investigation itself. I liked Deacon’s character and his dedication to Aurora and to finding the other missing child. I couldn’t help but be suspicious of some of his colleagues though!
I had theories of what I thought would happen, but I did love the red herrings and twists that were scattered throughout, completely taking me on the wrong path. I thought the middle was quite drawn out at times, but found the book picked up in the last quarter where I couldn’t wait to uncover it all.
What Ashkanani creates towards the end is impeccable and I was speechless. So unexpected and written with impact, I loved the twist. This was very clever and I really enjoyed this!
Overall, this book was engaging, twisty and suspenseful, but I wanted the middle to be more pacy. That being said, this book’s ending hit hard and makes a brilliant read!
A huge thank you @viper.books for both the proof and hardback copies of The Hollow Boys which published this month! 💛
I recommend this book and I cannot wait to read The Midnight King!
💬:
-‘Belief is going through life with one hand tied behind your back.’
-‘If you’re looking for a way to blame yourself for something, you’ll usually find it. The trick, apparently, is not to look.’
⚠️ Please check out the trigger warnings! ⚠️
AD-PR PRODUCT
An engaging psychological thriller that simmers with unease! 🔥
I loved the dark and atmospheric feel to this book that instantly grabs your attention and propels you to read on. I enjoyed how easy it was to turn the page and how Ashkanani makes the most of suspense to deliver this read.
With one of two missing children returning, but believing they are the other child, I instantly loved the premise of this book. Whilst there were numerous characters to get familiar with, it didn’t take me too long to remember each of them and their role either in town or the investigation itself. I liked Deacon’s character and his dedication to Aurora and to finding the other missing child. I couldn’t help but be suspicious of some of his colleagues though!
I had theories of what I thought would happen, but I did love the red herrings and twists that were scattered throughout, completely taking me on the wrong path. I thought the middle was quite drawn out at times, but found the book picked up in the last quarter where I couldn’t wait to uncover it all.
What Ashkanani creates towards the end is impeccable and I was speechless. So unexpected and written with impact, I loved the twist. This was very clever and I really enjoyed this!
Overall, this book was engaging, twisty and suspenseful, but I wanted the middle to be more pacy. That being said, this book’s ending hit hard and makes a brilliant read!
A huge thank you @viper.books for both the proof and hardback copies of The Hollow Boys which published this month! 💛
I recommend this book and I cannot wait to read The Midnight King!
💬:
-‘Belief is going through life with one hand tied behind your back.’
-‘If you’re looking for a way to blame yourself for something, you’ll usually find it. The trick, apparently, is not to look.’
⚠️ Please check out the trigger warnings! ⚠️
May 20, 2026
Ashkanani’s previous book, The Midnight King, was one of my favourite reads of last year, so I was excited to get my hands on a proof of The Hollow Boys.
Set in the small Appalachian town of Aurora, the book opens with a bang as we find the mother of a missing child performing some sort of dark ritual. Later her son returns, walking into a football stadium mid-game after being presumed dead for 10 months, before promptly collapsing.
The child is Danny. He and his best friend Will had taken Will’s family boat out, only for the boat to be found submerged with no sign of either boy. Searching the lake produced no bodies or answers. Only now Danny is back. And he’s convinced he’s actually Will! I found this hook so intriguing.
Each family handles the situation very differently. Danny’s mum is broken and goes to intense lengths she believes will help return her son. However when he does, he’s covered in scarring. She comes across as unhinged and potentially dangerous. Whereas Will’s family unit seems more stable, but they have redecorated his room and appear to be moving on in his absence and happy to accept whatever fate befell the boys that day.
We spend a lot of time with the Aurora police department, Chief Deacon, and the FBI, as they try to uncovere where Danny has been and exactly what happened.
Another member of the cast of characters is the location itself. A few miles away from the town there is a deep seam of coal burning underground, the fires of which draw nearer every year. The descriptions make you feel the heat of the fires and the despair of the dwindling residents.
I loved the premise of The Hollow Boys. I had absolutely no idea what was happening right until the end, when it was finally spelled out for me. The book starts off dark and becomes increasingly intriguing, at one point I even wondered if it might be lighter than The Midnight King… then the ending happened. When everything is brought into the light, you realise just how dark the story has been all along! Another wonderful thriller from Ashkanani.
Thank you to Viper Books for the proof.
Set in the small Appalachian town of Aurora, the book opens with a bang as we find the mother of a missing child performing some sort of dark ritual. Later her son returns, walking into a football stadium mid-game after being presumed dead for 10 months, before promptly collapsing.
The child is Danny. He and his best friend Will had taken Will’s family boat out, only for the boat to be found submerged with no sign of either boy. Searching the lake produced no bodies or answers. Only now Danny is back. And he’s convinced he’s actually Will! I found this hook so intriguing.
Each family handles the situation very differently. Danny’s mum is broken and goes to intense lengths she believes will help return her son. However when he does, he’s covered in scarring. She comes across as unhinged and potentially dangerous. Whereas Will’s family unit seems more stable, but they have redecorated his room and appear to be moving on in his absence and happy to accept whatever fate befell the boys that day.
We spend a lot of time with the Aurora police department, Chief Deacon, and the FBI, as they try to uncovere where Danny has been and exactly what happened.
Another member of the cast of characters is the location itself. A few miles away from the town there is a deep seam of coal burning underground, the fires of which draw nearer every year. The descriptions make you feel the heat of the fires and the despair of the dwindling residents.
I loved the premise of The Hollow Boys. I had absolutely no idea what was happening right until the end, when it was finally spelled out for me. The book starts off dark and becomes increasingly intriguing, at one point I even wondered if it might be lighter than The Midnight King… then the ending happened. When everything is brought into the light, you realise just how dark the story has been all along! Another wonderful thriller from Ashkanani.
Thank you to Viper Books for the proof.
May 14, 2026
This was a highly anticipated read after loving The Midnight King.
Ashkanani has a talent for creating an atmosphere that completely draws me in. I was in this story from page one and just wanted to devour this in one sitting. He has quite a unique way of writing that I can’t explain but just absolutely works for me.
Small-town America setting, two boys went missing and one of them suddenly reappears out of nowhere. What happened? Why does he think he is the other boy? And who is responsible? The scene setting is brilliant, you can really feel the desolate town vibes and also the desperation of some of the characters. I just found this an absolutely gripping read with all the ingredients that makes crime fiction perfect for me - depth, atmosphere, intriguing plot and interesting characters. Superb - I highly recommend!
“You’ve got to be honest with yourself, because no one‘s going to make you happy if you don’t make yourself happy first.”
