Gritty, genuine, historical crime fiction set in Depression-Era East Texas.

Hollow Out the Dark by James Wade is a complex and compelling crime fiction novel set during the Depression, near the end of Prohibition, in sparsely populated deep East Texas. With its genuine characters, desperate storylines, and atmospheric setting, readers will feel transported almost 100 years into the past.

I was immediately absorbed by this story and one of the first aspects that made this happen for me was that every character read like they were a real person, many of whom felt familiar and personally known. Their words, the cadence of the language, the small bits of humor, and the fears all combined to create a feeling that these were genuine people. For the most part these are sturdy people, toughened by life and circumstance. The men are hard, products of short childhoods and early responsibility. You had to be tough to last into adulthood and tougher still to stick around long enough to get old. Or someone really had to be looking out for you.

The author gives us some truly evil characters, and the good guys are forced to choose between compromising their integrity and ideals or risking everything or everyone they love: impossible situations with impossible choices. But how far will good men go to protect those they love or do what needs doing? And at what cost?

The action takes place in an atmospheric rural setting and small town in East Texas, small because most of the population is spread out over the surrounding farmed as well as unfarmable land. While everyone knows everyone else and their business, neighbors aren’t right next door, making it the perfect location for bootlegging and other activities that don’t suffer an audience well. The Depression comes alive in this story and just when you think the hard times can’t get any harder, they do. The plot twists were sudden and often shocking.

I recommend HOLLOW OUT THE DARK for readers of historical crime fiction, especially those who would enjoy an East Texas or Depression Era setting.

An intense journey through the past with a character that it was easy to like - Jesse was easy to attach to and root for, even when he was making mistakes or questionable decisions. It was a complicated time and despite the fact that I generally don't read a lot of historical fiction, I was totally gripped in this story.

This book is about a whiskey war in Texas in 1932. It has a very high body count. Maybe my capacity to be interested in the doings of lowlifes has been exceeded, but I just didn’t care what happened to any of these people. There was a lot of lyrical language that seemed wasted on a bunch of awful, corrupt and violent people.

I enjoyed the author’s “Beasts of the Earth”, but could not finish his “River, Sing Out”. This book fell in the middle. At least I managed to finish this book, although I did consider stopping several times.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.

Hollow Out the Dark by author James Wade is yet another example of how this author “paints” his stories with poetic prose. His landscape is the blank page, and oh how he can fill it!

Wade is the only author I’ve read where the storyline is actually second to the telling of it. If you’ve ever read anything by this author, I’m sure you know what I mean.

This story is set in and around the East Texas town of Enoch in 1932. That would put it about fifteen years after the end of World War I, over a decade into the Prohibition era, and several years into the Great Depression. All three of those impact the storyline.

This book is actually two parallel storylines that eventually come together. The first of these tells the path of Jesse Cole, a war hero who came back to find his only brother dead, and then he “did the right thing” and married his brother’s widow to help raise his niece.

The second storyline follows the path of Texas Ranger Amon Atkins. After committing a career-altering act during a traffic stop that resulted in the death of his partner and severe injury to a politician’s son, Amon is sent alone to Enoch to investigate a murder.

Both storylines quickly become entangled in a local bootlegging war, and the casualties are piling up.

The storylines seem somewhat complex when explaining them, but they don’t seem that way when reading them. Something else I want to mention: I typically have a hard time remembering who characters are if there are more than just a few. This book has about a dozen prominent characters, and I had no trouble remembering each one. I don’t know how Wade pulled that off, but he did well.

The real joy in James Wade novels is not really the story, but the reading. Some folks say it’s not about the destination but the journey. That’s certainly true in these books. I’m a slow reader to begin with, but I read Wade stories even slower so I can savor the words that make the sentences that make the paragraphs that make the chapters that make the story. That is my joy!

As an example, consider the way this author describes headlights being seen in the distance: “Headlights coming down off Harmatia Hill like synchronized souls falling from grace, burning the dark there before them and then gone into the trees, and the curtain of night again drawing shut.” I wouldn’t gush so much about Wade’s writing if that was a one-off. No, the entire book reads like that. I’m not kidding.

