Review: The Hollow Ones by Guillermo Del Toro & Chuck Hogan

Authors: Guillermo Del Toro, Chuck Hogan
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing 
Publication date: August 2020

A horrific crime that defies ordinary explanation. A rookie FBI agent in dangerous, uncharted territory. An extraordinary hero for the ages. Odessa Hardwicke's life is derailed when she's forced to turn her gun on her partner, Walt Leppo, a decorated FBI agent who turns suddenly, inexplicably violent while apprehending a rampaging murderer. The shooting, justified by self-defense, shakes the young FBI agent to her core. Devasted, Odessa is placed on desk leave pending a full investigation. But what most troubles Odessa isn't the tragedy itself-it's the shadowy presence she thought she saw fleeing the deceased agent's body after his death. 

Questioning her future with the FBI and her sanity, Hardwicke accepts a low-level assignment to clear out the belongings of a retired agent in the New York office. What she finds there will put her on the trail of a mysterious figure named John Silence, a man of enormous means who claims to have been alive for centuries, and who is either an unhinged lunatic, or humanity's best and only defense against unspeakable evil. 

The Hollow Ones is the latest from Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan.  I loved their collaboration on The Strain series.  It is among my favorite horror series.  So, I was very excited to read this first in a new series about an invisible evil that is plaguing New York.  I feel like this is a book that you are better off going into not knowing a lot.  I really enjoyed this one.  It's creepy, suspenseful and engaging.  

I thought the world building was done very well.  I had no problem understanding the mythology behind the Hollow Ones.  The story goes back and forth between the present, the 60s and even earlier in history.  I liked how the timelines all tied together.  The characters were really interesting, especially Odessa.  I really  liked that it took her a while to buy into the reality of the situation.  It was a very  authentic reaction.  John Silence was an intriguing character as well.  He has a tragic backstory that has me intrigued.  I want to get to know him more in future books.  This is a great first book in the series.  I highly recommend this one.  I look forward to the next book.