Hollow Bones

by Jodi Picoult

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of By Any Other Name comes a riveting novel about the risks we take to protect the ones we love in a world where crisis is always just around the corner.

On September 11, 2001, when Molly Fitzgerald was only two months old, her mother went to an appointment at the World Trade Center and never came home. Her father and the stepmother who raised her couldn’t have loved her more, but she still grew up with a healthy dread of disasters.

Now an adult, she runs the Rhode Island Department for Emergency Preparedness, mapping out ways to save lives during storms, epidemics, and airplane crashes. She and her husband, Jesse—a police polygraph expert with his own history of crisis—have found a love that is a solace in a dangerous world. But then the unexpected upends their new marriage, leading them both to question everything they thought they knew.

Moving between past and present, Hollow Bones is an epic story of the lies we tell ourselves as we write the narratives of our lives, the plans we design to protect ourselves at the worst moments, and the ties that bind mothers and daughters.

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Historical Fiction, Adult Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Adult, Mystery

Kindle Edition

Expected publication September 22, 2026

About the author

Jodi Picoult is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of twenty-eight novels, including Wish You Were Here, Small Great Things, Leaving Time, and My Sister’s Keeper, and, with daughter Samantha van Leer, two young adult novels, Between the Lines and Off the Page. Picoult lives in New Hampshire.

MAD HONEY, her new novel co-authored with Jennifer Finney Boylan, is available in hardcover, ebook, and audio on October 4, 2022.

Website: http://www.jodipicoult.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jodipicoult

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jodipicoult

Reviews

[Casey Reads 🌸 · Rating 2 out of 5]

This has the characters from My Sister’s Keeper in it, so it seemed promising at first especially with the talk of 9/11. It very quickly went downhill.

I was bored to tears and it also became so political it was exhausting. Politics get thrown at us from every angle so I deeply do not enjoy them being heavily in fiction books regardless of if I agree or disagree with the opinions. Especially when it is to the point where there is almost no real plot, just political banter for many pages. In the same spots, there were multiple brand references within just a couple pages including tide and panera mentioning specific items and I was like is this a book or an ad? It all just felt jumbled and out of place as if she had people telling her what to put in her writing. Nowhere near the level of her writing of My Sister’s Keeper which was an amazing book. Got so bored, I started skimming. Eventually ended up as a DNF.

I HATE with a passion rating ARCs badly, because I know it can prevent getting future ARCs which is why I rarely ever request or accept ARCs anymore, but I have enjoyed this author in the past and thought I would love this. However, I can’t in good conscience give this a fake good review when I found it so boring personally.

Thank you to netgalley for this free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Jamie Rosenblit · Rating 5 out of 5]

if you’ve been following me a while, you know that @jodipicoult is forever my favorite author. Whenever I get my hands on her books, it’s page down on whatever else I am reading, no matter how far away publication is.

Coming in September, #HollowBones is my favorite Picoult since #SmallGreatThings - the story is centered around Molly, who’s mother was lost on September 11 - but in typical JP fashion, there’s so much more to the story. If you haven’t read #MySistersKeeper , this book brings you back to that story and will spoil you so I highly suggest reading it first if you plan to ever read it (and it’s an all time favorite of mine)!

It was amazing to return to the world of My Sister’s Keeper and revisit the characters and see how their worlds have changed since that epic conclusion.

This book was an easy 5 star for me (I’d give it 6 if I could!) and you will definitely want to get your hands on it come September!

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jodi Picoult is the reigning queen of the morally ambiguous novels and her upcoming release, Hollow Bones releasing on 9.22.26, proves she hasn’t lost her touch. Whether she’s tackling school shootings, white supremacy, or long COVID symptoms, Picoult excels at taking a polarizing headline and turning it into a visceral human experience.

TRIGGER WARNING: Child abuse is featured, if you're not comfortable with this, I would steer clear.

On the surface, Hollow Bones centers on the terrifying reality of postpartum psychosis. It is a condition that is notoriously difficult to diagnose and can lead to devastating outcomes, including hallucinations and infanticide (drawing inevitable parallels to the tragic real-life case of Andrea Yates).

The story follows Molly Fitzgerald, the Director of Emergency Preparedness in Rhode Island. Having lost her mother in the 9/11 attacks when she was only two months old, Molly has spent her entire life bracing for the next catastrophe. Her career, and her life with her husband, Jesse, is defined by a constant state of "readiness" that clashes with the unpredictable nature of new motherhood.

