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Dark Is When the Devil Comes
Unrelentingly scary and thrilling, Dark Is When the Devil Comes is an ambitious and chilling novel from acclaimed horror author Daisy Pearce.
The woods are known as the place to avoid. What goes in, doesn’t come out.
Hazel has been gone from her small hometown of Idless in the English countryside for years. Now returned in the wake of a traumatic divorce and crumbling personal life, her simple plans are to lay low at her parents’ vacated house, reconnect with her prickly sister Cathy, and slowly get back on her feet.
Cathy is surprised when Hazel doesn’t show. Their relationship strained from a fallout half a decade ago, she didn’t expect them to get back into a sisterly rhythm…though she hadn’t counted on Hazel bailing, either.
But something isn’t adding up. Other people in town whisper of a threat that can’t be shaken. The woods are known for being restless. And Cathy knows the old saying.
If you go looking for trouble, you just might find it.
The woods are known as the place to avoid. What goes in, doesn’t come out.
Hazel has been gone from her small hometown of Idless in the English countryside for years. Now returned in the wake of a traumatic divorce and crumbling personal life, her simple plans are to lay low at her parents’ vacated house, reconnect with her prickly sister Cathy, and slowly get back on her feet.
Cathy is surprised when Hazel doesn’t show. Their relationship strained from a fallout half a decade ago, she didn’t expect them to get back into a sisterly rhythm…though she hadn’t counted on Hazel bailing, either.
But something isn’t adding up. Other people in town whisper of a threat that can’t be shaken. The woods are known for being restless. And Cathy knows the old saying.
If you go looking for trouble, you just might find it.
330 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 28, 2026
149 people are currently reading
35029 people want to read
About the author
Daisy Pearce
6 books724 followersDaisy Pearce was born in Cornwall and grew up on a smallholding surrounded by hippies. She read Stephen King’s 'Cujo' and The Hamlyn Book of Horror far too young and has been fascinated with the macabre ever since.
She began writing short stories as a teenager and after spells living in London and Brighton Daisy had her first short story ‘The Black Prince’ published in One Eye Grey magazine. Another short story, ‘The Brook Witch’, was performed on stage at the Small Story Cabaret in Lewes in 2016. She has also written articles about mental health online. In 2015, The Silence won a bursary with The Literary Consultancy, and later that year Daisy also won the Chindi Authors Competition with her short story ‘Worm Food’. Her second novel was longlisted for the Mslexia Novel Award.
Daisy currently works in the library at the University of Sussex, where she shelves books and listens to podcasts on true crime and folklore.
She began writing short stories as a teenager and after spells living in London and Brighton Daisy had her first short story ‘The Black Prince’ published in One Eye Grey magazine. Another short story, ‘The Brook Witch’, was performed on stage at the Small Story Cabaret in Lewes in 2016. She has also written articles about mental health online. In 2015, The Silence won a bursary with The Literary Consultancy, and later that year Daisy also won the Chindi Authors Competition with her short story ‘Worm Food’. Her second novel was longlisted for the Mslexia Novel Award.
Daisy currently works in the library at the University of Sussex, where she shelves books and listens to podcasts on true crime and folklore.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 775 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
— 2.5/5 stars
Okay, so I picked this book up thinking it would be another amazing read by Daisy Pierce because I loved the last one I read. Something in the Walls genuinely creeped me out so bad I was side-eyeing my own walls at night, and that’s saying something. So obviously, I went into this one with high expectations, fully believing it would hit the same way.
But sadly, and honestly a little heartbreakingly, it just didn’t.
The beginning was actually pretty promising. The premise was interesting, the setup had potential, and I could see where the story wanted to go. The writing itself? Still great. Daisy writes beautifully, no doubt about that. But somewhere along the way, the execution just fell flat for me. It had all the right ingredients, but it didn’t quite come together the way I hoped it would.
And I think the biggest issue for me was the narration. Because narration can truly make or break a book and in this case, it just didn’t work for me. I found myself constantly pausing, trying to piece together what was even happening. It felt confusing at times, almost disjointed, like I was missing something important or like the story wasn’t fully connecting.
There were moments where I genuinely sat there thinking, wait what is going on right now? And not in a thrilling, mysterious way but in a way that pulled me out of the story instead of pulling me in.
And that’s what made me the most sad, honestly. Because I wanted to love this book. I really did. I went in ready to adore it, ready to be obsessed again but I just couldn’t get past those issues. It felt incomplete somehow, like there was something missing that I just couldn’t quite put my finger on.
➳ ABOUT THE BOOK
Okay, so this story revolves around two sisters Hazel and Kathy. And honestly, the premise itself sounded so intriguing to me. Like, it had everything I usually love in a thriller, mystery, family dynamics, a hint of the supernatural. But sadly it just didn’t land the way I hoped it would.
So basically, Hazel is going through a really rough phase in her life. She’s dealing with a divorce, and not just any divorce she genuinely loved her husband, so it hits her hard. But alongside all of that, there’s something off about her. Hazel has this ability where she can see and feel a shadow around her. And that’s where the eerie element comes in.
Except it didn’t feel eerie. I don’t know how to explain it properly, but it didn’t feel like possession, it didn’t feel haunting, it didn’t even feel unsettling in the way it should have. Instead of being scared, I found myself thinking, okay when is this going somewhere? And that was honestly disappointing because this concept had so much potential.
Now, coming back to the sisters, Hazel and Kathy had a falling out in the past, so their relationship is already strained. When Hazel returns home after her divorce, it feels like maybe this is their chance to fix things, to reconcile. But before that can even properly happen, Hazel just disappears. Completely. Out of nowhere.
At first, Kathy tries to rationalize it. She thinks maybe Hazel is avoiding her, maybe it’s because of their past issues. But deep down, she knows something isn’t right. That gut feeling kicks in. And as she starts noticing strange things small, unsettling clues, she realizes that Hazel isn’t just avoiding her, she’s actually missing.
And that’s when the story really begins to unfold.
Kathy, being the only one who truly knows about Hazel’s connection to the“shadows,” starts piecing things together. But at the same time, there’s fear. Because what if Hazel isn’t just missing? What if something else has happened to her? Something darker?
The search becomes both emotional and terrifying for Kathy. She’s trying to find her sister, but she’s also scared of what she might find.
And in the end, yes, she does find Hazel. She saves her. That part wraps up in a way that should feel satisfying.
But here’s the thing, the journey to get there just didn’t feel complete.
The premise? Amazing. The concept? So, so interesting. The storyline had all the right elements. But the execution, that’s where it fell flat for me. It felt rushed in some places, dragged in others, and overall just a bit disconnected. Almost like pieces of the story were missing or not fully explored.
And by the end, instead of feeling fulfilled, I was just left thinking, that’s it?
➳ FINAL THOUGHTS
See, by no means would I call this a bad book, because it really isn’t. It had so much potential, and that’s honestly what makes it more disappointing. It had all the right elements, the kind that usually pull me in instantly, it just didn’t quite reach where it could’ve.
Like I said before, the execution is where things started slipping for me. And narration played a huge role in that. It just didn’t flow in a way that made me feel connected or grounded in the story. Instead, I found myself confused more often than intrigued, which is never a good sign, especially in a thriller.
And maybe that’s why this hit harder than it should have, because I really wanted to love it. I had such high hopes going in, especially after loving Something in the Walls so much. I thought, okay, another eerie, possession-based story? This is so my thing. I was genuinely excited.
But instead of being scared or hooked, I was just lost. Half the time, I didn’t even fully understand what was happening, and not in a mysterious, suspenseful way, but in a confusing, disconnecting way.
That being said, I also feel like maybe it was just me? I hadn’t picked up a thriller in a while as I was deep into fantasy before this, so maybe my reading rhythm was off. Maybe I just couldn’t get into the right headspace for it. That’s always a possibility.
But still, at the end of the day, the experience didn’t change much for me.
⚘ "Overall, it wasn’t bad, it was just disappointing. The kind of book you wanted to love but couldn’t, no matter how much you tried. And honestly? That’s the worst kind of heartbreak for a reader." 💌
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈
౨ৎ pre-read:
⤿ started - 23 march , 2026
had enough of fantasy, so here we go, back to my roots 🤧🤌🏻
— Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Okay, so I picked this book up thinking it would be another amazing read by Daisy Pierce because I loved the last one I read. Something in the Walls genuinely creeped me out so bad I was side-eyeing my own walls at night, and that’s saying something. So obviously, I went into this one with high expectations, fully believing it would hit the same way.
But sadly, and honestly a little heartbreakingly, it just didn’t.
The beginning was actually pretty promising. The premise was interesting, the setup had potential, and I could see where the story wanted to go. The writing itself? Still great. Daisy writes beautifully, no doubt about that. But somewhere along the way, the execution just fell flat for me. It had all the right ingredients, but it didn’t quite come together the way I hoped it would.
And I think the biggest issue for me was the narration. Because narration can truly make or break a book and in this case, it just didn’t work for me. I found myself constantly pausing, trying to piece together what was even happening. It felt confusing at times, almost disjointed, like I was missing something important or like the story wasn’t fully connecting.
There were moments where I genuinely sat there thinking, wait what is going on right now? And not in a thrilling, mysterious way but in a way that pulled me out of the story instead of pulling me in.
And that’s what made me the most sad, honestly. Because I wanted to love this book. I really did. I went in ready to adore it, ready to be obsessed again but I just couldn’t get past those issues. It felt incomplete somehow, like there was something missing that I just couldn’t quite put my finger on.
➳ ABOUT THE BOOK
Okay, so this story revolves around two sisters Hazel and Kathy. And honestly, the premise itself sounded so intriguing to me. Like, it had everything I usually love in a thriller, mystery, family dynamics, a hint of the supernatural. But sadly it just didn’t land the way I hoped it would.
So basically, Hazel is going through a really rough phase in her life. She’s dealing with a divorce, and not just any divorce she genuinely loved her husband, so it hits her hard. But alongside all of that, there’s something off about her. Hazel has this ability where she can see and feel a shadow around her. And that’s where the eerie element comes in.
Except it didn’t feel eerie. I don’t know how to explain it properly, but it didn’t feel like possession, it didn’t feel haunting, it didn’t even feel unsettling in the way it should have. Instead of being scared, I found myself thinking, okay when is this going somewhere? And that was honestly disappointing because this concept had so much potential.
Now, coming back to the sisters, Hazel and Kathy had a falling out in the past, so their relationship is already strained. When Hazel returns home after her divorce, it feels like maybe this is their chance to fix things, to reconcile. But before that can even properly happen, Hazel just disappears. Completely. Out of nowhere.
At first, Kathy tries to rationalize it. She thinks maybe Hazel is avoiding her, maybe it’s because of their past issues. But deep down, she knows something isn’t right. That gut feeling kicks in. And as she starts noticing strange things small, unsettling clues, she realizes that Hazel isn’t just avoiding her, she’s actually missing.
And that’s when the story really begins to unfold.
Kathy, being the only one who truly knows about Hazel’s connection to the“shadows,” starts piecing things together. But at the same time, there’s fear. Because what if Hazel isn’t just missing? What if something else has happened to her? Something darker?
The search becomes both emotional and terrifying for Kathy. She’s trying to find her sister, but she’s also scared of what she might find.
And in the end, yes, she does find Hazel. She saves her. That part wraps up in a way that should feel satisfying.
But here’s the thing, the journey to get there just didn’t feel complete.
The premise? Amazing. The concept? So, so interesting. The storyline had all the right elements. But the execution, that’s where it fell flat for me. It felt rushed in some places, dragged in others, and overall just a bit disconnected. Almost like pieces of the story were missing or not fully explored.
And by the end, instead of feeling fulfilled, I was just left thinking, that’s it?
➳ FINAL THOUGHTS
See, by no means would I call this a bad book, because it really isn’t. It had so much potential, and that’s honestly what makes it more disappointing. It had all the right elements, the kind that usually pull me in instantly, it just didn’t quite reach where it could’ve.
Like I said before, the execution is where things started slipping for me. And narration played a huge role in that. It just didn’t flow in a way that made me feel connected or grounded in the story. Instead, I found myself confused more often than intrigued, which is never a good sign, especially in a thriller.
And maybe that’s why this hit harder than it should have, because I really wanted to love it. I had such high hopes going in, especially after loving Something in the Walls so much. I thought, okay, another eerie, possession-based story? This is so my thing. I was genuinely excited.
But instead of being scared or hooked, I was just lost. Half the time, I didn’t even fully understand what was happening, and not in a mysterious, suspenseful way, but in a confusing, disconnecting way.
That being said, I also feel like maybe it was just me? I hadn’t picked up a thriller in a while as I was deep into fantasy before this, so maybe my reading rhythm was off. Maybe I just couldn’t get into the right headspace for it. That’s always a possibility.
But still, at the end of the day, the experience didn’t change much for me.
⚘ "Overall, it wasn’t bad, it was just disappointing. The kind of book you wanted to love but couldn’t, no matter how much you tried. And honestly? That’s the worst kind of heartbreak for a reader." 💌
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈
౨ৎ pre-read:
⤿ started - 23 march , 2026
had enough of fantasy, so here we go, back to my roots 🤧🤌🏻
— Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 5, 2026
There are some books that don't just creep you out—they crawl under your skin and settle there, humming with tension long after you've closed the last page. That's exactly what happened to me with Dark Is When the Devil Comes. Daisy Pearce doesn't just write horror; she builds an entire emotional and eerie landscape you feel stuck inside, the way you feel stuck in a bad dream you can't shake.
Hazel returns to Idless hoping for a quiet reset after her divorce—maybe a little solitude, maybe a fragile attempt to reconnect with her sister Cathy. But from the moment she steps back into her childhood town, you can sense something is off. Everyone seems to carry invisible weight. The woods seem too silent, too watchful. There's this subtle, prickling feeling that the whole town is holding its breath.
What I loved most is how Pearce roots all that creeping dread in something so relatable: coming home when you're bruised and uncertain, standing in the ruins of your old life, hoping your family will still know how to hold you. Hazel's emotional unraveling makes the supernatural elements feel even more haunting—it's like every fear she never dealt with starts pressing against her from the outside.
And Cathy's side of the story? I felt for her. Their sisterhood is tender and messy and imperfect, and it adds such a deeply human heartbeat to the book. When Hazel disappears, Cathy's frantic search becomes more than a mystery—it's an attempt to salvage years of distance and regret. You can feel how desperately she wants another chance.
The horror itself is atmospheric and eerie in the best ways. Nothing jumps. Nothing screams. Instead, the fear builds like fog—slow and smothering, until you realize you've been clenching your jaw for the last ten pages. Pearce mixes human danger with something older, stranger, and rooted in the very soil of Idless. The woods feel alive, hungry even, and every time a character walks near them, it's like the trees lean in a little closer.
I also loved how Pearce makes you question what's real and what's rooted in pain, trauma, memory, or something darker. It never feels cheap—it feels like the kind of horror that grows out of the things we've buried for too long.
