Thank you to NetGalley for the advance review copy in return for an honest review. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book started out so captivating but as it went on it started to really lose me. There were also a lot of grammatical errors that were distracting.

* Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books for an eArc in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own *

This was such an eerie, creepy, deeply atmospheric psychological read. I wouldn't call this scary, but the atmosphere was on point making many scenes uncomfortable to read. I'm not sure I'm sold on the overall explanation. I think there are some points of the story that are unexplained but that may be the point of the book. The story grapples with if it's supernatural or if it's something in reality. I liked the ending but felt the reveal to be a little rushed. However, I would still recommend this to anyone who likes atmospheric witch/haunted house stories.

Ooh, this was so creepy! A really good blend of horror and psychological thriller. I loved the atmosphere (especially with the heat wave) and the isolated feel of the town. And I loved Mina’s strength in continuing to fight for answers. I do wish there had been a bit more clarity at the end in terms of who did what, but overall this was a really great read!

I’m bummed I didn’t like this book more. I really thought I’d love it. A witchy horror from one of my favorite publishing houses really spoke to me, but unfortunately I really didn’t enjoy it.

Mina isn’t very likable, has a train wreck of a relationship, and yet felt very judgy. Sam started out strong but just became so weak. Every other character I either hated or felt badly for them.

I rage-finished this book, and have more questions than answers. The whole book Mina is convinced this is psychological and not a haunting, then it seems to change into making the reader believe it is a haunting, then the ending completely flips the storyline into something completely different (yet no less sinister). I can’t go into specifics without spoilers, but there are so many plot holes and unfinished thoughts.

⭐️⭐️ (I hope, if you read it, you enjoy it more)

Thank you St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks Netgalley for the advanced reader copy! I read this book in one sitting and enjoyed the plot and gave it a solid 4 stars.

In all honesty, I got to Chapter 21 and decided it wasn't worth any more of my time. Over 20 chapters in and literally nothing has happened. I couldn't find anything to keep me wanting to come back for more. I tried to give it the benefit of the doubt, but at the end of the day, this book wasn't for me. DNF after Chapter 21.

Thank you to Minotaur Books and Daisy Pearce for the opportunity to review this ARC prior to release.

0.5/5 stars

This one is hard to talk about without getting into spoiler territory, so I’ll keep this as brief and vague as possible.

I went into this book totally blind (which I do think is best), so I had NO clue where this was going to go. All I know is that I wasn’t expecting it to go in the direction it did as I was reading the first quarter or so of the book. And I’m not sure that I liked the direction it went? I had some questions answered by the end, but I also had soooo many new questions.

I could absolutely feel the atmosphere of dread as I read this one. It’s like when you know something bad is going to happen, but you’re not sure what.

I unfortunately did not care for the main character, Mina 🫠 I found her extremely annoying and thought she failed at her job as a child psychologist because she spends too much time investigating the town rather than trying to help the person she’s supposedly there to help.

I love it when I can easily visualise the book in my head, like a movie... and this was exactly that! It felt like I was really in the book, chapters by chapters.... I liked how it turned out that it was not as paranormal or supernatural as I expected! Good twists and turns!

Something in the Walls has one of the most beautiful covers. I honestly didn’t even see the eye the first couple of times I looked at it. Unfortunately this one was just okay for me. I don’t know what it was but I could never really get into the story like I wanted to. It did have a few parts that would grab my attention and that’s why I kept reading on instead of dnfing. The twist at the end dealing with her brother caught me off guard also. I feel like people will absolutely love this one it just wasn’t for me.
2.5/5 Stars

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for sending me an arc in exchange for my honest review.

This book was so good…until the end.
I felt like I was left with a LOT of unanswered questions; what happened to Alice? What’s up with the wasps? What happened to Mina after the riddance? What were the clicking/gurgling noises? None of these girls were witches, just drugged by Bert, so I felt like nothing made sense.
Overall it was good, but I just needed more.

For me, this book is all dark and creepy vibes: Alice, the teen girl seemingly possessed by an ancient witch; Banathel, a creepy small town with a violent witch-hunting past; and two people, Mina and Sam, drawn together over the grief of their loved ones and a desire to uncover the truth about Alice--is she really a witch like the townspeople claim, or is it all an act?

Mina is a child psychologist seeking a scientific reason for Alice's odd behaviour and so-called connection to the dead. Sam is the journalist who enlists Mina's help to investigate the strange case and share the story with the world.

I was immediately drawn to the concept of this story and the creepy, horror factor definitely resonates. However, there were moments with the main characters that didn't feel fully fleshed out and aspects of the plot that seemed forced or predicable.

Overall, it is a fast read perfect for a Halloween TBR (though it is set in a VERY hot summer), especially if you love stories about witches and witch lore.

Atmospheric period piece that builds the thrills as it goes. Left with some questions I wish had been answered but can't deny that I was turning the pages quickly toward the end!

This was a very captivating thriller. From the 80's setting to the witch lore, I was on the edge of my seat the entire ride. Thank you Netgalley and St. Martins Press for this advance copy!

Part ghost story, part haunted house, partly witchy. This British mystery sounded interesting but just wasn't for me. I couldn't really get into it. I did like the narrator and thought the story had potential but somehow felt like it missed the mark. I was able to listen to the end but was left ultimately underwhelmed. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

Title: Something in the Walla
Series: n/a
Author(s): Daisy Pearce
Genre: Thriller /Psycholigical Thriller/Horror
Publication Date: February 25, 2025
Publishing Co.: Minotaur Books
Length: pages/ chapters 304 pages/42 chapters
Rating: 3.75 ⭐ / 🌶️

Trigger Warnings:

Tropes:

Something in the Walls was my first reading adventure with Ms. Pearce. If you love psychological thrillers, horror, creepy small town reads this book is a must!

****Check back soon for a full review***

I'd like to thank Netgalley, Minotaur Books for an advanced copy of Something in the Walls in exchang for an honest review.

*I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. This review is my own opinion*

This novel by Daisy Pearce delivers an eerie, atmospheric read with a sense of dread and menace as thick as the oppressive heat wave suffocating the village of Banathel. The witchy undertones and dark, unsettling tension kept me engaged for most of the book, making it a unique blend of psychological thriller and horror. However, while the atmosphere was the real star, the pacing and style were less than engaging at times, and I found the audiobook narration dragged the story down rather than enhancing it—this one might be better read than listened to. The first three-quarters had me gripped, but after all that suspense, the ending felt abrupt and took an unexpected turn that left the built-up tension fizzling out. Additionally, some plot points felt implausible, and the main character—a child psychologist who often acted more like a detective—created a disconnect that made it harder to fully immerse myself in the story. While I enjoyed the eerie elements and Pearce’s writing, I didn’t fully click with the characters or plot. That said, Pearce’s talent is undeniable, and I’d still be interested in picking up more of her work in the future. A solid 3/5 stars.

Here’s my review:

Something in the Walls by Daisy Pearce is an atmospheric slow-burn thriller that masterfully blends folklore with psychological horror. Fans of Weyward and The Book of Witching will appreciate its rich exploration of historical lore—riddance ceremonies, hag stones, and old-world superstitions—while those who love a creeping sense of dread will be hooked by its what is happening suspense.

The story follows a young psychologist on her first in-person evaluation, stepping into a case that seems like a routine observation—until the layers of folklore, fear, and something far more unsettling begin to unravel. The tension builds beautifully, creating a gripping mix of history and horror that lingers long after the last page. If you love slow-burning, folklore-infused thrillers with an eerie, immersive atmosphere, this is one to add to your list!

Mina is trying to make a name for herself in the psychology field, so when journalist Sam asks her to go with him to investigate a possible haunting or possession, she can't pass up the opportunity. She has an ulterior motive, though; she wants to contact her deceased brother. When they get there, they see how steeped in folklore and superstition the entire town is, and Mina knows this won't be easy.

The concept for this story was interesting, and I could hardly wait to start reading, knowing I would enjoy it. However, the execution of the story was lacking. Actually, there was just nothing happening. A noise here, Alice being weird and creepy there, some people dying that may be connected to Alice...but everyone is connected in this small town. I was just disappointed with the lack of story revolving around Alice, given the story was about her being a witch.

All in all, if you enjoy character driven stories about witches, possessions, folklore, superstition, or hauntings, then you might enjoy this book. It just didn't work for me.

I liked the idea of the story. I did have a hard time reading it with the amount of times the characters said each others name. It was excessive and hard to get past. Overall I think this would be great to read around Halloween. I would suggest publicizing it then.

Daisy Pearce’s prose has a way of creeping in your bones with its haunting imagery and tension filled pacing. At times I was thoroughly unsettled with parts of the book. If you enjoy psychological thrillers sprinkled with goosebump -inducing horror and the supernatural, then read this book.

What I liked:
-highly atmospheric setting of a small English town Banathel complete with haunted, crumbling houses
-folklore, rituals, curses, witches and the supernatural
-Midsommar vibes
-highly emotional and complex protagonists, child psychologist Mina who is haunted by her past
-tense pacing that adds to the sense of dread
-dark side of humans who are not what they appear to be
-twists with a satisfying ending

My rating 3.75 out 5

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press Minotaur Books for this eARC that will be published February 25 2025.