The Daughter in the Cellar

by Yvette Davies

AN EXHILARATING BLEND OF PSYCHOLOGICAL SUSPENSE AND NAIL-BITING TENSION,WITH A SHATTERING FINAL TWIST.

I notice her watching me on the train. An elderly woman with kind eyes. Motherly, almost.

I’m on my way to a college reunion, where my ex will be. The man I never wanted to see again.

When the train is diverted, the nice old woman offers me a lift...

I wake up locked in a cage, in freezing darkness.

She didn’t rescue me. She chose me. She tells me I’m the daughter she never had...

ebook

Published July 16, 2026

Reviews

[Lee Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Daughter In The Cellar - Yvette Davies

Firstly, yet another book where the author’s name is spelt incorrectly on Goodreads – it’s Davies, not Davis.

I was surprised to see the town I was born in and the town I grew up in both mentioned, along with an Indian takeaway I know well. One of the main characters is also a knitter, which felt like quite the coincidence on all counts.

There were moments that definitely made me laugh out loud, including:

“If I’d known you were going to kidnap me, I’d have taken a massive dump in your hallway.”

and

“Arse flossing with a thong? Seriously?” 😂

At times, I found myself laughing at scenes that were clearly intended to be tense, and some of the character decisions felt so over the top that it pulled me out of the story. It read, at points, more like an accidental comedy than a psychological thriller—but it was still an engaging and entertaining read.

Despite that, the story itself kept me hooked and I enjoyed the overall journey far more than I expected to. And then came the ending…
It was brilliantly shocking and absolutely perfectly executed. I genuinely did not see it coming, and it completely changed how I felt about the book.

This story made me laugh, tear up, and left me staring at the page in disbelief—not just because of the ending, but because of all the personal coincidences I noticed along the way.
Overall: a completely unexpected 5⭐ read. Loved it.

[Phil Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! This is a superbly written psychological thriller that's chilling but strangely moving.

Florence is reluctantly travelling by train to a reunion, she was persuaded to go by her friends but her ex- boyfriend will be there and she has bad memories of her split from the guy she still loves.
The trip goes from bad to worse when the train guard announces that a severe storm has washed away part of the track and customers must continue there journey by replacement bus. Know the feeling? Flo is not sure where she is and rings her step brother for advice, he tells her too get off at the next station and not to take the bus, he is close to her location and they can travel together by road. Great, except she then gets a call from step-bro, he has flooded the car and is going nowhere. Disaster as she's now missed the bus and the rain is getting worse. Salvation comes in the form of an elderly lady passenger who says that she lives nearby and can take Flo to a local pub to shelter until her lift arrives. Her good Samaritan, Violet, takes her to the pub but its shut and looks like its been shut for ages, there is nothing for it but for Flo to accept Violets offer to stay with her overnight. What can go wrong Florence thinks she'll be safe with this nice old lady.
After a large meal and several glasses of wine Florence falls asleep exhausted. She wakes in a dark cold bed and suddenly realises that she is in fact locked in a caged room within the cellar. She is a prisoner and the charming old lady is actually a psycho with a yearning for a daughter of her own!
How can Florence persuade this psycho to release her and how can she let her family know of her location.

There follows a very clever and tense story that us strangely quite moving. A real page turner, I will be following Yvette Davies and eagerly wait for more of her exceptional calibre of writing.

[Supriya K · Rating 5 out of 5]

A totally addictive psychological thriller with twists that will make you gasp

#happypubday
The Daughter in the Cellar
by @yvettedaviesauthor

💥💥💥💥💥🫶

Another gold mine of a thriller! I picked this up expecting a gripping psychological suspense novel, but I wasn't prepared for how emotionally invested I'd become.

Flo Flo is on her way to a college reunion when a train diversion leads her to accept a lift from an elderly woman with kind, motherly eyes. The next thing she knows, she wakes up locked inside a cage in a freezing basement. From there, the story becomes an intense, emotional, and completely addictive ride.

I absolutely adored Flo. Her humor, strength, and determination made it impossible not to root for her. Violet... I honestly didn't know how to feel. I hated her for what she did, yet I found myself crying for her too. That emotional conflict made this story even more powerful. Celia frustrated me (in the best way), and Tom... 🤬

The tension, frustration, heartbreaking moments, and perfectly timed twists kept me glued to the pages. And that ending... I genuinely didn't see it coming. I'm still not over it!