The pacing keeps you hooked, the tension hits right in the chest, and the emotional stakes make the scares land even harder. By the time I finished, I felt like I'd been holding my breath right alongside Hazel and Cathy.
If you enjoy horror that feels intimate, unsettling, and tinged with folklore… if you love stories where sisters have to fight not just monsters but their own ghosts… this one is absolutely worth reading.
Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for sharing this gripping thriller's digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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Hazel returns to Idless hoping for a quiet reset after her divorce—maybe a little solitude, maybe a fragile attempt to reconnect with her sister Cathy. But from the moment she steps back into her childhood town, you can sense something is off. Everyone seems to carry invisible weight. The woods seem too silent, too watchful. There's this subtle, prickling feeling that the whole town is holding its breath.
What I loved most is how Pearce roots all that creeping dread in something so relatable: coming home when you're bruised and uncertain, standing in the ruins of your old life, hoping your family will still know how to hold you. Hazel's emotional unraveling makes the supernatural elements feel even more haunting—it's like every fear she never dealt with starts pressing against her from the outside.
And Cathy's side of the story? I felt for her. Their sisterhood is tender and messy and imperfect, and it adds such a deeply human heartbeat to the book. When Hazel disappears, Cathy's frantic search becomes more than a mystery—it's an attempt to salvage years of distance and regret. You can feel how desperately she wants another chance.
The horror itself is atmospheric and eerie in the best ways. Nothing jumps. Nothing screams. Instead, the fear builds like fog—slow and smothering, until you realize you've been clenching your jaw for the last ten pages. Pearce mixes human danger with something older, stranger, and rooted in the very soil of Idless. The woods feel alive, hungry even, and every time a character walks near them, it's like the trees lean in a little closer.
I also loved how Pearce makes you question what's real and what's rooted in pain, trauma, memory, or something darker. It never feels cheap—it feels like the kind of horror that grows out of the things we've buried for too long.
The pacing keeps you hooked, the tension hits right in the chest, and the emotional stakes make the scares land even harder. By the time I finished, I felt like I'd been holding my breath right alongside Hazel and Cathy.
If you enjoy horror that feels intimate, unsettling, and tinged with folklore… if you love stories where sisters have to fight not just monsters but their own ghosts… this one is absolutely worth reading.
Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for sharing this gripping thriller's digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium blog
twitter<
December 29, 2025
Darkly horrific, eerily atmospheric, & utterly gripping!
From the very first pages of Dark Is When The Devil Comes Home by Daisy Pearce, I was hooked. This is a twisty, chilling horror story that drags you in and refuses to let go. I immediately loved the way Pearce sets the tone. Dark, tense, and beautifully unsettling, the characters feel so vivid and real that I was invested in their fates from the start.
Key Thoughts
📖 The pacing is relentless in the best way, every chapter ratchets up tension and kept me turning pages far later than I should have.
👀 Hazel and Cathy’s strained, tentative sisterly dynamic added so much depth and relatability to the story. I cared about both of them in very different ways.
💭 The psychological unease, creeping dread, and sense of being constantly watched made me feel like I was right there in the woods, questioning every shadow.
🏡 The English countryside setting and the restless woods were perfectly atmospheric, dark, and foreboding. Nothing good ever happens in those woods.
🧩 The villain was genuinely creepy, and while some motives felt a little murky, the suspense, secrets, and twists more than made up for it. Pearce’s ability to keep reality slippery and tense had me guessing until the very end.
Thank you to the publisher for my physical ARC copy and to NetGalley for my digital ARC.
Pearce has done it again. This book thrills from start to finish, overflowing with atmosphere, tension, and dark, unnerving energy. I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next.
Expected publication date: April 28, 2026
This was a wonderful witches words buddy read with Debra, Brenda ~ The Sisters~Book Witch and Mary Beth. Please check out their reviews.
Ooooh! Bookmail time! 📚✨BOOKMAIL EXCITEMENT!✨📚
My copy of Dark Is When the Devil Comes by Daisy Pearce has arrived and I am buzzing! Something in the Walls earned a full five stars from me and was one of my favourite reads of 2025, so my expectations are sky high.
Just holding this book has me tingling with anticipation. I cannot wait to dive in and see what twists and chills Daisy Pearce has in store this time.
Thank you so much to Daisy Pearce and Minotaur Books for this copy!
#bookmail #darkiswhenthedevilcomes
From the very first pages of Dark Is When The Devil Comes Home by Daisy Pearce, I was hooked. This is a twisty, chilling horror story that drags you in and refuses to let go. I immediately loved the way Pearce sets the tone. Dark, tense, and beautifully unsettling, the characters feel so vivid and real that I was invested in their fates from the start.
Key Thoughts
📖 The pacing is relentless in the best way, every chapter ratchets up tension and kept me turning pages far later than I should have.
👀 Hazel and Cathy’s strained, tentative sisterly dynamic added so much depth and relatability to the story. I cared about both of them in very different ways.
💭 The psychological unease, creeping dread, and sense of being constantly watched made me feel like I was right there in the woods, questioning every shadow.
🏡 The English countryside setting and the restless woods were perfectly atmospheric, dark, and foreboding. Nothing good ever happens in those woods.
🧩 The villain was genuinely creepy, and while some motives felt a little murky, the suspense, secrets, and twists more than made up for it. Pearce’s ability to keep reality slippery and tense had me guessing until the very end.
Thank you to the publisher for my physical ARC copy and to NetGalley for my digital ARC.
Pearce has done it again. This book thrills from start to finish, overflowing with atmosphere, tension, and dark, unnerving energy. I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next.
Expected publication date: April 28, 2026
This was a wonderful witches words buddy read with Debra, Brenda ~ The Sisters~Book Witch and Mary Beth. Please check out their reviews.
Ooooh! Bookmail time! 📚✨BOOKMAIL EXCITEMENT!✨📚
My copy of Dark Is When the Devil Comes by Daisy Pearce has arrived and I am buzzing! Something in the Walls earned a full five stars from me and was one of my favourite reads of 2025, so my expectations are sky high.
Just holding this book has me tingling with anticipation. I cannot wait to dive in and see what twists and chills Daisy Pearce has in store this time.
Thank you so much to Daisy Pearce and Minotaur Books for this copy!
#bookmail #darkiswhenthedevilcomes
December 23, 2025
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Malignant meets Kiss the Girls, and in all the good ways.
This book romped. It dives right in, pulls you along with its current, and doesn’t relent until its waves have rattled your brain like a sentient tumor. IYKYK
I loved its pace (please authors, give us more short chapters), its characters were vivid, cunning (maybe not you Cathy), and realistic. The villain was creepy, but my only complaint is that his motives were a bit muddled. Otherwise, this book slams from start to finish.
Malignant meets Kiss the Girls, and in all the good ways.
This book romped. It dives right in, pulls you along with its current, and doesn’t relent until its waves have rattled your brain like a sentient tumor. IYKYK
I loved its pace (please authors, give us more short chapters), its characters were vivid, cunning (maybe not you Cathy), and realistic. The villain was creepy, but my only complaint is that his motives were a bit muddled. Otherwise, this book slams from start to finish.
April 28, 2026
Oh, this was good! I found this to be a good atmospheric blend of horror and thriller.
In the midst of a divorce, Hazel heads back to her childhood home in the English countryside. While there she decides it’s a good time to try and reconcile with her estranged sister, Cathy. However, when she doesn’t show up to meet her, Cathy is afraid something might’ve happened to Hazel.
