The Red Hollow: A haunted detective, a phantom killer...
As seen:
By Natalie Marlow
avg rating
4 reviews
‘Marlow has a poetic eye . . . But it’s her mix of detective story and Gothic ghosts, ancient folk legends and lingering wartime trauma, that lift the book’ Financial Times, Best new thrillers
Warwickshire, 1934
Deep in a hamlet in the Warwickshire countryside, Red Hollow Hall is a male-only sanatorium run by the charismatic psychiatrist Dr Moon. However, all is not well, and Dr Moon’s patients are leaving Red Hollow in droves.
Recent disturbances, which originally appeared to be pranks, have descended into something more sinister, and now the men believe they have a malevolent visitor – the mermaid of Red Hollow. The ghost of a murdered girl, they are convinced the mermaid wreaks bloody revenge on unsuspecting men each time the hamlet floods.
When private enquiry agent, William Garrett, and freshly minted detective, Phyll Hall, are called in to uncover the identity of the intruder, they become trapped in a world of madness, the occult, and grisly murder. A world where William must use all his strength to differentiate between the real-life monster haunting Red Hollow Hall and the monsters of the mind.
The Red Hollow is the follow-up to Natalie Marlow’s critically acclaimed debut, Needless Alley.
‘As full of atmosphere as the author’s critically acclaimed debut’ Prima
‘Superbly researched, spine-tingling, and magnificently atmospheric’ Abir Mukherjee, author of The Shadows of Men
‘A truly splendid, wicked gem of a book. I loved it’ Tom Mead, author of Death and the Conjuror
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This was an enjoyable book, not something I would normally have picked up, simply because the 1930s isn’t particularly a time period that interests me. However this was an engaging read with a really impactful twist (I didn’t guess it). I liked the setting as it’s local to me, and I’m a sucker for a spot of gothic theming.
I wonder if it would have helped to have read the first book and already have been acquainted with the main characters, but the book still worked as a standalone read for me. I found the hallucinations a bit confusing, it took some brain power to work out what was real and what wasn’t. I enjoyed the characterisation, and I want to know what happens next to Billy and the others. If you’re in the mood for a good crime novel with some twisty bits, a bit of suspense and a proper spooky, magical element this is for you. Plus, I really likes the cover- it sets the scene perfectly for the novel.
I enjoyed being back in the world of Billy Garrett and Phyll Hall, and it was great that Queenie made a significant reappearance too. I find Natalie Marlow’s descriptive narrative interesting and engaging, and it certainly paints a vivid picture that makes the reader feel they are in the midst of the action.
Having said that, I must admit that, contrary to many others reviews I’ve read, I didn’t enjoy this book nearly as much as her first novel. I found the blend of paranormal and reality confusing at times and I’m afraid the whole thing was just a bit too weird for me!
I’m hoping that Natalie’s next novel will see a return to less bizarre themes than a ghostly, vengeance-seeking, sharp-toothed, emasculating mermaid.
- Kirsten N
This book has a bit of everything most of which seem on the darker side of human nature. The plot is remarkable with occult rituals, myths and ghosts, murder, mutilation, horrendous weather resulting in serious flooding which is thought to provoke the ‘mermaid’ who wreaks her revenge on men, psychotic characters whose madness leads to cold blooded murder… etc. – it just keeps on giving! The detective and private enquiry agent, who are sent to reveal the intruder / murderer, have a tough job within a world of absolute insanity putting their own lives in peril. It is not an easy task.
Did I enjoy this book? Sometimes! It is a page-turner as trying to understand the plot and find out ‘who did it’ keeps the reader occupied. Other times I found it hard to keep track of the characters and of the reality / madness boundary that the book is set in. It is a good read and is well written. Would I recommend it to others? Yes, depending on the ‘other’.
- Allestree Book Group member
sandra.swarbrook@hotmail.co.uk
I read this book at Allestree Library book club.
A book of suspense, superstition and murder. Unusual characters and settings. Fast paced and intriguing. A good read
