Hollow Fires is a uniquely told and powerful YA thriller about a racially motivated murder. Told through the point of view of Safiya, a Muslim teenage girl, who is passionate about journalism and  Jawad, the ghost of the young Muslim boy who was murdered, we learn about the degrees of racism they live and lived with every day. When the cops mark the Jawad's disappearance as a runaway situation, Safiya decides to take the investigation upon herself. 

What follows is a disturbing but exceptionally well written thriller that focuses on the mystery and investigation as well as challenging the everyday racism in our society. Based on a true crime that occurred in 1924,  Samira Ahmed has taken history and done something truly special weaving it into a modern story that was disturbing in its reality. 

Hollow Fires is not a thriller that I will remember for shocking twists, but it is one I will remember for vivid and creative storytelling and important social commentary. I recommend this book highly.