One thing I never expected? My stomach kept growling because Violet's recipes sounded so delicious! 😂 I also came away wanting to learn stone painting. Those little details made the characters feel even more real.

If you love psychological thrillers with emotional depth, unforgettable characters, relentless suspense, and twists that will leave you speechless, The Daughter in the Cellar is one I highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley, @JoffeBooks and Yvette Davies for the ARC. All thoughts are my own.

#TheDaughterintheCellar #NetGalley #BookReview #psychologicalthriller

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Violet is clearly unhinged from the very first chapter, and I was hooked immediately. There’s something so unsettling about her that you can’t help but keep turning the pages, wondering just how far she’ll go. She dominates every scene she’s in and creates a constant feeling of unease throughout the story.

The psychological tension builds brilliantly as the mystery unfolds, with just enough breadcrumbs to keep you guessing without giving too much away. I found myself questioning everyone’s motives and constantly changing my theories as more secrets came to light.

I thought I had the ending figured out, but I certainly didn’t see the reveal surrounding Tom coming. That final twist completely caught me off guard and was the perfect way to finish the story, making me rethink everything I’d assumed along the way.

Fast-paced, unsettling and packed with suspense, The Daughter in the Cellar is a gripping psychological thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end. If you enjoy unreliable characters, dark family dynamics and twists that genuinely surprise you, this is one to add to your TBR.

[Sharon Valler: Live Love Read Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic! Technically a psychological thriller, but it also had me laughing out loud!

Florence accepts a lift from Violet, a harmless looking older lady, but the next she knows, she wakes up in a cage! Violet wants Florence to be the daughter she never had, but Flo won't give up on freedom and her dad won't give up on searching for her.

The characters were superbly written. Florence, despite her situation, had a cracking sense of humour, and some brilliant one-liners, combined with a gritty determination to survive. Her relationship with Violet was fascinating to follow as they got to know each other. As Violet's past was uncovered, Florence developed an understanding of why Violet is who she is and an unlikely bond was formed.

And then the big twist - WOW! It was like a gut punch and I was floored! The final few paragraphs sent chills down my spine and left me hoping for a sequel.

5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Yvette Davies and Joffe for an ARC of this book.

[Joanne Yarin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Violet Green laments the fact that she never had a child. She had always wanted a daughter, so she simply kidnaps women to give herself one. After watching Florence Forenzi on the train one stormy night, Violet abducts her and makes her a prisoner. The story of Violet’s captivity drags a little bit at times, with a few too many mundane descriptions of meals shared between Violet and Florence. However, the story picks up as the investigation into Florence’s disappearance and the search for her whereabouts heats up. The ending of the story is a twist that you don’t see coming, and makes this a very worthwhile read.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy.

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

The Daughter in the Cellar is an interesting story. I’m not sure if truly describe it as a thriller.

It is told in multiple points of view. Some are in first person and some are in third person. I’m not sure why it was chosen that way. Interestingly that I enjoyed the victim’s POV the least.

The premise is engaging and the writing pulled me in quickly. Some of the dialogue was odd between the victim and kidnapper and I do think it went on a bit long in parts. Heavy focus on food descriptions.

I was enjoying the concept of the story and wondering how it would all get resolved. I found the ending to be a letdown. I also found the final “twist” to be unnecessary.

Overall this read more like a drama than a thriller and once I adjusted those expectations it was fine.

[Georgie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what an amazing read!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book from the very start.
This is the first I’ve read from this author and I can’t to read another book of theirs.

Each chapter left me wanting to know more.

It starts with a young girl called Florence on a trip in which she gets off the train waiting for her step brother to collect her but sadly his car broke down. A lady called Violet whom was on the train offered to give Florence to a local pub but it was closed. Violet offered Florence to go back to her house.
That is when the capture started.
The type of a kidnapper she was was very odd.
It’s not what you would think!

[Autumn Hanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The premise of this book was wildly entertaining!!! Such a unique storyline and a book that I will definitely recommend!

There are several wild twists but yet so much h of this book is really about mental illness, Stockholm syndrome and several other issues.

The writing is incredible with a captivating story filled with tense moments, quips that made me laugh and twists that were bizarrely heartwarming. Cannot recommend this enough!

[Ymbear · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well that was a well thought out, entirely creepy book! Omg! What a wild read! I had never heard of Yvette Davies before, but wow, I sure have now. What an emotional rollercoaster I just experienced. How were all of the characters Lovable? It will take me some time to process what I read! I can’t believe I read it in one day. I just couldn’t peel myself away.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

[Dai · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this copy through NetGalley.

