4* Decent police procedural, but needs an edit, some tightening, and needs a less-rushed ending. The latter spoilt the tale, as it was too quick, convenient and easy.

This is a decent tale set in the UK, which automatically earns it brownie points. In my book, pun not intended, what loses it points is the (on the spectrum?) unlikable, cheating Sophie, and tbh, I was rooting for Rachel, not her.

The tale itself is believable and well done, and the male detective is a decent guy. I'm not sure why his family drama/s got pulled into it, but neither his ex-wife nor his alkie brother added to the tale in any meaningful way, so reading about them was an irritant and detracted from the pace and feeling of danger - an editor really could've helped this decent first-time author out here.

The tale ends sort of as expected, but unrealistically so with how quick and easily the bad guy gets duped and subdued. For me, this equated to build-up but a letdown ending. Again, I think the issue of pacing needs addressing by editors.

ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Hamya Press, for my reading pleasure.

A good start with a new detective - DI Knox. A fairly typical character- moved to Devon from the Met, wife left him, alcoholic brother always in and out of trouble. There's quite a lot of this background but, hopefully, mainly setting up the character for the future. A woman goes missing on Dartmoor; a similar cold case from 6 months before haunts the local detectives. She had an open lovelife, tangled, was very keen on fitness, outdoor running etc. Old University links to the previously missing woman. Rather horrid story and some really unpleasant, paranoid people there. Well-written, a good set of characters, lovely evocative descriptions of Dartmoor - you can almost hear the Hound of the Baskervilles at times. Talking of which the media, of course, have the Beast of Dartmoor as the perpetrator. Things felt rather rushed at the end and I would have liked to know more of the final locations (don't want to spoil things though). A promising start, definitely keep the dog, go easy on the romance, please keep it in the background. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

This was great start to the DI Knox series with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader engaged! I can’t wait for the next instalment! It was a great read!

With many thanks to Netgalley for this free arc and I am leaving this unbiased review voluntarily
I did promise myself that I wasn’t going to start another new police procedural series but I just couldn’t resist the premise of this one and I was instantly hooked. Jacob Knox is an intriguing character and one I liked straight away. The book has a really nice flow to it, it’s well written, nicely paced and has that familiar feel to it that you get in say book 3 or 4 of a series. It did feel slightly rushed at the end - the author could have quite easily added another few chapters in here expanding on the detail. All in all this was an easy read and a promising start to the series. I look forward to the next one!

I'll start by saying: I really liked the book! Overall the storyline grabbed me from the beginning and kept me dying to know what else was going to happen.

My only issue is that the story was building up so well, and then I felt like the last 1/4 of the book was SO rushed to end. It felt like such a big lead up to such a fast ending where everything kind of wrapped in a neat bow. I just wish the author had taken time to expand on the end as it deserved.

Firstly, I love books that are set locally to me, and this was. Reading the names of places I know gives a whole other element to the book as I can picture them perfectly.

The writing was easy reading and the plot was interesting and kept your intrigued right the way through. It's a fairly straightforward police procedural without any big twists or reveals, but is thoroughly enjoyable and the start of a series I feel I am sure to love!

From the very first page, this book grips you and refuses to let go until the end, leaving you wanting more. Freya Wallace has crafted something extraordinary. The writing is superb, and the characters feel so real and well-researched. With its tightly woven, compelling subplots, I was completely transfixed from start to finish.

Set in the dark, brooding landscapes of Dartmoor, the story follows Detective Inspector Jacob Knox—a troubled but brilliant soul navigating a complicated life. He has a budding love interest, an alcoholic older brother who constantly stirs up trouble, and a cheerful, loyal dog who brings some light to his world. When two women go missing, Knox dives headfirst into the case.

I wouldn’t go so far as to say this is Robert Harris meets Fred West, but it does carry certain elements that make it a chilling and dark horror novel. At the same time, it’s surprisingly uplifting and inspiring, taking readers on an emotional rollercoaster.

I have written a blog post on this with more conent that you can find linked here.

Hollow Ground is set mostly in the bleak and desolate environs of Dartmoor,a place I know and love ,so I was particularly keen to read author Freya Wallace's debut.
When teacher Sophie Parsons disappears on the Moor Detective Jacob Knox sees parallels with a similar disappearance 6 months earlier. With a reporter publishing lurid claims linking Sophie's disappearance with a mythical beast Knox also finds not only her complicated personal life also hampering the investigation but also the resurfacing of his wayward brother, a very troubled man with a drink problem.
This is an assured debut and a good introduction to Knox, a man struggling with life after divorce and relocating to Devon from London. There were a few times I raised my eyebrows at improbable events and the apparent ineptitude of the police who occasionally appeared to stumble across things that a bit more competence would have unearthed sooner.
It's good rather than great but kept me interested enough to want to read the next book in the series.

Thank you NetGalley for the advance copy of Hollow Ground. In the rugged wilderness of Dartmoor, schoolteacher Sophie Parsons vanishes without a trace during a weekend trek. For Detective Inspector Jacob Knox, Sophie’s disappearance stirs unsettling echoes of a previous case involving another woman who vanished in the same desolate moorland six months earlier.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It’s a brilliant debut by Freya Wallace. Very well written story and characters. Knox is a very likeable character and I would definitely continue reading this series. I could also seeing this being a great tv series!

Thank you Netgally and Freya Wallace for the opportunity to read the eARC.

Just LOVED this thriller.
I was really immersed in the storyline from the word go.
So so creepy but i don't want to spoil it.
One of the best of these type of thrillers that i have read for a long time.
Please keep them coming Freya Wallace.
My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.

This was a strong start to the Detective Jacob Knox thriller series, it had that feel that I was looking for in a thriller novel. The characters were everything that I was looking for and worked with the concept that I was looking for. Freya Wallace was able to create a strong story and characters that I was hooked from the first page.

A fast paced plot that has well developed characters. Women are going missing while hiking alone and clues are non-existent. Frustrated DI Knox pours over all the case notes and is in the field constantly. Having his alcoholic brother in his home is a complication he did not anticipate. Working to exhaustion trying to prevent another abduction seems to be getting him nowhere. Then odd facts about the women's past begin to show a pattern. Any British suspense fan will enjoy this book.

Rather dark police procedural - kidnapping, murder, addiction - some familiar tropes, but don't want to add spoilers. Some very tense moments that will keep you glued to the pages.

Sophie is taking a run through the moors trying to free her mind of all the mess she has going on. Little did she know she would be taken prisoner. Detective Jacob Knox has already had a missing person case starting 6 months back in the same area. Not thinking it’s a coincidence, him and his team go straight into investigating. Dealing with a local newspaper giving false info, his older brother returning home, and little to no sleep. Will he be able to find the missing women?
This book is an easy read mystery. It reminded me of an episode of CSI or Criminal Minds. The pov switches from police to victims which is not a problem. It would be nice to see Jacob come of out his shell more for Lucy in the next book. Thank you NetGalley for the book.

Great read!! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! It had great suspense, intriguing, action, murder, end of days fanatics, kidnapping, rape, mystery, and a few wild twists and turns! The story was very interesting!! I highly recommend reading this book! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

Thank you NetGalley and Hamia Press for the eARC.
This is the promising start of a new series featuring Detective Jacob Knox.
A second woman has disappeared in Dartmoor National Park after the first one went missing six months ago.
After taking his dog Dylan (my favorite character!) to the dog sitter and on his way to headquarters, he's advised of the missing woman and an incredibly difficult case ensues.
Despite his personal problems, sleepless nights and spme sad occurrences, he eventually solves the case with the help of his team.
It's an atmospheric, eerie read which I really enjoyed. I'm looking forward to the next in the series.

Very impressed by this debut crime novel. Excellent lead character and well paced story. Looking forward to next in the series.

Thank you NetGalley and Hamya Press for giving me the opportunity to read Hollow Ground ahead of its release date.

Set against the haunting backdrop of Dartmoor, Hollow Ground: A Devon Murder Mystery by Freya Wallace delivers a chilling blend of mystery, thriller, and horror. When schoolteacher Sophie Parsons disappears during a weekend trek, Detective Inspector Jacob Knox is pulled into a case that feels all too familiar. As he delves into Sophie’s life and the secrets she kept, a web of secrets and connections that extend far beyond her disappearance. Each element genuinely kept me on the edge of my seat!

This book had me hooked from start to finish. Jacob Knox is a fascinating lead, grappling with his own struggles while navigating the complexities of the case. The story is richly layered, with twists that kept me glued to the pages. Get ready for some moments that’ll make you laugh or smile, and a few that might sneak up on you with a tear (or two).

As the first in a series, this is a promising start. I’m excited to see where Knox’s next investigation takes him. If you love atmospheric mysteries with compelling characters and a touch of the macabre, this is definitely worth picking up!