The Empty Grave: A Chilling Domestic Psychological Thriller

by Natasha Stone

Willow Sawyer is dead. She has the grave to prove it.

Except she’s not.
She’s Rebecca Kane now. New name, new city, no loose threads.

Her father murdered her mother when she was six years old.
Her grandmother raised her after that. Protected her. Loved her. Kept her safe.

When Willow was eighteen, her father got out of prison and promised to finish what he started.

So Willow had to die too.
A fake funeral. A lie. A fresh start where he could never find her.

Rebecca doesn’t look back. She’s good at it.
As a family-law paralegal, she makes a living finding the cracks in other people’s lives.

Then a custody case lands on her desk.
A bitter divorce. A father ordered to speak about his criminal record.
He starts talking. He describes a jewelry box he once bought a scared little girl.
And Rebecca realizes it’s her jewelry box.

Two facts built Rebecca’s whole He killed her mother. And he was coming for her next.

What if neither one is true?

And what if the woman who buried her had her own reasons for keeping her underground?THE EMPTY GRAVE is Book 4 of The "Empty" Thriller Series. It can be read as a standalone.

***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.***

289 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 12, 2026

Reviews

[Alicia Viola · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Empty Grave was the kind of mystery that immediately grabbed my attention and never really let go. I enjoy stories that keep me questioning every clue, and this one had enough twists and hidden secrets to keep me guessing all the way through.

I liked how the suspense built steadily instead of relying on constant action. Each new discovery added another layer to the mystery, and I found myself changing my theory more than once. The characters felt believable, and their personal stories made me care about the outcome just as much as solving the case.

One thing I appreciated was the atmosphere. There was an underlying sense of tension throughout the book that made it difficult to put down. I kept telling myself I’d read one more chapter, and before I knew it, I was close to the end.

This was an engaging and well-paced mystery with strong characters, unexpected revelations, and a satisfying conclusion. If you enjoy mysteries that keep you thinking long after you’ve finished a chapter, this one is definitely worth picking up.

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

[Cat B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Empty Grave is fourth in the "Empty" series but can definitely be read as a stand alone. It took me a while throughout the series to get accustomed to the author's style of writing. It is very staccato-like and there are points that are repeated more than once. Once I got used to it, I enjoyed the stories. There is an interconnection throughout the books but it is very subtle, no need to worry that you will feel as if you missed something. I think this fourth book is my favorite. Rebecca Kane has a very methodical way of thinking and living. A place for everything and everything in it's place. Perfectly suited for her job as a paralegal. When her boss drops a personal case on her desk, she slowly starts realizing that something sounds familiar. This was a really good story. One I did enjoy. I figured things out before the ending but that did not stop me from appreciating the journey.
I received a copy of this book via the author and am voluntarily leaving my opinion of the tale.

[Sheri Corriero · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 4 of the series but it can be read as a stand alone. I found it was a slower building up of the story. It didn’t grab me right away. I liked the orderly obsessive behaviours that Rebecca Kane displays. That’s what caught me really. After the initial introduction of how Rebecca navigates her days, well her life really, we find out that her father killed her mother when she was 6, she was kidnapped by her father and then she was raised by her grandmother. That’s what she was told. Her name was Willow back then. She changed her name and is now a paralegal. She has a custody case that makes her question what she was told as a child. Was everything true? Is her father coming back to get her? Is she in danger? As Rebecca’s days continue, the reader learns all the secrets. It kept my attention all the way through and I really enjoyed it.

[Nicole Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rebecca Kane father murdered her mother when she was six years old. So they had to have a fake funeral and pretend Willow died to protect her from her father.

As a family-law paralegal she gets a custody case and when the father starts talking about a jewelry box he bought and Rebecca realizes it’s her jewelry box.
as he gives info she questions if someone else killed her mother and wants her gone also.

This was a good book part of the series I have read all 4 books so far and plan to keep reading.

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

[Tina Lincoln · Rating 5 out of 5]

Family Secrets -
Families can and usually have their ups and downs, as well as stories that may be true and/or may be embellished a little bit. With this family, it is kind of a mix of things, and kind of alot more, too!
Rebecca started life as Willow, what a beautiful name... then her mother died and she went to live with her grandmother. I have to say that this is one family that did not love through thick and thin!
This story's ending is not even close to expected! If you love stories that twist and then the punch line is in the end, you will love this one!
Thank you, Natasha Stone, for a good story.
I received a complimentary arc copy of this book and this is my honest review.

[Debra Tunnicliffe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow another great story from Natasha Stone full of twists and suspense following Rebecca a family-law paralegal who has made a new life for herself after her grandmother told her that her mother was killed by her father.

But when she is tasked with a new custody case things start to make Rebecca question her grandmothers actions and she starts to investigate who killed her mother and what is her grandmother hiding.

Will Rebecca discover the real truth?

Would highly recommend.

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

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Empty Grave: A Chilling Domestic Psychological Thriller (The "Empty" Thriller Series Book 4), my fourth 272-page thriller from author Natasha Stone, the fourth book of the "Empty" Thriller Series, the best Stone book I've read to date! “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, Stalked in the Snowstorm: A Game of Cat and Mouse Psychological Thriller. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).

[Nadine Sturgill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was my first Natasha Stone book. Didn't realize it was part of interconnected series when I got it. It's great as a standalone book. Super suspenseful, and crazy family vibes. Absolutely am hooked on Natasha's work. Will definitely be reading the rest of the "Empty" series. Rebecca Kane, Willow Sawyer is definitely a strong FMC. The emotions she goes through are definitely relatable. It comes full circle with a fantastic ending.

[The Book Ssirren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this was so intense. Hiding a child so her father won’t come back after he gets out of prison to murder her like he did his wife. I was so invested from the chapter. Rebecca knows what her father intends to do if he ever finds out she’s not actually dead. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. Gripping my iPad. This was so well written. And that twist! I didn’t see any of it coming. But this is definitely one you need to read.

[Valorie J. Diamond · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the last book in the series and I like it. Willow Sawyer is dead and buried. A grave and headstone prove it.
Then appears Rebecca Kane, a paralegal enjoying her life. Then something happens to change that. It also changes her memories of what happened in the past.
So did she really have to fake her death??.

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

[Kenneth Lingenfelter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mother is murdered and the father is convicted of the crime. The child is raised by the father's mother. She fakes the dead of the child. When the child turns 18 she moves away and changes her name. The grandmother says her father is getting out of prison and will come looking for her. A huge twist in the conclusion of this page turner.

[karin whitehead · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this novel as an ARC, and this is my review. Willow is gone, buried, and very much alive. Rebecca Kane has become a paralegal and learns her father has been released from prison. She knows he is looking for her to kill her like he did her mother when she was six. WOW! a tense, well-written storyline that will keep you up reading.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have not read any of the other books in this series, but this is definitely a standalone. The main character, Rebecca Kane is a paralegal and had a unique way of thinking and acting. This caused the story to be presented in an interesting and unique way. Thought provoking. I really enjoyed it. A solid 5 stars from me.

[Bren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really have enjoyed Ms.Stone's books and the empty series has kept me guessing from beginning to the end of each and every book, but the Empty Grave is my favorite so far. It's intriguing and chilling just how far a person will go to get what they want both emotionally and physically.

[Romana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a unique style of writing. This is now the third book I’ve read by Natasha Stone and I must say her style keeps me turning the pages. The story was suspenseful and kept me interested. I like how each book has a slight connection to another book.

[Cindy's · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was an easy read and kept me wondering if my suspicions were right.

I received an early copy of this book through book funnel for my honest review

[Sandi Fletcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book. Not a lot of twists but still suspenseful. Received as an ARC.