Nat Cassidy has once again secured his place in my mind as a horror God. This book made me feel all sorts of ways and the most of all being, completely psychologically terrified. While the book wasn't as "scary" to me exactly as Mary or Nestlings had me feeling, this one definitely made contemplate so much. Also, side note, the little bit of horrific nostalgia bit that would have completely made me need a change of pants if it happened in real life, had me giggling listening to it here and I loved that.

I knew from the first chapter of Mary Nat Cassidy was going to be a favorite author and with each book of his I read i am proven right. Mary is still my favorite of Cassidy's works but this one is a very close second. This book was fantastic.
I suffer from anxiety so this is definitely the book that I relate to the most. The constant soul crushing fear that everything is ending and the worst case scenario is enviable. The way all childhood fears get blown into these wide and terrifying nightmares also felt so very real.
I think overall this was Cassidy's most grounded work. I know that sounds funny ad this is a fantasy horror but it's definitely the most realistic of his books. I loved this book and couldn't put it down! I highly highly recommend it!

Excellent! I loved the story. Very Twilight Zone and reminiscent of one of my favorite episodes “It’s A Good Life.”

Great narration! One of my favorite narrators.

I loved the character of “Kiddo” such a sweet innocent kid with all of this power.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the gifted ALC!

This delivered on absolutely every front. Creepy, suspenseful, foreboding, thought provoking, and emotional. Nat Cassidy is firing on all cylinders with his latest.

While I was listening, I kept thinking it had all the elements I love most from Stephen King's novels. Where King has a tendency to struggle, Cassidy shines: the ending. I thought the conclusion of this book was STELLAR. So clever and incredibly thought provoking, with a big gut punch to boot. I will be thinking about this book often!

When the Wolf Comes Home pub date is April 22 - I had to pre-order a finished copy for my collection!

Okay, wow. I just finished When the Wolf Comes Home, on audiobook, and I honestly don’t know how I’m supposed to move on from this story. It’s one of the most beautiful stories I’ve read in the most creative, haunting, and uniquely twisted ways. It’s like someone stirred together horror, fantasy, psychological thriller, and suspense in just the right amounts, and the result? A binge-worthy masterpiece that I could NOT put down. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THE AUDIOBOOK! *chef’s kiss* 🙌

When I first picked it up, I totally thought I was in for a werewolf tale. I mean—wolf is in the title. But this story threw me in a completely different direction. Yes, there’s a wolf, but the why and how behind it? Absolutely fascinating. I don’t want to spoil anything, but let’s just say the origin of the wolf element is something I did not see coming and I LOVED that.

Every single character in this book has layers. Like, peel-back-one-and-you’ll-find-three-more kind of layers. Just when you think you’ve figured someone out, nope. You turn the page, and uncover a new depth and a new surprise.

I never cry during an Afterward. But this one? It was emotionally impactful, raw, and just so… human. It made me want to immediately track down everything this author has ever written and buy it on the spot. Nat Cassidy is officially on my must-read-everything-he-writes list.

I’m already planning to recommend this to my book club. It’s the kind of story that just begs to be talked about. And trust me, once you read it, you’ll need someone to talk about it with.

If you’re into genre-bending stories that keep you on your toes, break your heart a little, and make you feel deeply? This one’s for you.

Thank you #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for the chance to listen to this early in exchange for an honest review!

When the Wolf Comes Home is a book about fear and all the ways it affects us.

Jessa's night working at the diner starts off poorly, and then it gets much, much worse. She comes home in a seriously worried state, only to find a runaway boy hiding in some bushes near her apartment. What is he hiding from? You'll have to read this to find out!

I am in love with Nat Cassidy's writing and I loved Jessa, the main character, as much as someone can love a figment of another's imagination. I loved her bravery, her smarts and her drive to protect this strange young boy. Jessa sacrifices a lot without a second thought just to protect him-sometimes I wondered if she was making the right choices-and sometimes she wondered the same. I liked that Jess used improv comedy to help her prevail over her fears, and it also gave her the ability to think on her feet. There are all kinds of scary things in this world, both real and imagined, and if we do not face them, how will things ever change?

