REVIEW: The Girl in Cell A by Vaseem Khan

The world knows her as the girl in Cell A. Convicted of murder at seventeen, infamous killer and true crime celebrity Orianna Negi has always maintained her innocence.

But if she didn't kill Gideon, then who did?

Orianna has a blind spot over that fateful day: she can't remember what happened. Forensic psychologist Annie Ledet is tasked with unlocking the truth.

Review:

A small town conspiracy with world shattering consequences that will make you feel like one of the suspects yourself, meet the girl in cell A.

This atmospheric, beautifully written story holds a layered, complex mystery full of betrayal, corruption and murder - one that delves into the sins of powerful people and shows how far their darkness can spread. There was an almost haunted feel to Eden Falls, as though the town was a supporting character itself.

We straddle the before and after, hearing from the psychotherapist and the accused as they try to assess if Orianna is really ready for release or if she’s delusional and the moments of strange freedom afterwards as she looks for the truth. A mixture of short, well paced but quiet chapters and simply beautiful vivid writing made for an easy and captivating read. A mix of religious iconography and oligarchs made for a juxtaposed but reverential feeling, something isolating.

It’s quiet, patient, understated in its intensity as Orianna attempts to retrace her steps, find the truth, untangle her own trauma while investigating the powerful family of her supposed victim and her growing list of suspects. The definition of twist within twist, I very nearly stopped reading and dropped a few stars off when I thought I’d found the final answer but even then Khan had something else hidden, ready to surprise you.

"Here is where things break down, where we encounter the 'innocent prisoners dilemma'. If Orianna is innocent, pleading guilty - finally fessing up - might get her out early. But if she pleads guilty, after all these years of claiming her innocent, how will that affect her?"

There was clearly careful research put into creating this, looking into forensic psychotherapy and psychology, dissociative amnesia and media sensationalism. For a moment I was worried this was going to be another book that demonises the mentally ill and uses them just as a plot point, but it turns around in a spectacular way. Annie also makes some highly relevant observations about the failings of the justice system to bring rehabilitation and reintegration, as well as the way class, race and religion can shape the perception we hold of people.

A riveting and twisty tale that any thriller lover will absolutely eat up.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Girl in Cell A will be available from May 1st with Hodder & Stoughton. I received a reviewers copy of this title.
Content includes implied incest and sexual assault, murder and guns.

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