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The Hollows
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Horror (2021)From the bestselling author of The House Guest comes a chilling story set deep in the woods…
With his marriage over and his career in freefall, journalist Tom decides to reconnect with his fourteen-year-old daughter, Frankie. Desperate to spend precious time together now that they live an ocean apart, he brings her to Hollow Falls, a cabin resort deep in the woods of Maine.
From the outset there’s something a little eerie about the place—strange whispers in the trees, windchimes echoing through the forest—but when Tom meets true-crime podcasters David and Connie, he receives a chilling warning. Hollow Falls has a gruesome history: twenty years ago this week, a double slaying shut down the resort. The crime was never solved, and now the woods are overrun with murder-obsessed tourists looking to mark the grim anniversary.
It’s clear that there’s something deeply disturbing going on at Hollow Falls. And as Tom’s dream trip turns into a nightmare, he and Frankie are faced with a choice: uncover the truth, or get out while they still can.
With his marriage over and his career in freefall, journalist Tom decides to reconnect with his fourteen-year-old daughter, Frankie. Desperate to spend precious time together now that they live an ocean apart, he brings her to Hollow Falls, a cabin resort deep in the woods of Maine.
From the outset there’s something a little eerie about the place—strange whispers in the trees, windchimes echoing through the forest—but when Tom meets true-crime podcasters David and Connie, he receives a chilling warning. Hollow Falls has a gruesome history: twenty years ago this week, a double slaying shut down the resort. The crime was never solved, and now the woods are overrun with murder-obsessed tourists looking to mark the grim anniversary.
It’s clear that there’s something deeply disturbing going on at Hollow Falls. And as Tom’s dream trip turns into a nightmare, he and Frankie are faced with a choice: uncover the truth, or get out while they still can.
335 pages, Paperback
First published July 8, 2021
2313 people are currently reading
16647 people want to read
About the author
Mark Edwards
36 books5,900 followersMark Edwards writes psychological thrillers in which scary things happen to ordinary people.
He loves hearing from readers and always responds. Mark can be contacted in the following ways:
Email: mark@markedwardsauthor.com
Twitter @mredwards
Facebook/Instagram: @markedwardsauthor
You can download a free box set of 'Short Sharp Shockers' by visiting www.markedwardsauthor.com/free
Mark has sold over 5 million books since his first solo novel, The Magpies, was published in 2013 and has topped the bestseller lists numerous times. His other novels include Follow You Home, Here To Stay and The Psychopath Next Door. He has also published six books co-authored with Louise Voss. His next novel, The Wasp Trap, will be published in the UK/Australia in July 2025 and the US/Canada in September 2025.
Mark lives in the West Midlands, England, with his wife, their three children, two cats and a golden retriever.
He loves hearing from readers and always responds. Mark can be contacted in the following ways:
Email: mark@markedwardsauthor.com
Twitter @mredwards
Facebook/Instagram: @markedwardsauthor
You can download a free box set of 'Short Sharp Shockers' by visiting www.markedwardsauthor.com/free
Mark has sold over 5 million books since his first solo novel, The Magpies, was published in 2013 and has topped the bestseller lists numerous times. His other novels include Follow You Home, Here To Stay and The Psychopath Next Door. He has also published six books co-authored with Louise Voss. His next novel, The Wasp Trap, will be published in the UK/Australia in July 2025 and the US/Canada in September 2025.
Mark lives in the West Midlands, England, with his wife, their three children, two cats and a golden retriever.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 959 reviews
June 7, 2021
Entertaining Page-Turner!
“Don’t forget to leave us a review on TripAdvisor.”
The Hollows is a psychological thriller about a vacation that turns into a horror story.
Tom, a flailing music journalist, travels from England to the U.S. excited to spend a two-week vacation at a rustic resort in Maine with his 14-year-old daughter, Frankie. Tom is a bit disappointed to discover that Hollow Falls is not all that is cracked up to be.
Having not done a basic google search, Tom did not realize that Hallow Falls is the location of a unsolved ritualistic murder that took place 20 years ago. The resort is teeming with “dark tourists,” visitors obsessed with sensational crimes and serial killers who are eager to visit the site of the murder. On top of some odd tourists, strange staff members, and adjacent to a creepy town inhabited by even creepier people, Tom and Frankie’s vacation becomes less and less relaxing and quite strange. Tom and Frankie find themselves getting swept up in the murder mystery, and they soon find themselves in danger.
The narrative is split primarily between Tom and Frankie, and there are also a few other voices mixed in. Tom is likable, if not forgettable. I found Frankie’s chapters a bit more interesting to read.
In a nod to horror films, the setting provides the perfect backdrop for tension and suspense. The dark woods, the eerie town of Penance, and the creepy sets of twins add to the horror-themed atmosphere. There are references to horror movies and several of Mark Edward’s previous novels. There are also nods to the paranormal. The tone is eerie, as is the atmosphere, building to a creepy conclusion. However, The Hollows is not particularly a scary read.
This is the second book in a row that I have read in which a crime occurs at a place with Hollows in the name (Hollow’s Edge is the other from Megan Miranda’s Such a Quiet Place). Maybe this is a message to stay away from places with Hollows in the name?
Overall, this was a fun, fast-paced read fueled by both the atmosphere and Mark Edwards’ dark humor.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
“Don’t forget to leave us a review on TripAdvisor.”
The Hollows is a psychological thriller about a vacation that turns into a horror story.
Tom, a flailing music journalist, travels from England to the U.S. excited to spend a two-week vacation at a rustic resort in Maine with his 14-year-old daughter, Frankie. Tom is a bit disappointed to discover that Hollow Falls is not all that is cracked up to be.
Having not done a basic google search, Tom did not realize that Hallow Falls is the location of a unsolved ritualistic murder that took place 20 years ago. The resort is teeming with “dark tourists,” visitors obsessed with sensational crimes and serial killers who are eager to visit the site of the murder. On top of some odd tourists, strange staff members, and adjacent to a creepy town inhabited by even creepier people, Tom and Frankie’s vacation becomes less and less relaxing and quite strange. Tom and Frankie find themselves getting swept up in the murder mystery, and they soon find themselves in danger.
The narrative is split primarily between Tom and Frankie, and there are also a few other voices mixed in. Tom is likable, if not forgettable. I found Frankie’s chapters a bit more interesting to read.
In a nod to horror films, the setting provides the perfect backdrop for tension and suspense. The dark woods, the eerie town of Penance, and the creepy sets of twins add to the horror-themed atmosphere. There are references to horror movies and several of Mark Edward’s previous novels. There are also nods to the paranormal. The tone is eerie, as is the atmosphere, building to a creepy conclusion. However, The Hollows is not particularly a scary read.
This is the second book in a row that I have read in which a crime occurs at a place with Hollows in the name (Hollow’s Edge is the other from Megan Miranda’s Such a Quiet Place). Maybe this is a message to stay away from places with Hollows in the name?
Overall, this was a fun, fast-paced read fueled by both the atmosphere and Mark Edwards’ dark humor.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
July 4, 2021
4.5
Maine is beautiful, so picturesque, inviting and relaxing! Renting a cabin in the woods sounds wonderful, doesn't it? A place to unwind, unplug and reconnect -at least that is what Tom wanted to do with his fourteen-year-old daughter, Frankie. He sees her once a year as he lives in England and she lives with her mother in Albany, New York. Their yearly trips mean the world to him. What could go wrong? For starters, Tom did not research the camp or the dark history surrounding it. If he had looked up the camp, he might have thought twice about selecting it, but he did not do his research and now he and his daughter are knee deep in some creepy, spooky stuff.