The three stars are for the book I read (and enjoyed), not for the book I thought I would be reading.

When I first started reading this book, one thing that immediately caught my attention was the alternating points of view. Some characters are written in first person while others are written in third person. I never really understood why that choice was made or what it added to the story. I also struggled to find some of the dialogue natural and believable.

And, perhaps most surprisingly, I found the kidnapper more likable than the victim at certain times.

The book constantly tries to inject humor into situations that, in my opinion, should have been deeply unsettling. This is supposed to be a dark psychological thriller about a woman obsessed with recreating the mother-daughter relationship she always wished she'd had, to the point that she kidnaps young women to force them into that role. That premise is wonderfully disturbing. Unfortunately, the constant attempts at humor repeatedly took me out of that atmosphere.

But once I accepted that this wasn't going to be the dark, twisted, deeply unsettling novel I had expected, I was able to enjoy it for what it actually was. I even ended up appreciating some of the witty sarcasm. That being said, I think those moments would have felt much more believable if they had been presented as a coping mechanism with more depth and the psychological implications of that coping mechanism had been explored further, perhaps contrasting them with moments where the victim completely breaks down, whether alone or in front of her kidnapper. Instead, those reactions often felt disconnected from the reality of someone who has been held captive for months.

There were also a few scenes that felt weird simply for the sake of being weird. They didn't contribute to the plot or the characters; they were just isolated moments designed to make the reader uncomfortable (or at least they made me uncomfortable). I also wish the novel had spent more time explaining the logistics behind the kidnapping itself: how the kidnapper chose the first victim, how the cellar was prepared, how the cage was installed, and how someone could realistically be kept there for so long. Those practical details would have made the story much more believable.

Towards the end, the story becomes somewhat repetitive, and it asks the reader to suspend their disbelief more than I was willing to. Some clues I was convinced would become important ultimately lead nowhere. I kept waiting for them to pay off, but they never did. Likewise, some characters seem to disappear from the story without the reader realizing it was their final scene. Their arcs don't feel complete, leaving behind the impression that something was cut or simply forgotten.

I guessed the main plot twist almost as soon as the first clue was casually mentioned and I also saw the ending coming.

The final twist, however, was the opposite problem.

I didn't see it coming, not because it had been cleverly hidden in plain sight, but because it seemed to materialize out of nowhere. It isn't properly foreshadowed, it doesn't naturally grow out of what came before, and it feels as though it was added at the last minute simply to shock the reader. I'm sure the intention was for readers to spend days thinking about that final reveal, but in my case it had the opposite effect and it made the story weaker.

When I read a mystery, I want foreshadowing. I want red herrings that make sense in hindsight. I want to look back and realize the clues were there all along. Here, the penultimate chapter feels like it appears out of thin air, introducing something the story hadn't earned. This final twist didn't shatter me. It made me feel mugged.

Once again, I think this is a case of poor editing combined with misleading marketing.

But this is still an entertaining story. It's a really good beach read or the kind of novel I'd happily recommend for a long flight or train journey. What it isn't, however, is the "exhilarating blend of psychological suspense and nail-biting tension with a shattering final twist" promised in the marketing. Does that make it bad? No, not at all. I had a genuinely enjoyable time reading it. Once I stopped expecting the novel described in the blurb and accepted the novel that was actually on the page, I found myself appreciating it much more. That doesn't erase the issues I think it has, but it does mean I closed the book feeling far more positive than I expected I would. I even grew to like the victim that I found annoying at the beginning (while there were other characters that I had liked at the beginning that I ended up finding annoying by the time the story ended).

More than anything, I finished the book thinking about how much unrealized potential it had. I honestly believe the story could have been considerably stronger with a more rigorous editorial process and marketing that better reflected the book readers are actually getting so they can go into it with clearer expectations.