For long-time fans, there is a major easter egg, as Picoult repurposes main characters from her 2004 hit My Sister's Keeper.

Do you need to read it first? No, as Hollow Bones provides enough context to catch you up.
Should you read it first? If you ever plan to, then yes, read it first, as Hollow Bones contains massive spoilers for the ending of My Sister’s Keeper.

The narrative structure jumps through time, mirroring Molly’s internal flux as she balances a demanding job with the trauma of her past. Picoult also weaves in sharp social commentary, touching on the gutting of government medical research for political gain, the enduring legacy of national tragedies, and the complex definitions of family.

Final Thoughts: I found this nearly impossible to put down. While I wasn't entirely sold on how one specific character’s arc wrapped up, it is a gripping, edge-of-your-seat read that feels classic Picoult. Go in blind to avoid spoilers, it's better that way.

Thank you Ballantine and NetGalley for the ARC!

[Melissa (Always Behind)]

Saw a video with Picoult yesterday talking about the premise behind this and it sounds so interesting!

[Stephanie Cook]

Jodi could write a grocery list and I'd read it. 😮‍💨

[Tiffany]

Thank you, Ballantine | Ballantine Books, for sending me this ARC. Can't wait to start this one!

Pub date is Sep 15 2026.

As always, all thoughts are my own. 💛✨

[Ava Spaulding · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review received from NetGalley

This book was absolutely incredible from start to finish. The characters were so well-developed and felt incredibly real—I found myself completely invested in their journeys. Each one had depth, flaws, and growth that made the story even more compelling.

There were definitely some emotional moments that hit hard, and I found myself feeling genuinely sad and happy at times, which just shows how powerful the writing was. The author did an amazing job of pulling me into the story and making me care deeply about what happened.

Overall, this was a beautifully written, emotional read with unforgettable characters. I highly recommend it! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know she’s not for everyone, but this was an old school Jodi book. (First of all, I highly recommend reading My Sister’s Keeper before you read this)
Multiple POV that make you root for everyone, even if you thought you never could a minute ago. I learned a whole lot about postpartum psychosis (scary) and a little bit about 9/11 and emergency preparedness (also scary) and I couldn’t read it fast enough.

[Kailey (kmc_reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wowowowow this was incredible. Will be in my top 10 this year.
Do NOT skip the author’s note at the end!!


Thanks Netgalley for my copy.

[Michelle’s Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wrote a really long review on NetGalley just know that Picoult does a shit ton of research for every single one of her books and I’m in awe and I thought the ending was a bit weak.

[Reisa Bolog · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 star read, but I don’t expect any less with Jodi picoult! I was so excited to receive this ARC and fell in love with the characters. The character development was spot on as was the information as always. Jodi takes real issues and puts the best spotlight on them and this book is no different. The amount of research she goes through is unmatched! Also, Don’t skip the authors note at the end.

[Gwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a powerful book whose synopsis doesn’t do it justice. The story is meant to honor the 25th anniversary of 9/11, and it does that well. There is also a strong plot line regarding mental health that is fascinating and important. Another reviewer pointed out that there are overlapping characters from My Sister’s Keeper (2005). I had a hard time putting this one down, there were even some unexpected twists! Very well researched, informative, and just an all around excellent read! 9.5/10.

Thank you very much to NetGalley and Ballantine for the advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hollow Bones by Jodi Picoult
Publishing date - 09/22/26
Rating (5/5) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you Netgalley, Ballantine books, and Jodi Picoult for this eARC! I loved this book. This is definitely one of my top favorite reads this year! And one of my favorite Jodi books! ❤️ This book dealt with so many heavy issues; 9/11 and postpartum psychosis. One of my favorite things about the book was that Jodi brings back characters from her previous novel , My Sister’s Keeper. Hollow Bones is an emotional & thought-provoking read. Highly recommend this one when it releases this year - September 22nd 2026. @jodipicoult

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m about to become the most annoying person to everyone I know because I want to do nothing but talk about how damn good this book is.

[Lindsey Quigley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jodi Picoult does what she does best—she takes on complex, deeply human subject matter and approaches it with an incredible level of care and research. It’s clear how much intention is behind this story, and it makes the impact that much stronger.