Ashkanani has a talent for creating an atmosphere that completely draws me in. I was in this story from page one and just wanted to devour this in one sitting. He has quite a unique way of writing that I can’t explain but just absolutely works for me.
Small-town America setting, two boys went missing and one of them suddenly reappears out of nowhere. What happened? Why does he think he is the other boy? And who is responsible? The scene setting is brilliant, you can really feel the desolate town vibes and also the desperation of some of the characters. I just found this an absolutely gripping read with all the ingredients that makes crime fiction perfect for me - depth, atmosphere, intriguing plot and interesting characters. Superb - I highly recommend!
“You’ve got to be honest with yourself, because no one‘s going to make you happy if you don’t make yourself happy first.”
May 15, 2026
Great mixture of crime and horror - very season 1 True Detective vibes and hard to put down.
May 17, 2026
The Hollow Boys is deeply unsettling. It’s not just that its central mystery involves a dead child apparently returning to life. Tariq Ashkanani has written a crime thriller that really gets under your skin, combining police procedural, Southern Gothic horror and psychological suspense into a tense and atmospheric thriller.
Set in the dying Appalachian town of Aurora, whose residents have always struggled economically, the novel opens with a strong creative hook: nine-year-old Danny Yates vanished ten months earlier alongside his best friend Will Keefe after a boating accident. Both boys were presumed drowned. Then Danny suddenly reappears — traumatised, starving and insisting he is not Danny at all, but Will.
It’s such a great set-up for a novel. Suggestions of the supernatural creep in, balanced by a rational Police and FBI investigation. Ashkanani keeps us constantly questioning what to believe. Pacing is measured in the early chapters, allowing the mystery to simmer quietly while he establishes Aurora itself as a place rotting from the inside out. Short chapters and different perspectives create the momentum, until this book becomes impossible to put down.
What elevates the novel is the richness of its characterisation. Chief of Police, John Deacon, is the emotional anchor of the story: weary, loyal, quietly compassionate and painfully aware that Aurora is collapsing around him. He belongs to that cadre of flawed but decent investigators who carry the emotional burden of their communities on their shoulders. Deacon’s relationship with the town, and with the grieving families at the centre of the case, gives the novel its moral weight. He’s not a heroic detective; Ashkanani makes him a man desperately trying to preserve order in a place giving way to despair.
Danny’s mother, Emily, is compelling, though in a very different way. Consumed by grief and increasingly drawn toward occult rituals and local superstition, she is both sympathetic and frightening. Her conviction that her son has “come back wrong” gives this book it’s real flavour of horror. The tension between Emily’s supernatural interpretation and Deacon’s procedural logic creates electricity. Meanwhile, Will Keefe’s family, outwardly more composed, reveal their own fractures and evasions as the investigation deepens. Nearly every relationship in this novel is poisoned by guilt, grief or buried secrets.
Tariq Ashkanani creates an extraordinary atmosphere. Aurora is not just a backdrop; it is an economically ruined town threatened by an underground coal seam fire steadily burning beneath the earth. It is that image of corruption smouldering beneath the surface until it eventually erupts that sees into the whole book. Ashkanani’s descriptions of abandoned businesses, diseased crops, drug addiction and oppressive heat create an environment soaked in dread.
Ashkanani understands that small-town horror works best when the real terror comes not from monsters but from damaged communities and damaged people. Aurora is decaying and economic collapse, addiction and violence create rich, fertile ground for nightmares. Indications of childhood abuse and grief blur into supernatural possibility.
The horror in The Hollow Boys remains ambiguous for much of the novel, which makes it all the more effective.
Verdict: The Hollow Boys succeeds because it understands that the most frightening thing is not whether the dead can return, but what grief and desperation can do to the living. Dark, emotionally upsetting and dripping with in menace, this is an outstanding read from a writer with real power. A five star, standout must read novel.
Set in the dying Appalachian town of Aurora, whose residents have always struggled economically, the novel opens with a strong creative hook: nine-year-old Danny Yates vanished ten months earlier alongside his best friend Will Keefe after a boating accident. Both boys were presumed drowned. Then Danny suddenly reappears — traumatised, starving and insisting he is not Danny at all, but Will.
It’s such a great set-up for a novel. Suggestions of the supernatural creep in, balanced by a rational Police and FBI investigation. Ashkanani keeps us constantly questioning what to believe. Pacing is measured in the early chapters, allowing the mystery to simmer quietly while he establishes Aurora itself as a place rotting from the inside out. Short chapters and different perspectives create the momentum, until this book becomes impossible to put down.
What elevates the novel is the richness of its characterisation. Chief of Police, John Deacon, is the emotional anchor of the story: weary, loyal, quietly compassionate and painfully aware that Aurora is collapsing around him. He belongs to that cadre of flawed but decent investigators who carry the emotional burden of their communities on their shoulders. Deacon’s relationship with the town, and with the grieving families at the centre of the case, gives the novel its moral weight. He’s not a heroic detective; Ashkanani makes him a man desperately trying to preserve order in a place giving way to despair.
Danny’s mother, Emily, is compelling, though in a very different way. Consumed by grief and increasingly drawn toward occult rituals and local superstition, she is both sympathetic and frightening. Her conviction that her son has “come back wrong” gives this book it’s real flavour of horror. The tension between Emily’s supernatural interpretation and Deacon’s procedural logic creates electricity. Meanwhile, Will Keefe’s family, outwardly more composed, reveal their own fractures and evasions as the investigation deepens. Nearly every relationship in this novel is poisoned by guilt, grief or buried secrets.
Tariq Ashkanani creates an extraordinary atmosphere. Aurora is not just a backdrop; it is an economically ruined town threatened by an underground coal seam fire steadily burning beneath the earth. It is that image of corruption smouldering beneath the surface until it eventually erupts that sees into the whole book. Ashkanani’s descriptions of abandoned businesses, diseased crops, drug addiction and oppressive heat create an environment soaked in dread.
Ashkanani understands that small-town horror works best when the real terror comes not from monsters but from damaged communities and damaged people. Aurora is decaying and economic collapse, addiction and violence create rich, fertile ground for nightmares. Indications of childhood abuse and grief blur into supernatural possibility.
The horror in The Hollow Boys remains ambiguous for much of the novel, which makes it all the more effective.
Verdict: The Hollow Boys succeeds because it understands that the most frightening thing is not whether the dead can return, but what grief and desperation can do to the living. Dark, emotionally upsetting and dripping with in menace, this is an outstanding read from a writer with real power. A five star, standout must read novel.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Yowza. To say that 'The Hollow Boys' left me reeling would be a total understatement. Even though I was able to piece together a tiny part of the much bigger picture, I wasn't at all prepared for the emotional impact that was going to pull the rug from under my feet.