When I read one of Wade’s novels, I feel like I’m in the presence of literary brilliance. I’ve often considered how anyone could combine words the way he does to make these passages flow together. But most times I just read and enjoy.

The pacing is somewhat slow, but I consider that appropriate for the story. The story arcs are quite good; the main characters change significantly during the course of the story. The organization is also quite good, with the chapters somewhat alternating (all in third person narrative) between the two main characters.

Depending on where you read this review, you will likely see a 5-star rating. However, if you read this on my blog, you will note it only has a 4.5-star rating. I want to explain that after all the gushing above. I did not really care for the way the storylines came to a close. I would never have expected that, but that is just my opinion. But the reader is not left hanging, so there is satiety in that.

Despite my picky half-star deduction, this is still an exceptional story. The joy is in the reading. You need to prepare your world to be colored as only James Wade can do.

This story drew me in from the start. It is told through multiple POVs and through that, we get such an expansive and detailed view as to what life was like for these characters and what survival meant to/for them.

I would definitely recommend this book for people looking for a fast plot while not losing the characters and great writing!

James Wade brings another terrific story to life.

One thing you can always count on in a novel from James Wade is the extreme contrast of characters. The villains are truly despicable people with little or no moral restraint. The heroes, while flawed in many ways, hold decency and integrity in the depths of their hearts, even if they’re sometimes forced by circumstances to walk on the dark side to accomplish a greater good. That contrast plays out so well in the characters of Jesse and Hollis and Moss – the “good” guys who are up against Squirrel, Frog, Blackwell, and Preston.

When those characters clash, it’s in the most heart-stopping scenes that make a reader anxious to get to the end of the action, but a little afraid of what’s to come. Those encounters don’t always end in a typical the-good-guys-win scenario, so we’re never sure what the author is going to throw at us.

Wade throws plenty. He doesn’t hold back when it comes to presenting the harsh reality of a hard life in a hard place at a hard time in history. That reality is not always pleasant to read about, but even the scenes that depict the worst of humanity are written in a style that makes it hard to look away.

In contrast with that are the scenes drawn for us with exquisite descriptions and a narrative that can be enjoyed and savored. I often reread sections just to absorb the depth and beauty of the writing.

For example, here’s a tender love scene between Jesse and Adaline, “They hold one another, and more, and afterward they bathe in the cool water and dry on the rocks like lizards. They tell each other secrets and make promises they can’t hope to keep, but such is their youth and their love and the warmth of the moment.”

Another example is this poignant presentation of the thoughts of a dying man, “He listened to the bird song and dreamed of the spring to come. Of honeysuckle and clover and rich fragrant pine, of Maypops and azaleas, monarchs and hummingbirds and whitetail bucks, their antlers rendered in velvet; and all the world awakening at once, reborn and full from the cold and the dark and manifested in such color and wonder and soul-aching beauty and he knew he could stay there, in that soft, bright tomorrow, if only he kept closed his eyes.”

A stream of consciousness that reads as if we’re inside that person’s head, seeing all those things with their eyes and hearing with their ears. Bringing a reader that deeply into a story, into a character, is not easily achieved, and this writer is always in awe of an author who can do that.

Wade is the best at atmospheric crime fiction and you won’t be disappointed if you grab his latest release.

This is the first James Wade novel for me. I received the advanced reader's copy from the publisher, Blackstone Publishing through NetGalley. This is my own personal and unsolicited opinion about the story.
This is an intense story. James Wade is possibly the only author that I have read to date that reminds me of John Steinbeck. You would have to favor Steinbeck's incredible writing and read the sentences that Woods has woven together to understand my reaction. (Now I predominantly read Christian fiction these days so be aware that this work is much grittier and darker than my normal content.)
To me there are two main characters here. Jesse Cole, a World War I veteran, has returned to his hometown and settles into a quiet life caring for family during depression time. His best friend, a needy sort, crosses paths with "Frog and Squirrel" Finley which leads to all kinds of trouble.
Texas Ranger, Amon Atkins is assigned to the area to investigate the Finley brothers for suspicion of murder.
This is one intense story. The descriptive writing caused me to feel the heaviness of the depression that darkened the land, it's people. Jesse, Amon and Moss are The main characters to me. I won't forget them for a time. Just like Tom Joad or George and Lennie. (Steinbeck) I don't want to talk about their stories and introduce spoilers. Just know, in my opinion, this is raw. It is not romance; it is not warm and fuzzy. This is war, yet not War as Jesse has already been through. There is defeat with one hope. There is evil, despair, sparks of beauty and reality with terrible secrets. Note: Explicit language, (possible triggers) graphic violence, mental depression, suicide and murder.

Haunting and surprising. I recommend this one. It has a lot of interesting twists and turns.
Lots of trauma and heartbreak.
Any Whiskey enthusiast will like it.

James Wade's Hollow Out the Dark is a gritty and atmospheric Southern noir that immerses readers in the lawless world of Prohibition-era Texas. The novel follows Jesse Cole, a war veteran returning home to a small town engulfed in a violent whiskey war.
Wade's prose is evocative and poetic, painting a vivid picture of the desolate landscape and the morally ambiguous characters who inhabit it. The story is driven by a sense of impending doom, as the tensions between rival bootleggers and corrupt lawmen escalate.
At the heart of the novel is a complex exploration of morality and the choices that must be made in desperate times. Jesse Cole, a character haunted by his wartime experiences, finds himself caught between his desire for redemption and the harsh realities of his surroundings.
While Hollow Out the Dark is a dark and violent novel, it also offers moments of tenderness and humanity. Wade's characters are flawed and complex, making their struggles and choices all the more compelling.
For fans of Southern Gothic fiction and gritty crime dramas, Hollow Out the Dark is a must-read. Wade's masterful storytelling and unflinching portrayal of the human condition make this novel a standout in the genre.

Dark, dark, dark, story set in rural Texas during the prohibition. The bad guys are bad and the good guys are sometimes worse. Hard to find a hero in this riveting tale as men struggle to survive and uphold their honor. A super read if you enjoy noir and grim stories in gritty settings.

"If the world was a good place, it wouldn't need good men."

In a rural Texas town during the Great Depression era, Jesse Cole, an ever the optimist war veteran, is married to his late brother’s wife and living each day just trying to get by. He lives by a seemingly set code until he is forced to bend his own morals to protect the people he loves.

Wade does it again from his unbelievably real characters to the twists and turns you never see coming. I absolutely love the writing and felt as though I was right there with the characters.

This story is heartbreaking and dark, but in the best way. Wade leaves no stone unturned and will have you coming back to passages over and over again.

Thanks to Blackstone Publishing and James Wade for the ARC, and NetGalley for the audiobook ARC!

This book grabs you from page 2. I kept thinking that it reminds me almost of the Ozark tv show and Yellowstone tv show combined (both of which I loved). The main POV characters were both people you really rooted for. The ending made me feel angst in the way real life does sometimes. It really was breathtaking all the way through.

James Wade doesn't write the type of novels I generally read however this is the third I have read by him and it was equally as good as the others. They are a slower read for me but he is an excellent storyteller.

This novel could be a great selection for my AP literature students to use a selection to write about. Very well written and filled with deep and complex characters

The Texas Gothic atmosphere was also a standout, with two compelling main characters: Amon Atkins, a Texas Ranger from a family of Rangers, and Jesse Cole, a war hero who returns home to care for his brother’s family. Both men are on unintentional journeys of self-discovery, and their stories are woven together beautifully.

Overall, this is a fast-paced, heart-wrenching, and thought-provoking read, perfect for fans of books that linger in your mind long after you’ve finished them. Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Hollow Out the Dark by James Wade is about the Prohibition era when people used moonshine to satiate their need for alcohol. Moonshiners were very territorial and they could become quite violent at times to protect their income.

This story is about characters who are involved in moonshining and how a war veteran becomes embroiled in the mess because the paper mill, which was one of the few sources of legitimate income in town, closed. His name is Jesse and he meets up with an old lover when he needs to take up work for Squirrel and Frog, two serious and intense moonshiners.

The story takes unexpected turns and sticks close to the history of the time. It brings up memories as well as hopes for the future. It is well written and reads well.

This was a very interesting book.Because talked about a lot of different issues.And they kept going back and forth in time. In the depression they were talking about bootlegging and how people changed after the great war. It was also a love story in the beginning because they talked about how people really wanted to be together.But things did not work out. I like how the texans ranger was corrupt as well.Because he wanted the liquor to come into the town.. Everybody had the story past and future in this book and was all tied together and you realized it was very well written.

Thank you to NetGalley, James Wade, and Black Stone Publishing for the ARC and chance to give my honest opinion!

I have just recently starting venturing into the historical fiction genre so keep that in mind when reading my review ;)
This one is set in the late prohibition era in East Texas. The point of view is third person. The story line primarily bounces between the life of Jesse Cole and Amon Atkins. Jesse has been thrown into the bootlegging lifestyle essentially against his will. He is a veteran of WWI and battles the trauma the war has scarred him with. Amon Atkins is a Texas Ranger that has been assigned to take down the bootlegging business that Jesse Cole has become wrapped up in.
The plot is filled with trauma, heartbreak, and lies. So many secrets and so much deceit in the small town. The beginning was a very slow burn - it started to pick up around 25% in and after that I read through it very quickly. I enjoyed the author's prose and description. The setting and time period made for a great historical fiction. I can imagine stories like this were probably a very common scenario back in that time. Great read!

I devoured this entire book in less than twenty-four hours. (Please don't tell my employer.) So rarely do I come across a book that a true page-turner, but the short chapters and machine-gun plot kept me itching to pick it back up every time I put it down. Though a little slow to start, it did not take very long for me to be breathlessly turning the (digital) page, both desperate and terrified to know what happened next.

My smallest gripe about this book is that the gorgeous, poetic, evocative prose—which, to be clear, I very quickly fell in love with—made getting to know (and more importantly, remember) the large cast of characters a bit difficult in the beginning. That being said, hoo boy, these characters lit up every single page. No one was just a hero or just a villain. I understood each and every one of them, what they wanted, why they made the choices they were making, who they wanted to be and how they were falling short of that. Even when I wanted nothing more than to take someone by the shoulders and rattle them around to make them see sense, I really did get where they were coming from. I understood this town, this community, this shadow economy that sprung up in the wake of a Great War and a Great Depression, and the claustrophobia of it made my heart race.

As someone with aphantasia, I don't see images or vignettes in my head when I read, so I'm wholly reliant on explicit descriptions of people, places, and things to have an understanding of what they look like. This book did not have very many of those, which I don't think is a bad thing; even though explicit descriptions are helpful for me, I find that kind of writing very clunky, and vastly prefer Wade's more poetic and abstract style of world-building. And yet, so clearly could I imagine this book's adaptation into a six-to-eight-part mini-series on your streaming platform of choice. Every aspect of this story, its characters, its plot, its scenery, its heartbreak, is so perfectly suited for the small screen. I don't usually root for adaptations, because that's not naturally where my mind goes, but I would consider an adaptation of this book appointment viewing for sure.

Overall, a fast-paced, heart-wrenching, exciting, depressing read, one I recommend for fans of books that keep your brain chewing on their edges long after you've finished them.

The description of this book grabbed me the second I read it, and didn't let go. I loved the Texas gothic atmosphere, and the two main characters. Amon Atkins is a Texas Ranger, from a family of Rangers. Jesse Cole is a war hero returned home to take care of brother's family after his passing. Both men are on unintentional journey's of self discovery. Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.