Barbara Dullaghan Author of Secrets In The Hollow, Anthologies and Smart Start Series

The Legend of the Bronze Lady As Told in Secrets in the Hollow

A Sleepy Hollow Novel

Secrets in the Hollow

Carrie Peters is a forty-year-old riddled with guilt and secrets, struggling to understand how she and her ex-boyfriend could have gotten things so wrong. Carrie’s life is complicated when she returns to her hometown of Sleepy Hollow after her parents die. She still feels tremendous guilt for the deaths of her high school friends as a result of her indiscretions. Her best friend, a homicide detective, grows increasingly concerned about her erratic behavior.

Carrie has no one to turn to except her ex-boyfriend because he shares her secrets. But she finds it too painful to connect with him. He is a constant reminder of the life she lived and tried to leave behind. Carrie needs to deal with her guilt, but to do so she may have to confess her part in a life-changing incident and possibly risk her freedom.

A Sleepy Hollow Novel

Mystery in the Hollow

A murder at Washington Irving’s Sunnyside. A stolen piece of American history. A detective forced to question everything she believes.

When a young docent is found murdered at Sunnyside—the historic Tarrytown home of legendary author Washington Irving—Detective Nessa Martinez is assigned to a case in which the past refuses to stay buried. Alongside the killing, irreplaceable historical documents have vanished, and someone is willing to do anything to keep their secrets hidden.

As the first female detective in the Tarrytown Police Department, Nessa has built her career around the code her father taught her: honor the badge, follow the truth, and never cross the line. But when grief strikes close to home, the boundary between justice and obsession begins to blur.

With her partner, Stitch, at her side, Nessa follows a dangerous trail connecting the murder, the stolen documents, and a shadowy secret society whose roots reach deep into the haunted history of Sleepy Hollow and the Hudson Valley.

As old legends collide with deadly modern ambitions, Nessa must uncover the truth before another secret claims another life. But when solving the case requires a choice she can never take back, she must decide how much of herself she is willing to sacrifice in the name of justice.

“This book is exemplary in its voice and writing style. It has a unique voice, and the writing style is consistent throughout. The style and tone are also consistent with or will appeal to readers of the intended genre.”

“To say that I was impressed by this author’s inflection of emotion and the poetry in her prose would be an understatement. The characters were all distinct in their patterns of speech, and I’m a big fan of bolstering the main character with the type of internal thoughts and debate that Dullaghan used to give readers more insight as to what Carrie was thinking and feeling throughout the narrative. What made me choose this book to move on to the second round of judging, though, was the overarching plot driving everything forward.”

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 Excellent4.594 reviews
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   Lisa A. Green 
 12 November 2025
 
 
 Verified Want a quick suspenseful read? Loved this book by a local author
  
 
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   Dyanne Rasmussen 
 13 May 2024
 
 
 Verified Great book. Very interesting. Read it through mostly in a couple of days. Would recommend.
  
 
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   Teri M Brown 
 21 March 2024
 
 
 Verified Intriguing Mystery Secrets in the Hollow by Barbara Dullaghan is a debut mystery set in the small town of Sleepy Hollow. Not only does the storyline follow Carrie Peters - a woman of forty who has yet to figure out her life because she has been hiding her past, but it also provides readers with a great sense of place.Throughout the story, we learn of the history of Sleepy Hollow, its cemetery, and its ghosts. At the same time, we learn of Carrie's secrets - her own personal ghosts that haunt every waking minute.What happens when secrets final come out? Do friendships remain? Can Carrie find her happily-ever-after?I enjoyed Dullghan's first novel. Those who enjoy mystery will certainly find this to be a good read.
  