[Alison Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very first chapter, The Daughter in the Cellar completely pulled me in and refused to let go. Yvette Davies has crafted a chilling psychological thriller that is both unsettling and utterly addictive.
The story begins with Violet Green, a lonely woman who enjoys people-watching during her daily train journeys. On one particular trip, she becomes fascinated by a young woman sitting nearby, whom she privately nicknames "Miss Brunette Tresses." When severe flooding causes the train to terminate early, Violet seizes the opportunity to offer the stranded woman, Florence Florenzi, a lift home. What starts as an act of apparent kindness quickly takes a dark turn when Florence accepts Violet's offer to stay overnight, unaware that she has just stepped into a nightmare.
After waking to discover she has been imprisoned, Florence is forced into a desperate fight for survival. As the days pass, she struggles to understand why Violet has chosen her and what she ultimately wants. Meanwhile, Florence's family and the police launch a frantic search, uncovering disturbing connections to another missing woman. The tension builds steadily as secrets emerge and the investigation closes in.
What really made this book stand out for me was the psychological battle between Violet and Florence. Their interactions are intense, gripping, and often deeply unsettling. Florence is a strong and sympathetic protagonist whose determination to survive keeps you rooting for her every step of the way. Violet, on the other hand, is a fascinating and complex antagonist whose motivations slowly unravel throughout the story.
I also loved the addition of Celia, Violet's attention-seeking colleague. She brings another layer of suspense to the story, as her curiosity and desire for recognition lead her dangerously close to discovering the truth. The cat-and-mouse dynamic running throughout the novel kept me constantly guessing.
The pacing is excellent, with each chapter revealing just enough information to keep you turning the pages. The concept itself feels fresh and different from many other kidnapping thrillers, and I found myself completely invested in finding out what would happen to Florence.
And then there's the ending.
I genuinely did not see the twist coming. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, Yvette Davies delivered a shocking and brilliantly executed finale that completely caught me off guard. It was the perfect ending to an already fantastic book and left a lasting impression long after I finished reading.
Overall, The Daughter in the Cellar is a tense, atmospheric, and highly original psychological thriller filled with suspense, intriguing characters, and an unforgettable twist. If you enjoy dark, character-driven thrillers that keep you guessing until the very last page, I would highly recommend adding this one to your reading list.

[Karolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is my review for The Daughter In The Cellar by Yvette Davies

I totally enjoyed this absorbing, addictive, psychological thriller where on a busy train from London to Exeter a young woman is being observed by two people but with different motives. One, is the young man sitting next to her who is sending her flirtive glances but she is too entranced in her phone to notice. The other is an elderly lady, sitting near her on the train. When the announcement came saying that the train would terminate at Yeovil due to flooding further on and there would be replacement buses to Exeter, Florence got off at Sherborne and spoke to Theo who was about half an hour away. Once the station was clear, Florence was waiting while an elderly woman spoke to her while trying to find her keys, then she left Florence to go to her car. It was quite desolate waiting in the dark for Theo to turn up. Then a car pulled up in front of Florence but it was the woman again offering her a lift and in the end, we went back to her house which was an old bakery. She shared a chicken casserole with Florence and a glass of wine, drugging her so Florence fell asleep allowing Violet to move Florence into her cell in the cellar. Why did she choose Florence? Is Florence the first?


This story drew me in right from the very start of the book. I thought it was brilliantly written, with a superb plot and it had been really well thought out. I believe the author did some extensive research before writing this story as it shows in the information contained within the novel. The story was told from multiple povs and these are stories I particularly enjoy reading. Violet doesn't seem your typical kidnapper on the outside. She's a spinster, got a dog called Jackson, is a magistrate, works in a charity shop, and is trying to build a rapport with Florence. The author sets the scene well. The descriptive writing was superb and everything was described in great detail. I enjoy reading this author’s books and I'm already looking forward to their next psychological thriller.

Synopsis :

I wake up locked in a cage, in freezing darkness.

She didn’t rescue me. She chose me. She tells me I’m the daughter she never had . . .

Twelve hours earlier. I noticed her watching me on the train. An elderly woman with kind eyes. Motherly, almost.

I was on my way to a college reunion, where my ex was going to be. The man I never wanted to see again.

When the train was diverted, the nice old woman offered me a lift . . .

This addictive psychological thriller full of twists is perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell, Louise Candlish, Jane E. James, Gillian Flynn, Valerie Keogh and T.M. Logan.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s a particular kind of psychological thriller that doesn’t rely on loud shocks, but on a slow, creeping dread that settles under the skin. The Daughter in the Cellar fits beautifully into that space. It begins with something so ordinary—a train journey, a kindly older woman, a moment of unexpected connection—and then tilts, quietly but decisively, into nightmare.