But more than anything, this book left me with a feeling I can’t quite shake.

The characters pulled me in so completely that their stories felt real and immediate. I couldn’t put it down—and even after finishing, the emotional weight of it lingered with me. It’s not just the events of the story that stay with you—it’s the emotional impact.

Be sure to read the author's note at the end!

I’m in awe of this one.

A five-star read I won’t be forgetting anytime soon.

Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy, and to Jodi Picoult for continuing to shine light on such important topics.

[Ali | flippin_and_sippin_mn]

Picoult is a forever favoarite, and I already can't wait to get my hands on this!!

[Jordan]

i need it

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did I play hooky from work and wake up at 4am so I could binge this book in a day because I was so excited? Absolutely.

Jodi Picoult will forever be my favorite author, as she has perfected the following formula:

1. In depth, dedicated research on specified topics of interest
2. A focus on moral and ethical dilemmas and all the messy grey areas in between
3. Gut wrenching plot twists that blindside me every time

Hollow Bones is raw, emotional, and highlights the complexities of the human experience. As always, Jodi’s devotion to research and storytelling shines through in her ability to help readers connect with characters with lived experiences different from their own. I always love when Jodi includes cross-character cameos, (looking at you Jordan McAfee) and I found it so exciting to revisit the world of My Sister’s Keeper in this one. This book is an absolute gem and a must-read!

Thank you to Ballantine and NetGalley for the ARC!

[Kimberly Lopes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hollow Bones is an old school Jodi Picoult read! The characters are woven together in a way that makes you root for each one even when you’re not sure why. I especially loved Molly, Jesse, and Kate. As in typical JP fashion it delves into some heavy topics: 9/11, child abuse, postpartum psychosis, and deception. One of the most surprising aspects was the tie in to “My Sister’s Keeper” which has to be one of her best books ever. While it would help to have read MSK 1st, it’s not necessary as details are provided. I never expected some of those characters to be reintroduced so many years later. It was a great tie in that made complete sense. The multiple plot twists throughout kept you guessing. The level of research needed to give such vivid explanations was impressive. As someone who remembers 9/11 as well as many of the other events mentioned it was refreshing to have details rather than just superficial information. This is a MUST read for any JP fan. Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the chance to read an ARC.

[Melissa Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge Jodi Picoult fan and was so excited to read this book. I mostly went in blind (not knowing the theme) but only that it had something to do with 9/11. I was completely blown away and cried multiple times during this book.

I will say if you haven’t read “My sisters keeper” you may want to read it first as the brother in that book is the husband in “Hollow bones” and it does give away the synopsis and even the ending of “My sisters keeper.” It’s definitely fun to see crossover characters but I was disappointed to find out the ending. So I immediately started it on audio and listened while simultaneously reading “Hollow Bones”

This may be Jodi’s best book yet as it discusses a topic that not many people talk about and the consequences of it in this book were astounding. This will end up being one of my top books this year!

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

HIGHLY encourage everyone to read this book! It does have mention of the storyline of a previous one of her books but you don’t need to read that previous book to follow this storyline. However if you don’t want My Sister’s Keeper spoiled then read it first.

Trigger warning as this book talks a lot about suicide and similar topics. I will be adding this to my recommend to all list because it was that good. I don’t want to say too much for fear of spoilers, but it will pull at your heartstrings. Must read the authors note at the end!!!


Thank you to NetGalley for giving me an advanced copy!

[Heather Starr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC. This was so good. The depiction of the 9/11 terrorist attacks was exactly as I remember that day being glued to my tv. There is so much more I want to say but don’t want to spoil anything. It’s so well written. If I had any complaint at all, it would be the character Evie. Her revelation and was very sad to me and the end results of her choices really bothered me. But that is just because of how I connected to that character originally. Jodi Picoult will forever be one of my favorite authors.

[Michelle San Antonio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Jodi Picoult masterpiece. So many layers, and all of them brimming with emotion and authenticity. Molly, an emergency specialist, has made it her life's mission to always be prepared for the unexpected - her way of coping with her mother's death in the terrorist attacks of 9/11. When Molly becomes pregnant she continues to work, despite the inherent dangers of her job. An accident at work leads to her relying on the kindness of a stranger, which ultimately becomes a thread that begins to unravel Molly's entire world, leading to secrets and truths she never saw coming. Absolutely gripping, with interwoven storylines and flashbacks, all of which are so expertly crafted that I could not put it down. If I could give it more than five stars, I would.

