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 Gallery/Saga Press on October 6 2020
Genres: Adult, Horror
Pages: 352
Format: Finished paperback
Source: Publisher
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The nitty-gritty: Weird, unsettling and laugh-out-loud funny. How can you resist that combination?
My breath came in great choking sobs while I tried to beat the dead thing to death a second time.
It really was a joy to read a new T. Kingfisher (aka Ursula Vernon) novel, which turned out to be much in the same vein as her last novel, The Twisted Ones. The Hollow Places isn’t a sequel—although you might be confused because the cover designs are so similar—but it’s got a very similar vibe, and I had just as much fun with this one. At the heart of the story is a pretty creepy mystery, and that’s what drove the story forward.
And because of this mystery, it’s best to read this with as little knowledge of the story as possible, so my recap is going to be very short. Also, avoid reading the blurb on the back of the book if you can. Basically, Kingfisher posits the questions: What if you found a hole in the wall that led to another universe? And what if you decided to explore but then you couldn’t get back? This is the situation our main character Kara and her neighbor Simon find themselves in. Sounds fun right? And it was!
Kara is a thirty-something recently divorced woman who is at a crossroads. Her divorce came as a shock, and she’s barely prepared to strike out on her own and support herself. Luckily, she gets a call from her eccentric Uncle Earl who is having knee problems and needs some help around the house. Earl also runs the local quirky museum, the Glory to God Museum of Natural Wonders, Curiosities and Taxidermy, and in exchange for Kara running the front desk and doing inventory, Earl offers her a room in his house rent free. Kara immediately jumps on his offer. She’s feeling nostalgic about returning to her hometown of Hog Chapel, NC, and she sees this as an opportunity to take stock of her life and figure out what her next step will be.
But one day, Kara discovers a hole punched in the wall of one of the museum’s rooms. When she and her friend Simon peek through the hole, they’re shocked to discover a concrete-lined hallway on the other side. But that’s impossible, because there shouldn’t be anything on the other side of the wall. Curiosity piqued, Kara and Simon decide to explore and find themselves facing a bizarre and frightening reality.
Boy was this story creepy! I usually read at night before bed, and I honestly had a couple of unsettling nights where I had to put the book down because I was so creeped out. Kingfisher does a great job of creating suspense and atmosphere. I don’t want to give too much away, but in her author’s notes she says that she based her story on a novella by Algeron Blackwood called The Willows. Willow trees play a big part in the mystery of The Hollow Places, and she does a great job of describing the silvery shimmer of the leaves and the way they seem to come to life. That may not sound creepy, but the willows in this story do other things relating to Blackwood’s story, and let’s just say I am keeping my eye on trees now, in case they…do anything.
Once again, Kingfisher creates a hysterically funny heroine in Kara, just like she did with Mouse in The Twisted Ones. At this point I’m wondering if the author is channeling her own personality into her characters, because Kara and Mouse have such a unique way of looking at the world and dealing with the horrors that face them. For someone who has just split up with her husband, she seems to be taking everything in stride. First of all, she’s now living and working in a place stuffed to the brim with taxidermy and weird, offbeat artifacts. The room she’s sleeping in has a giant elk head on the wall—an elk she named Prince as a child and who now gives her a sort of weird comfort. I don’t know about you, but I’d have a tough time getting to sleep with any sort of dead animal on the wall staring at me, lol. Instead of griping about her ex and bemoaning her lack of income, Kara is fairly upbeat and cracks jokes all the time, even when faced with an alternate world where things are trying to kill her. I loved her attitude and her ability to use humor as a defense mechanism. And Simon, the laid back barista who works at the coffee shop next door to the museum, is the perfect foil for her. I just loved them together, and their dialog definitely kept me from screaming when shit starts getting bad. (Also of note: Simon is gay so there is no romance between them!) Also, props to Simon for having an unusual form of color blindness in one eye. That’s all I’m going to say, just read the book so you can see what I’m talking about!
As far as negatives go, I did have a couple of minor issues with the story. The supernatural/otherworldly aspects of The Hollow Places are a little on the confusing side at times. We’re talking metaphysical, other dimensions confusing, and I didn’t think all of the author’s explanations made sense. When we finally got some answers at the end, I wanted that “ah hah!” moment but I didn’t really get it. I also didn’t like the way Kara reacted to some things. You know those horror movies where the main character walks right into danger, even when they know they should be running the other way? Yep, that was Kara a lot of the time, and while it made for lots of tension, it also drove me nuts!
But seriously, there are some nail-biting scenes in this book that really scared me, especially one near the end that involves all the taxidermy in the museum—and that’s all I’m going to say about that. Combined with so many humorous moments, this story was just plain fun from start to finish. I can hardly wait to see what Kingfisher is going to come up with next!
Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.
I haven’t read a lot of horror books but I’ve discovered that I like a mix of humor and creepiness so I’m very intrigued by this one! I think it’s available on Scribd so I will give it a shot (even if listening to horror books before going to sleep isn’t always the best for me haha).
Great review! 🙂
Maryam recently posted…Book Review: Ring Shout by P. Djèli Clark | #SpooktasticReads
Hope you get the chance to check it out:-)
It sounds super and creative and eerie. Thanks for sharing your review!
Priscilla Bettis recently posted…Normal Dreams vs. A Horror Writer’s Nightmares
It was very creative, and it actually gives you a lot to think about.
You are slowing wearing me out! I don’t really think these books are my cup of tea, I am not a fan of creepy story, and other dimensions, but your enthusiasm is infectious and what you wrote about the characters really draw me in!
Ha ha sorry you don’t like creepy stories. Don’t worry, I’m reading a fantasy right now!
Unsettling yet humorous. It does seem like an odd combination. Glad to know the author pulled it off. Great review, Tammy!
Thanks Debjani, it does seem odd but Kingfisher really pulls it off.
Terrific review! You nailed it! I loved this book, and so much of why was exactly the elements you point out — the humor, Kara and Simon, the weirdness… The museum itself and the taxidermy would absolutely freak me out, but I love that Kara felt at home there. I ended up reading The Willows afterward, and the metaphysical elements are just as weird there. I agree, I would have liked a bit more clarity on some of the alternate world elements, but it was frightening and creepy and all sorts of awesome!
I did love the end where Kara seems to have a special relationship with the taxidermy (trying not to spoil it!)
Oh yes! And I was pretty freaked out when I read The Willows afterward and saw the boatman and the otter. So weird and creepy!
I’d like to read that story and compare:-)
Aww, I love that it was funny, Tammy! And what IS it with taxidermy! Terrific review of what sounds like a promising story.
I personally am not a fan of taxidermy so it was extra scary for me:-)
Scary-creepy sounds just perfect for this time of the year, and when it’s mixed with the right dose of humor it might create the almost-perfect combination. And I’m intrigued by your mention of the (also creepy) willows that seem to have an important role in the story: scary trees are part of the scenery whenever you want to create a terrifying atmosphere – just think of the trees grabbing at Snow White’s clothes as she runs away in the Disney movie! 😉
Thanks for sharing!
Maddalena@spaceandsorcery recently posted…TOP TEN TUESDAY: Books I Read Because Someone Recommended Them to Me
There have definitely been some creepy trees show up in stories, and Snow White is a great example:-)
It’s really fun when an author successfully blends horror with humor, and it sounds like this one did. I’m not sure why, but your mention of color blindless in one eye reminded me of a possibly obscure Chinese horror/comedy movie called My Left Eye Sees Ghosts. 🙂
That’s funny you said that because Simon’s eye is sort of like that!
There were definitely similarities between Kara and Mouse, they could have been the same person personality and sense of humor-wise, so maybe you are on to something about the author channeling! I really enjoyed this too, it wasn’t as scary as The Twisted Ones but it had its creepy moments!
I give an edge to The Twisted Ones too, but both were a lot of fun:-)
I don’t do horror – I really don’t – but your marvellous review has nearly talked me into getting hold of this one! Trouble is – I am a wuss… I’ve read her Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking and absolutely LOVED it. But I will give myself a good talking to – you also make it plain this is a VERY creepy book and I’m prone to nightmares! Thank you for sharing, anyway, Tammy:))
You might want to skip this, although the humorous parts are fantastic, it was very scary in places!
I’m happy you enjoyed this! I have it on my list to read soon 🙂
I hope you enjoy it!
Glad to see this has her humor in it, I think that would work for me! I’m glad you enjoyed this one.
Her stories always seem to have humor, which I love:-)
Loved your review, this sounds way too creepy for me to go anywhere near it, but I loved learning about that museum (which also sounds to creepy for me to go near it lol)
The museum was way too creepy for me!!
I also want to read this one and it’s on my wishlist already. So many books.
Lynn 😀