Member Reviews
This was a great and twisty read. Perfect for spooky season with the atmospheric vibes. Thank you for the advanced copy, would recommend
An incredibly creepy story, Something In The Walls, is a book that will keep you guessing as you wade, terrified, towards the finish line.
A story of unnamed mental illness or paranormal activity, that is yours to discover. A short, quick read I enjoyed the journey this novel took me on.
For my more in depth, spoiler free review you can check out my youtube video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KE0zYKMiUus
Review of Uncorrected Digital Galley
Child psychologist Mina Ellis, planning her wedding to Oscar Simmons, meets a journalist, Sam Hunter, in her grief group. She’s still mourning her brother, Eddie, who died at the age of fourteen. Mina blames herself for his death.
Sam tells Mina about a story he’s working on: a seemingly-possessed thirteen-year-old girl named Alice Webber. He convinces Mina to travel with him to Banathel; after all, who would be best to determine if the girl’s behavior was the real deal or just an act?
But Mina is not quite prepared for what she discovers. Is Alice truly haunted by a witch in the bedroom chimney? Or is there something more sinister waiting to be discovered?
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Set in Britian in the summer of 1989, this creepy tale is filled with suspense, mystery, and horror. With well-drawn, believable characters, a strong sense of place, and a chilling plot, the unfolding story looks at superstition and how it affects everyone.
Decidedly dark, readers will find themselves pulled into the telling of the tale from the outset. Alice’s haunting is at the center of the story, a story that will leave readers wondering if she’s experiencing something supernatural, or if there’s something else . . . something dastardly . . . at the heart of her problem.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this eBook from St. Martin’s Press / Minotaur Books and NetGalley
#SomethingintheWalls #NetGalley
I was excited to receive this as an ARC! I went in blind not knowing what to expect and absolutely loved this book.
Brief summary: child psychologist Mina is given the opportunity to observe a young girl, Alice, who claims to be haunted by a witch.
At first, I was thinking it was giving Yellow Wallpaper vibes (IYKYK); however, it soon transformed into some religious witch hunt horror story! I could not listen to this book at night because I got so spooked. This could be a great spooky time read, even though the setting is a heat wave in Britain.
Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy. The main character Mina is a just graduated child psychologist who is struggling with guilt over the death of her brother 7 years earlier. She’s a bit of a lost child herself. When she gets offered the chance to evaluate a teenage girl who is supposedly conversing with the dead, she jumps at it. Her divided loyalties between science and superstition is the underlying theme of the whole book. I really enjoyed the tension of that. Although there’s a pretty tidy ending, the author still leaves a little doubt. How much is “real” and how much is “magic”
Overall, a good mix of horror and thriller with good pacing
Psychology has always interested me (especially child psychology), so I snatched this book up right away when I read the synopsis. Unfortunately, it didn't delve deeply enough for my tastes, as I would have loved for the child psychologist, Mina, to focus more on diagnosing her patient.
Honestly, it sometimes felt as though Mina didn't really need to be a child psychologist in particular and could instead have any job that could be involved in the case, such as another journalist or even a plain old clinical psychologist or crisis counselor. While she didn’t spend as much time with Alice, the supposed afflicted girl, I did like her interactions with the rest of the cast. While some of them could be a little annoying, I thought that they were, for the most part, realistic.
I was able to figure out the driving force of the mystery at around 54% into the story, but I liked how the author kept me guessing, as I was unsure how things would pan out.
While there were still a few unanswered questions, I thought it was an overall solid thriller novel and worth a read if you have a chance, especially if you happen across it in your local library!
Unsettling and eerie. This was an interesting book! Mina is a child psychologist, recently engaged, grieving her brother’s death, looking for closure in an unlikely place. She joins journalist Sam to help Alice, a teen girl exhibiting strange behavior, purportedly haunted by a witch. Mina is set on helping Alice and debunking any supernatural events, but the strangeness cannot be explained away. When three disturbing deaths occur, Mina may be running out of time to save Alice.
This was definitely a bit darker than I was expecting! It had a horror atmosphere that worked super well and had me immensely intrigued in the plot. I thought Mina was a great protagonist, smart, caring, and level-headed. Using her scientific knowledge to make sense of Alice’s affliction. All the spooky creepy crawly bits were fantastic.
Deeply reflective and slightly shocking history comes to light about Mina’s grief. I thought the author blended the supernatural elements with reality rather well. I enjoyed the twists and reveal, it was tense and suspenseful in the best way.
I’ve had this novel on my tbr list for a while. I was really looking forward to it but I was just left feeling disappointed in the ending.
Most of the novel was really interesting and the author did an excellent job describing the characters and giving detailed descriptions throughout. The ending felt rushed and I would have liked for the author to spend more time connecting the dots with more detail like they did throughout the novel. Thank you u to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review an advanced reader copy of this book.
A newly graduated child psychologist heads to the British countryside to investigate the “haunting” of a young teenage girl. She arrives filled with skepticism, determined to assess any psychological issues she the girl may have.
As she gets more involved with the family motives and secrets are revealed she becomes more and more pulled into the mystery less certain of what is real.
Something in the Walls was an extremely atmospheric, tense, and creepy book!! It kept me on the edge of my seat and looking over my shoulder. The word choices were excellent. Ultimately, this felt like horror. And what is more terrible—the supernatural, the unknown, or mankind?
I recommend this book to fans of other books about unique children, like The Wonder, or those who just wanted to be spooked and questioning, as in We Used to Live Here.
I was provided a copy of this book in exchange for my review, and I thank NetGalley, the author, and publisher for allowing me to read this book.
This honestly was not at all what I was expecting.
That being said, it DELIVERED in the creepy, atmospheric writing!
Hysteria mixed with a small town equals over the top, dramatic, cult-like behavior.
I did enjoy this one but I’m not too sure if I’d recommend it- I was just happy it was over.
I unfortunately did not get to finish the book but got half way through and can not wait to finish it when it comes out. It was so good! I was home alone and totally creeped out by the witch in that fireplace!
Something in the Walls was an easy read, but it wasn't exceptional. It, unfortunately, is a story I will soon forget.
I really wanted to love this. It was hard to get past the constant use of the main characters' name. I felt the story was slow for a suspense/thriller and I had to start it a few times. Although it reads quick, the pace felt slow.
I found this to be such an easy book to get into. The writing flowed smoothly, and it was so creepy and had me guessing throughout the entire book. I think this is more of a 4.5 star for me because I did think the middle dragged a little bit, but once that ending hit, I was fully focused on the craziness that was unfolding. I could have clapped at the ending!!
A psychologist heads to Cornwall to determine if a teenage girl is suffering from mental health issues or is actually possessed by the spirit of a witch. A story reminiscent of folk horror tales.
*"Something in the Walls"* by Daisy Pearce is a gripping and atmospheric thriller that pulls you right in. The story combines suspense and a bit of horror, with a creepy, unsettling vibe that keeps you on edge throughout. Pearce's writing is sharp and engaging, building tension with every twist and turn. The eerie setting and well-developed characters make the story feel alive, drawing you deeper into the mystery. If you're a fan of chilling tales with a touch of the supernatural, this book will definitely keep you hooked from start to finish!
This started out feeling like an atmospheric slow-burn, but became very creepy and twisty. Some parts were predictable, while others left me wondering. Definite Wicker Man vibes
Something in the Walls by Daisy Pearce is a disturbingly scary novel about a witch hunt in the English countryside. Mina Ellis, newly minted child psychologist and fiancée is pulled into her first job by Sam, a grieving father and journalist. After meeting at a support group for the grief stricken, he entices her with promises of a ghost story; a teenage girl in Banathel has been seeing a witch in her chimney, hearing voices, and vomiting up odd bits of hair and black bile. Both Mina and Sam have those on the other side whom they want to reach, but is the best way to do that through this teenager?
This novel is gripping and fast paced. With English countryside superstition and Midsommar vibes, I didn’t want to put it down. It was downright scary at times without being gruesome or heavy handed. I absolutely enjoyed this and want to read more from Daisy Pearce.
Mina is a newly graduated child psychologist, desperate for experience. Sam is a journalist looking for a big scoop. They meet at a bereavement group, and Sam convinces Mina to come with him to assess Alice. Alice is a 13 year old girl, in a remote village who is accused of witchcraft. It is rumoured that she can contact the dead.
This book keeps you reading for the first 2/3 as the tension builds. The villagers are a superstitious lot, some think Alice is evil incarnate while others see her as a miracle who could help them contact their deceased loved ones. Mina is trying to figure out what is real and what isn’t, Alice’s father is scary, and Sam seems to be going off the rails. However, at the 2/3 mark it looses some of the momentum, and I saw the twist coming.
Overall though, it was entertaining and a page turner.
Thank you to Netgalley and St, Martins Press for providing me with an eARC of this book to read and review.
Well, I guess I’m in the minority (what a shock!) because I didn’t think this was anything special.
The beginning of Something in the Walls felt very basic, like a story that’s been told a dozen times before. I was rather bored with the build, but things eventually ventured into creepy territory, which increased my level of intrigue. I don’t think it ever reached its potential, though, and it ultimately proved to be a rather standard thriller, which is not what I want when folk horror is promised. It wasn’t a complete disappointment, but it didn’t satisfy me either.
Daisy Pearce‘s writing is lovely, but her superfluous use of similes really did get on my nerves. There are other potent ways to paint imagery for readers, and I do wish she had been more creative with that.
My other annoyance was with the side story regarding the main character and her fiance. I did not feel it added anything to the story at all. This could have shifted toward its unsettling aspects so much faster without all of that filler.
I am immensely grateful to Minotaur Books, NetGalley, and Macmillan Audio for my copies. All opinions are my own.