3.5 stars for me.
The book introduces readers to DI Jacob Knox in a crime thriller set against the atmospheric and eerie backdrop of Dartmoor. For some, this police procedural will be an instant hit, with its compelling premise and vivid setting. The story kicks off with the disappearance of a schoolteacher Sophie Parsons during a weekend trek, drawing DI Knox in—partly due to his involvement in a similar case six months prior, one that still remains unsolved. As Knox investigates Sophie’s complicated personal life, whispers of a legendary creature stalking the moors resurface, raising a question - myth or murder.

The writing is well-crafted, and the story flows smoothly, balancing suspense, character development, and investigative detail. However, for me, Hollow Ground didn’t fully hit the mark. The premise was intriguing, but DI Jacob Knox, while a solid lead character, felt a little too familiar. His brooding, divorced, and somewhat self-destructive persona, alongside his strained relationship with an alcoholic brother, came across as somewhat clichéd. Though these elements seem to add depth to his character, it did not work for me or helped move the story forward.

That said, the mystery itself is intricately woven, keeping you guessing until the end. The way Freya intertwines the psychological with the procedural elements is skillful, and the comparisons between Sophie’s disappearance and the unsolved case from six months earlier provide a compelling thread throughout. The narrative also benefits from chapters told from Sophie’s perspective, which add an extra layer of tension and emotional depth to the story.

The Dartmoor setting is a standout, bringing an eerie, cinematic quality to the novel that heightens the suspense. The descriptions of the moors, paired with the legends surrounding them, create a chilling atmosphere that’s both captivating and unsettling. However, while the setting is vivid, the plot never fully gripped me despite being in my zone. The plot of the missing-women is well-executed so maybe some predictability set in for me. The investigative team, though engaging, is not overwhelming. Each officer is well-drawn and distinct, contributing to a realistic sense of teamwork that drives the investigation forward. The pacing is spot-on, and the ending is satisfying.

This is a solid book by Freya and a good debut for her character DI Jacob Knox. This is a compelling read for fans of crime thrillers. I may not rave about the story but can appreciate the mystery set in atmospheric landscapes. A promising start to a new series and promises to be an exciting journey.

Really enjoyed this book, was fast paced with a good balance of what was going on with the investigation and the main detectives personal life. Also liked that the book was written from two different character perspectives with no repetitiveness. Looking forward to the next in the series!

When the local media start reporting sightings of the mysterious Beast of Dartmoor, little do they know how close they are to the truth. For there is a Dartmoor Devil out there, only it’s far more sinister and deadly than anyone could ever imagine. Six months ago, Rachel Simmons disappeared out on the moors and no sign of her or her fate was ever discovered. DI Jacob Knox, based at Exeter’s Serious Crimes Department, investigated the case which eventually turned cold. Now another young woman, primary school teacher Sophie Parsons, has been reported missing by her boyfriend after going hiking for the weekend. She had argued with the lover she had planned to be with and had set off alone. Together with DS Ava Carter and DC Adam Walsh, Knox has to wonder whether this is a coincidence or if the two women are connected in some way. As they dig into Sophie’s life, it doesn’t take long for the team to discover a link, a man who has been involved with both of them at some time but could the answer really be that simple? Or is there more to discover out and under the wilds of Dartmoor?
This is the first story introducing Knox and he comes across as both a good man, trying to stay loyal to his alcoholic self-destructive brother as well as a capable detective and leader of his very likeable team. The dark plot is twisty and gripping as the full horror of the disappearances is revealed to the reader whilst the detectives battle to find the truth, set against the rugged and often barren backdrop of the moors. With an action-packed ending, it’s a really great start to the new series which I thoroughly enjoyed and I am definitely looking forward to reading the next story, Dark Tides.

Sopie Parsons goes missing while on Dartmoor National park. Enter DI Jacob Knox recently relocated to Dartmoor. The case is similar to one six months earlier can he find her? A good start to this series good characters especially Dylan Knox's dog. Hopefully as the series goes so do the characters. Thanks to Hayma Press and Netgalley for this review ARC.

I wanted to read this book the minute I saw that handsome dog on the cover. Well, I now know his name is Dylan and my instincts were correct.

