This book really wasn't for me. I just couldn't connect with the story or the main character. This led to me not wanting to pick it up and keep reading. It took me almost 2 weeks to finish this one. I don't think it needed to be so long. I was just underwhelmed by the ending. I almost dnf'd it. I think if it wasn't an ARC I would have.

A positive I didn't guess the twists. I had a theory it was going to go one way and it didn't.

Thank you Hodder and Stoughton for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I couldn’t resist the chance to have an early read of Vaseem Khan’s first psychological thriller, especially with the intriguing themes of memory, trauma and the effect of one on the other. The mystery of what really happened in the gaps of Orianna’s memory gripped me throughout. A few times I thought I’d worked out something crucial, only to discover that I had, in part, but none of it meant what I thought. The small-town America setting, injustices and abuses of power felt prescient in the current political climate. And the ending – I didn’t see it coming at all, but it fit perfectly! A definite five stars. More of these, please!

DNF at 45%

Firstly, I’d like to say thank you to netgalley and the publisher for gifting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The premise of this book really drew me in. The aspect of the main character’s amnesia was really interesting as not even she knew what the truth was. I do think it was a very compelling mystery and plot line.

I really enjoyed the past timeline of the therapist sessions and for me would have preferred if that was more frequent as I enjoyed seeing Orianna from Annie’s lens and felt it added more to the plot.

While the premise was very interesting, I just felt that not much seemed to be happening and it was more character based - which is sometimes okay but I think for this plot I would’ve preferred a bit more to happen. Maybe the action will pick up after the point I DNFed but as this book is 500+ pages I think it would benefit from having a faster pace and maybe cutting back on some things.

While this unfortunately didn’t turn out to be for me, I would recommend this to people who do prefer slightly more slow-paced, character driven mysteries.

The Girl in Cell A is a psychological thriller about Orianna Negi, who was jailed as a teenager for murdering her father. She says she doesn’t remember the crime and claims she’s innocent. Psychologist Annie Ledet tries to help her unlock her memories.

I found this to be a standout thriller with an ending that was literally “mind-blowing”
Highly recommended for those who enjoy dark, twisty, psychological suspense reads.

Can the mind really delete a traumatic event? Prisoners who deny their guilt can’t be paroled, even if they don’t remember the crime. Is that Fair? Prison psychologists are used to assess inmates with such dissociative amnesia, attempting to restore the memory and thereby free the prisoner. It is Dr Annie Ledet’s task to assess Orianna Negi, the eponymous “Girl In Cell A”, notorious for shooting dead her (previously unacknowledged) father, Gideon Wyclerc, scion of the family which founded the township of Eden Falls a century ago as a base for their mining operation, and which still controls it. Ori was convicted on forensic and circumstantial evidence, but claims she has no memory at all of the events surrounding the killing, or of the simultaneous disappearance of her half-sister, Grace. Once she returns to the town, she has to battle against prejudice from the people, enmity from the Wyclerc family, and her internal demons, as she tries to retrace events and identify the real killer.
The story is told by two narrators; Annie, in the immediate past, trying to open Ori’s memories, and Ori, in the present, trying to reconstruct the murder. Both might be unreliable. On the face of it, this is an interesting psychological thriller come murder-mystery, but faces, like memories, can be deceptive – and this one certainly is. Alternative suspects abound! Is anyone actually what they appear to be? Twist are a prerequisite in stories like this, but here they become more tortuous. I thought I ‘d solved it more than once, was pleased to discover that I had succeed when the final reveal came along, and then was blown out of the water by the postmortem. The author deserves huge credit for leaping so far out of his normal style and doing it with such skill.
I would like to thank NetGalley, the publishers and the author for providing me with a draft proof copy for the purpose of this review.

Oh my god what a book! Orianna is serving a life sentence for murder but must acknowledge her crime in order to be eligible for parole. Annie is her psychotherapist tasked with this, tackling her dissociative amnesia and between them they narrate the story in the 1st person
This works perfectly as we see and feel the emotions of each woman developing throughout the retelling of the crime and understand what has brought orianna to this point. It is so intricately weaved, with multiple, multiple threads coming together, i can see why it took 3 years to write! The ending and final shocker is absolutely brilliant and the whole book is a keep you up all nighter.
This will be one of my topbooks of 2025 and I will be recommending and buying it for everyone!

This book is frustratingly lengthy and long winded. Mercifully, at least, it has very short chapters.
The writing is poetic and romanticised but I found this very overpowering.
The boredom comes with repeated descriptions of everything being wolf like and everyone wearing shorts and t-shirts.
The dialogue is far past reality, everyone is extremely hostile but yet exposes their secrets freely to someone they dislike.
Despite the revelations, again the humdrum is maintained as it feels as though these conversations between the characters don’t actually help us to learn anything or provide anything interesting.
And then the twist comes. And…. It’s disappointing. I won’t reveal the spoiler but this twist is the one arc I absolutely cannot stand in literature or films. It’s been beaten to death with overuse and awful misinformation about mental health conditions.
Sadly I cannot recommend this novel at all.

A taut and atmospheric psychological thriller that dives deep into the murky waters of memory, power, and justice. Centered on Orianna Negi—once a teenage killer, now a woman still protesting her innocence—the novel unravels the truth behind a brutal murder that shattered lives nearly two decades ago.

Told through the dual perspectives of Orianna and forensic psychologist Annie Ledet, the story gradually peels back layers of trauma and manipulation. As Annie digs into Orianna’s past, the glossy surface of Eden Falls and the powerful Wyclerc dynasty begins to crack, revealing a chilling story of abuse, ambition, and buried secrets.

The book is undeniably compelling, with strong character work and a slow-burning sense of dread. The central mystery—what really happened the day Gideon Wyclerc was killed—is cleverly constructed, with enough red herrings and potential suspects to keep readers guessing. The twist, when it comes, is a genuine shocker and ties together some earlier ambiguities in a satisfying way.

That said, the pacing does drag in parts. Some scenes feel repetitive, especially in the therapy sessions, and the narrative might have benefited from a tighter edit. There are also occasional detours into Annie’s personal life which, while humanizing her character, don’t meaningfully impact the core plot and feel somewhat out of place.

Still, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise well-crafted and thought-provoking thriller. Khan skillfully weaves themes of race, class, and power into the narrative without ever losing sight of the mystery at its heart. Girl in Cell A is an unsettling, intelligent novel that lingers long after the final page.

Orianna, convicted of murder, has consistently professed her innocence, but she cannot remember what happened in the moments that obliterated her freedom. The story has two timelines: Orianna's interviews with forensic psychologist Annie Ledet in the past, from Annie's perspective, and the present timeline, from Orianna's viewpoint. The reader assimilates the case history from the therapy interviews through legal transcripts and Orianna's recall. Although an unreliable narrator, Orianna draws your empathy, and you invest in her.
It's a suspenseful psychological fiction with complex and often unlikeable characters. The vivid sensory imagery draws you into small-town America with its revelations of dark secrets and the tragic poignancy of Orianna's downfall. As a reader, you are waiting for something bad to happen but hoping for justice. The twists are clever and build to an impactful conclusion. The small-town setting is instrumental in creating a toxic and unpredictable atmosphere.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Vaseem Khan's "The Girl In Cell A" is a meticulously crafted thriller that sinks its hooks in you from the start. The premise – convicted murderer Orianna Negi claiming innocence and forensic psychologist Annie Ledet tasked with uncovering the truth – is immediately captivating. Khan expertly builds suspense as Annie delves into Orianna's fragmented memories and the secrets of Eden Falls, the insular and powerful Wyclerc family's domain.
The novel excels in its character development. Orianna is a compelling enigma, her vulnerability clashing with her unwavering insistence on innocence. Annie is a sharp and empathetic protagonist, guiding the reader through the psychological complexities of the case and the murky history of the town. Their sessions are the core of the narrative, filled with tension and subtle revelations that keep you guessing.
Beyond the central mystery, Khan skillfully weaves in layers of social commentary, exploring themes of power, privilege, scandal, and even race within the seemingly idyllic setting. The "fallen Eden" of the title is not just a backdrop but a crucial element, highlighting how corruption can fester beneath a polished surface.
The pacing is expertly managed, balancing intense psychological exploration with the gradual unveiling of Eden Falls' dark underbelly. Just when you think you have pieced everything together, Khan delivers a truly blindsiding twist that recontextualizes the entire story. It's a testament to his storytelling ability that this twist feels both shocking and earned.
"The Girl In Cell A" is a thought-provoking and suspenseful read that goes beyond a simple whodunit. It's a compelling exploration of memory, truth, and the corrosive effects of long-held secrets. If you enjoy thrillers with complex characters, intricate plots, and a twist that will leave you reeling, this book is a must-read. Highly recommended.

