The Deeping Woods have a history. Since the 1800s, young girls have disappeared – vanishing into thin air – when they near the woods or dare to enter them. Olive’s best friend, Stacia, is one of these unfortunates. At the age of twelve, Stacia and Olive entered the woods, but only one girl came back.

Haunted by the loss of her best friend, Olive, who has no recollection of the day Stacia disappeared, has moved away from her rural Kentucky hometown. The only person remaining that she keeps in touch with is her father who works at the local historical society. It is now 24 years since that fateful day in the woods and a phone call from her old hometown will send Olive’s ordered world into a tailspin. Her father has gone missing. He, too, has entered the woods.

This novel was a real surprise. The action switches back and forth between present time and the days leading up to Stacia’s disappearance. The two girls – best friends – are misfits who don’t fit in with the “in” crowd. And, like many young girls, they have a fascination with the “fae,” witchcraft, and the legends surrounding the Deeping Woods and its dark history. The novel is a short one and a real page-turner. Highly recommended for fans of the occult, witchcraft, and ghost stories.

I want to thank the author and the publisher (Cemetery Dance) for providing me (voting member of HWA) with a free copy of Hollow Girls in consideration for a Bram Stoker Award.