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Ray Wyatt #2
The Hollow Place
While driving to Canada with her boyfriend to start a new life, Samantha Moore, a college student from New York City, vanishes from a lonely, low-rent motel in Vermont.
Ray Wyatt, a veteran reporter grappling with the tragic loss of his wife and son, is assigned to delve into the mystery enveloping the young woman’s disappearance.
Ray Wyatt, a veteran reporter grappling with the tragic loss of his wife and son, is assigned to delve into the mystery enveloping the young woman’s disappearance.
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 7, 2022
167 people are currently reading
418 people want to read
About the author
Rick Mofina
66 books1,326 followersRick Mofina is a former journalist who has interviewed murderers on death row in Montana and Texas, flown over L.A. with the LAPD and patrolled with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police near the Arctic. He's also reported from the Caribbean, Africa and Kuwait's border with Iraq. His true-crime freelance work has appeared in The New York Times, The Telegraph (London, U.K.), Reader’s Digest, Penthouse, Marie Claire and The South China Morning Post, (Hong Kong). He has written more than 20 crime fiction thrillers that have been published in nearly 30 countries.
His work has been praised by James Patterson, Dean Koontz, Michael Connelly, Lee Child, Tess Gerritsen, Jeffery Deaver, Louise Penny, Sandra Brown, James Rollins, Lisa Unger, Brad Thor, Nick Stone, David Morrell, Allison Brennan, Heather Graham, Linwood Barclay, Peter Robinson, Håkan Nesser and Kay Hooper.
The Crime Writers of Canada, The International Thriller Writers and The Private Eye Writers of America have listed his titles among the best in crime fiction. As a two-time winner of Canada's Arthur Ellis Award, a four-time Thriller Award finalist and a two-time Shamus Award finalist, the Library Journal calls him, “One of the best thriller writers in the business.”
Series:
* Tom Reed and Walt Sydowski
* Jason Wade
* Jack Gannon
Awards:
Arthur Ellis Award
◊ Best Novel (2003): Blood of Others
His work has been praised by James Patterson, Dean Koontz, Michael Connelly, Lee Child, Tess Gerritsen, Jeffery Deaver, Louise Penny, Sandra Brown, James Rollins, Lisa Unger, Brad Thor, Nick Stone, David Morrell, Allison Brennan, Heather Graham, Linwood Barclay, Peter Robinson, Håkan Nesser and Kay Hooper.
The Crime Writers of Canada, The International Thriller Writers and The Private Eye Writers of America have listed his titles among the best in crime fiction. As a two-time winner of Canada's Arthur Ellis Award, a four-time Thriller Award finalist and a two-time Shamus Award finalist, the Library Journal calls him, “One of the best thriller writers in the business.”
Series:
* Tom Reed and Walt Sydowski
* Jason Wade
* Jack Gannon
Awards:
Arthur Ellis Award
◊ Best Novel (2003): Blood of Others
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
February 1, 2023
Book two of the Ray Wyatt trilogy.
Congratulations! Samantha Moore was just accepted to Medical school in Toronto.🥳 Her boyfriend steps up to help move her From New York to Canada. He’s borrowed his friends’ truck that comes with a word of caution. Keep a close eye on the gas gage… it’s a tad unreliable!
After a long, disastrous day of running out of gas (saw that one coming!) and getting lost on the back roads of Vermont, they stop for the night to regroup. Samantha steps out to get a soda from the machine and never returns! She isn’t the first person to go missing in this rural area!
With a new job as a reporter with an online news group, Ray Wyatt is assigned to cover the missing woman’s story. But what dangers lie ahead in this innocuous small town?
I’m thoroughly enjoying this trilogy. Rick Mofina perfectly blends a fine mystery with the character's personal struggles.
I’m ready to start book three tonight! Will Ray finally get some answers himself to his own mystery…that of his missing son?
Congratulations! Samantha Moore was just accepted to Medical school in Toronto.🥳 Her boyfriend steps up to help move her From New York to Canada. He’s borrowed his friends’ truck that comes with a word of caution. Keep a close eye on the gas gage… it’s a tad unreliable!
After a long, disastrous day of running out of gas (saw that one coming!) and getting lost on the back roads of Vermont, they stop for the night to regroup. Samantha steps out to get a soda from the machine and never returns! She isn’t the first person to go missing in this rural area!
With a new job as a reporter with an online news group, Ray Wyatt is assigned to cover the missing woman’s story. But what dangers lie ahead in this innocuous small town?
