Mark Edwards is an excellent author. As a mother of a young teen I love the idea of family bonding with my kid. Easily fell into step with Tom and Frankie. Really dark and twisted journey they have and I am here for it! Great book! Perfect for book club.

One way I judge my books is if I stop reading them, put them down and read one or two other books before picking them up again. Let me just say that this did not happen while reading this book. I was interested in the plot and wanted to keep reading to find out what happened nest. The author took the "sacred ground" theme to a whole new ballgame with his characters. Although I guessed who one of the main "bad" guys was before it was revealed, it didn't make any difference in my wanting to pursue the story. I have not read books by this author before, but now I will look for some.

Mark Edwards is one of my favourite authors and one of the first self-published authors I came across when I started my Facebook group, The Fiction Café. It felt like such a long time since I read his previous book The House Guest so was looking forward to diving into this book!

It starts with a great chapter detailing a father and daughter vacation. The opening chapters of his books are always intriguing. You know your going into a book that will include some kind of ‘different’ twist within the storyline, whether that a hint of supernatural or mystery! This one was great! I won’t say what it is as it’s not in the blurb so don’t want to give spoilers!

The opening chapters left me with a creepy feeling so I knew I was going to love it. Leaving me on edge while reading a book is always a good sign!

The story soon switched to a dark theme and their holiday turns a bit sinister with weird things going on and descends into historical murders and true crime written as fiction. I loved the mentions of previous true crime serial killers as it’s something that’s always fascinated me. The fictitious historical murder in the story was superbly written and really put the sinister edge to the storyline which I come to expect with this authors novels. The Hollows had elements of themes that interest me and the writing of this fiction novel was spot on in terms of research.

Another fabulous novel about ordinary people dealing with the extraordinary happenings!

Tom and his teenage daughter Frankie are vacationing at Hollow Fall, a remote woodland camp where, Tom quickly finds out, a ritual murder took place twenty years previously. The main suspect was never caught, and rumour is that he lives in the woods, still. A rumour Tom laughs off until strange things start happening - sightings of strangers in animal masks, things going missing from the camp. Meanwhile Frankie is in involved in a drama of her own with some sinister locals. With the two finding themselves enmeshed deeper and deeper in the camp's secrets, it soon becomes clear that there is more to Hollow Falls than anyone suspected.Tom and Frankie need to figure out who's behind the strange occurrences before that someone finds them...

I enjoyed this novel from Mark Edwards well enough, but something was missing for me from this one - I am a big fan of his books, but this one wasn't my favourite. Some of the characters were a little melodramatic for my liking, and although I like the haunted camp trope, I don't think it was used to full effect. Still - an enjoyable read from a writer who is very good at what he does.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher, who granted me a free ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Loved this! I was thoroughly gripped right from the beginning. It was definitely a book I didn’t want to put down. Twisty, dark and addictive.

Mark Edwards is at the top of my favorite authors and must read list, and this book just further cements that opinion. His villians are always absolutely, chillingly diabolical, and he's raised the bar with this collection of ne'er do wells. Set in an atmospheric, (supposed to be) serene cabin resort vacation spot, the weird starts almost immediately, and escalates to page turning tension not long after. I really liked his main characters in this book, the father/daughter pair were very true to life, and very likeable. I was rooting for them the whole way through. I also really enjoyed the true crime twist. I'm not so far gone as to be a "dark tourist" but I do enjoy dateline and several podcasts, and bringing that aspect into this story was a genius way to cohesively tie it all together. Great work, absolutely loved it!!

Absolutely loved this book - Edwards is channelling his Stephen King influence heavily with this one - a brilliant small town mystery with genuinely creepy moments, and perfectly relatable characters. This one is going to be huge.

A father and daughter take a vacation at a woodland resort, unaware of its dark and disturbing past.  I am a big fan of Mark Edwards and I have read most of his books.  Sadly this is not one of my favourites.  It is a bit dialogue heavy and the internal monologue of the father (Tom) is very repetitive at times, with constant questions - what about this? what about that? what about something else?      The setting is quite atmospheric, particularly the rundown town next to the resort.  And I always love creepy kids in a book.  Generally, and sadly, this book wasn't a hit for me but it is a very quick read and the ending was really well done.

I've been highly anticipating The Hollows as I'm a big fan of Mark Edwards' writing, and his newest story has once again confirmed to me why he is one of my favorite thriller authors. It was literally hook, line and sinker as soon as I started reading the first chapter, and I kept turning page after page as I simply couldn't stop reading. Suspenseful, twisted, highly engaging and with a hint of the occult: this story isn't afraid to go dark while keeping you entertained you along the way. Without doubt a new favorite!