Let's start at the beginning. Ten months ago, nine year old Danny and his friend Will disappeared. They were presumed drowned in the lake after issues with their boat. But now, suddenly, Danny has returned. Sadly it's obvious from the start that whatever Danny has been through has left its mark on him, if not physically then definitely psychologically. He insists his name is Will and seems unable, or could it be unwilling, to answer any questions.
Meanwhile Danny's mum, Emily, is drowning in all things hoodoo. She is convinced a ritual she performed brought her son back from the dead. However, something must have gone amiss, which is why her son came back "wrong". And now the whole town, already on shaky ground due to mine fires burning underground, is in danger from a dark force Emily seems to think she let loose. Crops are dying, something lurks in the shadows, and Emily thinks she's the only one who knows how to fix everything and put things right again.
Chief John Deacon was off work when the two boys went missing nearly a year ago. Aside from wanting to find Will, he's also wondering if the initial investigation was done properly by the chief who kept his seat warm. The Chief is one of those characters you warm to immediately. He's like a calm port in a storm. He's kind, gentle, and loyal. The town of Aurora may be dying around him, but John has no intention of leaving. This is his home and he'll do whatever is needed to protect it. By now, surely everyone knows that small towns hide lots of secrets.
I don't want to give too much away, but I will say that this is next level from Tariq Ashkanani. There's a mystery to solve, of course, but it comes with an emotional and psychological depth I wasn't quite expecting, and there is way more to the story than you might think at first glance. 'The Hollow Boys' has one of those addictive storylines that make it so hard to put down once you start reading. Just like Chief Deacon and his team, you want to find out the truth, you want to know what happened ten months ago, you want to know who's responsible, and you want to know where Will is and what happened to him. The clues are there and I think that, when faced with the developments, you might quite possibly be left reeling as much as I was.
I thought Ashkanani's previous offering, 'The Midnight King', was brilliant. I think 'The Hollow Boys' is even better. This isn't always an easy and comfortable read, and there are some slightly disturbing moments. Mostly though, this atmospheric slow-burner is tense and compelling from start to finish, with a constant sense of doom but also incredible psychological insight. I must admit that by the end my heart was broken into tiny little pieces. This is one of those stories that will stay with me for quite some time. In the meantime, Ashkanani has quickly managed to get his name onto my go-to list and 'The Hollow Boys' will definitely be one of my books of the year. Highly recommended!
Let's start at the beginning. Ten months ago, nine year old Danny and his friend Will disappeared. They were presumed drowned in the lake after issues with their boat. But now, suddenly, Danny has returned. Sadly it's obvious from the start that whatever Danny has been through has left its mark on him, if not physically then definitely psychologically. He insists his name is Will and seems unable, or could it be unwilling, to answer any questions.
Meanwhile Danny's mum, Emily, is drowning in all things hoodoo. She is convinced a ritual she performed brought her son back from the dead. However, something must have gone amiss, which is why her son came back "wrong". And now the whole town, already on shaky ground due to mine fires burning underground, is in danger from a dark force Emily seems to think she let loose. Crops are dying, something lurks in the shadows, and Emily thinks she's the only one who knows how to fix everything and put things right again.
Chief John Deacon was off work when the two boys went missing nearly a year ago. Aside from wanting to find Will, he's also wondering if the initial investigation was done properly by the chief who kept his seat warm. The Chief is one of those characters you warm to immediately. He's like a calm port in a storm. He's kind, gentle, and loyal. The town of Aurora may be dying around him, but John has no intention of leaving. This is his home and he'll do whatever is needed to protect it. By now, surely everyone knows that small towns hide lots of secrets.
I don't want to give too much away, but I will say that this is next level from Tariq Ashkanani. There's a mystery to solve, of course, but it comes with an emotional and psychological depth I wasn't quite expecting, and there is way more to the story than you might think at first glance. 'The Hollow Boys' has one of those addictive storylines that make it so hard to put down once you start reading. Just like Chief Deacon and his team, you want to find out the truth, you want to know what happened ten months ago, you want to know who's responsible, and you want to know where Will is and what happened to him. The clues are there and I think that, when faced with the developments, you might quite possibly be left reeling as much as I was.
I thought Ashkanani's previous offering, 'The Midnight King', was brilliant. I think 'The Hollow Boys' is even better. This isn't always an easy and comfortable read, and there are some slightly disturbing moments. Mostly though, this atmospheric slow-burner is tense and compelling from start to finish, with a constant sense of doom but also incredible psychological insight. I must admit that by the end my heart was broken into tiny little pieces. This is one of those stories that will stay with me for quite some time. In the meantime, Ashkanani has quickly managed to get his name onto my go-to list and 'The Hollow Boys' will definitely be one of my books of the year. Highly recommended!
April 12, 2026
If you are looking for a life affirming, uplifting read then this is definitely not it. Dark, brooding and full of tension, this book hits hard from the very beginning and doesn't let up. A story of family, loss and a town slowly tending towards decline, this book showcases Tariq Ashkanani's talent for creating communities of authentic characters, not always likeable or trustworthy ones, but ones whose fates I become utterly invested in. This is absolutely the case with one half of the titular Hollow Boys, Danny, and Chief of Police John Deacon, the man charged with finding out what happened to him during the ten months of his absence.
Now when I say dark, I mean it. The book opens with Danny's mother right on the brink, willing to make the ultimate sacrifice in the hope that it brings about the return of her beloved son, Danny. Now, this is a person whose reliance on superstition and almost voodoo style trickery, combined with her desperation makes for a potent mix, one that really screams from the page. It is a mass of melancholy, a feeling that feeds through the town, and the story, like a particularly virulent infection, underpinned by the sense of impending doom tied to the coal fire deep beneath the earth.
I like how Tariq Ashkanani has used this geological feature to add a literal as well as metaphorical heat to an already tense and atmospheric story. It's the kind of fact that just feeds the conflict between the characters, and the unsettling nature of everything we witness. And there is a lot to get our heads around here, from the character's various backstories, the tension between the current, and temporary Police Chief's over the efficacy of the investigation into the boys disappearances, and the suspicion that grows around certain characters as Deacon and his team try to uncover the truth abut where Danny has been. There is a liberal use of misdirection, secrets slowly revealed that cast doubts on almost anyone and everyone who is key to the story, so much so that when the truth is finally revealed, it really does come as a surprise. And yet, it also feels true to the story. Like it has been the only possible answer all along.
