It becomes more and more unpredictable as it moves toward its exciting ending, in which not all questions are answered, but which is filled with instances of gratifying vengeance.Īmber Hollow is a novel whose horror elements arise to make familiar concepts thrilling.ĭisclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. While much of the book is a detective drama, its chilling and downright gruesome battle scenes between cursed villagers and demonic entities cement its place as a horror story. Flashbacks lend context for the surprises that arise. Imaginative descriptions of Amber Hollow result in a moody, eerie backdrop. Supernatural elements are introduced in a slow way that builds suspense, though some subplots are rushed through. Though they fall into tropes, the novel’s women show strength in the face of oppression, and they come to represent the reclamation of power. Their plight raises themes of classism and injustice the story includes brutal examples of corruption. The supporting cast is moderate in size, and while some context is provided to help distinguish characters from one another, many characterizations are glossed over, making Amber Hollow’s residents hard to track. This shifting narration makes room for unpredictable twists in their stories. By its end, it is relayed from Sadie’s point of view. The story is first narrated from Jeremy’s perspective, in a way that builds empathy for him when his loyalty is questioned by others. Their relationship speeds up toward the end, when Sadie’s logical and determined mind becomes lovestruck, resulting in actions inconsistent with her established personality.

Jeremy’s likability is conveyed through his humorous dialogue and protective attitude toward Sadie, whose bravery is balanced by her vulnerability. Jeremy and Sadie have a classic partnership, marked by entertaining banter and an underlying though unspoken attraction that adds romantic tension. Their sanity, along with their trust in each other, is tested. As Sadie and Jeremy unravel the secrets of the isolated town, they experience supernatural events that they can’t explain. Still, the truth is even stranger than their lies. Almost all of the inhabitants of Amber Hollow just died in a mysterious fire, and the survivors’ stories don’t match up. In Edgar Swamp’s horror novel Amber Hollow, a town’s inhabitants are cursed to suffer until justice is served.ĭetectives Jeremy and Sadie have been partners for a long time, but their newest case is unlike anything they’ve ever seen. The supernatural events that plague the residents of Amber Hollow make this a unique and thrilling story.

Amber Hollow by Edgar Swamp