The first thing that stands out is the setting, which is both perfectly described and sets the perfect eerie tone for this story. The new resort surrounded by the woods with a dark history, the ritualistic double murder that took place there almost twenty years ago, the small seemingly deserted town of Penance with its ominous feel, the woods themselves... They all help setting the right atmosphere and backdrop for the plot, and definitely help this story dipping its toe in the horror genre. The same goes for the references to the occult, the supernatural and the strange things happening in and around the resort, which only highten the creepy atmosphere. It's without doubt part of the reason this story worked so well for me!

The writing was once again spot on and I couldn't help but devour page after page. The plot itself is brilliantly designed and developed, with lots of twists to keep you busy along the way... The building up of tension and suspense is well handled as the story slowly works towards those final escalations and reveals. Oh yes, The Hollows is definitely one of those stories that will keep you on the edge of your seat! Like I said before, rather than the dark psychological thriller genre of his previous two books, this one is more a crime thriller that dips its toes in the horror genre... And SO good if you can stomach the more graphic scenes and violence among other things.

The story is told mainly using a dual POV structure, switching between music journalist Tom and his daughter Frankie. The two POVs complement each other perfectly and are used to help describe what is happening during their time at the resort. We also get glimpses inside the head of the killer and flashbacks to the past; especially towards the end as we slowly discover the truth about past and present events. The characters themselves were interesting enough, although I did feel there was more focus on the plot and actions than an extensive development. That said, I personally wasn't that bothered by it as I was too busy trying to figure out what was really going on.

In short, The Hollows turned out to be yet another fantastic story that is both highly suspenseful, twisted and simply addictive. I love that we have a dark crime thriller with a horror vibe this time around, and the hints at the occult only enhanced the reading experience for me. Without doubt a winner if you enjoy the genre! I simply couldn't stop reading it once I started the first page.

CW: ghosts/spirits, murder (of people and animals), sacrificial killings

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing UK for an advanced electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Tom just wants to take his daughter on vacation somewhere peaceful, but after arriving, he realizes that there may be more to Hollow Falls than he could have expected. A murder took place 20 years ago, and since then, people have been visiting to "see where it happened" - a phenomenon called dark tourism. When things start to go wrong, Tom begins to question whether the killer is looking to strike again, and what it will take to keep his daughter Frankie safe.

This book was filled with twists, and though some of the outright evilness of some of the characters was off-putting, it of course added to the story. The book was a bit crazy, and the ending was satisfying until the epilogue, but I can see the point of adding that in too. A good thriller if you don't mind too much fictional death!

Mark Edwards books are always fast paced and full of tension. I read this book in one session as it was completely addictive and spellbinding. Tom is on a trip with his teenage daughter Frankie, to a resort set deep in woodland. Unknown to him, a double murder occurred there and the murderer was never found. The author is a master of psychological thrillers and he has another winner with The Hollows. You won't sleep easy after reading this one! Another brilliant read which I highly recommend. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

Creepy camp slasher thriller meets mysterious occult. The Hollows hooked me immediately. This is one of Mark Edwards’ best.

Yesterday was my 10 year anniversary of discovering this author in my early days of Kindle... That book was Killing Cupid, co-authored with Louise Voss, and was the first step on an amazing journey.
Anyway, I digress but it seemed important to me so, well...
Once again Mr Edwards has shot and scored a blinder with this book (Euros are coming up so I gotta get a footie ref into my review). It's gripping and chilling and, well, everything else you'd expect from him. I made sure I cleared the decks before diving in as I knew that once I started, it wouldn't let me put it down. And it didn't. Start to finish in a day, mostly lying on my hammock in the sun. Sheer pleasure...
So, we follow Tom and Frankie on a single-father / daughter holiday at a cabin resort deep in the Maine woods. Yep, it's set in the US but don't let that put you off! As you would expect both from the setting and the author, it's a wee bit (lot) creepy in them there woods. To put the icing on the chilling cake, their cabin-neighbours are true-crime podcasters and they are more than eager to share the awful history of the camp site. In fact, it's coming up to the 20 year anniversary of the double slaying of two teachers which, quite rightly, forced the closure of the campsite soon after. Creepy huh!? Which makes what happens next all the more chilling as it appears that the killer was never brought to justice, the prime suspect having disappeared shortly after the incident. Weird things start to happen, disturbing things. But with little choice in the matter, our duo have to stick it out, and so become determined to uncover the truth and put the crime to bed once and for all, hopefully without getting killed themselves!
Oh My Days. I blooming loved this book. OK so for full disclosure I did wonder about a few of the characters' choices going along, but, I've never been in their shoes and so who am I to judge and, anyway, would have made a very short story had they done what I would have. But then also, I'm a bit of a wus all told too.
Anyhow, they stuck it out and what followed was classic Edwards, Chilling, spooky, heart-in-mouth action, all played out by some really well crafted characters. All delivered in the authors no-nonsense, no waffle or padding, own inimitable way. And with an ending that both satisfied and left enough open for me to wonder about myself. Will there be a sequel...?
Oh and if you are a fan of the author and have devoured everything he has ever written (I have that shiny badge) you might spot a few Easter Eggs along the way. Don't worry if you are new to him though (where have you been, sort it out) as not knowing is no penalty.
So... all that's left for me is the sadness that now I have read this, I have to wait a while for the next one. Hey ho. I'll be ready when the author is... My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

What a wild ride!! I absolutely loved this book. I may be biased as Mark Edwards is one of my ultimate favorite authors, but I cannot help myself as his books are so enthralling and keep me turning the pages with anticipation.

The Hollows centers itself in the woods around a resort and the dark lurking past that keeps surfacing in one way or another. There were two malicious deaths that took place with two teachers that caused a big following by thrill seekers.

The characters themselves were very well thought through and gave a lot of depth into each one and how they relate to each other. I felt a lot of their emotions as fear was crippling especially when walking in the woods. Each sentence brought me closer and closer to feeling like I was wearing one of the masks or running for my life from the snap of a twig in the story.

I have read several of Mark Edwards; novels and this is my 2nd favorite. The Retreat so far is the best in my opinion and this is a close second. Mark has a pure talent when it comes to dark and mysterious stories and I hope this one has a sequel! I felt as though this novel itself gave a lot of closure, but that ending!! OH MY!!! Not what I expected and now I can’t wait to see what happens next if Mark Edwards makes another book.

Thank you Mark Edwards for allowing me to be a part of your review team as well as NetGalley for supplying me with the advanced reader copy. Until next time!

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.

Mark Edwards is the Master of creepy atmospheres. I am fan of his work and I was delighted to see that there was a new book of him with topics that ticked all of my boxes.

Music journalist Tom goes on vacation with his daughter. He is divorced, his ex-wife lives in the US with their daughter Frankie while he stayed back in England. Every year he spends a holiday with Frankie. This year he chooses a cabin resort in rural Maine. On arrival he learns that twenty years ago a murder happened at this resort. There is a podcaster and some dark tourist also staying at this resort for this macabre anniversary. Tom is not into this kind of stuff but soon his interest is piqued. Then strange things are happening and his daughter Frankie is entangled deeper into the story which seems to repeat itself.

This was a fun, quick and entertaining read. I love how Mark Edwards always manages to create such a creepy atmosphere in his books. The story is far-fetched and a bit over the top but still it is highly entertaining. I read this book in two sittings and enjoyed it.

I’ll read anything by Mark Edwards, he is a fantastic author whose books I have read for years now. When I saw The Hollows, I knew I had to read it and I was not disappointed. Right away I was pulled in by the character of Tom, taking his daughter on a trip to Maine. Who doesn’t want to go to Maine? Besides Tom’s daughter. But once there, they learn a mysterious murder took place years ago at this very spot. And when things start to happen around them, Tom definitely questions his decision of vacation destination.

Look here:

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, wind chimes 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.

Coming out on July 8.

For me, this title is back to the Mark Edwards I know and enjoying reading! I felt one of his previous titles just lost its way a bit and was a little heavy on unnecessary violence but this one is much more about the twists and turns and mystery of what’s going on!

Tom plans on a lovely holiday with his daughter Frankie, to help them reconnect as she now lives thousands of miles away with her mum. With the promise of a quiet cabin holiday, horse riding and archery Tom is all ready for a great time, maybe even find time to start turning his life around. But is everything as it seems? Is there a secret in these woods that they just aren’t prepared to give up? Should Tom just pack up and take Frankie somewhere else?

You will get sucked into this one from the start and won’t want to put it down. As the book progresses the suspense grows. We meet more characters and find out more about them, but just how well do we know them? Mark has a great way of keeping the suspense but gradually letting the story reveal its secrets.
When you pick up this title be sure to leave yourself plenty of time as you will soon become fully immersed and won’t want to come up for air until you know what’s going on.
As with all Marks books, everything is described so well you will feel that you are there, seeing what the characters see, you can fully imagine the area, feel the darkness and suspense of the woods.
Another great read from a great author!

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers and most importantly the author, for the chance to read this book, in exchange for an honest review.

Mark Edwards doesn't know how to write a bad book! He is definitely one of my go to authors, you can rely on him to deliver a page turning thriller.
This one is set in Maine, in a wooded holiday resort which has some dark history and then some! I really liked the main character Tom and did feel for him being estranged from his daughter Frankie, however, they meet up for holidays and this year Tom has taken Frankie to the godforsaken wifi free Hollows resort for some father daughter bonding time.
Very tense and definitely a page turner, small town America with a touch of Blair Witch. This is not a criticism, just my perspective, it was a bit too otherwordly and mystical at times for me, and I'm still not 100% sure of the motivations behind some of the characters,
The epilogue was amazing, I think there very well could be another book from this which would go someway to explaining the motivations I was wittering on about!

I am not really sure what to say about this book, a very different read from Mark Edwards.

I have read all his previous books and enjoyed them all but this was very different and to be honest I wasn't keen.

Thank you to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this book.