Sometimes, you have to hide to protect yourself and your family. When this is no longer enough, even with the help of certain authorities, moving to a small village seems like the ideal solution.

Jillian and her son quickly find their footing, but when her husband, Tucker, starts acting strangely and gruesome discoveries are made on their vast property, doubt begins to creep in. She was convinced she knew him inside and out and could trust him completely, but now she’s not so sure anymore...

From the very first page, the author takes us to a place where inhumane things happen. The people behind these actions have no respect for their fellow human beings and see them as disposable once they are no longer useful.

It became quite clear to me early on who was aware of what was happening and who was responsible, so the revelations weren’t entirely surprising. However, that doesn’t mean everything was predictable—the author still managed to surprise me.

What I found a bit disappointing was that too much attention was given to things that didn’t really add much, while other aspects could have been explored in more depth. But, of course, this is just my personal opinion.

In short, I loved the setting, but the pacing was a bit slow. Jillian could have been a bit tougher, and Tucker lacked personality for me. Maybe he should have taken inspiration from the strength of his parents but used it in a different way. 4 stars.

Thank you

I personally found the book to have too many characters and it became confusing trying to figure out who was who and what storyline I was reading.

I liked the premise and I wish we had more chapters on Lola and Becky and more on the actual trafficking ring. I don’t feel the books title is overly accurate as we didn’t ever go into the basement. Yes, it was spoken about but unfortunately, it just needed to be explained more which would’ve made the story more interesting.

It’s a relatively quick and easy read but I wasn’t necessarily blown away by anything. Nothing against the author, it takes a lot to write a book! It just wasn’t for me.

The Girls in the Basement is deeply layered and darkly disturbing. Jillian is a strong woman who has been through the absolute ringer and I truly admire her but for me the star of the show is the wolf dog! While this wasn't a easy read due to the nature of the crime it was a hard one to put down. The author has woven a complexly plotted physcological thriller with a few likeable characters who seem ultimately down to earth and realistic. I felt my pulse pounding through my throat and I was anticipating the danger. I found it hard to take my mind away from the story even when I wasn't reading it and that is how I know that it's a page turning read.

WOW! Thank you Steena Holmes. I just love Steena's books and this may be one at the top of the list. This is such a gripping read you won't want to put it down so you can find out what is going to happen next. Steena writes about psychological thrillers and on the edge of your seat stories. This is kind of gut wrenching but oh so wonderful to read. This is about sex-trafficking, violence, and abuse. Thank you NetGalley and Joffee books for the ARC.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for approving me to read this, I am rating it 3.25 stars.

I was intrigued by the blurb, and I did find the story quite engaging. I feel like the ending is a little bitter sweet and I would’ve liked more of a conclusion.

I quite liked Jillian and Meri, they both carried the story for me and their moral compasses didn’t waiver. Jillian especially had some tough choices, that being said I would’ve liked us to expand more on the ending with her and her family.

I recommend this for fans of fairly fast paced thrillers who enjoy a dark plot with multi POV.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I'm always very happy about an ARC and being able to give it a review! <3

I didn’t really get into this story at first. The characters felt kinda distant to me, and the writing style was a bit too stiff for my taste.

That being said, the story did start off strong – it jumps right in without wasting any time.

But like I said, it just really didn’t grab me.

This book was so good, it had me absolutely gripped from the very start and held me in its clutches until the very end. I read it in one sitting I couldn't put it down.
I spent my whole time reading this not knowing what to think or who to believe as you get multiple points of view but all the narrators are unreliable which kept me guessing all the way through. I loved it

This book had me hooked from the first page. As a fan of crime tv and dateline, this is like living an episode. The alternate povs, unreliable narrators helped to paint a picture that isnt entirely in focus. This makes you want to rush through to get the whole complete picture.

The ending though felt a little abrupt and I wanted to know more. Not all my questions were answered. I can see the detective getting another book. This was my first book by this author and won't be my last!

Girls in the basement by Steena Holmes publication date of April 10, 2025!
This one was such a good book and had me hooked from page one!!
I want to thank NetGalley Joffee Books and the author for the opportunity to read this one early in exchange for a honest review. This wasn’t my first book from author and it will not be my last. The story shifts back and forth from alternate points of view!
This was quick read with a lot of twists and turns!! You will not be disappointed!!

This fast-paced, well-written crime thriller hooked me from the start with its multiple POV. I couldn’t stop reading & trying to piece everything together. I enjoyed how the different perspectives tied together, revealing the story bit by bit. However, the ending left me unsatisfied & wanting more, as I still had some unanswered questions.

