I thought this book would be a perfect chilling read for this fall weather, and I was immediately drawn into it. Once I got deep into the story, I didn’t want to stop. I couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen next. This is a well-written, unputdownable book, and I’m glad I read it. I recommend it. ~ Penny Noble (Reviewer), Netgalley
This truly was an awesome addition to my Spooktober TBR list. The mystery, the suspense, the imagery of the glowing feral eyes watching you from the treeline—Selley did a great job of pulling you into the story and hooking you from the get-go!
~ Cheryl Hancock (Reviewer), Netgalley
I really liked this book. It was a fun, wild ride all the way through. I was not expecting the twist, and that is always exciting for me since I guess the twists are in a lot of the books I read. ~ Kira Mikutaitis (Librarian), Netgalley
I really enjoyed this. It was a good mix of creepy and sci-fi with crime thriller vibes. Kept me reading to the end!
5 out of 5 stars ~ Stella Foster (Bookseller), Netgalley
Will be reading this again. The plot was great and hooked me right from the start. I am looking forward to reading more from this author. ~ Jo Shelley (Reviewer), Netgalley
What is happening to all the people who keep disappearing around Driftwood State Park in small-town Appalachia?
And why can't Jessica remember what happened to her and Olivia all those years ago on the night that Olivia disappeared?
This is a wild, psychologically taut mystery full of weird synchronicities, parallels, eerie legends, and unusual children.
I really enjoyed the plotline, and the writing was compelling. ~ Shireen Sasani (Reviewer), Netgalley
This gave me vibes of The X-Files, Stranger Things, and maybe even Supernatural. The concept is great, and it's the concept that first made me want to read this.
The last chapter or two of this was amazing, and that tells me the author knows how to write in this genre. I found that section entirely captivating, and it makes me curious to see what the author will write next. ~ Shaun Eyles (Reviewer), Netgalley
There were lots of things to like about this book. The imagery was exceptional, capturing the magnetic pull we have with others and the idea that so much more exists in the world around us. It was a unique read, and again, the imagery was quite magical—it would make for a great movie!
~ Marly McAstocker (Reviewer), Netgalley
Fabulous and creepy. I can't wait to read more by this author.
5 out of 5 stars ~ Nicola Moffitt (Reviewer) , Netgalley
The backholler feel is fantastic. As someone who grew up in the Piedmont of North Carolina, the setting here rings true, and I love it! ~ Veronica Watts (Reviewer), Netgalley
In A Glimmer in the Hollows, we follow Jessica, a woman living in Driftwood haunted by the disappearance of Olivia, a 6-year-old who vanished the night Jessica was babysitting her. Two decades later, her past comes back to taunt her, making her remember the night everything changed. The blurb of A Glimmer in the Hollows was phenomenal, and I was very excited to read it. The first few pages promised very eery and atmospheric writing, helping to set me in the mood to really enjoy the book.
The whole plot was a bit of a surprise. I didn’t really expect it to go in the direction it did, and I’m glad for it. ~ Raquel B. (Reviewer), Netgalley
"A Glimmer in the Hollows" by Lorna Selley is an intriguing read with a richly developed setting and a plot that takes unexpected turns, delivering a pleasant surprise. Overall, it's a solid read with its share of strengths and some areas that could have been polished further. ~ Amanda Bingham (Reviewer), Netgalley
I don’t have many words for this book because it’s left me just speechless. It was so unexpected in the best of ways.
5 out of 5 stars ~ Cari-Leigh Williams (Bookseller), Netgalley
This book was perfect. If you enjoyed Anni Taylor's series, I think you would love these. The intrigue, the discussion of childhood trauma, the writing—everything was great. I need another book, stat.
5 out of 5 stars ~ Hannah Via (Reviewer), Netgalley
A Glimmer in the Hollows is a spellbinding tale that entwines mystery, suspense, and the eerie folklore of a mist-shrouded mountain town. This atmospheric novel is a gripping exploration of secrets buried deep within the shadows of Driftwood State Park and the dark recesses of memory.