I loved the premise of this book. A camp with a dark history. Things that go bump in the night. I love '80's horror films and this would make a good one! I read most of this book in one day as I did not want to put it down!
Tom and Frankie are camping and make friends with fellow campers David, Connie and their son Ryan. Connie has a true crime podcast which has quite the following. They are at Hollow Falls because two teachers were murdered there and left displayed on rock. The suspected killer was never found. As it turns out, the other campers are murder obsessed tourists and fans of Connie's podcast as well. Almost twenty years ago the murders occurred so this is the perfect time to go camping there, right???? WRONG!
To round out the fun, there are strange kids in town, strange whispers in the trees, the sound of wind chimes, creepy staff members amongst other things. Would you stay or would you go? Tell yourself it is all in your head or pay closer attention to the little hairs standing up on the back of your neck, alerting you that something just is not right.
I loved this book from the very first page. It is creepy with underlying tension and had me wondering how the story would unfold. I loved Frankie and Tom's POV. I also enjoyed shaking my head at them and silently thinking "Has neither of these characters seen a horror film?" There are certain things you can do to survive: don't split up, don't leave anyone alone, if alone and told to stay somewhere - stay there, stay a virgin, don't open the door to strangers, look behind you, if you fall while running - get up off the ground and keep running, don't lie there crying and begging for your life, don't say you will be right back because you won’t, remember you are not a private investigator and it is not your job to solve whodunit, etc. I am not saying these things happen in the book, but these are just a few examples of things I learned watching horror movies.
Another plus of this book is that it is spooky and atmospheric but not frightening. I loved the creepy vibe of this book. Readers know right away that something is not right. We are given glimpses into the past that alert us to the fact that something is wrong, but what? Plus, what is with the two little kids always playing in their front yard without a parent in sight??????? The town, the woods, the camp all set the stage. I am using the word 'creepy' a lot but that is the perfect word to describe this book!
Like his other books, The Hollows was well written and perfectly paced. I was transported to Hollow Falls and felt as if I were in the woods with them. Edwards is an expert at setting the stage, building plot and mounting tension. From the very first page, I knew he was going to dazzle me.
This book felt like a love letter to horror movies. I could think of several of them while reading this book. I also think this book would make a great movie! So, what is going on? Will you figure it out? Will Mark Edwards fool you? Fans of his will love this book. Edwards brings it on, and readers might not want to venture into the woods again! Plus, I enjoyed the ending! I thought the ending also played like a horror film. It ended the book perfectly for me.
So, if you want to go camping this summer grab this book, watch a couple of horror films, as both might save your life!
Dark, spooky, thrilling.
Thank you to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
Maine is beautiful, so picturesque, inviting and relaxing! Renting a cabin in the woods sounds wonderful, doesn't it? A place to unwind, unplug and reconnect -at least that is what Tom wanted to do with his fourteen-year-old daughter, Frankie. He sees her once a year as he lives in England and she lives with her mother in Albany, New York. Their yearly trips mean the world to him. What could go wrong? For starters, Tom did not research the camp or the dark history surrounding it. If he had looked up the camp, he might have thought twice about selecting it, but he did not do his research and now he and his daughter are knee deep in some creepy, spooky stuff.
I loved the premise of this book. A camp with a dark history. Things that go bump in the night. I love '80's horror films and this would make a good one! I read most of this book in one day as I did not want to put it down!
Tom and Frankie are camping and make friends with fellow campers David, Connie and their son Ryan. Connie has a true crime podcast which has quite the following. They are at Hollow Falls because two teachers were murdered there and left displayed on rock. The suspected killer was never found. As it turns out, the other campers are murder obsessed tourists and fans of Connie's podcast as well. Almost twenty years ago the murders occurred so this is the perfect time to go camping there, right???? WRONG!
To round out the fun, there are strange kids in town, strange whispers in the trees, the sound of wind chimes, creepy staff members amongst other things. Would you stay or would you go? Tell yourself it is all in your head or pay closer attention to the little hairs standing up on the back of your neck, alerting you that something just is not right.
I loved this book from the very first page. It is creepy with underlying tension and had me wondering how the story would unfold. I loved Frankie and Tom's POV. I also enjoyed shaking my head at them and silently thinking "Has neither of these characters seen a horror film?" There are certain things you can do to survive: don't split up, don't leave anyone alone, if alone and told to stay somewhere - stay there, stay a virgin, don't open the door to strangers, look behind you, if you fall while running - get up off the ground and keep running, don't lie there crying and begging for your life, don't say you will be right back because you won’t, remember you are not a private investigator and it is not your job to solve whodunit, etc. I am not saying these things happen in the book, but these are just a few examples of things I learned watching horror movies.
Another plus of this book is that it is spooky and atmospheric but not frightening. I loved the creepy vibe of this book. Readers know right away that something is not right. We are given glimpses into the past that alert us to the fact that something is wrong, but what? Plus, what is with the two little kids always playing in their front yard without a parent in sight??????? The town, the woods, the camp all set the stage. I am using the word 'creepy' a lot but that is the perfect word to describe this book!
Like his other books, The Hollows was well written and perfectly paced. I was transported to Hollow Falls and felt as if I were in the woods with them. Edwards is an expert at setting the stage, building plot and mounting tension. From the very first page, I knew he was going to dazzle me.
This book felt like a love letter to horror movies. I could think of several of them while reading this book. I also think this book would make a great movie! So, what is going on? Will you figure it out? Will Mark Edwards fool you? Fans of his will love this book. Edwards brings it on, and readers might not want to venture into the woods again! Plus, I enjoyed the ending! I thought the ending also played like a horror film. It ended the book perfectly for me.
So, if you want to go camping this summer grab this book, watch a couple of horror films, as both might save your life!
Dark, spooky, thrilling.
Thank you to Amazon Publishing UK and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
June 2, 2021
4.5 stars
Tom Anderson lives in the UK, is divorced from his American wife who now lives in Albany with their daughter Frankie. Tom flies to the US and rents a cabin in Hollow Falls, Maine for some much needed off the grid father/daughter time. In the next cabin are David and Connie Butler and their son Ryan. They are ‘dark tourists, true crime buffs with Connie being a well known true crime podcaster. They tell Tom the ‘Hollows Horror Story’ from 1999 ..... Tom finds himself drawn in despite himself.
Where to start with this one? First of all, it’s well written, it’s a visual read with some very atmospheric descriptions that sends chills down the spine and the atmosphere is maintained from start to finish. The deeper into the storyline you go it becomes a horror/thriller crossover and it would make a great Halloween read. There are some creepy characters, some are pure evil and with the nearest small town of Penance feeling like a ghost town of the Wild West that adds to the creep factor. If you add in the spooky, ghostly woods of Hollow Falls you have some good settings. The woods feel alive and eerie and the author gets that across so well it raises the hairs on the back of your neck. At the start of the book it just feels strange then the fear, threat and danger begins to build. I love that it has a Grimm's fairy tale feel with a big added dose of paganism and animism which is mixed in with the present day and the past. The plot becomes very twisty, unpredictable, ghostly and scary with several good nods to Stephen King. The novel is fast paced, easy to read and I eagerly gobble it up! The dark tourism angle is a good one and very believable with the true crime interest that many people have. My only negative is that I’m not convinced the Epilogue is needed as although it does give an air of uncertainty I think it would have been more powerful without it!
