Thank you so much @macmillan_audio for this audio book as a part of your influencer program!⁠ 🖤⁠ Pub Date: February 25th, 2025⁠
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This book intrigued me from the very beginning.⁠
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Imagine being a new child psychologist that goes to a home with a journalist that has a family that includes a 13 year old girl named Alice, that believes she is being haunted by a witch.⁠ 👀
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The more you dig & try to make sense of Alice's behavior & what she's told you-- the more you start to question what's really going on. Is there really a witch making noises in the walls watching Alice's every move? Or is something else happening?⁠
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The whole idea of this book freaked me out but as the time went on it was just very repetitive & I lost interest. The same things keep happening without any new information. The ending still left me with questions & it just didn't work out for me.⁠

2.5 rounded up!

I love the title and the cover.

I think it is a common misconception that horror as a genre is nothing but scary stories and there is no heart in them. But I think horror is often the genre that speaks on emotions more than any other. No genre comes close to describing grief like a horror book. In this book, so many characters are weighed down by their losses and it impacts their every day life. Mina is definitely struggling to live even years after her brother's passing. She seems stunted in her growth as an adult.

I would check out more from the author too. The story was not what I expected and it went to dark places that I really enjoyed. Another reminder that the only true evil in this world is humanity.

The narrator's voice was nice but sounded a bit older than I pictured Mina to be. The accent is amazing and I'm sure accurate to the region but it took me out of the story a little and I think I would've preferred doing the e-book version.

If you enjoy this and want something similar, I recommend checking out I'll Be Waiting by Kelley Armstrong. Thank you to NetGalley, Daisy Pearce, and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to read Something in the Walls. I have written this review voluntarily and honestly.

I was, unfortunately, not a fan of the narration of this novel. The novel itself was not particularly compelling, but the narration put it over the edge for me.

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

The moods of this book are suspenseful and somewhat dark. Mina is not an especially likable main character, as she seems ignorant in both her personal love life and professional life as a child psychologist. The mystery she and Sam uncover is not the most predictable, and I think readers will be satisfied by the reveal. That being said, this book meanders, to the point that I might describe it as slow. I would recommend this for fans of a slow burn thriller with few suspects and a closed circle of characters.

Audiobook narrated by Ana Clements

Mina is in her early twenties and newly engaged to sensible but stolid Oscar (the type of mate who would descale a kettle instead indulging in risky, romantic adventures). She is also a newly graduated child psychologist, specializing in adolescent mental health, who needs more experience to get a decent work placement. She meets Sam, a journalist, at a bereavement support network meeting. Mina is still grieving over the death of her 14 year old brother, Eddie, 6 years ago, and Sam has lost a 7 year old daughter, Maggie. Both are still dealing with personal ghosts.

After just briefly meeting, Sam contacts Mina about a story he’s working on: a teenaged girl named Alice in a small village in Cornwall is definitely sick, perhaps psychosomatically, but there are rumors of “witchcraft.” The village is decorated with hagstones and rife with rumors. Definitely “Midsommar” and “The Exorcist” vibes. Alice has been speaking in gibberish and fainting at school. Mina tries to evaluate Alice, bedeviled by the suspicion that the parents want to make money (ala the Enfield Haunting, 10 years earlier) and the congregating neighbors (the 1980s version of a social media conspiracy theory comment section) want supernatural miracles from “the witch.”

Set in 1989 — before Google, the internet, DNA testing, infrared photography, wireless hidden cameras, and cell phones — you know that this will obviously be a tech-free thriller, one that local folklore, superstition, buried emotions and weird phenomena will create suspense that can’t be dismissed as easily as it might be in the 21st century. What little tech they have (a Dictaphone tape recording with a whispered “Good Riddance” at the end) fails them, so it's up to Mina and Sam to use their own wits and plain ol’ detective work to figure out what’s happening with Alice. Mina and Sam also eventually recognize that their unresolved grief is coloring their perceptions of the supernatural. As a result, they’re both suggestible even though they claim to be looking for the truth.

