Hollow Ground

Title: Hollow Ground

Author: Freya Wallace

Genre: Crime Mystery Thriller

Series: Detective Jacob Knox book 1

Publisher: Hamya Press

Published Date: 2025

Book Length: 244

Format Read: E Book supplied by Zooloos Book Tours in return for an honest review

Star Rating: 5***** I loved it and highly recommend

About Book: In the rugged wilderness of Dartmoor, school teacher Sophie Parsons vanishes without a trace during a weekend trek. For Detective Inspector Jacob Knox, Sophie’s disappearance stirs unsettling echoes of a previous case involving another woman who vanished in the same desolate moorland six months earlier.

As Knox delves deeper, he uncovers the complexities of Sophie’s personal life, including a secret affair with a charismatic colleague and a tense relationship with her long-term boyfriend, Peter. But Sophie’s tangled love life is just the beginning of Knox’s troubles. A local legend about a beast stalking the moors resurfaces, fueling public fear and media speculation. Is it just a myth, or could something more sinister be at play?

With time running out and the possibility that two women have been claimed by the moor, Knox faces his toughest case yet—one that will test him professionally and personally. As the case unfolds, Knox realizes the dark truths buried beneath the surface of Sophie’s life may be the key to unlocking the mystery.

My Thoughts: Hollow Ground by Freya Wallace is a crime fiction book that immediately grabbed my attention. As someone who lives near Dartmoor, I couldn’t resist picking it up after reading the synopsis.

The story kicks off with a crime that pulled me in right away. The descriptions of Dartmoor are spot on, and while this is a crime novel, it also beautifully captures the essence of the area I know and love. It’s rare to find a book that balances the grit of a crime story with such vivid and heartfelt descriptions of its setting.

I really enjoyed the police procedural elements and absolutely loved Detective Jacob Knox. The characters felt so real as they evolved throughout the book, and I particularly enjoyed the interactions between Jacob and Caleb. Their conversations added a touch of warmth and even made me smile at times.

The book kept me on the edge of my seat. It was intense, with a pace that barely let up—only pausing occasionally to give me a chance to catch my breath. Wallace’s writing is clear, concise, and flows beautifully, making me feel as if I were right there, watching the events unfold.

If you’re a fan of crime fiction with a well-crafted plot, relatable characters, and a strong sense of place, I’d highly recommend Hollow Ground. It’s an engaging and immersive read that stayed with me long after I turned the last page.