The Hollow Places: A Novel

In the quaint town of Hog Chapel, North Carolina, Kara returns to the eccentric Glory to God Museum of Natural Wonders, Curiosities, and Taxidermy, a place steeped in the peculiar beliefs of her Uncle Earl. The museum, a blend of genuine artifacts and dubious curiosities, serves as a backdrop for Kara’s journey back to her roots, a move precipitated by the dissolution of her marriage and a need for stability. As she settles into the museum’s routine, Kara’s life takes a surreal turn when she and Simon, a barista with a unique medical condition, discover a hidden corridor that leads to a mysterious, alternate world filled with dark, unexplained phenomena.

Kara and Simon’s exploration of this enigmatic realm, marked by concrete corridors, eerie islands, and inhuman entities, becomes a harrowing adventure that blurs the lines between reality and the supernatural. Their discoveries challenge their understanding of the world, forcing them to confront the possibility of parallel universes and the existence of malevolent forces. As they delve deeper, they uncover a series of disturbing events, including a dead body, a school bus with trapped children, and a bunker with a logbook detailing the terrifying experiences of previous explorers. The more they learn, the more they realize the danger that lurks within the museum and the willow world.

The tension escalates as Kara and Simon face increasingly bizarre and threatening situations, from sleepwalking into the willow world to battling possessed taxidermy. The source of these horrors is traced to a peculiar wooden carving of a ‘corpse-otter’ effigy, which has the power to open portals to the willow world. Despite the mounting dangers, Kara’s determination to protect her home and the people she cares about drives her to confront the supernatural forces head-on. The novel explores the resilience of the human spirit, the strength found in family and friendship, and the profound impact of the past on the present.

Ultimately, Kara and Simon manage to seal the portal, but the experience leaves lasting scars, both physical and psychological. The novel concludes with Kara reflecting on her ongoing struggle with sanity and the haunting memories of the willow world. Despite the lingering fear and uncertainty, she finds solace in the familiar comforts of the museum and the support of her loved ones, emphasizing the themes of survival, reconciliation, and the enduring power of home.