The book is “medium scary” for the most part — but the tale of possible possession that gets ratcheted up after a few deaths occur, leading up to a graphic ending. The meme “it’s odd that we were taught to fear the witches and not the men who burned them” definitely needs discussion.

In the audiobook, Ana Clements brings Mina’s fears, insecurities, reflectiveness, and curiosity to life without diminishing the character (who feels she has a lot of flaws). Her voicing of the other characters (including the despicable person at the end) is great, too. She’s hampered, as are most audio narrators, however, by the author’s use of unattributed phrases (no “he/she said/thought” that are italicized in the print edition) that seem random when read aloud. I read the written work first, so those were less jarring and expected. Ms. Clements does a great job in the climatic final part when the devil gets his due. 4.5 stars for narration.

“Something in the Walls” is one of those books that you won’t want to put down! 4.5 stars!

Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): NO Scary black eyes looking out of the cracks of the fireplace, but no green ones. But look closely at the cover art.👀
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO There’s a heat wave and a hosepipe ban (new British term for me) means lawns and flowers are dying without irrigation.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for advanced reader and listener copies!

The title and cover made me think this wouldn’t be as good as it was. A unique witchy possession story that was perfectly paced. The audiobook narrator gave the main character a believable voice that fit very well with how she was written.
Thank you to NetGallery and the publisher for allowing me to listen.

4.5 stars!!!

Inexperienced child psychologist Mina struggles to make a name for herself in her field. Stuck in a heat wave in Britain, she spends her days contemplating her upcoming marriage to researcher Oscar and attending a bereavement group. When she meets journalist Sam Hunter, he proposes a job involving a thirteen-year-old girl named Alice who claims to be haunted by a witch. As Mina, Sam, and Alice delve into the mysterious occurrences in the remote village of Banathel, they uncover a history of superstition and witchcraft that puts them in danger.

I am new to this author, but the writing style is unique and captivating from the very beginning. Despite the mixed reviews, I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to review both the eBook and audiobook versions of this book. I consistently recommend trying the audiobook if the written version didn't resonate with you, as it can truly change your entire reading experience.

I found myself engrossed in both the written and spoken words of this book. It exudes a subtle supernatural vibe with a touch of witchcraft woven throughout. If these elements don't appeal to you, you may not connect with this particular read. The choice of narrator was excellent! I was completely captivated and engaged throughout the entire listen.

One aspect I appreciated was the characters' hidden secrets slowly being revealed. The author masterfully keeps everything open to interpretation until the truth is unveiled. The mystery surrounding each character kept me eagerly turning the pages, craving more information. While I was constantly questioning what was truly happening, the author provided subtle hints along the way. The final reveal was impactful, leaving room for personal interpretation while still providing clarity.

Although not a fast-paced read, the steady pace created a suspenseful atmosphere that lingered long after I finished the book. If you enjoy a chilling, thought-provoking, and slightly disturbing read that stays with you, this book is a perfect fit. I look forward to revisiting it during Halloween, as it would be incredibly fitting for the season. I eagerly anticipate reading more from this author and experiencing that heart-pounding thrill once again. Well, done!

Thank you, St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio, for the digital ARC copies. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Eerie, creepy, chilling and full of dread, Something in the Walls had me wondering what was real, what wasn't and what would I do? This book has a witchy supernatural vibe and had the hair standing up on the back of my neck a few times. This book has a 'Midsommar' eerie vibe to it which both thrilled and chilled this reader.

Mina is a new child psychologist who meets journalist, Sam Hunter at a bereavement group. Sam tells her about thirteen-year-old, Alice Webber who claims that a witch has been haunting her. Sam proposes that he and Mina should go meet with Alice and her family where he can get a career making scoop and Mina can get experience. Mina believes that she can help Alice, but the town people of Banathel, with a history of witchcraft and dislike of outsiders, believe that they have another way to help Alice.

I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the narration. I enjoyed how the plot built and became more creepy and eerie by the page. This book is also full of dread and I enjoyed trying to decide if Alice was mentally ill, if what she was experiencing was real, or was there something supernatural at play?

This book had a slow build and normally I struggle with slow builds, but I didn't mind this one. I enjoyed the tension, the atmosphere, the creepiness, and the eerie vibe of the book. I also enjoyed how unsettling the story became toward the end. This was a gripping work of folk horror which delivered and has me wanting to read more of Daisy Pearce's work in the future.

Thank you to a Macmillan Audio and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Spooky and atmospheric. A riveting read! (Or listen, in this case.) Mina is a child psychologist who is asked to visit a troubled girl who turns out to be more than troubled. This book has Exorcist/The VVitch vibes. If you are a fan of horror, and moviemakers like Robert Eggers, you will like this. My favorite part was the ending, which had me squirming! The narrator did a great job conveying both the atmosphere and the crazy stuff that eventually happened in a properly fearsome tone. I will definitely read more by Daisy Pearce! She's not afraid to "go there" with her stories, and I was legitimately scared by this one.

So, after updating my reading status for this one on Goodreads, I was shocked to see that it had so many "lower" ratings. I found the book to be quite enjoyable!

I looked through some of the lower star ratings to see what bothered people about it, and there seemed to be a varied mix of things, but the top three seemed to be:

- the narrator
- the "possession" aspect
- the ending

So, let me address why those things didn't bother me. And yes, I will be discussing the plot and the ending, so your OBLIGATORY SPOILER ALERT OBLIGATORY SPOILER ALERT OBLIGATORY SPOILER ALERT OBLIGATORY SPOILER ALERT OBLIGATORY SPOILER ALERT OBLIGATORY SPOILER ALERT OBLIGATORY SPOILER ALERT OBLIGATORY SPOILER ALERT OBLIGATORY SPOILER ALERT OBLIGATORY SPOILER ALERT OBLIGATORY SPOILER ALERT OBLIGATORY SPOILER ALERT OBLIGATORY SPOILER ALERT OBLIGATORY SPOILER ALERT OBLIGATORY SPOILER ALERT goes here.

Alright. The narrator.

The main complaint with the narrator seemed to be that she was "too soft spoken" or basically "too English." Haha. I actually thought that worked nicely with this story.

The main character, Mina, is a recently licensed child psychologist hired to get to the bottom of what's going on with a "witch-possessed" young girl. The key words here being "recently licensed." She's young and inexperienced and unsure of herself. Her entire identity pre-this-case seems to revolve around her fiance, who frankly, sucks, and her journey to overcome the loss of her brother when she was a young girl.

And part of the reason she takes on the case is an unstated desire to find out if the supernatural is real and reconnect with said lost brother.

She isn't a force of nature. She isn't a badass main character whose had years to develop her skills by the time we're dropped into her book. She's unsure. She's shy. She's.... I have to say it... "demure." Haha. I think the soft spokeness of the narrator was perfect.

Now, the possession aspect.

I think this is one of those common supernatural tropes that you either like or you don't. Either you'll appreciate possession stories, or you won't. Thankfully for this book, I happen to like possession stories. And this one was fairly well done.

It wasn't the best possession story I've ever read, by any means. But it does a good job of keeping you guessing. Is Alice actually possessed? Or is it all a hoax to get famous and move her family out of poverty? At different times in the book, it appears to lean one way, and at other times, it appears to lean the other.

Finally, the ending. And because I'm nice, I'll give another SPOILER ALERT SPOILER ALERT SPOILER ALERT just in case you somehow forgot about the first one.

The general consensus among people who didn't like the ending seems to be that it left too much unanswered, but I don't think it did. We find out that yes, for the most part, the frequency of witches (and subsequent "dewitching" -- the book has another name for it, but I can't remember, and I listened on audio and don't want to try to find it now.) in the town was nothing more than a sadistic, abusive rapist's way to further victimize young girls for his own pleasure.

