The Hollow Ones (Blackwood Tapes, 1)

A horrific crime that defies explanation, a rookie FBI agent in uncharted territory, and an extraordinary hero for the ages: an investigation spirals out of control in this heart-pounding thriller.
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. Devastated, 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 Hugo Blackwood, 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.
From the authors who brought you The Strain Trilogy comes a strange, terrifying, and darkly wondrous world of suspense, mystery, and literary horror. The Hollow Ones is a chilling, spell-binding tale, a hauntingly original new fable from Academy Award-winning director Guillermo del Toro and bestselling author Chuck Hogan featuring their most fascinating character yet.

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Published Aug 4, 2020

336 pages

Average rating: 8.12

8 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

CheriF
Sep 25, 2025
8/10 stars
I haven't read anything by Guillermo del Toro before but I've seen his films. When I saw an offering on NetGalley (yay for the addition of audiobooks!) I immediately requested it. I still haven't looked Chuck Hogan up yet but will soon...

I really didn't know what to expect from this book but I had a very hard time putting it down once I got into it. The first few chapters were tough because we move between different time periods and characters but it all comes together fairly quickly and then the action picks up.

I'm not going to lie, the main protagonist, Odessa Hardwicke, did get on my nerves occasionally but redeemed herself fairly quickly. And I ended up becoming a big fan of Hugo Blackwood.

I will eagerly pick up the sequel so I can join in on the continuing adventures!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing the audiobook.

Oh! I almost forgot to mention that the narrator does a great job of bringing the characters to life.
Parker03
Feb 27, 2023
7/10 stars
I liked it! Very “Stephen King-esq”

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