🧙‍♀️ T E R R I F Y I N G T H U R S D A Y review 🧙‍♀️ featuring “Something in the Walls” by Daisy Pearce!

BOOK REVIEW: 🖤🖤🖤.5/5

Mina Ellis is a new child psychologist who is still grieving the death of her brother Eddie who passed 6 years prior. While attending a support group for grief, she meets a journalist named Sam Hunter who offers her a case to gain some experience in her field.

Thirteen year old Alice Webber believes that she is being haunted by a witch that lives in the fireplace inside her house. The small village of Banathel is riddled with folklore, superstition and a history of witchcraft. As Alice’s symptoms become more dark and disturbing and shocking incidents begin to happen around the house, Mina starts to believe that Alice may be a victim of the villages’ inexplicable past!

THIS BOOK 🤯!!! Talk about terrifying, gruesome, eerie, sinister and foreboding! The descriptive writing made me feel like I was living inside the story. If I had a fireplace inside my own house I wouldn’t be going anywhere near it!

Thank you kindly to Daisy Pearce, @minotaur_books @stmartinspress @netgalley for my #gifted advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review. This book releases on February 25, 2025!

Oof!! This spooky psychological thriller is like if Midsommar and Mother! mixed together with the theme of witch-hunting - it was great!

I found the atmospheric, claustrophobic and descriptive writing to really pull you in and Pearce’s details reminded me of a scary movie where you can’t quite see the thing you’re terrified of but it just hangs around the periphery of your imagination.
The ending took a turn I did not see coming and the suspense and tension was so well built throughout.

Highly recommend for both historical fiction and psychological thriller lovers - but beware…don’t read this alone at night

1980's Setting
Slow Burn Mystery/Horror
Folklore Horror

Mina is a child psychologist, and Sam, a journalist, arrive in an old town to see Alice 13, who is believed to be haunted by a witch.

If you enjoy creepy with a bit of horror you will enjoy the witchy vibes of an old English village so very steeped in its superstitions.
Present day the town villagers still believe the witches exist, and they have passed those beliefs on to their children.

This was...slightly disappointing. I enjoyed the first 2/3 or so but the ending didn't seem to make much sense. It also felt a little try-hard and there seemed to be a bunch of plot holes I guess we're just supposed to ignore? It was kinda creepy and I enjoyed the lore, I'll give it that.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

Mina, a recently graduated child psychologist meets Sam, a journalist, at a grief support group. During one of the group meetings, Sam asks Mina to join him to meet Alice who is from a small town and who they think may be possessed by a witch. The start was very slow and 40% in it started to pick up again and I wanted to know what happened. Then sadly it would drag on yet again. It isn’t until the last chapters that it suddenly picks up again at full speed. Some parts of the story could have been left out, like Mina’s relationship. It never really fully developed into anything or had a point except to say she was engaged to a jerk. The description of this book had potential, but I think it was not executed well. I think people will like this one, but sadly i’m not one of them.

A horror suspense thriller about a child psychologist visiting a small town where a teen girl claims to be haunted/possessed by a witch. I quite enjoyed the plot and really appreciated the hot, almost claustrophobic setting. That said, I really wish it hadn’t been written in first person. Though I think this book will likely have broad appeal, and it's one I will recommend, the first person left me wanting more.

I can see a lot of people not loving this book because it follows the beats of many horror films and I know that those have a very specific audience. I am that audience so I ate it up. I don’t really get the other complaints. I didn’t find it slow paced, I thought the pace was perfect for creating atmosphere and building tension. People didn’t like how the ending didn’t end but I don’t agree with them either. The ending is a great example of how I like horror novels to end. I think the writing and atmosphere of this book was great. Much like books like the haunting of hill house, the question is there if is it real or all in their heads.
I recommend this to people who like haunted house and possession horror films.

2.5 stars
Mina is a new child psychologist struggling to get her feet underneath her. She is grieving the loss of her brother and attending a support group where she meets Sam, a journalist. Sam invites Mina to join him in investigating a young girl named Alice, who claims she is being haunted by a witch.

I liked the premise of this story, but I didn’t like how it was executed. Right from the start, the story pretty much lost me. Mina is not likeable, and her subplot of her upcoming marriage just didn’t seem important to me. While there were some creepy scenes, it was drawn out and repetitive.

3.75 stars

Thank you so much to Macmillan Audio for the AudioARC #MacAudio2024 and Minotaur Books in return for an honest review!
Pubdate: 02/25/2025
Genre: Mystery + Thriller
Audio Length: 8 hours and 16 minutes

This was not really what I expected but woah was it eerie and mysterious! You are following newbie psychologist Mina who is dealing with trauma herself at a grief group. In the group, she meets Sam who invites her to a remote village to investigate a case involving a 13-year-old girl who says a witch is haunting her. This had some dark matter and the author did a great job of creating haunting and creepy scenes. I do think the ending was disappointing/underwhelming and we never really got an answer to what was going on... which was frustrating. It felt slightly incomplete considering the anticipation was there. ** CHECK TRIGGER WARNINGS!! **

🧹Small Town vibes
🧹Unreliable Narrator
🧹Psychological aspects
🧹Salem Witch Trials
🧹Paranormal/Supernatural vibes
🧹If you like movies like: Midsommar or Hereditary
🧹Slow Paced
🧹Disturbing Scenes

ALSO- if you do not like paranormal vibes or slow burn folklore then don't even pick this up. I see some bad reviews because people do not like folklore or supernatural vibes yet still read this... just an FYI

➳ 2/5 stars

"Its not the dead we should be the afraid of its the living"

This book started with such a promising premise and had me hooked right from the beginning. I found myself completely engrossed and finished it within a day, it was that captivating. The pacing, the intrigue, and the way the story unfolded kept me turning the pages without pause. But then came the ending, and I have to admit, it was a letdown. Everything was moving along so perfectly, and I was eagerly anticipating a strong conclusion. Instead, the ending left me feeling disappointed.

This book follows the story of Alice Weber, a girl the town believes is possessed. When a journalist visits the town to uncover its strange happenings, he teams up with Mina Alice, a child psychologist, to figure out what’s really going on with Alice and the people around her. As they dig deeper, they discover something far more unsettling than they ever expected, and they make it their mission to save Alice and free her from the supposed possession.

The premise sounds compelling, doesn’t it? And honestly, it delivered on so many fronts. The horror elements, the disturbing details, the eerie mystery, and the writing were all exceptionally well done. I was hooked throughout, and the narration added so much to the experience. But unfortunately, the ending didn’t live up to the buildup. It felt underwhelming, and that disappointment overshadowed an otherwise gripping story.

I was hoping for some sort of explanation or even a theory about what was actually happening with Alice, but it felt like we were left with nothing. No clarity, no resolution, just a lot of unanswered questions. While I appreciate the journey and how gripping the story was initially, the lack of a satisfying conclusion made it feel incomplete. It’s unfortunate because this book had so much potential to be incredible.

°˖➴ "Overall, if you're looking for a book that will captivate you from the very beginning, this might be the perfect choice. However, proceed with caution, as it contains some unsettling and disturbing revelations that might not be for everyone." 💌


— Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was just kind of annoying to read, I feel like I finished it purely out of spite for myself. I didn't find it very thrilling or scary which were the two main selling points for me. There was a part near the beginning when we first get the idea of something being in the walls but the atmosphere created here really didn't last for me throughout the book. I'd be willing to try more by this author but I will need a break first.

The premise to Something in the Walls sounded right up my alley, but I found the writing to be a little too simplistic, and the characters didn't feel real.

This book was supposed to be somewhat of a horror/thriller. I think that the book was a little creepy. There were some parts that kept me interested but a lot of the times I am unsure of how we got to the certain situation we were in. It’s one thing to the next and it’s a bit rushed. Unfortunately this one wasn’t for me, but if you’re into the witch stories, this could be for you!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a copy of this ARC.

I enjoyed this book but some of the pacing felt off! It started off really slow and I struggle with that. I want a book that hooks me right away.

It was very creepy and suspenseful, which we love! It will definitely keep you turning the pages while also
being terrified!!!

If you’re an horror fan and into eerie imagery and creepy paranormal stories then this is definitely for you!

