Forgive the lateness of this review and I hope that it does not give the impression that it’s because I hate the book. As a matter of fact, the Hollow Girl is the best book that I’ve read in 2017. If you know me, I don’t normally read horror stories because it’s not just my genre and you know, nightmares. But after reading the synopsis, I knew that I had to pick it up and told myself that “Let’s try this for once.” And so I did.

Oh boy, no regrets so far because after page 1, there was no turning back. The story consumed me, the characters captivated me and the twists shook me. Hillary Monahan really took her time in fleshing out the characters and in weaving the story that it wasn’t cumbersome or convoluted but not simple either. The story centers on a Romani Gypsy, Bethan, who’s being groomed by her grandmother to succeed the latter as the tribe’s green healer. Her life is pretty much alright except for one thing: the tribal leader’s son, Silas, is trying his damnedest to harass Bethan. And then, one night, what Drina (Bethan’s grandmother) and Bethan dreaded happened. Bethan got raped and her friend died protecting her.

The incident was the turning point for Bethan. Though she and her grandmother were peace loving individuals, they did not hesitate in deciding that Silas and the boys who played accomplices must pay. So the tale of darkness and revenge began. And it was damn satisfying seeing Bethan and her grandma made corpses out of the boys. Cue evil laugh. Kidding aside, there was more to this book than the killings. Rape is such a delicate subject, even more so the aftermath. The victim traumatized and stigmatized while the suspects go seemingly underpunished. With the Hollow Girl, my heart really cried for Bethan and her grandmother but I literally rejoiced as they sought retribution from Silas and his friends. Happiness that turned into awe and sadness again when the twist was revealed.

This book, essentially, has all the things that I love in a story despite it being horror. There’s heart, darkness, revenge, and nuanced characters that will surely make your reading experience a memorable one. Cheers to you, Hillary Monahan.

Published 30 May 2014 by Tyrus Books

Number of pages: 306

My rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★  I liked  it

"The tragic death of Moe’s girlfriend Pamela has finally pushed him over the edge. Drunk, guilty, and alone, he is bent on self-destruction. Then Nancy Lustig, a figure from Moe’s first case as a PI, comes to him with the ultimate missing persons case. Nancy’s daughter, an early internet sensation known as the Hollow Girl, has apparently disappeared from her trendy New York City apartment. At the beginning of the investigation, Moe stumbles across the body of a has-been actress and clues that are either contradictory or useless.

Then, as if on cue, Hollow Girl videos begin reappearing on the web. As the days go on without any solid leads as to the Hollow Girl’s location, the videos grow darker and more violent. Eventually Moe is convinced that she is someone’s captive and that the man who has her plans to execute her in public. Through a combination of Moe’s usual stumbling, good luck, and skill, he rescues the Hollow Girl from her fate."

This is the first book I have ever read by this author. Although it is the last novel in a long series (this is the 9th instalment) I truly enjoyed this story and found it to be a real page turner. The character truly came to life.

I enjoyed learning about Moe Prager's life and following him in his investigation into the disappearance of the Hollow Girl ... is it all a set up or is it real?

Witty, cynical and engaging. I will definitely find out more about this author.

(ARC copy received via Netgalley)