Diving into Secrets in the Hollow felt like a plunge into the psyche of a woman on the brink. The author really puts you in Carrie Peters’ mind. Carrie is trapped in a web of guilt, suppressed memories, and the agony of keeping secrets. What struck me most was the depiction of Carrie’s emotional turmoil and her coping mechanisms. This book is a mystery, the suspense will not allow you to put down the book. It’s a deep exploration of the human mind, of how our past choices shape our present selves. The town of Sleepy Hollow intensifies Carrie’s internal conflict as well. Barbara Dullaghan’s portrayal of emotion would be an interesting study for anyone fascinated by the complexities of the human mind. Sleepy Hollow is a real place with real, haunting legends. I recommend those interested in such topics to read up on those legends… And then read this book!
Secrets in the Hollow
Carrie Peters is a forty-year-old riddled with guilt and secrets, struggling to understand how she and her ex-boyfriend could have gotten things so wrong. Carrie’s life is complicated when she returns to her hometown of Sleepy Hollow after her parents die. She still feels tremendous guilt for the deaths of her high school friends as a result of her indiscretions. Her best friend, a homicide detective, grows increasingly concerned about her erratic behavior.
Carrie has no one to turn to except her ex-boyfriend because he shares her secrets. But she finds it too painful to connect with him. He is a constant reminder of the life she lived and tried to leave behind. Carrie needs to deal with her guilt, but to do so she may have to confess her part in a life-changing incident and possibly risk her freedom.
