This crime novel was brought to life really well by the different points of view. Telling the story in this way made it easier to understand the motivations and feelings of the main characters. I would have liked to read about the experiences of more characters at the end as I needed to get a greater sense of their journey. I think this would have made the conclusion more satisfying. Perhaps an epilogue?

There was a good balance of mystery and relationship drama and although the crime aspect was horrifying, the story was made compelling enough without traumatising the reader with too many details.

Intense and nail biting - small town secrets, family secrets, kidnapping, and human trafficking - all intertwined and the tension increases with each page. This story could be real, in many ways is real, and all the more powerful because of it. Be ready to get lost in this, you won't put it down.

R E V I E W

something about this book felt really rushed to me. at times the writing felt stilted or awkward and unrealistic. it was hard for me to get attached to the characters and get a good grasp on what was going on in their lives. it felt as if there was almost too much going on at once and the ending didn’t feel satisfying for me. i was left with a lot of questions that I didn’t feel were answered or resolved.

the book isn’t BAD, and if you’re someone who likes a fast moving plot it might be a better fit for you, but it wasn’t the read for me.

***thank you to Joffe Books and NetGalley for this Advanced Reader Copy 🫶🫶🫶***

cw: crime scene discovery, sex trafficking, guns, violence, domestic abuse
rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
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I love a good Steena book and this one did not disappoint! I couldn't put it down! Jillian and her husband have married for 20 years. She feels like they know everything about each other now. But do they? Jillian and her family just moved to Montana recently and shortly after a trailer full of dead bodies is found on their property. Surely that must have happened before they moved in, right? Her husband begins acting guilty. Does he have something to hide?

Jillian, her husband and their young son move around a lot. She is tired of this and wants to stay in one place.
When they move to a remote farmhouse property she is happy until dead bodies are found in some old vehicles behind some overgrown land.
A story with some very upsetting scenarios that could give you nightmares.
The ending left me with many unanswered questions and some characters stories were abandoned.
Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

What a brilliant read .This book is a real page turner I couldn't put it down it keeps you on the edge of your seat all the way through . Fantastic book .

This is definitely a first rate thriller. The story moves at a rapid pace. I read through this exciting story in a day. I couldn't put this book down. There are some triggers in the story but its worth powering through to finish this tale. I loved it.

Jillian thought she knew her husband. They’ve been married for twenty years. But she doesn’t know him at all. Jillian Harper thought moving to the quiet little town in Montana would be the fresh start her family needed. A charming farmhouse, friendly neighbors, and endless open fields it was supposed to be perfect. Until the bodies are found. Buried deep on their land. Hidden for years! Wow! That was a crazy chilling thriller! Some psycho characters in this one! It had great suspense, mystery, gruesome murders, intriguing, abuse, gaslighting, and some crazy twists and turns! The story was very interesting! I definitely recommend reading this book! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

Jillian Harper thought that moving to Montana would be the beginning to the end of the chaos that has followed her family. However, that was before the bodies were found on their new property. Thrown into a new whirlwind of crazy Jillian has to step back and assess if she really knows who her husband is, and what she is willing to do to keep their family together.

"The Girls in the Basement" by Steena Holmes is a thriller that is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. I literally could not put it down. All of the characters and the storylines blended together so perfectly. The ending was satisfying but now I want spin-offs!

Thank you to NetGalley and Joffe Books for the ARC. This is my fourth book form Steena and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was twisty and the huge twist at the end caught me off guard…Now as for the ending I wish there would have been a bit more!!!

A really good thriller, I loved the different POVs and writing was great too. It starts off great, slows down in the middle and then it all came together. I’d definitely read more by this author! Thanks a lot for early access.

First, a huge thanks for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Secondly, WOW! What did i just read?? The Oil Man and the Lady essentially lead Meri through a maze of human trafficking to find her sister that went missing many years ago. Does she find her? You'll have to read it to find out.

Meanwhile, Jillian and Tucker move to a remote location in Montana. Fresh start for their son. But is it? Long buried secrets unravel what an idyllic small town should look like. Are they involved?

The ending neatly wraps up most of the story, but there's definitely room for a sequel if the author desires. 5 stars and I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a good plot twist that is extremely well written!

This one had a ton of potential but fell flat. I was excited just based off of the cover and title. Started very strong for me but a lot of fluff in the middle that I was bored with. Thank you for letting me read it early I hope everyone loves it!

this book will have you wanting to read to the very end an edge of your seat read. Jillian and her husband and son are starting over in Montana, everything is going well until the police get a tip of about the vans in one of their fields. there are human remains. part of a trafficking gang. Agent Meri Amber will stop at nothing to find the people behind it its personal to her as her sister was taken it's an amazing read so recommend

Obsessed with Steena Holmes is an understatement. Every book she writes just keeps getting better. This one had me hanging off my seat. Loved it so much!

4.5 stars rounded up.

This is the first book that I’ve read from this author but it definitely won’t be the last. From beginning to end, this book was captivating. Told in the perspective of 3 different and what I had thought were unconnected characters until the story gives pieces of information that shows how they’re all connected. Reading about how Jillian knew that her husband was hiding something from her but not knowing the extent of it and how his secret was putting their lives in danger was an intense element of this story. It was jaw dropping shocking to read who the true malicious people were in this book when it was revealed! I hadn’t suspected one of these people to be capable of that evil until it was revealed. The ending of the book was wrapped up a little too quick for my liking and made me want to know a little more of how everyone’s life continued.

Agent Meri was my favorite character and I love how she never gave up on looking for her sister.

Than you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Oh my gah!!!; first let me just say I own EVERY SINGLE book by Steena Holmes. This was my first arc book by Holmes. I am NOT disappointed!!! Want a book where your captivated by the characters? Want a book where you can put it down? Want a book that will leave you just wanting more? This is the ONE!!!!!!! 👏👏👏👏👏 Kuddos to you. P.s. Jillian sure didnt know Tucker. Or did she???....

I was a bit wary when I started the story that it was going to be a bit dark for my liking but I loved every second of it. Yes, there are some dark themes running throughout but it's not focused of shock and gore. It's well written and tells multiple plotlines from various povs which not only kept it all interesting, it just brought the whole thing to life so vividly. There are twists and turns, my heart was in my throat at parts and I couldnt wait to read more! It's original and keeps you engaged until the very end

This book was an enjoyable fast read mystery. The book was filled with mystery and suspense that kept the reader interested. There were enough twists and turns to keep the reader turning pages to see what happens next. This is a book which I would recommend to all those who enjoy a good mystery.

This was a hard book to read, full of pain and lies. I really liked all the main characters, and I would give this 5 stars but the ending fell a bit flat, I wish it had a bit more of information about what was going on..
In any case, I really loved the book.