Fran is a journalist who finally has her big break when she’s given a chance to interview a notoriously private artist. So private that no one even knows where he lives. Of course, that just makes him that much more intriguing, and there’s no way she’s passing up this chance. After some subterfuge while traveling to the mystery estate, she arrives and is impressed with his beautiful home. He’s less intimidating than expected, but just as stubborn when it comes to revealing any details about his personal life. When she receives an anonymous message claiming he is a liar, his silence becomes more sinister, and she wonders just how safe she is and what he really wants from her.

Without spoiling anything, the plot takes a turn, and the story veers off in a different direction. At that point, the credibility stretches and the more implausible it becomes. There’s a familiar trope that I couldn’t believe was included. And it’s not the only one! The others aren’t as cringeworthy, but it’s almost like the author took two different story ideas and meshed them together. But instead of an intricately woven storyline combining the two, it’s just messy.

If the story had continued to be a credible mystery, I would have enjoyed it more. I like that the author was going for something different and unexpected, but it just went a bit too far.

Fran the journalist is given the opportunity of interviewing a famous artist at his house with strict rules she must agree to. He’s very closed off and secretive about his life. She worries she won’t be able to accomplish the interview in time. Shortly after, she begins to receive text messages warning her about him. This leads her to believe he may have lured her through this job to harm her.

All the characters had complex dark and evil secrets that make the story unsettling. Their interactions with each other and Fran’s past had me feeling terrified for how this was going to end. Just as I had thought I had figured out why Jonathan had chosen her for the interview, many more secrets are revealed that add more mystery to the story. This made me reevaluate all that I had thought of his motives. The ending way predictable and not believable. Overall, the story was unrealistic but very interesting.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A quiet, eerie mystery with classic vibes
Tiny Wild Things by Danielle M. Wong starts strong with a gripping premise: Fran, a journalist on the verge of a breakthrough, lands the opportunity of a lifetime, interviewing the elusive and famous artist Jonathan Kramer. From the very beginning, there’s an air of secrecy and isolation that pulls you in. Wong does a great job building a haunting, secluded atmosphere, with beautifully written descriptions that give the story a nostalgic, almost cinematic feel.

The slow unraveling of Fran’s backstory through snippets scattered across the novel was a clever touch, especially as everything tied together in the end.

That said, I can’t quite give it a five-star rating. While the concept was compelling, the pacing dragged a bit in the final chapters, and parts of the narrative felt repetitive. The ending, though satisfying in some ways, was also somewhat predictable.

Still, if you enjoy character-driven mysteries with a moody, introspective tone and classic, almost vintage aesthetics....this one is worth picking up!

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Edge of my seat good....I was trying to figure it out til the last second. I stayed into the story from page one!

Tiny Wild Things is an utterly gripping psychological thriller that blends emotional depth with chilling suspense. Danielle M. Wong delivers a haunting story of buried secrets, fractured relationships, and the quiet chaos that unravels behind closed doors. With lyrical writing and unexpected twists, this is a beautifully unsettling read that lingers long after the final page.

4.5, rounded up.

Fran is a struggling writer who is handed the chance of a lifetime — famous artist Jonathan Kramer’s last interview. There are a bunch of weird rules about the trip, but she’s not really in a position to argue. Once she arrives, everything’s just a bit odd and inconvenient. She soldiers on, though, despite Kramer’s reticence. Then, she gets a text message that changes everything.

At first, I felt like I’d read too many similar stories lately (struggling X visits reclusive Y and uncovers a major secret). However, by the end, I was on the edge of my seat. By the way, absolutely brilliant ending. I like that the author went there.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC. This review contains my honest, unbiased opinion.

Well, that was something a little different. I especially enjoyed it when things ramped up in the second part of the book. I like that it was not predictable. I had pretty much decided where it was going but was surprised to find that I was so wrong. A good blend of mystery, intrigue and horror. I think I would prefer it without the final twist, as this was a trick I have seen quite often. Great writing which made it easy to visualise everything that was happening. I think it would make a very atmospheric movie.