There is a bit of a Stephen King-esque vibe to elements of this story, and it is something that worked really well for me, keeping utterly griped and on edge. The characters really worked for me too. The relationship between Deacon and his wife, Patty, is beautifully observed, their shared pain portrayed care and their gentle displays of love offering a few moments of light in the dark times. Then there is Kasey Warrington, relatively young and perhaps a touch green, there is something about him and his dedication to his job, as well as desire to escape the boundaries of Aurora that just appeals. The wider cast of characters, the FBI Agents, other police officers, even the parents and siblings of the other missing boy, Will, all add dimensions to the story that drew me in further, and the author once again shows that knack of manipulating emotions, and using any connections we build to make all that comes to pass land that little but harder.
And it does hit hard. The tragic inevitability of the story may be spelled out from very early on, but it is delivered in a beautiful style that captivates attention from beginning to end. Perhaps not quite as dark as last year's The MIdnight King, but certainly, for me, that kind of classic noir feeling that showcases all the reasons he won the McIlvanney Prize in 2025, and that puts him in the same kind of branch of American Noir as perhaps John Hart or Jordan Harper. Definitely recommended.
Now when I say dark, I mean it. The book opens with Danny's mother right on the brink, willing to make the ultimate sacrifice in the hope that it brings about the return of her beloved son, Danny. Now, this is a person whose reliance on superstition and almost voodoo style trickery, combined with her desperation makes for a potent mix, one that really screams from the page. It is a mass of melancholy, a feeling that feeds through the town, and the story, like a particularly virulent infection, underpinned by the sense of impending doom tied to the coal fire deep beneath the earth.
I like how Tariq Ashkanani has used this geological feature to add a literal as well as metaphorical heat to an already tense and atmospheric story. It's the kind of fact that just feeds the conflict between the characters, and the unsettling nature of everything we witness. And there is a lot to get our heads around here, from the character's various backstories, the tension between the current, and temporary Police Chief's over the efficacy of the investigation into the boys disappearances, and the suspicion that grows around certain characters as Deacon and his team try to uncover the truth abut where Danny has been. There is a liberal use of misdirection, secrets slowly revealed that cast doubts on almost anyone and everyone who is key to the story, so much so that when the truth is finally revealed, it really does come as a surprise. And yet, it also feels true to the story. Like it has been the only possible answer all along.
There is a bit of a Stephen King-esque vibe to elements of this story, and it is something that worked really well for me, keeping utterly griped and on edge. The characters really worked for me too. The relationship between Deacon and his wife, Patty, is beautifully observed, their shared pain portrayed care and their gentle displays of love offering a few moments of light in the dark times. Then there is Kasey Warrington, relatively young and perhaps a touch green, there is something about him and his dedication to his job, as well as desire to escape the boundaries of Aurora that just appeals. The wider cast of characters, the FBI Agents, other police officers, even the parents and siblings of the other missing boy, Will, all add dimensions to the story that drew me in further, and the author once again shows that knack of manipulating emotions, and using any connections we build to make all that comes to pass land that little but harder.
And it does hit hard. The tragic inevitability of the story may be spelled out from very early on, but it is delivered in a beautiful style that captivates attention from beginning to end. Perhaps not quite as dark as last year's The MIdnight King, but certainly, for me, that kind of classic noir feeling that showcases all the reasons he won the McIlvanney Prize in 2025, and that puts him in the same kind of branch of American Noir as perhaps John Hart or Jordan Harper. Definitely recommended.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to NetGalley and Viper for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I read my first Tariq book in 2025 with The Midnight King, which was fantastic, if not altogether palatable, and he instantly became an authors I wanted to read and so was thrilled with this early copy.
I read it in one day and had written no notes whilst reading it for this review because I was so engrossed that I couldn't tear myself away.
There is a lot going on. I don't mean that in a negative way at all, but just be warned you need your wits about you.
Whilst I didn't find it as horrific as parts of The Midnight King were, this still involves children in strange and frightening situations so it still has that element.
I was trying to work out what happened but of course I failed. It's not a traditional whodunnit as such, but there is a conclusion to draw but I failed miserably at that, which I normally do to be honest.
I wish I'd taken a bit longer to read it so I could stay with it for a bit longer, but at the same time I had to know what happened so I zoomed through it.
I read hundreds of thrillers, they're probably my most read genre, and whilst I love most of them, there can be the tendency to focus on the "event" and less on the actual storytelling and characters. Whereas this had it all. The actual crime and investigation part was great, but he's also got that fantastic storytelling ability and use of words to create atmosphere. And the characters...there's a lot of all ages and backgrounds and professions, and whilst they're not all likeable, they all have their light and dark parts, some morally grey, they are all believable. They all work well in the main story but they also have their own stories going on. There isn't a dud amongst them which is impressive in a cast this big.
I really need to check out his earlier books because he's already a go-to author for thrillers.
I read my first Tariq book in 2025 with The Midnight King, which was fantastic, if not altogether palatable, and he instantly became an authors I wanted to read and so was thrilled with this early copy.
I read it in one day and had written no notes whilst reading it for this review because I was so engrossed that I couldn't tear myself away.
There is a lot going on. I don't mean that in a negative way at all, but just be warned you need your wits about you.
Whilst I didn't find it as horrific as parts of The Midnight King were, this still involves children in strange and frightening situations so it still has that element.
I was trying to work out what happened but of course I failed. It's not a traditional whodunnit as such, but there is a conclusion to draw but I failed miserably at that, which I normally do to be honest.
I wish I'd taken a bit longer to read it so I could stay with it for a bit longer, but at the same time I had to know what happened so I zoomed through it.
I read hundreds of thrillers, they're probably my most read genre, and whilst I love most of them, there can be the tendency to focus on the "event" and less on the actual storytelling and characters. Whereas this had it all. The actual crime and investigation part was great, but he's also got that fantastic storytelling ability and use of words to create atmosphere. And the characters...there's a lot of all ages and backgrounds and professions, and whilst they're not all likeable, they all have their light and dark parts, some morally grey, they are all believable. They all work well in the main story but they also have their own stories going on. There isn't a dud amongst them which is impressive in a cast this big.
I really need to check out his earlier books because he's already a go-to author for thrillers.
May 20, 2026
Scottish crime author Tariq Ashkanani loves to deliver dark, twisted crime thrillers. His last book, which won the McIlvenny Prize for Sottish Crime Book of the Year, The Midnight King, involved a serial killer and a intergenerational trauma. His new novel The Hollow Boys, once again set in a small American town, also takes readers into some dark places.
