by T. Kingfisher
Narrator: Hillary Huber
Length: 9 hours and 43 minutes
Genres: Horror
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Narration: 5 cups Speed: 1.3x
A young woman discovers a strange portal in her uncle’s house, leading to madness and terror in this gripping new novel from the author of the “innovative, unexpected, and absolutely chilling” (Mira Grant, Nebula Award–winning author) The Twisted Ones.
Pray they are hungry.
Kara finds these words in the mysterious bunker that she’s discovered behind a hole in the wall of her uncle’s house. Freshly divorced and living back at home, Kara now becomes obsessed with these cryptic words and starts exploring the peculiar bunker—only to discover that it holds portals to countless alternate realities. But these places are haunted by creatures that seem to hear thoughts…and the more you fear them, the stronger they become.
Narrated by Hillary Huber, The Hollow Places by T. Kingfisher delivered a chilling horror story that blended with quirky humor. This atmospheric tale will have you leaving a light on and listening for scratches.
Well, this was my first experience with Kingfisher, but recommendations from favorite authors and fellow blogger led me to choose this for the Fraterfest readathon and it quickly pulled me.
Kara, known as Carrot by her family and friends, returns to her beloved Uncle Earl’s Museum of Natural Wonders, Curiosities and Taxidermy, after her recent divorce. While she writes her fanfic and does designs for clients in the evenings, she spends her days inventorying the shop and unpacking shipments. The shop is a marvel of oddities, from an albino stuffed raccoon to a mermaid.
After her Uncle finds out he needs knee replacements, Kara agrees to run the store while he recovers. It is then that she discovers someone has punched a hole in the museum wall. Simon, the coffee shop owner next door agrees to help her close it up… only they discover a secret corridor and a locked door. The tale that unfolds was a creeptastic Lovecraftian tale that pulled me in as I clenched my fists and listened to horror that unfolds.
The story mixes a blend of humor, realisms, and the mundane to create an ebb and flow of laughter, sympathy, horror and heart-pounding moments that will leave you holding your breath.
Kara grows as a character and it was good to see her standing up for herself. When it came down to facing what lay beyond the wall she was clever and resourceful. I loved Simon and his weird eye. I would drink a glass of bourbon with him.
The willows, bunkers, and what happens were delivered in vivid imagery. Talk about fear of the unknown! Something in their feeds of you and either you die or become…
Hillary Huber did such a stellar job with the narration from voices to the creaking. The humor was goofy, but Huber grounded it. Her delivery helped lighten the tension and suspense.
What could be worse than a recent divorce? The corridor in Uncle Earl’s museum, grab your earbuds and listen. Fans of horror will want to add this to their shelves. I went and grabbed her previous title, The Twisted Ones, and invested in a new night light.
Dark, quirky, and twisted. You’ll think of it, the next time you drive through small-town America and see a quirky store of oddities. Noises or shadows immediately invoke my imagination and take me back to the Museum of Wonders and that hole in the wall.
Are you looking for a dark, quirky thrill? Check out The Hollow Places by T. Kingfisher, narrated by Hillary Huber. #thriller #horror #audiobook #NewRelease Share on X
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Rachel
I’ve enjoyed Hilary Huber in the past, and this sounds like a fun story! I’ll have to check it out. 🙂
Ailyn Koay
oooo. you know what, you can turn it into a positive by shoving the ex-husband through it!
Kimberly
Possibly …lol
Debbie S Haupt
A dark quirky thrill, yes i might have to give this a try Kim thanks
Kimberly
It was good. Thanks Debbie!
Tyler H. Jolley
This came at a perfect time for me. I’m looking for a spooky read and the one I’m just about to finish fell flat for me. I should have DNF’d it but I kept holding on. Thanks for the recommendation, Kimba!
Kimberly
That was the hardest lesson I ever had to learn… the art of DNFing and letting go. Wasn’t until my late 40s. Best thing I ever did. I haven’t had a dry spell since.
Heather
I’m looking forward to this, I got a copy last week and it looks like a really good read.
blodeuedd
Yikes! Do not go into that bunker! Scary
Kimberly
Oh my…. it was scary!
Katherine
I don’t read much horror but I don’t feel like I can’t resist a book involving someone discovering a corridor and a locked door! It’s like Nancy Drew for grown ups and but amped up a bit. Grabbing the audio of this one!
Kimberly
Oh lord… yes I would want to know too!
Melliane
Oh you made me curious about this one. It looks quite intriguing!
Kimberly
It was perfect for Fraterfest 🙂
Anne - Books of My Heart
Wonderful review! I love Hillary Huber.
Kimberly
Same, she has narrated quite a few audiobooks I have enjoyed.
Aj @ Read All The Things!
I want to read this one! I’m glad it has some spookiness and some humor. Those are my favorite kind of horror stories.
Kimberly
Yay, I am glad and look forward to your thoughts.