I have very mixed feelings about this book, I enjoyed that it was well written with good characters, a complex plot and twists galore. I also didn't like it's complexity and found the timelines of "now" and "then" and remembering all the relationships quite confusing at times. I think in the end it was the length that put it in the more negative camp for me, it did feel an extra edit may have helped at times
Thank you to netgalley and Hodder and Stoughton for an advance copy of this book.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4

This is very different to all the other books I’ve read by this author, not that that’s a bad thing. Orianna Negi was imprisoned at the age of 17 convicted of murdering Gideon Wyclerc, a member of a family who virtually ruled over the small town of Eden Falls. Told in multiple timeline, then and now, and from the POV of Orianna and her psychologist Annie Ledet. This is quite a complex story that focusses on Orianna and her mother, and the Wyclerc family, and the diverse relationship between the two families.

Briefly, Orianna grew up in an Eden Falls never knowing who her father is. Orianna’s before story paints a picture of a lonely girl who has few friends but has an unlikely friendship with Grace, Gideon’s daughter, who went missing after the murder, and Orianna also had an affair with a member of the Wyclerc family. She has always professed her innocence of the murder but she has amnesia, just around the murder, and can’t remember the event. After her release she returns to Eden Falls determined to prove her innocence.

Orianna is clearly an unreliable narrator but what to believe and what not to is impossible to work out. It seemed to me at times that Annie’s questioning influenced Orianna’s memories. The descriptions of the small town were very evocative and at times unsettling. As for the Wyclerc family I can’t even start to list the unconscionable things different members were responsible for! A dark and disturbing story with one of the most shocking and unexpected ends I’ve read for a long time. 4,5⭐️

The Girl In Cell A is a complicated murder/mystery that I struggled even at the end to work it all out.
Gideon Wyclerc was murdered eighteen years ago, Orianna Negi was charged with the murder at just seventeen years old but she has denied doing it ever since. Although she has no memory of what happened that day she insists she is innocent. Annie is a forensic psycotherapist and her job is to meet with Orianna, Annie is assessing whether Orianna can be let out on parole. Chapters follow the meetings then and now when Orianna returns to her hometown and tries to convince everyone there that she didn’t murder Gideon.
This was a slow read, I would have preferred it to be shorter as it felt drawn out at times. There are a lot of characters to get your head round which dud confuse me a few times trying to remember who was who. The storyline was great, I don’t think I’ve read anything like this before. The ending left me still wondering and I can’t say I liked that feeling! Would recommend if you like a slow, twisty and clever thriller.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Hodder And Stoughton for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.

The Girl in Cell A is a brilliantly constructed psychological thriller that grips from the very first page and never lets go. Vaseem Khan has crafted a dual-plot mystery so rich in intrigue, misdirection, and buried secrets that it practically demands to be devoured in one sitting.

The story centers around Orianna Negi, once a teenage killer turned infamous true crime celebrity, who’s always claimed innocence. But if she didn’t kill Gideon Wyclerc… then who did? With no memory of the crime and a town full of secrets, the layers begin to peel back under the skilled hand of forensic psychologist Annie Ledet.

What follows is a dark, slow-burning unraveling of family secrets, power plays, and long-buried scandals. Everyone in Eden Falls has something to hide, and just when you think you’ve figured it out, Khan throws in another twist that leaves you reeling. The subtle misdirection is handled masterfully – it’s not flashy, it’s clever – pulling you deeper into a web of lies and half-truths.

The characters are complex, flawed, and convincing. Each interaction adds another shade to the truth, and the building tension is palpable. The ending? Cracking. Satisfying and thought-provoking, it leaves you questioning everything.

Scandal, race, power, and memory intertwine in a fallen Eden where guilt and innocence blur beyond recognition. The Girl in Cell A is a standout thriller – smart, suspenseful, and utterly unforgettable.

There's only one word to describe this book and that is 'superb'. It's a twisty psychological thriller and a real page turner. I couldn't put it down as I couldn't wait to see what would happen next.

Orianne and her mother Christine move to a small American town and begin working for the powerful Wyclerc family whose ancestors fathered the town and it's governing principles.