The Hollow Boys opens on a blood ritual being done by Emily Yates, a grieving mother to bring her son back before she attempts to commit suicide (but fails thanks to her sister). Her son Danny and his friend Will disappeared nine months after what seemed to be a boating accident. Bizarrely on the same night her son does return, severely malnourished, but claiming to be Will. John Deacon, the local police chief, is on the cusp of returning to duty after dealing with cancer and is drawn into the case. Given it is possible the two boys were kidnapped and Will may still be out there he calls in the FBI, much to the chagrin of the acting police chief and his boss who both have political ambitions. Together with the FBI, Deacon starts to unravel the case, finding it gets darker and more complicated as he goes.
Readers should be aware that The Hollow Boys touches on some of the common confronting issues of these types of books – small town attitudes, police corruption, suicide, politics and child abuse. But Ashkanani weaves these themes into an engaging and believable mystery. And he plays fair - providing enough clues that some readers will be ahead of Deacon in working out what is actually going on. Although even then he still manages to throw in some twisty curve balls. Overall, though this is a darkly compelling crime thriller that once picked up will be hard to put down.
The Hollow Boys opens on a blood ritual being done by Emily Yates, a grieving mother to bring her son back before she attempts to commit suicide (but fails thanks to her sister). Her son Danny and his friend Will disappeared nine months after what seemed to be a boating accident. Bizarrely on the same night her son does return, severely malnourished, but claiming to be Will. John Deacon, the local police chief, is on the cusp of returning to duty after dealing with cancer and is drawn into the case. Given it is possible the two boys were kidnapped and Will may still be out there he calls in the FBI, much to the chagrin of the acting police chief and his boss who both have political ambitions. Together with the FBI, Deacon starts to unravel the case, finding it gets darker and more complicated as he goes.
Readers should be aware that The Hollow Boys touches on some of the common confronting issues of these types of books – small town attitudes, police corruption, suicide, politics and child abuse. But Ashkanani weaves these themes into an engaging and believable mystery. And he plays fair - providing enough clues that some readers will be ahead of Deacon in working out what is actually going on. Although even then he still manages to throw in some twisty curve balls. Overall, though this is a darkly compelling crime thriller that once picked up will be hard to put down.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Tariq Ashkanani’s The Hollow Boys is a haunting, atmospheric read that lingers long after the final page. Having thoroughly enjoyed The Midnight King, I was curious how this novel could match its impact but it not only lives up to expectations, it surpasses them.
This is a darker, more unsettling story, one that slowly gets under your skin.
Tariq builds tension with confidence, weaving in a supernatural undertone that feels original and eerie. The idea that unseen forces may be influencing events adds an extra layer of intrigue, lifting the narrative above a standard mystery and giving it a chilling edge.
The characters are one of the book’s greatest strengths. Even those I found difficult or unlikeable were convincing in their own ways, each leaving a lasting impression. Chief of Police John Deacon stands out as a particularly strong figure a man driven by genuine care for his community in Aurora, a town already burdened by the presence of underground fires burning nearby. Kasey is another memorable character, and I found myself hoping both might return in future stories.
The central mystery the disappearance of the boys is handled with a steady, well paced progression that keeps you totally hooked.Each disclosure draws you deeper, maintaining a sense of unease throughout. By the time you reach the ending, the story delivers a conclusion that is both dark and heartbreaking, perfectly in keeping with the tone of the novel.
The Hollow Boys is an outstanding and powerful read tense, immersive, and unforgettable. It’s a book that demands to be read.
This is a darker, more unsettling story, one that slowly gets under your skin.
Tariq builds tension with confidence, weaving in a supernatural undertone that feels original and eerie. The idea that unseen forces may be influencing events adds an extra layer of intrigue, lifting the narrative above a standard mystery and giving it a chilling edge.
The characters are one of the book’s greatest strengths. Even those I found difficult or unlikeable were convincing in their own ways, each leaving a lasting impression. Chief of Police John Deacon stands out as a particularly strong figure a man driven by genuine care for his community in Aurora, a town already burdened by the presence of underground fires burning nearby. Kasey is another memorable character, and I found myself hoping both might return in future stories.
The central mystery the disappearance of the boys is handled with a steady, well paced progression that keeps you totally hooked.Each disclosure draws you deeper, maintaining a sense of unease throughout. By the time you reach the ending, the story delivers a conclusion that is both dark and heartbreaking, perfectly in keeping with the tone of the novel.
The Hollow Boys is an outstanding and powerful read tense, immersive, and unforgettable. It’s a book that demands to be read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Ten months after two young boys went missing, suspected to have drowned in an ice-cold lake, one of them returns home. However, he claims he's not the person everyone knows him to be.
From the opening chapter of The Hollow Boys by Tariq Ashkanani you get an ominous feeling. You are never quite sure if this is a tale of evil perpetrated by an individual or something supernatural. There is something that seems to lurk at the periphery of the narrative, keeping you wondering and on edge as you read.
Set in a small, rundown town in America, already dealing with the downturn in industrialisation and facing devastation in the next decade as an underground coal seam burns out of control. Into this mix comes Emily Yates, a grieving mother, whose son, Danny, and his best friend, Will, died in a lake ten months earlier. The bodies of the nine-year-old boys have never been found, adding to the lack of closure for everyone concerned. Emily's mental state is fragile, frequently exploited by a local practitioner of Hoodoo. Believing that she can bring back her son, Emily performs a ritual, one which is incomplete. Suddenly, Danny stumbles into town, but Emily is warned, "There is a reckoning coming," ........ "a blood debt that needs settling."
This sinister warning, and the mysterious events which follow, keep you on edge. The author has managed to tread a fine line between reality and the supernatural. I was never quite sure which way the story would turn. There were instances, particularly late at night, where I was reluctant to read on (but I did anyway, as I was desperate to know the truth).
Desperately trying to figure out what happened to Danny is Chief of Police John Deacon. Deacon is a sympathetic character; open-minded, determined, empathetic, and someone who believes in the community he works tirelessly for. Supporting Deacon are some great characters; I particularly liked Kasey. You can feel the apprehension of the local police when two FBI agents arrive, but they prove to be supportive; their only interest is to uncover what happened ten months ago and find the boy who is still missing.
As for whether there is a supernatural element to the disappearance of the boys, you'll just have to read the book yourself and find out. The conclusion is tense and heartbreaking. The open-ended nature of the fate of one character in particular leaves the end of the book on an equally menacing note to its opening.
If you enjoyed my review please check out my book blog, Reading For Leisure
https://readingforleisure.blogspot.com/
or follow me on:-
Twitter; @Debbie_Hart_UK
Instagram; @reading_for_leisure_blog
From the opening chapter of The Hollow Boys by Tariq Ashkanani you get an ominous feeling. You are never quite sure if this is a tale of evil perpetrated by an individual or something supernatural. There is something that seems to lurk at the periphery of the narrative, keeping you wondering and on edge as you read.