A Glimmer in the Hollows excels in its rich, atmospheric storytelling and complex character development. The novel deftly balances Jessica’s personal journey with the unfolding mystery, creating a compelling blend of psychological tension and supernatural elements. The interplay between Jessica’s fragmented memories and the local legends adds depth to the narrative, making the reader question what is real and what is imagined.
The author’s ability to weave a sense of unease and suspense through both the setting and the characters is commendable. The forest’s haunting presence, combined with Jessica’s unsettling visions and the feral boys' enigmatic behaviour, keeps readers on edge, eagerly turning pages to uncover the truth.
This novel is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and supernatural mysteries. It offers a hauntingly immersive experience, blending personal trauma with eerie folklore and suspenseful storytelling. A Glimmer in the Hollows is a mesmerizing journey into the dark heart of Driftwood, where every shadow hides a secret, and every memory is tinged with the unknown. ~ Heather Hawkins (Reviewer) , Netgalley
Wow, wow, wow. I loved this. I'll admit it took me a bit to get into it, but once I did, I couldn't stop reading. I even dreamt about this book. I did not see where it was going until it went there, but man, I loved it.
5 out of 5 stars ~ Keisha Cree (Reviewer), Netgalley
This is a substantial debut from author Lorna Selley. The story takes place in Driftwood, a mountain town where 6-year-old Olivia Garcia disappeared two decades earlier. Now, her babysitter for that fateful night must claw back unremembered fragments from her past to find her missing charge. When a famous author turns up in the town, the stage is set for a delicious investigation. Characterisation and backstories are beautifully written, along with vivid descriptions of the town and surrounding area. The story went into places I didn't expect, and I applaud the author for this, mixing local legend with something else that has been here even longer.
There are no trigger warnings to report.
This is a hugely promising start for a career that should go from strength to strength. If you like inspired writing with a multitude of spooky moments and white-knuckle tension, this may well be for you.
https://wonderlandsteve.blogspot.com/2024/07/a-glimmer-in-hollows-by-lorna-selley.html ~ Stephen Langton (Reviewer), Netgalley
This is by far one of the best books I’ve ever read, and I am still shocked that this is a debut novel. I immediately got sucked in and had a hard time putting it down. The woods were so immersive I felt like I was actually there, and the abduction plot was an added bonus! I can’t wait to read more by this author! ~ Rachel Pilling (Reviewer), Netgalley
You should read it! ~ Amy Govlik (Reviewer, Netgalley
A Glimmer in the Hollow is a book that hooks you immediately, so be prepared to stay up late into the night... If you dare!
There's an eerieness to this tale that had me unnerved and a mystery that had me turning the pages.
Let's say I got very little sleep last night.
Lorna Selley has written a banger of a supernatural horror/mystery novel that I was pretty impressed with, especially with this being a debut.
I wasn't bored once and stayed invested in the story from start to finish.
I'll be recommending this to my horror-loving friends this Halloween. ~ Jason Dean (Reviewer) , Netgalley
I enjoy the suspense of this novel from the beginning until the end. And I also like the supernatural works that are also included in the story.
5 out of 5 stars ~ Yakub Tirza (Educator) , Netgalley
I did enjoy this story. The mystery of the missing children kept me turning page after page. I’m really glad I kept reading, as it was a very good, well-thought-out story. ~ Claire Rees (Reviewer) , Netgalley
I was hooked from the cover and thoroughly enjoyed the suspenseful feel of it and how the supernatural element worked in the plot. I was invested in what was happening and how Lorna Selley wrote this.
5 out of 5 stars ~ Kathryn McLeer (Reviewer), Netgalley
Driftwood is a town full of legends, rumours, and theories about the children who have mysteriously disappeared over the years. There is also talk about their connection to the creepy children with luminous eyes who come out of the dark.