Overall another compelling and immersive read from Mark Edwards and one that would make a great film which you might want to watch from behind the sofa!!
With thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
Tom Anderson lives in the UK, is divorced from his American wife who now lives in Albany with their daughter Frankie. Tom flies to the US and rents a cabin in Hollow Falls, Maine for some much needed off the grid father/daughter time. In the next cabin are David and Connie Butler and their son Ryan. They are ‘dark tourists, true crime buffs with Connie being a well known true crime podcaster. They tell Tom the ‘Hollows Horror Story’ from 1999 ..... Tom finds himself drawn in despite himself.
Where to start with this one? First of all, it’s well written, it’s a visual read with some very atmospheric descriptions that sends chills down the spine and the atmosphere is maintained from start to finish. The deeper into the storyline you go it becomes a horror/thriller crossover and it would make a great Halloween read. There are some creepy characters, some are pure evil and with the nearest small town of Penance feeling like a ghost town of the Wild West that adds to the creep factor. If you add in the spooky, ghostly woods of Hollow Falls you have some good settings. The woods feel alive and eerie and the author gets that across so well it raises the hairs on the back of your neck. At the start of the book it just feels strange then the fear, threat and danger begins to build. I love that it has a Grimm's fairy tale feel with a big added dose of paganism and animism which is mixed in with the present day and the past. The plot becomes very twisty, unpredictable, ghostly and scary with several good nods to Stephen King. The novel is fast paced, easy to read and I eagerly gobble it up! The dark tourism angle is a good one and very believable with the true crime interest that many people have. My only negative is that I’m not convinced the Epilogue is needed as although it does give an air of uncertainty I think it would have been more powerful without it!
Overall another compelling and immersive read from Mark Edwards and one that would make a great film which you might want to watch from behind the sofa!!
With thanks to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
May 29, 2022
Tom Anderson gets to visit with his teenage daughter (Frankie) once a year since his divorce. (Tom lives in England and his daughter lives with her mother in the US.) So, he decides Hollow Falls, a camp/resort in Maine, is just the right place for them to visit this year. But once Tom and Frankie get there, he finds out about the dark history of the area… a ritualistic murder that happened twenty years ago involving two teachers. It has brought some “dark tourists” to Hollow Falls… and fans of a popular crime podcaster, who happens to be Tom’s neighbor in the next cabin, along with her husband and teenage son (Ryan). But what is going on in the woods? Tom soon realizes what a mistake it was coming to Hollow Falls.
I enjoyed this book. I liked the camp/woods setting. They were eerie at times, dark and spooky, with the strange wind chimes. And the town outside of the woods called Penance, with the weird characters that lived there. I liked Frankie and her friend Ryan. Twins Buddy and Darlene were totally creepy. I was somewhat disappointed with the epilogue, though.
Another entertaining read by Mark Edwards.
I enjoyed this book. I liked the camp/woods setting. They were eerie at times, dark and spooky, with the strange wind chimes. And the town outside of the woods called Penance, with the weird characters that lived there. I liked Frankie and her friend Ryan. Twins Buddy and Darlene were totally creepy. I was somewhat disappointed with the epilogue, though.
Another entertaining read by Mark Edwards.
August 7, 2021
DNF
This was a mixture of horror and mystery, with some paganism and the fear of the supernatural thrown in. It was well written, but as a thriller, it did not maintain my attention or keep me engaged in its thrills or suspense. I can understand how so many loved this book, but I regret it was not working for me. I was confused when I began this book, as I had authors Mark Edwards and David Mark confused in my mind. The first had written The House Guest while the latter wrote The Guest House.
The story was set in a resort in the Maine woods, where a shocking double murder occurred 20 years earlier. It was creepy and atmospheric, but I was not feeling the fear. I felt the author was trying too hard to replicate scenes from the 1970s and 1980s horror films that I enjoyed. Set in Stephen King territory, there were some nods to his stories. Both adults and teenagers reacted carelessly and foolishly, drawing themselves into more danger. There were some eccentric or odd characters adding to the overwhelming feeling of weirdness.
I stopped reading halfway through and have decided to return to Maine to read the latest Stephen King book instead. I felt this would make a decent film as a homage to the old horror movies. My lack of engagement with this book should not deter prospective readers. It just didn't work for me at this time, but many have rated it highly.
The book is available on Kindle Unlimited and free to members.
This was a mixture of horror and mystery, with some paganism and the fear of the supernatural thrown in. It was well written, but as a thriller, it did not maintain my attention or keep me engaged in its thrills or suspense. I can understand how so many loved this book, but I regret it was not working for me. I was confused when I began this book, as I had authors Mark Edwards and David Mark confused in my mind. The first had written The House Guest while the latter wrote The Guest House.
The story was set in a resort in the Maine woods, where a shocking double murder occurred 20 years earlier. It was creepy and atmospheric, but I was not feeling the fear. I felt the author was trying too hard to replicate scenes from the 1970s and 1980s horror films that I enjoyed. Set in Stephen King territory, there were some nods to his stories. Both adults and teenagers reacted carelessly and foolishly, drawing themselves into more danger. There were some eccentric or odd characters adding to the overwhelming feeling of weirdness.
I stopped reading halfway through and have decided to return to Maine to read the latest Stephen King book instead. I felt this would make a decent film as a homage to the old horror movies. My lack of engagement with this book should not deter prospective readers. It just didn't work for me at this time, but many have rated it highly.
The book is available on Kindle Unlimited and free to members.
December 1, 2021
There's some wickedly weird transitions happenin' here.....
The Hollows takes us front and center into the lives of people moving about from their past experiences into their present ones. Some of the changes are just temporary and some of the changes are gonna have a long-term impact as a result of faulty decisions made and actions that followed.
Tom is a music journalist whose career is taking a turn around in today's market. He's been around for some time based in England and has met some of the brightest in the business. But attention spans and long-winded pieces in magazines aren't what's selling. He's divorced from his American wife and wishes to establish a better relationship with his fourteen year old daughter, Frankie.
As if ol' Stephen King was softly whispering in his ear, "Make it Maine, Buddy." So Tom decides to take Frankie on a trip to Hollow Falls, Maine with a cabin in the woods alongside a beautiful lake. The Creep-O-Meter starts tickin' about now. Little does Tom know that there are "dark tourists" here congregating in those other cabins. They are followers of David and Connie, podcast extraordinaires. David and Connie have a fifteen year old son, Ryan.
Twenty years ago, two teachers were murdered in those woods with their bodies left in a ritualistic manner. Of course, it's the anniversary of the crime. Plenty of things that go bump in the night here. And a shot glass full of Friday the 13th, don'tcha know.
Frankie and Ryan meet up with some very strange teenagers in the next town over. Seems like this newly introduced couple have poked a stick into a massive ant pile.
The Hollows is not heavy lifting. It's a mad run into all the things that you've imagined in a typical setting like this. I enjoyed the relationship between Tom and Frankie who are in the process of feeling out the "hollow" spots in their long distance relationship as father and daughter. The writing is creative and meant to spill woowoo stuff along the pathway. Take it for a spin and just experience a getaway read that's geared to entertain.
The Hollows takes us front and center into the lives of people moving about from their past experiences into their present ones. Some of the changes are just temporary and some of the changes are gonna have a long-term impact as a result of faulty decisions made and actions that followed.
Tom is a music journalist whose career is taking a turn around in today's market. He's been around for some time based in England and has met some of the brightest in the business. But attention spans and long-winded pieces in magazines aren't what's selling. He's divorced from his American wife and wishes to establish a better relationship with his fourteen year old daughter, Frankie.