As staff, and also non -white they are treated differently. The only exception to this is Grace who is a similar age to Orianne and they firm a friendship of sorts as they grow.

Orianne has no idea who her father is and when she asks her mum she is always met with deflection.

On the day of the town festival, Grace is elected as Princess. The other events of note on that day are that Orianne discovers the identity of her father, she is discovered unconscious on the floor in a hunting cabin in the woods with a shotgun beside her and a member of the Wyclerc family dead on the floor......and Grace disappears without trace.

What first appears to be an open and shut case sees Orianne convicted of a double murder on circumstantial evidence and sentenced to 18 years imprisonment.

She is suffering from amnesia caused by PTSD and has no recollection of the events leading up to the murder or the murder itself. The only thing she is sure of is that she didn't do it.

A psychologist called Annie is assigned to help Orianne recover the missing pieces from her life and help her come to terms with her guilt if, in fact she did commit the offence.

The book details Orianne's sessions with Annie and her struggles on being released on parole when she returns to Eden Falls to prove her innocence.

A superbly written and meticulously researched book which is a must read.

The Girl in Cell A Vaseem Khan

4 stars

Orianna Negi has spent the last eighteen years In prison convicted of killing her father in the small American town of Echo Falls. Her father was Gideon Wyclerc a member of the family that established the town many years before and have subsequently ruled over everyone and everything in the town. To compound matters, Orianna had allegedly killed her father on the very day that her mother had told her his identity. The murder seems cut and dried but Orianna has steadfastly proclaimed her innocence even though she has no memory of the actual shooting.

Annie Ledet is the psychologist brought in to assess if Orianna is fit for parole. We hear about the whole sordid history of the various members on the Wyclerc family, the scandals attached to their various members and Orianna's recollections of her own life. The author vividly depicts how a small town in America can be ruled by a rich dynasty to the detriment of many people. However who can really be believed, is Orianna's tale true or false or a mixture of both?

This book was different to anything I have read before and I found it completely fascinating, the ending was amazing and I found the descriptions of the problems associated with dissociative memory quite compelling without being too complex for me to understand.
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Karen Deborah
Reviewer for Net galley

Orianna was seventeen when she was convicted of murder of a member of the prominent family in a small US town. As the illegitimate daughter of a servant woman of Indian heritage, did she stand a chance? She still maintains her innocence and claims to have lost her memory and has gained notoriety as The Girl in Cell A. Psychologist, Annie, has to assess her for parole and tries to help her recover memories. Orianna then starts her own investigation to try and prove her innocence and solve the crime. A good thriller with lots of action and interesting psychological information. I enjoyed the exploration of the characters and attitudes in the town.
Thanks to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the review access.

A complex and fascinating novel set in small town America. Orianna is imprisoned for murder she was accused of at the tender age of 17. Now in her mid 30’s she is being assessed for parole but has never admitted her guilt. She is being assessed by Annie a court appointed psychiatrist as to her suitability for parole and the story is told from the point of view of both women. As the plot unfolds we find out more about the powerful Wyclerc family who control every aspect of the the towns.life . The writing is excellent the reader is pulled one way and another about Oriannas guilt before the final surprising reveal.
A book I can recommend a from an author I must read more of

Orianna has spent years behind bars for the murder of Gideon but she has always maintained that she can't remember what happened and that she didn't do it! But if she didn't then who did and why? Can Annie Ledet a psychologist hired to get to the truth help to unlock Oriannas memories of that day?

What a mind blowing book! The ending is just so unexpected. Many thanks to the publishers for inviting me to read this new novel by Vaseem can't wait for the next one.

One of the most outstanding books not just this year, but off all novels I have read.

Orianna Negi, found guilty of murdering Gideon Wyclerc when just seventeen. She has no memories of the day. While in prison, Annie Ledet tries to help her unlock the truth of what happened that fateful day.

Can Orianna together with Forensic Psychologist Annie Ledet, uncover the truth?

The book, narrated by both Orianna Negi and Annie Ledet gives us the history of the Wyclerc family. Orianna’s connection to the family, and we discover Orianna’s story from before the murder to the present day. And then we find ourselves at the final few pages……… I think that like me; the ending will boggle your mind. It is a brilliant, fascinating book especially if you are interested in True Crime.

Rony

Elite Book Group received a copy of the book from NETGALLEY to review.