The Empty Name: An Investigative Crime Thriller With a Psychological Twist

by Natasha Stone

He was trained to disappear. But someone found every name he ever buried.

After his mentor dies under suspicious circumstances, undercover federal agent Matt Reynolds takes over the case that may have gotten him killed.

For thirteen months, Matt lives as Alex Smith, a quiet barista inside The Daily Grind, a coffee chain built on warm smiles, perfect lattes, and people who know when to keep their mouths shut.

His job is to watch. Listen. Stay invisible.

But staying invisible gets harder every time Rebecca Kane walks in.

She’s sharp-eyed, impossible to fool, and far too close to seeing the man beneath the lie. Matt knows wanting her is dangerous. Wanting her could get someone killed.

Then a young employee vanishes.

No blood. No body. No official alarm. Just one more name slipping quietly out of the system.

As Matt follows a trail of ghost workers, hidden warehouses, and coded files, he uncovers something far worse than fraud. Someone is deciding who gets to exist.

Now his cover is cracking, Rebecca is in danger, and the wrong name in the wrong file could make them both disappear.

THE EMPTY NAME is Book 3 of The "Empty" Thriller Series.

***Natasha Stone books are psychological thrillers that may mild violence and themes of abuse, death, and/or kidnapping. But they do NOT sexual content, foul language, rape, or gore.***

378 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 15, 2026

Reviews

[Sandi Fletcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book. Suspenseful! Received as an ARC.

[Debra Tunnicliffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This had me hooked from the first page following Matt Reynolds as a undercover federal agent who works as a barista in a coffee shop under the name Alex Smith working on a case his mentor started but was killed.

What starts as a simple job of watching and listening turns into something more dangerous as he starts to notice people appearing on the work schedule who are not on the payroll.

As Alex starts to dig deeper his call handler Dean seems to not telling him the truth and when Naomi a contact at the federal building warns him to be vigilant and hide evidence things get scary especially when Mia a worker at the coffee shop goes missing in suspicious circumstances.

I really enjoyed this story which has so many twists and turns that keep you wanting to read more to see who is telling the truth.

Would highly recommend.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Tina Lincoln · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is in a name?
Matt Reynolds is well-trained and has been in many different scenarios with different names. All legal, kind of... being a Federal Agent living in the shoes of others, to watch, learn, and know when to act and when to just stay.
One thing is different, Rebecca Kane has his attention every time he sees her. He is working as a barista at The Daily Grind, and she is a para-legal...
This story is much more than just coffee and seeing a girl where he works. The detail that is understood within such simple things, like whether a person looks at you when talking to you or not.
Thank you, Natasha Stone, for a good story.
I received a complimentary arc copy of this book and this is my honest review.

[Sheri Corriero · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great thriller. “Alex Smith” is the undercover name of federal agent Matt Reynolds. He is working as a barista at The Daily Grind and everything seemed okay. He broke into the office one night and saw some shady things in the records, payments to shell companies and non-existent employees. One morning, a man walks into the coffee shop and calls him Christopher. That’s a name he used under cover a few years ago. That case was over. How did this man know that name? Alex tried to blow it off. The next day, his boss and the manager of the store are there before he gets to work, and they are just watching the floor, pretending to be working. What’s going on? What do they know or think they know? The case is now getting twisty and exciting. It is worth the read.

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Empty Name: An Investigative Crime Thriller (The "Empty" Thriller Series Book 3), my third 378-page thriller from author Natasha Stone, the third book of the "Empty" Thriller Series, the only connection to The Empty Tent & The Empty Hallway being a brief appearance in the opening pages of the main characters of those books. No worries, this book is even better. “I received a complimentary Kindle copy of this book & am reading it & voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I'll be reading more from this author; next up, The Empty Grave: A Chilling Domestic Psychological Thriller (The "Empty" Thriller Series Book 4). (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

[Cat B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Empty Name is the third entry into the "Empty" series and follows with the same twisty mystery laden narrative that is now expected in this series. There is alot of information to absorb within the pages of the story. Little details that may be important later on that Alex picks up on and files away to mull over when he is alone. Nothing is as it seems, not "Alex", the barista, not the cafe The Daily Grind, where he works and not the people he works for. Are the customers whom they seem to be? One can only guess.
I received a copy of this book via the author and I am voluntarily leaving my opinion of the tale.

[Bren · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Mercy me"! I love this series each book is suspenseful has heart stopping moments that has you doing a double take at what you just read and comes close to pushing you off the edge of your seat. I'd have no problem rereading this entire series over again and still be just as excited as the first time I read it. I'm so glad I stumbled upon this author her books are so riveting.

[Kenneth Lingenfelter · Rating 5 out of 5]

FBI agent Matt who is using the undercover name Alex is working in a coffee shop. He is working on a fraud investigation that turns into something larger. A well written novel that captured my attention from the beginning.

[The Book Ssirren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really great crime thriller. I loved the suspense and mystery in this. Crime thrillers aren’t really my thing. But this was written so well. It was definitely amazing and had me intrigued from beginning to end. Can’t wait to read another from this author.

[Nicole Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is another good book in this series The Empty Thriller Series I have already read the first 2 and about to start reading book 4 so excited.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review

[Romana · Rating 5 out of 5]

The writing style is very unique. It took a bit to get used to it but I like it. The life of an undercover agent is a bit of an eye opener. The plot was intriguing and I found it very hard to stop reading.

[Allie Lozano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic book by Natasha Stone!

[Marie Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book had me on edge. Great book!

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of suspense! I love the ending! I can't wait for the next book...

[Jason Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a nice switch up from Natasha Stone's other books... a male main character and undercover police. She wrote it really well.

[Book Lover · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you haven't checked out this author, do it now! I read and loved her other books, and this one doesn't disappoint!

[Elaine P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the suspense of this book and the potential love story. There are so many layers of plot going on at once. Really good.

[Lady Pretty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great crime thriller!

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Different from my usual mindless romances. Kept me on the edge of my seat. Completely felt the intense moments… the deep breath the character held and took.

[Dixie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Started out slow but got better the further I read

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was quite well written. I highly enjoyed and definitely want to read the next book in the series.