As if ol' Stephen King was softly whispering in his ear, "Make it Maine, Buddy." So Tom decides to take Frankie on a trip to Hollow Falls, Maine with a cabin in the woods alongside a beautiful lake. The Creep-O-Meter starts tickin' about now. Little does Tom know that there are "dark tourists" here congregating in those other cabins. They are followers of David and Connie, podcast extraordinaires. David and Connie have a fifteen year old son, Ryan.
Twenty years ago, two teachers were murdered in those woods with their bodies left in a ritualistic manner. Of course, it's the anniversary of the crime. Plenty of things that go bump in the night here. And a shot glass full of Friday the 13th, don'tcha know.
Frankie and Ryan meet up with some very strange teenagers in the next town over. Seems like this newly introduced couple have poked a stick into a massive ant pile.
The Hollows is not heavy lifting. It's a mad run into all the things that you've imagined in a typical setting like this. I enjoyed the relationship between Tom and Frankie who are in the process of feeling out the "hollow" spots in their long distance relationship as father and daughter. The writing is creative and meant to spill woowoo stuff along the pathway. Take it for a spin and just experience a getaway read that's geared to entertain.
August 8, 2021
3 Stars
Told in multiple POV, in 1st and 3rd person, it’s a standalone novel. The writing was good enough to make me read it to the end but I can’t say the same for the plot. It was predictable and I could guess the twist early on and the ending wasn’t what I like. It didn’t put my mind at rest. All in all, it fell flat for me and hope you enjoy it more than me!
Told in multiple POV, in 1st and 3rd person, it’s a standalone novel. The writing was good enough to make me read it to the end but I can’t say the same for the plot. It was predictable and I could guess the twist early on and the ending wasn’t what I like. It didn’t put my mind at rest. All in all, it fell flat for me and hope you enjoy it more than me!
July 20, 2021
I had a lot of fun reading this book! I alway enjoy this type of setting (campground / resort in the woods). For example, I really liked The Last Time I Lied, by Riley Sager.
My only complaint (and the reason why I'm giving 3.5 stars instead of 4) is about the ending. I feel like an element wasn't necessary. I like plots with a lot of twists, but I prefer when these are realistic. In this case, I thought it was a bit too much.
Thanks to my GR friends who recommended it to me when I didn't achieve to finish The Retreat, by the same author. This one was way better!
My only complaint (and the reason why I'm giving 3.5 stars instead of 4) is about the ending. I feel like an element wasn't necessary. I like plots with a lot of twists, but I prefer when these are realistic. In this case, I thought it was a bit too much.
Thanks to my GR friends who recommended it to me when I didn't achieve to finish The Retreat, by the same author. This one was way better!
February 14, 2021
I’m a fan of Mark Edwards and have enjoyed all his previous books, I was delighted to receive an ARC of his new book The Hollows.
Tom is looking forward to travelling to America from his home in England to spend time with his fourteen year old daughter Frankie. He has booked a ten day trip to a cabin resort in Maine called Hollow Falls.
Strange things start to happen after they arrive. Items are going missing from cabins, there are rumours of ghostly figures and then he finds out that this place is famous for a double murder that happened twenty years ago.
I enjoyed this book and read it in a day because I didn’t want to put it down. The story was creepy and full of tension.
Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
Tom is looking forward to travelling to America from his home in England to spend time with his fourteen year old daughter Frankie. He has booked a ten day trip to a cabin resort in Maine called Hollow Falls.
Strange things start to happen after they arrive. Items are going missing from cabins, there are rumours of ghostly figures and then he finds out that this place is famous for a double murder that happened twenty years ago.
I enjoyed this book and read it in a day because I didn’t want to put it down. The story was creepy and full of tension.
Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 22, 2021
Tom takes his daughter Frankie into the woods at a fancy smancy new camp called the Hollows. Once there he meets some people that have a true crime podcast.
Tom then discovers that the Maine woods has some secrets including the murder of a couple of teachers years ago. That's why the pod casters are there. It's the anniversary of the murders. *insert some spooky music* IS the murderer still in those woods twenty years later? Was it some kind of weird sacrifice?
Guess what? I didn't hate this book. I actually enjoyed the heck out of it. It kept me reading and just had the touch of spooky going the whole book through. Yes please.
Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.
Tom then discovers that the Maine woods has some secrets including the murder of a couple of teachers years ago. That's why the pod casters are there. It's the anniversary of the murders. *insert some spooky music* IS the murderer still in those woods twenty years later? Was it some kind of weird sacrifice?
Guess what? I didn't hate this book. I actually enjoyed the heck out of it. It kept me reading and just had the touch of spooky going the whole book through. Yes please.
Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.
January 5, 2022
I admit I'm a little disappointed in this book. The characters are one dimensional and the 'horror' is quite dull. Every time I put it down I had a difficult time picking it back up.
June 12, 2022
I’ve had this book for ages and thought it was time to read it. Tom has 2 weeks a year to connect with his 14 year old daughter since his ex wife moved herself and Frankie to the US from England 4 years ago. This year he has booked them into a cabin at the newly opened Hollow Falls resort in Maine. It has many activities on offer for the whole family. In the neighbouring cabin they meet David and Connie Butler and their 15 year old son, Ryan. The Butlers are true crime podcasters and they waste no time filling in Tom and Frankie about the dark history of the site.
20 years ago it was just a basic campground with sites for tents. A school group was staying there when, one night, two teachers were murdered in the woods in what looked like a ritualistic killing. The locals were convinced it was the work of “that weird kid” Everett Miller. In any case, he was never seen again. Some of the locals think he might still be hiding out in the extensive woods.
Frankie and Ryan walk the couple of miles into the nearest town, Penance, to get a phone signal. They meet a couple of creepy looking teens (think Village of the Damned) and Ryan posts some disparaging remarks about the town on social media. Not cool Ryan, as after that the creepy kids seem to pop up everywhere - just staring!
I often say that I don’t find books which are supposed to be creepy or scary in any way creepy or scary but this one had a really creepy vibe. The first half was really good, setting the scene for some building dread and cranking up that creep-o-meter.
The second half was also good in that it was quite nerve wracking but what I didn’t like was the dumb, dumb, dumb decisions Tom and Frankie and Ryan made. There was too much running around in the woods looking for people who should have stayed put and it seemed to go in circles like that for a while. I kept thinking if just one them had stayed put as they were told to then things would have been better. But then again we might not have had such a dramatic ending!
I’m really torn about how to rate this one but I’m going for 3.5 rounded down.
20 years ago it was just a basic campground with sites for tents. A school group was staying there when, one night, two teachers were murdered in the woods in what looked like a ritualistic killing. The locals were convinced it was the work of “that weird kid” Everett Miller. In any case, he was never seen again. Some of the locals think he might still be hiding out in the extensive woods.
Frankie and Ryan walk the couple of miles into the nearest town, Penance, to get a phone signal. They meet a couple of creepy looking teens (think Village of the Damned) and Ryan posts some disparaging remarks about the town on social media. Not cool Ryan, as after that the creepy kids seem to pop up everywhere - just staring!
I often say that I don’t find books which are supposed to be creepy or scary in any way creepy or scary but this one had a really creepy vibe. The first half was really good, setting the scene for some building dread and cranking up that creep-o-meter.
