2026 ARC Reviews

Spoiler-free early reviews of the most anticipated upcoming releases.

Cover for The Daughter In The Cellar

The Daughter In The Cellar

Yvette Davies

Psychological Thriller • Jul 16, 2026

She had kind eyes. Motherly. I noticed her watching me on the train ride to my college reunion—the one I was already dreading because of my ex. So, when our route was unexpectedly diverted, her offer of a ride felt like a godsend. Until I woke up in the freezing darkness of a steel cage. She wasn't my savior. I was her target. And now, she insists I'm the daughter she always wanted. She had kind eyes. Motherly. I noticed her watching me on the train ride to my college reunion—the one I was already dreading because of my ex. So, when our route was unexpectedly diverted, her offer of a ride felt like a godsend. Until I woke up in the freezing darkness of a steel cage. She wasn't my savior. I was her target. And now, she insists I'm the daughter she always wanted.

4 / 5

Thank you to Joffe Books and NetGalley for providing an advanced copy of this title. Violet kidnapping Florence and locking her in the basement sets a tense stage for this thriller. The premise hooked me right away, and the medium-paced story is told from several different points of view, all unfolding in the present tense. This narrative choice gives the terrifying scenario a strong sense of immediacy, and the medium-length chapters keep the suspense moving steadily forward.
Florence was a tough character for me to connect with. Her mood swings so wildly from one moment to the next that it feels jarring rather than like an intentional response to being held captive. In one scene she is aggressively lashing out at Violet, and moments later they are trading jokes as if nothing happened. It left me confused about how Florence really felt about being held captive and made her sections a bit hard to relate to.
Despite my issues with Florence's erratic behavior, the overarching suspense held my attention. There are several twists near the end and the conclusion wrapped things up quite nicely. If you like multi-POV thrillers, complex captor-captive dynamics, and present-tense suspense, then you will enjoy this book. #TheDaughterintheCellar #NetGalley.

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What is an ARC?

An ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) is a pre-publication version of a book provided by publishers so reviewers can share early feedback. Our spoiler-free reviews help you decide which upcoming titles to add to your pre-order list!

Advance copies reviewed on SpoilThePlot are securely sourced through industry partners, including NetGalley and Inside Story.