Set in a small, rundown town in America, already dealing with the downturn in industrialisation and facing devastation in the next decade as an underground coal seam burns out of control. Into this mix comes Emily Yates, a grieving mother, whose son, Danny, and his best friend, Will, died in a lake ten months earlier. The bodies of the nine-year-old boys have never been found, adding to the lack of closure for everyone concerned. Emily's mental state is fragile, frequently exploited by a local practitioner of Hoodoo. Believing that she can bring back her son, Emily performs a ritual, one which is incomplete. Suddenly, Danny stumbles into town, but Emily is warned, "There is a reckoning coming," ........ "a blood debt that needs settling."
This sinister warning, and the mysterious events which follow, keep you on edge. The author has managed to tread a fine line between reality and the supernatural. I was never quite sure which way the story would turn. There were instances, particularly late at night, where I was reluctant to read on (but I did anyway, as I was desperate to know the truth).
Desperately trying to figure out what happened to Danny is Chief of Police John Deacon. Deacon is a sympathetic character; open-minded, determined, empathetic, and someone who believes in the community he works tirelessly for. Supporting Deacon are some great characters; I particularly liked Kasey. You can feel the apprehension of the local police when two FBI agents arrive, but they prove to be supportive; their only interest is to uncover what happened ten months ago and find the boy who is still missing.
As for whether there is a supernatural element to the disappearance of the boys, you'll just have to read the book yourself and find out. The conclusion is tense and heartbreaking. The open-ended nature of the fate of one character in particular leaves the end of the book on an equally menacing note to its opening.
If you enjoyed my review please check out my book blog, Reading For Leisure
https://readingforleisure.blogspot.com/
or follow me on:-
Twitter; @Debbie_Hart_UK
Instagram; @reading_for_leisure_blog
April 19, 2026
The Hollow Boys leans confidently into its supernatural elements, and that’s where it really comes into its own. There’s a creeping sense throughout that you’re not dealing with something fully explainable, and that ambiguity is handled well rather than overexplained.
The atmosphere is easily the standout—moody, tense, and just the right side of unsettling. It builds that feeling that something is watching from just out of frame, without ever feeling like it’s trying too hard to be scary. I liked that restraint; it makes the supernatural elements land with more impact when they do surface.
The pacing kept me engaged, with enough reveals and shifts to keep things moving without losing that slow-burn tension. A few moments genuinely caught me off guard in a good way, especially where the supernatural side starts to really assert itself.
The ending is satisfying overall, though I did want a slightly sharper edge to it after the build-up. It ties things together neatly, maybe a little too neatly for my taste.
Overall, this is a strong, atmospheric read with a well-handled supernatural thread that elevates the story. It’s gripping, eerie, and just unpredictable enough to keep you turning pages.
Thanks to the publisher for the free review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
The atmosphere is easily the standout—moody, tense, and just the right side of unsettling. It builds that feeling that something is watching from just out of frame, without ever feeling like it’s trying too hard to be scary. I liked that restraint; it makes the supernatural elements land with more impact when they do surface.
The pacing kept me engaged, with enough reveals and shifts to keep things moving without losing that slow-burn tension. A few moments genuinely caught me off guard in a good way, especially where the supernatural side starts to really assert itself.
The ending is satisfying overall, though I did want a slightly sharper edge to it after the build-up. It ties things together neatly, maybe a little too neatly for my taste.
Overall, this is a strong, atmospheric read with a well-handled supernatural thread that elevates the story. It’s gripping, eerie, and just unpredictable enough to keep you turning pages.
Thanks to the publisher for the free review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
May 14, 2026
Tariq Ashkanani has done it again with The Hollow Boys — a gripping, atmospheric thriller that completely pulled me in from the very first page. The premise alone was enough to hook me: two missing boys disappear, but when one finally returns, he claims to be the other boy. It’s such an unsettling and intriguing setup, and Ashkanani executes it brilliantly.
One of my favourite aspects of the novel was the town of Aurora itself. The setting felt so eerie and oppressive, almost like the town was its own character. There were constant hints of mysterious happenings surrounding the citizens and the area, creating this lingering sense of dread where you genuinely question why anyone would choose to live there. At times it felt like there were a lot of different elements at play within the plot, but it all added to the unsettling atmosphere and mystery.
Chief John Deacon was also a standout character for me. His dynamic with both his wife and his team felt authentic and well developed. He came across as a genuinely wise and empathetic man with a strong work ethic, making him someone you really wanted to root for throughout the investigation.
The short chapters worked perfectly for the pacing, constantly propelling the story forward and keeping the tension high in all the right places. And the twists? Absolutely gripping and very well executed — the kind that make you want to keep reading “just one more chapter.”
Having also loved The Midnight King, this has firmly cemented Tariq Ashkanani as one of my auto-buy authors. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can’t wait to dive into more of his backlist. A solid 5 stars from me.
One of my favourite aspects of the novel was the town of Aurora itself. The setting felt so eerie and oppressive, almost like the town was its own character. There were constant hints of mysterious happenings surrounding the citizens and the area, creating this lingering sense of dread where you genuinely question why anyone would choose to live there. At times it felt like there were a lot of different elements at play within the plot, but it all added to the unsettling atmosphere and mystery.
Chief John Deacon was also a standout character for me. His dynamic with both his wife and his team felt authentic and well developed. He came across as a genuinely wise and empathetic man with a strong work ethic, making him someone you really wanted to root for throughout the investigation.
The short chapters worked perfectly for the pacing, constantly propelling the story forward and keeping the tension high in all the right places. And the twists? Absolutely gripping and very well executed — the kind that make you want to keep reading “just one more chapter.”
Having also loved The Midnight King, this has firmly cemented Tariq Ashkanani as one of my auto-buy authors. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can’t wait to dive into more of his backlist. A solid 5 stars from me.
May 17, 2026
What a brilliant book. The town of Aurora is slowly dying as, only a few miles away, a huge underground seam of coal is on fire and getting closer by the day. Police Chief John Deacon is returning to duty after a year long absence recovering from cancer. There is something about small town America thrillers that heightens the tension and this book certainly does that.
Briefly, the weekend before Deacon returns he attends a match at the local stadium but in the middle of the game, Danny Yates, a missing 9 year old boy turns up. He is one of two boys who were thought to have drowned in the nearby lake 10 months earlier. Good news you would think except that Danny claims he is Will Keefe the other boy who went missing. As Deacon tries to unravel why Danny is claiming he is Will, and if Will is still alive, there still remains the mystery of where they have been for nearly a year.