Jacob Knox relocated to Dartmoor following his divorce a few years back. Since then, he has enjoyed a bit slower pace than his previous job but is still struggling with some aspects from his past. Out on a run one morning, Sophie Parsons vanishes. As Knox and his team start investigating, they uncover some similarities between Sophie's case and an unsolved case from six months ago. Knox learns that Sophie's life was a bit messier than anyone knew, which leads to more suspects each time he turns around. He and his partner Ava work to connect the two cases and hopefully, find out what is really going on.

Initially I thought Dylan was Knox's police dog, but he isn't. Knox purchased Dylan for companionship following his divorce and move. Dylan does play an adequate role in the book though as he helps Knox unwind and also helps him form a growing connection with his dog-sitter, Lucy. Knox is also battling some family demons as his brother, an active alcoholic, has resurfaced and Knox tries to help him clean up his life.

The "thriller" part of this book was pretty solid as long as you enjoy police procedurals. In fact, there were aspects that were pretty creepy at time, especially the few select chapters that were told from Sophie's POV. Although I felt like the ending was a tad rushed, this was a great first installment from a debut author and I'm excited to see where the series heads.

Freya Wallace delivers an outstanding start to a new crime thriller series with Hollow Ground, introducing readers to DI Jacob Knox in a gripping, atmospheric mystery set against the eerie backdrop of Dartmoor.
From the very first page, this book pulled me in. The writing is incredibly well-crafted, making for an easy yet immersive read. The story flows seamlessly, striking the perfect balance between suspense, character depth, and investigative detail. Knox is a compelling lead—his past hardships and the personal issues he is currently dealing with add layers to his character, making him instantly intriguing. I love that this is the first book in a series because I’m already eager to follow his journey and see how he develops in future installments.
The mystery at the heart of Hollow Ground is expertly woven, keeping me guessing until the very end. Sophie Parsons’ disappearance, which occurs six months after another lone woman, Rachel, vanished while walking Dartmoor, is more than just a missing person case; it’s a tangle of secrets, relationships, and the ever-present whispers of Dartmoor’s chilling legends. There are similarities between both cases—including DI Knox—which raises the question: could they be linked? Wallace does a fantastic job blending the psychological with the procedural, making every revelation feel both shocking and completely plausible.
One of the standout aspects of the book is the investigative team. The cast of officers involved in the case is just right—not too many to be overwhelming, but enough to feel authentic. Each officer is well-drawn, with enough detail to make them feel distinct and real. Their interactions and teamwork added to the novel’s realism and kept me fully engaged.
I also loved the setting. The stark, rugged beauty of Dartmoor is brought to life in a way that feels almost cinematic, adding an extra layer of atmosphere to the novel. The descriptions of DI Knox’s early morning walks on the beach were a particular highlight—such a brilliant touch that made his character feel even more grounded and relatable.
With a perfectly paced plot, a deeply satisfying conclusion, and an exciting protagonist, Hollow Ground is a stellar debut for DI Jacob Knox. I can’t wait to see where this series goes next!

The start of a promising new police procedural series.

When Devon schoolteacher Sophie Parsons fails to return from a weekend hike, former MET detective and now local DI Jacob Knox is on the case. It's a time-sensitive missing persons case because just six months earlier, another young woman vanished from a nearby part of Dartmoor. Knox and his team had been investigating Rachel Simmons' disappearance all that time, with frustratingly little to go on. But when they discover that Sophie's lovelife had been complicated in recent times, the team quickly uncovers a surprising connection, and the search shifts up several gears.

Knox is a great character; a good detective with a bit of baggage, trying to make a fresh start. He has a fabulous dog and a not-so-fabulous brother, who both drag his mind off the job at different times. His offsider, Ava, seems solid but in this book her character is not quite so well-developed, so hopefully that will be rectified next time.

The plot had me on the edge of my seat, turning the pages quickly as the urgency to find the two missing women escalated. Recommended.

