

Hometown book launch at Books & Co!
THE HOLLOWS launched into the world at my hometown bookstore, Books & Co. So lovely to see so many friends and fans!
Since then I’ve had a wonderful time connecting with readers online and in person at the Pulpwood Queens Book Clubs “girlfriend weekend,” the annual gathering in Jefferson, Texas (home of the founder of the Pulpwood Queens, Kathy L. Murphy) of Pulpwood Queens Book Clubs from across the country.

Accepting award for 2019 Best Book of the Year for Pulpwood Queens Book Clubs
There, I enjoyed meeting other writers and of course readers, and was so honored that THE WIDOWS, the first book in my Kinship series, won the 2019 Pulpwood Queens Book of the Year. Not only that, THE HOLLOWS was named as a Pulpwood Queens alternate pick for May of 2020!

With book clubs and readers from the community at Fort Recovery Library in Fort Recovery, Ohio
Meanwhile, I’m tickled that THE HOLLOWS has garnered, so far, glowing reviews. (Whew! Even when we give a book our all, we writers worry about how our creation will be accepted in the reading world.)
- A Chicago Sun-Times Book Not To Miss: https://chicago.suntimes.com/
2020/1/15/21067191/dav-pilkey- dog-man-fetch-22-art-shay- troublemakers-hollows-jess- montgomery-meng-jin-simon- jimenez - AP Newswire review: https://apnews.com/
8e2d679c79c1a782fff32f538f72f2 da ” Set in 1926 in the western foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in southeastern Ohio, “The Hollows” is much more than a murder mystery. It weaves racial integration, labor organizing in the Appalachian coal mines, prohibition and women’s rights throughout the narrative, set against an authentic backdrop crafted by Montgomery’s careful attention to historic detail.” - Criminal Element review: https://www.criminalelement.
com/book-review-hollows-jess- montgomery/ “The exploration of emotional hollowness, its origins and expressions, adds layers to this story. Montgomery has written another suspenseful mystery full of atmosphere and surprising historical details.” - Publishers Weekly review: https://www.publishersweekly.
com/978-1-250-18454-2 “Realistic characters complement a great sense of place. Montgomery does an admirable job of portraying brave women such as Lily who must become the support of their families in the face of their own grief after their husbands’ deaths.” - Kirkus: https://www.kirkusreviews.com/
book-reviews/jess-montgomery/ the-hollows-montgomery/ “A skillfully told murder mystery that features a rich array of characters and a sophisticated portrayal of a small town grappling with its own racist past and ongoing conflicted present.” - Booklist: (review is for subscribers only, so I don’t have a link, but here’s a quote): “Skilled storyteller Montgomery takes up the issue of racial prejudice as it existed in that place and time in this historical mystery that shines with its strong and appealing female characters.”
- Aunt Agatha’s: https://auntagathas.com/aa/
2020/01/10/jess-montgomery- the-hollows/ “Remarkable . . . memorable and vivid. My best advice: dive into these wonderful novels. It’s an immersive and beautiful experience.” - Dayton Daily: https://www.pressreader.com/
usa/dayton-daily-news/ 20200112/284193697687990 ” “Readers will find Montgomery’s storytelling prowess in full bloom. Enjoy.”