The second half was also good in that it was quite nerve wracking but what I didn’t like was the dumb, dumb, dumb decisions Tom and Frankie and Ryan made. There was too much running around in the woods looking for people who should have stayed put and it seemed to go in circles like that for a while. I kept thinking if just one them had stayed put as they were told to then things would have been better. But then again we might not have had such a dramatic ending!
I’m really torn about how to rate this one but I’m going for 3.5 rounded down.
July 11, 2021
Audio - 1 Star
Brillance audio needs to write up whoever casted the narrator. Maybe give that person a different job. You don't disrespect a MARK EDWARDS book that, damnit!
Story - 4.25 Stars
Discovering the truth behind a true crime could get you killed. I really hope there will be a follow up to this book because that ending...ugh!!
Brillance audio needs to write up whoever casted the narrator. Maybe give that person a different job. You don't disrespect a MARK EDWARDS book that, damnit!
Story - 4.25 Stars
Discovering the truth behind a true crime could get you killed. I really hope there will be a follow up to this book because that ending...ugh!!
April 29, 2021
I have read most of Mark Edwards books and always find them to be exciting, fast paced addictive novels and this one was no different. The book grips the reader early on on continues to build up the tension and suspense throughout.
Tom is single again following the breakup of his marriage and with a struggling career in journalism is looking to reconnect with his fourteen-year-old daughter, Frankie. He is eager to spend quality time with Frankie so he decides to take her to a cabin resort deep in the woods of Maine called Hollow Falls.
Hollow Falls is no ordinary holiday location and there is something very eerie about the place. This only increases when Tom meets true-crime podcasters David and Connie and they tell him of the areas chilling past. It is the twentieth anniversary of a double murder that occurred in Hollow Falls and caused the resort to shutdown. The crime was never solved, and now the woods are overrun with murder-obsessed tourists looking to mark the grim anniversary.
It soon becomes obvious that this holiday is not going to turn out the way Tom had hoped and that there are some deeply disturbing going on at Hollow Falls. Tom’s hopes of a dream vacation turn into a nightmare as he and Frankie are faced with a choice: uncover the truth, or get out while they still can.
Addictive mystery story that the reader will find difficult to put down.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Tom is single again following the breakup of his marriage and with a struggling career in journalism is looking to reconnect with his fourteen-year-old daughter, Frankie. He is eager to spend quality time with Frankie so he decides to take her to a cabin resort deep in the woods of Maine called Hollow Falls.
Hollow Falls is no ordinary holiday location and there is something very eerie about the place. This only increases when Tom meets true-crime podcasters David and Connie and they tell him of the areas chilling past. It is the twentieth anniversary of a double murder that occurred in Hollow Falls and caused the resort to shutdown. The crime was never solved, and now the woods are overrun with murder-obsessed tourists looking to mark the grim anniversary.
It soon becomes obvious that this holiday is not going to turn out the way Tom had hoped and that there are some deeply disturbing going on at Hollow Falls. Tom’s hopes of a dream vacation turn into a nightmare as he and Frankie are faced with a choice: uncover the truth, or get out while they still can.
Addictive mystery story that the reader will find difficult to put down.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
December 29, 2023
"The Hollows" is a departure from the theme of Mark Edwards’ previous novels. An English writer, he has set this novel in the United States – Maine -- and this time, not in an urban setting but in woods which are simultaneously beautiful and mysterious. Music journalist, Tom, lives in England, estranged from his wife and fourteen-year-old daughter, Frankie who live in America. Once a year he gets to spend time with Frankie and on this occasion, he rents a cabin at Hollow Falls, deep in the Maine woodlands. But when they arrive at this unusual resort, Tom discovers that it has a macabre history, a gruesome, unsolved double murder having taken place there some twenty years earlier. In the cabin next door are a couple of podcasters, David and Connie, who capitalise on the murders, turning the resort into a magnet for those seeking a holiday with a difference. Even the woods themselves appear to take on an eerie persona, hiding secrets they don’t wish to reveal. Frankie soon befriends the podcasters’ gay son, Ryan and they begin an adventure of their own. As each day passes, Tom feels he is being drawn inexorably into the resort’s dark past – as well as the beckoning woods themselves -- and there is grave danger that, two decades on, it will catch up with him.
Like his earlier novels, Mark Edwards’ "The Hollows" is an easy read and a page-turning, psychological thriller. Unlike the others though, it is quite different, and not just because of its setting. It could almost be cast into the horror genre, given just how dark its theme is. The author’s characterisation is, as always excellent, and it is easy to like and at the same time be frustrated with the lead character, Tom. Frankie comes across as a typical teenager – infuriating yet you love them anyway. As for the dark characters, they are easy to dislike, hate even. The story moves at a steady pace with twists and turns that will keep readers guessing right up to the surprising and exciting dénouement. A great read – but not on a misty, moonless night.
Like his earlier novels, Mark Edwards’ "The Hollows" is an easy read and a page-turning, psychological thriller. Unlike the others though, it is quite different, and not just because of its setting. It could almost be cast into the horror genre, given just how dark its theme is. The author’s characterisation is, as always excellent, and it is easy to like and at the same time be frustrated with the lead character, Tom. Frankie comes across as a typical teenager – infuriating yet you love them anyway. As for the dark characters, they are easy to dislike, hate even. The story moves at a steady pace with twists and turns that will keep readers guessing right up to the surprising and exciting dénouement. A great read – but not on a misty, moonless night.
February 4, 2023
Sadly, 'The Hollows' is the first novel by author Mark Edwards I thought fell short. This one just never quite gained the same level of momentum - which puts me on the edge of my seat with riveted anticipation for what is to come next - as the numerous other books of his I have completed.
Narrator Guy Mott did a fine job as the lone voice for all of the characters. His English accent is perfect for this story and he made it extremely easy to imagine the storyline in my head. His is a new voice for me and hope to come across more books which he narrates in the future.
Narrator Guy Mott did a fine job as the lone voice for all of the characters. His English accent is perfect for this story and he made it extremely easy to imagine the storyline in my head. His is a new voice for me and hope to come across more books which he narrates in the future.
April 1, 2024
With his marriage over and his career in freefall, journalist Tom decides to reconnect with his fourteen year old daughter, Frankie. Desperate to spend time together now that they live oceans apart, he brings her to Hollow Falls, a cabin resort deep in the woods of Maine. From the outset, there's something a little eerie about the place - strange whispers in trees, windchimes echoing through the forest - but when Tom meets true-crime podcasters, David and Connie, he receives a chilling warning. Hollow Falls has a gruesome history: twenty years ago this week, a double slaying shut down the resort. The crime was never solved.
This is a steady paced, tense and atmospheric read. A double murder had taken place around Hollow Falls twenty years ago. The plotline will have to guessing until the end. It's also quite creepy. There's certainly a mixed bag of characters and you'll quickly be suspecting every single one of them. The storyline held my attention throughout, never knowing what was coming next.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #AmazonPublishingUK and the author #MarkEdwards for my ARC of #TheHollows in exchange for an honest review.
This is a steady paced, tense and atmospheric read. A double murder had taken place around Hollow Falls twenty years ago. The plotline will have to guessing until the end. It's also quite creepy. There's certainly a mixed bag of characters and you'll quickly be suspecting every single one of them. The storyline held my attention throughout, never knowing what was coming next.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #AmazonPublishingUK and the author #MarkEdwards for my ARC of #TheHollows in exchange for an honest review.
April 2, 2023
British psychological thriller writer Mark Edwards is back with another of his novels that are sure to send chills up the spine. Set in Maine, the story explores urban legends and the connection a teenage daughter has with her father, while they spend much of their time half a world apart. Edwards entices the reader with strong writing and a decent plot, providing a methodical approach to the piece and keeping things moving along well. A book worth my time, though not as scintillating as I have seen from Edwards in the past.