Hollow Ground by Freya Wallace is a gripping crime thriller that explores human vulnerability. This is the first book in the DI Jacob Knox series.
Schoolteacher Sophie Parsons has disappeared. DI Jacob Knox is the perfect person to investigate because he has worked a case almost exactly like this months earlier. A woman going missing while hiking or running in Dartmoor, which is a national park in the southwest of England, and the women even look alike. Jacob Knox must unravel Sophie's life and secrets if he hopes to find her.
This was a pretty quick police procedural that kept me engaged throughout. I really liked the atmospheric setting and the plot is well written and complex. I am definitely interested in reading the rest of this series!
Thank you to NetGalley, Freya Wallace, and Hamya Press for this ARC. Expected release day is February 17th 2025.

Hollow Ground
Freya Wallace
February 17, 2025

We are in Exmouth, England, a small town but not far from the uni and many students. DI Jacob Knox works in the police department. Each morning he is greeted by his dog Dylan jumping on his bed. They head to the beach for a walk and his playtime. After getting ready for work Knox heads to the dogwalker/caretaker, Lucy´s country home to drop off his puppy. At work they receive the second call regarding a missing person. It had been 6 months since the first. Rachael Simmons had not been heard of since. Sofie was just like Rachel. She disappeared in Dartmoor, a huge national park.
Hollow Ground will be published by Hamya Press on February, 17. 2025. I was able to read the arc of Wallaceś novel via NetGalley. Her first effort at suspense is quite the page turner. Knox and his team give readers a terrifying look at a man who fully believes that there would be a disaster encompassing earth and he needed to find a way to survive and regroup the planet. This story is a frightening look at police surveillance and the serial killer's mind. What a dynamic mystery!

A police procedural set against the atmospheric backdrop of Dartmoor should have been right up my street, but Hollow Ground didn’t quite hit the mark for me. When schoolteacher Sophie Parsons vanishes during a weekend trek, DI Jacob Knox is called in—partly because he worked on a near-identical case six months earlier, one that remains unsolved. As Knox unravels Sophie’s tangled personal life, rumours of a legendary beast stalking the moors start to resurface. Myth or murderer? Either way, time is running out.

While the premise is compelling, Knox himself felt like a well-worn cliché—divorced, brooding, partial to a drink. There’s also a side plot about his estranged, alcoholic brother, which didn’t seem to add much to the story. However, I did like the chapters from Sophie’s POV, which gave the novel an extra layer of tension.

The Dartmoor setting is eerie and well-drawn, and there were moments of genuine suspense, but the plot never fully gripped me. I also realised (too late!) that missing-women thrillers aren’t my thing, so this might have been a case of the wrong book for the wrong reader. A solid read for crime fans, but not one I’ll be raving about.

DI Jacob Knox has moved out of London and the Met for Devon, the area takes in Dartmoor, a young woman goes missing whilst hiking there alone, just six months after a similar case. The two young women even look similar.
There is the side story of Jacob’s brother, an ex-cop with alcohol issues who comes back into Jacob’s life. I felt this added nothing to the main thread of the book, the missing women.
The story scratches the surface of loners and survivalists, but no great detail. On the whole an enjoyable read, although I felt parts could have been covered in more depth. 3.5⭐️
My thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the arc.

I chose to read this book because the premises sounded interesting and I love any book with a dog but as I delved into the story I discovered so much more. For one I was beyond surprised to find out this is the authors debut book. It is so complex and deeply layered writing style made me feel in awe and I am so desperately excited to read more from this talented author if this is just the beginning of her writing career. I enjoy police procedurals and this is a story I was awestruck with from the beginning until the end! It has so much happening and I like that Jacob Knox the Detective has a human side as well as a police officer job. It was fun getting to know him and I hope that he develops more of a romance with Lucy in future books. The case was nail biting suspense and I was desperate for all the women to be found alive. I hugely appreciated and can recommend this book and I am so looking forward to the next! I hope you are busy writing Freya.(lol).

First time I have read anything from this author and I enjoyed the style of writing. First instalment of the Jacob Knox series. It was fast paced with a good storyline. Plenty of suspense throughout. I would definitely read the next offering. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it.

