Award-winning author James Wade blends atmospheric prose with soul-stirring themes in Hollow Out the Dark, a gothic adventure set against a Depression-era landscape where a whiskey war threatens to decimate a small Texas town.
A veteran of the Great War, Jesse Cole is grateful for the quiet life he now leads. But when his closest friend runs afoul of local criminals Frog and Squirrel Fenley, Jesse is forced to spin his moral compass and enter a violent and volatile underworld. There he encounters corrupt lawmen, hired assassins, and a dark family secret that will upend all he once knew.
Complicating matters are Texas Ranger Amon Atkins—who arrives to investigate the Fenleys just as their empire is threatened by a deadly new competitor—and the green-eyed, raven-haired Adaline, a love Jesse thought he’d lost forever.
With resources scarce and winter falling hard on the town, a desperate Jesse must choose between the law and the lawless and find a way to survive while still protecting the people he loves.
A heart-pounding tale full of plot-twisting revelations, Hollow Out the Dark brings readers into a whiskey-fueled world where everyone has a secret, and love everlasting balances on the edge of a knife.
I’ve been a longtime fan of James Wade’s books and jumped at the opportunity to read his most recent, HOLLOW OUT THE DARK. This novel is set during the Depression and Prohibition eras of American history. Bootlegging, violence, gang wars, corrupt politicians and police, and scarcity are all central to this novel.
Writing/Plot:
Wade’s distinctive writing style is the appeal in any of his novels. His writing is descriptive and visual to the point where I can imagine the feel of the red clay under my own shoes.
The woods were still save a lingering gust of wind somewhere in the treetops. Subtle and soundless, the swaying of the pine like maladaptive kelp. The leaden sky bereft of clouds. An eerie and unmoving calm.
I mean, come on! There are only 26 letters in the alphabet. But Wade puts those letters together into words in such an original way that is just Chef’s Kiss.
Melancholy, truth, and death permeate this story, with no need to mollify the readers. But there is a bit of hope in the epilogues if you are one of those readers who need a happy ending.
HOLLOW OUT THE DARK follows Texas Ranger Amon Atkins and WWI veteran\reluctant bootlegger Jesse Cole on their separate journeys. Amon is trying to solve a murder; Jesse is trying to protect his friend and family. Both arcs, for me, result in a crisis of personal beliefs and morals. I love this quote from Jesse, and think it could also apply to Amon:
Some folks have to be watched over, Danny told his little brother, when Jesse asked him why he’d done it. Other have to do the watching.
Both Amon and Jesse fit the bill of protectors in this novel.
What strikes me about both characters is their connection to the women in their lives. Amon’s wife and son follow him on his different assignments. Cora has supported him throughout his career. We can see the love these two characters have for each other and their son. There is one very moving scene between the three characters that I don’t want to spoil, but let’s just say that I found myself with a twig or something in my eye while walking on the treadmill! Jesse, on the other hand, is torn between protecting his brother’s family, Eliza and Sarah, while fighting his feelings for his first love, Adaline. The juxtaposition of the relationships is noticeable and speaks volumes to the characters’ motivation.
Characters:
There are A LOT of characters in this book! And a lot of characters that I would not want to hang out with in any way, shape, or form. Most of the Fenley gang. I did gravitate towards the women in the novel and would have appreciated some of the story from their POV’s, especially that of Adaline. She has some secrets that were not yet discovered by the end of the novel that I’m still wondering about days later.
Narration: I both read and listened to HOLLOW OUT THE DARK. The transition from reading to listening was very seamless. Mr. Clark’s narration captivates and enhances Wade’s storytelling. The POV switches were easy to follow, with Jesse’s and Amon’s voices distinct. The production was smooth and enjoyable, with no quality issues with the recording. Clark’s voice, speaking patterns, and enthusiasm while narrating are a perfect match for your southern gothic listening needs.
With Wade’s characteristic writing style and Clark’s narration, I can easily imagine an old man, sitting on a porch, telling this story to his grandkids. Or anyone else who will listen. It’s a bit of a stroll between Amon and Jesse’s POV switches, but it’s well-written and original. I recommend this to any readers interested in descriptive writing and southern gothic storytelling.
Thanks to author James Wade and Lone Star Book Blog Tours for providing this opportunity to review HOLLOW OUT THE DARK. I received the novel free in exchange for my honest review.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
James Wade is the award-winning author of Beasts of the Earth, All Things Left Wild, and River, Sing Out. He is the youngest novelist to win two Spur Awards from the Western Writers of America, and the recipient of the MPIBA’s prestigious Reading the West Award. James’s work has appeared in Southern Literary Magazine, the Bitter Oleander, Writers’ Digest, and numerous additional publications. James lives and writes in the Texas Hill Country with his wife and children.
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Sounds like an engrossing and compelling tale! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I’m always on the lookout for a new read.
Thanks, Jill!