After his divorce, Tom Anderson saw his ex-wife and their daughter flee the comforts of the UK to settle in America. Now, with his own career as a music journalist in free-fall, Tom makes his annual trek across the Pond to see Frankie, in hopes of reconnecting with his fourteen-year-old daughter. Tom hopes to push away the distractions of the outside world and chooses the small resort town of Hollow Falls, Maine. Praying that this will work to rebuild their shaky connection, Tom and Frankie begin their escape.
There is something definitely off about Hollow Falls. The wind speaks through the trees, wind chimes ring out randomly, and there is an aura of mystery. All this is confirmed when Tom meets his neighbours, true-crime podcasters David and Connie. It would seem Hollow Falls had a gruesome killing take place there two decades before, something the locals want to keep hidden and folklore has helped build into a crippling worry. With the crime still unsolved, many flock to the region to see where it all took place and posit as to what happened all those years ago.
While Frankie has befriended Connie and David’s son, Ryan, Tom is determined to get to the heart of the matter. Working through what he can decipher, Tom begins preparing to write a lengthy article about Hollow Falls and the murder case. However, there are forces that would keep him from doing just that, as well as flashbacks that tell of how things came to be that fateful summer. As Tom tries to keep Frankie safe and yet still uncover the truth, he is faced with the struggle to choose one or the other. How could such a bucolic community have such a disturbing secret? Mark Edwards spins the tale and keeps the reader guessing about what awaits them in the shadows of Hollow Falls!
I discovered Mark Edwards a number of years ago and have not looked back. His writing is both chilling and well-paced to keep the story evolved. With a clear narrative, Edwards guides the reader through the story easily, offering up wonderful elements that were sure to draw the reader’s attention. A handful of strong characters and situations that help develop their depth, there is much on offer, as well as countless pathways of development. The plot inches forward with both mystery and psychological chills, providing the reader something they can ponder as the climax emerges. While not my favourite Mark Edwards piece, it was a stronger one and the author does well with an American backdrop, showing his writing versatility.
Kudos, Mr. Edwards, on another strong piece that is sure to general some chatter among your fans.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
After his divorce, Tom Anderson saw his ex-wife and their daughter flee the comforts of the UK to settle in America. Now, with his own career as a music journalist in free-fall, Tom makes his annual trek across the Pond to see Frankie, in hopes of reconnecting with his fourteen-year-old daughter. Tom hopes to push away the distractions of the outside world and chooses the small resort town of Hollow Falls, Maine. Praying that this will work to rebuild their shaky connection, Tom and Frankie begin their escape.
There is something definitely off about Hollow Falls. The wind speaks through the trees, wind chimes ring out randomly, and there is an aura of mystery. All this is confirmed when Tom meets his neighbours, true-crime podcasters David and Connie. It would seem Hollow Falls had a gruesome killing take place there two decades before, something the locals want to keep hidden and folklore has helped build into a crippling worry. With the crime still unsolved, many flock to the region to see where it all took place and posit as to what happened all those years ago.
While Frankie has befriended Connie and David’s son, Ryan, Tom is determined to get to the heart of the matter. Working through what he can decipher, Tom begins preparing to write a lengthy article about Hollow Falls and the murder case. However, there are forces that would keep him from doing just that, as well as flashbacks that tell of how things came to be that fateful summer. As Tom tries to keep Frankie safe and yet still uncover the truth, he is faced with the struggle to choose one or the other. How could such a bucolic community have such a disturbing secret? Mark Edwards spins the tale and keeps the reader guessing about what awaits them in the shadows of Hollow Falls!
I discovered Mark Edwards a number of years ago and have not looked back. His writing is both chilling and well-paced to keep the story evolved. With a clear narrative, Edwards guides the reader through the story easily, offering up wonderful elements that were sure to draw the reader’s attention. A handful of strong characters and situations that help develop their depth, there is much on offer, as well as countless pathways of development. The plot inches forward with both mystery and psychological chills, providing the reader something they can ponder as the climax emerges. While not my favourite Mark Edwards piece, it was a stronger one and the author does well with an American backdrop, showing his writing versatility.
Kudos, Mr. Edwards, on another strong piece that is sure to general some chatter among your fans.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
July 2, 2021
This is Mark Edwards darkest and creepiest book yet - which means it's right up my street! I absolutely loved The Hollows. He really set the scene in Hollow Falls and there were times when I had to shift in my chair as a shiver made its way up my spine. Having recently delved into the world of true crime myself, I totally understood the dark fascination that comes with it. But some take it a little too far...
I'm not going to say anymore as I don't want to spoil the story but this is a totally immersive book with engaging characters and a chilling storyline which will keep you glued to the pages. Fans of Stephen King will particularly enjoy this offering and I recommend it to all.
I'm not going to say anymore as I don't want to spoil the story but this is a totally immersive book with engaging characters and a chilling storyline which will keep you glued to the pages. Fans of Stephen King will particularly enjoy this offering and I recommend it to all.
May 5, 2022
Thriller nawiązujący do motywów znanych ze slasherów lat 80., dreszczowiec o wakacjach, które zamieniają się w prawdziwy koszmar.
Wakacje to chwila wyczekiwanej długo beztroski. To moment, gdy opuszczamy gardę. Przymykamy oczy i liczymy na błogi wypoczynek, bez zbędnych niespodzianek. Co wrażliwszych może zbić z tropu brak hotelowego ręcznika, nie wspominając więc o morderczych zapędach szaleńców, którzy błąkają się po lasach. Edwards bawi się tym motywem, wrzuca swoich bohaterów w najgorsze możliwe bagno i daje szansę, by wynurzyli się z niego na własnych, szalonych zasadach. Ta atmosfera oczekiwania, rosnącego napięcia i buzujących emocji to najmocniejsza strona „Głuszy”, która sprawia, że czytamy, siedząc jak na szpilkach. Kto ujdzie z Płytkich Zdrojów żywy? A komu się nie uda?
Mark Edwards zapewnił czytelnikom masę czytelniczej frajdy. „Głusza” to znajomy motyw, to rozpoznawalne klisze, to również historia, która obrócona na lewą stronę wciąż jednak zaskakuje, podrzuca masę ciekawych tropów. Pozwala oderwać się, pozwala zapomnieć, a sama podróż w lasy Maine sprawia, że czy na wakacjach, czy niekoniecznie – i my poczujemy dreszczyk emocji.
Wakacje to chwila wyczekiwanej długo beztroski. To moment, gdy opuszczamy gardę. Przymykamy oczy i liczymy na błogi wypoczynek, bez zbędnych niespodzianek. Co wrażliwszych może zbić z tropu brak hotelowego ręcznika, nie wspominając więc o morderczych zapędach szaleńców, którzy błąkają się po lasach. Edwards bawi się tym motywem, wrzuca swoich bohaterów w najgorsze możliwe bagno i daje szansę, by wynurzyli się z niego na własnych, szalonych zasadach. Ta atmosfera oczekiwania, rosnącego napięcia i buzujących emocji to najmocniejsza strona „Głuszy”, która sprawia, że czytamy, siedząc jak na szpilkach. Kto ujdzie z Płytkich Zdrojów żywy? A komu się nie uda?
Mark Edwards zapewnił czytelnikom masę czytelniczej frajdy. „Głusza” to znajomy motyw, to rozpoznawalne klisze, to również historia, która obrócona na lewą stronę wciąż jednak zaskakuje, podrzuca masę ciekawych tropów. Pozwala oderwać się, pozwala zapomnieć, a sama podróż w lasy Maine sprawia, że czy na wakacjach, czy niekoniecznie – i my poczujemy dreszczyk emocji.
April 30, 2021
The Hollows, as with a lot of novels by Mark Edwards, totally invites binge reading, which is pretty much what happened to me. I settled down for a couple of chapters and then didn’t put it down until I was done.
Its a King-esque plot for sure, dark and creepy woods, scary kids, weird goings on, a local urban legend coming to life and a Father and Daughter caught in the middle.
The plot fairly rocks along, descriptively chilling and I’m not embarrassed to say it caused one or two odd dreams the night I finished it. What Mark Edwards does better than almost anyone else is to get under the readers skin without them even realising it until the lights go out..
I thought this was excellent. Addictive and unpredictable, edgy and haunting. A definite tick in all the right horror thriller boxes.
Recommended. Hey at least it’s out in July – plenty of sunshine hopefully to chase the demons away.
Its a King-esque plot for sure, dark and creepy woods, scary kids, weird goings on, a local urban legend coming to life and a Father and Daughter caught in the middle.
The plot fairly rocks along, descriptively chilling and I’m not embarrassed to say it caused one or two odd dreams the night I finished it. What Mark Edwards does better than almost anyone else is to get under the readers skin without them even realising it until the lights go out..
I thought this was excellent. Addictive and unpredictable, edgy and haunting. A definite tick in all the right horror thriller boxes.
Recommended. Hey at least it’s out in July – plenty of sunshine hopefully to chase the demons away.
July 8, 2021
WARNING…do not read this book if you are camping, or, considering camping soon. You have been warned.
“Don’t forget to leave a review on TripAdvisor!”
Tom, a failing music journalist travels to the US from England to spend some well-needed vacation time with his daughter, Frankie. His relationship with her mother deteriorated, they went through a divorce and she moved to Albany with their daughter. He only has one week a year with her and he books a vacation in Hollow Falls, a place with a history, a dark tourist hotspot, and an eventual new chapter in its horror story.
Frankie and Tom have a strained relationship mainly due to the distance and her raging teenage hormones. As the chapters fly by, their relationship gets closer right in front of the reader’s eye. It’s normal, an everyday relationship that is held back by decisions made by adults that don’t know everything. It’s not their usual holiday, but Tom thinks it’s worth a shot if only he did a quick google search before booking! They don’t know Hollow Falls grisly history and they are about to have it smack bang in their faces!
Hopefully, this won’t be the last vacation they have together.
This book creeped me out. The atmosphere was perfect. Take a walk through the woods, expect to hear the ominous tone of windchimes, the ability to get lost at the drop of a hat, and mysterious creatures with the faces of a fox, Goat, and a Crow. Oh, and why do things mysteriously disappear? The chill was a permanent feature descending my spine. A set of creepy twins, a ghost town by the name of Penance, and the suspense of what happening twenty years ago.
Hollow Falls was the scene of a brutal double murder twenty years ago. Two lovers were killed in the act, shall we say. The resort has attracted “dark tourists” and teamed with even creepier staff members, things are off from the get-go. Mark Edwards has taken me back with a distinct nod to 80’s horror – it feels very Camp Crystal Lake. He knows how to anchor the creepiness into a genuine horror story.
Edwards also injects the potential disaster that social media presents in this story. We have a scene where Frankie loses her phone and all data is wiped, her address noted, the school attended noted, everything…that aspect of the story is horrifying. Just how easy it would be for someone to find you if they wanted to. I flew through this story, it’s compulsive and it only takes Edwards a chapter or less to reel you in. The unease is there from the start, the characters become darker, and in the end, are the shadows ever safe?
The Hollows is dark and intricately twisted…so hard to put down that I’m sure it almost needed prising out of my hands. If you go down to the woods today, you’re in for a big surprise…
“Don’t forget to leave a review on TripAdvisor!”
Tom, a failing music journalist travels to the US from England to spend some well-needed vacation time with his daughter, Frankie. His relationship with her mother deteriorated, they went through a divorce and she moved to Albany with their daughter. He only has one week a year with her and he books a vacation in Hollow Falls, a place with a history, a dark tourist hotspot, and an eventual new chapter in its horror story.
Frankie and Tom have a strained relationship mainly due to the distance and her raging teenage hormones. As the chapters fly by, their relationship gets closer right in front of the reader’s eye. It’s normal, an everyday relationship that is held back by decisions made by adults that don’t know everything. It’s not their usual holiday, but Tom thinks it’s worth a shot if only he did a quick google search before booking! They don’t know Hollow Falls grisly history and they are about to have it smack bang in their faces!
Hopefully, this won’t be the last vacation they have together.
This book creeped me out. The atmosphere was perfect. Take a walk through the woods, expect to hear the ominous tone of windchimes, the ability to get lost at the drop of a hat, and mysterious creatures with the faces of a fox, Goat, and a Crow. Oh, and why do things mysteriously disappear? The chill was a permanent feature descending my spine. A set of creepy twins, a ghost town by the name of Penance, and the suspense of what happening twenty years ago.
Hollow Falls was the scene of a brutal double murder twenty years ago. Two lovers were killed in the act, shall we say. The resort has attracted “dark tourists” and teamed with even creepier staff members, things are off from the get-go. Mark Edwards has taken me back with a distinct nod to 80’s horror – it feels very Camp Crystal Lake. He knows how to anchor the creepiness into a genuine horror story.
Edwards also injects the potential disaster that social media presents in this story. We have a scene where Frankie loses her phone and all data is wiped, her address noted, the school attended noted, everything…that aspect of the story is horrifying. Just how easy it would be for someone to find you if they wanted to. I flew through this story, it’s compulsive and it only takes Edwards a chapter or less to reel you in. The unease is there from the start, the characters become darker, and in the end, are the shadows ever safe?
The Hollows is dark and intricately twisted…so hard to put down that I’m sure it almost needed prising out of my hands. If you go down to the woods today, you’re in for a big surprise…
July 6, 2021
British author Mark Edwards has written a number of psychological thrillers self described as where “scary things happen to ordinary people.” This is the first one I have read.
Written from some different POVs, this was a quick, engrossing read. I was hesitant at first to read it as the description alluded to the paranormal, which I do not enjoy. However, although perhaps a bit mystical, it was not totally over the top. The setting will be somewhat familiar to horror fans and, taking place in Maine, how could it not reference Stephen King? Edwards creates a good sense of place and atmosphere.
I do find it annoying when people who know they or loved ones are in danger continue to do dumb things..but then again, without that happening, there wouldn’t be a story.
Written from some different POVs, this was a quick, engrossing read. I was hesitant at first to read it as the description alluded to the paranormal, which I do not enjoy. However, although perhaps a bit mystical, it was not totally over the top. The setting will be somewhat familiar to horror fans and, taking place in Maine, how could it not reference Stephen King? Edwards creates a good sense of place and atmosphere.
I do find it annoying when people who know they or loved ones are in danger continue to do dumb things..but then again, without that happening, there wouldn’t be a story.