Dark and atmospheric this is a proper edge of the seat read. There are suggestions of a paranormal element in the disappearances, adding to the unsettling mystery, and clever twists and turns to keep you guessing right until the reveal. It’s clear the small town is hiding some big secrets and the ending was both shocking and emotional. Fantastic read.
Briefly, the weekend before Deacon returns he attends a match at the local stadium but in the middle of the game, Danny Yates, a missing 9 year old boy turns up. He is one of two boys who were thought to have drowned in the nearby lake 10 months earlier. Good news you would think except that Danny claims he is Will Keefe the other boy who went missing. As Deacon tries to unravel why Danny is claiming he is Will, and if Will is still alive, there still remains the mystery of where they have been for nearly a year.
Dark and atmospheric this is a proper edge of the seat read. There are suggestions of a paranormal element in the disappearances, adding to the unsettling mystery, and clever twists and turns to keep you guessing right until the reveal. It’s clear the small town is hiding some big secrets and the ending was both shocking and emotional. Fantastic read.
April 9, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC of The Hollow Boys.
This is one of those books where the setting really sticks with you. The whole town feels worn down and unsettled, with that underground fire burning away in the background, and it gives the story a constant edge.
The premise is really unsettling from the beginning,
a boy who was thought to be dead turns up again, but insists he’s actually someone else. From that point on, nothing quite feels right, and the story leans into that sense of uncertainty rather than giving you easy answers.
I liked the different perspectives, especially the mother’s growing feeling that something is off compared to the more rational approach from the police. It keeps things grounded while still allowing that slightly eerie tone to come through.
It is quite a slow burn, and I did find myself wanting it to pick up a bit in places, but the atmosphere carries it. It’s more quietly unsettling than dramatic, which works well for this kind of story.
Overall, a strong, atmospheric read that feels really different - a great four star read.
This is one of those books where the setting really sticks with you. The whole town feels worn down and unsettled, with that underground fire burning away in the background, and it gives the story a constant edge.
The premise is really unsettling from the beginning,
a boy who was thought to be dead turns up again, but insists he’s actually someone else. From that point on, nothing quite feels right, and the story leans into that sense of uncertainty rather than giving you easy answers.
I liked the different perspectives, especially the mother’s growing feeling that something is off compared to the more rational approach from the police. It keeps things grounded while still allowing that slightly eerie tone to come through.
It is quite a slow burn, and I did find myself wanting it to pick up a bit in places, but the atmosphere carries it. It’s more quietly unsettling than dramatic, which works well for this kind of story.
Overall, a strong, atmospheric read that feels really different - a great four star read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’m a big fan of Tariq’s books and had high expectations going into The Hollow Boys. This book delivered everything I wanted it to from reading the blurb. It was creepy and had tension in spades. I had to look up if there was actually a place in America that had a coal fire burning beneath it and as I couldn’t believe that such a place actually exists. It gave the book so much atmosphere and gave the characters so much personality as it takes a certain type of someone to continue living in such a place. I was desperate to find out what had happened to the two boys who disappeared and absolutely flew through the book. I think Tariq creates such unique books and I really enjoy his writing style. Tariq’s books are dark and not for the faint hearted. There are many disturbing moments in this one and your heart will be ripped out and torn up on more than one occasion. If you love a dark psychological thriller with plenty of creepy atmosphere and tension then add The Hollow Boys to your TBR immediately.
May 17, 2026
Chief John Deakin is enjoying one last quiet weekend, before his enforced sickness leave ends on Monday morning; a year is a long time to be away. During that time, two local boys, Danny and Will, disappeared without a trace, presumed drowned. Until Danny mysteriously reappears alone, in a terrible condition, but alive. This is when our chilling story really begins.
The characters are really well explored, they feel real and believable, the desperation in some feels palpable. The insular small town setting adds a layer of claustrophobia, bringing added tension and pressure. There is a foreboding sense of dark forces quietly working in the community, bubbling below the surface.
If you are looking for a ‘happy ever after’ read, which will leave you feeling upbeat, do not read this book. If you are looking for a dark atmospheric thriller, dripping with tension and unease, then this is the book for you. It makes unsettling bedtime reading.
The characters are really well explored, they feel real and believable, the desperation in some feels palpable. The insular small town setting adds a layer of claustrophobia, bringing added tension and pressure. There is a foreboding sense of dark forces quietly working in the community, bubbling below the surface.
If you are looking for a ‘happy ever after’ read, which will leave you feeling upbeat, do not read this book. If you are looking for a dark atmospheric thriller, dripping with tension and unease, then this is the book for you. It makes unsettling bedtime reading.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I didn't read the blurb before picking this up.
The authors previous book impressed me so much, I knew this was a must read.
It also turned into a one sit read.
It has a creepy, eerie vibe running through the whole thing.
Not just the talk of hoodoo and people coming back from the dead, but the location.
The town slowly dying, and the despair as poverty and drugs take hold.
The heart of the story though is Danny, who's come back from the dead after ten months, seemingly as his friend Will, who is still missing.
There's enough subtle clues in here to not be fully shocked by the reveal, but not so many I didn't get the odd surprise.
A cracking cast of characters, some of whom I became very fond of, and some I'd happily never see again.
This cements Ashkanani as an auto but author for me.
Look forward to whatever he has to offer next.
The authors previous book impressed me so much, I knew this was a must read.
It also turned into a one sit read.
It has a creepy, eerie vibe running through the whole thing.
Not just the talk of hoodoo and people coming back from the dead, but the location.
The town slowly dying, and the despair as poverty and drugs take hold.
The heart of the story though is Danny, who's come back from the dead after ten months, seemingly as his friend Will, who is still missing.
There's enough subtle clues in here to not be fully shocked by the reveal, but not so many I didn't get the odd surprise.
A cracking cast of characters, some of whom I became very fond of, and some I'd happily never see again.
This cements Ashkanani as an auto but author for me.
Look forward to whatever he has to offer next.
May 14, 2026
Well I was fully expecting this one to have a higher rating!
From the very start this book manages to draw you in, when Danny a 9 year old returns after being missing and assumed dead for 10 months shows up outside a stadium the story just takes off from there!
I really enjoyed the first 85/90% but the last part really let it down (it’s also one my most hated twists in books so that’s playing a big of a factor in this) I obviously for spoiler reasons won’t say what it is.
I will say something that happens in this is truly heartbreaking that definitely pulled on my black heart!
but I know many will enjoy this book as it is a good book! I guess it just comes down to what you like/dislike in books!!
