This book tackled some of my worst nightmares by mimicking them, where a character's worst fears happen as they think about it. If you have trauma and a wild imagination, you probably have bad dreams that unfold in the same way this story does, and that terrified me.

The characters were strong, the plot moved along quickly, and the dread throughout was intense enough that I needed to take a break now and then. At the end of the book the author includes a lovely biographical explanation about the book and his reality, which ingratiated me to the book even more.

This is trippy, dark, violent, sad, and kind of funny -- my favorite combination of aspects in good horror. I enjoyed this a lot more than Nestlings, and I look forward to new things the author will release.

If your buzz words are
Daddy
Skin flaps
Misery
Fear
Bats

Pick up this book!
If you pick up this book I need you to go in blind, feel it's greatness for yourself.

When The Wolf Comes Home - Nat Cassidy
Pub date: 4/21/2025

Blending horror & deep emotional storytelling. Its haunting narrative will pull you in, making it impossible to look away. The twists are unexpected, and every page brims with tension and heart.

Woof (pun intended), this book was an absolute horror masterpiece!
I’ve always been a big fan of Nat’s writing, but When The Wolf Comes Home is easily my new favorite of his. This book is nothing like you expect—it’s a shapeshifter in its own right. Just when I thought I had a handle on where the story was going, it twisted, evolved, and morphed into something completely unexpected.
The story follows Jess, a struggling actress who discovers a young child in her backyard. From that moment on, the book does not let up. It has the relentless energy of an old-school horror action movie, yet Nat masterfully balances the terror with humor and deep emotional weight. I love the current references to pop culture as well. The existential dread in this book is next level. There are so many layers to uncover, and as a parent, the themes of parent-child relationships really struck a chord with me. The constant question of "How do you protect?" lingered in my mind long after I finished reading.
A quick note on the audiobook: I was lucky enough to have both a physical copy and the audiobook, and I have to say—the narrators did an outstanding job. The audio version truly enhanced the experience, making it even more immersive.
Final note—don’t skip the Author’s Note at the end. Nat shares a deeply personal connection to the story, which I think will resonate with many readers. It certainly did with me.
4.5/5 stars
Huge thanks to NetGalley, Tor Nightfire, and Macmillan Audio for the advanced e-copy, physical copy, and audiobook!

4.5 stars rounded up because Nat Cassidy's afterwords always delight me.

This is being categorized as mystery & thriller, but I don't entirely understand why. I mean, for one, Nat Cassidy writes horror, no? Or is this another example of horror getting slighted? Anyway, I digress. This is a very dark fairytale that is equal parts horrific and moving. And to borrow a word used in the story, it's "complicated". I love how murky this is (not in an inaccessible way). My feelings on the characters, where I thought the story was going, how I was both amused and almost teared up at times, and how I alternated between being hopeful and helpless, all changed repeatedly throughout. Also, Jess and the boy were a perfect duo. And even though one of the MCs is a little kid, and Cassidy does a beautiful job capturing some of that child-like horror, there's nothing cutesy about this. Also, Cassidy is one of the few male writers who i trust to write female characters.

And Helen Laser! The only thing that could make me more excited than I already was for a new Nat Cassidy novel was one narrated by Helen Laser. She's one of my faves. And she was excellent with all the voices, even some of the more unusual ones. I mean, the weasel was top notch.

Anyway, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher! This was awesome.

Nat Cassidy: A Wordborne Werewolf

Well, hot diggity dang! Nat Cassidy isn’t just a horror writer—he’s a Wordborne Werewolf, a storyteller whose words shapeshift into nightmares, unpredictable and relentless. His stories don’t just send chills up your spine—they burrow under your skin and refuse to leave. He unleashes something dark and consuming—a skill he demonstrates in his latest When The Wolf Comes Home.

When The Wolf Comes Home chilling and profound blend of supernatural horror with psychological terror layered with gore, brutal unexpected horror, jaw-dropping twists, and gut-wrenching emotional depth that elevates every unsettling visual moment.

Not A Werewolf Story

If you think this is just another werewolf tale—think again. There are no predictable full moons or silver bullets here—something far more unsettling and insidious. Instead, Cassidy hits differently and sends you on a chilling descent to what nightmares are made from. This is where fear seeps from the page, burrowing into your thoughts. It’s the perfect mix of terrifying and thought-provoking, making you question what’s lurking in the dark corners of your mind.

A Mysterious Child & A Mind-Bending Descent

​The real magic (or nightmare) of Cassidy’s writing is how he builds tension through the eyes of a mysterious young boy as he explores fear through his thoughts. It’s about how our thoughts and experiences manifest fear. ​​His horror lingers, forcing you to wonder: Is fear something we feel or something we create?

This isn’t slow-burn horror filled with creeping dread—it’s a full-throttle ride of action, gore, gut-wrenching insight, and unexpected twists at every turn.

Audiobook vs. eBook

I listened to this one, and let me tell you—the audiobook is the way to go. I didn’t have an eBook to compare, but I can only imagine that the terror on the page is just as intense. From the moment I hit play, I didn’t want to do anything else.

The narrator was pitch-perfect, shifting seamlessly between unease and outright terror, nailing every beat of excitement, dread, and intensity at just the right moments.

I’ll admit—sometimes when I listen to audiobooks, I switch to reading because the pacing can drag. But not this time. This one flew, and I didn’t want to miss a single second.

Final Verdict: Go with the Audiobook!

If you’re debating how to experience this story, trust me—go with the audiobook. It’s immersive, chilling, and gripping from start to finish. This one whispers in your ear long after it ends.

Are you ready for the wolf to come home?

I really tried to like this one...however it simply was not it. The one bright spot was the narrator, she did a fantastic job!

I was excited to read this book and it proved to live up to that excitement. Jess, a struggling actor, ends up with accidental custody of a little boy who's capable of manifesting his own whims. The pair end up on the run from the boy's father, who happens to be a terrible monster.

This book was a lot of fun and it really pulled no punches. It was brutal and scary but on top of that it was also funny and occasionally charming. There were a lot of things I really loved about this book and there were moments where I was actually delighted. The creativity that went into bringing the boy's dreams and fears to life went into making this read such a good time.

That said, I'm both so angry and so overjoyed by the end of this book. I didn't see where this was going at all, wouldn't have ever guessed. And I love it when books catch me off guard this way.

5/5 stars, for sure. Can't wait to read Nat Cassidy's other novels.

Nat Cassidy has been one of my favorite author discovery’s of the last couple of years, so when I was offered an audiobook of When the Wolf Comes Home I was ecstatic. This book is a wild, adrenaline fueled roller coaster ride from the start and the action rarely lets up. I went in thinking it was going to be a traditional werewolf story, but it was something very different and much more powerful. It is a blood drenched look at parenthood, the power of imagination, and anxiety. It is also an examination of the nature of fear, and it is powerful, emotional and heartbreaking.

No one writes flawed characters better than Cassidy. He gets to the bottom of what makes individual tick. They are multi dimensional and you are able to connect with them while at the same time are often aggravated by them. In other words he creates people who are real. As usual one of my favorite parts of a Cassidy novel is when he shares his own story, background and inspiration. Just when you think you completely understand one of his novels, you read the afterward and what he shares of his own personal experience adds a depth and power to the novel. You see it with fresh eyes and will want to read it again with your new understanding to guide you through it.

I’m so happy I listened to this one on audio. Helen Laser’s narration is a feat of storytelling as she captures the nuance of each character and brings their fear to life. She also does an incredible job capturing the sometimes subtle nature of fear and devastation so that it feels real and relatable. It was an outstanding narration. A performance. I highly recommend the audiobook of this one.
Thank you to @macmillan.audio and @netgalley for an audio arc of this book.

I don't always read the synopsis of a book. I like to go in with a certain level of blindness so that I don't build up unreasonable expectations. I read Nat's previous books so I knew I would get a unique bit of horror. Going off the title and the cover, I assumed this is a werewolf story. I was wrong! And pleasantly surprised! The twist to the story with the little boy's abilities took me a moment to enjoy. I was worried it was going into a more fantasy/scifi/magical theme. But I'm glad I stuck it out!

Jess is my dream main character. She is smart and clever while also being extremely human. She wants to do the right thing but also wants to take care of her own peace. Helen Laser's voice went so perfectly with her personality. It was sweet at times while being sarcastic in the next.

The afterword was probably my favorite part which I know is weird to say about a book like this, but Nat clearly poured his heart out when writing this. I encourage readers to actually read the foreword and afterword of books because you get some insight to the story and author like never before. I loved reading how this book is inspired by the many faces of his father. I think so often, horror gets tossed aside as being trash. But horror books like this help us navigate through tough emotions in a way that doesn't try to remain pretty.

Thank you to NetGalley, Nat Cassidy, Helen Laser and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to read When the Wolf Comes Home. I have written this review voluntarily and honestly.

Daaaaaammmmn. This book is next level, old school, gory horror. Here for it. Perfect spooky season book. Great narration.

If Daddy Issues were embodied into a whole horror novel with a sprinkling of fairytales, you'd get When the Wolf Comes Home. A young boy finds his way into the life of Jessa, a waitress and struggling actress, and the chaos that ensues as she tries to rescue him from his monstrous, abusive father threatens to harm everyone around them. With a wonderful supporting cast including Jessa's mom, Cookie, this book bring up a host of new deep-seated fears and explores the shape-shifting nature of our fathers.

I really enjoyed this one, but definitely prepare yourself by checking the content warnings because it is a ride and at times, deeply upsetting. I also very much appreciated Nat's afterward where he goes into the shapeshifting nature of his father and his grandfather that in part inspired the novel as a whole. I don't necessarily expect to be left contemplating my relationship with my own dad after reading a horror novel, but was left pondering it after his tribute.

I also listened to the book as an audiobook and whole-heartedly recommend - the narrator, Helen Laser, does a fantastic job of bringing everyone to life including Jessa, Kiddo, and Cookie. She really brings something extra to the whole experience.

Thank you so much to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

The beginning of this book was really interesting but then it felt like it dragged on a bit which made me lose interest. I feel like the pacing was a bit slow with not much payoff. The overall premise was interesting and it was a good balance of funny and serious moments. The narrator was really good though! She did a great job with voices and making the story flow a bit better than just reading it would have.

The first chapter grabs you by the heartstrings with the introduction of "the boy" from his POV, who we learn is living with his abusive/neglectful father - he's never even had a storybook read to him 😭
With the next chapter we are introduced to Jess, who promptly experiences the worst night of her life, punctuated by her discovery of the boy and subsequent introduction to "Daddy" (not in the fun way, sorry Booktok)

The chase begins in short order, with much splashy insides-become-outsides, where Jess (and the reader) learns about the secret that the boy and his father have been hiding; the cause for this whole gory misadventure.

I thought this started off really strong and intriguing, though my interest wavered a bit in the middle in some less serious parts - picturing Doc Brown locked in my bathroom, for one - which dampened the horror experience I was expecting. I'm not as familiar with pop horror.
The rest of the book was fairly predictable, but still worth listening aaallll the way to the end.

Loved the content warnings at the beginning, I really appreciated knowing what to expect in order to make an informed decision to continue listening!
Helen Laser did a wonderful job of narrating and voicing each character distinctly.

Thank you Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the free advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review!

This book was beautifully monstrous. The writing was poetic as horrible things happened, making it mystical and somehow, beautiful. The plot was so unique, as were the characters. There is a lot of bloodshed and many fatalities, but the author did it all so tastefully in an artist’s rendering, the goriness did not bother me. This could easily be a movie, as that is how vivid it played in my mind. I am awestruck by the talent of Nat Cassidy, and bereft at the loss of this story as it came to an end. Just a lovely horror book. Thank you to the Tor Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

This book was absolutely fantastic. I listened to the audiobook (which is incredible) and I could NOT stop listening to this story!! Dark fairy tales, daddy issues, generational trauma, Stranger Things vibes… oh my. The horror descriptions are vivid and grotesque but also beautifully written??? (Wtf) this book comes out in April and I highly suggest reading it.

Thanks NetGalley & MacMillan Audio for the ARC audiobook.

5 stars

Readers who enjoy fairy tales, fairy tale theory, and horror as a glorious mashup will be in absolute bliss while engaging with this newest effort from Nat Cassidy. I expected to enjoy this but ended up LOVING it.

Jess is in her 20s and having a lot of age-specific drama connected to familial relationships, her own identity, and her future. When a young boy - a truly unusual one at that - seems to fall into her sphere, she can't help but wonder not only what's up with him but also what's up with herself. What ensues is absolutely wild and incredily engaging from the perspectives of horror, lore, and characterization.

The narration of the audiobook makes this narrative even more powerful, so I highly recommend this modality when and where accessible.

I enjoyed this so much that I'm planning to dip back into Cassidy's past works next.

A woman finds a five year old boy in the bushes outside her apartment, leading the two of them on the run from what at first appears to be an abusive father but is actually so much more. What makes a monster? How much room should we allow fear in our lives? This is the wearwolf book I never knew I needed! It’s classic horror, it’s funny, it’s deeply moving and emotionally intelligent. I’m honestly stunned by how good this was.

“Love is a shapeshifting monster.”

Wow did this book take me on a wild ride and I loved it! This was my first book by Nat Cassidy and now I must read his backlist. I really enjoyed his storytelling in this book. I loved how he weaved the horror with the supernatural with small nods to classic fairy tales. It was a very immersive story. I enjoyed our characters in this book and honestly when a few characters got killed I have to say it had me tearing up. I thought I was going to find Jessa annoying, she’s your typical failing actress working a dead end job, miserable 30 something year old, but she really grew on me. Her character really evolved in this story and she got braver and braver as the story unfolded. I enjoyed “kiddo” in the story, he was a very complex five year old and quite frankly terrifying. Some of the scenes in this book were so terrifying, but so gripping. I couldn’t stop listening. I needed to hear how this story ended.

I loved the narrator of this book, she did a fantastic job with the various characters in this book and really put her all into this story making it a very enjoyable read. I also liked hearing from Nat Cassidy at the end and how his own dad was the inspiration for this story.

Overall this book was really fantastic. I haven’t read anything like this and I think that’s what I enjoyed the most. This is an original story written very well. Add this to your 2025 horror reads!

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I wanted to like this one but I felt kind of duped by the synopsis. No spoilers but it was not what I was expecting.

"When the Wolf Comes Home" is an absolute whirlwind of a read! Nat Cassidy masterfully crafts a gripping narrative that starts in one place and evolves into something entirely unexpected by Part Two. His writing is immersive, drawing readers in with an effortless flow that makes it impossible to put the book down.

I especially loved the homage to the classic Twilight Zone episode "It's a Good Life", a personal favorite of mine, which adds an extra layer of eerie nostalgia to the story. Cassidy’s ability to write a believable and compelling female protagonist is truly impressive (as he shows time and time again), making the psychological depth of the novel even more engrossing.

I did listen to the audio book version and I have to say that this narrator belongs in a hall of fame. Her voice acting is second to none!

This book is packed with classic horror tropes, but rather than feeling overdone, they’re expertly woven into a chilling cosmic horror experience. If you love smart, unsettling horror that keeps you on your toes, this is a must read!

My thanks to NetGalley, Nat Cassidy, and Macmillan Audio for the Audio ARC in exchange for my honest review.