This book blends a tense mystery with elements of supernatural horror. To go any further, I think would spoil the book. I went into this one a little bit blind, and wasn’t sure what to expect. What I got was a book that I was unable to put down and read in 24 hours. My only quibble would have been in regard to the motivations of one of the characters. While this character was detrimental to the novel, I felt the reasoning behind their motives wasn’t fully developed. Other than that, this was a solid read that had me flipping those pages. This is now my second novel by this author, and I will certainly be checking out any of their backlist novels along with any future books.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
In the midst of a divorce, Hazel heads back to her childhood home in the English countryside. While there she decides it’s a good time to try and reconcile with her estranged sister, Cathy. However, when she doesn’t show up to meet her, Cathy is afraid something might’ve happened to Hazel.
This book blends a tense mystery with elements of supernatural horror. To go any further, I think would spoil the book. I went into this one a little bit blind, and wasn’t sure what to expect. What I got was a book that I was unable to put down and read in 24 hours. My only quibble would have been in regard to the motivations of one of the characters. While this character was detrimental to the novel, I felt the reasoning behind their motives wasn’t fully developed. Other than that, this was a solid read that had me flipping those pages. This is now my second novel by this author, and I will certainly be checking out any of their backlist novels along with any future books.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
December 1, 2025
Boy, let me tell you that this book hooked me! Pearce’s writing was so damn good too!
Hazel hasn’t returned home in years. While going through a traumatic divorce, she decides it’s time. She plans on staying at her parent’s house and meeting up with her estranged sister, Cathy.
Cathy suspects something is wrong since Hazel doesn’t show up. Where could she be? Why would she just bail?
This one deserves all the hype! I was so glued to this story! The fear and dread lay thick with this one. The supernatural elements were fascinating too! I absolutely loved it!
Add this to your TBR! You won’t regret it!
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pub date 4/2026
Hazel hasn’t returned home in years. While going through a traumatic divorce, she decides it’s time. She plans on staying at her parent’s house and meeting up with her estranged sister, Cathy.
Cathy suspects something is wrong since Hazel doesn’t show up. Where could she be? Why would she just bail?
This one deserves all the hype! I was so glued to this story! The fear and dread lay thick with this one. The supernatural elements were fascinating too! I absolutely loved it!
Add this to your TBR! You won’t regret it!
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pub date 4/2026
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Me on This Book in Eight Ironic English Words: Going-Missing plot gets lost, ends up intriguing.
“‘A mother is one to whom you hurry when you are troubled.’” p148
"A mother is the hole you spend your life crawling out of." p167
In Short: (trigger warning: animal cruelty and suffering) I found the characters themselves unrelatable, but I enjoyed the complex relational dynamics in play. I loved the primary theme of captivity, but I felt the alternative perspective broke up the suspense. It bothers me when writers alter data into something unscientific, all in a bid for shock. Like this: "Did you know that a sow may savage her own piglets after farrowing ? They have to muzzle the new mothers so they don’t eat their young." p168 This happens almost entirely in industrial meat farms, where mother pigs give birth in pain and under intense stress. Outside of these conditions, it's rare for a sow to gore her own young. Also, I'm pretty sure the author is using jargon (like serving-knees). *actually it's a made-up word, supposedly a 12 year old mangling the word souvenir? I found this confusing. The ending was my favorite part. It was perplexing, like the rest of the book, but it defied convention, which I like.
Bottom line is, it was a fun diversion with enough suspense to keep me reading, despite being convoluted.
Content Warnings: ableist language, divorce, kidnapping, captivity, hunger, mental health stigma, animal cruelty, theft, sibling rivalry, estrangement, ghosts, loss of a sibling,
Preread: I've enjoyed thrillers from this author in the past, so I requested an ARC for her new one. Hoping it will be a great read!
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the arc!📚
“‘A mother is one to whom you hurry when you are troubled.’” p148
"A mother is the hole you spend your life crawling out of." p167
In Short: (trigger warning: animal cruelty and suffering) I found the characters themselves unrelatable, but I enjoyed the complex relational dynamics in play. I loved the primary theme of captivity, but I felt the alternative perspective broke up the suspense. It bothers me when writers alter data into something unscientific, all in a bid for shock. Like this: "Did you know that a sow may savage her own piglets after farrowing ? They have to muzzle the new mothers so they don’t eat their young." p168 This happens almost entirely in industrial meat farms, where mother pigs give birth in pain and under intense stress. Outside of these conditions, it's rare for a sow to gore her own young. Also, I'm pretty sure the author is using jargon (like serving-knees). *actually it's a made-up word, supposedly a 12 year old mangling the word souvenir? I found this confusing. The ending was my favorite part. It was perplexing, like the rest of the book, but it defied convention, which I like.
Bottom line is, it was a fun diversion with enough suspense to keep me reading, despite being convoluted.
Content Warnings: ableist language, divorce, kidnapping, captivity, hunger, mental health stigma, animal cruelty, theft, sibling rivalry, estrangement, ghosts, loss of a sibling,
Preread: I've enjoyed thrillers from this author in the past, so I requested an ARC for her new one. Hoping it will be a great read!
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the arc!📚
May 9, 2026
This book really struggled to hold my attention, and I often felt like I missed details that may have been important. Although it appears to fall into the horror genre, I never fully connected with or understood the story. The narration was decent, but it wasn’t engaging enough to keep me invested. I think I might have enjoyed it more if I had read the physical book instead.
Thank you to Net Galley and Macmillan Audio for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to Net Galley and Macmillan Audio for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
December 26, 2025
This was so creepy and unsettling, I loved it! Dont go into the woods and night…and definitely dont accept any offers a strange man gives you 😆 I loved the desperation of the FMC and how it spiralled into a series of bad choices, the setting of the book was definitely eery and attention grabbing. I love this author and will continue to read her books!
May 1, 2026
DARK IS WHEN THE DEVIL COMES
by Daisy Pearce
Narrated by Catrin Walker-Booth
Rating: 3.5 stars, rounded down to 3
Set in the small town of Idless in the English countryside, this follows Hazel, who returns home after a devastating divorce and personal struggles. When she plans to reconnect with her estranged sister, Cathy—but then fails to show up—the story begins to take a darker turn.
The tone is dark and atmospheric, with a steady sense of creepiness and dread building with each chapter. Pearce leans heavily on mood and setting, using layered prose to gradually reveal what’s really going on. I tend to enjoy this slower, more measured pacing in a thriller, especially when it’s used to build tension and unease.
This is very much a character-driven read, with a strong focus on inner thoughts and emotional undercurrents. There’s also a blurring between the supernatural and possible mental illness, particularly with Hazel, which adds to the ambiguity.
That said, some elements involving Cathy and Suzie felt a bit far-fetched and required a real suspension of disbelief. Readers looking for fast pacing or clear answers may find this too slow and ambiguous, as it leans more on atmosphere and psychological unease, with touches of folk horror running through it, than plot-driven momentum,
This was my first book by Daisy Pearce, and while I didn’t love everything, I did find it a solid read. The overall creepiness—especially surrounding the house in the woods—was effective and memorable, and I would consider reading more by her.
The narration by Catrin Walker-Booth was very well done and added to the experience.
by Daisy Pearce
Narrated by Catrin Walker-Booth
Rating: 3.5 stars, rounded down to 3
Set in the small town of Idless in the English countryside, this follows Hazel, who returns home after a devastating divorce and personal struggles. When she plans to reconnect with her estranged sister, Cathy—but then fails to show up—the story begins to take a darker turn.
The tone is dark and atmospheric, with a steady sense of creepiness and dread building with each chapter. Pearce leans heavily on mood and setting, using layered prose to gradually reveal what’s really going on. I tend to enjoy this slower, more measured pacing in a thriller, especially when it’s used to build tension and unease.
This is very much a character-driven read, with a strong focus on inner thoughts and emotional undercurrents. There’s also a blurring between the supernatural and possible mental illness, particularly with Hazel, which adds to the ambiguity.
That said, some elements involving Cathy and Suzie felt a bit far-fetched and required a real suspension of disbelief. Readers looking for fast pacing or clear answers may find this too slow and ambiguous, as it leans more on atmosphere and psychological unease, with touches of folk horror running through it, than plot-driven momentum,
This was my first book by Daisy Pearce, and while I didn’t love everything, I did find it a solid read. The overall creepiness—especially surrounding the house in the woods—was effective and memorable, and I would consider reading more by her.
The narration by Catrin Walker-Booth was very well done and added to the experience.
December 11, 2025
From the start this book punched me in the face and dragged me kicking and screaming into the woods. It is atmospherically chilling; an eerie vibe shrouds everything in this small English town. The stories and tragedies made me shiver as I snuggled deeper into the couch. Being thankful that my town is nothing like Kawdarn. It is told through multiple points of view. Which I absolutely loved. Made you see all the different sides of the story. The characters have known each other forever, because you know small towns. Knowing all the gossip even if they may not have laid eyes on each other for years. This book made a nest in my brain, and I could not stop thinking about it. It was glued to my hand until the final sentence was devoured.
Hazel is cat sitting for her parents as they leave on their cruise. She is a mess, her husband has just sent her the divorce papers to sign, and she misses her life with him. The one thing Hazel is excited about is going foraging for mushrooms. There is a forest that is perfect for finding all the different fungi she has been searching for. Hazel and her sister Cathy have been estranged for five years. Hazel has finally taken the step to meet up. She is anxious, yet excited to see her and her two nephews. On the way into the woods a man that is giving off all kinds of weird vibes asks her if she wants a ride and of course she climbs in and disappears.
Since the book is told through Hazel, Cathy, and their friend Susie you know what happens to her. That the creepy man has taken her to a farm in the middle of the woods. Who is he and why has he taken her? There is so much to this story, and I do not want to ruin one second for you. If you want a book that keeps you at the edge of your seat, while chills run down your spine, and make you question going into your own basement. This is the book for you. Thank you to Daisy Pearce and Minotaur Books for my gifted copy.
Hazel is cat sitting for her parents as they leave on their cruise. She is a mess, her husband has just sent her the divorce papers to sign, and she misses her life with him. The one thing Hazel is excited about is going foraging for mushrooms. There is a forest that is perfect for finding all the different fungi she has been searching for. Hazel and her sister Cathy have been estranged for five years. Hazel has finally taken the step to meet up. She is anxious, yet excited to see her and her two nephews. On the way into the woods a man that is giving off all kinds of weird vibes asks her if she wants a ride and of course she climbs in and disappears.
Since the book is told through Hazel, Cathy, and their friend Susie you know what happens to her. That the creepy man has taken her to a farm in the middle of the woods. Who is he and why has he taken her? There is so much to this story, and I do not want to ruin one second for you. If you want a book that keeps you at the edge of your seat, while chills run down your spine, and make you question going into your own basement. This is the book for you. Thank you to Daisy Pearce and Minotaur Books for my gifted copy.
February 6, 2026
I walked away from Dark Is When the Devil Comes with a lot of different feelings I’m still trying to sort through.
The novel follows Hazel—newly single, emotionally unmoored, and retreating to her quiet English hometown in hopes of piecing herself back together. Instead, she stumbles into something far darker lurking in the woods, and the story veers into territory I wasn’t expecting.
And that’s where my conflict lies. The premise promises one kind of book, the narrative delivers another, and the two never quite fuse into a satisfying whole. I genuinely liked both versions of the story—the introspective, character-driven beginning and the eerie, unsettling finale—but the middle section felt unfocused, as if the book was juggling too many ideas at once without letting any of them fully land. The first part hooked me, the last 15% -20% pulled me back in, but everything between felt like it lost its way.
Still, there’s an undeniable creepiness threaded throughout, and if you’re someone who reads for atmosphere and unease, there’s plenty here to enjoy.
Thank you to St. Martins Press for the gifted arc. The thoughts and opinions expressed in my review are my own.
The novel follows Hazel—newly single, emotionally unmoored, and retreating to her quiet English hometown in hopes of piecing herself back together. Instead, she stumbles into something far darker lurking in the woods, and the story veers into territory I wasn’t expecting.
And that’s where my conflict lies. The premise promises one kind of book, the narrative delivers another, and the two never quite fuse into a satisfying whole. I genuinely liked both versions of the story—the introspective, character-driven beginning and the eerie, unsettling finale—but the middle section felt unfocused, as if the book was juggling too many ideas at once without letting any of them fully land. The first part hooked me, the last 15% -20% pulled me back in, but everything between felt like it lost its way.
Still, there’s an undeniable creepiness threaded throughout, and if you’re someone who reads for atmosphere and unease, there’s plenty here to enjoy.
Thank you to St. Martins Press for the gifted arc. The thoughts and opinions expressed in my review are my own.
April 30, 2026
Loved this thrilling supernatural tale of terror. I’d say it’s a mashup of body, psychological, and imprisonment horror.
Imagine being haunted and kidnapped at the same time- I don’t think I’ve ever seen this specific combination plot in a book before.
While I really enjoyed the read, afterwards, I did reflect that some parts of the story were a bit muddled/off. There were a few continuity questions I had, and just the actions/decisions/explanations didn’t make total sense to me. This did have an effect on my overall rating, but otherwise, it’s a great read in my opinion.
Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and St. Martin’s Press/ Minotaur Books for a copy!
Imagine being haunted and kidnapped at the same time- I don’t think I’ve ever seen this specific combination plot in a book before.
While I really enjoyed the read, afterwards, I did reflect that some parts of the story were a bit muddled/off. There were a few continuity questions I had, and just the actions/decisions/explanations didn’t make total sense to me. This did have an effect on my overall rating, but otherwise, it’s a great read in my opinion.
Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and St. Martin’s Press/ Minotaur Books for a copy!
April 30, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books.
📝 Short Summary
A creepy, atmospheric horror thriller about a small town, a missing sister, and woods that feel like they are hiding something hungry.
Review
Oh, I loved this. Daisy Pearce just knows how to write creepy in a way that gets under your skin. There is something about her atmosphere that feels so heavy and unsettling, but also completely addicting. From the moment Hazel returns to Idless and the woods start hovering over the story like this dark warning, I was hooked.
This book has that messy, emotional, small town horror feeling that I love. It is not just scary because of what might be in the woods. It is scary because of the people, the secrets, the family tension, and the way trauma follows everyone around like a shadow. Hazel and Cathy’s relationship felt complicated in such a real way. You can feel the distance between them, the hurt, the things left unsaid, and that made the mystery hit harder.
The woods were everything. Creepy, restless, dangerous, and almost alive. I love when a setting feels like a character, and this absolutely had that. Every scene connected to the woods had this thick, dreadful feeling where you just know nothing good is coming, but you cannot look away.
What worked so well for me was how emotional the story felt underneath all the horror. You could feel what the characters were feeling. The fear, confusion, guilt, anger, grief, all of it. It made the story feel messy in the best way, like real people falling apart while something darker circles closer.
The pacing kept me locked in, and even when things got chaotic, I was fully invested. This had that “one more chapter” pull because I needed to know what happened, what was hiding in Idless, and how everything was going to unravel. The vibe was creepy, tense, and beautifully unsettling.
Daisy Pearce is officially one of those authors where I know I am showing up. She writes horror with mood, emotion, and that nasty little edge that makes you feel like something is standing just behind you.
✅ Would I Recommend It?
Yes. If you love creepy woods, small town secrets, messy family dynamics, and horror that feels emotional and atmospheric, this one is absolutely worth picking up.
Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books.
📝 Short Summary
A creepy, atmospheric horror thriller about a small town, a missing sister, and woods that feel like they are hiding something hungry.
Review
Oh, I loved this. Daisy Pearce just knows how to write creepy in a way that gets under your skin. There is something about her atmosphere that feels so heavy and unsettling, but also completely addicting. From the moment Hazel returns to Idless and the woods start hovering over the story like this dark warning, I was hooked.
This book has that messy, emotional, small town horror feeling that I love. It is not just scary because of what might be in the woods. It is scary because of the people, the secrets, the family tension, and the way trauma follows everyone around like a shadow. Hazel and Cathy’s relationship felt complicated in such a real way. You can feel the distance between them, the hurt, the things left unsaid, and that made the mystery hit harder.
The woods were everything. Creepy, restless, dangerous, and almost alive. I love when a setting feels like a character, and this absolutely had that. Every scene connected to the woods had this thick, dreadful feeling where you just know nothing good is coming, but you cannot look away.
What worked so well for me was how emotional the story felt underneath all the horror. You could feel what the characters were feeling. The fear, confusion, guilt, anger, grief, all of it. It made the story feel messy in the best way, like real people falling apart while something darker circles closer.
The pacing kept me locked in, and even when things got chaotic, I was fully invested. This had that “one more chapter” pull because I needed to know what happened, what was hiding in Idless, and how everything was going to unravel. The vibe was creepy, tense, and beautifully unsettling.
Daisy Pearce is officially one of those authors where I know I am showing up. She writes horror with mood, emotion, and that nasty little edge that makes you feel like something is standing just behind you.
✅ Would I Recommend It?
Yes. If you love creepy woods, small town secrets, messy family dynamics, and horror that feels emotional and atmospheric, this one is absolutely worth picking up.
April 28, 2026
Oh Daisy Pearce, you have snagged my heart. I originally came across her first book, Something in the Walls, on NetGalley and knew she would be for me. She’s a bit gothic, a bit haunted, but categorically modern and her ideas have yet to disappoint. I loved her first book so immediately snagged Dark is When the Devil Comes and went in completely blind.
Having absolutely no idea what the premise of the book was, I was instantaneously hooked. The prose, the style, the voice are all just so in sync and it’s clear the vision is there from the start. *Something* happens pretty fast and it took me so off guard that I felt the distinct dread and fear the character was also experiencing. I don’t wanna add spoilers because after reading the synopsis, it gives absolutely nothing away either so feel free to think you know what this book is about because you do not.
I truly loved every aspect of this book. Pearce is a force to be reckoned with in her genre and she pulls no punches. Her blending of genres and techniques is unequivocally unmatched. I’m already hungry for more.
Having absolutely no idea what the premise of the book was, I was instantaneously hooked. The prose, the style, the voice are all just so in sync and it’s clear the vision is there from the start. *Something* happens pretty fast and it took me so off guard that I felt the distinct dread and fear the character was also experiencing. I don’t wanna add spoilers because after reading the synopsis, it gives absolutely nothing away either so feel free to think you know what this book is about because you do not.
I truly loved every aspect of this book. Pearce is a force to be reckoned with in her genre and she pulls no punches. Her blending of genres and techniques is unequivocally unmatched. I’m already hungry for more.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Creepy, disorienting, and perfect for gloomy days. Dark Is When the Devil Comes had me questioning what was real at times, and that unease is exactly what makes it work. A must for fans of dark supernatural stories.
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for this arc
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for this arc
April 23, 2026
Ok. So… for my next book, I need to read a romance or something sweet… because two creepy, female abductions involving dog leashes…collars… cells and torture are about enough for me for now… 🫣😩
That aside…this was an incredible read… but horrific all the same.
Hazel is a young woman who’s getting a divorce. As a matter of fact, the paperwork came this morning. The same day she’s traveling back to her childhood home to cat sit for her parents while they go on an extended cruise.
While she’s back home she plans on reconnecting with her sister Cathy… who she’s been estranged from for several years… She actually calls her on day one to set up a date!
Hazel has a long, storied past though… one where she was hospitalized for something called a teratoma when she was young… but it seems like she never fully recovered from this. (RN here…and it’s been a long time since I’ve heard this term… look it up.. )🫣🤔😳
She’s also had a bit of a psych history… but I’ll leave that whole thing open for you to discover as you read.
Also on day one she runs into an old HS friend who now works at the local pharmacy… and Hazel clams up, rather than asking her friend to fill the script for her meds… but they spend some time catching up.
She also meets a guy while she’s checking out some mushrooms under a bench… he seems harmless enough. But… what did Mom always tell you? Don’t talk to strangers!
I’m going to stop 🛑 right here! This one gave me the creepy crawlies, as well as scared the bejesus out of me multiple times! Think… large deserted forest. No one around for miles. ? Ghosts? Scary noises. Things creeping in the walls… and… so much more!
4 1/2 creepy, bloody, confining, jaw-dropping, biting-my-nails, hang-onto-your-seat stars for me, happily rounded up to 5! 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
#DarkIsWhenTheDevilComes by @DaisyPearce and narrated totally hauntingly by @CatrinWalkerBooth.
*** This one has not been released yet, but please keep your eyes 👀 open for it starting 4/28/26! ***
Thanks so much to #NetGalley and @MacmillanAudio for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
You can also find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!!
And as always, thanks for reading along with me! 📚⭐️📖🩷
That aside…this was an incredible read… but horrific all the same.
Hazel is a young woman who’s getting a divorce. As a matter of fact, the paperwork came this morning. The same day she’s traveling back to her childhood home to cat sit for her parents while they go on an extended cruise.
While she’s back home she plans on reconnecting with her sister Cathy… who she’s been estranged from for several years… She actually calls her on day one to set up a date!
Hazel has a long, storied past though… one where she was hospitalized for something called a teratoma when she was young… but it seems like she never fully recovered from this. (RN here…and it’s been a long time since I’ve heard this term… look it up.. )🫣🤔😳
She’s also had a bit of a psych history… but I’ll leave that whole thing open for you to discover as you read.
Also on day one she runs into an old HS friend who now works at the local pharmacy… and Hazel clams up, rather than asking her friend to fill the script for her meds… but they spend some time catching up.
She also meets a guy while she’s checking out some mushrooms under a bench… he seems harmless enough. But… what did Mom always tell you? Don’t talk to strangers!
I’m going to stop 🛑 right here! This one gave me the creepy crawlies, as well as scared the bejesus out of me multiple times! Think… large deserted forest. No one around for miles. ? Ghosts? Scary noises. Things creeping in the walls… and… so much more!
4 1/2 creepy, bloody, confining, jaw-dropping, biting-my-nails, hang-onto-your-seat stars for me, happily rounded up to 5! 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
#DarkIsWhenTheDevilComes by @DaisyPearce and narrated totally hauntingly by @CatrinWalkerBooth.
*** This one has not been released yet, but please keep your eyes 👀 open for it starting 4/28/26! ***
Thanks so much to #NetGalley and @MacmillanAudio for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
You can also find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!!