[Sara]

Many day was lost by rivir of life
falling to ice fact
long trip at mess
dream to have y still was holow
bones dance at my unluck life
shutter life dig more and more
betwen ice lose and relegon life sew my
road
life joke at my bone
am i try to joke at life too
surviv flood of pain
pray to calm down

[Lolyndsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jodi Picoult is my favorite author for a reason, and this book was a solid reminder of why. Full review to come. Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine for the eARC.

[Chelsea Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOLLOW BONES ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. Release date 9/22/2026. This book, I’m at a loss of words of how to describe it. This a story of family, life, loss, love, appreciation, care, hurt, grief. Pick it up if you love a story that will turn out completely different than what you expected. I thought this was just about a girl who was reeling from a loss from 9/11 and her life as an emergency preparedness role, but it’s just so much more. Read the trigger warnings, and get the tissues. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

[Kerri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw Jodi Picoult tease this book on social media, and I couldn’t get it out of my head. Why would someone choose to disappear and not tell their family they survived 9/11?

Hollow Bones tells the story of 26-year-old Molly, a director of emergency preparedness, and her husband Jesse (whose story carries over from My Sister's Keeper). Molly believes her mother was killed on 9/11, and she has spent her life preparing for crises and saving others in emergency situations.

It’s hard to say much more without giving anything away, but this reads like a quintessential Picoult novel. Longtime fans will not be disappointed and will enjoy the echoes of her other beloved work.

I highly recommend this book. I already want to pass it along to friends. It may be the book club pick of the fall and the coming year. There’s so much to unpack and discuss. The portrayal of women through the treatment of postpartum depression and psychosis over the past twenty years is a conversation in itself, not to mention the other fractures in society that Picoult examines so closely.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Niraja Surendran · Rating 2 out of 5]

Clearly part of the minority here but between the slow pace and how difficult some parts were to read, this one wasn’t for me. The pandemic references also made it difficult for me to stay engaged. Truly no need for this novel to be over 450 pages.

[Nilufer Ozmekik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jodi Picoult really said, “Do you want emotional stability?” and then snatched it out of my hands by chapter three.
What an incredible surprise this book turned out to be for me. Not because I doubted Jodi Picoult for even a second—she has owned a permanent place on my “drop everything immediately and read” shelf for years—but because Hollow Bones hit me in ways I honestly didn’t expect. Deep, aching, emotional, complicated, quietly devastating ways. The kind of book that bruises your heart, kisses the bruise afterward, then casually leaves you staring at the ceiling at 2 a.m. questioning your entire emotional resilience.

And can we PLEASE talk about Jesse Fitzgerald?

Seeing the adult version of one of my favorite fictional characters from My Sister’s Keeper felt strangely emotional for me. Jesse is no longer the reckless little boy setting fires just to be noticed in the middle of his family’s tragedy. Now he’s forty, a firefighter following his father’s path, carrying scars life carved into him years ago. Watching how much he evolved absolutely got me. It felt like revisiting someone you once worried about deeply and discovering they somehow survived themselves. Honestly? That alone made this book special. There’s something so satisfying about seeing a character who once felt lost, angry, invisible, finally become someone grounded enough to protect other people for a living. Jodi could have easily used him as a nostalgic callback, but instead she gave him depth, maturity, pain, tenderness, and purpose.

And then there’s Molly Fitzgerald. What a beautifully written heroine. At twenty-five, she’s brilliant, cautious, compassionate, and still grieving her mother’s loss like it’s a missing organ she learned to function without but never stopped aching for. Her obsession with preparedness, disaster scenarios, and control makes complete emotional sense once you understand the shadow 9/11 cast over her entire life. I adored how layered she felt—strong but fragile, logical but emotionally overwhelmed underneath the surface. Jodi writes women with such painful humanity that sometimes I feel personally attacked.

Molly and Jesse together felt so authentic to me because both of them are carrying invisible damage while desperately trying to keep functioning, keep loving, keep surviving. Their marriage isn’t painted like some glossy perfect romance. It’s messy, vulnerable, complicated, exhausted by life and grief and fear. Which made me invest in them even more.

