I enjoyed the idea of this book but I felt it's one of those stories that is very different from the synopsis. It's more thriller than horror. It has focuses on the main character but then on the main younger protagonist but takes too much time apart from the two. I know some people who would love this book. I just didn't love it.

This was kinda exorcist-y. It was definitely giving me creepy horror movie vibes. It's haunting and witchy and would be a great spooky season read/listen. I did enjoy it, but I'm a big mood reader and I wasn't necessarily in the mood for this one at the moment! I went in blind though so 🤷🏻‍♀️😬 I would definitely re-listen in the Fall.
Thank you to MacMillan Audio for the ALC and NetGalley for the ARC!

Unfortunately my mind is forced to compare this read to one of my favorite books of all time, “Head Full of Ghosts”by Paul Tremblay. While “Something in the Walls” does not come close to the terror of that book, I do think Daisy Pearce does a solid job of establishing a creepy atmosphere.

I will agree with some other reviewers in saying that this book can feel a bit like a slog to get through. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly why, but I think for me it boils down to an overabundance of characters that I don’t end up caring about. The entry into the story, Mina, a newly minted child psychologist who is searching for meaning in death and proof of the afterlife, never connected with me in a meaningful way. I would not say the book is not worth reading (or listening to in my case). There’s some really creepy imagery and the additional aspect of the overzealous town is an interesting take.

I would recommend this book for anyone who is a fan of “The Year of Witching” by Alexis Henderson.

3.75 stars

What a sinister, creepy read!

Mina, the m.c., is a child psychologist who is light on experience but heavy on her own incoming childhood trauma and guilt and current conflicted feelings about her impending marriage. When she gets the opportunity to investigate a potential paranormal circumstance, a young girl, Alice, who has been infiltrated by a witch, she joins Sam, a journalist, in this effort.

No one expects a witch-related possession to be easily handled, but things really spiral for this entire crew, and this makes for an intriguing plot, for sure. Readers with any information at all about the way "witches" have been treated historically will come in with some accurate expectations about the patriarchy, and unfortunately, some of those features reveal, well, limited growth on the part of some men. This is a quirky, potentially supernatural circumstance, but it's grounded in the reality that some men will try to oppress all women at all costs.

This is my first novel by this author, and I really enjoyed the way the characters develop and plot unfolds, so I look forward to reading more (and recommend this to folks who are interested in the synopsis).

Oh god this book was awful, I had an incredibly hard time getting through this book it was like slugging through the mud waist high trying to finish this book.

I did like some elements of the book like the possible haunting, and the ending of the book semi interested me from about 75% of the book on but honestly I wish I had DNF’d this book as finishing it made me feel like I wasted my time .

Overall this book was not for me and I honestly don’t think I could recommend this book to anyone else either.

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan audio

Despite some slowness, this story took me on a ride that had a good amount of tension and an interesting premise that I imagine happened similarly many times in history. It's funny how misogyny and witch hunts can feel timeless and relevant, despite so much knowledge and condemnation of the acts. It makes me think men will forever decry witch hunts until a woman does something they don't like. But that's just my take on humanity, not this book.

This was cleverly presented, compelling and highly readable. Mina was a complicated character and it was interesting how easily everyone turned on her with a little manipulation.

2 ⭐️ I really did not enjoy this book and I wanted to so bad! The cover is amazing, the premise sounded promising but honestly this was a slog to get through, I almost DNFed this multiple times. The first 50% was really slow and I wanted so much more to happen with the lore and witch aspect but then it’s like the book did a 180 and turned into something else and the witch story was just dropped into thin air. I am so confused about this story and what the heck happened, in the worst possible way. I listened to the audiobook which was another shortfall, as I did not love the narration. There wasn’t a single character I cared about and Mina was the most unlikable character. I also had a very hard time keeping track of the side characters but I think it was because I wasn’t invested in the story because this book frankly has no idea what kind of story it wanted to tell. It failed at the witch story and the creepy town story. It was pretty atmospheric but any positives in this story do not outweigh how much I disliked the plot as a whole. I like my horror books to be scary and this was anything but scary, it tried and failed to be Midsommar. Proceed with caution friends.

Thank you to MacMillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review. This book will be published February 25, 2025.

I loved this book. It was an interesting examination of grief, mob mentality, fear, and demonisation of teen girls. The characters were interesting and dimensional, the plot moved fairly quickly, and the twist was not in your face or out of left field.

Unfortunately, this book just wasn’t for me. The chaotic nature of “Something in the Walls” made it hard to follow. I found myself losing the plot several times and struggling to distinguish between what was actually happening and what wasn’t.

That said, there were some elements I did enjoy. Sam and Mina were standout characters, and their presence kept me engaged even when the story felt muddled. Additionally, the narrator of the audiobook did a fantastic job, which helped elevate the experience.

Ultimately, while this one didn’t quite work for me, I could see it appealing to readers who enjoy unpredictable, mind-bending thrillers.

Thank you to Daisy Pearce, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for sending me the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

This was quite a twisted story for me overall . Mina ( a recent graduate of phycology degree )and Sam (a newspaper reporter) go to a small town where a girl named Alice is experiencing strange abilities (apparently able to talk with the dead of which Mina and Sam have both lost someone )and other phenomena which people in the town have linked to old stories of witches and witchcraft.
I felt that the story was a very slow burn and didn’t give me the thrill or suspenseful feeling I was expecting not until the last 30% of the novel, so you really have to stick it out to get to the good stuff. That last part was when everything suddenly got very twisted, creepy and unhinged .
I listened to the audiobook and I’m not sure why but I think I didn’t feel the suspense or foreboding that I should’ve cause the narrator seemed too calm in many of the situations throughout, situations in which I wouldn’t have had a clam intonation to my voice .I didn’t begin to hear or feel the suspense and panic until things got crazy in the last 30% , but the story in general kept me intrigued enough to want to know what was really happening in the town. The ending does make you sit back and ponder afterwards.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ALC . This is my honest review .

Mina is a newly minted child psychologist, has never fully recovered from the death of her brother. Neither has Sam been able to overcome his grief with the loss of his daughter years before. When Sam invites Mina to access Alice, who is believed to be haunted by ghosts, both Sam and Alice hold out hope that Alice will be able to help them come to terms with their grief. As Mina interviews Alice and those around her, she's sure something isn't right. Is Alice truly haunted or is something else in play in the small town.

I think I enjoyed the story but would have enjoyed reading it more than listening. There was something off about the audiobook, and I found that the narrator didn't fit the story. But that's my own personal preference. There also isn't a single likeable character in the story and while I wanted to root for Mina, she just made so many choices I didn't agree with that it made it hard to connect with her. Sam likewise made some weird choices which didn't flow well for me. I occasionally felt like I had missed something, which interrupted and gave the story a choppy feel.

I'm torn on my rating. On one hand, this is a well written, edge of your seat suspense read. It's light on the horror genre but does give off the 'creep' factor. It relies heavily on the small-town atmosphere. On the other, I'm not sure how much I like the turn this book had at the end and felt the pacing was uneven. Most of the story felt slow, except for the very end which wrapped up a bit to quickly for my liking. This one had tons of potential, but even as a lover of witchy reads, I'm not sure that it fully reached that potential.

Something in the Walls comes out February 25, 2025. Thank you to Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for my advanced copy in exchange for my review. If you liked this review, please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting Instagram @speakingof.books.
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Something in the Walls by Daisy Pearce is an utterly captivating audiobook that masterfully combines psychological tension with a creeping supernatural dread. Pearce’s atmospheric storytelling is elevated by the narrator’s exceptional performance, bringing every eerie whisper and emotional beat to life. The plot is full of twists and revelations that keep listeners riveted, while the richly drawn characters add depth and resonance. The seamless blend of horror and emotional storytelling makes for an unforgettable experience. A must-listen for fans of haunting, character-driven tales that linger long after the final chapter.

I dont know. I really wanted to loke the book, but i think it is just not my cup of tea. There are a lot of poeple that really loved the book and i am not saying it is not a good book. Just not for me. All the elements of the story are something that i really look in a book, but something didnt work when it was put all together.

Mina a new young child psychologist is still struggling with grief over her brother’s death five years ago.
Attending a support group she meets Sam who also is suffering loss. He convinces her to visit a young girl, Alice, who is believed to be involved in witchcraft. Mina wants to spend time learning about Alice and what is actually happening.

This is a creepy, frightening book that will hold your attention and interest. I enjoyed and was intrigued listening to this audiobook.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin Press for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. February 2025 publication date

This is my kind of cover, it is absolutely stunning!!! I went into this book blind and I did a nice hybrid of Ebook and Audio. Ana Clements was the narrator and she was fantastic! Mina is a shiny new psychologist and has a big opportunity to take a BIG job trying to help young Alice, who claims to be haunted by a witch. Even though Mina has no experience she is certain she can help this young girl but she quickly seems to be in over her head. Alice’s family and this small town have their own ideas! This is a fast paced thriller that you won’t be able to put down!!! Such an exciting read!

I wasn't sure what to expect when I requested this audiobook, but I am so glad I did!

Something in the Walls centers on Mina, a young child psychologist who’s struggling to find her footing in her new career, and her unsettling involvement in the case of Alice Webber, a 13-year-old girl convinced she’s being haunted by a witch.

Pearce creates a tense atmosphere right from the start, with Mina’s personal life feeling just as suffocating as the oppressive heatwave hanging over Britain. Her engagement to Oscar, a man I could NOT stand, is on the brink of unraveling as she grows more entangled with Alice's mysterious condition. The setting of Banathel, a small, remote village steeped in history and superstition, is atmospheric and unsettling. Pearce does a fantastic job of creating tension, where the line between mental illness and something more supernatural becomes increasingly blurred. Alice’s behavior grows stranger and more violent, and the townspeople's deep-seated beliefs in witchcraft only heighten the sense that there’s something truly sinister at play.

I was on edge the entire time I listened to this audiobook, truly torn between thinking the witch was real and thinking it was a manifestation of Alice’s trauma and the dark history of the town. Pearce’s portrayal of Mina’s internal conflict adds an extra layer of intrigue, making the story not just about the supernatural, but about personal doubt, trust, and what it means to understand someone else’s pain.

If you’re a fan of atmospheric thrillers that mix psychological depth with a touch of the uncanny, Something in the Walls is a compelling read. It’s a tale of slow-burning dread, where every revelation feels like another step deeper into a mystery that’s both chilling and emotionally resonant. And the ending was truly shocking to me. I did not see it coming, but I loved it. The narrator was perfect for this story as well. Highly recommend this author and narrator.

Something in the Walls by Daisy Pearce is a gripping psychological thriller that masterfully blends suspense, mystery, and a chilling supernatural undertone. The story follows Mina, a newly minted child psychologist, who finds herself drawn into a haunting case involving a young girl, Alice, who believes she is being tormented by a witch. What starts as a seemingly straightforward job to gain experience quickly spirals into something far darker as Mina uncovers the unsettling history of the village and its deeply rooted superstitions. Pearce’s characters are well-developed, particularly Mina, whose personal struggles and past trauma add layers of complexity to the story. The pace is perfectly balanced, keeping you engaged while the eerie atmosphere of Banathel builds, leading to a tense and unexpected conclusion. I really enjoyed the way the story flowed and how the characters evolved, and it kept me hooked from beginning to end. If you're a fan of suspenseful thrillers with a supernatural twist, Something in the Walls is definitely worth reading!

This book is haunting in the best way.

There were some parts of this book towards the beginning that didn’t grab me right away. I felt it was a bit slow to really take off.

Though once the plot is established and the story begins to really unfold, the writing takes such a causally disturbing turn.

This is definitely a book that gives you the shivers, in a way that makes you feel haunted for having even read it. As a lover of horror and witchy elements, this left even me feeling thoroughly bothered.

This book was so incredibly creepy! The writing quality and atmosphere were great. The characters were really well written. For theses reasons I’m giving 4 stars even though there were some plot details that I don’t feel I got the closure I was looking for as a reader, but in the book our main character also experiences some unresolved questions so I feel like k can relate to her in that way.

This is definitely a book that horror/thriller fans will want to add to their TBR as well as readers who really love spooky books around Halloween. 👻

I received this as an audiobook and the narration (single narrator) was well done.

Something in the Walls is a chilling blend of psychological horror and folklore that had me hooked from the start. Following Mina, a novice child psychologist, and Sam, a journalist, as they delve into the eerie case of 13-year-old Alice in the secluded village of Banathel, the story masterfully intertwines personal trauma with supernatural elements. Pearce's vivid descriptions and the oppressive heatwave setting amplify the tension, making the unfolding mystery even more gripping. If you're into atmospheric thrillers that explore the dark intersections of superstition and reality, this novel is a must-read.