Nat Cassidy does it again.

This book was non-stop action from the first page. The premise of the book hooked me, the action kept me turning pages and the depth of writing and feeling had me sobbing. The main character was relatable, the gore was intense and as usual Cassidy blew me right out the water.

A high-octane thrilling work of horror from Nat Cassidy. Not for the squeamish or those with hemophobia. Cassidy has created another fine opus of blood, guts, and ghouls.

Thank you to Tor and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Wow, what a book! “When the Wolf Comes Homes”completely captivated me with its contrasting viciousness and tenderness. Nat Cassidy is a storyteller like no other and anything he writes is a must read for me. In this story he weaves a truly original story which is full of action packed, full throttle insanity but underneath it all is deep emotion and familial ties. He manages to balance the two perfectly and create and absolute banger of a novel. So thankful that I was able to kick off 2025 with this one and I’m anxiously awaiting anything he writes next. I especially loved the afterword and Nat’s personal inspiration for the story as well.

Thank you to Tor Publishing Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Um holy shit! This book was a kick in the figurative balls!! Nat Cassidy just keeps getting better and better with each release, and I think this might be his best so far. This book was highly emotional and insanely intense, I had such anxiety with every page. I just loved Kiddo and Jess and the relationship that grew between them was beautiful. The less I say about this book, the better. I went into this almost completely blind and I’m so happy I did. This book deserves all the stars, and if you want to have a good cry, read the afterword it’s a thing of beauty. I will read anything this man writes, keep ‘em coming Nat!!

Nat Cassidy is one of the best horror authors out there right now. Mary and Nestlings were both five star reads for me, and When the Wolf Comes Home was no different. Cassidy has a talent for creating the most brutal, off the wall horror, but it’s just a disguise for the human tragedy underneath.

This story in particular reminded me a lot of one of my favorite Twilight Zone episodes, “It’s a Good Life”, where Bill Mumy plays a little boy whose wishes instantly materialize, no matter how horrifying. It feels like this book took that concept and dialed it up to twenty, introducing you to likeable characters and then killing them off in the most zany, terrifying way possible, while making the “monster” of the story a sympathetic, scared little boy who, for this mom, left me in tears by the end.

I also really loved having the protagonist be an improv comedian- as someone who has been to approximately 64813 improv shows in my early twenties, it was very charming to see the concepts of improv comedy moving along a horror story.

As always, Nat Cassidy has also included a heartfelt afterword, taking a peek into his process of developing the story and how it relates to his own life. I wish more authors did this, it feels like the special features on a DVD and gives you a look into the writing process.

Overall, a great horror read by one of the contemporary great horror authors. Definitely recommend.

I was skeptical midway through the book as to whether this would live up to Nestlings (one of my favourite books from the past year) but, if not surpassing it (still think it might have but I'm too in awe to properly assess) it is a worthy follow up.

The story development was flawless and the emotional poignancy is unmatched. It was a wonderful gut punch of a book that I will be remembering for years to come.

It’s been almost a week since I’ve finished this book and I still feel incapable of writing a worthy review. This was my first full length Nat Cassidy book and it certainly did not disappoint.

It left me feeling so many emotions. I kept finding myself getting so attached just to be shocked and saddened each time something bad happened. As if I wasn’t reading a horror book?? I don’t know why I was expecting happy 😅

This book really had me hooked though. I was so captivated by the story and had no idea where it was going to go.

🐺 When The Wolf Comes Home 🐺

By @catnassidy
Publisher - @tornightfire
Pub Date - April 22, 2025

🔥🔥🔥 BEST NAT CASSIDY BOOK ALERT 🔥🔥🔥

When The Wolf Comes Home is the FIRST horror book that left me weeping 😭😭. I’m talking about BAWLING MY EYES OUT!!! It’s that deep! The message that was delivered was like Cassidy was speaking to my soul!!! That cry was necessary! This story is EVERYTHING!!! Oh-mah-gawd it was AMAZING!

Jess is a struggling actress who has a chance encounter with a young boy. The boy is cowering in the bushes outside her apartment. She has no idea who is or where he’s from. All she knows is that she must keep him safe. Something is chasing them and wreaking havoc in the city.

This story is something completely different than anything @catnassidy has ever done! A mix of genres, sci-fi, cosmic horror and horror of course. If you remember the original The Twilight Zone the movie, you will most definitely FALL IN LOVE WITH THIS! Once that part of the story is revealed, you WON’T want to stop!!

If you already have this arc, I URGE YOU TO READ IT IMMEDIATELY!! If not, ADD IT TO YOUR TBR! Also, please read the author’s note! Thank you Nat Cassidy for sharing this part of your story with us!!!

Thank you @catnassidy and @tornightfire for the digital copy.

A GAZILLION ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I was very intrigued by the blurb and figured “why not?” THIS WAS A WILD READ I am absolutely new to books like this and I might have nightmares but holy shit was this good

If you think you've read dark fairy tales, Nat Cassidy has a surprise in store for you. When the Wolf Comes Home turns the standard dark fairy tale formula on its head, creating an unbelievable reality that fits so well as an analogy that it's difficult to separate the fantasy elements from the quotidian. Foregoing any sort of exposition, the book jumps right into scenes of violence that seem brutal enough to be headed in only one possible direction. Any predictions will soon be thwarted, however, as an early twist that this reader should have seen more quickly turns out to be one of many to come.

Cassidy infuses the story with an acting motif, drawing on the protagonist's experience in improv, but it's not developed consistently until the conclusion. There are other minor missed opportunities throughout the book. Overall, though, the cohesion of the metaphors drawn out in the plot gives clarity to what would otherwise be a chaotic narrative and an abrupt, challenging ending. Fans of carnivorous lunar activities will be pleased, but also surprised by this shapeshifter of a story that includes a somewhat traditional werewolf element, but goes a lot further in its mythology. For a wholly original, thrilling dark fantasy, look no further than When the Wolf Comes Home.

A ravenous thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for the ARC.

Gin Rummy!

This is an absolutely incredible book that is reminiscent of It Follows or Terminator - the terror is behind you, and it's coming. The writing itself is well-crafted, and the characters are engaging and well developed.

When the Wolf Comes Home was a terrifying romp through the darkness. Every time I thought I’d figured it out, there would be a curveball and I’d get caught up and horrified all over again. It was very funny, it was heartbreaking, it was incredibly gruesome - in short, everything I’ve come to expect (and love) from a Nat Cassidy book.

Just look at that hauntingly evocative cover—a perfect homage to the pulse-pounding 80s horror paperbacks, now with a darkly modern twist. When the Wolf Comes Home is an utterly gripping, emotionally raw, and blood-soaked chase-style horror novel that will leave you breathless and bracing for the next page.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for the opportunity to read and review When the Wolf Comes Home prior to publication.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

This was really great. The beginning got off to a slow start, but it really started to ramp up and it just didn't let up until the very end. The beats were exciting, the twists shocking, and the narrative engaging and innovative. A real treat.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you Tor for providing me an ARC of Nat Cassidy WHEN THE WOLF COMES HOME.

I’m not sure how to describe WHEN THE WOLF COMES HOME for many reasons. To me, it’s best to go into this one blind. But, it’s also a book that is meant to be devoured and then discussed and I am so excited to talk to Nat about this book next year with @novelnightmares . I can say that it left me completely sobbing (and terrified) in the car, and that I can’t stop thinking about this story and the characters. It is heart wrenching, scary, and insanely beautifully written.

Nat Cassidy has a rare way with words - even at a story’s most gruesome moments, Cassidy writes with beauty and WHEN THE WOLF COMES HOME is no exception. Fear and how it drives our actions, how it controls us, and how ultimately we have to face the fear (and its consequences) are at the heart of WHEN THE WOLF COMES HOME. I loved this story so much. I loved the afterword too.