The voice of the story feels intimate from the start. You’re right there with her, carrying the weight of a reunion she doesn’t want to attend, bracing for the possibility of seeing the man she’s spent years trying to forget. That emotional vulnerability makes the encounter with the motherly stranger feel disarmingly safe, almost comforting. And that’s what makes the turn so chilling. The moment the train diverts and the offer of a lift seems like a small kindness, you can feel the ground shifting beneath her feet.

Waking in the cage is where the book truly tightens its grip. The darkness, the cold, the disorientation—it’s written with a stark, claustrophobic clarity that makes you feel every breath she takes. And the woman’s transformation from gentle stranger to delusional captor is handled with a quiet, unsettling precision. She doesn’t just want a victim; she wants a daughter, a fantasy she’s willing to carve out of someone else’s life.

What gives the novel its real power is the psychological layering. It’s not just about physical captivity—it’s about identity, memory, and the terrifying fragility of trust. The protagonist’s fear feels raw and human, and the story keeps circling back to that emotional core even as the tension escalates. By the time the final twist arrives, it lands with that sharp, breath-stealing clarity that makes you rethink everything you thought you understood.

Fans of Lisa Jewell and Louise Candlish will feel right at home here: the domestic unease, the intimate betrayals, the sense that danger can wear the softest smile. It’s a gripping, atmospheric thriller that plays beautifully with vulnerability and obsession, and it leaves a lingering chill long after the last page.

With thanks to Yvette Davies, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[✩｡°⋆ Lala ⋆｡°✩ · Rating 4 out of 5]

• 4 ☆ •


── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
The Daughter in the Cellar is my first Yvette Davies book, and she’s definitely an author I’ll be keeping an eye on. This was such an easy book to get pulled into. Florence gets stranded, her phone is dying, and she ends up accepting a ride from a stranger who eventually invites her back to their home. It’s definitely one of those moments where you’re yelling at the character a little.

The multiple perspectives weren’t confusing or overdone, and they added a lot of different viewpoints to the story. Jumping between Violet, Florence, Marco, and Cecilia keeps the pacing moving and gives the book different layers. Florence was such an interesting character to follow. Her wit is sharp, and I loved how her personality came through even while dealing with everything happening around her. Both Violet's and Florence’s inner monologues brought something different to the story. They were sad, resilient, hopeful, and even funny at times, which made them feel more human. Cecilia also added an interesting perspective as someone who knows Violet but is starting to question her.

What I enjoyed most is how much the book explores Stockholm syndrome and childhood trauma without feeling like it’s making excuses for Violet. It’s a fine line, and I thought it was handled in a way that made sense for the characters.

I did figure out one of the final twists early, but it absolutely didn’t take away from my enjoyment. The atmosphere, character dynamics, and the constant need to know what was going to happen next kept me turning pages at an alarming speed. 

I really enjoyed this one and I’m excited to read more from Yvette Davies. 
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If you like:

✔️ psychological suspense
✔️ morally complicated characters
✔️ dark psychological thrillers
✔️ complicated women
✔️ multiple perspectives
✔️ twisty suspense

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

📅 Pub Day: Jul 16, 2026 📚
💌 ARC gifted via NetGalley from Joffe Books. All opinions are my own.

[Georgia Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a huge fan of psychological thrillers, I am always on the hunt for a story that can keep me hooked from start to finish without stalling out. The Daughter in the Cellar absolutely delivered, and it is a solid 5 stars from me!
This was my first time reading Yvette Davies, and to be honest, I hesitated for a moment when I first opened it—though now I can't even remember why. Once the story kicked off, I couldn't put it down.
What really makes this book work so well is the multiple perspectives. The narrative jumps between Violet, Marco, Florence, and Celia, which keeps the pacing incredibly snappy and alive. Florence instantly became my standout favourite—her wit is just brilliant. I also loved Celia, who is wonderfully dizzy, well-meaning, and brought some great humour to the story. In fact, that was one of the biggest surprises for me: even though the premise is a dark, nail-biting thriller about being trapped, the author injects a really fantastic level of wit throughout the book that keeps you thoroughly entertained.
I will admit that as a seasoned thriller reader, I did manage to guess one of the plot twists pretty much from the very beginning. But you know what? It didn't ruin the book for me at all. The fantastic character dynamics, the dark atmosphere, and the relentless pace kept me entirely glued to the pages regardless.
An absolutely addictive read. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author!

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Daughter In The Cellar is a gripping psychological thriller which combines suspense, has emotional depth and plenty of twists and turns. The story follows Florence who is on her way to a college reunion but unfortunately her train has been diverted. She meets what appears to be a seemingly, kind lady..then wakes up to find herself locked in a cellar and Violet her captor insists Florence is "the daughter she never had".

One of the strengths of the book is the way Davies creates a claustrophobic atmosphere, I was on the edge of my seat from the opening chapters. The story is told in multiple POVs , this allowed me to understand Florence and what she was thinking but also motivations behind the kidnapping from other characters. This narrative style meant that the pacing was fast, with the suspense steadily building in the background.

Character wise, I found Florence to be incredibly resilient and at times witty. She was written in a way that may make her relatable to many readers. In regards to Violet it was clear she was lonely and in desperate need of a family of her own.

The plot has many twists and turns which kept me guessing till the very end, and the final revelation, I will just say WOW, I won't spoil it for you.

Overall, The Daughter In The Cellar is a compelling psychological thriller. It is filled with tension, has memorable characters and would make a fantastic film. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second books can be tricky, especially when the first one leaves such a lasting impression. Thankfully, The Daughter in the Cellar reminded me why Yvette Davies is an author I’m excited to keep reading.

Davies has a writing style that makes it easy to settle into the story. She steadily builds tension without rushing things, creating an eerie atmosphere that had me constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop. The alternating viewpoints and timeline shifts worked well, adding just enough suspense to keep me turning pages.

Violet was such a fascinating character. She’s deeply flawed, manipulative, and often frustrating, yet somehow impossible to look away from. Florence was another standout, and I appreciated that the supporting cast wasn’t treated as an afterthought. They all felt like they had purpose and enough backstory to make them memorable.

The premise itself isn’t entirely new, but Davies puts her own spin on it with a few well-timed twists that helped the story stand apart from others in the genre. It felt familiar in the best way while still managing to surprise me.

I’m already looking forward to seeing what Yvette Davies writes next because she’s quickly becoming an author I’ll automatically add to my reading list.

Thank you to Joffe Books and NetGalley for the advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Karen Simmers · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Daughter in the Cellar by Yvette Davies is an unsettling psychological thriller with a chilling premise that immediately drew me in. What begins with a seemingly kind stranger offering help quickly develops into a disturbing story of captivity, obsession, manipulation and control.

Ms. Davies creates a claustrophobic atmosphere and gradually reveals that there is far more happening beneath the surface than initially appears. The story is told through multiple perspectives, which adds depth to the characters while steadily building the suspense. I was particularly intrigued by the psychological relationship between Florence and her captor and the questions surrounding why Florence was chosen.

There were a few moments when the characters’ decisions and reactions were difficult for me to fully understand, but the tension and unanswered questions kept me reading. As the different pieces began to come together, the story delivered several unexpected turns and a surprising conclusion.

This was a dark, suspenseful and imaginative thriller that will appeal to readers who enjoy complicated characters, unsettling family dynamics and stories that keep them questioning what they believe.

Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for providing me with an advance reader copy in exchange for my review.

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Daughter in the Cellar by Yvette Davies is a tense, claustrophobic psychological thriller that kept me hooked from the very first chapter. The premise alone is unsettling, but the story quickly ramps up the suspense as every revelation leaves you questioning motives, intentions, and who can really be trusted.

The atmosphere is one of the book’s greatest strengths. The isolation and fear of being trapped are vividly portrayed, creating an almost suffocating sense of dread that had me desperate to know how everything would unfold. Davies does a great job of balancing psychological manipulation with fast-paced tension, making it difficult to put the book down.

The characters are well developed, particularly the complex relationship between captor and captive, which adds an extra layer of unease. While I guessed a couple of smaller reveals along the way, there were still plenty of surprises to keep me invested.

And then there’s that ending. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, the final twist completely changed my perspective and was the perfect way to finish the story.

If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers featuring captivity, manipulation, unreliable characters, and shocking twists, The Daughter in the Cellar is definitely worth picking up. A gripping and chilling read that delivers plenty of suspense from beginning to end.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm reviewing this as part of a tour with Zooloo's Book Tours.

Florence and Violet encounter each other on a train journey. Florence is on her way to meet some old school friends, but when the train is diverted, her plans change. Violet steps in to help her out, but Florence has no idea that meeting this seemingly kind lady will change everything for the foreseeable future.

