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The Hollow
“Barrell’s admirable debut is an engaging journey into a troubled mind…a promising novel.” — Kirkus Reviews
Ellie Frites is twenty-four, single, and going nowhere. She spends her days rotting in a cubicle and her nights drinking herself into an emotional stupor. One day, Ellie has a jarring hallucination: an old classmate stands beaten and bloodied in the woods of their hometown. The visions persist, growing more intricate and detailed, yanking Ellie from her humdrum present and back to the unforgiving halls of sixth grade. As she digs deeper into what happened that day in the woods, she finds there is someone intent on keeping the truth buried. And soon her present-day life—and the lives of her loved ones—are in serious peril.
Ellie Frites is twenty-four, single, and going nowhere. She spends her days rotting in a cubicle and her nights drinking herself into an emotional stupor. One day, Ellie has a jarring hallucination: an old classmate stands beaten and bloodied in the woods of their hometown. The visions persist, growing more intricate and detailed, yanking Ellie from her humdrum present and back to the unforgiving halls of sixth grade. As she digs deeper into what happened that day in the woods, she finds there is someone intent on keeping the truth buried. And soon her present-day life—and the lives of her loved ones—are in serious peril.
274 pages, Paperback
First published February 20, 2017
46 people are currently reading
2539 people want to read
About the author
Nicole Barrell
2 books76 followersNicole Barrell is the author of the psychological suspense THE HOLLOW, called an “admirable debut…an engaging journey into a troubled mind, a promising novel (Kirkus). Her upcoming suspense, THE SHAM--about the worst roommate ever--comes out September 2023 from Woodhall Press. Nicole earned a Publishing and Writing M.A. from Emerson College and a Journalism B.A. from UMass Amherst. Nicole is a native of Cape Cod, where most of her stories are set. She now teaches high school there and lives outside Boston with her husband, son, and dog.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 17, 2021
Can you imagine suddenly having a vision of a middle school friend, standing in front of you beaten and bloody?? That is what happens to Ellie in The Hollow. The visions don't stop there, either. If Ellie could just remember what all had happened during 6th grade, maybe she could figure out what these visions mean.
Ellie's life is a bit of a mess so she decides to see a therapist for help with her many issues: the death of her father, her crappy job, her maybe-boyfriend, her issues with her mom, and finally ... to the visions. The layers start being peeled back like an onion!
Trigger warning: Child sexual abuse.
Ellie's life is a bit of a mess so she decides to see a therapist for help with her many issues: the death of her father, her crappy job, her maybe-boyfriend, her issues with her mom, and finally ... to the visions. The layers start being peeled back like an onion!
Trigger warning: Child sexual abuse.
July 30, 2018
I could not put this book down, it is a real page turner. Ellie was easy to relate to because she seemed so real to me. And as someone that was a teen in the 90s, maybe only 3 years older than Ellie would have been, I loved all of the 90's references. This book was more than I was expecting from the blurb. I was so pulled in by the story line, wondering what was going to happen, how it was going to end. This book even contained elements that I normally do not, will not read about in books but the way it was written it didn't bother me as much. I have the book shelved as mystery but perhaps psychological thriller would be more fitting? Nicole Barrell has written a great first novel, I look forward to reading more books by her in the future.
I won this book from the giveaways on Goodreads.
I won this book from the giveaways on Goodreads.
September 20, 2019
A good and intense read. I devoured it pretty quickly and would recommend it for people who like thrillers. I enjoyed the read
December 25, 2017
Really enjoyed this one! Part thriller and mystery. I really enjoyed Ellie and then she remembered her past
August 8, 2019
Picked this book up and read the first few pages and had to finish it. I will not do a repetitious synopsis, but instead tell you its strengths. This is a skillfully written book and all the more impressive from a first time author. I was initially drawn to the novel because of my own Cape Cod connection. However, the narrative transcends the location. Nicole has captured the angst, doubts, workplace BS of a twenty something living in Boston and marking time. But Ellie is more than the average stuck-in-a-rut tech employee. Ellie is an engaging, believable character and the mystery of her flash-backs pulls you into the story. The novel flows and pulls the reader along. Memories of the cruelties of middle school bullying are disturbingly real. The author creates tension, suspense and the ending is jarring, shocking and believable. If this was a book by an established main-stream writer I might have a few nit-picking suggestions. However, all books can be nit-picked if we really try. Overall, I highly recommend this well written book and look forward to reading more by Nicole Barrell - a very promising young author.
March 9, 2019
Picked it up from the shelf. This book is a page turner and a mystery all in one. Ellie Frites in 24 and working in a job that she really doesn't like. She is starting to have flashbacks to something that happened to her as a young teen but can't quite recall what she needs to. She knows she used to have two best friends who seemed to have disappeared and she has lost the recall of her Freshman year in high school but doesn't know why.
This book has enough twists and turns to keep you guessing through the storyline. I liked the characters and could identify with them.
I would recommend this book to others who like mysteries.
This book has enough twists and turns to keep you guessing through the storyline. I liked the characters and could identify with them.
I would recommend this book to others who like mysteries.
January 6, 2020
I couldn’t bare to put this one down, I wanted to follow Ellie’s journey through rediscovering her past forever! As messed up and heartbreaking as it was, this book was SO good. The back and forth between the past and the present was an easy transition, no confusion on my part as the reader. I’m so glad this was on my recommended page on my Kindle, and with this being Nicole Barrell’s debut novel, I cannot wait to read what else she has in store, if it’s new characters or following the ones from The Hollow. Can’t wait to read more of her work!
May 10, 2024
This is a psychological thriller that builds intensity and suspense. Past meets present in a jarring manner as Ellie, the main character, struggles to interpret the nightmares waking her at night and the gory visions surfacing during the day. She gets help from a therapist, but the process is dark and disturbing.
Ellie is a likable character, self-deprecating and warm-hearted, who cherishes her friends and is in constant conflict with her mother. The author skillfully interjects comic relief with witty dialogue and ridiculous characters. Ellie works in a toxic environment for a manager incapable of managing, a relatable scenario that lends itself to humorous interactions.
I do wish the ending was more conclusive. It leaves you hanging, so readers looking for a happy ending that brings closure will be disappointed. But I highly recommend this book for the deft mix of gripping intrigue and mild levity.
Ellie is a likable character, self-deprecating and warm-hearted, who cherishes her friends and is in constant conflict with her mother. The author skillfully interjects comic relief with witty dialogue and ridiculous characters. Ellie works in a toxic environment for a manager incapable of managing, a relatable scenario that lends itself to humorous interactions.
I do wish the ending was more conclusive. It leaves you hanging, so readers looking for a happy ending that brings closure will be disappointed. But I highly recommend this book for the deft mix of gripping intrigue and mild levity.
June 7, 2017
This book is such a fun, suspenseful read! Ellie is someone I think we can all relate to (the early 20's were such a tumultuous time) and the way she writes about her workplace is snarky and funny. I especially loved the scenes with the psychiatrist...I couldn't wait to see what would happen in each session. It definitely makes you want to keep reading!
October 11, 2023
Kind of creepy, kind of good
Not my usual read. I’m sure I picked it up because it had a Cape Cod setting, and as such in it are mentioned a couple places in Chatham with which I am familiar. But it could have taken place anywhere.
The creepiness and psychological sickness of a couple characters were presented throughout the story, and kept growing, pretty well developed.
Not my usual read. I’m sure I picked it up because it had a Cape Cod setting, and as such in it are mentioned a couple places in Chatham with which I am familiar. But it could have taken place anywhere.
The creepiness and psychological sickness of a couple characters were presented throughout the story, and kept growing, pretty well developed.
December 22, 2017
The Hollow
Good story! So many twists and turns. Kept me reading til I finished. Surprise ending so hope there is a sequel.
Good story! So many twists and turns. Kept me reading til I finished. Surprise ending so hope there is a sequel.
February 16, 2018
Pretty good read!
Although the beginning was thready and confusing,, once the story really started, reading went quickly. Enjoyed the characters and the premise.
Although the beginning was thready and confusing,, once the story really started, reading went quickly. Enjoyed the characters and the premise.
August 5, 2023
Despite many, many editing mistakes, this is a really good read!
March 5, 2017
A real page turner in the last half!
Really enjoyed this one! Part thriller/mystery with a dash of chic lit, The Hollow explores what happens when mid 20 something Ellie Frites unearths an ugly child memory that she had blocked out for 15 years. If you're in your early 30s you'll love all the great references to a 90s childhood (kudos bars! LL Bean backpacks!) and the writer has a clever voice that gives all the characters a realistic edge. I laughed out loud at Ellie's sometime snark but also was feverishly turning the pages 75% of the way through so I could figure out the ending. An exciting read for sho.
Really enjoyed this one! Part thriller/mystery with a dash of chic lit, The Hollow explores what happens when mid 20 something Ellie Frites unearths an ugly child memory that she had blocked out for 15 years. If you're in your early 30s you'll love all the great references to a 90s childhood (kudos bars! LL Bean backpacks!) and the writer has a clever voice that gives all the characters a realistic edge. I laughed out loud at Ellie's sometime snark but also was feverishly turning the pages 75% of the way through so I could figure out the ending. An exciting read for sho.
July 14, 2019
As a psychologist and a reader I really liked Ms. Barrell's characters and story line which had a nice mix of flawed if sympathetic and all too human characters, especially Ellie who is suffering from repressed memories that have impacted her life in ways she couldn't have imagined. Now, following this thread of returning memories she begins to uncover a truth that draws you in with a can't-put-down feeling of suspense of who did what to whom.
March 3, 2017
Tightly told page turner. Looking forward to this author's next adventure!
February 24, 2017
Great Read!
The Hollow is a transcending fun read that was hard to put down. The author's use of sarcasm in the main character's personality was refreshing and enjoyable. The details outlining the story were perfect, making it a quick and easy read. This thriller will keep you on your toes until the very end! Great read!!!
The Hollow is a transcending fun read that was hard to put down. The author's use of sarcasm in the main character's personality was refreshing and enjoyable. The details outlining the story were perfect, making it a quick and easy read. This thriller will keep you on your toes until the very end! Great read!!!
June 18, 2023
This is the book if you like page turners. This suspenseful novel delivers many twists and turns that keep the reader on the edge of the seat. Clever use of flashbacks that progress the plot, hurling the reader toward a surprising and astounding ending. Looking forward to reading more from this skillful writer.
March 27, 2017
A hilarious, quirky, edge-of-your-seat mystery. Nikki's own personality can be found throughout the story all while defining and building her characters. As a 90's child, the innuendos were greatly appreciated. I look forward to the next book!
May 1, 2017
A little far fetched.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews