First off, props to the creepiest cover I have seen for awhile! Very unsettling and that got me so excited to read this! And for the first part, it was all that I hoped for. Many creepy hints that something was wrong and it definitely seemed supernatural, especially with Mina and Sam searching that abandoned house and finding what they found. Plus Alice did a fantastic job of seeming off, and when the body count started rising, I had to keep reading to see what the truth was and if anyone was going to get out alive and sane. Sadly though the story took a sharp turn and fizzled into something that was not what I expected and also vaguely disappointing after all that build up. That was a real shame.

So I rate this four stars for the first half and 2 stars for the ending (except for what Mina does at the very end which was kinda satisfying.)

I absolutely adored this book and was pleasantly surprised by how entranced I was with the story. I was very excited when I heard it was compared to The Shining and Midsommar, two of my favorite horror movies. After reading this book, I understood what people were saying about the vibes of the book matching up.

This story is witchy and reminded me of one of my favorite authors Camilla Sten. The writing gives spooky and creepy vibes that kept me wanting to know what was happening.

This story starts with a complicated main character, who is going through her own mourning experience. She teams up with a journalist to find a young girl, adding an element of mystery and secrets. I personally love stories that take place in small towns and this story held that troupe.

I recommend this book for people who like the vibes of Midsommar and The Shining, or Camilla Sten's books.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This was a quick listen and read, (yes I read it and listened to it) that went by supper quickly. I overall enjoyed this book, and was pretty entertained by it, however I do have a couple of thoughts that my brain has latched on to.

While I did in general enjoy this book, I feel like it was two separate ideas put together. You have the front part of the book, that is this thriller with a journalist and new psychologist trying to figure out if this girl is really seeing this witch/ possessed or if it is a psychiatric disorder. There's this mystery element to it, while also being like deeply emotionally because both the journalist and the Psychologist have a level of wanting the girl to beagle to communicate with the dead. You meet this whole community, quirks and all, and you have a sense of where it's all going. And then you have this almost occult fever dream side/ idea. * SPOILERS AHEAD * this whole town being down for this ritualistic torture, of girls for years, when seemingly it all steams from this one guy who really just comes off a creepy creepy dude who is working towards becoming a serial killer.
The two ideas could really really work together if they were more blended together. They do work in a way now, but they also feel so separate from each other, and leave the reader with so many more questions than answers. Like how and why did all the things in the beginning half of the book happen, like the maple syrup pour down the wall, was that staged? Maybee if there was more answers at the end the two ideas wouldnt feel so separate. Also I had to suspend quite a bit of disbelief to let go and just be like yeah the whole town no questions asked is okay with it all. Like did they think it was just a show? Do they all deeply believe this witch was possessing people, and that it all of a sudden moved from this girl to the psychologist? The two kids that were killed are we supposed to believe the old man killed them? Are we supposed to believe the witch was partially real? Did the family stage some things?
I’m okay with books not wrapping up in a neat little bow, and being left with questions, but I feel as if I have too many questions, and as if I don’t know what way the book was trying to make me lean.

Overall I thought the writing was done really well, and the characters that we got to know felt real. I cared about the characters and what happened to them, I felt sympathy for the journalist and honestly the girl and her family and everything they were going through. It’s always a good thing when I want to continue seeing characters on the page, and there were multiple characters that I kept wanting to recur and got excited about when they did reappear. I am looking forward to more books by this author, and am excited to see where they go next writing wise.

Thank You NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, Minotaur Books, and the author for this eARC and AudioARC.

I’ve devoured my fair share of horror novels but Something in the Walls by Daisy Pearce is one book I could not read before bed, It was so creepy, like I didn't WANT to know what would happen next, but I NEEDED to know!

When journalist Sam Hunter suggests he and Mina investigate the strange claims of 13-year-old Alice, who believes she’s being haunted by a witch, Mina is hesitant. As a child psychologist, she’s convinced there’s a rational explanation behind Alice's terrifying experiences. But what they uncover is a town immersed in superstition and dark secrets, each more chilling than the last.

I was captivated by the creepy, atmospheric Cornish village—every corner of it oozed unease. The townspeople themselves grew more suspect by the minute. And Alice's dad? He gave me serious chills. Honestly, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong with him, and I loved how that added to the sense of dread

The setting in this book is just one of the many creepy things about it. I usually don't read books in this genre but this one sounded so interesting I decided to give it a try and it certainly didn't disappoint! I can't get these people and their creepiness out of my mind. The writing is so realistically done I could picture every thing in my mind. Just a great book all around. I definitely would recommend to anyone.
Thank you Net Galley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Twisty, way for a witch story. This was so messed up be oh so good. Felt modern and historical at the same time.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this book for review.

The book definitely captured the eerie/creepy Midsommar atmosphere of the small town. Unfortunately, the plot dragged a bit for me and it took me until almost 75% into the book, as things finally started to connect together, to really get invested into the story. I think one of the main things that held me back from feeling invested in the narrative is that many of the main characters are just not that likable and hard to read. Also, as a licensed psychologist, the things that Mina was doing as a recent graduate seemed highly unethical and unrealistic in her approach to helping Alice and her family.

Okay, so aside from thinking, the title doesn't really fit the book(Something in the Chimey doesn't have a good ring, though, so I get it), this book was pretty dang good.

I liked the weird town, I liked our main character(despite her having some majorly bad choices in men), I just liked the entire atmosphere of the book. Grief is such a strange thing, and dare I say, maybe even stronger than love.

I struggled a bit with how to rate this book. It definitely delivered on a creepy, folk-horror vibe and, up to a point, the story was very compelling. The problem I had with it was the ending.

As the story moves along and we follow Mina on her quest to "save" Alice (from herself? from the strange entity in the fireplace? from the residents of her superstitious town? from her own family?) there are many questions and mysteries that arise. While I figured out who the "big bad guy" was from the VERY beginning, that didn't take away from my enjoyment of how the story unfolded. I was intrigued to find out how the "supernatural/horror" element fit in with the evil that humans were committing.

And that's where I was disappointed. The final act and the resolution felt a bit rushed and very much a let down. Perhaps the author was trying to leave some things ambiguous, so readers could draw their own conclusions? But when that is done well, the author weaves in enough concrete "clues" to help push the reader in a certain direction, or even more than one direction. In this case, it just felt like the big questions I had about what was REALLY in the walls was just dropped. Nothing hinted at, no winks, no subtle points in one direction or another. Not even an obvious "draw your own conclusions, reader!" Just a complete abandonment of what had been an integral theme and plot-line of the book.

So despite enjoying several aspects of the story, I would not really recommend it. Things that had been set up as intriguing mysteries just became huge plot-holes. So it's difficult to tell others to read a book when it ends in such an unsatisfying and lackluster manner. I was expecting a big band of a bonfire and I got a lackluster fizzle.

This is horror at it's finest. Something in The Walls combines psychological mystery, childhood terror, and a smoldering, oppressive atmosphere into one of the most unforgettable reading experiences of my life. After finishing this book, I was genuinely hesitant to turn out my lights and go to sleep.

So, lets get into it:

Characters: I felt that the characters and their development were fairly solid. Mina was an interesting enough main character, and I appreciated her psychological view towards the unfoldings of the story. I felt that the combination of her background as a psychologist and her desperation to believe in the paranormal because of her personal history made her a really interesting MC, and I think the author did a great job balancing these two aspects to create the perfect amount of doubt, both for Mina and her readers. The side characters all felt well developed and realistic, and as a whole they really brought together the 'superstitious small town' vibe. I found Bert to be a particular standout, and I really enjoyed him as a twist villain. He was believable as both the sweet, neighborly, old man and as the unhinged zealot, which is essential, because without that believability his character would have completely crumbled. Full credit to Daisy Pearce there; Bert was terrifying! I also appreciated Alice and her interactions with the other teenagers. Giving us a fairly "normal" young girl was a welcome subversion to my expectations, and it made the whole scenario that much more horrific. My only issue in the character department comes with Mina's relationship with her fiance. The disintegration of their relationship was really underplayed, and I think a lot of that had to do with how little we got of the fiance in the story. His total disregard for Mina and her well being felt unrealistically cruel, and overall he, and his entire subplot, felt very half-baked to me. 4/5 for the characters

Story- I truly feel like I got everything I wanted from this story and more, which is impressive considering just how high my expectations were going into this book. I personally find that 'is it/isn't it supernatural' stories tend to hit a sweet spot for me, and Something In The Walls is a prime example of that. Throughout the book I was constantly guessing (and then second guessing) at whether or not there was truly something paranormal at play, and this uncertainty kept me hooked right up until the end. 5/5

Horror- It was unnerving, just how effective the horror in this book was for me. The scene in which Mina visits the old house and senses there is someone in the fireplace watching her? And they find the little shoe?? Pure nightmare fuel. So many of the scenes of this book played out in my head so clearly that I felt like I was watching a horror movie. It's rare that a book scares me, so please note that I don't say this lightly; this book is genuinely one of the most terrifying that I've ever read. The imagery, the atmosphere, even the dialogue lent itself perfectly in crafting this stomach-churning story. The next time someone asks me for a recommendation for a "truly scary story", I will be pointing them in this direction for sure. 5/5

Ending- This is the type of book that will answer some of your questions, and leave others up to you, which is something I appreciate. I know there are readers out there who despise an ambiguous ending, and while I wouldn't necessarily place Something In The Walls into that category, I do acknowledge that for some, this ending might be unsatisfying. But personally, I find that when I am left to make my own conclusions about a story, that story tends to sit with me longer as I turn it over in my mind. I know that I will be turning Something In The Walls over for a long time to come. We are given a true villain to fear, but was that all there was to this story? Or was there truly some dark magic at play? I appreciate that the author is allowing her readers to decide. It shows a level of trust between author and reader that I find to be very important, particularly in horror. 5/5 on the ending.

All in all, I can't praise this book enough. Something In The Walls has secured its spot in my list of favorite horror stories, and I'm sure I will be paying it a reread soon enough. Daisy Pearce, I applaud you, you may have single handedly ruined the allure of owning a fireplace for me. So, thanks for that?

I want to thank Netgalley and the publishers of this story for providing me with a free digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

OK this one was creepy! I loved that I was able to visualize a lot of what was happening in this book. I will say that this book was a bit slow at times, but I think it came together pretty well. I'll definitely be checking out other books by this author. Thank you NetGalley for my ARC. 3.5 or 4 stars (I can't decide yet! LOL!)

Terrifying from the jump! This book is cinematic. I could easily picture everything unraveling on the pages. For fans of folk horror where the unsuspecting couple goes to the creepy village and all heck breaks loose. For fans of traditional witchcraft stories. And for fans of suspenseful horror stories.

I was not a fan of the author's writing style, unfortunately. I found the story slow moving, which made it hard to follow for me.

Thank you, NetGalley, the author, and St Martin's Press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC!!
As a fan of thrilling horror blends, I found Daisy Pearce's *Something in the Walls* to be a good read. Set in 1989, a time when life felt simpler, the story follows Mina, who is on the verge of building a brighter future after overcoming a tragic past. When she agrees to assist a man named Sam in investigating a haunting, Mina, aspiring to be a psychologist, believes she’ll gain valuable real-world experience. However, as they dig deeper in a small town, she quickly discovers that her connection to the case runs much deeper than she ever anticipated. This tale offers a suspenseful and engaging mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat!!

I’m not going to lie, at first I thought I wasn’t going to like this book! Boy was I wrong,

I am new to this author but throughly enjoyed the writing style, One aspect I appreciated was the characters' hidden secrets slowly being revealed. The author masterfully keeps everything open to interpretation until the truth is unveiled. The mystery surrounding each character kept me eagerly turning the pages, craving more information. While I was constantly questioning what was truly happening, the author provided subtle hints along the way. The final reveal was impactful, leaving room for personal interpretation while still providing clarity.

Mina Ellis is still struggling with the death of her younger brother years before. When another member of her grief support group tells her about a girl who claims to be haunted it seems like a good way to get some work experience in her field (child psychology), but part of her also hopes the girl might be able to contact her dead brother. But when they arrive in the remote English village the situation is more complex that Mina is ready for. And when very disturbing events start happening, she's not sure what the truth is.

A must read if you love a paranormal story!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

2.75⭐️
(ARC review) — Thank you to author Daisy Pearce and her publisher Minotaur Books. I received an Advanced Reader Copy for the February 2025 release of 𝑆𝘰𝑚𝘦𝑡𝘩𝑖𝘯𝑔 𝑖𝘯 𝘵ℎ𝘦 𝘞𝑎𝘭𝑙𝘴 in exchange for my honest review. It draws you in, but then it all just felt so random. Set in the 80s it’s Horror, Mysterious and has an Unreliable Narrator. Toss in some witches and ghosts. But kinda just lost me along the way. The story turned pretty brutal and the ending didn’t wrap up anything. It’s definitely creepy but I guess I’m just not into demon possession. Not my thing. This one wasn’t for me.

FAVORITE QUOTES — ‘𝙄𝙩’𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙬𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙗𝙚 𝙖𝙛𝙧𝙖𝙞𝙙 𝙤𝙛, 𝙞𝙩’𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜.’

Something in the Walls by Daisy Pearce is a perfect thriller for anyones TBR, but especially during 'spooky season'. The book is set in a small English town where a girl is accused of being possessed. The main character, Mina, goes to talk to the girl and all the creepy people start to get introduced creating a slew and twist and gasps from the reader. This book had me captured the entire time, with the twist completely catching me off guard. Easily s 4 star read, and I will be recommending it to anyone looking for a thriller. Thank you #netgalley

Do you like questionable choices and communities stuck a century in the past? This is definitely the book for you! Mina is a new child psychologist in a pretty bad relationship who wants to break into the world of psychology and the paranormal. She wants to find proof that will let her believe she may someday communicate with her dead brother. This leads to her making one terrible decision after another. Mina has almost no self-esteem. She lets people drag her around and put her down pretty much constantly. All in the name of trying to get over her guilt over her brother's death. So she stumbles into a possible possession. Then she stays. Mina does seem to grow from her entire experience and makes at least some better decisions as she realizes she is into something much bigger than she imagined.

I am always looking for a REAL ghost story, something that cannot be explained away by a trick of the light or a delusional MC.
This book delivered on the scary, witchy front. I loved the lore and the setting. The ending felt rushed and incomplete - there was really no good explanation given for the main witch plot point.

This book was just ok to me. Not terrible, but certainly not something I'm going to remember reading a month from now. Even though there were elements of horror, nothing really popped or drew me into the story.