Mina is a child psychologist who meets this mysterious man at a grief support group. The man, Sam, asks her to meet with Alice, a young girl who is haunted by a ghost. Mina learns that the small town where Alice lives is known for its history of witchcraft and things start to spiral.

This book was for sure spooky and bordering a thriller. The start was exceedingly slow which I personally do not enjoy especially when I am ready for a thriller. I was overall. not super engaged with the story because while I enjoy thrillers I do not like ghosts. I thought the writing was high quality though.

Daisy Pearce's writing was lyrical and vivid. Her characters, fully realized and layered. Her story, haunting. Something In The Walls is a book that gets under your skin, and though the ending went in an unexpected direction, the story is bookended by unsettling events that leave a mark on the reader. I'd love to read more from this author.

There’s something about a small town that I always find a little unsettling. What’s more unsettling? A small town with witch lore. Something in the Walls brings a creepy and claustrophobic atmosphere with Midsommar vibes.

Mina, a new psychologist, takes on a case brought to her by a journalist. The case is a young girl in a small town who believes she is being haunted by a witch. Mina believes she can help Alice, but the girl’s actions become more and more inexplicable. The town has their own beliefs on witchcraft, and their own ways of dealing with it.

I enjoyed Something in the Walls! There are scenes that gave me the chills (I’m glad I don’t have a chimney). I found myself invested in Mina’s story and her desire to help Alice. I could definitely see this on as a movie! The pace slows down a bit in the middle, but keep going, the end will blow you away.

Daisy Pearce's "Something in the Walls" delivers spine-tingling horror with a cinematic flair that begs for a big-screen adaptation. Through richly detailed scenes and masterful atmosphere building, Pearce creates a haunting experience that lingers long after the final page.

The novel's greatest strength lies in its vivid, unsettling imagery, particularly in its portrayal of its witch antagonist. Pearce demonstrates exceptional skill in horror writing, crafting descriptions so detailed and visceral that readers might find themselves checking over their shoulders while reading. The author's ability to create genuine creepiness without relying on cheap scares elevates this work above standard genre fare.

The pacing follows a distinctly slow-burn pattern, which proves both a blessing and a curse. While the deliberate tempo allows for deep atmosphere building, some sections in the early and middle portions of the book may test reader patience. However, those who persist through these slower moments are rewarded with an intensifying narrative that builds to a dark, compelling conclusion.

One of the plotlines involving a particular character travels down an especially dark path that, while potentially predictable for genre-savvy readers, still packs an emotional punch. The way Pearce handles this aspect of the story adds layers of psychological horror to the more overt supernatural elements.

With its strong visual elements and atmospheric tension, "Something in the Walls" reads like a horror film waiting to happen. The vivid scene-setting and creeping dread would translate beautifully to screen, though the book stands firmly on its own as a solid addition to the contemporary horror genre.

This is a must-read for fans of atmospheric horror who appreciate detailed world-building and don't mind a slow-burn approach to their scares.

There’s something in the walls! No really…there is! …or is there?

This book was a wild ride. The atmosphere was claustrophobic and the story was haunting. It will have you questioning your own sanity while you uncover the truth that lies in this mysterious and creepy small town.

I read this after everyone else in my house had gone to bed and I may have left a light or two on while I read this. You know that scene in Friends with the freezer (IYKYK) the was me during one particular scene that involved a chimney and an unknown entity that had me screaming and contemplating whether I should keep reading. Spoiler alert: I did

This was my first book by Daisy Pearce and typically I applaud authors who can make me ugly cry but I have to applaud Daisy for making my heart race and being genuinely terrified at times. *applause*

Overall, I enjoyed this book and I like that some looming questions were left up to us readers to decide for ourselves what we thought happened.

Something In The Walls releases February 25th.

Thank you St. Martins Press and NetGalley for an arc of this book. All opinions are my own.

This was such a creepy, eerie book! Oh my, the detail the author put in when writing those creepy chapters was written sooo good because the detail of the witch alone gave me the creeps. It felt like it started slow down in the beginning and kind of towards the middle but then picked up again. I kinda knew where it was going with one of the characters, that’s was pretty dark. I really like how it ended 👌🏼 I wouldn’t mind seeing this as a movie one day! 🎥

Thank you to NetGalley for this arc