Women were picked off one by one during the witch trials. We all know it is men who cannot face up to their own ill feelings so they blame their shortcomings on women. This book was such a book. A fiercely independent woman goes on a search to see if a young girl is haunted. Being a child psychologist she thinks she will be able to get the young girl some help. Right from the first meeting there are strange happenings. It is up to Mina to see if there is any truth to what people are saying. Mina is very skeptical but soon her skepticism is challenged with things that seem to fit a haunting. When the first person Alice comes in contact with suddenly dies, the townsfolk are only too happy to begin saying Alice is possessed with a witch’s spirit. Momentum toward something awful continues to build as the weather is more oppressive. When Mina discovers the horrible truth about the town it is even more horrific than a witch being loose. This author was able to capture the mob mentality well in the words she wrote even when undeniable proof was given to some of the other women. This novel was as heartbreaking as well as the real struggle women have endured since the beginning of time.

Mina is ready for the next stage of her life. She just finished her child psychology degree and is ready to put it to use. She is engaged to a scientist named Oscar and is planning their wedding. In fact, she is supposed to meeting with her caterer when she meets up with a journalist instead.

Mina met Sam in a grief group. She had started going to the group about the death of her brother years ago, and the stress of the wedding, or maybe the intense heat wave holding them all hostage, has brought up the memories again. Sam lost his daughter and wife, and he was looking to the group for some comfort. Sam has been talking to a family in a small town not too far away. Their teenage daughter has been experiencing some physical and mental difficulties, claiming that there is a witch living in their fireplace and looking at her from the spaces between the bricks.

Sam thought that Mina might be able to help the girl, Alice, and help him figure out what is going on in the house for a story he’s working on. The girl has had rashes and lost time, unexplained pains and lost sleep. She’s hearing voices, to the point where she listens to music through her headphones as much as she can. Sam is concerned about her. He’s not sure if she really is haunted, or if she’s delusional, or if there is something going on in the family that’s affecting her the most. But he has a hunch that Mina could help her. And Mina wants to put her degree to work helping this girl.

By the time Sam and Mina show up at the Webbers’ house, the heat wave is almost at its peak. The heat is everywhere. At first, Alice seems like a normal teenaged girl. Her father works at the local slaughterhouse, and she has two younger siblings, a brother and a sister. Her mother Lisa isn’t sure what’s going on either, but she desperately wants to help Alice.

Mina can feel something in the house, a presence, a mineral smell, a sweetness that reminds her of marzipan. But that doesn’t mean that she believes there is anything supernatural going on. She and Sam ask questions of family members, meet some neighbors, observe Alice. There are some people outside the house, wanting Alice to get answers for them about a missing son or unsolved crime. There are candles and photos, and hints that Alice may be a witch.

But when another teenaged girl ends up in the hospital, the town turns on Alice, blaming her for what happened. The people waiting outside with questions turn into an angry mob demanding answers. Mina digs into the history of the town, which was known for hunting and testing witches. But Mina has to figure out if Alice is a victim of the town’s mythology or being possessed by a the spirit of a witch that this town is unusually prepared to cast out.

Something in the Walls is a creepy thriller that is both inventive and a callback to witch hunt books of the past. There are layers of secrets through the town, and the race to figure out the answers adds suspense and intrigue to the ghost story. This book is smart, with questions that make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up but offer a satisfying ending.

I am not a big horror fan, but there was something about this book that drew me in. And it was worth it. The story is excellent, and the characters are very strong. The witch mythology of the town is fascinating, and brings a depth to this story, from the witch’s bottle to the hag stones to the stories of old witch hunts. This book is a lot of fun for fans of creepy witch stories, any time of the year.

Egalleys for Something in the Walls were provided by Minotaur Books through NetGalley, with many thanks.

I struggled with this one. I couldn't connect to the characters, the plot became a little convoluted, and it just didn't creep me out the way I was hoping. I wasn't captivated by anything until around 70%. I wish we could have had more backstory for some of the characters and relationships.

Something in the Walls was eerie and melancholic. I was not able to finish it the first time I picked it up because I was already kind of feeling low emotionally and this book FILLED ME with dread. That is a huge compliment to the author because it evoked REAL emotion in me. I am not a regular horror reader; I pick them up here and there when the synopsis speaks to me and WOW. Daisy Pearce was able to slowly reveal the truth of the haunting town of Benathal and end the story in a fever pitch of hysteria.

Mina is a brand new child psychologist and is ready to get started in her field. She finally gets a promising lead when journalist Sam Hunter enlists her help with a young girl named Alice Webber who claims she is being haunted by a witch Is she? Alice hears something in the walls. What does she hear? Mina wants experience in her field and Sam really wants a sensational story, so the two take a trip to Banathel, a town with a dark history relating to witchcraft and superstition.

There are supernatural events that take place. The town of Banathel is not a place I would want to visit. It is a horror novel that has done an excellent feeling of dread throughout it popping up at different times. It is creepy and disturbing. I enjoyed this horror novel.

Not for me. I found the characters to be extremely unbelievable, for example, how could a licensed psychologist be so daft? Good premise, but I couldn’t get into it.

Something in the Walls combines the horror of Shirley Jackson with the feeling of impending horror that reminds of Joyce Carol Oates rolled up into folk myth.

When a journalist and psychologist visit a remote village called Banathel to investigate reports of a teen girl who is supposedly a witch, they are not prepared for what they find. It's a town inured in the history of witchcraft and the barbaric means by which the townspeople "cure" young girls. But is it possession or is it human evil? That's what Mina and Sam must discover, while putting their personal traumas aside. But after their arrival, they become deeply enmeshed in the incomprehensible horror and ritual.

While the book bogged down initially, there were some truly scary scenes. I am left with some unresolved questions, and the ending was (probably intentionally) not what I was expecting, but the creepiness of this book still haunts me, and that, to me, is the sign of good writing. I can't wait to see what Daisy Pearce has in store for us next!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for keeping me awake at night with an advance reader's copy.

Something in the Walls by Daisy Pearce is an absolutely captivating thriller that grips you from the very first page and never lets go. This novel masterfully blends suspense, mystery, and an eerie atmosphere that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. The story follows a protagonist who uncovers disturbing secrets about her new home, leading her to question her own perceptions of reality and the dangers lurking in the walls.

Pearce’s writing is sharp, immersive, and incredibly atmospheric. She does an excellent job of building tension and creating a sense of dread, with every creak in the house or strange sound raising the stakes. The pacing is perfect, steadily drawing the reader deeper into the mystery while unveiling twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end. The characters are well-developed, particularly the protagonist, whose emotional journey is both compelling and relatable.

What truly stands out in Something in the Walls is its atmosphere. Pearce creates a world that is haunting and unsettling, and the reader can’t help but feel the weight of the house’s secrets. The novel expertly explores themes of isolation, fear, and the unknown, making it a thrilling psychological experience.

The final twist is nothing short of brilliant, providing an ending that is both satisfying and thought-provoking. Something in the Walls is an unputdownable read, perfect for fans of atmospheric thrillers and spine-tingling mysteries. It earns a solid 5-star rating for its exceptional pacing, thrilling suspense, and unforgettable, haunting atmosphere. A must-read!

Fantastic book. Beautifully written, great plot, loved the characters. I am so happy to have read this, I really enjoyed this one! I hope there are more to come from Daisy Pearce because the way that this author writes is my cup of tea.

An unsettling story of a child psychologist intent on helping a young girl who seems to think that a witch is haunting her. The atmosphere that was created in this book was super creepy and I personally didn't care for the vibe that it gave me. I'm not one to be easily sensitive, but I think it was the mix of a child and witch.

Overall, I thought the mystery was fine, but it wasn't really for me by the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the gifted e-ARC.

This horror story is full of the creeps! Fast-paced and exciting, Something in the Walls was hard to put down. If you enjoy folklore, tension, suspense, and dread, this book is for you!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book.

Daisy Pearce’s Something in the Walls is a gripping and atmospheric thriller that expertly blends psychological suspense with supernatural elements. The novel follows Sarah, who moves into an old house hoping for a fresh start, only to discover that something sinister lurks within its walls. As eerie occurrences escalate, Sarah is forced to confront the dark history of the house—and her own past.

Pearce crafts a chilling, slow-burn mystery with vivid descriptions that make the setting feel oppressively real. The creeping dread builds with every page, and the story keeps you questioning what’s real and what’s imagined. While the plot unfolds at a measured pace, the eerie tension and compelling character development keep it engaging.

Perfect for fans of haunted house thrillers with a psychological twist.

Horror isn’t usually my choice for reading material. But, the description of this book by Daisy Pearce was just too intriguing to pass up. It’s a solid, creepy book about Mina, an inexperienced child psychologist who agrees to help Alice, a teenager who appears to be haunted by a witch. She travels to Banathel with a journalist who’s covering the story of the girl, her family, and their village that’s shrouded in superstition and tradition.

Something in the Walls has a great premise, along with a creepy setting and good characters. There’s a certain sense of desperation that pervades the story – not only with Alice and her family, but the residents of Banathel as well. While I found this all compelling, the pace of the story bothered me, as well as the way it seemed to judder from past to present. At times the story lagged, while there were other instances when events seemed hurried and sometimes without a lot of explanation. This made me feel unsettled, which may have been the author’s intent.

In the end there are many answers that are only alluded to and it left me feeling a little frustrated. The ending was also less than satisfactory nor what I expected. NetGalley provided an advance reader copy.

This book was engaging from the beginning, I found it to be a quick read that slowly builds and ultimately leads to a suspenseful and tense ending. Mina is a child psychologist who agrees to evaluate young teen Alice who believes a witch is haunting her. It had some elements of witchcraft and folklore which I enjoyed. Spooky vibes that were eerie and contributed to a witchy horror atmosphere. I would read this author again.

This story is told by Mina in first person. Mina studied child psychology but hasn’t been successful in getting experience to secure a position in her field. Her fiancé Oscar prompts her to start attending her grief group again after she thinks she sees her dead brother in a photo. She meets a grieving father in the group who works as a journalist and is following the story of a girl in a remote village in Cornwall that claims to be haunted by a witch. Despite her fiancé’s disapproval, Mina accompanies Sam to visit the girl, named Alice, and help her through what she believes is a psychological crisis.

I started with the audiobook, which was narrated by Ana Clements. This was my first audiobook listen by this narrator. I found the narrator’s voice for the characters to be pleasant and distinctive, and though I found the story to be atmospheric in this format, I made the decision to switch to the ebook due to distraction, which I felt was minimizing both the story and atmosphere for me. It worked much better for me in this format, whether that is because of my mood, I’m not sure.

This story is just as much about the village as it is about Alice and her affliction, or however you want to view her haunting/psychological trauma. I have an affinity for stories where there is a question about paranormal or realistic cause and effect. The characters in this village can be described as personable, remote, cold, and secretive often all wrapped up in one. I loved the atmosphere of the setting in the remote village and especially the descriptions of the dilapidated cottages with ominous chimneys, which made for a few suspenseful moments.

I was a bit frustrated with the story at times since it seemed like Mina spent more time navigating the people surrounding Alice than she did with her patient. Not to mention the time she and Sam spent with their own ulterior motives in investigating the paranormal due to their personal shared grief. While the climax made me scream at Mina a few times there’s also an intrinsic horror here in how realistic the outcome could be as the story brings the reader full circle into the resolution.

Recommended to readers that enjoy a witchy story and the psychology surrounding witch trials.

Thank you to Netgalley and Minotaur Books for a copy provided for an honest review.

I went into this book after reading the description very excited. But wow there was a lot going on in this book. Was kind of confused about her and her husbands relationship after she left to go help the family and were never in any contact. As you get further into the book it gets creepier and more disturbing. So it kept getting higher and higher, peaking my interest. The possession and unexplained things that happened I loved them and kept wondering how why what. But at the end of the book I felt like I had a lot of left over questions that I really needed answered. It was a good over all book with all the creeping feelings. Would make a good fall read and a book club discussion book! Thank you to the publishers and netgalley for the read in turn for my honest opinion. 4 star read

Thank you to the publisher for the digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

There were moments that captured my attention, but the pace felt a bit slow, and at some points felt a bit predictable. I think the plot started strong but unfortunately had a bit of a lack luster finish.

Thank you Netgalley for giving me the ebook version of this book!
I enjoyed the premise; it gave The Conjuring meets Sixth Sense.
My one complaint is that the ending felt a bit lacking. I wasn’t surprised by the outcomes and was left with a few unanswered questions.



————-SPOILERS—————-

I would have liked to have one last Sam and Mina scene when she woke up from the hospital (or a mixed media piece of Sam's article showing his final thoughts)

I appreciated all the historical tidbits and lore planted around the story; it really added to the eerie vibe

Why did Mina have to kill Bert at the end?? I didn’t care for that ending. Also, if he did recover wouldn’t he be going to jail for child abuse and murdering his wife? he could have gotten justice that way and now Mina is responsible for murder too.

I loved the tension between scientific fact and supernatural occurrences. Everyone has different opinions of what was happening and the plot helped draw these out.
- The seemingly rehearsed interviews
- Alice’s dad seeking out the publicity
- the mobs and graffiti
- belief in witches
- delusion
But then none of these tensions were addressed??!? Why did we not get any answers about Alice and the witch? Is she ok now? Was the haunting real? Was it all in her head?

Well hello you creepy little book!! 😍 This book had a pub day this week! 🥳 Thank you so much @minotaur_books #smpinfluencers for my gorgeous gifted copy!! 🥰 I mean.. look at this cover! 😳

This was a horror book that slowly built an atmosphere that kept me pretty much freaked out the entire time. 😬 It was oozing with dread and an underlying sinister feeling. 😵‍💫

Mina who is a child psychologist may have gotten in over her head. In fact… this is her first case.. and it is… a challenge…😬… She found herself in a small town surrounded by a community that believes that witches .. 🧙‍♀️…spirits.. curses are all around… the are convinced that a young girl is possessed.😳 Are they right?? Get the hell out of town Mina!! 🏃‍♀️ She didn’t… I tried to warn her🤦‍♀️🤷‍♀️

That ending!! 😳😳😳 I never saw it coming!!

2.5 stars

Something in the Walls by Daisy Pearce had a very tense and creepy beginning. Mina, a newly graduated child psychologist, travels to a small town for her first case involving thirteen year old Alice who believes she is haunted by a witch. There are some menacing townspeople and strange happenings. The setting is creepy and atmospheric. But something wasn't right with this book. I felt like Mina didn't spend time with Alice and tried to write off the things happening as something else. The creepy townspeople were never really mentioned again and nothing else interesting happened in the plot until the last 10% of the book. It felt like I was reading two different books and I was disappointed. Maybe horror just isn't for me? Or maybe this book wasn't well written...It does have a number of great reviews so I encourage anyone who likes creepy, atmospheric horror stories to give it a go.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.