Helen Laser did a terrific job as narrator and it must have been difficult for her at times, due to the subject matter. She pulled it off with aplomb, and I plan to see what else she has narrated, she was that good. The author himself provides some trigger warnings in the front matter of this audio, and then he does an afterword as well. In fact, I think Nat Cassidy provides an afterword in his other audios too. I enjoy them and they make me feel like I'm getting a peek inside his sometimes warped mind.

Overall, this is a werewolf book like no other. I know people say that all the time, but in this case, it's really true. At times, I questioned whether this was even a werewolf story at all. I think it's up for debate. Feel free to seek me out when you're done and we'll discuss it! For now, I'm awarding all the stars. I loved you, Jessa Rae, and I love Nat Cassidy too.

Highly recommended!

*ARC from publisher

4.5 rounded up.

I truly loved this book. Horrific, funny, devastating. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I started it but it pulled me in immediately and I know I will think about it for a while.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an ALC.

When the Wolf Comes Home is a raw, emotionally charged horror novel that cuts deep. Nat Cassidy blends supernatural terror with personal trauma, turning anxiety into a living, breathing monster. The story wastes no time, dragging you into Jess’s nightmare as she and a mysterious child flee something unspeakable.

This isn’t just a scary story—it’s a reflection on fear, survival, and how childhood wounds grow into adult demons. The horror is relentless, but it’s the emotional honesty that lingers.

Helen Laser’s audiobook narration heightens the tension, making an already unforgettable story feel even more intimate and visceral.

Gripping, gutting, and weirdly healing—this one earns the hype.

Jess’s life changes drastically one night when she finds a five-year-old runaway hiding in her bushes. After an unexpected and unimaginable encounter with the boy’s father, they are forced to flee. She quickly discovers the boy can make his fears a reality, adding a whole new layer of terror to their chase.

Wow, what a fantastic book! This story had a lot of amazing elements I absolutely loved. For starters, I loved how fun the horror elements in this book were. Fear and imagination coming together and creating entertaining images of terror. The main character in this one was super funny, and I loved how this felt so natural, and not forced.

This book is a fantastic take on fear, trauma, flawed fatherhood, and parental responsibility. It explores the power of fear and how impactful belief can be, both for the good and bad. The ending held such a wonderful twist, and I also found myself tearing up from certain key parts of this book. While the story was very well developed, with flawless pacing, what gave this story the 5-star shine for me was Nat Cassidy’s afterward section. He delves into the ‘why’ behind the story and lets us see the personal touches his own father gave to this story. It honestly made me sob, so please do yourself a favor and don’t skip the afterward section of this book!

Overall, I loved this book. I can’t think of a single thing I would change. I am so thankful to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the approval to listen to this audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion. With the amazing narration of Helen Laser and Nat Cassidy himself, this book was such a wonderful experience. I highly recommend it!

"Oh yeah. I'm always scared of stuff. you get to be a certain age and they stop calling it scared and start calling it anxiety. But it's all the same."

"But there's also soft fear. Soft fear wraps around you like a blanket. It doesn't make you run, and that makes sense because where would you run to? Soft fear creeps in from everywhere. You don't even know you're feeling it sometimes. Until it's all you can feel."
____
Jess runs into a terrified young boy hiding from his father and takes him in to help. What happens next is WILD! And it doesn’t stop the ENTIRE. TIME!

The sheer insanity of the situation made it impossible to predict, while the extreme danger kept the intensity HIGH. I had NO IDEA what craziness and carnage would happen next, and there’s a TON!

Nat Cassidy writes such vivid and graphic prose that I felt utterly immersed in this surreal mind trip! I particularly loved the hotel scene with the movie reference that clicked immediately because it DID terrify me as a kid! (IFKYK!) And the trip to Target! Wowza! TRUST ME folks...if you enjoy body horror, grief horror, existential horror and creature features...you NEED to read this ASAP! Yes, there are triggers and plenty of them, which Nat will tell you about himself if you do the audio. What hits the most are the nuances of fear and abandonment and the spotlight on dysfunctional father relationships. OUCH! I didn’t expect to be thrust so deeply into emotional territory. Nat is an expert at bringing to life unresolved feelings and exorcising them through an action packed, blood soaked, fever dream nightmare!

I definitely recommend the audiobook with the book for a complete cinematic experience. Helen Laser brings to life ALL the emotions with distinct voices and you don’t want to miss hearing Nat read his Afterword. It’s EVERYTHING.

