I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Hollow Places by T. Kingfisher Published by Simon and Schuster on October 6, 2020
Genres: Fiction, Horror, Occult & Supernatural, Suspense, Thrillers
Pages: 352
Format: eBook
Source: the publisher
Recently divorced and not exactly thrilled move back home, Kara readily accepts an invitation to help her uncle, Earl, with his curiosity museum. The Glory to God Museum of Natural Wonders, Curiosities and Taxidermy is filled to the brim with strange and unique items and taxidermy animals of all varieties.
She settles in quickly, determined to catalogue the museum's vast and unusual collection. She divides her time between work for the museum and her own graphic design business. She often finds company with Simon, a quirky and offbeat barista from the coffee shop next door.
Earl's age has caught up with him and, when knee surgery is required, Kara takes over the routine daily business of the museum.
As they are patching a hole in the drywall one day, they discover a dark corridor, a space that shouldn't exist. The corridor leads to a doorway, beyond which a world of unimaginable horrors.
I know each time I read a novel by T. Kingfisher (Ursula Vernon) that I’m in for a treat. This is no exception.
Inspired by a novella by Algernon Blackwood called, The Willows, Kingfisher introduces her reader to a terror like none other, the horror in a world just beyond our own.
Don’t let the chilling premise stop you from reading; one of the things I love about this author his how she takes you to the brink of fear and terror. Sure, it’s scary but will it leave you with nightmares? Not likely.
She does this through truly genuine and relatable characters. Kara (nicknamed Carrot) and Simon are hugely entertaining individuals. Kara is going through this horrible divorce, yet who can think about that after what she seen!? She’s full of snark and humor and I want her and I to be best friends. Simon is a hoot as well. Often adorned with a top hat (of the mad hatter variety), Simon claims he has a special view into the paranormal due to an…interesting “event” that happened in utero (I’ll leave it to you to discover.)
Bottom line: if a dark and twisty Narnia grabs your attention, this is a must read for you! Spooky, but not utterly terrifying.
