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Echo 1953
When twenty-three-year-old Lena Monroe is kidnapped from her babysitting job, her disappearance becomes just another cold case in the quiet lakeside city of Lakepoint, Michigan.
Two years later, her sister Claire pushes for answers and opens a box she was never meant to touch.
Inside are journals, photographs, and fragments of a life interrupted—along with something darker. Something carefully hidden. And something that was supposed to stay buried.
Drawn into the mystery are investigative journalist Mari Hollis and her former FBI-agent husband, Eli. What begins as a search for one missing woman slowly unravels into a pattern that defies coincidence—a pattern rooted not only in the present, but in a crime committed more than seventy years earlier. 1953
As threats surface and shadows close in, the question is no longer who took Lena... but what kind of machinery could make a crime echo across generations.
And how many voices have already been silenced to protect it.
Two years later, her sister Claire pushes for answers and opens a box she was never meant to touch.
Inside are journals, photographs, and fragments of a life interrupted—along with something darker. Something carefully hidden. And something that was supposed to stay buried.
Drawn into the mystery are investigative journalist Mari Hollis and her former FBI-agent husband, Eli. What begins as a search for one missing woman slowly unravels into a pattern that defies coincidence—a pattern rooted not only in the present, but in a crime committed more than seventy years earlier. 1953
As threats surface and shadows close in, the question is no longer who took Lena... but what kind of machinery could make a crime echo across generations.
And how many voices have already been silenced to protect it.
294 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 27, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 12, 2026
ECHO 1953
I have just finished reading ECHO 1953, book one in what will probably be a series called The Hollis Files, and I was completely taken by surprise when I reached the end. Please give me book two!
Kevin Hall, the Host of the true-crime podcast Midnight Mystery Archive, has now become one of my favorite new authors with his debut novel, a gripping, page-turning thriller.
Echo 1953 is fascinating, immersive, and quite compelling. I don’t like to give away spoilers, but what I will write is that Hall’s book is filled with mystery and foreboding. Written with very real-life-like characters and an eerie plot that almost makes it feel as if it were something you’d hear about in the news or on crime shows. It will surely leave the reader, as it has done with me, with thought-provoking thoughts. This is probably because Hall is already very insightful on the subject matter, which is why Echo is such a great, well-written book.
Normally, I don’t read fiction crime novels, but after reading the strong opening hook, I knew I was going to enjoy this book. So congratulations to Kevin Hall on his debut novel, and please release a book two soon. I urge anyone, even if they aren’t into fictional crime, to still pick this book up and give it a read. After all, a good book is a good book no matter what genre it falls into.
I have just finished reading ECHO 1953, book one in what will probably be a series called The Hollis Files, and I was completely taken by surprise when I reached the end. Please give me book two!
Kevin Hall, the Host of the true-crime podcast Midnight Mystery Archive, has now become one of my favorite new authors with his debut novel, a gripping, page-turning thriller.
Echo 1953 is fascinating, immersive, and quite compelling. I don’t like to give away spoilers, but what I will write is that Hall’s book is filled with mystery and foreboding. Written with very real-life-like characters and an eerie plot that almost makes it feel as if it were something you’d hear about in the news or on crime shows. It will surely leave the reader, as it has done with me, with thought-provoking thoughts. This is probably because Hall is already very insightful on the subject matter, which is why Echo is such a great, well-written book.
Normally, I don’t read fiction crime novels, but after reading the strong opening hook, I knew I was going to enjoy this book. So congratulations to Kevin Hall on his debut novel, and please release a book two soon. I urge anyone, even if they aren’t into fictional crime, to still pick this book up and give it a read. After all, a good book is a good book no matter what genre it falls into.
July 31, 2026
Echo 1953 is book 1 in The Hollis Files is an amazing, well written, fast paced, thrilling, suspenseful story.
Lena is abducted from her babysitting job without a trace. The case has gone cold and no answers are given. However, Lena's sister Claire refuses to give up. She hires Mari an investigative journalist turned private investigator, and her husband Eli, former FBI, to work on the case. But what they end up learning is that this isn't the first girl to go missing. Lena's case ties into a case spanning all the way back, seventy years ago!!!
While this story is a little procedural, it isn't too much to the point that the story becomes boring. It is very well written and captivating. I loved the characters. Claire's refusal to not back down even in the face of danger just shows her love and dedication to her sister. I can't wait for the next book in this series. I am hooked!!!
Lena is abducted from her babysitting job without a trace. The case has gone cold and no answers are given. However, Lena's sister Claire refuses to give up. She hires Mari an investigative journalist turned private investigator, and her husband Eli, former FBI, to work on the case. But what they end up learning is that this isn't the first girl to go missing. Lena's case ties into a case spanning all the way back, seventy years ago!!!