When I first heard about this book, I think it was the mention of the cellar that sparked my interest. As a child, there was always something about a cellar that I found a little bit sinister, for reasons I could never put my finger on. They always seemed like dark, mysterious places, and that always comes to mind whenever a cellar is mentioned in the books I read as an adult.

Violet had a sinister presence on the page, but the more I carried on reading, the more I found myself interested in her, and felt the need to understand her. I think this reminded me a little bit of a Ruth Rendell book in that regard.

This thriller sent chills down my spine. It had me turning the pages quickly, and it was easy to read in one sitting. Just one thing though, if you decide to read it before bed or late in the evening, it may keep you awake.

Thank you to Zooloo's Book Tours, and to the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read and review.

[Kerri Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly, I would love to thank NetGalley and Joffe Books for the wonderful opportunity to read this advance copy of the daughter in the cellar and for being able to connect me with other thriller writers that I may have never known of.
For someone else, this book may be a slow burn, but for me, it had true crime feels, which I enjoyed immensely. It had serial killer moments and to be honest , I really enjoyed the two main characters, Voilet and Flo. I loved their bantering between each other (something, I do with my 5 daughters) and the author wrote it so well that I was able to connect with them both, even if the situation wasn't ideal. It reminded me a bit of the Stockholm syndrome and highlighted that childhood trauma can affect how one may adult in their future. This book carries a lot of different emotions from anger, sadness, laughter, understanding , happiness and shock all rolled into one book. I thought that the use of the painted pebbles was ingenious and that plot twist, I should have seen it coming as there were a few subtle hints along the way but they were clearly hidden well now that I look back. Overall, I enjoyed reading this novel and look forward to reading more by this author.

[Chelleah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Joffe Books and NetGalley for providing me with an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC). All opinions expressed are my own.

This story builds suspense in such a controlled, unsettling way that it kept me hooked from the start. It opens with a quiet sense of unease: a young woman notices an elderly stranger watching her on a train. When a severe storm cancels the service and leaves her stranded, the same seemingly motherly woman offers her a lift—only to drug her. She wakes up locked in a cage to the chilling words: “You’re the daughter I never had.”

What really stood out to me was the psychological tension. The dynamic between captor and captive is unsettling, and just when I thought I understood where the story was going, another layer was revealed that changed everything. I found myself constantly uneasy while reading, and that atmosphere is what made it so gripping.

The final chapters tie everything together with a clever twist that reframes much of what came before. Instead of a neat resolution, the ending leaves a lingering sense of discomfort that stays with you after finishing.

A chilling, well-paced psychological thriller that kept me hooked from beginning to end. Perfect for fans of tense, character-driven suspense.

#TheDaughterintheCellar #NetGalley

[twistedchapter13 | Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚 ARC Review 📚
Thank you to the author and Joffe Books for the advance reader copy! It was a pleasure to read this before release, and as always, my review reflects my honest opinion.

This psychological thriller had me hooked from the very first chapter. The author did an excellent job building suspense at just the right pace, making it nearly impossible to put the book down. With every chapter, the tension continued to grow, and I couldn't wait to see what would happen next.

The main character demonstrated incredible resilience and strength throughout her journey, making it easy to become emotionally invested in her story. The eerie atmosphere added a constant sense of unease, perfectly complementing the suspense and keeping me on edge.

The characters were complex, each carrying secrets that slowly unraveled as the story progressed. Just when I was convinced, I had figured everything out, the author threw in another unexpected twist that completely caught me off guard. If you love psychological thrillers filled with suspense, layered characters, and surprising twists, this is definitely one to add to your TBR.

[Ag · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was supposed to be claustrophobic. Aren’t all kidnapping books supposed to be dreadful, horror-filled, and yes - claustrophobic?
Turns out, not this one. In fact, it was downright hilarious at times, and - fun fact - none of the bad guys felt really bad. The opposite, in fact. Even the surprise bonus bad guy was likable in a way. But the supposedly good person (Celia, ok?) somehow managed to be unbearable, unsufferable, despicable, annoying to the bits. How weird is that?
I was reading it and kept wondering what was wrong with me. Why am a rooting for... the kidnapper? Why i think the kidnappee is actually having a blast there? Not to mention all the gourmet foods - omg don’t get me started on gourmet foods!
One more thing worth pointing out - this is one of the rare books where I messaged other people to tell they need to read it. More specifically, Heather @thebookgirlbrown_reviews got a text from me about it first - because this is one of those books that feel unlike others. In the best way ever. There are zillions of kidnapping books out there, but this one is unlike most.

