The Hollow Places

The Hollow Places is a horror novel by T. Kingfisher. The premise is that newly divorced Kara goes back to live in her uncle's curio museum; when a mysterious hole in the wall appears and goes to what seems to be another dimension, she and her barista friend investigate. Overall, horror is not usually my cuppa but this was an enjoyable creepy ride (and I'll read anything by T. Kingfisher at this point).

But he groaned and stomped around the hall for a few minutes, then said, "Okay. But this is how people die in horror movies, you know."

"You're not the teensiest bit curious?

"I'm incredibly curious! I've just also seen horror movies!"

This book is intensely creepy at times, and the horror elements all the more unsettling for being fuzzy and unseen and unknowable. I wish a little that there was a little bit more character development or reveal (such as a more tight thematic coupling of Kara's backstory or marriage with the present events). However, I really enjoyed both the banter and also the centering of the museum as a welcoming and protective home rather than playing it just for creeps.

The author's note said that this was based on the 1907 short story The Willows, by Algernon Blackwood and I wish I had read that first so that I could understand some references that would have passed me by otherwise.

Eh, I wasn't wowed. I did read it directly after a Stephen King book, so it may have suffered a bit in comparison, but this just wasn't great. It wasn't at all scary; probably best to file this as a bit of a dark fantasy than a horror. It felt more like a series of blog posts, especially with the very Goosebumps-esque ending to each chapter. Of course, I also suspect I'm not the target audience for this one. It feels like it is more for people who are already fans of the author or people who are into fandoms or fanfiction. But, whatever, no harm no foul, I think it just isn't for me.