I’m thoroughly enjoying this trilogy. Rick Mofina perfectly blends a fine mystery with the character's personal struggles.
I’m ready to start book three tonight! Will Ray finally get some answers himself to his own mystery…that of his missing son?
September 12, 2024
This was tge 2nd book in the Ray Wyatt trilogy.
Ray has found a job and he is on his first assignment that takes him to Vermont.
He is gathering investigative information on the 6 month disappearance of Samantha (Sam)
He find that his FBI friend (Jill), is in the same mission.
Read to find out if they find Sam or not.
My review challenge question for this book is:
What do the characters symbolize?
Evil, not so evil(Just weird) and the good guys.
Ray has found a job and he is on his first assignment that takes him to Vermont.
He is gathering investigative information on the 6 month disappearance of Samantha (Sam)
He find that his FBI friend (Jill), is in the same mission.
Read to find out if they find Sam or not.
My review challenge question for this book is:
What do the characters symbolize?
Evil, not so evil(Just weird) and the good guys.
January 8, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
Checks all the boxes, short, action packed.
The showdown was a bit cringe, hence the negative .5
Checks all the boxes, short, action packed.
The showdown was a bit cringe, hence the negative .5
July 13, 2023
After a good experience with the first book, I decided to give the second one in the series a try.
Consistent with the first one, liked the main character Ray Wyatt - and the plot was compelling. Was another good experience and I will definitely pick up the third one when it is released in July.
Consistent with the first one, liked the main character Ray Wyatt - and the plot was compelling. Was another good experience and I will definitely pick up the third one when it is released in July.
September 1, 2023
Short, but effective.
I do like spending time with the author and narrator, but I feel like the main character, Ray Wyatt, is just a vessel. He's pretty flat and underdeveloped.
His backstory is heartbreaking, yet I feel almost nothing for him beyond that.
He has a real knack for showing up at the right place, at the exact, right time. But that's not a personality trait, so to speak.
His FBI agent friend/potential love-interest, Jill McDade, is more of a guest star in this book, but eventually shows up. She's even more underdeveloped as a character, but I came for the story this time around, not the characters.
Samantha Moore, the missing girl the entire book revolves around, is almost a whole character, but falls a bit short too. Once again: A super-tragic backstory, but not much else.
I was happy when she started problem solving her way out of her kidnapping, rather than have internal ramblings about bats going on and on and on.
For such a short book, she sure had time to mentally trash-talk bats! *eye-roll*
I basically laughed at the final showdown and how suddenly it happened.
(No spoilers, but Ray really was at the right place at the right time again.)
The Hydra case tying in with the first book made this one feel more like a pure continuation, rather than a 2nd instalment in a series, even if efforts to make this book work as a stand-alone have been done.
I think the 3rd will probably be the same so I will keep going - to find out what happens to Ray and if his son is indeed alive.
(He probably is, because by now I don't really expect the twists to be overly complicated, but we'll see if I'm right or not.)
I do like spending time with the author and narrator, but I feel like the main character, Ray Wyatt, is just a vessel. He's pretty flat and underdeveloped.
His backstory is heartbreaking, yet I feel almost nothing for him beyond that.
He has a real knack for showing up at the right place, at the exact, right time. But that's not a personality trait, so to speak.
His FBI agent friend/potential love-interest, Jill McDade, is more of a guest star in this book, but eventually shows up. She's even more underdeveloped as a character, but I came for the story this time around, not the characters.
Samantha Moore, the missing girl the entire book revolves around, is almost a whole character, but falls a bit short too. Once again: A super-tragic backstory, but not much else.
I was happy when she started problem solving her way out of her kidnapping, rather than have internal ramblings about bats going on and on and on.
For such a short book, she sure had time to mentally trash-talk bats! *eye-roll*
I basically laughed at the final showdown and how suddenly it happened.
(No spoilers, but Ray really was at the right place at the right time again.)
The Hydra case tying in with the first book made this one feel more like a pure continuation, rather than a 2nd instalment in a series, even if efforts to make this book work as a stand-alone have been done.
I think the 3rd will probably be the same so I will keep going - to find out what happens to Ray and if his son is indeed alive.
(He probably is, because by now I don't really expect the twists to be overly complicated, but we'll see if I'm right or not.)
July 8, 2023
I read this second in series by Rick Mofina, featuring journalist Ray Wyatt. I have to say I was disappointed. Had gone right into it after finishing, "Into the Fire," the first in series. There was in my mind so many repetitive details that this one could almost be a stand-alone.