Jessica is a woman haunted by dreams and nightmares linked to her sister's disappearance 20 years ago. Her favourite author is Elliot Reed, and reading his books provides an escape from her humdrum life. When he visits the town to gather material for his next book, it is her opportunity to make her daydreams a reality. They form a connection and also provide assistance before authorities intervene.
Great turn of events and some nail-biting/breath-holding moments. This book didn’t go the way I was expecting, but I certainly enjoyed the direction. ~ Ivory Castle (Reviewer) has, Netgalley
A Glimmer in the Hollows is a remarkable debut mystery novel with a rather decent horror blend by Lorna Selley. Ms Selley keeps the readers guessing from point A to point B as soon as they pick up the book, unlike many authors, and the descriptive elements she uses to grab the reader's attention immediately. Ms. Selley, while being a new author, also has a strong voice waiting to be heard, and A Glimmer in the Hollows is just the beginning of what she has to say. The world-building and character descriptions all play a part in Ms Selley's unique voice, and as she broadens her scope, her voice will more than rise to the challenge! ~ K K Jones (Reviewer), Netgalley
Very realistic and interesting characters. It was a fast-paced plot that kept me thoroughly engaged throughout. Suspenseful and thrilling! Enjoyed every page of it! ~ Tammy Windsor (Reviewer) , Netgalley
A journalist develops a need to solve the mystery of multiple children going missing on Halloween night. After being spotted with “glowing eyes”….
As an avid reader of horror stories, I found the descriptive writing absolutely incredible. The storyline reminds me of Stranger Things.
The plot, at times, left me feeling like “what is going on” in the best way possible. ~ Eleanor Ryan (Reviewer), Netgalley
This book would be best recommended to someone interested in an adult-targeted series with similar trappings to Stranger Things. The strongest aspect of this book is the author’s use of description; it’s very vivid and distinct in style. ~ Henry Graves Prince (Reviewer), Netgalley
A Glimmer in the Hollows is a remarkable debut mystery novel by Lorna Selley with a decent horror blend. Ms Selley keeps the readers guessing from point A to point B as soon as they pick up the book, unlike many authors, and the descriptive elements she uses to grab the reader's attention immediately. Ms. Selley, while being a new author, also has a strong voice waiting to be heard, and A Glimmer in the Hollows is just the beginning of what she has to say. The world-building and character descriptions all play a part in Ms Selley's unique voice, and as she broadens her scope, her voice will more than rise to the challenge!
5 out of 5 stars ~ K K Jones (Reviewer) , Review
This was a great book. I've never read this type of book before. I thought it was an occult horror, and I was enthralled enough to keep turning pages as fast as possible to the end. Definitely worth a read, and I'll be keeping an eye on this author for any other titles coming out ~ Bridget Skelton (Reviewer), Netgalley
This was a very unexpected book. What seems to be a straightforward missing girl mystery is, in fact, something very different. For me, the jump between genres worked- because they are genres I enjoy.
4 out of 5 stars ~ Rachel Jeffares (Reviewer), Netgalley
The novel felt as if The Twilight Zone and The X-Files had a child and then sprinted some of Supernatural on top. That's how A Glimmer in the Hollows feels, and really, it works for the story Selley is trying to tell. ~ Kody Comeau (Reviewer), Netgalley
What is going on in the hollows? For years, children have vanished from this small town, but what is really happening under the radar of the town’s people?
This book gave me “Stranger Things” vibes. I loved how the author wrote a mystery novel with a sci-fi spin.
She did an excellent job of painting this alternate world and kept the suspense strong throughout. I really enjoyed it! ~ Amber Carney (Reviewer), Netgalley
A spine-chilling page-turner. A Glimmer in the Hollows is the must-read paranormal suspense book of the year! ~ G.L Davies, author of Harvest: The True Story of Alien Abduction, Review
Sometimes instincts to survive impossible conditions cannot be explained, sparking reactions that rely on denial and amnesia in order to foster new life. "Hide in the dark, run to the light."
A Glimmer in the Hollows follows the long-term effects of a child's disappearance, blending a 20-year-old mystery with insights on the lasting impact of events that left six-year-old Olivia's young babysitter, Jessica, with too many unresolved questions.