[Andria Lambert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by this author, I did recently purchase another book by the author and its on my tbr list to read.

"Monsters can wear normal faces."

This is an excellent thriller. The story is told by different points of view, Violet, Florence, Marco, Celia, and Tom. Violet and Florence are the primary characters. Violet, who is in her late 50's, has always wanted a daughter, and Florence is the "daughter" she kidnaps and holds in the cellar. Let's just say that Violet has a deep and dark history that is revealed fairly early on in Chapter 11. I enjoyed the dynamics between Violet and Florence which made the story intriguing. I also enjoyed the other characters in fleshing out the story. I found the characters to be interesting, the story was suspenseful and there were twists and the conclusion wrapped up nicely. I enjoyed the book from beginning to ending and I look forward to reading more stories by the author.

Thank you Netgalley and Joffe Books for the complimentary copy of the story.

[Eva Edge · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Daughter in the Cellar by Yvette Davies is a spectacularly unique, wildly entertaining, and emotionally resonant psychological thriller that brilliantly subverts the classic abduction narrative.

The novel is anchored by a highly dynamic, fast-paced structure that seamlessly shifts between the distinct perspectives of Violet, Marco, Florence, and Celia. While the core premise explores deep, dark themes—including captive-captor dynamics, Stockholm syndrome, and complex mental illness—the narrative is elevated by an exceptional layer of sharp wit and dark humour that keeps the reader thoroughly engaged. Davies excels at creating an incredibly tense, claustrophobic atmosphere while delivering bizarrely heartwarming character connections and profound emotional depth.

Refusing to stick to predictable genre beats, the plot peels back unsettling layers of deceit and culminates in a stunning, completely unpredictable final twist. It stands as a brilliant, refreshing page-turner that earns 5 creepy, satisfying stars.

[Ney oh the thrill of it FN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whan I tell you this book gave me straight up anxiety! The way I was on edge and on high alert throughout! I was so tense and could not rest till I was done! 

This gave 'sitting on the couch screaming at the TV when a character is walking into danger but they are oblivious' vibes. 

Although at times on the slower side, it had my brain working in overdrive trying to put the pieces together. The story is built up so well and we gain an insight into the characters' backgrounds and experiences that lay the foundations for the present day action. 

The speed quickened towards the end and I couldn't turn the pages quickly enough. The ending got me in the feels and some of the reveals gave me whiplash!

You'll enjoy this book if you enjoy stories steeped in obsession, themes of abduction and villains that will keep you up at night.

Rating 4.5 rounded up to 5!

Thankyou to Yvette Davies and Joffe books for this advanced complimentary copy via Netgalley. This review is being left voluntarily and all opinions expressed are my own.

[Riette Beling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness what a heart breaking story!

So let's start with Flo. This girl had me in stitches most of the time. Her banter and sarcasm was just incredible. I can't begin to imagine what it would be like in a situation like that and I thought she showed tremendous courage and a strong mind to take it all in as she did.

Violet, I mean I really want to hate her but I honestly can't. I just feel this immense amount of sympathy for her. That poor woman. In the end I sat there with tears in my eyes for her, thinking of how she could have approached this better.

Let's talk twists and revelations.... uhm what the actual hell happened there at the end.... I was stumped, mind absolutely blown! That was riveting, such an unexpected rush!

This book has it all, laughs, tears, fear, you name it! Excellent read! I can understand why people get Stockholm Syndrome now. @yvettedaviesauthor took me on such a rollercoaster ride with this, I am still thinking of this book! Highly recommend to thriller fans, you will be left reeling after this!

[Kara Pendergraft · Rating 2 out of 5]

First I want to thank NetGalley for allowing me to read this book and provide an unbiased review. There are no spoilers in this review.

I really wanted to love this book. There was potential for a good story but the twist at the end made little sense. Usually I cannot put a thriller down and need to finish it- but this was not one of them.

The main plot is Violet (an older woman) kidnaps Florence and wants to turn her into the daughter she’s never had. There is a Stockholm Syndrome type of relationship between them that forms. Florence doesn’t lose hope and figures out how to get clues out in the open with the hopes that people are still looking for her.

The book seemed very repetitive with the day in and day out being pretty much the same with cooking and interacting with Florence.

Read at your own risk. I had to read the twist twice to make sure that was actually the twist.