So although it’s not my favourite thriller I’d still recommend it!! The chapters are short and the story is gripping!
From the very start this book manages to draw you in, when Danny a 9 year old returns after being missing and assumed dead for 10 months shows up outside a stadium the story just takes off from there!
I really enjoyed the first 85/90% but the last part really let it down (it’s also one my most hated twists in books so that’s playing a big of a factor in this) I obviously for spoiler reasons won’t say what it is.
I will say something that happens in this is truly heartbreaking that definitely pulled on my black heart!
but I know many will enjoy this book as it is a good book! I guess it just comes down to what you like/dislike in books!!
So although it’s not my favourite thriller I’d still recommend it!! The chapters are short and the story is gripping!
May 22, 2026
The Hollow Boys was a 6star read for me. I actually found myself slowing down while reading because I wanted to savour every chapter. The atmosphere was incredibly immersive, and the tension built so perfectly that I never wanted to rush through it.
Ashkanani handled the misdirection brilliantly, every reveal added more depth to the mystery instead of feeling like shock for the sake of it. The whodunnit element was expertly done, constantly making me question everyone and second guess my theories. Just when I thought I had it figured out, the story shifted in a way that felt clever and satisfying rather than forced.
What really stood out was how layered the story felt beneath the suspense. It’s dark, emotional, and deeply unsettling at times, but that emotional weight made the mystery even more compelling. A genuinely gripping thriller that stayed with me long after I finished it.
Ashkanani handled the misdirection brilliantly, every reveal added more depth to the mystery instead of feeling like shock for the sake of it. The whodunnit element was expertly done, constantly making me question everyone and second guess my theories. Just when I thought I had it figured out, the story shifted in a way that felt clever and satisfying rather than forced.
What really stood out was how layered the story felt beneath the suspense. It’s dark, emotional, and deeply unsettling at times, but that emotional weight made the mystery even more compelling. A genuinely gripping thriller that stayed with me long after I finished it.
May 25, 2026
I absolutely loved the author’s previous novel The Midnight King and The Hollow Boys is another gripping thriller set in small town American. 10 months ago two 9 year old boys, Will and Danny went missing from the small town of Aurora. When Danny returns the local chief of police John Deacon leads the hunt to find Will and finally discover the truth about what happened to the boys.
This was such a compelling and atmospheric read that completely drew me into the small American town, that like many others has collapsed economically. The characterisation stood out for me and the author writes convincingly and with real empathy for the characters. I loved the character of Deacon, who really cares about the boys and the town. A well written and excellently plotted thriller that I was completely absorbed in over the course of 24 hours. Highly recommended. 4.5 stars.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.
This was such a compelling and atmospheric read that completely drew me into the small American town, that like many others has collapsed economically. The characterisation stood out for me and the author writes convincingly and with real empathy for the characters. I loved the character of Deacon, who really cares about the boys and the town. A well written and excellently plotted thriller that I was completely absorbed in over the course of 24 hours. Highly recommended. 4.5 stars.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
10 months ago in Aurora, Pennsylvania, two nine year old boys went missing. The last sighting of the boys was in a boat on the local lake and it was presumed that Danny Yates and Will Keefe had drowned. Now, on a Friday evening, Danny has appeared near the football stadium. Danny is weak and emaciated and when he is able to speak to police and doctors he insists he's not Danny but actually Will.
This was a fantastic read. As the story develops you are kept guessing as to whether Danny is actually Danny or Will as he claims; and as to the circumstances of their disappearance.
Thanks to Netgalley UK, Serpent's Tail/Viper/Profile books and Tariq Ashkanani for the eARC of this book in return for an honest review.
This was a fantastic read. As the story develops you are kept guessing as to whether Danny is actually Danny or Will as he claims; and as to the circumstances of their disappearance.
Thanks to Netgalley UK, Serpent's Tail/Viper/Profile books and Tariq Ashkanani for the eARC of this book in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
One of the most atmospheric and intriguing books I've read for a while. The town of Aurora is struggling, with fires burning underground a few miles away. Suddenly a child who went missing with his best friend mysteriously reappears, emaciated and weak, at a stadium. Even more mysteriously, he claims to be the other child. His real mother is dabbling in black magic and believes she is responsible for the way he's changed. Meanwhile the two police chiefs have a simmering rivalry and one of them is suspicious of the investigation carried out by his colleague into the original disappearance. Multi nuanced and highly sophisticated, this is another excellent book by an author to watch. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance digital copy.
May 12, 2026
The story grabs you from the beginning when a missing boy - one of two - suddenly turns up purporting to be the other boy although everyone knows he is not. So why claim to be? This all happens on the chief of police's first night back after illness who then has to defend the original case when the boys were presumed to have drowned. There are layers upon layers to the book with plenty of fascinating characters and what it did make me do was to investigate further into deep mine coal fires worldwide - now that is a very scary read !! Dark and broody with for me an unexpected twist at the end.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC to review
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC to review
April 15, 2026
This was the second thriller I read from this author. I also read the Midnight King. This one was a totally different thriller. But nonetheless a good one. A story about two missing children. One of them returns, but different.
The question is what happened to the two boys and who or what is responsible... a beautiful fast-paced thriller. Easy to read and well build characters. I readnthe book in two days. Such a good one and lots of things happening which mak s signature you turn the pages.
Really loved reading this one!
The question is what happened to the two boys and who or what is responsible... a beautiful fast-paced thriller. Easy to read and well build characters. I readnthe book in two days. Such a good one and lots of things happening which mak s signature you turn the pages.
Really loved reading this one!
May 23, 2026
Couldn't put it down. Easy 5🌟
Finished the last page and just sat there. Speechless. 🤯📚
This one starts dark and gets darker & in the best way. The first half pulls you in slowly, the second half doesn't let you breathe. Every other page I was genuinely shocked.
The ending is something else. When it all finally clicks into place you realize just how unsettling it's been the whole time. Not a cheap twist — just properly, deeply dark.
Finished the last page and just sat there. Speechless. 🤯📚
This one starts dark and gets darker & in the best way. The first half pulls you in slowly, the second half doesn't let you breathe. Every other page I was genuinely shocked.
The ending is something else. When it all finally clicks into place you realize just how unsettling it's been the whole time. Not a cheap twist — just properly, deeply dark.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
After the success of The Midnight King I was really looking forward to this and although I it was a hard novel to beat , I think The Hollow Boys is even slicker, punchier, and gripping, because I read it all in less than twenty-four hours! This book is absolutely sensational, and I'm sure it's going to be another hit.
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