The Mystery of Hollow Places audiobook

There’s a reason for everything, if you look hard enough. An answer for every mystery. The Mystery of Hollow Places is a strange book. It's a psychological mystery written with an artistic flair - by that, I do not mean the prose is purplish, but that it is built up around carefully-woven metaphors for mental illness and depression. I liked Podos's style very much.The book's opening chapter hooked me instantly. We hear of the bedtime story that Imogene was told by her father, a tale perhaps too impossible to be true, but one which sets the mood for the novel - that underlying feeling of sad, lonely emptiness we tend to call "depression". But don't worry; this is a not a dramatically depressing book. It is far too subtle and clever for that. "She said this feeling inside her was . . . it was anti-feeling. Like a black hole in space, and everything—happiness, anger, hope, meaning—it would all get sucked in, tipped over the event horizon, and she couldn’t feel any of it.” Imogene's mother was a troubled woman who ran away from the family when Imogene was a baby. Now, years later, Imogene's father (an author of medical mysteries) leaves in the middle of the night and doesn't come back. Convinced he's looking for her mother, Imogene sets out to track him down, using the knowledge she has gathered from reading his books.Of course, more questions and mysteries will emerge before this one is solved, and Imogene will find herself tangled up in her family's history.The Mystery of Hollow Places book is about so many things that it's hard to know where to start. Firstly, it is a psychological mystery that takes a look at the effects of depression. But it is also about a teenage girl trying to figure herself out. There's mentions of feminism and criticisms of slut-shaming. The characters are diverse and Imogene herself is mixed race. And she has a great support network of awesome female characters.Her best friend, Jessa: Jessa tips her head onto my shoulder. “Who needs boys, anyway?”Resting my cheek on the top of her tangled hair, I try to smile. “Definitely not us.” Her stepmother, Lindi: “Imogene Mei Scott, you need to realize that you’re a strong young woman who is perfectly capable of having a great time sans male.” The friendship between Imogene and Jessa makes for some very funny moments that had me laughing out loud. And I also enjoyed reading about Imogene's crush on Jessa's brother. Surprisingly, it was not just another excuse to squeeze in some romantic angst, but was more about establishing Imogene as a normal, albeit smart and emotionally mature, teenage girl.A very interesting book, with some scenes that are so perfectly-written I had to read them again. I genuinely look forward to what the author writes next.Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Youtube | Pinterest

Quietly powerful and deeply moving, The Mystery Of Hollow Places deals with mental illness, child abandonment, strained family relationships and recognizing what matters most in our lives. It's not an edge-of-your-seat mystery and it's not a thriller - not by a long shot - but it's an excellent psychological drama and a skillfully constructed puzzle. Slow-moving, but insightful and illuminating. Messy and wildly emotional. "I could forgive my mother for being cursed, and lonely, and troubled waters. All of that made sense. But I don't think I'll be able to forgive her if she's happy." When Imogene was only two, her mother left and never came back. All Im knows about her is what her dad told her - and he didn't say much. Just that she was troubled waters, incredibly sad and lonely. Now, when Imogene is 17, her father disappears without a trace, too. The only thing that he leaves behind, is a rock that is somehow related to Im's grandmother. To Imogene, this is not a parting gift, but a clue. She believes that her dad went looking for her mom. And she is determined to find him. I can't tell you just how much this book means to me. The story evoked so many hibernated emotions, I could hardly stop myself from crying. Many readers won't think twice about Imogene, because it's hard to empathize with a character so guarded and troubled. I was able to do that, because I went through a similar thing in my life. And I can tell you that Rebecca Podos did an excellent job depicting Imogenes struggles and feelings. Even seemingly silly and meaningless scenes carry incredible weight and serve to show how much Imogene's past (the absence of her mother, her father's bipolar disorder and the new woman in his life, etc) weighed down on her and shaped her perception of the world and people around her. Im felt very real to me and I was able to fully connect with her character, perhaps even more than I felt comfortable with. As a daughter once similarly abandoned by one of the parents, and a mom to a two year old baby girl, I was deeply emotional while reading this book. I picked up on all the little things and clues to Im's psychological and emotional state. My heart was bleeding for her all throughout the book, but I was also both enraged at and sorry for her parents - both the estranged mother and the bipolar father. I won't lie, when I went into this story, I was expecting something a bit different. I thought this was a high-intensity mystery/thriller, and I expected Imogene to uncover some dark and twisted mysteries - maybe even a couple bodies. But this isn't that kind of book. It's a sublime read for many other reasons. Not a cheap-thrill type of story full of shocking twists and unexpected discoveries, but more of a sophisticated and unexpectedly hard-hitting meditation on family relationships and mental illness, and how people in our lives help shape who we are. This book reminded me in part of Winter Bones, and in part of early works of Jennifer McMahon and Elizabeth Scott. Podos' prose is incredibly fluid, her writing - straightforward and very eloquent. The build-up is slow and more impatient readers might find it too boring for their tastes, but if you stick with it, you'll be rewarded with true heartbreak and conclusion full of hope. I am delighted to have discovered this brilliant new author and will definitely be following her carrier closely.

