The Hollow

Nora Roberts

In the hills of western Maryland, the town of Hawkins Hollow goes through a week of terror and madness every seven years. Almost 21 years ago three boys celebrated their mutual 10th birthday by performing a ritual to bond themselves as blood brothers. When they cut their wrists and bound them together, their blood dropped on the Pagan Stone in the woods. They released an enormous evil. For the next week their neighbors attacked themselves, the property in the town, and each other. Three frightened 10 year old boys, Caleb, Fox, and Gage, were able to save some people but not all. At the end of the week, no one remembered exactly what happened to them or how the town was destroyed.

The seventh year is approaching again. Fox O'Dell, the son of the local hippies, is now a lawyer in Hawkins Hollow. He prefers living in the smaller community rather than the large city. Now with the seventh year deadline approaching, his dreams and visions are returning. But he's not alone. Not only does he have Caleb and Gage, but three women have joined them in the war against the evil that plagues Hawkins Hollow. Layla is the woman who had no connections before she found herself driving to Hawkins Hollow. She doesn't know why but suddenly she packed up, left her boutique job in New York City, and drove to this town she had never known before.

She immediately hooks up with Quinn, who came to Hawkins Hollow to investigate the supernatural happenings. Cybil, Quinn's old college roommate and closest friend, also joins them to help do the research to keep them alive and the community safe. Within a few weeks Layla knows she is tied up in the solution to defeat the evil.

Overall I was entertained by The Hollow, yet the characters never pop off the pages. Fox is too "nice" although he isn't really. Nora Roberts gives him all the thoughts and reactions expected, yet it's never quite believable. Layla is more believable, helping the story overall. As in Blood Brothers, the evil is over the top.

The Hollow is so-so, but still Nora Roberts delivers a quick, fun (not cute) read.

Notice: Non-graphic violence, Strong indecent language, Strong sexual content

Blood Brothers
The Hollow
The Pagan Stone

Key of Knowledge by Nora Roberts