Book Review: The Hollows by Daniel Church
I received a review copy from the publisher. This does not affect the contents of my review and all opinions are my own.
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Genre: Horror
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Angry Robot (November 8, 2022)
Length: 460 pages
Author Information: Website | Twitter
I went into The Hollows without knowing much about the book beyond that it was a horror set in a remote English village in the middle of a snowstorm. What I expected was something more in line with a psychological suspense, but instead what I got reminded me very much of 30 Days of Night with a dash of Midnight Mass—a claustrophobic pulse-pounding thriller with a paranormal component and featuring religious themes of good versus evil in a war as old as time.
In the sleepy town of Barsall, it isn’t too uncommon to find a few bodies frozen in the snow every winter, usually of lost travelers who wandered too far from the trail or underestimated the dangers of the bitter cold. But the latest one Constable Ellie Cheetham is called in to investigate is something of a mystery. For one thing, the victim is a local named Tony Harper, a member of the village’s most notorious family of troublemakers. He also died close to home, clutching a knife in one hand as if he’d spent his final moments trying to fend off an attacker. And finally, Ellie finds a strange symbol etched in charcoal near his corpse, possibly a ritualistic marking.
Instead of answers, a visit to the Harper household only leads to more questions. Tony’s mother, the matriarch Liz Harper, was predictably angry and grief stricken when informed of her favorite son’s death, but in the older woman’s eyes, Ellie also thought she saw a flash of terror. Liz Harper appears to know more than she lets on about what killed Tony, and of the strange charcoal marking and what it means.
As you can imagine, because I went into The Hollows blind, I was thrown for a loop at how things turned out. It was definitely the best way to experience this book, to be surprised and thrown off guard by the revelations of what was plaguing Barsall. Cosmic horror combined with demonic forces made this one a more unique and intriguing experience than I was expecting.
The setting also did not disappoint. I love tales of terror of suspense set in cold remote places cut off from civilization or any chance of rescue when the shit hits the fan. It’s the main reason I jumped at the chance to read this book with nary a clue of its plot or premise. I’m happy to say author Daniel Church nailed the homely atmosphere of Barstall, where everyone knows each other’s business and barely any secrets can be kept. Despite the mundane nature of life there, it’s a down-to-earth and cozy existence, making the horror that befalls its citizens later in the book feel so much worse.
Speaking of which, most of the characters are stereotypical figures you’d find in a small-town story, but they’re well-written and memorable. Ellie is the no-nonsense, capable cop on the job, who takes her duties to serve and protect rather seriously. Keeping her on her toes is the Harper family out at the Barrowman Farm, led by the vile Liz Harper and her older sons who are little more than her thuggish henchmen. As horrible as they were, the Harpers hold the key to the story’s mystery, and I was fascinated to learn of the role they played in the overall conflict.
The writing was also impressive, if no literary masterpiece. Church’s prose is a good match for the genre and tone of the story, written in a cinematic style that proved effective especially in the final chapters. With action happening in several places all at once and the perspectives moving between all the different POV characters in quick succession, I could imagine the words on the page playing out like a movie in my mind. Some of the sequences were so lengthy and intense, in fact, that it was almost mentally exhausting.
If you’re looking for a snowbound horror that’s equal parts thrilling and entertaining though, The Hollows has got you covered. A gripping chiller for the winter season, it’s even better when you don’t know what’s coming.
The BiblioSanctum 
Snowbound horror? Yikes
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My favorite 😀
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This was already high on my “wanted” list, but it just gained several places upward… 😉
Thanks for sharing!
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It was definitely different! I loved being surprised!
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The mention of cosmic horror is very tempting. BUT. I have such 50/50 luck with books from you that its not even funny any more 🙂
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I know – that’s why I don’t ever really do personal recommendations, I just write my reviews and if you think it sounds interesting, check it out. Your mileage may vary 😀
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You had me at 30 Days of Night + Midnight Mass 🤩 I’m going to have to read this now!
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Both of those came to mind while I was reading – and then I saw that the back of my arc actually made the same comparison as well! So I’m glad my feelings are validated lol!
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I knew this had supernatural elements going in, but that didn’t take away from my enjoyment at all😁
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For real, I think it added to my enjoyment, personally!
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Damn that seemed intense!!
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It really was! Some parts of it felt like a movie!
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I love reading about upcoming books on blogs like this, but there’s also a certain thrill to experiencing a book knowing nothing about it, as you did here.
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Yep, that’s why I typically go into books blind. I mean, I’ll read book descriptions to see if they’re worth adding to the watchlist in the first place, but by the time the book releases, chances are I would have forgotten what it’s about. If I added it though, it means I found the premise interesting, and then I get to be surprised all over again 🙂
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Yeah, this was not at all what I was expecting and I really enjoyed it.
Lynn 😀
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