The emense tragedies, sadness, and broken lives theme are carried on and on. Ryan seemed to have lost his drive. His character was not well developed . In the end, such as it was, I was left with an emptiness and no sense of closure. Sure, there were twists and turns, but I think I'll take some time to go to the third book.
For some reason this book does not appear on my books read..
The emense tragedies, sadness, and broken lives theme are carried on and on. Ryan seemed to have lost his drive. His character was not well developed . In the end, such as it was, I was left with an emptiness and no sense of closure. Sure, there were twists and turns, but I think I'll take some time to go to the third book.
For some reason this book does not appear on my books read..
November 3, 2022
The Hollow Place is book two in the Ray Wyatt series.
Twists and turns as Ray and the police are racing against the clock to find the missing student Samantha.
She and her boyfriend were on their way to Canada using an indirect route.
Rick Mofina's writing was so vivid I had goosebumps as Sam waited in her car on the side of the road.
Twists and turns with some nasty characters will keep the pages turning.
The ending left me saying when is Book 3 out.
I cant wait
Twists and turns as Ray and the police are racing against the clock to find the missing student Samantha.
She and her boyfriend were on their way to Canada using an indirect route.
Rick Mofina's writing was so vivid I had goosebumps as Sam waited in her car on the side of the road.
Twists and turns with some nasty characters will keep the pages turning.
The ending left me saying when is Book 3 out.
I cant wait
January 18, 2023
This thriller kept me up past my normal bedtime last night, not an easy thing to do. I am now addicted to Rick Mofina's books.
November 4, 2024
Another page-turner. Great series.
August 14, 2025
Quick read and enjoyable second book in the series.
February 16, 2023
Good read. 2nd book of 3. Last one next.
September 28, 2023
This was a wonderful cozy read. I liked the characters and was drawn in for the whole story.
December 22, 2022
A cleverly paced thriller with dramatic suspense heightened and tightened by the contextual effect of several points of view happening 'all over the map', as it were. It is the story of the vanishing somewhere in the Northest Kingdom of Vermont, of a 20-year-old woman from New York. Wow!! Kudos to the author!! A great read!!
October 10, 2022
Wow!
An intense story, well crafted as usual. I devoured this book in just a few hours. Looking forward to the next installment next month!
An intense story, well crafted as usual. I devoured this book in just a few hours. Looking forward to the next installment next month!
September 21, 2023
What did I just read ???
I saw this book had 4+ stars reviews and decided to listen to it via Hoopla. I usually listen to books while working, but my gosh was this one was hard to follow. I’m not sure if that’s a personal problem or a common opinion on this book…
It was confusing (and annoying) how the author would switch from referring to characters by their last name then first name. I would think the author is talking about 8 people, but it’s really just 4. Also, the povs in the middle to middle-end of the book were confusing as heck (probably because of the last name vs first name referrals).
The most interesting part of this book was the beginning and end. I’m tempted to read the 3rd book just because of the ending sentence of this book. However, the climax of this book happened WAY too fast, which made it unrealistic (especially given the circumstance).
Overall, good beginning and end, but hard to follow (if listening to the audiobook) and not interesting for most of the book.
I saw this book had 4+ stars reviews and decided to listen to it via Hoopla. I usually listen to books while working, but my gosh was this one was hard to follow. I’m not sure if that’s a personal problem or a common opinion on this book…
It was confusing (and annoying) how the author would switch from referring to characters by their last name then first name. I would think the author is talking about 8 people, but it’s really just 4. Also, the povs in the middle to middle-end of the book were confusing as heck (probably because of the last name vs first name referrals).
The most interesting part of this book was the beginning and end. I’m tempted to read the 3rd book just because of the ending sentence of this book. However, the climax of this book happened WAY too fast, which made it unrealistic (especially given the circumstance).
Overall, good beginning and end, but hard to follow (if listening to the audiobook) and not interesting for most of the book.
December 5, 2024
I love Rick Mofina's books! I have read quite a number of them. They are a quick read for me when I'm tired of deeper, more philosophical stuff.
This one is about a young woman who was abducted when she attempted to help a man with a repair of his truck. The rest of the story is about all of the people who worked so hard to find her. Mofina's books are always full of a lot of characters. I read them on my kindle and I can highlight a line whenever a new character shows up. Then I can go back, if I need to, and find out what their job was.
The perp had a horrific purpose in using his victims for his "art collections," so I'm happy that the author did not go into great detail about this. It was briefly touched upon so I got the idea without a lot of details.
Whenever I see another book offered by Rick Mofina, I come here to see if I have already it. If not, I jump right on it!
This one is about a young woman who was abducted when she attempted to help a man with a repair of his truck. The rest of the story is about all of the people who worked so hard to find her. Mofina's books are always full of a lot of characters. I read them on my kindle and I can highlight a line whenever a new character shows up. Then I can go back, if I need to, and find out what their job was.
The perp had a horrific purpose in using his victims for his "art collections," so I'm happy that the author did not go into great detail about this. It was briefly touched upon so I got the idea without a lot of details.
Whenever I see another book offered by Rick Mofina, I come here to see if I have already it. If not, I jump right on it!
March 6, 2025
“The Hollow Place” by Rick Mofina was an okay read. It is about Samantha Moore a possible medical student, on her way to Canada to University, who was captured on the back roads of Vermont. She and her boyfriend run out of gas and eventually return to a nearby motel after the boyfriend walks back to a fuel station. Samantha was captured while obtaining some cans of soda from a coin machine at the motel.
A journalist, Ray Wyatt, working for a new newspaper, is sent to develop the story and he is determined to solve the disappearance. He is a competent journalist with skill in solving mysteries and eventually managed to solve this one. He also helped FBI agent friend, Jill McDade, to solve an old case they worked on together previously.
I thought this was a three-to-four-star read and is good enough for people who love mysteries.
A journalist, Ray Wyatt, working for a new newspaper, is sent to develop the story and he is determined to solve the disappearance. He is a competent journalist with skill in solving mysteries and eventually managed to solve this one. He also helped FBI agent friend, Jill McDade, to solve an old case they worked on together previously.
I thought this was a three-to-four-star read and is good enough for people who love mysteries.
March 18, 2025
Another in the Ray Wyatt series, in which Ray gets a new job and heads for the site where a missing college student was last seen. While there, he encounters an FBI agent he worked with on a previous case, but why is she there when her usual setting is NYC?
Soon it becomes clear that what they had previously worked on, an unsolved mystery involving numerous victims, is somehow linked to the kidnapping that Ray is intent on writing about. But she can't confirm details he needs.
Then he stops at a gas station and suddenly finds himself in the midst of not only the discovery of the missing student but the person who has tried to hide her from the police searching for her. Will he get his story?
Soon it becomes clear that what they had previously worked on, an unsolved mystery involving numerous victims, is somehow linked to the kidnapping that Ray is intent on writing about. But she can't confirm details he needs.
Then he stops at a gas station and suddenly finds himself in the midst of not only the discovery of the missing student but the person who has tried to hide her from the police searching for her. Will he get his story?
November 13, 2024
The second installment of this series and it’s just as action packed and thrilling! Ray Wyatt has been let go by his news outlet and spending his time looking into a video sent to him that could be of his son Danny being abducted. A job offer to report on a missing student, Samantha Moore, on her way from New York to Toronto peeks his interest. Ray heads to Vermont, the isolated area where the missing girl was last seen with her boyfriend. Interviewing people involved and driving her route, Ray meets many likely suspects and keeps you wondering🤔and then FBI special agent Jill McDade shows up and Ray knows he’s getting close. Enjoying this series and its characters very much.
July 1, 2024
When a college student goes missing on the trip to school in a rural area, Ray Wyatt is called in again to pursue the clues in the case. Unknown to him, so has FBI Special Agent Gill McDade. Set in an area where others have disappeared, there is no shortage of false leads and theories, but both Wyatt and McDade pull out the stops in case this girl is still alive.
Riveting suspense and spooky settings drive the tension through the roof.
Riveting suspense and spooky settings drive the tension through the roof.
September 25, 2024
The second book in this series was so interesting, I've now gone back and read book one.
Ray Wyatt is an investigative journalist who is reporting on the disappearance of Samantha Moore. Samantha disappears from her motel in an area of Vermont that has seen other mysterious happenings.
Though there are references to book one, you could read it as a standalone. I however, had to go back to get the back story of Ray and his connection to the FBI, Jill McDade.
Ray Wyatt is an investigative journalist who is reporting on the disappearance of Samantha Moore. Samantha disappears from her motel in an area of Vermont that has seen other mysterious happenings.
Though there are references to book one, you could read it as a standalone. I however, had to go back to get the back story of Ray and his connection to the FBI, Jill McDade.
September 25, 2024
The second book in this series was so interesting, I've now gone back and read book one.
