Some cages are in our minds

Nellie has no memory of life before the cabin. Pleasing Jack and caring for her small daughter are her entire life. Living far in the woods, away from the chaos of the world, keeps them safe. Life is simple. Jack goes scavenging, she stays home and cares for Aster. Above all else, keep Jack happy.

Everything changed when she found the doll.

Then a chance encounter makes her realize life outside the woods may not be what it seems. Her entire life may be built on a lie. Nellie starts to question her past and question Jack.

Jack doesn't like to be questioned. When he threatens Aster, Nellie has no choice but to escape the cage she didn't know she lived in. She must fight for her life and the life of her daughter. How do you escape a cage you didn't know you were in?

★★Book 3 in the gripping Maddison, Indiana Supernatural Thrillers series. Each book may be read alone, but you will get the most enjoyment from reading them in order.

Book 1 - I Killed You Once
Book 2 - Inheriting Elyse
Book 3 - Cage of Invisible Bars
Book 4 - 13 Doors
Book 5 - Jars of Things

Thriller readers, like you, are saying, "This book shook me. I could not stop reading until I found out if Nellie would be okay. Phew, what a ride."

Enjoy this short excerpt:

Now that I know Aster is safe, my body makes its discomfort known. My mouth is dry from hours in the stifling heat, my stomach rumbles. I can live with the hunger, but the heat and lack of water is making me light-headed.

"Do you think you can bring me some water? I'm very thirsty."

Aster seems excited to be able to help in the strange situation. "I can." She sits the doll against the shed wall before she goes. "Elyse wants to stay with you."

Without another word, Aster runs off in the direction of the cabin. "Grass, go with her. Protect her."

The dog doesn't need my prompting, she follows Aster everywhere.

While I wait for Aster, I sit against the wall trying to plan how I'll get the water into the shed. The gaps in the wood are not large enough to pass a cup through. There are gaps between the bottom of the planks and the floor. I kick at one and it breaks open wider, wide enough to pass a cup through.

I kick some more, hoping to break the board loose so I can escape. Another small piece of wood falls away, but the plank holds.

I imagine Anna had tried the same tactics and failed like I did.

How long had she been locked in here if she carved her name in the wall?

A scurrying sound behind me makes me freeze. It's too soon for Aster to have returned. I peak through the gap, but don't see anything outside that could make the sound.

I hear the sound again, turn in the direction it's coming from.

Through the gap in the wall and the floor, I can see the doll leaning against the shed. Sweat drips into my eyes as I watch the doll move to the right.

I wipe at the sweat, sure I'm hallucinating from the heat and dehydration. When I look back, the doll is gone.

Laying flat on the floor, I look out the gap where the doll had sat only moments before. I see tiny plastic legs walking a few steps, then stopping, as if she felt me watching and froze.

Hallucination. Only a hallucination.

I shove away from the view, move to the far side of the shed, putting as much distance between me and the doll as I can.

"I won't hurt you. I want to help."

The words are in my head, only in my head.

I fight panic, fight the hysterical laughter that wants to escape my chest, fight the thought that I'm losing my mind.

I need water.

I scrunch my eyes shut and whisper to the air, "Aster, please hurry."

Find out what happens next, read Cage of Invisible Bars today.