 
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   Marty Almquist 
 20 March 2024
 
 
 Verified Everyone Has secrets. The characters in Barbara's novel have a couple of particularly nasty ones. I knew the story involved secrets, but I had NO idea how many there would be, nor how interwoven the characters' stories would become, both in the past and present. Barbara does a good job gradually revealing all that happened in the past and I thought the portrayal of high school life of the characters very accurate. I particularly liked Nessa all the way through the book as both an amazing person and an amazing friend. I want to go visit the Bronze Lady and Sleepy Hollow!
  
 
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   Suzanne Tenenbaum 
 8 March 2024
 
 
 Verified Read this mystery!! If you like mysteries, you will love this fast paced read by Barbara Dullaghan. There are many secrets and twists in the plot line that make this a compelling story. The author has created an anxious and interesting main character!
  
 
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   Karen Whalen 
 1 February 2024
 
 
 Verified A family legacy of keeping secrets, mistakes made when young, and living with consequences I enjoyed the story of a young girl living with large mistakes. The questions of what happened between Danny and Carrie and whether their secrets would be found out kept me turning the pages until the end. I’ve never been to Sleepy Hollow, but now it’s on my bucket list, due to Dullaghan’s lovely descriptions. Her love for the town shines through her words.
  
 
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   T Adams 
 18 December 2023
 
 
 Verified Falling apart Born and raised in Sleepy Hollow, now in my sixties, I have to say I truly enjoyed reading this book. It took me to places I once created great memories at. It was a quick and easy read. The only problem I had with this book was the binding. Pages fell out every time I turned the page. I purchased this book as a keepsake of my hometown and it literally fell apart as I was reading it. Shame on the company that did the binding!
  
 
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   Susan Moore 
 18 October 2023
 
 
 Verified Sleepy Hollow This book was an engaging, and interesting read. The main character, Carrie has many issues from her past to contend with, including a very dark secret. There are twists and turns that make it difficult to put the book down. I thoroughly enjoyed this story!
  
 
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   Christine VH 
 16 September 2023
 
 
 Verified Compelling mystery Secrets in the Hollow is a well-written, well-plotted mystery with lots of twists & turns, and unexpected happenings. Carrie, the main character is believable as someone haunted by her past, afraid of facing the present and her part in some pretty terrible stuff. Ms. Dullaghan keeps you guessing throughout. I did find this book hard to put down once I got deep into the mysterious events and wondering about the secrets of Carrie's life.I also enjoyed the setting of the real place, Sleepy Hollow in NY, the setting of another famous story of the Headless Horseman. This time we read about another true legend--the Bronze Lady-- and the stories & legends surrounding her- fascinating info. The places & legends lend a kind of brooding, ominous, mysterious tone to the story, along with the graveyard scenes.And for fun, Ms. Dullaghan includes stories and music from the era (60s) that bring realism and nostalgia to the novel. All together, these elements make for a fast-paced, compelling mystery with facts & fun included!
  
 
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   Janet M. 
 15 August 2023
 
 
 Verified A quick read !! Loved this book! Born & still live here!! Great story & memories of places in the book!!
  
 
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   JustAReader 
 1 August 2023
 
 
 Verified Hard to keep a secret in the hollow Totally enjoyed this page turning story. The story gives the reader pause to think about what they might have done as a teen in the same situations as the main characters. Would definitely recommend this book!
  
 
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   Jennie H. 
 28 July 2023
 
 
 Verified Great Read I loved everything about this book a real page turner. Hard to put it down. I hope Barb writes another book.
  
 
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   Leslie  
 28 July 2023
 
 
 Verified Trip down memory lane Wonderful book. I live in this town and was very surprised when my dad's Deli was mentioned. Every place mentioned has a memory for me. Worth the read. Thanks for the walk down memory lane. ❤️
  
 
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   Maxine Lawrence 
 18 July 2023
 
 
 Verified The Secrets of the Hollow is a MUST READ! Many themes are explored in this suspenseful novel by Barbara Dullaghan. We meet Carrie, a young woman returning to her home town of Sleepy Hollow, NY, after the death of her parents. Against the background of this historical town, the reader is swept into our protagonist's lies, guilt and anxiety about an incident in her past. It is soon evident that Carrie must confront her secrets in order to gain peace.The mystery unfolds and I was not be able to put the book down!I highly recommend it.
  