Be prepared for surprises, gore, jaw dropping moments, ‘what in the world did I just read’ thoughts and maybe even tears. Snatch this one up quickly y’all! WHEN THE WOLF COMES HOME will stick with you long after you’ve finished!
____

Thank you Tor Nightfire & Macmillan Audio for my free copies. All thoughts are mine.
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Potential spoiler content warnings below.




































⚠️Content warnings: language, abandonment, grief, violence, gun violence, gore, needle trauma, bugs, suicidal ideation, abuse, alcoholism, patent death, child trauma, child endangerment, child death & more

My favorite horror of 2025!

It's so satisfying when a book you've been building up in your head since you added it to your TBR lives up to the hype and then some. I loved this so much! Definitely the bleakest and most horrific from Nat Cassidy yet.

There's an incredible balance of levity and humor, gore and insane kills, and an impending feeling of dread, doom, and gloom. A lot of horror books for me are one and done but I will be rereading this multiple times for sure. I need to experience that heart break over and over again.

I'd also totally recommend reading this during Halloween, it's perfect for the season. Prepare for your deepest fears to be given life. I also experienced this book on audio and I'd definitely recommend it. The dual narration really adds to the story, particularly during the reading of the journal entries.

“No one will be spared when the wolf comes home.”

WOWOWOWOW.

Graphically horrifying and utterly moving, Nat Cassidy has created a masterpiece. This novel was truly a shape shifter in the best way. Fun & campy, dark & emotional all in one.

Fast-moving plot. Beautiful writing. At times quite emotional, with some deliciously gory horror scenes. Unique as fuck. Asks the reader to address how the horror of everyday can make monsters of us all & how we can move on from this knowledge.

“Maybe the true horror of the werewolf is that the change is never permanent.”

Thank you endlessly to Tor Nightfire for letting me read this early! Y’all pick this up on April 22nd, you won’t regret it.

Nat Cassidy's When the Wolf Comes Home is the kind of nightmare you actually want to get lost in - a creepy blend of psychological horror and dreamlike horror. I think I've found my new favorite sub-genre - "dream horror"?I'm obsessed.

The tension builds - slow, inevitable, and terrifying. I physically couldn't put it down! Under all the scares, there's real emotional depth that'll hit you right in the feels. I was freaked out and crying - what a combo..

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan audio for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is an extremely compelling, vivid, and heart-wrenching novel about what happens when you can manifest your fears and other mental states into the real world. A struggling actress gets paired with a little boy on the run from just such a situation; chased by fantastical wolf-like beasts and that's just the start. It's gut-wrenching the choices people have to make given this military experiment gone awry; and also flaked with great levity from the woman's relationship with her mom, Cookie - named not for sweetness but for making her adversaries crumble, and dragged away from bridge night from some interesting investigations. This is a great book for scares and feels, with rich characters and great dialog.

NOT ME CRYING?? 😩 Okay this is now my favorite horror novel I've read so far this year. (I listened to an advanced audiobook version and it was fantastic, super well done.) It starts off with a bang and doesn't let up the entire time. The plot is fast-paced, emotional, scary as hell, and oftentimes laugh out loud funny. Idk how he does it. I'll never skip a Nat Cassidy book for as long as I live and neither should you.

"It's okay, kiddo. Baby steps, right? You can only eat the pizza one slice at a time."

Some books shake you. Some books wreck you. And then there’s When the Wolf Comes Home - a novel that doesn’t just break your heart; it rips it out, chews it up, and leaves you emotionally numb in the best way possible. I didn’t just read this book - I survived it. And in 2025, I genuinely don’t know how anything else is going to top this experience.

This story had me deep in my feelings, ugly crying, and staring blankly at the wall after finishing. Only two other books have destroyed me like this - Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter and Penpal by Dathan Auerbach. And now? When the Wolf Comes Home proudly takes its place on that shelf of beautiful devastation.

From page one, this book runs. No filler, no fluff - just a full-throttle, no-holds-barred emotional horror story that grips you and refuses to let go. A third of the way through, I kept thinking, “How does Nat Cassidy still have more story to tell?” And yet, he does. Challenge accepted, indeed. He poured his whole soul into this book, and it shows.