This book is gorgeous, wise, emotional, & messy. The voice is all at once authentically teenage girl & vulnerable & brave. It's not an easy book, but a beautiful one & that's even better. Put this on your TBRs, because this book shows us that answers are rarely simple, rarely easy, but love can exists in between all that, and that choices are powerful. And I think we all need that reminder from time to time.

“This happened, he knew from his school days; with enough time and the right conditions, precious stones could grow in hollow places.” This is a story about a 17 year old girl named Imogene, whose father has gone missing. Imogene's dad is a succesful mystery writter who also happens to have bipolar disorder. "Im" is particularly attached to him because her mother left them when she was only two. She is convinced that her father left her all the clues that she needs to find him, and she's also certain that if she manages to track down her long lost mother, she will also find her dad. This is how Imogene embarks on an investigation that will bring back painful memories, answer many questions, and finally show her what she's really capable of.The Mystery of Hollow Places is Rebecca Podos's first novel and, boy, this woman can write. Her style is very beautiful without being over the top. Since the first chapter she gives us a great picture of Imogene's life and how scared she is of being like her mom: a troubled woman who rather disappear than stay to raise her daughter. The women in that family were cursed. They could be lonely wherever the were. Imogene is a very well constructed character. She is not super likeable, she is resentful, sad and conviced that she can do things on her own, therefore she pushes away everyone who cares about her. However, her best friend Jessa acts as a counterpart, constantly reminding us that Imogene is not only facing the disapparence of her dad, but also the everyday struggles of a highschool student. I really liked the way the author treated depression and bipolar disorder, neither romanticizing or stigmatizing them. I also really enjoyed the fact that the author made realistic remarks, such as how a highschool student has a limited budget to conduct a missing person investigation on her own.The story was very compelling. I was eager to find out what had happened to Imogene's dad and the whereabouts of her mom. I think Podos really managed to build up the mystery, create memorable characters and deliver a satisfactory ending (even when I was waiting for a much darker finale, tbh).I will definetely keep track of her work and you should definetely give this book a chance. This is some of the most refreshing YA I've read lately.Note: I received an e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to HarperCollins and Edelweiss.

I was immediately intrigued by this book when I read the synopsis, and when I saw the cover, my intrigue turned into a full-blown need to devour the book. And from the first page, THE MYSTERY OF HOLLOW PLACES had my complete attention. This book is unlike any other I’ve read, and is difficult to classify. It’s intense and psychological and literary, a mystery and a contemporary coming-of-age story rolled into one. It’s about coming to terms with the past and accepting that the future is both uncertain and full of promise. As a lover of books that are impossible to peg in one category, I truly appreciated the originality displayed in these pages. Imogene Scott is the daughter of a writer of tense medical thrillers. When her father disappears, she suspects that he has gone in search of her mother—the same mother who left the family when Imogene was a baby. Armed with sleuthing skills gleaned from her father’s own books and the precious clue he left behind, Imogene embarks on a mission to find him—and in the process, perhaps the mother she never knew. This is a book filled with so many shifting layers and depths. It’s like a lake in the sunlight—if you look at it from one angle, you’re certain it’s one color, then you look at it from a different direction and it takes you by surprise. This story took me by surprise more than once. As a reader, I love that—I love when the unexpected happens. And Rebecca Podos is a master of taking the unexpected and wringing it out, mess and all. I also really loved the female friendship in this book between Imogene and her best friend, Jessa. They’re entirely different, but they learn to appreciate the qualities in each other that the other lacks and lean more on each other as the book progresses. Haunting and hopeful, visceral and elegant, with a main character I could both relate to and cheer for, THE MYSTERY OF HOLLOW PLACES will stay with me for a very long time.

** spoiler alert ** With a great gift for voice, Rebecca Podos weaves a story of suspense and self-discovery within a family best described as "troubled waters." Imogene has never met the mother who abandoned her, but when her father goes missing, she convinces herself that he's gone to search for her mom--and decides to do the same. This book is a raw, honest narrative dealing with tough issues through a main character who's trying to find her place in the world and her family. I highly recommend this beautiful book!I receive an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

**To view the original post click here!**Book cover: The frosty borders of this cover are just stunning - they set the stage for a chilly theme that frames the two mysterious silhouettes perfectly. But the pièce de résistance of this cover has to be its title. The Mystery of Hollow Places is along the lines of winning titles like The Fault in Our Stars, All The Bright Places, and An Ember in the Ashes. Titles like these hint at the story's main concepts, whilst simultaneously planting seeds of curiosity in the reader's mind.Anyone else feel the urge to sing 'Let It Go' when looking at the cover?! No? Just me? Oh well...the cold never bothered me anyway ;)Thoughts: This book is a cauldron of layered metaphors, psychological puzzle pieces, and poignant moments.The issue of depression is handled with delicacy and tact. It doesn't overpower the book or its plot, but adds to the reader's emotional attachment to the book and its characters. Imogene is a protagonist dealing with a whole bag full of issues. She's a young woman who is taught messages of strength and empowerment from those around her (which made me SO HAPPY three cheers for female empowerment!!), but still deeply feels the loss of her parents. Which brings up an important question: are you, by yourself, enough?What makes you you? Is it knowing where your place is? Is it having a supportive network of people around you? Is it knowing your family history...or forgetting it and moving forward?A book whose style brings together the delights of YA and the intense pace of the mystery genre, The Mystery of Hollow Places is a contemporary novel that is bound to have you falling in love with it, word by word.

