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From the Hollow
Welcome to the Cabinet of Curiosities—a collection of gothic history, strange traditions, haunted places, forgotten folklore, dark symbolism, and the stories hidden behind art and books.
Here you’ll find ancient festivals, eerie legends, Victorian oddities, supernatural inspiration, book reviews, collector features, and the beautifully strange details that shape my worlds. From haunted Pittsburgh to poisonous gardens, from ravens and roses to old rituals and whispered ghost stories, this is where mystery, history, and art meet.
If you love gothic atmosphere, dark fiction, and the allure of the unusual, you’re in the right place.
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Book Review: Corpse Creek by Vincent Ralph
A Bleak Haven Novel Corpse Creek by Vincent Ralph is the fourth book I've read in the Bleak Haven series, and of the two most recent installments, I definitely preferred this one. The story follows eighteen-year-old Ethan, who returns to the creek where his older brother drowned four years earlier. What begins as an attempt to find some closure quickly takes a darker turn when Ethan encounters a figure that looks remarkably like his dead brother—and suddenly the possibility o
1 day ago2 min read
Book Review: Fear Farm by Vincent Ralph
A Bleak Haven Novel I read the first two books in the Bleak Haven series and was happy to receive ARCs for the next two. I actually started Corpse Creek first, but had to put it down when it referenced events from Fear Farm. I didn’t want any potential spoilers, so, I switched gears and hurried through this one before continuing. And that brings me to one of my biggest frustrations with this series: the recommended reading order doesn't seem to match the actual chronology of
Sep 152 min read
Book Review: Not a Word by Linwood Barclay
After a string of books that simply weren't for me, Not a Word by Linwood Barclay was a refreshing change of pace. The story opens with Reece making a horrifying discovery: his parents are dead in their bedroom, and what initially appears to be a clear-cut murder-suicide quickly raises more questions than answers. As inconsistencies begin to emerge from the crime scene, Reece is forced to reconsider everything he thought he knew about his parents—and whether the secrets they
Aug 292 min read
Book Review: The Night Pool by Lauren Lee Smith
The Night Pool by Lauren Lee Smith had almost everything I would normally look for in a historical thriller: the California Gold Rush, a mysterious creature, gruesome murders, three women from very different backgrounds, and a story built around survival, vengeance, and the violence created by greed. The premise immediately appealed to me, particularly the idea of Clara, Mei, and Haloke becoming unlikely allies in a world that has very little regard for their safety. Unfortun
Aug 253 min read
Book Review: The Minimalist by Kailee Pedersen
The Minimalist by Kailee Pedersen is an ambitious and unsettling novel that immediately caught my attention with its premise. Set within the insular world of classical music, the story follows Mia Voss, the final student of celebrated minimalist composer Ryder Wakefield. After Ryder’s unexpected death, Mia inherits his estate and, more significantly, his unfinished final composition, Death Fugue: Music for Orchestra. As Mia attempts to complete the work, she is forced to conf
Aug 223 min read
Book Review: The House That Eats the Dead by Max Doty
I have a confession to make: I just couldn't finish this book. And that is particularly depressing because I was really looking forward to The House That Eats the Dead by Max Doty. The premise immediately grabbed me. A house that literally feeds on living things, erasing them from everyone's memories except those of the people who own the house? That is exactly the kind of strange, unsettling haunted-house concept that should have been right up my alley. Unfortunately, I coul
Aug 183 min read
Book Review: The Women in White by Sarah Pekkanen
The Women in White by Sarah Pekkanen is an intriguing mystery that moves between different timelines, gradually revealing the secrets surrounding a group of young women who disappeared decades ago. The story alternates between the present and the 1960’s, when four women at a prestigious university become subjects in an experimental parapsychology program led by a scientist convinced he is on the verge of a groundbreaking discovery. Then, the women vanish, and the entire progr
Aug 152 min read
Book Review: Good Girls Die Bored by Elizabeth Little
Sometimes you need a book that isn’t quite as heavy—a fast-paced thriller with a compelling main character, enough twists to keep things interesting, and the kind of story that makes for perfect summer reading. Good Girls Die Bored by Elizabeth Little fits that category. Juno Hardwick is a fighter. At least, that’s who she used to be. Once a rising star in national security policy, her life took a sharp turn after the death of her father. Now she’s living in Los Angeles, spen
Aug 42 min read
Book Review: Carry Me to My Grave by Christopher Golden
Christopher Golden’s Carry Me to My Grave starts with a fantastic horror premise: an old woman with a dark reputation, a family haunted by rumors of witchcraft, and a final journey that awakens things better left buried. Maggie Wise has always been surrounded by whispers. When Malcolm was growing up, local children taunted him and his siblings with the chant that his mother was a witch. They tried to ignore the rumors, but now, as Maggie lies dying, the past begins to resurfa
Aug 22 min read
Book Review: Erebus-13 by David Wellington
I didn’t realize when I picked up Erebus-13 that it was actually the third book in David Wellington’s Red Space trilogy. The good news is that Wellington does a solid job of writing this installment in a way that allows readers to follow the story without feeling completely lost if they haven’t read the previous books. The story follows Petrova and her crew as they face the release of Erebus, an ancient entity of pure darkness threatening humanity and the galaxy itself. What
Jul 141 min read
Book Review: The Whisper Man by Alex North
I bought The Whisper Man by Alex North when it was first released in hardcover, read the opening chapter… and then, like too many books on my shelf, it quietly slipped into my TBR pile for far too long. I finally picked it up again during a break between ARCs while I was working through older unread books—and I can honestly say my only regret is not finishing it sooner. The story follows Tom Kennedy and his young son Jake, who move to the town of Featherbank after a personal
Jul 62 min read
Book Review: Last of the First by L.E. Modesitt, Jr.
If you're a fan of fantasy or science fiction, chances are you've come across the name L.E. Modesitt, Jr. His bibliography is extensive for a reason—he consistently delivers engaging characters, intricate political intrigue, and some of the most thoughtfully constructed worlds in the genre. Last of the First is the conclusion to a four-book story arc within the long-running Saga of Recluce. While this is roughly the twenty-seventh novel in the overall series, one of Modesitt'
Jul 52 min read
Book Review: Doe by Rebecca Barrow
Doe is a YA horror-adjacent thriller by Rebecca Barrow that attempts to blend high school cheerleading rivalry with mythological horror, centering on Maris Larsen—a girl caught between social power dynamics, personal instability, and a supernatural force that begins invading her dreams. On paper, the premise is strong: a decaying, ancient deer-like entity (Doe) tied to bloodlines, revenge, and long-buried violence paired with the intense hierarchy of a competitive cheer squad
Jun 232 min read
Book Review: Whisper Creek by Allison Brennan
Whisper Creek is a rural-set standalone thriller from Allison Brennan that blends family drama, environmental pressure, and a slow unraveling mystery on a Texas farm facing both financial collapse and literal storms. At the center is Ellen McKenna, a widow trying to hold her family’s land together after her husband’s sudden death. The setup is strong and grounded—rising costs, neighboring farms being sold off, and the constant pressure of survival give the story a believable
Jun 232 min read
Book Review: Spiral (Ring Series #2) by Koji Suzuki
After finishing Ring, I was eager to continue with Koji Suzuki's sequel, Spiral (sometimes published as Rasen). Like many readers, I first came to the series because of the films that it inspired. We've all heard the phrase, "the book is better than the movie," and while there is certainly truth to that, I have to give Hollywood some credit. The American adaptation of The Ring captured much of the suspense and dread that made the original story so memorable, even while changi
Jun 202 min read
Book Review: Headlights by C.J. Leede
Danny boy has the shine! But wait, this is not a review of The Shining by Stephen King. Headlights by C.J. Leede follows Special Agent Daniel Stansfield on what is supposed to be his final day with the FBI—an exit from a career that has left him burned out and hollowed out. Instead, he is pulled back into a disturbing case in Denver, where people are waking up on highways with no memory of how they got there, wearing the skins of victims they cannot explain. The only consiste
Jun 93 min read
Book Review: Skyring Water by Beau L’Amour & Louis L’Amour
It is hard to overstate how unexpected Skyring Water feels coming from the legacy of Louis L’Amour. For many readers, his name is synonymous with the American Western—dusty trails, lone riders, and frontier justice. So stepping into a Cold War espionage thriller packed with car chases, international intrigue, Nazi secrets, and a globe-spanning treasure hunt is nothing short of a jolt—and a welcome one. Set in 1961, on the razor edge of nuclear tension, the novel follows Mike
Jun 23 min read
Books for Readers Who Love Haunted Houses
There’s something uniquely unsettling about a haunted house story. It’s not just about ghosts, it’s about the way house seems to listen, the very walls breathe, and the unnerving feeling that you are not alone. For readers drawn to the macabre, haunted house books blend the perfect balance of atmosphere and dread. If you are looking to fill your shelves with a few stories that will leave you checking the dark shadows and sleeping with the lights on, here are some essential re
May 103 min read
Book Review: Shy Girl by Mia Ballard
A Deep Dive into Shy Girl Mia Ballard’s Shy Girl arrived wrapped in controversy long before many readers ever opened the first page. I received an ARC through NetGalley, where I often review upcoming releases. This title had already built a strong buzz across multiple reader groups. Naturally, it landed high on my reading list. Before I even had the chance to begin, the publisher pulled the book entirely after a The New York Times article alleged that the novel had been writt
Apr 263 min read
Book Review: Hope Rises by David Baldacci
If you’ve been hearing recommendations to read David Baldacci for years and haven’t taken the plunge yet, Hope Rises might be the push you need—though fair warning, you’ll want to start with Nash Falls first. Hope Rises picks up exactly where its predecessor leaves off, throwing readers right back into the fractured world of Walter Nash, now living under the alias Dillon Hope. What makes this sequel so compelling is how seamlessly Baldacci continues Nash’s transformation. T
Apr 142 min read
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