However, Alice's parting words to Mina also let us know that yes... there was possibly something supernatural at play, too. And while we can't be 100% sure, that doesn't bother me. I like the mystery. I think it plays it nicely with the overall theme of the book.

Maybe it wasn't everyone's cup of tea, but I found this one to be a solid 4-star read. Or listen, as the case may be.

A creepy story about young 13 year old girl who claims that a witch is haunting her. A new child psychologist, Mina, decides to take this case in an opportunity to learn and get some experience under her belt.

This was a fun and entertaining, albeit creepy story. I wasn't quite sure where it was going to take me. I enjoyed the audio.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for the gifted ALC.

Teenage Alice Webber has exhibited unsettling behaviors, leading her small town to believe she is possessed, a witch, or both. The events gain attention from Sam, a reporter, who enlists the assistance of Mina Ellis, a recently graduated child psychologist. The protagonists navigate the dark and intricate few weeks surrounding Alice.

This narrative captivates with its gradual build-up, drawing the reader in and eager to uncover more of this borderline horror story. The character development is commendable, and I remained engaged until approximately the halfway point. The inclusion of eerie details and gripping antics enhances the suspense. However, the conclusion falls short of expectations.

As an audiobook listener, I must emphasize the exceptional narration. The ability to discern the characters’ emotions significantly contributes to the overall storytelling experience.

**Rating: Solid 3 Stars

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillian Audio for this advanced Audio copy in exchange for my honest opinion

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an early release audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars

Mina is a child psychologist with no experience. She meets a reporter at a grief support group who gets her to come stay with a family whose teenage daughter claims to be haunted by a witch.


I enjoyed Ana Clements's narration.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

There was def something in the walls. What a ride.

I was left with unanswered questions and that always bugs me or I would have given the book 5 stars. The story is well written it just left me longing for more! Where’s the epilogue?!

It felt like the whole story set up this really dark tension then it just POOF gone the last quarter. I didn’t hate the ending, it just didn’t end the way I expected/wanted it too.

I love a witchy book. Although it didn’t live up to the full potential and enjoyment, I still liked it. Had some effective creepy moments. Atmospheric is the best word to describe this book. It lost steam for me a little half way through. The narration could have been better. Overall I would recommend this one.

Something In The Walls follows new child psychologist Mina and journalist Sam as they help uncover the truth about 13-year-old Alice's bizarre claims of being haunted by a witch. In a town deeply rooted in witchcraft, it's up to the duo to investigate the teen's strange behavior and provide her with the psychological help she needs. But as more sinister things keep happening, it's hard to tell what's really going on with Alice and the people she's surrounded by.

The description sounded promising, and the book cover drew me in. The first several chapters were quite good, as we got to know the characters and the general idea of what the story was about, but the book went downhill fast from there. While I can appreciate that the author was trying to provide twists, it ended up reading like a mashup of more than one story. There were creepy moments, but there were many plot holes and situations that didn't make sense, and ultimately the ending provided no real answers as to what was happening to Alice.

I feel like the premise was good, but it was poorly executed and didn't reach a satisfying conclusion. The choice of narrator was also a bit strange to me. I enjoyed her voice, but she sounded too sweet for a story like this. She isn't the cause for my rating, as I feel I would have felt the same had I read it instead of listening to the audiobook.

2 Stars.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this ALC!

Weaving together elements of horror with psychological thriller, Pearce finds a good balance between the two to bring about the story of generational beliefs and the possibility of witchcraft. The pacing isn't the book's strongest suit, but it didn't distract from the overall plot either.

What a creepy, mind twisty good time. I enjoyed this book so much. There were times when I wanted to read through the book and smack Mina but ultimately this is a great read. Highly recommend checking this out if you enjoy a physiological thriller with a creepy feel.

I enjoyed the themes of this story that involved the witch and the superstitions of the small town. It was spooky! I do think it got a bit confusing when the plot was all wrapping up; some of the events and plot points were never explained, and overall I wish I had clearer answers.