Fast forward to the present, when two feral children who land on Jessica's doorstep spark connections between past and present. This forces her to confront the fragments of memory she harbors of these events, as well as her deepest ongoing nightmares.
Joining her in this search for answers is attractive author Elliot Reed, who has come to town for inspiration for his latest novel. He hopes to find it by probing the conspiracies and theory that have overwhelmed Jessica's small town, but as each character pursues the truth for different reasons, a more insidious set of discoveries drives their realizations, growth, and motivations.
Lorna Selley's story provides hallmark moments where each character's self-realization contributes to a greater series of events that challenge an entire town's life force and history.
As Jessica confronts her own nature and feelings about her past, she comes to realize the ways in which she's used these experiences to hide from herself as well as others: "I’m useless. I buried everything that’s useful. Everything that might lead to the truth."
From Jessica's growing conviction that there's something in the forest that took Olivia to the secrets she hides about her former young charge's perceptions (which only babysitter Jessica was privy to), the intrigue, investigations, and search for truth that play out in the story are woven on a platform of solid drama and action. These delve as deeply into murky psychological rationales and waters as they do into the hidden secrets of a small town.
As Jessica confronts truths she can neither explain nor deny, the fast-paced action and tension serve as exquisite contrasts to the psychological challenges that force her to grow and acknowledge seemingly impossible circumstances.
Libraries and readers seeking a tense, vivid mystery steeped in surprises and seemingly impossible scenarios will welcome the ability of A Glimmer in the Hollows to spin a story that blossoms into new awakenings and awareness and, most of all, vivid scenarios of what happens when everything falls apart. ~ Diane Donovan, Midwest Book Review , Review
Small-town secrets collide with supernatural mysteries in this dark and chilling tale that captivated me until the very last page. ~ Melissa Payne, bestselling author of The Secrets of Lost Stones and A Light in the Forest
A visceral romp through intrigue and mystery. Selley is an exciting new voice in paranormal suspense that everyone should read. ~ Rayvn Salvador, author
I wasn’t prepared for what waits in the woods. A Glimmer in the Hollows kept me turning the pages, ignoring my to-do list, and staying up past my bedtime. Lorna Selley delivers a highly atmospheric, eerie novel brimming with mystery and longing. It’s one of my favorite reads of the year, and you don’t want to miss it. ~ Debra Castaneda, author
A Glimmer in the Hollows is the spine-chilling story of a creepy little town. Lorna Selley took me on a roller coaster ride of intrigue, mystery, suspense, and the supernatural. The descriptions of the surroundings were vivid and easy to visualize. With all the twists and turns, it was impossible to know what would happen next. I was guessing until the very end. It was a page-turner, and I could not put it down. The characters were unique and authentic. Elliot's and Jessica’s characters were strong and relatable. At times, they were not sure if things were real or if they were dreaming. I was drawn into their quest to find answers, and the suspense kept me on the edge of my seat. The story was brilliantly written, and everything felt realistic. This story was much more than I expected. ~ Reader's Favorite
This is a magical tale that will go beyond the reader's wildest imagination. Missing children, a babysitter who will never stop looking, and an out-of-town fiction writer all take their places as this mystical story unfolds. With its suspenseful, intricate plot and deep characters, A Glimmer in the Hollows is certainly movie worthy. ~ Kristi Elizabeth, San Francisco Book Review
A Glimmer in the Hollows is a masterful debut by Lorna Selley, who skillfully combines elements of psychological suspense, intricate character development, and a hauntingly atmospheric setting of a town cloaked in secrets. Selley’s vivid prose contributes to a gripping narrative packed with riveting plot twists that will keep you guessing and reading. This thrilling read will stay with you long after the last page. Grab your flashlight and prepare to journey into the shadows of Driftwood. I dare you to put this book down.
~ London Clarke, #1 Amazon Bestselling Author of Until Death and The Neighbor