Ray Wyatt is an investigative journalist who is reporting on the disappearance of Samantha Moore. Samantha disappears from her motel in an area of Vermont that has seen other mysterious happenings.
Though there are references to book one, you could read it as a standalone. I however, had to go back to get the back story of Ray and his connection to the FBI, Jill McDade.
Ray Wyatt is an investigative journalist who is reporting on the disappearance of Samantha Moore. Samantha disappears from her motel in an area of Vermont that has seen other mysterious happenings.
Though there are references to book one, you could read it as a standalone. I however, had to go back to get the back story of Ray and his connection to the FBI, Jill McDade.
August 27, 2025
Another engrossing read by Rick Mofina
When I started this book i wasn't sure that i was going to like it. I'm not particularly fond of creepy stories, which is what I was imagining here. I should have known that Rick Mofina would weave a well crafted tale with unusual and unique characters that would keep me in its grips right to the end.
Highly recommended to anyone who loves a good mystery.
When I started this book i wasn't sure that i was going to like it. I'm not particularly fond of creepy stories, which is what I was imagining here. I should have known that Rick Mofina would weave a well crafted tale with unusual and unique characters that would keep me in its grips right to the end.
Highly recommended to anyone who loves a good mystery.
December 1, 2022
Fantastic!
Rick Mofina’s done it again - written a story you just can’t put down. He’s been one of my favorite authors since I read his first book in a series about another Reporter named Jason Wade, called The Dying Hour. I devoured them, then moved on to his Tom Reed series, again reading all back to back. A fabulous author! Now on to Book 3 of the Ray Wyatt series!
Rick Mofina’s done it again - written a story you just can’t put down. He’s been one of my favorite authors since I read his first book in a series about another Reporter named Jason Wade, called The Dying Hour. I devoured them, then moved on to his Tom Reed series, again reading all back to back. A fabulous author! Now on to Book 3 of the Ray Wyatt series!
September 22, 2023
Wow!
Samantha has sold her family home, packed up & is on her way to Canada for a fresh start to begin medical school. Her boyfriend agrees to drive her but takes a detour during the trip. The consequences of that short-cut sets off a chain of events that will change her life forever, if not end it. What a rollercoaster ride. Another 5* by Rick Mofina!
Samantha has sold her family home, packed up & is on her way to Canada for a fresh start to begin medical school. Her boyfriend agrees to drive her but takes a detour during the trip. The consequences of that short-cut sets off a chain of events that will change her life forever, if not end it. What a rollercoaster ride. Another 5* by Rick Mofina!
December 10, 2023
Kudos for Rick Mofina!
Another great read! Mr Mofina never disappoints. His writing style grasps you, takes you on a fascinating pace and storyline, and leaves you anxious to read his next book. The Ray Wyatt series is an awesome read and you'll regret it if you don't get started! It's truly one that's hard to put down.
Another great read! Mr Mofina never disappoints. His writing style grasps you, takes you on a fascinating pace and storyline, and leaves you anxious to read his next book. The Ray Wyatt series is an awesome read and you'll regret it if you don't get started! It's truly one that's hard to put down.
November 4, 2024
New author for me but I liked his writing. Kept me turning pages. You don’t meet Ray Wyatt until you get quite a ways into the book and he doesn’t play a huge part. More incidental than anything. You never really understand what the villain had planned. Maybe if I read the first book in the series? but it was a good crime mystery.
January 11, 2023
Engaging!
I enjoyed the first of this trilogy and the second did not disappoint. Wyatt and McDade are interesting characters, the plot is good and the story fast-paced. I recommend it.
I enjoyed the first of this trilogy and the second did not disappoint. Wyatt and McDade are interesting characters, the plot is good and the story fast-paced. I recommend it.
February 15, 2023
Too many inconsistentcies
Needs a good continuity editor. And a little less " happily ever after". Author seems consumed by the need to wrap things up with a bow a d still messes up on details. Too wordy by half. Outcome is obvious for 100 pages. Try harder next time
Needs a good continuity editor. And a little less " happily ever after". Author seems consumed by the need to wrap things up with a bow a d still messes up on details. Too wordy by half. Outcome is obvious for 100 pages. Try harder next time
June 24, 2023
Another entertaining, well-written novel made somewhat unfulfilling due to the staggering luck involved. I wonder why Mofina chooses to write stories that are told and resolved almost entirely through happenstance. I don’t really understand, honestly! But they’re still a fun read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews