Something in the Walls

A Novel

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Pub Date Feb 25 2025 | Archive Date Mar 11 2025
St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books

Description

Unbearably tense, utterly propulsive, and studded with folklore and horror, Something in the Walls is perfect for anyone who loves Midsommar and The Haunting of Hill House.

Newly-minted child psychologist Mina has little experience. In a field where the first people called are experts, she’s been unable to get her feet wet. Instead she aimlessly spends her days stuck in the stifling heat wave sweeping across Britain, and anxiously contemplating her upcoming marriage to careful, precise researcher Oscar. The only reprieve from her small, close world is attending the local bereavement group to mourn her brother’s death from years ago. That is, until she meets journalist Sam Hunter at the grief group one day. And he has a proposition for her.

Alice Webber is a thirteen year old girl who claims she’s being haunted by a witch. Living with her family in their crowded home in the remote village of Banathel, Alice’s symptoms are increasingly disturbing, and money is tight. Taking this job will give Mina some experience; Sam will get the scoop of a lifetime; and Alice will get better, Mina is sure of it.

But instead of improving, Alice’s behavior becomes increasingly inexplicable and intense. The town of Banathel has a deep history of superstition and witchcraft. They believe there is evil in the world. They believe there are ways of…dealing with it. And they don’t expect outsiders to understand.

As Mina races to uncover the truth behind Alice’s condition, the dark cracks of Banathel begin to show. Mina is desperate to understand how deep their sinister traditions go–and how her own past may be the biggest threat of all.

"Unexpected, mesmerizing, and totally original...will keep you guessing until its wild end." -#1 International Bestselling author Darby Kane

"Harrowing and moving...Pearce has written something magical. There are scenes in this book I'll never forget." -Kristi DeMeester, author of Such a Pretty Smile

Unbearably tense, utterly propulsive, and studded with folklore and horror, Something in the Walls is perfect for anyone who loves Midsommar and The Haunting of Hill House.

Newly-minted child...


Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9781250334381
PRICE $28.00 (USD)
PAGES 304

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Average rating from 245 members


Featured Reviews

I couldn’t put it down!
The author blends psychological tension with eerie supernatural elements to create a beautifully haunting novel. Mina, a child psychologist, gets drawn into a haunting mystery after meeting journalist Sam at a grief group. Together, they unravel the chilling secrets surrounding Alice, Lisa’s daughter, whom is believed to talk to the dead and is haunted by a witch in their chimney. As they dig deeper, the plot reveals unsettling connections to Mina and Sam’s pasts, as well as the hidden secrets of Alice’s town, Banathel.

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**this releases on Feb 25, 2025**

Mark your calendars because this was SO good! You’ll definitely want to add this to your list. This had me at the edge of my seat from the first page until the very last. The ending was perfect. The story line did not have one dull moment. It had the perfect, spooky setting.

It was a 5/5 for me.
I’ll definitely be picking this one up again and recommending it to all my friends!

Thanks so much to NetGalley for the ARC!

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Edge of your seat, screaming at your kindle kind of fear!

This book was SO GOOD I'm still reeling. The main character, Mina, is relatable and you are immediately sympathetic to her cause. I loved Alice. Sam could've used a little more character development, but honestly, it wasn't his story.

This is a story of women, girls, and the horrors they face.... sometimes what we suspect to be supernatural, might just be the worst of humankind...or is it?

You will be left with unanswered questions, and it's so worth it!

Thank you to @NetGalley , @DaisyPearce @StMartinsPress and @MinotaurBooks for this advance review copy.

#DaisyPearce #NetGalley #SomethingInTheWalls
#booklover #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookworm #booksbooksbooks #bibleophile #booktok #fantasy #SciFi #horror #author #reviews #books #arcs #suspense #thriller #advancereaderproof #fyp #foryoupage
#horrornovel #spookyseason #spookyszn

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I REALLY enjoyed this book. I’m giving in 4.5 stars. It was high-paced and a true page turner. I’m up way too late because the second half of the book had such a grip on me I could not put it down. A very exciting thriller that will keep you on your toes.

The only reason this book isn’t getting the full five from me is because there are things I wish would have been answer about sweet Alice. Otherwise, this book was so good!

Big thank you to everyone involved in this book and allowing me to have an ARC. I’m so glad I got to read it and can’t wait to add a final copy to my shelf.

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Horror
4/5⭐️

Pub date- 2/25/25
Thank you!!

•Mina is a children’s psychologist who is drowning in grief from losing her brother. In her grief group, she meets Sam, who is a journalist. Sam is covering a story on a teen girl named Alice, who seems to be possessed- who better to tell if this is all an act or the real deal than a children’s psychologist?


This was horrifying and binge worthy. I truly think it had the potential to be five stars for me, had it not been so all over the place. There was a lot that I had a hard time following but it was just dark and gripping enough to not give up. I found myself truly scared several times. I am so sad this doesn’t come out until February because this is perfect for spooky season. Horror can be very cheesy imo and this was very well balanced. Put this on your 2025 tbr immediately.

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This 👏🏻 Book 👏🏻

I’ve been wanting to read this one for a while and I finally got access to it on @netgalley so I picked it up immediately. There was a lot happening and it got darker and darker as it went on, to the point that I was gasping. It was witchy, it was creepy, it was possess-y, it was perfect. Do I still have questions about some things? Absolutely - but, I enjoyed this book so much, it gave me heart palpitations. I wish this was coming out prior to February, because this would be perfect for spooky season!

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Outstanding! The folklore and horror elements are woven seamlessly into the story, creating a chilling backdrop that amplifies the psychological tension. The book’s exploration of superstition and its impact on the characters is both haunting and thought-provoking, making it a standout in the genre with its evocative and memorable storytelling.

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A fine example of modern folk horror with a decidedly feminist bent. The ghost of Shirley Jackson haunts the interaction of the troubled women of a small village with the feckless and dangerous men in their orbits. Highly recommended.

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Okay, so there were a few genuinely creepy moments of this book, but the monsters that live in the people we know are the REALLY scary things, as seen in this book. When teenagers and children don't have anywhere to turn to with the horrific events in their lives; or aren't believed; or don't even understand what's happening to them.... strange occurrences seem to develop. I had a feeling I knew what was going on fairly early in the story, but that didn't subtract from the creepy atmosphere of the book in any way. I don't want to say much about this, because it's one of those books that it might be better to go onto somewhat blind- but suffice it to say that I will absolutely be recommending this book and looking out for anything written by Daisy Pearce in the future.

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This book caught me from the get-go and held me captive till the end! It was a fun ride.

It is very well written, the characters are believable and their grief is relatable and heart breaking. It has a perfect blend of paranormal, mystery, horror and thriller elements that checks all the boxes for me.

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It is almost as though The Turn of the Screw and The Exorcist had a deeply atmospheric little book baby. But, for the love of all that is good in this world, please do not attempt to consume food while reading this.

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“Everyone loves a ghost story, don’t they? Everyone loves to look into the darkness.” Well, I can’t speak for everyone (though I try) but _I_ certainly love a good ghost story and I quite enjoyed this little tale.

It’s summer, 1989. No cell phones, Britain is in the middle of a horrible heat wave and Mina Ellis is gearing up for her wedding to scientist, Oscar. She has recently graduated with her master’s in psychology. As a teenager she lost her brother, Eddie, and she has never gotten over it. From time to time she still goes to a grief group and it is there she meets journalist Sam Hunter who has lost his daughter. He also has an interesting proposition for Mina.

The two travel to the small town of Banathel to investigate the case of thirteen year old Alice Webber who claims she is being haunted. The residents of the town are a bit odd. Is something off in Banathel?

This is a type of story you’ve likely read before, but made a bit more interesting in that Mina and Sam both want to prove and disprove the haunting. They are realists, and it’s 1989, but at the same time it would be wonderful to be able to contact Eddie and Maggie in some way. There’s a nice sense of menace throughout this, and Banathel is a town with scars, both literal and figurative. I liked this.

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