Something In The Walls

I requested a copy of Something In The Walls based solely on its blurb. I was eager for a tense and sinister read. I was creeped out - in the very best way - as newly graduated child psychologist Mina, who is still reeling from the death of her brother, joins forces with a journalist to figure out if a teen girl in a small town is possessed.

For the first quarter of the book Pearce's descriptions of witchy vibes and eerie situations had me eagerly turning the pages. The story was wonderfully sinister and had me looking over my shoulder ... but then things changed.

At this point the story faltered for me and things just didn't make sense. Was it weird that Mina and the journalist stayed in the home of the teen's family? Yes. Why did Mina hardly ever interact with or talk with the teen girl so she could accurately and professionally evaluate her? Later in the story the witchy vibe disappears, and the story goes off on another tangent which was just confusing and not nearly as satisfying as the witchy focus.

Final Thoughts: I loved the premise and the initial creepy vibe. But I expected to enjoy this book a whole lot more and was disappointed that I didn't connect with the characters or story and was left with an ending that felt incomplete with too many unanswered questions.

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to St Martin's Press for the complimentary digital copy of this book which was given in exchange for my honest review.

My Rating: 2.5 stars

Author: Daisy Pearce

Genre: Suspense

Type and Source: ebook from publisher via NetGalley

Publisher: St Martin's Press

First Published: February 25, 2025

Read: January 9 - 11, 2025

Book Description from GoodReads: 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 a which is haunting her. 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.