Rounding up to 4 ⭐

Starts off well, journalist Fran, sent to interview reclusive artist.
Her big break.
She's still a bit out of sorts after a break up, the cause of which is drip fed to us.
The scenes between Fran and the Kramer had ME feeling like I was walking on egg shells as I read them.
There's more going on here though, and strange goings on soon turn into full on crazy.
I felt the full on crazy a tiny bit silly at times, but it didn't spoil my enjoyment of the book, just felt like a different book.
Kept me entertained to the very last sentence.

Definitely an atmospheric thriller. It fell a little flat for me in terms of feeling like at times there was repetition or filler so story could have been tighter overall.
But the setting created a sense of feeling like I was right in the middle of the woods!
Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for access to this eARC.

A brilliant and completely crazy thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time! Atmospheric and incredibly creepy. A must read for anyone who loves twisty, and very twisted, thrillers.

I read this in one sitting on a Sunday afternoon. I couldn't put it down.

Journalist Fran Hendrix thinks she’s about to get the scoop of her career. A reclusive artist has chosen her to take his first interview since the tragic death of his wife years before. Not long after arriving at his secluded country estate, Fran receives a shocking anonymous message. He is lying to you. Get out while you can.! For some reason I thought this book was going to be a bit different and not in a good way! It ended up being a great read! It had great suspense, murder, mystery, intrigue and some shocking moments! The story was very interesting! I definitely recommend reading this book! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this Advanced Reader’s Copy of Tiny Wild Things by Danielle M. Wong due to be published August 4, 2025.

Journalist Fran Hendrix travels to get the scoop of her career interviewing a reclusive artist. How will the interview go?

This one started off as usual – Fran goes on an airplane and doesn’t know where she is to interview a mysterious artist. She knows he is hiding something, but what? Oh. My. Gosh. Wow! That’s all I can say about what happens in the last half of this book. Surprising, terrifying, shocking – to say the least. Just read it!!!

#NetGalley #DanielleMWong #TinyWildThings #StormPublishing

What would you do if, as a journalist, you were chosen to interview a very famous artist? Would you go for it, even if it meant traveling to his remote country estate?
Fran has her doubts too, but this is the kind of assignment she’s been waiting for for quite some time—and despite everything, she packs her bags. But what kind of hornet’s nest has she stepped into…

This is my first book by this author, and I thought the cover and title gave off something mysterious and at the same time eerie. I was curious to find out what they would mean.

From just a few pages in, you already sense that Fran is in for much more than just a conversation with an eccentric artist. Mysterious messages, evasive answers, and the creeping feeling that she is the one being interviewed instead of the other way around.

You constantly ask yourself what the real purpose is—and maybe Fran herself has things she’s hiding from the light of day?

What I really liked was the atmosphere that’s created—it made me, as a reader, feel genuinely uneasy. However, the pacing was a bit too slow for me. The story does pick up speed toward the end, and that’s something I’m absolutely a fan of.

What I missed a little were more details about Fran’s past. I think that would have made the whole story even more compelling.

The core idea behind the book was great, and it definitely had some original elements. I found it pretty twisted—and that’s perfect for a psychological thriller.

In short: at times maybe a bit too heavy on details that didn’t add much and slowed the pace, but definitely worth 4 stars.

Thank you

Our keen reporter Fran's debut scoop is an interview with elusive artist Kramer.
The plot quickly spirals into a total mystery, making us wonder why Kramer brought her there when he's so reluctant to talk.
Despite an occasionally uneven pace, the author creates a dark, gloomy atmosphere, keeping us on edge and constantly questioning.
The narrative really ramps up in the final quarter, resulting in an explosive ending that, while thrilling, left a few loose ends.
This book is ideal for those who enjoy atmospheric thrillers.