The story follows Jessa, a once-aspiring actress in Hollywood now stuck working at a diner, trying (and failing) to process the death of the father who walked out on her as a child. After a brutal shift and a medical emergency, she’s spiraling into full dissociation mode - until she stumbles upon a little boy in danger near her home. Taking him in should have been simple. It isn’t. Because the next thing she knows, there’s a bear attack (*cough* werewolf *cough*), people are dying horrifically, and Jessa and the boy barely escape with their lives. But survival is only the beginning. As the two go on the run, Jessa starts to realize the boy isn’t just some lost child - and the monstrous thing chasing them may be his father.

That’s all I’ll say about the plot, because this book is best experienced blind. But trust me when I say it explores themes of good vs. evil, survival, trauma, complicated parent-child relationships, and the messy, brutal process of grief and healing. It’s a masterclass in emotional horror - layered, gut-wrenching, and utterly unforgettable.

Nat Cassidy outdid himself with this one. If you love horror that hurts, this is a must-read.

Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio, for the ARC!

I had no idea what to expect when I started this book, and I love how this one surprised me. This was such a fun listen. Don't get me wrong; it was also a little stressful and jaw-dropping, but still fun in an I love to wet myself in haunted houses type way!

I love it when a story makes me question things I've accepted as normal. This one had me thinking incessantly about fear and what we absorb as kids. Horror movies, "family-friendly" stuff like Gremlins or Roger Rabbit. Why were we allowed to watch that?! As someone who was left traumatized by E.T., I could relate on so many levels while questioning if I am the way I am because of those seemingly insignificant traumas. I'm also guessing those things paved the path that has me reading a book like this, though, so can I be mad?

There were very few slow moments in this novel. It is fast-paced, bloody, and chaotic, but it also makes you sit with big, uncomfortable stuff like fear, grief, messed-up dads, what our government is doing that we know nothing about, and the weird things we carry from childhood. And then the Afterword? Ugh. That sealed it for me. I'm fully invested in Nat Cassidy's brain and want to read everything he's ever written. He seems like a real one.

So yeah, 10/10. I would recommend it if you like horror that actually says something while also maybe giving you a reason to leave the lights on at night.

ALC Review

When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧
Release date: April 22, 2025
Narrator: Helen Laser, Nat Cassidy

Okay, first off that cover. 🤩Absolutely stunning. It pulled me in immediately. I went into this book completely blind, just knowing that Nat Cassidy writes amazing horror, and WOW. This book did not disappoint!

This book was wild in the best way possible. I listened to the audiobook and it made the whole experience even better. The story was creepy, intense, and made me shed some tears.

Man this was such a fun book! The blending of horror and fairytales was so well done! But why was I crying?! 😆

I loved the whole concept of this book. I won’t go into detail so I don’t reveal any spoilers (though you find out early on), but somehow this gory book turns heartwarming and then heartbreaking all at once. The FMC was so relatable to me (hello anxiety, self-doubt and spiraling thoughts!) and even her reactions to the five-year-old MMC were relatable.

After finishing this book, I already loved it. But then the author’s note comes, and that definitely sealed the deal for me. I honestly want to say so much more, so if you’ve read this, I’d love to chat about it with you!

𝑾𝒉𝒐 𝑰'𝒅 𝑹𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒐:
Fans of horror, dark fairytales, symbolism.
(And if you’re not a fan of horror but don’t mind a little gore, you should try this!)

𝑨 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝒏𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏:
This was narrated flawlessly! I also loved the author’s little cameo (is it a cameo in an audiobook?) and his intro and ending. Such a fun audiobook to listen to!

Thank you Netgalley and MacMillan Audio for the advance audiobook copy of When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy in exchange for an honest review. First off, I love Nat Cassidy's writing, each book has been so unique and built up suspense so well, that I get pulled in and suddenly it's 5:30 in the morning and I still haven't been to bed. The narrator did a wonderful job capturing the feeling of the book and it felt like I was there. I cannot classify the genre of this book as it kept flowing from one to another, but in a really good way. I love how much Cassidy pours of himself into his books and shares with us in the afterward. I felt for each character in this book, from Jessa the struggling actor/waitress, kiddo the poor boy running from monsters, to Cookie, Jessa's mom who tried her best to raise her as a single mom. This book had hints of Stephen King and Dean Koontz. I am definitely recommending it to the Midnight Monster Club and everyone else, it was a fantastic read.