Reviewed by Priya Mathew for Readers' Favorite

A Hollow Death by Colleen Dumaine is a historical mystery set in Adelaide, Australia, in the late nineteenth century. Bethany Durrani is a determined investigator trying to keepher Investigation Agency afloat while raising her young son and managing the challenges of daily life. Lydia Emerson asks Beth to look into her husband Eric’s disappearance. The police believe he simply walked out, but Lydia is sure something has happened. As Beth goes through Eric’s personal and professional relationships and speaks to the people who last saw him alive, a new picture emerges of lies, financial uncertainty, uneasy alliances, and strained relationships. The story becomes more complex than a man simply disappearing with each new revelation. Beth’s own history starts to cloud her present as she delves further into the mystery. Will Beth be able to uncover the truth about his disappearance and protect the life she has built for her family?

Colleen Dumaine created a gradual tension throughout the storyline, rather than relying on sudden shocks, and brought the characters to life. I had the impression that I had entered a sepia-toned snapshot of Adelaide, with its homes, streets, and social mores all vividly shown. Beth plays a crucial role in the narrative. Although she seems to have a sad history, she is practical, observant, and quietly rebellious for her time. We see her sensitive side displayed through her connection with Samuel, and her interactions with Faith bring warmth and humor to the narrative. The supporting cast also contributed to the development of the mystery, placing the narrative in its historical setting and highlighting the real-world constraints of law enforcement and social mores. Women had to be creative to circumvent expectations that limited their independence. Beth, Faith, Lydia, and even Anna Hopping each made choices that reflect the era, where survival often required quiet courage rather than grand rebellion. A Hollow Death also left me thinking about how easily appearances can fool us.