Nat Cassidy, you talented devil. I really, really, really loved this book. It hurt in a way that felt necessary. Every time I read a new NC book, I think ‘No way will this top the last one’ and it always does. Always. He is incapable of writing a book I don’t immediately declare a new favorite right after finishing.

In the realm of horror, creature features aren’t my first choice. So I saw this cover and thought ‘Ok, werewolf book it is, I guess.’ WRONG. So wrong. Cassidy takes everything you know about werewolf fiction and flips it on its head. This is no mere werewolf book, my friends.

When the Wolf Comes Home is a fast-paced chase novel that really played well with the themes of fear, anxiety, and hopelessness. What begins as a nightmarish day for our struggling lead, Jess Bailey, quickly becomes even worse when she helps a scared, lost kid. She quickly finds out that there are people who will stop at nothing to get this kid back. And so kicks off a crazy series of events for about 300 pages.

I love horror like this. It’s such a powerful, emotional read with brief moments of levity that make the painful moments even harder. Jess is the same age as I am and I felt such a connection to her character. There’s the grief and complicated feelings surrounding the death of her estranged father, the feelings of inadequacy as she watches another day pass by without accomplishing her dreams, and just the general anxieties of being an adult. And that’s obviously on top of all the horrors she’s dealing with in this, well, horror story. She was such a fully formed character and I was rooting for her every step of the way.

Overall, if you love Nat Cassidy, you’ll not be disappointed by his latest. But this book is truly for any modern horror fan. You can’t go wrong with audio for this! It really enhanced the experience and Helen was a great narrator.

You stick your finger and boom next thing you know you on the run with a kid! What the heck did I read! This was one heck of a ride!! Kid with crazy powers!! It was crazy good!!

Thank you so much to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an audio ARC of When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy.

Rating: 5/5

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Going into this book I already had high expectations and they were all met and exceeded. I have read almost every Nat Cassidy book and have loved them all. In keeping to a spoiler-free review this book had elements of fantasy horror, survival horror and of course, wolves. It kept me engaged and interested the entire time.

I highly recommend readers to not skip the afterword. It adds an important layer and meaning to the story that you won't want to miss.

Cannot wait for the next one!

When the Wolf Comes Home was on my list of most anticipated horror books of 2025, and it did not disappoint.

This book gave fairytale horror vibes while also touching on topics like grief, fear, and anxiety. It was packed full of twists and the stakes were high throughout the whole book. I fully expected it to slow down the last chapter or two, but it never did. I devoured the audiobook. I’m looking forward to reading Nat Cassidy’s backlist asap.

4/5 ⭐️ | Check TW before reading.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

<u>When the Wolf Comes Home</u>
Nat Cassidy

ALC courtesy of MacMillan Audio and NetGalley.

This is a novel about fear and how we deal with it. How our fears are driven by our experiences. How an innocent mind cannot fear something it does not know “exists,” much like my dog just stares at me blankly even if I raise my hand against it, because he has never been hit by a hand in his whole life. Same with a child, until the child has known abuse. Likewise, to conquer our fears, we need knowledge. We need to unmask our fears. <i>“Once we name our monster, its power shrinks.”</i>

It is hard to go into detail about this story without giving up spoilers. Suffice it to say, this novel is brilliant. It is a fast-paced thrill ride, with a diner waitress, Jess and an unnamed 5 year old boy she finds lurking in the bushes, both of whom are relentlessly chased by the boy’s abusive father who may be a shapeshifting psychopath (?) The boy has the vibes of young Drew Barrymore in Firestarter, also being pursued by the FBI. There are horror devices from 80’s paperbacks and movies – a deranged murderous Doc Brown and buzz saw-wielding weasels, a giant spider, animated mannequins, a 20-foot werewolf, and even a Harlan Ellison mouthless person (yeah that’s an older reference) that’s trying to scream. You need to hang on to your seat with this one. I listened on audio – the narrator was just perfectly suited, and she definitely amped it up several-fold. Not to be missed!

I enjoyed the narrator of this audiobook!
Nat Cassidy has a way of writing the creepiest atmospheric stories and I loved this one as well. I appreciate the deeper themes in his stories as well.

**What I Loved:**
- A relentless, high-stakes horror chase that never lets up
- Deeply layered themes of fear, childhood trauma, and self-discovery
- A protagonist who feels *real*—sharp, funny, and deeply human
- An ending that *wrecked* me in the best way

I *dabble* in horror, but *When the Wolf Comes Home* didn’t just pull me in—it *dragged* me through every terrifying, pulse-pounding moment. Jess’s journey starts with a runaway child and a violent confrontation, but what unfolds is so much more than a simple survival story. It’s a chase thriller soaked in blood and dread, wrapped around something deeply personal and emotional.

In his review of this book, Nat Cassidy describes this book as *a little bit Twilight Zone, a little bit Dean Koontz, a little bit Firestarter, a little bit IT, a little bit Ursula K. Le Guin, a little bit Terminator 2.* And while I have an abstract understanding of those influences, I’m not deeply versed in them—I never caught on to certain clues that seasoned horror readers or fans of those works might have anticipated. Instead, I was completely along for the ride, discovering every revelation at the same time as Jess. The result? One of the most immersive, visceral reading experiences I’ve had in a long time.

The concept? Brilliant. The execution? Flawless. The *Afterword*? A full emotional KO. The ending had me in *shambles*, solidifying Nat Cassidy as one of the most compelling voices in contemporary horror. If you think horror is just about scares, *this* book will change your mind. It’s about fear itself—how it controls us, shapes us, and, if we let it, *defines* us. Absolutely incredible.

As a girl with two dead parents, I just want to say thank you. Some books entertain, some linger, and some see you in ways you never expected. When the Wolf Comes Home did all three—and left my heart in pieces on the floor.

WOLF is a propulsive, sometimes chilling, action-horror novel that was a blast to read. The audiobook narrator did a great job, particularly with voicing a five year old child without making him too annoying.

So glad I gave this book a chance. I DNFd Cassidy’s other two books, Mary and Nestlings, the writing just wasn’t vibing with me. I went into this expecting a werewolf story, which isn’t my favorite horror sub genre, but this book was sooo much more than that.

The pacing was perfect and immediately engaging. The horror was creative and vivid. Even the comedic beats worked.

Jess’ humor and personality made for a great MC.

The other books that I attempted to read by Cassidy had a more serious tone. This one was definitely lighter but the themes are still there and effective. It kind of had a Grady Hendrix feel to it. The premise did give me vibes of Stephen King’s Firestarter and the episode of Twilight Zone when the little boy can manifest things into reality. Fun times !!

Helen Laser does an amazing job narrating like always.

The world building is a little wonky but I honestly didn’t care, I was enjoying the read too much. And the ending *chefs kiss*

Highly recommend.

**Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for this ARC**

Add this title to my ever growing list of favorite novels to heal your childhood trauma to.

Nat Cassidy tackled the beast that fear is and transformed it into his newest thrilling and biting novel. A must read!

When Jess finds a five year old boy outside of her apartment, the struggling actress unexpectedly becomes his guardian as they must flee from the boy's dangerous father. As Jess and the boy attempt to run further away from danger, fear becomes their biggest enemy. The boy has the ability to turn his fears into reality.

Themes of parenthood, childhood trauma and complexities of familial relationships are portrayed so uniquely scary yet intensely accurate, creating anxiety inducing environments for our characters to expand on their fears.

This book will eat you around the edges, to only then devour you whole. I have never cried reading an afterword before, as well.... You've been beyond kind to share your words, Nat Cassidy.

It's a little scary how much insight Nat Cassidy seems to have into my life, even if he accidentally stumbles into it.

Recurrent themes of what it means to do no harm (especially when raising children), what makes a monster, flawed parents, responsibility, and the balance between fear & power.

There wasn't a moment when I wasn't engaged; I was fully immersed the whole time. Cassidy has a very accessible writing style that just works so well with my brain, and as always the narrator they got for this one does a fantastic job bringing the text to life.

Hard yes.

DNF. The tone of this just wasn’t for me. It’s a down on her luck woman with a lot of internal snark and “I’m so relatable” vibes. That will absolutely work well for some readers! It just doesn’t work well for me.

It also felt a little try-hard with the feminist messaging since Nat is a man after all. I appreciate what he was going for by highlighting workplace harassment and such, but it also felt like a checklist.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Absolutely Phenomenal—A Haunting, Imaginative Masterpiece

When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy is nothing short of spectacular. From the very first page, I was hooked—completely immersed in its deeply imaginative world, chilling atmosphere, and masterful storytelling. Cassidy weaves a tale that is both haunting and exhilarating, filled with intricate layers, emotional depth, and a narrative that grips you until the very last word.

One of the things I adored most was how seamlessly Cassidy ties in Easter eggs and references to his other works, making this novel feel like part of a larger, interconnected universe. Fans of his previous books will appreciate the nuances, but even if this is your first experience with his writing, you’re in for an unforgettable ride.

The theme of the novel resonated with me on so many levels, and Cassidy’s author’s note at the end added an extra layer of meaning that made the journey even more powerful. It’s clear that this book was crafted with passion and precision, and I have no doubt that it could translate beautifully onto the big screen—I would love to see it as a film adaptation!

For those who enjoy audiobooks, I highly recommend experiencing When the Wolf Comes Home that way. Helen Laser delivers an absolutely stunning performance, breathing life into the story in a way that only the best narrators can. Her voice work adds an extra dimension to the experience, making it even more immersive and unforgettable.

This book is a must-read for horror and dark fiction lovers, and I cannot wait for more people to experience this masterpiece. Nat Cassidy has once again proven why he’s one of the best voices in modern horror fiction.

Time of death 55%. I had to DNF at that point and just wasn't enjoying it at all. Which is a disappointment since I loved the first portion of the story. Sure, the MC was a bit irritating right from the start, but I could overlook that for the gruesome descriptions that would make any horror lover happy. The author really shines when it comes to gorey scenes. However, around 30% I felt like the rug was pulled out from under me and the storyline did a complete shift and became too silly for my personal taste. It never recovered from that point, unfortunately, and I just couldn't anymore. I think some fans of Grady Hendrix or Rachel Harrison books may enjoy the fine line this author walks between horror and humor, though. The writing itself is great, just not the story for me. The narrator was excellent though and did an amazing job acting out the role and providing tons of inflection. I would recommend that route for those interested in this book.

(5.0 Stars)

I don't know how to describe this book without giving away the plot. But if you like horror and/or psychological thrillers, you will absolutely love this book. The narrator(s) are great (Helen Laser and Nat Cassidy). Even the afterword is excellent.

The world has depth and layers. The Characters are unique and perfectly played out. The plot and story are just wonderfully wicked. I cannot wait to read more by this author!

Special thanks to #NetGalley for making this audiobook available for me to read, in exchange for an honest review.

I am a huge Nat Cassidy fan and this book is no exception! This was such a great horror story on family and fathers and I was not expecting that ending. I love how well-written this is and the humor.

Well, I'm disappointed. And a little surprised at the same time.
Surprised because I was not expecting such a sad, touching and heartfelt story. Nat Cassidy delivers a heavy-drama and traumatic story about 2 people (a young woman and a 5-year old boy) with 'daddy issues' that seem so realistic and they connect to each other through their own struggles in life. The boy has something 'more' about him, that makes him the centre of the narrative. In general, this is a story about two young people trying to move on with their lives and finding balance and positive connections in life. The relationship between the young woman and the kid is stunning. So raw and real that you can't help but root for them. And I was not expecting that.

On the other hand, I got very disappointed because I thought, and wanted, this book to be a werewolf horror novel. And even though there is a werewolf, this is not a werewolf horror book. The wolf barely appears in 1/3 of the story. So, I got a little upset because I felt I was fooled by the cover.

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator is really good, especially when she voices the young kid, and throughout all the dialogues.
I do recommend this book, and the audio, for any readers who enjoy close-to realistic stories about people struggling in life and trying to survive the horrors that life throws at our way. Just be very aware that this is NOT a 'werewolf horror novel'.

Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio, for allowing me to listen to a free advanced audio copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

This is the kind of audiobook that I take issue with because it sets such a high bar for audiobooks that I have trouble listening to other productions. From the intro and the heartfelt afterward read by the author to the inflection and feeling injected into the performance by the narrators, this is one of my favorite audiobooks in a long time. The book itself had obvious influence from multiple works, as Cassidy acknowledges, but the one that most struck me was Stephen King’s Firestarter but When the Wolf Comes Home has very modern sensibilities, with complex familial relationships and imperfect heroes - made obvious from an in-character conversation about another work: Who is the hero? I don’t want to give anything way, but Wolf either had multiple or none, but that’s okay because we were on their side anyway.

This book was absolutely unhinged, and I loved every minute of it. Jess, a waitress and actress, comes home one night to find a boy who is scared. She brings him into her apartment, and that is when all hell breaks loose. A large wolf or bear attacks people in her complex, and from then on, she is on the run with the kid from many strange horrors. First of all, I love the FMC because she is hilarious and sarcastic, and she is trying to face each problem with braveness and in stride. Jess and the boy are both dealing with daddy issues. While helping the boy deal with his fears, she is also working her past out for herself. So many strange things happen, which I am learning is Nat Cassidy's style. I absolutely loved this book!

STANDING OVATION! What a story…what a concept. This is a book about transformation and I mean that in every aspect of the word.
Be prepared to love these characters and be prepared to be shattered time and time again.
Arghh! I just want to discuss this so badly but I don’t want to give anything away. This was so fun to go into with no clue as to what it was about. I hope you can do the same.
I was seriously clapping at the end. I wish Nat was in the room with me so I could give him the biggest hug…right after I punched him wicked hard in the arm.
WHEN THE WOLF COMES HOME by Nat Cassidy publishing April 22 from Tor Nightfire
I listened to the audiobook from macmillan.audio and it was wonderful. Narrated by Helen Laser plus a wee bit by Nat himself. Helen did such a great job and I was captivated