Review: The Hollows

Jess Montgomery showcases her skills as a storyteller in The Hollows: a powerful, big-hearted and exquisitely written follow-up to her highly acclaimed debut The Widows.

Ohio, 1926: For many years, the railroad track in Moonvale Tunnel has been used as a shortcut through the Appalachian hills. When an elderly woman is killed walking along the tracks, the brakeman tells tales of seeing a ghostly female figure dressed all in white.

Newly elected Sheriff Lily Ross is called on to the case to dispel the myths. With the help of her friends Marvena Whitcomb and Hildy Cooper, Lily follows the woman’s trail to The Hollows–a notorious asylum–and they begin to expose dark secrets long-hidden by time and the mountains.

~My Thoughts~

The Hollows is a follow-up to Jess Montgomery’s debut novel, The Widows. You can read my review, but let me just say it’s good. It’s also completely unnecessary to read The Widows in order to enjoy The Hollows.

As a girl from a small town in Appalachian Ohio, I am particularly fond of these characters. Though set in the past, you can see these women living today throughout rural America. In fact, I’m pretty sure most of my family could be cast in the movie version of The Hollows.

I’m a huge fan of Jess Montgomery’s style of writing. It’s beautiful without being pretentious with a style that flows effortlessly.

What I particularly loved about this story was the mystery. Just when I got comfortable in the plot, a new layer was added that I didn’t see. Plus, I got to learn about another layer to America’s history, though it’s a particularly sad and disgusting part of the past.

I really loved the women. Their unique personalities, individual identities, and personal struggles really resonated with me. Jess Montgomery did a fantastic job describing female friendships, while also delving into some extremely complex emotions.

The Hollows is an extremely well researched and perfectly paced mystery that kept me engaged and stuck to the page. A feminist take on the struggles of Appalachian America. Jess Montgomery is one of the examples of a female writer with a unique voice and a story to tell.