{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/6087d3aca4a81031ba098a59/69f23c58ae2fba210fcf3175?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Tariq Ashkanani on The Hollow Boys: Crime, Horror and Dark Small-Town Secrets","description":"<p>In this episode of&nbsp;<em>Quick Book Reviews</em>, Philippa talks to&nbsp;<strong>Tariq Ashkanani</strong>&nbsp;about his latest novel&nbsp;<strong>The Hollow Boys</strong>, a dark, atmospheric blend of crime, horror and small-town mystery.</p><p>Set in the fictional Appalachian town of Aurora,&nbsp;<em>The Hollow Boys</em>&nbsp;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.</p><p>Philippa also reviews three very different books:</p><ul><li><strong>Dissection of a Murder</strong>&nbsp;by Jo Murray</li><li><strong>Bloom</strong>&nbsp;by Delilah S. Dawson</li><li><strong>The Magic Faraway Tree</strong>&nbsp;by Enid Blyton</li></ul><h2>In this episode</h2><ul><li>Tariq Ashkanani on&nbsp;<strong>The Hollow Boys</strong></li><li>How crime and horror overlap</li><li>Writing dark, atmospheric fiction</li><li>Why setting can become a character</li><li>Small towns, secrets and creeping dread</li><li>The influence of books such as&nbsp;<strong>Red Dragon</strong></li><li>Writing while balancing another career</li><li>Why publishing can move so slowly</li><li>Podcasting, author interviews and literary festivals</li><li>Philippa’s spoiler-free reviews</li></ul><h2>About The Hollow Boys</h2><p><strong>The Hollow Boys</strong>&nbsp;is a tense, unsettling mystery about two missing boys, one impossible return, and a town haunted by what lies beneath it.</p><p>Perfect for readers who enjoy:</p><ul><li>crime fiction</li><li>horror-tinged thrillers</li><li>dark small-town mysteries</li><li>eerie atmosphere</li><li>missing person stories</li><li>morally complex characters</li></ul><h2>Books reviewed</h2><p><strong>Dissection of a Murder</strong>&nbsp;– Jo Murray</p><p>A gripping legal thriller with courtroom tension, secrets and a compelling murder case.</p><p><strong>Bloom</strong>&nbsp;– Delilah S. Dawson</p><p>A book that begins with cosy romance energy before taking a shocking turn into full horror.</p><p><strong>The Magic Faraway Tree</strong>&nbsp;– Enid Blyton</p><p>A nostalgic return to Moon-Face, adventure, peril and childhood reading magic.</p><h2>Books and authors mentioned</h2><ul><li><strong>The Hollow Boys</strong>&nbsp;– Tariq Ashkanani</li><li><strong>The Midnight King</strong>&nbsp;– Tariq Ashkanani</li><li><strong>Red Dragon</strong>&nbsp;– Thomas Harris</li><li><strong>The Death of Us</strong>&nbsp;– Abigail Dean</li><li><strong>Night Film</strong>&nbsp;– Marisha Pessl</li></ul><h2>Biscuit verdict</h2><p>Tariq goes rogue with&nbsp;<strong>drumstick sweets</strong>&nbsp;rather than biscuits — sticky, chewy, nostalgic, and officially allowed.</p><p>Follow Quick Book Reviews for book recommendations, author interviews, and weekly podcast episodes.</p><p>📧 Email: quickbookreviews@outlook.com</p><p>📸 Instagram &amp; Threads:</p><p>@quick_book_reviews</p><p>🎵 TikTok: @quickbookreviews</p><p>🐦 X: @quickbookrevie3</p><p>🦋 Bluesky: quickbookreviews</p><h2><br></h2>","author_name":"Philippa Hall"}