2.75 stars rounded up.
I was excited to read this when I read the description so I am thankful to have gotten the ARC for free from Netgalley and Storm Publishing so I can leave my voluntary and honest review.

This book is categories as General Fiction, Mysteries and Thrillers, and True Crime.
It’s technically only 1 of the 3 genres as it is a mystery.
I’m not sure if I’m mistaken on what True Crime is but this is fiction 100%.
I also would classify it as YA. 52% of the book is indeed when the FMC and MMC are teens. After that it switches to 20 years later but the story is so thin that you still feel that you are in the YA world.

Thin is the best word I can use for the plot. Nothing is really developed with the sub plots being very quickly blown through. It’s also a book with a relationship built on nothing. With the exception of saying that the characters are very good looking and the male is a star football player, there is not any other attributes mentioned about the characters or any other reason that they should have spoken.

Lastly as I don’t want to beat too much up on it, it really frustrates me when there is a kidnapping and authors succumb to the trope that the police can’t do anything until a certain time period has past. That’s not reality and it actually harms reality as people actually think you can’t call the police until someone is missing for 24 or 48 hours depending on what has stayed in someone’s head from books and other media.

On the positive side it was a very very quick read as it’s only 289 pages. The premise had so much promise so I don’t understand why it wasn’t developed properly and made into a standard 350-400 page book. I wish this had a better Beta read which could have given feedback to make it the best it could be.

That being said, if you want a quick, fluffy read and like the premise, give it a go when it is published on July 30 2024.

My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars and I rarely round up.

⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again

received as an ARC from netgalley -
such a good, solid domestic thriller! split into two timelines you follow ellie through some insane situations!

I would like to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. It drew me in from the beginning and continued with plenty of twists until the end. I will be recommending this book.

The Girl in the Basement by Eoin Dempsey
Rating: 4/5
Release Date: 30 July 2024

Seventeen-year-old Ellie disappeared after a party with her boyfriend, Josh. Twenty years later, Ellie has rebuilt her life, with the man responsible behind bars. However, when Josh unexpectedly returns to town, they begin to reconnect and confront their shared trauma. Meanwhile, Ellie's seventeen-year-old daughter, Jess, goes missing just a few streets away.

"The Girl in the Basement" delivers a gripping tale that keeps you hooked from start to finish.
While not explicitly categorised as young adult fiction, the book's accessible writing style and swift tempo make it an excellent choice for teenagers curious about the genre.

Set against a backdrop of family secrets and the dangers of snap judgments fuelled by rumours, the novel skilfully intertwines narratives spanning different time periods, all woven together by its complex and well-developed characters.

At its core, the story dives deep into themes of abduction, murder, and deceit, offering a plethora of suspects to keep even the most seasoned thriller enthusiasts guessing. The plot unfolds with a relentless pace, ensuring that suspense and intrigue are maintained throughout.

Overall, whether you're seeking a thrilling read or a captivating escape on a lazy afternoon, "The Girl in the Basement" promises an enthralling and satisfying experience that will leave you guessing until the very end.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and the author, Eoin Dempsey, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.

The Girl In The Basement
By: Eoin Dempsey

5 Stars

This book had me from page one. It enthralled and intrigued. Usually, I give a bit of an overview of the book, but I do not want to mess up the story for the next reader. I just want to brag because this book had me on the edge of my seat. This book was emotional to the point that relating to the characters was easy. The story brought suspense and mystery to every page, and never once was I let down. The storyline is one that hits all the right marks. It was thrilling, paychological, and emotional. The ending well, I sure didn't see it coming, but man, I loved it.

This book just has so many aspects that neatly connect, eventually. You will literally be kept guessing to the last. It was great.

*I want to thank Netgalley and the author for this book in return for my honest review*

Stormi Ellis
Bozundless Book Review😜🫣

The premise of this book truly intrigued me. Unfortunately it spent a lot of time on Josh's life and it just felt really slow for me to get into the action and the plot of the book. I had to DNF as it did not hold my attention.

This is a different genre for Eoin Dempsey, and he has a touchdown with this one! Josh is the new quarterback in town, having moved there after his old girlfriend is murdered. He is cleared of it, but the suspicion is still there. Ellie falls for him, but others try to warn her away. There are so many things going on in this book, but they all work together. The first part of the book is during Josh and Ellie’s high school years and a series of events that change both their lives. The second part of the book takes place 20 years later. I liked how everything comes together, and the real killer is revealed in the end, but it isn’t something that the reader would guess early. The epilog brings the entire story to a great conclusion. I hope the author writes more in this genre!

3.5*
There was a lot going on in this book. Some parts of it were really good, but others I found hard work. I struggled with the believability of some areas of the story line, and found myself thinking ‘why would anyone ever do that?’ Having said that, I did also find myself wondering what would happen next and reading on when I should have been getting some sleep. I’m sure this book will appeal to many people. It just wasn’t quite right for me.

Ellie is kidnapped from a party when she is a teenager. she manages to escape and rebuild her life, but 20 years later her daughter is kidnapped. it will keep you guessing.

I thought this story was more about Ellie 20y after and the vanishing of her daughter but until about the 50% mark it was a high school heavy story - so I felt a tiny bit disconnected with that. And it was quite Football heavy which for an European was hard to follow and also not quite as interesting.

After the 50% the story switches to 20y later and it follows basically the same people just older while trying to rescue Jessica. It was a fun read with some twist I haven't seen coming.

Would say it's still more of a YA book.

Thank you Netgalley.

Ellie was enjoying a party with Josh, the star quarterback of her high school team, when suddenly she was abducted and locked in the basement of an old home. Her life was soon in danger when the building was set on fire, but she managed to escape.
Twenty years later, Ellie is reunited with Josh when he returns to town after his NFL career is over. After a lovely dinner with Josh, Ellie returns home to find that someone has broken into her house and that her seventeen-year-old daughter is missing. Ellie becomes panic-stricken as she relives the similar events surrounding her own abduction, believing they are identical to her daughter’s situation. Ellie races against time to uncover the long-hidden shocking secrets and lies that will save her daughter's life.

Name of Book: The Girl in the Basement
Author: Eoin Dempsey
Genre: Mystery/Thriller, True Crime
Publisher: Storm Publishing
Pub Date: July 30, 2024
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pages 283

Story starts twenty years ago when Ellie was seventeen and excited for her Senior year. Josh Thomas transferred to Lower Merion High School and everyone is excited about his quarterback talent as well as his past. His past is - his girlfriend Rachel was murdered and although Josh was being cleared there are some who still wonder.
Ellie doesn’t believe the rumors and she starts dating Josh. Things are going well for them. However, when Ellie disappears from a party and the last person who saw her was Josh doubt once again immerges.

Ellie was being held hostage in- you guessed it - a basement and is able to escape.

Now twenty years later Ellie has moved on from her nightmare and her captor is behind bars. She has a daughter of her own - Jess.
As Ellie was leaving her therapy group one day, she is surprised to see Josh.
They reconnect and try to make sense of what happened that night.
However, when Ellie’s seventeen year old daughter Jess is kidnapped, the fear is Ellie’s trauma is repeating itself. How and why is this happening again?

This story was great. I honestly did not have a high expectation when I started it.
However, it turned out to be the great thriller. I definitely will read another Eoin Dempsey story.
I typically read the blurb about an author I haven’t read before first but in this case I read it after I read the book.
It states – he wasn’t discouraged with the over hundred and fifty rejections he received from publishers in fact, he pinned them to his wall.
I now love his story even more!!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this early eGalley.
Pub Date scheduled for July 30, 2024.

I found it interesting to experience such a big time hope half way through but it actually worked well and the investment in the characters was well done. It did mean you didn’t feel totally invested in either version of Ellie as there wasn’t as much time to build but I did enjoy the twists and the ending was satisfying.

received as an ARC from netgalley -
such a good, solid domestic thriller! split into two timelines you follow ellie through some insane situations!

📚 PRE-PUBLICATION BOOK REVIEW 📚

The Girl In The Basement By Eoin Dempsey
Publication Date: July 30, 2024
Publisher: Storm Publishing

📚MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
(Rounded up to 5⭐)

📚MY REVIEW:

The Girl in the Basement is a fast-paced, thrilling adventure that keeps you guessing until the very end! This was a quick read that was really enjoyable, captivated my interest, and kept me on my toes.

The writing was somewhat reminiscent of a young adult thriller. It wasn't that the content wasn't mature, because it was, but the writing just flowed so quickly and effortlessly that it was an easy, fun read. The suspense in this one was great and I wasn't sure what way the book was going to turn out until it was just about done. As I got to know the characters, I questioned nearly everyone's guilt at some point in the story. I loved the way Dempsey brought to light the family secrets we try to keep behind closed doors, and the way we often judge people's character based solely on suspicion and rumor. I also really enjoyed the way different events, spanning across different time periods, were connected together through the characters in the book.

If you are someone who loves thrillers about kidnappings and murders and betrayals -- with lots of potential suspects in the mix -- I think you will really enjoy this one. And even though it's not listed as a young adult thriller, I absolutely think it could be a book that would be a great read for a teenager who is curious about the thriller genre. Because this was such a fast read, I think it would make the perfect beach read or lazy summer afternoon book, too!!

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the pre-approval of this advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest review! **This is available to request on NetGalley until the end of July!**

#TheGirlInTheBasement #EoinDempsey #NetGalley #ARC #greatreads #bookreviews #bookrecommendations #thrillerlovers #thrilleraddict #mysterybooks #bookcommunity

Wow, what a twist! The blurb for this story was, however, a little misleading. The first 60% is about teenage Ellie. The story opens with Ellie waking up in the basement after being abducted. Then moves back several months to the first time she meets Josh, how they start dating, her suspicions and concerns about Josh's previous girlfriend, and Ellie's support of Josh during some traumatic events in his life at the time. It all leads up to Ellie's abduction and her escape. Then the story jumps 20 years forward. Ellie as an adult with a 17 yr old daughter of her own. Josh makes a reappearance in her life and they slowly start seeing each other again. Then Ellie's daughter is taken and its a race against time to find her. They have very few clues considering Ellie's abductor is still in prison. The teenage timeframe is really important regarding the abduction of Ellie's daughter and brings about a mind blowing twist. Fast paced, well written and a great read!
Thanks to Netgalley, Storm Publishing and Eoin Dempsey for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Calling all Football thriller fans , this is a read for you !!

“Twenty Years ago she was taken and now her daughter is next “!

Coming in at 283 pages this is a short read that reads more like a Teen YA Suspense Drama with a little bit of thrill!!

Read this if you like :
* Dual Time Lines
* Likeable FMC
* Quick Reads
* Football
* Kidnapping based Crimes

The Girl in the Basement starts off strong with Ellie who has been kidnapped and is in a basement of some kind and we can hear here thoughts and then jumps into the back story of how she got there .

Ellie the main character in the first time line is 17 and I found her very sweet and likeable and gets along with everyone including her family and siblings.

When a new student comes to the school Josh ,he is the high school football star and the rumours flying around are that his former girlfriend that was murdered , Josh was accused of killing her but was found innocent , now Josh has eyes only for Ellie . 👀

The story spends a lot of time about 50% on Josh’s life and we spend a lot of time at the football games leading up to the night Ellie is kidnapped, and I felt this part dragged on for me and her escape was quick and rushed for my liking .

Then we find ourselves in present day and now Ellie is a single mom with a 17 year old and out of the blue Josh shows up in town and there seems to be “sparks “ in the air and Ellie must decide if she wants to proceed with this old romance or will it bring back nightmares and old trauma from so long ago ?? Not only that ….now her daughter Jess is missing !!

Now with her daughter missing will Ellie leave things up to the law to find her daughter or will Ellie take matters into her own hands and do what it takes to find her ? You must read to find out for yourself!

This was definitely a slooow burn suspense and for me everything felt rushed when it came to the plot twists leaving no element of surprise, however considering this is more of a Teen YA read I do think young readers will really enjoy this one as it kind of gives Riverdale Vibes. The author did throw in some red herrings so if you like to be mislead then you'll like these twists !

Thank you so much NetGalley , Storm Publishing and Eoin Dempsey for this ARC!

Respectfully Another Read by Angie

Wow. This book was really good.
You will love this book. Just pick it up and start reading!

From being a child to adulthood and then being a mom you get so much out of this book.

I can’t wait to read more by this author.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book but I feel like an important Part was missing. After Ellie escapes and the trial should have been included. The Book kind of stopped and picked up later and felt off. Great
Unexpected ending though.

This was my first book by this author and unfortunately, it was a disappointment. It is a slow read with chaotic writing (multiple inconsistencies), lacks depth and research. The insignificant football dialogue was excessive. The superficial characters actions were foolish and unrealistic. The police were portrayed as being inept and a minimal presence throughout which doesn’t make sense since there were several crimes.
This is more a young adult book than an “adult” thriller in my opinion.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.