(2.75 stars)
I enjoy reading police procedurals but this one didn’t really grab me. The action mostly takes place in Devon, England, with women going missing while hiking or running in Dartmoor (a large national park in southwestern England). Jacob Knox is the inspector assigned to the disappearance of the second woman, because he worked on the first one, six months previously, which remained unsolved. I felt that Knox was a bit of a caricature/stereotype - divorced police officer who drinks a bit.

There’s a whole subplot about Knox’s estranged brother who is an alcoholic. I didn’t think this side story added anything much to the book, unless it was to show how a police officer can be distracted by personal problems while working on a serious case.

The situation with the missing women was pretty creepy and not my cup of tea. I tend to avoid books with similar stories but I didn’t realize it when I decided to try this one.

One thing that made this book a bit different was that some chapters were written from the POV of the most recent missing woman.

The cover is a bit misleading, as it shows a man walking with a dog, leading me to believe the dog is helping with the police investigation. However, in the book the dog is mainly in the story to be brought to a woman who cares for him while Knox is busy on the case, so that was also a disappointment.

Thank you to Hamya Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

When teacher Sophie Parsons disappears during a solo hike through a heavily wooded forest, the is case tied to that of Rachel Simmons, missing for six months in that same area. DI Jacob Know is assigned to the case and while searchers look in vain for Sophie, he tries to find clues in her untidy private life while tabloids refer to the legendary (and imaginary) Beast of Dartmoor. Jacob also looks for links to Rachel, hoping that will help him find the women, if it is not already too late. At the same time, Jacob is dealing with a crisis in his brother’s life and, on a lighter note, an attraction to Lucy, his dog sitter.

Hollow Ground is a fantastic beginning to a new police procedural series by Freya Wallace. The Devon area location, especially the wilds of Dartmoor, is atmospheric. The main characters, Jacob, Ava, Lucy and Dylan the dog, are well described and the plot is satisfyingly complex. I can’t wait for the next in the DI Knox series! 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Hamya Press and Freya Wallace for this ARC.

In the rugged wilderness of Dartmoor, school teacher Sophie Parsons vanishes without a trace during a weekend trek. For Detective Inspector Jacob Knox, Sophie’s disappearance stirs unsettling echoes of a previous case involving another woman who vanished in the same desolate moorland six months earlier.

As Knox delves deeper, he uncovers the complexities of Sophie’s personal life, including a secret affair with a charismatic colleague and a tense relationship with her long-term boyfriend, Peter. But Sophie’s tangled love life is just the beginning of Knox’s troubles. A local legend about a beast stalking the moors resurfaces, fueling public fear and media speculation. Is it just a myth, or could something more sinister be at play?

With time running out and the possibility that two women have been claimed by the moor, Knox faces his toughest case yet—one that will test him professionally and personally. As the case unfolds, Knox realises the dark truths buried beneath the surface of Sophie’s life may be the key to unlocking the mystery.

This was an engaging mystery with a seasoned detective who's haunted by his own past. It was easy to follow, and the twists and turns were relatively predictable, but it was still a good read! 4⭐

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

A very complex but interesting book. It keeps the attention going throughout the story. Not only does DI Knox have to deal with missing women but the addition of his alcoholic brother to contend with. Well worth reading and I hope there are many more in this series.

Excellent twisty storyline.
Keeps you guessing right to the end.
Thoroughly enjoyable.
Thanks for the opportunity to read and review
Looking forward to the next in the series

If you're a fan of British police procedurals, you'll love this book. I read it in one sitting and fell in love with the descriptions of the moor and the well-written characters. I'm now following the author so I can read the next books in the series. Can't wait for book 2!

A fairly short book with plenty of action. Jacob is working in Devon as a detective inspector when a woman goes missing on Dartmoor. This echoes an unsolved case from 6 months previously when a woman disappears from the same area. There is not much to go on, but later there is an attempted abduction from the area. Meanwhile, some of the book is told from the point of view of Sophie who has found herself in a cave system underground with 2 other women and a small child. Jacob Knox, the main detective also has complications in his private life, including an alcoholic brother and is developing a romantic interest in his dog-sitter Lucy.
I enjoyed this fast paced book, the investigation is well thought out but the conditions in which he women were kept in captivity were graphically described and nasty to read about. I`ll definately look ot for more in this series.
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC