The Girl in the Cellar

by Natalie Carter-Giles

Welcome to the Bonavista Peninsula – where rugged cliffs meet quiet coves, old secrets fester beneath the surface, and someone is using forgotten root cellars as tombs.

When the body of a young woman is discovered sealed inside one of these dark, crumbling chambers, fear grips the entire region. Then a second victim is found. The message is chillingly clear: the killer isn’t finished.

Corporal Sunny Bronson and Sergeant Roscoe Pratt of the RCMP’s Major Crimes Division are called in to help hunt down the predator. But Sunny has barely landed before she realizes the danger is closer than anyone thinks – because the victims all look like her.

Haunted by the shocking discovery that her sister’s death may not have been what it seemed, Sunny is torn between two investigations and two provinces. While her lover, Dr. Jackson O’Connor, searches for answers in Nova Scotia, Sunny must face a ruthless killer in Newfoundland – and the ghosts of her own past.

As new evidence surfaces and an investigative journalist stirs up the case, Sunny’s control begins to slip. The lines between personal and professional blur, and a face from her past reappears in the most horrifying way possible.

Now, Sunny isn’t just chasing a killer.

She may be his next obsession.

338 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 13, 2026

About the author

Natalie Carter-Giles is a thriller author from Newfoundland. Her debut, Hunting Helena was voted into the Top Ten most circulated local authors for 2023 throughout Newfoundland and Labrador Public Libraries. She is the warped mind behind the Sunny and Roscoe thriller series (Next To Die, Someone Else's Secret) set in St. John's, Newfoundland, and in various communities beyond the overpass. The next installment, The Girl In the Cellar, is slated for Spring 2026.

Born and raised on the beautiful island of Ramea, Natalie now resides in Deer Lake with her husband and furbaby, Bella.

When she isn't writing her own spell-binding thrillers, you'll often find her chasing villains between the pages of her favorite authors' books. Her free time is spent extracting poisons from her flower garden, wandering secluded trails in search of new places to bury a body or relaxing at her remote cabin in the wilderness - her favorite place to summon the words to fill the pages of her next thriller!

You can connect with Natalie on Facebook @Natalie Carter-Giles, Author or through Instagram @nataliecartergilesauthor She'd love to hear from you!

Reviews

[Justin Matthews]

The Girl in the Cellar absolutely wrecked my sleep schedule—in the best way possible. From the very first chapters, I was completely pulled into Sunny and Roscoe’s world, and the tension just kept building without letting up.

Natalie Carter-Giles has a way of writing that gets under your skin. I found myself genuinely angry at points—not out of frustration with the story, but because of how deeply I was invested in what was happening. The twists hit hard, the pacing was relentless, and just when I thought I could put it down… I couldn’t.

This is one of those books where “just one more chapter” turns into finishing the entire thing in one sitting. Gripping, intense, and impossible to ignore—I’d recommend it to anyone who loves a thriller that keeps you thinking (and feeling) long after you turn the last page.

[Natalie Carter-Giles]

Of course I'm giving myself 5 stars! This book is where my dream of becoming a published author began. It took nearly twenty years, and round after round of edits, but it's finally out there for the world to read. It is the first story I ever wrote and despite it's early versions with all their flaws and inexperience, I've finally turned it into a book I love and a story I'm proud to have written. I hope you love it too!

[Katherine DeLong]

I really enjoyed this book. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves to read a great thriller and anyone else who loves to read. I am extremely claustrophobic. Natalie takes you on a ride you won't soon forget. At times I had to remind myself to breathe. I felt like I was there in every scene. So well written, I could from memory smell the ocean and hear it's majestic roar of waves on the shore. I could feel the fog on my skin. She takes you on a trip leaving you wanting for more. I am looking forward to the next one.

[Reader]

Wish I could give this book more stars, because it’s certainly worthy of more! Another fantastic read in the Sunny and Roscoe series, and it did not disappoint!! Through each page you read, you are pulled into the scene as though are standing among the characters. Smelling what they smell, seeing first hand what they see. Feeling what they feel, especially an overwhelming sense of claustrophobia! It’s as though you are the one sitting in the dark, and the sound is magnified because the fear has you in a terrifying grip. You won’t be able to put this book down, because you just have to see what’s gonna happen next! This series just keeps getting better and better and has become one of my favourite series that I have ever read!! The ending will have you speechless, gasping in shock and screaming for more!!

[Caitlin Giles]

I loved The Girl in the Cellar. One of my favourite parts was getting to continue following the characters, especially Sunny, whose story kept me hooked. The descriptions of the cellar, the ocean and the fear the characters experienced were so vivid that I felt completely immersed in the story. A suspenseful and engaging thriller that was hard to put down!

[Sarah Butland]

An excellent thriller of a book, and love letter to Newfoundland and it's challenging weather.

Shocking, creepy and historic with great characters and plot.

Full review to be posted on The Miramichi Reader soon.

[Chris Ryan]

Another great read from this very talented author. If you haven't read this author's four books-you're missing out! Looking forward to her next publication.

[Debbie]

Another great read by Natalie. Can’t wait for the next one.

[Vicki]

Best one yet!

[Kerry]

What a fantastic read! I can’t wait for the next one.