This book is deliciously written. Podos' prose is strong and thoroughly engaging. Imogene Scott (love that name!) is a high school senior whose mother abandoned her at two years of age and whose author father has been writing mysteries throughout her life. When her father also vanishes suddenly, leaving her alone with her stepmother, she puts all of the sleuthing techniques she picked up from reading her father's books to good use: she sets out to solve the mystery of his disappearance and bring him home. This path leads to self-discovery. The pacing of the book is excellent and the voice is original and witty. This was a truly enjoyable read.

When Imogene's father, the author of forensic mysteries, goes missing, Imogene thinks she knows where to find him. Using what she's learned from reading his books (and other beloved mysteries), she strikes off with her best friend Jessa and Jessa's brother (who, okay, she *might* have a longtime crush on) to find her long-lost mother, convinced her dad has gone off in search of her.Both a compelling mystery and a powerfully honest exploration of mental illness, this novel is exquisitely written. Podos has crafted a unique "voice" for Imogene, a hybrid of literary and naturalistic teen language. She displays a real knack for dialogue and a keen understanding of the world of contemporary teenagers. Imogene and Jessa's friendship is utterly authentic, and totally brought me back to my own teenage friendships. The characterizations throughout -- both adult and teen -- are among the most realistically flawed I've come across in recent years. An intelligent, well-crafted novel from a writer to watch.

Imogene Scott doesn’t remember much about her mother, other than the stories her father has told her. She left when Imogene was young, so growing up she had only her father who not unlike her mother had issues of his own. Now at the age of seventeen, her father, a famous author who writes medical mysteries, has gone missing. Her stepmother and the police have no clues where he might be but Imogene is convinced that he’s left her clues about how to find him and they all revolve around her mother and their past… the woman she only knows bedtime stories about. This story is different than I expected… it was less suspenseful and more mysterious. I found myself constantly trying to guess what might happen next, only to find that I was completely wrong. Podos deftly weaves this story of family, and friendship with amazing writing and some wonderful bits of humor. I loved Imogene’s voice and found it to be completely authentic to that of a teen girl. Her relationships were interesting to traverse… from the strained relationship she has with her step mother, to the convenience of her relationship with Jessa, to the love and dedication she has towards her father… it was wonderful to see them evolve and watch Imogene grow throughout this experience. The pacing of this is really well done … I found this to be a quick read, mainly because I couldn’t seem to put this down once I had started. I just connected and understood Imogene’s desire to know who her mother was and find the one person left in her life who knew her. I definitely recommend this for fans of mystery and suspense and if you don’t have this on your to read list, make sure you get it there as soon as possible. Thank you to the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

“I throw the car into drive, and once we're moving forward again, I feel tough. Which is exactly what I want to be. Tough means strong. It means even if you're sad - or god forbid, lonely - you won't crumble like a dry granola bar in the bottom of a backpack, destined to spill out over the lap of the first person who fumbles open your foil wrapper. Tough is the opposite of troubled waters.”

I received an arc of this book in return for a fair review.I was pulled into this book on the very first page. It opens with lovely prose and a beautiful metaphor that left me smiling immediately (also, the book title is mention right away and whenever a book title is actually in the book, I love it)Imogene's father has disappeared. She and her stepmother have called the police, have answered questions, but no one knows where he is.But Imogene has a theory, based on a clue her father left her: the geode which was his most prize possession, given to him by her mother who left when Imogene was just a child.Imogene knows her father has gone to look for her mother, and now Imogene must follow the clues he's left for her to hopefully find them both.I'm a big fan of stories about mental illness and Podos does a fantastic job at weaving hints of discussion of mental illness throughout the narrative. Imogene mentions in passing her father's "bad times" as well as skirts around the issues of her mother's own supposed mental illness.The supporting characters are great. Imogene often comes off as distrusting of the people in her life, even those who are supposed to be her friends, and though sometimes it makes her seem standoffish, she carries the story easily, and when she starts to thaw towards those people who maybe actually do only have her best interests in mind, the reader is happy for the friendships Imogene gains.The mystery at the heart of everything (what happened to her father, and to a lesser extent, her mother) is deftly handled, leaving clues for the reader to pick up, but not so many to ruin the surprise.Overall this is a story about family and loss and grief and mental illness all wound together with a string of mystery that will draw readers to the very last page.