Tariq Ashkanani on The Hollow Boys: Crime, Horror and Dark Small-Town Secrets

In this episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa talks to Tariq Ashkanani about his latest novel The Hollow Boys, a dark, atmospheric blend of crime, horror and small-town mystery.

Set in the fictional Appalachian town of Aurora, The Hollow Boys begins after two boys go missing. Ten months later, one boy returns — but claims he is the other boy. What follows is a chilling investigation into identity, memory, fear and the secrets buried beneath a dying town.

Philippa also reviews three very different books:

• Dissection of a Murder by Jo Murray
• Bloom by Delilah S. Dawson
• The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton

In this episode

• Tariq Ashkanani on The Hollow Boys
• How crime and horror overlap
• Writing dark, atmospheric fiction
• Why setting can become a character
• Small towns, secrets and creeping dread
• The influence of books such as Red Dragon
• Writing while balancing another career
• Why publishing can move so slowly
• Podcasting, author interviews and literary festivals
• Philippa’s spoiler-free reviews

About The Hollow Boys

The Hollow Boys is a tense, unsettling mystery about two missing boys, one impossible return, and a town haunted by what lies beneath it.

Perfect for readers who enjoy:

• crime fiction
• horror-tinged thrillers
• dark small-town mysteries
• eerie atmosphere
• missing person stories
• morally complex characters

Books reviewed

Dissection of a Murder – Jo Murray

A gripping legal thriller with courtroom tension, secrets and a compelling murder case.

Bloom – Delilah S. Dawson

A book that begins with cosy romance energy before taking a shocking turn into full horror.

The Magic Faraway Tree – Enid Blyton

A nostalgic return to Moon-Face, adventure, peril and childhood reading magic.

Books and authors mentioned

• The Hollow Boys – Tariq Ashkanani
• The Midnight King – Tariq Ashkanani
• Red Dragon – Thomas Harris
• The Death of Us – Abigail Dean
• Night Film – Marisha Pessl

Biscuit verdict

Tariq goes rogue with drumstick sweets rather than biscuits — sticky, chewy, nostalgic, and officially allowed.

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