Thank you Netgalley, Vaseem Khan, and Mobius for this ARC in exchange for my review!
Though it is lengthy for a thiller, this story in its whole was extremely fast paced and attention grabbing. This story swaps points of view between teenage killer (now adult) Orianna Negi and forensic psychologist Annie Ledet.
Because of the length of this book, Annie's chapters felt unnecessary at times, but overall did create the sense of Orianna being an unreliable narrator. Her chapters are necessary in tying the end of the story neatly together however.
The last fourth of the book had me back and forth trying to figure out 'who-dunnit' and the last 2 chapters had me shocked! I still don't know what I believe in the end!
This story is full of religion, rape, incest, old money, and racism, and will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew.
Overall I truly loved this book and will be recommending it to others!

This had an intriguing setup, a true crime celebrity accused of murder with no memory of the night it happened. As a forensic psychologist digs into her past, secrets tied to power, race, and family slowly unfold.

It’s definitely a slow burn, and the book felt longer than it needed to be. There are a lot of characters to keep track of early on, which can be confusing, but once you get the hang of it, the story becomes easier to follow.

The themes are strong and the mystery kept me curious, but the pacing dragged and some moments didn’t hit as hard as they could have. Still, it’s a layered story that will appeal to fans of psychological thrillers with a deeper focus.

The Girl in Cell A is my first read from this author, but certainly won’t be my last.The story centers on Orianna Negi, the titular “girl in cell A,” who has spent 18 years in prison for the murder of Gideon Wyclerc—a crime committed when she was just 17. Adding to the mystery, Gideon’s daughter, Grace, disappeared that same night and was never seen again. Despite serving nearly two decades, Orianna has always maintained her innocence, though she has no memory of what truly happened. Throughout her incarceration, she’s been under the care of forensic psychologist Annie Ledet, who’s determined to break through Orianna’s amnesia and uncover the truth—no matter how devastating it might be. Annie’s reports give us insight into their complicated relationship and Orianna’s fragile mental state.

This is one of those books you’re better off going into as blind as possible, so I’ll tread carefully. Told through a dual timeline, the narrative shifts seamlessly between the past and present, each timeline carefully placed for maximum impact. Various plot threads start out separately but gradually intertwine as the story builds toward its dramatic conclusion—delivering twists, shocks, and surprises along the way.

Eden Falls, the novel’s setting, feels like a character in its own right. The town’s secrets, atmosphere, and dark undercurrents are integral to the story’s haunting mood. It’s a place you’ll want to explore (warts and all) without spoilers. The characters themselves are well-drawn, flawed, and deeply human. I was immediately drawn to Orianna, eager to follow her journey as she fights to prove her innocence. I also appreciated the cast’s complexity—many were frustrating, morally gray, and not particularly likeable, yet completely believable. It’s one of those stories where you find yourself loving to hate them, unable to look away from the emotional wreckage unfolding on the page.

The novel’s structure, with alternating perspectives between Orianna and Annie, took a few chapters to fully settle into. Initially, I found it a bit disorienting shifting between “then” and “now,” but once I adjusted, the narrative’s rhythm pulled me in. My one criticism is that the book felt a little too long at times—some parts dragged or felt repetitive—but overall it moved at a steady enough pace to keep me hooked.

What impressed me most was how authentically the author captured two strong, believable female voices. Honestly, I was in awe that these characters were crafted by a male writer—they felt so genuine and fully realized. The psychological depth and emotional nuance were compelling throughout.

This is a twisty, intricate thriller, one that loops back on itself: just when you think all the pieces have clicked into place, the author re-scrambles the puzzle. The ending is clever, unsettling, and left me questioning everything I thought I’d figured out. Even after finishing, I was still piecing things together—which may frustrate some readers, but I appreciated the lingering uncertainty.

All in all, The Girl in Cell A is a dark, smart, and twist-filled read. I’d recommend it to fans of slow-burn psychological thrillers that keep you guessing until the very end.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.