The Hollow Girl (Moe Prager)
*Starred Review* After an ugly bout with cancer and the death of his girlfriend, Moe Prager (Onion Street, 2013) makes herculean efforts to drown himself in booze until a gut-twanging mystery lures him back to reality. Nancy Lustig, an unforgettable woman from his first case, begs Moe to find her missing daughter, Sloane Cantor. Sloane achieved fame years ago as the Hollow Girl when she launched a fabricated online video diary, ending in a faked suicide that caused mass chaos as enraptured viewers clogged 911 lines nationwide. Right after Moe starts poking around, the bodies of two of Sloane’s “friends” turn up, casting doubt on theories that Sloane may simply be taking a secret vacation. Then Sloane begins leaving messages for Nancy claiming she’s okay just as a new version of Hollow Girl launches online. Sloane is shown bound and battered, but viewers are warned not to intervene in the “performance.” Moe’s gut tells him she’s in danger instead of in character, and he begins one of his trademark determined but outwardly meandering searches. This is Moe’s final hunt, and he’s going to leave behind a slew of grieving fans, but his story is wrapped up perfectly here, filled with raw social commentary, nostalgia, and guarded hopefulness. Expect those attracted to The Hollow Girl by the reality entertainment elements to be hooked by Coleman’s airtight writing in this literary heavyweight PI series. --Christine Tran--This text refers to theHardcoveredition.