What I loved most about this story is how it balances massive emotional themes with intimate character moments. Trauma, motherhood, marriage, grief, identity, fear of losing people you love—it’s all here, tangled together in the messiest, most human way possible. Some scenes genuinely hurt to read because they felt too real, too raw, too recognizable. There were moments I had to stop reading for a second just to emotionally recover before diving back in. And yet I could not stop turning the pages.

Also, the structure of the story works beautifully. The shifting timelines and perspectives slowly peel away emotional truths piece by piece until suddenly you realize this book has quietly wrapped itself around your throat. The tension is not loud or flashy. It’s emotional. Psychological. The kind that builds in your chest chapter after chapter.

Jodi Picoult has always had this rare talent of dragging readers directly into emotional chaos, shaking them to their core, then somehow guiding them through the wreckage with tenderness. That’s exactly the kind of reading experience I crave. I want books that unsettle me, crack me open a little, make me uncomfortable, make me cry in public like a lunatic holding coffee and emotional damage simultaneously.

And honestly? Some themes in this book hit a little too close to home for me. The fear of loss, the weight women carry silently, the emotional isolation hidden beneath functioning adulthood—Jodi approaches these subjects with honesty sharp enough to cut. Reading her books sometimes feels like volunteering for heartbreak while fully knowing you’ll thank her afterward.

This might honestly become one of my favorite literary fiction reads of the year, and considering how many phenomenal early releases I’ve been lucky enough to read lately, that says a lot. Jodi Picoult once again reminded me why she remains one of the few authors capable of emotionally wrecking me while still making me grateful for the experience.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine | Ballantine Books for sharing one of my favorite authors' most anticipated works with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.

[Donna Krutsinger - Mockingbird Musings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jodi Picoult's new one coming out this September, Hollow Bones, is my 18th book of 2026 and has secured the spot of my favorite thus far.

There are so many things that I love about Jodi Picoult's works. Of course, the research that goes into her characters' occupations and the storyline itself is probably the first and foremost aspect. Secondly, I love the varied POVs of the chapters and the back and forth tenses of the timeline, too, because it gives us as readers such a rounded perspective of the characters. I truly feel as though I have spent time with the characters and actually got to know them as people after finishing a Jodi Picoult book. This one was certainly no exception.

The topics covered in this book are tough ones (as in any J. picoult novel) and really tug at the reader's heart - 9/11 (loss and coping); postpartum psychosis (motherhood, ability to love and nurture, coupled with traumatic episodes and mental health conditions); relationships in general (romantic and familial) and living through and surviving a pandemic.

As with all of Picoult's novels, the book spans different time periods, going back to the 70s when Eloise, the mother of the main character Molly, was a teen; then, ending in the future, 2031, when Molly has a family of her own.

The characters are captivating; their stories are moving; and the way they are intertwined is engrossing. We have Molly, raised by her father and step-mother, now functioning as the head of emergency management over the state of Rhode Island at the age of 25. She falls in love and eventually marries Jesse who is 15 years her senior, a policeman and an expert in polygraph testing. Every little detail is paramount and crucial. Jesse is an added bonus as a character as he appeared in Picoult's 2004 novel, My Sister's Keeper, as the older brother.

The perfect fit of everything in this novel was impeccable. I don't want to say too much about the book's plot or the relationships of the characters because that would ruin critical moments in the book for the reader. Another feature in Picoult books, I feel as in all of hers, you can just pick out little, minute things that may seem trivial, but are really so important such as Eloise being an artist specializing in mosaics. There are many times in the story where what she is creating represents what is going on with her life and the lives around her. Another important little element in the story is the topic of birds - it's used not only in some of those mosaics, but also in the book's title, and in a flashback that Eloise shared from her traumatic childhood per a conversation with her own mother.

As usual with any Jodi Picoult novel, you will gasp, you will cry, you will smile. You absolutely don't want to miss the author's note at the end telling two key elements of where and how she got the idea for this story. If you aren't a Jodi Picoult fan, read this, and I feel you will become one. If you are a Jodi Picoult fan, this one may become one of your favorites. You certainly don't want to miss this book when it hits shelves on Sept. 22nd of this year. I want to thank NetGalley and Ballentine Books for the opportunity to preview this ARC. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.