And as always, thanks for reading along with me! 📚⭐️📖🩷
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is a tough one to talk about without getting spoilery, and I would never want to do that because the whole time I was like "What the f is happening?", and that was a huge part of my enjoyment of it! It sucks you in immediately and does not let go. Yes, it is a thriller about exactly what the blurb says.... a woman goes back to her hometown, disappears, and her estranged sister searches for her. But it is FAR DARKER than that alone. This book is truly creepy and leaves you pondering the darkness of humanity. There is a supernatural element as well, this sort of folklore in the woods, and you know I love those vibes. It's like this slow, seeping, atmospheric horror building like a fog and all of a sudden you realize you feel this thickness around you. I don't know how else to describe it. I thoroughly enjoyed this experience, definitely would recommend it!
Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the ARC! Releases 4/28/26.
Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the ARC! Releases 4/28/26.
March 19, 2026
This was SO GOOD.. the whole time you’re left wondering if its paranormal or psychological.. thats just the best kind of horror. It leaves you confused, creeped out and wanting to never again in your LIFE see a mushroom😅
May 5, 2026
Hazel returns to her hometown after a traumatic divorce and mental health spiral, planning to quietly house sit for her parents and maybe repair the wreckage of her life. She reaches out to Cathy, her estranged sister, asking her to meet up the next day. But when Hazel never shows, Cathy begins to believe this isn't just flaky behavior or Hazel's old habits resurfacing. Something is deeply wrong. As Cathy searches for answers, she teams up with one of Hazel's childhood friends, and together they start digging through old wounds, buried memories, and the uneasy history the three women share. The deeper they go, the clearer it becomes that Hazel's struggles may be tied to something much darker than just trauma and heartbreak.
Dark Is When The Devil Comes absolutely sank it's claws into me! The atmosphere is unreal. Idless feels damp, decaying and full of secrets. And the woods just loom over everything. Every page carried that uneasy feeling that something terrible was just one step away. Daisy Pearce knows exactly how to build dread and let it simmer until it boils over! I also loved that this wasn't just about scares. The fractured relationship between Hazel and Cathy gave the story real emotional weight. Their tension, history and dynamic made everything hit that much harder. And the folklore elements? Delicious! Dark, eerie, and woven into the story so naturally. This one was a haunting and addictive read that stayed with me long after the last page!
Thank you to NetGalley, Daisy Pearce, and Minotaur Books for both the eARC and physical copy!
Dark Is When The Devil Comes absolutely sank it's claws into me! The atmosphere is unreal. Idless feels damp, decaying and full of secrets. And the woods just loom over everything. Every page carried that uneasy feeling that something terrible was just one step away. Daisy Pearce knows exactly how to build dread and let it simmer until it boils over! I also loved that this wasn't just about scares. The fractured relationship between Hazel and Cathy gave the story real emotional weight. Their tension, history and dynamic made everything hit that much harder. And the folklore elements? Delicious! Dark, eerie, and woven into the story so naturally. This one was a haunting and addictive read that stayed with me long after the last page!
Thank you to NetGalley, Daisy Pearce, and Minotaur Books for both the eARC and physical copy!
March 22, 2026
This story creeps under your skin and builds tension beautifully much like the mushrooms woven throughout it. I was hooked from the start, the atmosphere is deeply unsettling, with strong pacing and engaging characters.
Hazel returns to her eerie hometown after a traumatic divorce, hoping to rebuild her life but she vanishes before reconnecting with her sister. As whispers spread about the woods where nothing escapes, Cathy begins to suspect something far more sinister is at play, tied to a threat the town can’t forget.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review
Publication Date: Apr 28, 2026
Hazel returns to her eerie hometown after a traumatic divorce, hoping to rebuild her life but she vanishes before reconnecting with her sister. As whispers spread about the woods where nothing escapes, Cathy begins to suspect something far more sinister is at play, tied to a threat the town can’t forget.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review
Publication Date: Apr 28, 2026
April 2, 2026
She did it again! This is the second Daisy Pierce book I've read and I loved it. This book will give you the creeps. This story has everything from that kind of weird guy, invisible other sisters, to locked up girls and serial killers, houses in the woods. .. just everything. I love horror like this, it's creepy but smart. I flew through this one and I know you will too.
April 29, 2026
3.5 stars.
I wasn't expecting this to be what it ended up being. I didn't know if we had an unreliable narrator or if this was actually happening and that kind of threw me off. But, all in all, it was a decent book and I'm glad it ended the way it did, I was really rooting for our MC to adopt.
I wasn't expecting this to be what it ended up being. I didn't know if we had an unreliable narrator or if this was actually happening and that kind of threw me off. But, all in all, it was a decent book and I'm glad it ended the way it did, I was really rooting for our MC to adopt.
March 10, 2026
I went into this expecting more of a thriller, but what I got instead was a slow-burn atmosphere piece packed with deeply unsettling vibes. For me personally, it didn’t quite suit my fancy because it wasn’t the genre mashup I thought it would be based on the description.
That said, it is undeniably well written. The author does an excellent job creating a dark, unnerving atmosphere that pulls the reader completely into the story. The tension lingers in that uncomfortable way that good horror does—quiet, creeping, and just a little bit off. I knew going in that this was horror, and it absolutely delivers on that front; I simply expected a bit more thriller energy woven into the mix.
The real standout here, though, is the narration by Catrin Walker-Booth. She was outstanding. Her lovely British accent pulls you right into the story, and her delivery completely understands the assignment. She does narrate at a slower pace, but in this case the prose truly demands it. While you can comfortably bump the speed to 1.25x and still maintain the atmosphere, anything faster starts to erode the tension and mood the story works so hard to build.
It had actually been a while since I’d read a true suspense-driven horror novel, and this one definitely checks that box. The entire time I listened I had that tight, uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach, constantly waiting for something to happen. From a literary perspective it was really interesting, and Walker-Booth’s performance played a huge role in bringing that experience to life.
So while I personally went in looking for a thriller with creepy vibes and got something a bit different, it’s still a solid read that I would absolutely recommend to my suspense and horror loving friends.
I am thankful to have received a complimentary ALC from Macmillan Audio via NetGalley, which gave me the opportunity to share my voluntary thoughts.
That said, it is undeniably well written. The author does an excellent job creating a dark, unnerving atmosphere that pulls the reader completely into the story. The tension lingers in that uncomfortable way that good horror does—quiet, creeping, and just a little bit off. I knew going in that this was horror, and it absolutely delivers on that front; I simply expected a bit more thriller energy woven into the mix.
The real standout here, though, is the narration by Catrin Walker-Booth. She was outstanding. Her lovely British accent pulls you right into the story, and her delivery completely understands the assignment. She does narrate at a slower pace, but in this case the prose truly demands it. While you can comfortably bump the speed to 1.25x and still maintain the atmosphere, anything faster starts to erode the tension and mood the story works so hard to build.
It had actually been a while since I’d read a true suspense-driven horror novel, and this one definitely checks that box. The entire time I listened I had that tight, uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach, constantly waiting for something to happen. From a literary perspective it was really interesting, and Walker-Booth’s performance played a huge role in bringing that experience to life.
So while I personally went in looking for a thriller with creepy vibes and got something a bit different, it’s still a solid read that I would absolutely recommend to my suspense and horror loving friends.
I am thankful to have received a complimentary ALC from Macmillan Audio via NetGalley, which gave me the opportunity to share my voluntary thoughts.
April 28, 2026
Dark Is When the Devil Comes
(audio) 4.5⭐️
What starts as a typical woman-held-captive-in-a-basement storyline, turns into a creepy horror spiral. I loved that it wasn’t a “crazy” woman troupe. The “other sister” was real to everyone close to Hazel. She gave me Samara from The Ring vibes. The characters were so well written and the narrator did a great job.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio
for this ALC. This review will be shared on NetGalley and Goodreads.
Pub Date Apr 28 2026
(audio) 4.5⭐️
What starts as a typical woman-held-captive-in-a-basement storyline, turns into a creepy horror spiral. I loved that it wasn’t a “crazy” woman troupe. The “other sister” was real to everyone close to Hazel. She gave me Samara from The Ring vibes. The characters were so well written and the narrator did a great job.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio
for this ALC. This review will be shared on NetGalley and Goodreads.
Pub Date Apr 28 2026
January 7, 2026
Dark and atmospheric and haunting, this book is the perfect marriage of a thriller and horror. Scary and creepy and impossible to put down!!!
April 28, 2026
I liked this story even more than the previous Daisy Pearce’s book. The story is narrated from POVs of three women. First, Hazel is going through a divorce, freshly out of a mental health institution and who likes to forage for mushrooms in spare time and goes missing in the meanwhile. Cathy, Hazel’s estranged elder sister, is struggling financially and a single mother, who wants to repent and repair their relationship and goes looking for her sister. And Suzie, Hazel’s old school friend, a goody-tushy who gets involuntary involved in Hazel’s disappearance and just can’t let it go because of her savior complex and the events of the past.
Even though the relationship between the women are not perfect in any sense, I loved the sisterhood and the feeling of solidarity that the author portrayed and how they have each other’s back.
I’m marveling at the author’s ability to find the most creepy and disturbing background for the paranormal element, as well as create an unsettling and atmospheric setting of a small British town with wet unmapped woods and haunting legends surrounding it. It follows the same formula as authors previous book but I did not realize that up until about 70% in, that’s how good Pearce’s writing. My only complaint is there is a lot going on and that it’s a lot of different horror tropes for such relatively short book. But if there’s ever a continuation, I gladly will read more about Hazel and Cathy and Suzie and ‘Maria’.
Thank you, NetGalley and Minotaur Books of St Martin’s Press, for letting me to enjoy the ARC of this book
Even though the relationship between the women are not perfect in any sense, I loved the sisterhood and the feeling of solidarity that the author portrayed and how they have each other’s back.
I’m marveling at the author’s ability to find the most creepy and disturbing background for the paranormal element, as well as create an unsettling and atmospheric setting of a small British town with wet unmapped woods and haunting legends surrounding it. It follows the same formula as authors previous book but I did not realize that up until about 70% in, that’s how good Pearce’s writing. My only complaint is there is a lot going on and that it’s a lot of different horror tropes for such relatively short book. But if there’s ever a continuation, I gladly will read more about Hazel and Cathy and Suzie and ‘Maria’.
Thank you, NetGalley and Minotaur Books of St Martin’s Press, for letting me to enjoy the ARC of this book
May 9, 2026
I loved 'Something is the walls' so I couldn't wait to read this book as well. And honestly Pearce didn't disappoint me at all.
Hazel is going through a pretty rough divorce and she has come back to her home town. While there she is going to house-sit/ pet-sit for her parents who have very expensive cats. Not only has her marriage failed but she is also estranged from her sister but has intentions to meet with her while she's in town but she doesn't show up.
Hazel ends up going missing and during that time she is not only plagued by the evil of humanity but she is haunted by a malevolent force from her past. Her sister and a friend of school work together to solve the mystery of what happened to Hazel.
The story is a mystery/ thriller with very obvious horror influence. I don't want to say too much and risk giving too much away.
I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.
Hazel is going through a pretty rough divorce and she has come back to her home town. While there she is going to house-sit/ pet-sit for her parents who have very expensive cats. Not only has her marriage failed but she is also estranged from her sister but has intentions to meet with her while she's in town but she doesn't show up.
Hazel ends up going missing and during that time she is not only plagued by the evil of humanity but she is haunted by a malevolent force from her past. Her sister and a friend of school work together to solve the mystery of what happened to Hazel.
The story is a mystery/ thriller with very obvious horror influence. I don't want to say too much and risk giving too much away.
I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is a creepy story about Hazel, who has recently moved back home after her husband filed for divorce. She has a rocky relationship with her sister, Cathy. She has also experienced some mental health issues and spent time in a facility.
Hazel and Cathy make plans to meet up that weekend in an effort to try to mend their relationship. The day before they meet up, Hazel decides to go foraging and is on a quest to find a specific mushroom.
When Hazel doesn't show up to meet Cathy, at first she thinks that Hazel has decided to stand her up. But things start happening and Cathy knows that something bad has happened.
This book is very atmospheric. While I was thinking it was going to be more of a thriller, it had a lot of paranormal aspects to it as well. I felt like it dragged some in the middle but definitely picked up towards the end.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Hazel and Cathy make plans to meet up that weekend in an effort to try to mend their relationship. The day before they meet up, Hazel decides to go foraging and is on a quest to find a specific mushroom.
When Hazel doesn't show up to meet Cathy, at first she thinks that Hazel has decided to stand her up. But things start happening and Cathy knows that something bad has happened.
This book is very atmospheric. While I was thinking it was going to be more of a thriller, it had a lot of paranormal aspects to it as well. I felt like it dragged some in the middle but definitely picked up towards the end.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 26, 2026
😈 Dark Is When The Devil Comes by Daisy Pearce 😈
Special thanks to @netgalley and @minotaur_books / @stmartinspress for the e-arc
I was a HUGE fan of Something In The Walls last year, so I jumped at the opportunity to read Dark Is When The Devil Comes. And let me say…it didn’t disappoint!
The book follows Hazel who returns home to cat/house sit for her parents while they’re away on a cruise. Hazel is recently divorced and is trying to get her life back together. While in town, she plans to meet with her estranged sister, Cathy, to take a step toward reconciliation. However, Hazel is abducted and locked away in a basement in a house deep in the woods. But what her captor doesn’t know is something followed in with Hazel…something that’s been with her a long time…
This book was TENSE. It felt like a blend of Malignant and The Black Phone. Once again Pearce nails a sense of building dread. There were some scenes that had me wanting to turn on the light… This book expertly blends the tension of a thriller and the slow,creepy dread of horror. I easily flew through this book within a few days! It let becoming back!
This book releases this Tuesday, April 28th!
Get it here 👉🏻 https://bookshop.org/a/79577/97812503...
Special thanks to @netgalley and @minotaur_books / @stmartinspress for the e-arc
I was a HUGE fan of Something In The Walls last year, so I jumped at the opportunity to read Dark Is When The Devil Comes. And let me say…it didn’t disappoint!
The book follows Hazel who returns home to cat/house sit for her parents while they’re away on a cruise. Hazel is recently divorced and is trying to get her life back together. While in town, she plans to meet with her estranged sister, Cathy, to take a step toward reconciliation. However, Hazel is abducted and locked away in a basement in a house deep in the woods. But what her captor doesn’t know is something followed in with Hazel…something that’s been with her a long time…
This book was TENSE. It felt like a blend of Malignant and The Black Phone. Once again Pearce nails a sense of building dread. There were some scenes that had me wanting to turn on the light… This book expertly blends the tension of a thriller and the slow,creepy dread of horror. I easily flew through this book within a few days! It let becoming back!
This book releases this Tuesday, April 28th!
Get it here 👉🏻 https://bookshop.org/a/79577/97812503...
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