 
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   MM 
 10 July 2023
 
 
 Verified Interesting and fast moving! Great book which grabs you right away. A compelling mystery that keeps you guessing. The details in the setting makes this seem very real.
  
 
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   Carrie F 
 28 June 2023
 
 
 Verified Love this book! This is a book that completely drags you in. You will love the main character despite her flaws, and it will keep you reading because it is so interesting. The suspense kept my attention from the beginning to the end. Great format and easy to read. I highly recommend it!
  
 
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   CK Walker 
 22 June 2023
 
 
 Verified Enjoyable read! Characters are realistic and interesting with a bit of mystery in the plot. I enjoyed the ending.
  
 
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   P. A. Petroni 
 21 June 2023
 
 
 Verified Interesting concept The book, "Secrets In The Hollow", was an interesting read. It began with introductions of several characters important to the plot and time changes switching back and forth. Once I began to digest the story line in getting to "know the characters" and their personalities, I could not put the book down. It became a page turner to learn the secrets and see how it would eventually affect the lives of many. I would encourage you to give this book a read!
  
 
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   Mary Ellen  
 21 June 2023
 
 
 Verified Vivid location, suspenseful mystery The author sets a vivid image of the Sleepy Hollow region which provides the location for a suspenseful story. The story begins slowly with hints of trouble to come. It intensifies and the fast pace of events kept me reading. The story causes one to think of how we would react in such situations. I had no idea how the tale would end, but could not wait to get there!
  
 
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   Flavia White 
 20 June 2023
 
 
 Verified Love, friendship and secrets crafted into a heartfelt story A warm and comfortable stroll through the past of many a Tarrytowner! Well written; riddled with mysteries and twists that compels/propels the reader forward.A must read!!
  
 
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   Kathleen 
 18 June 2023
 
 
 Verified Highly recommend A wonderful story, great characters and setting. Perfect summer vacation read!
  
 
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   richard Lanzarone 
 17 June 2023
 
 
 Verified Great Read Easy to read, interesting plot, relatable characters and a sneak peak into washington Irving's historic village, Sleepy Hollow. Put it on your reading list!
  
 
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   VillaPriscilla 
 16 June 2023
 
 
 Verified An Exciting Mystery! This is not exactly a whodunnit but it is an exciting mystery. The first half sets the stage for the second half, and the second half will leave you gasping for breath. I would never have guessed the outcome and I loved that it was set partially in Plattsburgh. It’s a great read!
  
 
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   Patty W 
 14 June 2023
 
 
 Verified Carrie Peters faces hard choices from her past. What will she do? Carrie can not understand how her life turned out such a mess. When her parents unexpectedly die, she is forced to return to her hometown of Sleep Hollow, NY. The past is catching up with her and she must face the decisions she made that led to tough choices and horrible consequences. What will happen if she finally releases her demons and talk? Her best friend, Nessa, is a police detective and wants to help, but Carrie continues to push her away. As Carrie's secrets come out, what will happen?A deep story of choices and their consequences, told against the backdrop of Sleepy Hollow and its secrets. A good read! 4 Stars!
  
 
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   Nancy Berg 
 12 June 2023
 
 
 Verified Family Secrets and Trauma Excellent debut novel. The author brings Tarrytown to life while slowing unraveling the main character's adolescent trauma. Quick read that kept me reading into the wee hours.

Author

Barbara Dullaghan

Barbara Dullaghan grew up in Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown and is enthralled with the magic and energy of the towns. She is published in gifted education with Kendall Hunt and Prufrock Press and her short stories and poetry can be found in three anthologies. She and her husband, Jack, now live in coastal North Carolina and love spending time at the beach with their three children, spouses, and six energetic grandchildren.