While this story is a little procedural, it isn't too much to the point that the story becomes boring. It is very well written and captivating. I loved the characters. Claire's refusal to not back down even in the face of danger just shows her love and dedication to her sister. I can't wait for the next book in this series. I am hooked!!!
Review of advance copy
What an absolutely captivating crime whodunnit. From the very first page I was drawn into this unputdownable page turner thanks to the fast paced and absorbing plot, characters who were brought to life in such an imaginable way that I felt some of them I had met in my real world, and to top it all, prose that created such suspense I found myself haunted by what I was reading.
This was my first read of the author’s work but I know Kevin Hall has what it takes to make me want more. Kudos to him as I am a reader who will only invest precious reading time in fiction that is rewarding and that is not my experience of all books I read.
Highly recommend.
This was my first read of the author’s work but I know Kevin Hall has what it takes to make me want more. Kudos to him as I am a reader who will only invest precious reading time in fiction that is rewarding and that is not my experience of all books I read.
Highly recommend.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Echo 1953 was a fantastic read from beginning to end. Mari and Eli made a great team, and I really enjoyed following them as they unraveled the mystery. Kevin Hall does an excellent job of weaving together the clues, allowing readers to piece things together while still keeping you guessing.
The detail throughout the story added so much to the experience, making the investigation feel immersive without slowing the pace. And that ending—I didn’t see it coming. The twist was incredibly satisfying and immediately left me wanting more. If you enjoy mysteries with engaging investigators, clever plotting, and a payoff that’s worth the journey, this is one I highly recommend.
Echo 1953 was a fantastic read from beginning to end. Mari and Eli made a great team, and I really enjoyed following them as they unraveled the mystery. Kevin Hall does an excellent job of weaving together the clues, allowing readers to piece things together while still keeping you guessing.
The detail throughout the story added so much to the experience, making the investigation feel immersive without slowing the pace. And that ending—I didn’t see it coming. The twist was incredibly satisfying and immediately left me wanting more. If you enjoy mysteries with engaging investigators, clever plotting, and a payoff that’s worth the journey, this is one I highly recommend.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A missing person case, long-buried secrets, and a mystery that stretches across generations make for a gripping read. As the investigation unfolds, each discovery raises more questions, keeping the suspense high until the very end.
Blending mystery, crime, and a touch of conspiracy, this story kept me invested with its twists and eerie connections to the past. If you enjoy cold cases, investigative thrillers, and secrets that refuse to stay buried, this one is worth picking up. 📖🔍
Blending mystery, crime, and a touch of conspiracy, this story kept me invested with its twists and eerie connections to the past. If you enjoy cold cases, investigative thrillers, and secrets that refuse to stay buried, this one is worth picking up. 📖🔍
Review of advance copy received from Author
Mari and Eli are PIs that take on a cold case of two years. Claire's sister, Lena, had been kidnapped and disappeared while babysitting.
Another person tracking the disappearance is Emma, a journalist.
As Mari and Eli investigate the crime, unraveling the information they uncover, they realize that this has been going on for decades and involves the unsolved disappearance of more than just Lena.
As they get closer and closer to the truth, we have the last chapter.
What was that?!?!
Another person tracking the disappearance is Emma, a journalist.
As Mari and Eli investigate the crime, unraveling the information they uncover, they realize that this has been going on for decades and involves the unsolved disappearance of more than just Lena.
As they get closer and closer to the truth, we have the last chapter.
What was that?!?!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Meet Mari and Eli. They are PI’s who are contacted by a missing person’s sister- begging them to take her case. In their search for Lena they get sucked into a rabbit hole. The story grabs you from the first line. Side characters really help flesh out the story. Love all the breadcrumbs, I wasn’t able to guess ending. New author for me and I’m a fan! Stars are 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Review of advance copy received from Author
I really enjoyed this! This was a quick easy read that was captivating with good characters. Eli and Mari are PIs that get their first big case when Claire asks them to help find out what happened to her sister 2 years ago. This has multiple POVs that really add depth to the story. Definitely need the next book!
July 27, 2026
This was a really good read. I liked the dynamic between Eli and Mari. The way they worked together really helped show details of the case. The plot was done well and I’m looking forward to what comes next because I need to know. Definitely check this one out!
July 27, 2026
Thank you to the author for letting me arc read this amazing book!
I absolutely love thrillers and this one did not disappoint, it has suspense and a great story line I can’t wait to read more work by this talented author.
I absolutely love thrillers and this one did not disappoint, it has suspense and a great story line I can’t wait to read more work by this talented author.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Ok this book really got me hooked, the suspense in the detective work and the twists and turns seriously were insane.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews