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Someone is still watching from the shadows. And waiting…

The relieved residents of Cold Springs are returning to their normal lives after an arrest in the recent kidnapping. But their children remain in danger, vulnerable pawns for a man who’ll go to any length to make Adam Rutledge suffer.

Adam Rutledge wants nothing more than to forget his brush with death and the childhood trauma it has reawakened. Instead, he’s losing touch with the world around him and falling deeper into visions he can’t escape of horrors that aren’t his own.

When the unthinkable happens and another child is taken, suspicion falls upon Adam, whose role in rescuing the previous victim cannot be explained. Soon Adam is running from the authorities, searching for the missing child and for answers about what is overpowering his mind. But can he live with what he finds?

Founder is the second book in the Dead Hollow psychological suspense trilogy. If you like crime thrillers, authentic characters, and a dash of paranormal, then you’ll love Judy K. Walker’s haunting series.

Buy Founder to uncover more of the secrets of Dead Hollow today!

594 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 1, 2021

22 people are currently reading
18 people want to read

About the author

Judy K. Walker

16 books42 followers
A recovering criminal attorney, Judy K. Walker has enough spare letters after her name (and student loan debt) to suggest that insatiable curiosity is something fictional private investigator Sydney Brennan inherited from her creator. Fortunately, Judy’s curiosity rarely involves murders. She also penned the Dead Hollow Trilogy, an Appalachian thriller series with a touch of the paranormal that taps into her West Virginia origins.

The Sydney Brennan Mysteries stand alone, but do build upon each other. The books, featuring Tallahassee Private Investigator Sydney Brennan and a recurring supporting cast, are (in reading order): Back to Lazarus, Secrets in Stockbridge, The Perils of Panacea, No Safe Winterport, Braving the Boneyard, River Bound, and Grave Truth.

Dead Hollow is a true trilogy of supernatural crime thrillers and must be read IN ORDER: Prodigal, Founder, and Heir.

Judy writes from her home in Hawaii, where she is surrounded by husband, feral pigs, and assorted geckos.

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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
31 reviews
September 12, 2017
As a fan of Ms. Walker's Sydney Brennan books and I was motivated to read Founder; because I'm not really fond of books that involve the supernatural and things of that nature. After reading this book, that may change. Founder is well written, very descriptive and chock full of quirky, unique, interesting well developed characters. Adam is an independent guy who's back home after 2 decades, reconnecting with his close childhood friend JJ. He's struggling to learn more about, and cope with, his psychic abilities. Long buried bodies are discovered and Adam's estranged, mentally unstable father, who's incarcerated for a child abduction/murder that took place years before, tells police his son is responsible for the recent disappearance of local boy. I had a good idea who was really committing the crimes fairly early on, but there were still a few surprises along the way. You don't have to be a fan of psychics or supernatural genres to enjoy this book...I'm not and I did (enjoy it).

When I really like a book, I often imagine who'd fit each character best if it were a tv show or movie. I started to do that mid-way through Founder. I could see Taylor Kinney (Casey on Chicago Fire) as Adam - mainly because he's got amazing eyes which fit my impression of someone with Adam's abilities. For JJ, I picture Katherine McPhee (former American Idol contestant and co-star on the tv show Scorpion). I'm still undecided who'd play Sheriff Grant Mason, grandma Iris, Harlan and some of the other characters.

My only complaint is about myself - for not reading Prodigal, the first book in the Dead Hollow series) before reading Founder. I'd have a better understanding of the who, what, when, where, why and hows. And it would have cleared my confusion and answered some questions. In my defense, when I was offered the Advance Reader Copy I didn't realize it was the 2nd book in the series. (Note to self: find out that information next time - if there is a next time) That said, I'd recommend people read Prodigal before they read Founder and so on.

Note: I received an Advance Reader Copy of Founder but that has no bearing on my perspective and/or opinions.
Profile Image for Judi Haley.
1,366 reviews6 followers
March 16, 2018
You know the only thing wrong with this series, I don't have the next one!!!! I loved the 2nd in the series about this small town. JJ, and Adam are back. Just after solving the mystery of who was kidnapping and killing children, another child has been abducted. JJ is still around, but this time her ex-husband is stalking her, and I think for the first time JJ is scared that not only has he come after her best friend and protector, Trooper, but also their daughter, Evie.

But, how can this be, Adam's father is in jail and they thought he was the only one involved, but Adams "dreams" are coming back and last time they almost killed him. But, this doesn't stop Adam, he is going to "get into the mind of the little boy that was taken" no matter if it takes his life.

This is another page turned. If you like paranormal, mystery, action, you will love these books.
Can't wait for the next one.
Profile Image for Susan .
107 reviews5 followers
July 17, 2020
WOW

I read this book I'm a day and a half. I just couldn't put it down. This is a GREAT series and it saddens me that I only have one more book with characters I have come to look forward to spending time with.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who likes mysteries with a little paranormal thrown in. Great Read! 4 1/2 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟
95 reviews2 followers
December 7, 2017
What a thrilling ride once again - I'm falling in love with Dead Hollow as odd as that sounds. I just love all the quirky characters and the touch of paranormal in these books. Can't wait for the third one to come!
Profile Image for Leslie Hysom.
140 reviews
October 27, 2021
Founder by Judy K. Walker was an excellent book

This is the second of a three book series following JJ, Adam and Danny. The stories are exciting and kept me involved until the end of each book. Looking forward to reading the Heir, the third book in the series.
12.7k reviews190 followers
September 15, 2017
What an amazing book that has you gripped from the beginning until the very end. Can't wait for more. Received an ARC and reviewing because I loved this book.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews

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