Release: April 10, 2025
Author: Steena Holmes
Publisher: Joffe books

Rating: 4 ★ 

Steena Holmes delivers a gripping domestic thriller that slowly unravels a web of secrets, lies, and deeply buried fears. The novel excels at building tension, keeping the reader questioning everything—especially the protagonist’s own husband. The quiet Montana setting adds to the eerie, isolated atmosphere, making Jillian’s paranoia feel all the more suffocating. Holmes’ writing is immersive, pulling you into Jillian’s growing sense of dread as she tries to uncover the truth. While the pacing is deliberate, it works well for the slow-burn unraveling of the mystery. If you enjoy psychological thrillers where the real horror might be inside the home, this is a solid pick.

Jillian Harper moves to a small Montana town with her husband, Tucker, and their family, hoping for a fresh start. Their new farmhouse is supposed to be a dream come true—until bodies are discovered buried on their land, hidden for years. The shocking find rocks the town, drawing police investigations and hushed whispers from neighbors. But what disturbs Jillian most is her husband’s reaction. Tucker is acting strangely—avoiding her gaze, disappearing without explanation, and refusing to talk about what’s happening. Jillian knows he’s lying, but she has no idea how deep the secrets go. As she digs for the truth, she realizes the real threat may not be outside in the fields but inside her own home.

Favorite Quote:
"what happens to a person when they are made to live in darkness for so long? Can they ever be truly free?"

This book started off so strong, I was so into it and could not put it down... at first. I felt the book was just dragging along and a bit repetitive about halfway through. The ending for me was just ok, felt rushed and left a few questions unanswered. Although this was not a favorite of mine, it was interesting enough that I would recommend because some readers may really enjoy it.

What a book! This book would keep you on the edge of your seat! From the very first page, this gripping tale ensnares you with its suspense and nail-biting tension. Holmes masterfully weaves a story filled with twists and turns that are both intense and scary, leaving you breathless as you race through each chapter. The gut-wrenching emotions will resonate long after you’ve turned the last page! Trust me, once you start reading, you won’t be able to put it down. If thrillers are your thing, this book is an absolute must-read! I think you may experience a heart-pounding journey. Highly recommend!

This is a well woven tale and one I really enjoyed.

Jillian and Tucker move to a new home to start fresh with their son and Jillian soon discovers that Tucker is not the man she thought she knew.

Bodies are turning up and Jillian wonders if Tucker is the key..

I loved this book, There are a lot of characters and I did finf muslef lost at times but it soon works out and the ending is not to missed..

Wow! Thank you Steena Holmes, Netgalley, and Joffee books for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

When Jillian and her husband move to an old farm in Montana, to her it is her chance to start over again. Little does she know her husband has secrets, and these secrets affect a lot of people.
In the beginning there was way too many characters to keep up with but, eventually they all tied into place, and I got the story, the picture, and everything that the author was trying to tell me. This book was a little out there, but it was written to perfection. If you are looking for a psychological thriller that has many twists and turns, this is probably not something you will enjoy. But, if you are looking for a thriller that keeps you guessing and wanting more here is your book.

📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖📖
Title: The Girls In The Basement
Author: Steena Holmes
Page Count: 339
Format: E-book ARC
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Book Number: 41
Dates Read: 3/18-21
Review:
I received this free advanced copy, I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I went into this story knowing it was going to hurt. It definitely did, but it had an ending. I honestly did not see it coming. The multiple points of view really added depth into the story. This is such a tough subject and Definitely gets at the fear inside you.

I really enjoyed The Girls in the Basement by author Steena Holmes.

We meet Jillian, who lives with her husband Tucker and their son and they have recently moved to a large farm house in a quiet town.

Their idyllic life appears to be untouchable but that is not how it goes. When some trailers are found on their property that contains body parts, Jillian starts to, rightly so, question everything about her life and especially her husband.

We also meet detective Meri who is investigating these containers that hold the body parts and we learn why it is so important for her to get to the bottom of this.

I enjoyed this novel, Steena creates good characters and narrative.

Thanks to the author, publisher and Netgalley for allowing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review. 3.5 stars from me

Thank you, NetGalley and Joffe Books for allowing me to read this book early. The opinion in this review is my own.

Jillian and Tucker move to Montana to start a new chapter for their son. They find many bodies in some cars on their land which appears to be related to human trafficking. Officer Meri Amber is working on the case, but also using this as an opportunity to find out what happened to her sister.

This is my first book from Steena and I have mixed feelings. The plot was entertaining and propelling. It kept me mostly engaged, but it did slow down in the middle. The writing felt rushed and almost amateur. The dialogue didn’t feel natural and the descriptions fell flat a lot of the time. The ending was a little unsatisfying, but that could be to help facilitate a sequel in the future.

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.