May 1, 2021
The Hollows reminded me of the 1980s horrors movies I was so fond of watching back in the day, minus the dramatic music! The eerie location of Hollow Falls, a cabin resort deep in the woods of Maine, adds to the scary movie vibe. Hollow Falls has a gruesome history, it’s the 20th anniversary of a double murder, a crime which was never solved. Tom and his young daughter Frankie’s dream trip turns into their worst nightmare as events take an unpleasant turn. The Hollows has it all, odd characters, strange happenings, paganism, mystery, local urban legends, creepy dark woods, layered with lashings of suspense.
I love the way the author puts ordinary people into the most frightening situations and then throws everything at them. You can’t help thinking, ‘what would I do in a similar situation?” I thought the book was slow to begin with. It seemed to take a while to get to the crux of the story. I appreciate Edwards used this time to set the scene, build on the atmosphere and introduce the reader to an array of characters, but I felt some parts added little to the story and slowed the pace of the read.
Weird things happen to Tom and Frankie, inhuman faces at the windows of their cabin, random items going missing, unexplained noises in the night. Each event feels like it’s leading up to something far more threatening. As events escalate, the tension grows and evil radiates from the pages. I enjoyed the second half of the book more it’s here, the tension ramps up a notch, the plot becomes far more sinister, and the mood of the book darkens. This was an entertaining, creepy read, but it’s not my favourite book from the author, I’m afraid.
I love the way the author puts ordinary people into the most frightening situations and then throws everything at them. You can’t help thinking, ‘what would I do in a similar situation?” I thought the book was slow to begin with. It seemed to take a while to get to the crux of the story. I appreciate Edwards used this time to set the scene, build on the atmosphere and introduce the reader to an array of characters, but I felt some parts added little to the story and slowed the pace of the read.
Weird things happen to Tom and Frankie, inhuman faces at the windows of their cabin, random items going missing, unexplained noises in the night. Each event feels like it’s leading up to something far more threatening. As events escalate, the tension grows and evil radiates from the pages. I enjoyed the second half of the book more it’s here, the tension ramps up a notch, the plot becomes far more sinister, and the mood of the book darkens. This was an entertaining, creepy read, but it’s not my favourite book from the author, I’m afraid.
April 15, 2022
Klimatyczny thriller osadzony w amerykańskim miasteczku pełnym dziwnych tubylców. W lesie, gdzie puls przyspiesza wraz z szelestem liści. Dodajmy do tego wierzenia pogańskie i okoliczności morderstwa sprzed 20 lat - czeka na Was zarwana noc!
October 12, 2021
I've been really disappointed with Mark Edward's last few books he has written, This looked more of my type of read not keen on his ghostly stories,was a good start but lost interest it was okay read but not exciting book.Ive read better books from this author.
June 2, 2021
Tom is divorced and lives in the UK whilst his ex wife and 14 year old daughter Frankie live in America. He doesn't see his daughter often enough, so when they can have time together, he decides to take her away to a cabin resort where there is no WiFi, and where they can share outdoor persuits such as walking in the woods and archery.
The couple in the next cabin, David and Connie, are podcasters, who gleefully tell them that there was a famous murder that took place in the woods and that the murderer was never found. The best part of the trip for Frankie is that David and Connie have a son, Ryan, about her age, and soon the two are spending time together. Unfortunately Ryan's temper gets them into a whole heap of problems that none of them envisiged!
Factor in some eerie woods, wind chimes ringing from somewhere deep in the forest, and some scary faces in the night, and Mark Edwards is on to a winner. I found myself holding my breath on several occasions, and wanting to sooth my frazzled nerves many times. It has just the right level of creepy, and you finish the book wanting more. A very well written, well thought out book, and one I highly recommend.
The couple in the next cabin, David and Connie, are podcasters, who gleefully tell them that there was a famous murder that took place in the woods and that the murderer was never found. The best part of the trip for Frankie is that David and Connie have a son, Ryan, about her age, and soon the two are spending time together. Unfortunately Ryan's temper gets them into a whole heap of problems that none of them envisiged!
Factor in some eerie woods, wind chimes ringing from somewhere deep in the forest, and some scary faces in the night, and Mark Edwards is on to a winner. I found myself holding my breath on several occasions, and wanting to sooth my frazzled nerves many times. It has just the right level of creepy, and you finish the book wanting more. A very well written, well thought out book, and one I highly recommend.
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October 21, 2021Another great book by Mark Edwards! This is the third book I've read by this author, and I'm definitely going to read more. His books are mystery / suspense and always keep me guessing.
In The Hollows, journalist Tom and his teenage daughter, Frankie, are spending a week at a campground / "cabin resort" deep in the woods of Maine. Their neighbors include David and Connie - true-crime podcasters - and their teenage son, Ryan. From David and Connie, Tom learns about the grim past of the area as they happen to be staying at the resort close to the twentieth "anniversary" of a gruesome event in the woods.
The varying points of view, both in present time and in the past, kept the story moving. The pacing was great and the twists kept me guessing until the end! Also, as frequent visitor to Maine, I felt Edwards really captured the small town community and appreciated that aspect of the book as well. (Although the small town the story is set in is fictional, the surrounding towns are real.) --Diana F.
In The Hollows, journalist Tom and his teenage daughter, Frankie, are spending a week at a campground / "cabin resort" deep in the woods of Maine. Their neighbors include David and Connie - true-crime podcasters - and their teenage son, Ryan. From David and Connie, Tom learns about the grim past of the area as they happen to be staying at the resort close to the twentieth "anniversary" of a gruesome event in the woods.
The varying points of view, both in present time and in the past, kept the story moving. The pacing was great and the twists kept me guessing until the end! Also, as frequent visitor to Maine, I felt Edwards really captured the small town community and appreciated that aspect of the book as well. (Although the small town the story is set in is fictional, the surrounding towns are real.) --Diana F.
July 15, 2021
2.5
Unfortunately, I didn’t like the narrator at all. His voice for Frankie, the teenage daughter, gave me Leave It to Beaver vibes. I think this is DEFINITELY one that should be read. My opinion is tainted. 🤷🏼♀️😏
Unfortunately, I didn’t like the narrator at all. His voice for Frankie, the teenage daughter, gave me Leave It to Beaver vibes. I think this is DEFINITELY one that should be read. My opinion is tainted. 🤷🏼♀️😏
September 13, 2021
Creepy story
I couldn't put the book down. I had to know what was going on. I was so engaged with Frankie and her Dad and what was going on, that I couldn't sleep until I was finished. First off, if you want on vacation and found out that it was the scene of a double murder, and strange things start to happen, any normal human being would pack their suitcase and squeal quickly away from the place, but not this family! I was just in total disbelief when it started and I couldn't understand why they didn't leave. But I did get caught by the macabre story behind it and all the characters. I was gobsmacked by some of the twists and a little scared too. Not as much as I thought I would be but it was an intriguing premise. People murdered twenty years ago, and all signs point to a recurrence happening. Muss by things, dead animals, and warnings are just the start of the journey. Totally hated the epilogue! I hate sequels!
I couldn't put the book down. I had to know what was going on. I was so engaged with Frankie and her Dad and what was going on, that I couldn't sleep until I was finished. First off, if you want on vacation and found out that it was the scene of a double murder, and strange things start to happen, any normal human being would pack their suitcase and squeal quickly away from the place, but not this family! I was just in total disbelief when it started and I couldn't understand why they didn't leave. But I did get caught by the macabre story behind it and all the characters. I was gobsmacked by some of the twists and a little scared too. Not as much as I thought I would be but it was an intriguing premise. People murdered twenty years ago, and all signs point to a recurrence happening. Muss by things, dead animals, and warnings are just the start of the journey. Totally hated the epilogue! I hate sequels!
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