Fran Hendrix, una joven periodista que sueña con dejar atrás los artículos banales y ganarse un lugar en el periodismo serio, recibe una oportunidad única: entrevistar al misterioso y legendario artista Jonathan Kramer, quien ha vivido alejado del ojo público durante décadas tras la muerte de su esposa. Para ello, Fran deberá viajar a un lugar secreto, sin saber siquiera su destino final, firmar acuerdos de confidencialidad y renunciar temporalmente al contacto con el mundo exterior.

Lo que comienza como un sueño profesional se convierte en una experiencia profundamente inquietante y transformadora. Aislada en una mansión antigua y rodeada de secretos, Fran empieza a notar inconsistencias, recibir mensajes anónimos advirtiéndole que algo no está bien, y descubrir que nada ni nadie es lo que parece. Mientras intenta mantener su objetivo periodístico, también deberá enfrentar traumas personales, recuerdos dolorosos, y una creciente sensación de peligro.

La novela entrelaza el suspenso psicológico con el drama emocional, mientras Fran explora no solo la historia de Kramer, sino también su propia identidad, pérdidas pasadas y la fuerza que aún guarda en su interior.

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El final me dejó impactada y triste.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest.

3.5 ⭐

New-to-me author, Danielle Wong, has definitely harnessed the setting and created a sense of anticipation, vulnerability, and unease allowing me room to peer into the shadows and become chilled! I was anxious, aware of the ever-present creepy atmosphere, and awaiting Kramer’s next manipulation. Fran Hendrix and Jonathan Kramer kept me on my toes, eagerly turning pages to experience more of the push and pull between them. More even pacing and a tauter plot would have elevated this one for me.

I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.

Tiny Wild Things is a quiet wonder—tender, hopeful, and full of the kind of emotional resonance that sneaks up on you. Danielle M. Wong has written a story that celebrates connection, resilience, and the messy, beautiful ways we grow—sometimes because of loss, and sometimes in spite of it.

From the first chapter, I was charmed by the voice and grounded by the depth of feeling underneath it. This isn’t a book about grand gestures—it’s about small moments, quiet courage, and the slow blooming of a life rebuilt. Wong’s prose is gentle and evocative, filled with sensory detail and emotional honesty that made every scene feel intimate and alive.

What I loved most was how it honored both vulnerability and strength. The characters aren’t perfect—they’re grieving, searching, learning—but they’re deeply human, and that made their journeys feel all the more meaningful. There’s a softness to the story, but also a clear-eyed look at how hard it can be to heal—and how wild and wonderful it is when we begin to.

If you’re drawn to contemporary fiction with heart, lyrical writing, and a focus on relationships, nature, and quiet transformation, Tiny Wild Things is a beautiful, restorative read. It made me feel grounded—and a little more open to the unexpected magic in everyday life.

My first Danielle Wong book but definitely not my last! I totally enjoyed this book. Wow the characters were off the charts in every way. What a roller coaster ride without a clue who to trust. So many secrets and lies. This one got under my skin enough to make me itch.
Thank you NetGalley, Danielle Wong and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this cracker of a book.

When Fran Hendrix is given the chance to interview the esteemed, but reclusive artist Jonathan Kramer, she is excited beyond belief. To date, as a new staff writer, her missions have been mundane to say the least. Her articles for SYNC, a popular lifestyle magazine, have definitely been less than thrilling, with insights to skincare products the best she has been commissioned to do so far. The magazine has had to jump through hoops to get the interview, and some of the requests and stipulations made by the artist have bordered on the outlandishly bizarre . Nevertheless, Fran is up for the challenge and is looking forward to this being the step up she desperately needs on her journalistic career.

An interesting concept, with a definite spooky undertone. The plot was well constructed, but sadly the amount of repetition used as filler did spoil the flow. If edited this would be a sharp, succinct and very enjoyable story. Nice twist at the end 😉.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing.