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Dark is When the Devil Comes: the chilling and gripping kidnap horror
Dark is When the Devil Comes is a feminist kidnap horror thriller - imagine The Last House on Needless Street meets Carrie.
Hazel, a twenty-nine-year-old mycologist - someone who studies mushrooms - swallows her shame and returns to her parent's home after a traumatic divorce. To start rebuilding, she takes the plunge and calls her estranged sister, Cathy, and organises to meet up; she also bumps into Suzie, an old school friend with whom she shares a terrible childhood secret.
But then Hazel meets Andrew, who claims to have rare, hallucinogenic mushrooms growing in his old farmhouse. Lured out into the wilderness by curiosity and no little professional ambition, Hazel is trapped by Andrew, shut in the basement with no help for miles around.
As Cathy and Suzie desperately begin the search for Hazel, Cathy starts to feel that something darker and even more terrifying than Andrew resides in that farmhouse. But is the power living in the dark with her or . . . much, much closer.
Praise for Daisy
'A taut tale that chillingly intertwines psychological and supernatural suspense' Kirkus
'A deliciously creepy and twisty chiller that fans of The Conjuring and Stephen King will love' Bestselling author Mark Edwards
'Pearce provides visceral descriptions of people and places and smells and sounds to create a world where no one can trust their senses. Readers will be left questioning which is more disturbing, the rot within or the evil of other people' Booklist
'Pearce has written something magical with the capacity of leaving me genuinely frightened. There are scenes in this book I'll never forget' Kristi DeMeester, author of Such a Pretty Smile
'A terrific tale of cults, witch bottles, curses, witchcraft and the 'old ways'"Horror DNA
'The perfect dark, creepy, witchy read to keep you warm with fright this winter . . . creepy, emotional, complex, and incredibly atmospheric' Horror Bound
Books by Daisy Pearce
SOMETHING IN THE WALLS
DARK IS WHEN THE DEVIL COMES
Hazel, a twenty-nine-year-old mycologist - someone who studies mushrooms - swallows her shame and returns to her parent's home after a traumatic divorce. To start rebuilding, she takes the plunge and calls her estranged sister, Cathy, and organises to meet up; she also bumps into Suzie, an old school friend with whom she shares a terrible childhood secret.
But then Hazel meets Andrew, who claims to have rare, hallucinogenic mushrooms growing in his old farmhouse. Lured out into the wilderness by curiosity and no little professional ambition, Hazel is trapped by Andrew, shut in the basement with no help for miles around.
As Cathy and Suzie desperately begin the search for Hazel, Cathy starts to feel that something darker and even more terrifying than Andrew resides in that farmhouse. But is the power living in the dark with her or . . . much, much closer.
Praise for Daisy
'A taut tale that chillingly intertwines psychological and supernatural suspense' Kirkus
'A deliciously creepy and twisty chiller that fans of The Conjuring and Stephen King will love' Bestselling author Mark Edwards
'Pearce provides visceral descriptions of people and places and smells and sounds to create a world where no one can trust their senses. Readers will be left questioning which is more disturbing, the rot within or the evil of other people' Booklist
'Pearce has written something magical with the capacity of leaving me genuinely frightened. There are scenes in this book I'll never forget' Kristi DeMeester, author of Such a Pretty Smile
'A terrific tale of cults, witch bottles, curses, witchcraft and the 'old ways'"Horror DNA
'The perfect dark, creepy, witchy read to keep you warm with fright this winter . . . creepy, emotional, complex, and incredibly atmospheric' Horror Bound
Books by Daisy Pearce
SOMETHING IN THE WALLS
DARK IS WHEN THE DEVIL COMES
329 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 28, 2026
About the author
Daisy Pearce
7 books833 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 1,125 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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Monsters wear the face of conviviality, keeping their sharp teeth hidden until it is too late.
4.5 stars. I found this really scary.
The demonic presence in Dark Is When the Devil Comes reminded me a lot of the one in Malerman's Incidents Around the House, and also a bit of the one in Smile. I think what scares us is almost as subjective as what makes us laugh, but this is exactly what does it for me: a terrifying face in the darkness of your room, an extra shadow stood next to yours, a voice whispering from under the bed.
But that's not the only thing to fear in this book. The supernatural horror is only part of it, with human predators being just as much of a threat as what grins in the closet.
The more I think back over this one, the more I think it has to offer. It's a terrifying horror story about a woman unable to outrun the presence that has haunted her since childhood, and also a tale of three (arguably four) very different women working together to overcome the monsters in the dark.
In addition to Hazel, I thought both Cathy and Suzie were compelling characters. The former a struggling mother with an abrasive personality, mostly due to being forgotten by her parents; the latter a goody-goody who has always toed the line. Both of them have to adapt to work together when Hazel goes missing, and it is fun to watch them rub up against one another's nerves.
The only negative is pretty much the same thing that bothers me in every horror: that some things don't quite make sense. And, because it is horror, they are kinda allowed not to. I don't know if I'm just too left-brained for the horror genre, but could Cathy not have shown someone— the police! Suzie! anyone! —the nanny cam footage? If it was me, the very first thing I would have done is be like "do you see this?!"
But it's honestly a small complaint, not even a real one. I loved being terrified by this book.
November 23, 2025
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<
September 29, 2026
3.5⭐️ I was really drawn to the premise of Dark Is When the Devil Comes. A woman disappears, her sister is left trying to understand what has happened to her, and there is a much darker story lurking beneath the surface. Add in a creepy farmhouse, the woods, family secrets and a thread of folklore and supernatural horror, and I was expecting this one to get right under my skin.
There were definitely parts I enjoyed. Hazel’s story, particularly what happens after she is captured and held against her will, was the part that kept me most interested. I wanted to know what she was experiencing, what was happening around her and where her story was going. Those sections had the tension I was looking for, and I found myself much more invested whenever we were following Hazel.
I also liked the darker ideas running through the story. Daisy Pearce brings together psychological thriller, horror and folklore, and there is a lot here that should have worked for me. I thought the writing created a good sense of place too, especially around the woods and the more isolated parts of the story.
But I just didn’t find it scary or eerie enough.
I kept waiting for that creeping feeling of dread to really kick in, but it never quite did. There are dark moments and some disturbing ideas, but I wanted more of that uncomfortable, skin-crawling feeling. I wanted to feel properly unsettled, and sadly I never got there.
I also felt the story started with a really strong premise but gradually lost itself along the way. I was interested at the beginning and particularly invested in Hazel’s situation, but as the story progressed, I found my attention wandering. I kept waiting for everything to pull me back in, but it never quite happened.
There is plenty here to like, and I can see why the darker premise will appeal to readers who enjoy psychological thrillers with horror and folklore woven through them. For me, though, the atmosphere and scares just weren’t enough to give the story the impact I was hoping for.
A promising premise and a captivity storyline that kept me turning the pages, but ultimately this one didn’t get quite far enough under my skin.
Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and the author, Daisy Pearce, for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Publishing date October 20th 2026
There were definitely parts I enjoyed. Hazel’s story, particularly what happens after she is captured and held against her will, was the part that kept me most interested. I wanted to know what she was experiencing, what was happening around her and where her story was going. Those sections had the tension I was looking for, and I found myself much more invested whenever we were following Hazel.
I also liked the darker ideas running through the story. Daisy Pearce brings together psychological thriller, horror and folklore, and there is a lot here that should have worked for me. I thought the writing created a good sense of place too, especially around the woods and the more isolated parts of the story.
But I just didn’t find it scary or eerie enough.
I kept waiting for that creeping feeling of dread to really kick in, but it never quite did. There are dark moments and some disturbing ideas, but I wanted more of that uncomfortable, skin-crawling feeling. I wanted to feel properly unsettled, and sadly I never got there.
I also felt the story started with a really strong premise but gradually lost itself along the way. I was interested at the beginning and particularly invested in Hazel’s situation, but as the story progressed, I found my attention wandering. I kept waiting for everything to pull me back in, but it never quite happened.
There is plenty here to like, and I can see why the darker premise will appeal to readers who enjoy psychological thrillers with horror and folklore woven through them. For me, though, the atmosphere and scares just weren’t enough to give the story the impact I was hoping for.
A promising premise and a captivity storyline that kept me turning the pages, but ultimately this one didn’t get quite far enough under my skin.
Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and the author, Daisy Pearce, for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Publishing date October 20th 2026
November 28, 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.
June 12, 2026
A common tropes thriller and not enough mushrooms.
This is definitely a thriller. The pacing is relentless, although I was not feeling particularly thrilled. The tropes being used were pretty basic. It's hard to make the 'helpless woman locked in cellar' intriguing to me because, well, I suppose I'm impatient for revenge.
There was one moment when the fmc gets locked in the cellar where she says 'I can't believe I fell for that'. And all I can say is, I can't believe you did either, sweetheart. Maybe we just don't go in other people's cellars, like, not ever, no reason to, nuh-uh. Why do you have a cellar anyway?
And revenge does come! The conclusion of this story was satisfying. Elements of horror get tied in at the end with some interesting imagery. Unfortunately I just couldn't buy into the process of the story as it was unfolding. It was mostly predictable. I enjoyed the addition of an fmc who hunts mushrooms, which could have been a bit more intriguing.
I would only recommend if you want a beach-read type thriller where you can kind of let your hard-working neurons take a rest. Apparently my neurons are workaholics which is why those little devils wanted more from this book.
3/5🌟
This is definitely a thriller. The pacing is relentless, although I was not feeling particularly thrilled. The tropes being used were pretty basic. It's hard to make the 'helpless woman locked in cellar' intriguing to me because, well, I suppose I'm impatient for revenge.
There was one moment when the fmc gets locked in the cellar where she says 'I can't believe I fell for that'. And all I can say is, I can't believe you did either, sweetheart. Maybe we just don't go in other people's cellars, like, not ever, no reason to, nuh-uh. Why do you have a cellar anyway?
And revenge does come! The conclusion of this story was satisfying. Elements of horror get tied in at the end with some interesting imagery. Unfortunately I just couldn't buy into the process of the story as it was unfolding. It was mostly predictable. I enjoyed the addition of an fmc who hunts mushrooms, which could have been a bit more intriguing.
I would only recommend if you want a beach-read type thriller where you can kind of let your hard-working neurons take a rest. Apparently my neurons are workaholics which is why those little devils wanted more from this book.
3/5🌟
January 20, 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.
August 29, 2026
**4.5-stars**
Dark Is When the Devil Comes is a story of estranged sisters, Hazel and Cathy. The two had a falling out years ago over an incident that occurred at Hazel's wedding.
Years later, and recently divorced, Hazel returns to her small hometown of Idless, in the English countryside, to lick her wounds and hopefully recover.
Her parents are heading out on a 5-week holiday, so she offers to stay at theirs and sit for her Mom's beloved Persian cats. It feels strange, but it is home and she can think of no better place to hide out and get her life back in order.
Cathy has mixed feelings about Hazel's return, but agrees to meet up with her. Perhaps reconciliation is possible. But on the day they've selected to meet, Hazel doesn't show.
Though Cathy didn't expect everything to be glossed over right away, she certainly didn't expect Hazel to ghost her. If she's honest about it though, that type of behavior is out of character for Hazel. Something is off.
Along with another local woman, Suzi, who was childhood friends with Hazel, Cathy begins a relentless search for her sister. Even though they haven't been close in recent years, she's still family and Cathy cannot give up on her.
The desperation is palpable.
I'm a huge Daisy Pearce fan. What can I say? This was so freaking fun for me, made all the more compelling by the stellar audiobook narration.
I know her books aren't for everyone, but they definitely work for me. I first fell in love with her writing in Something in the Walls. I felt that story to be chilling and gripping. I read it so quickly and couldn't wait for more from Pearce.
This novel, though I rated it the same at 4.5-stars, I actually think I enjoyed even more.
In addition to following Cathy in her hunt for Hazel, we also get Hazel's perspective. So, as the Reader, you know where she is, in a sense, and you know what's happening to her.
I loved the back-and-forth. Both perspectives were intense, with both women being forced to face very trying circumstances. I also really enjoyed the inclusion of Suzi. I think she made the story so much more engaging than had it just been Cathy investigating by herself.
I don't know how else to adequately explain why I enjoy Pearce's writing so much, it's just something about the plotting mixed with the darker, unsettling atmospheres that really does it for me.
The atmosphere, as well as the way the tension continues to build throughout, reminds me of Jennifer McMahon or Sarah Pinborough, two of my go-to authors.
I think if you've enjoyed their books, you should check out Daisy Pearce, if you haven't already. I would also highly recommend the audiobook, as the narration by Catrin Walker-Booth is excellent. Her voice felt so genuine and true to the story. It was very enjoyable.
Thank you to the publisher, Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. I cannot wait for whatever Daisy Pearce releases next.
You better believe I'll be first in line!
Dark Is When the Devil Comes is a story of estranged sisters, Hazel and Cathy. The two had a falling out years ago over an incident that occurred at Hazel's wedding.
Years later, and recently divorced, Hazel returns to her small hometown of Idless, in the English countryside, to lick her wounds and hopefully recover.
Her parents are heading out on a 5-week holiday, so she offers to stay at theirs and sit for her Mom's beloved Persian cats. It feels strange, but it is home and she can think of no better place to hide out and get her life back in order.
Cathy has mixed feelings about Hazel's return, but agrees to meet up with her. Perhaps reconciliation is possible. But on the day they've selected to meet, Hazel doesn't show.
Though Cathy didn't expect everything to be glossed over right away, she certainly didn't expect Hazel to ghost her. If she's honest about it though, that type of behavior is out of character for Hazel. Something is off.
Along with another local woman, Suzi, who was childhood friends with Hazel, Cathy begins a relentless search for her sister. Even though they haven't been close in recent years, she's still family and Cathy cannot give up on her.
The desperation is palpable.
I'm a huge Daisy Pearce fan. What can I say? This was so freaking fun for me, made all the more compelling by the stellar audiobook narration.
I know her books aren't for everyone, but they definitely work for me. I first fell in love with her writing in Something in the Walls. I felt that story to be chilling and gripping. I read it so quickly and couldn't wait for more from Pearce.
This novel, though I rated it the same at 4.5-stars, I actually think I enjoyed even more.
In addition to following Cathy in her hunt for Hazel, we also get Hazel's perspective. So, as the Reader, you know where she is, in a sense, and you know what's happening to her.
I loved the back-and-forth. Both perspectives were intense, with both women being forced to face very trying circumstances. I also really enjoyed the inclusion of Suzi. I think she made the story so much more engaging than had it just been Cathy investigating by herself.
I don't know how else to adequately explain why I enjoy Pearce's writing so much, it's just something about the plotting mixed with the darker, unsettling atmospheres that really does it for me.
The atmosphere, as well as the way the tension continues to build throughout, reminds me of Jennifer McMahon or Sarah Pinborough, two of my go-to authors.
I think if you've enjoyed their books, you should check out Daisy Pearce, if you haven't already. I would also highly recommend the audiobook, as the narration by Catrin Walker-Booth is excellent. Her voice felt so genuine and true to the story. It was very enjoyable.
Thank you to the publisher, Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. I cannot wait for whatever Daisy Pearce releases next.
You better believe I'll be first in line!
November 30, 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 23, 2026
3.5 stars rounded up. Hazel returns to her hometown after a difficult divorce, hoping to reconnect with her sister and start over. When she disappears, her sister Cathy begins searching for answers and uncovers unsettling secrets connected to the mysterious woods.
June 22, 2026
Fast-moving and atmospheric, this novel is a twist on a captivity/serial-killer thriller that was fun to read but didn’t quite live up to its potential. The world-building was done well, the smalltown-feel permeated the story, and the balance of description and exposition kept me immersed in the world. The central character and two most important ancillary characters were all interesting and not what archetypical tropes may have expected from them, which I enjoyed. The narrative style was engaging, because it was quite uncommon. The novel is written in the present-tense, which is already uncommon, and it switches from first-person perspective when we were with the main character Hazel to third-person perspective when with either of the ancillary characters Suzie or Cathy, and all of that feels fresh. It is a definite stylistic choice to use the present tense, and it certainly made the book stand out for me. Ideally first-person present tense should eliminate the distinction between readers’ experiences and the main character’s experience, making the story more personal and immediate, and it wasn’t necessarily all that effective in doing that for me, but it still definitely captured my attention.
The story felt like it moved quickly, because the chapters are very short and each has a sense of breathlessness to it… But I read this book in three roughly equal sessions, and stepping back after finishing a third of the book you realize that while it felt like it was rushed and always moving, not a lot actually happened. All the small dramatic or horrific set pieces feel almost obligatory, and surface level, which is to say they are set up and executed in short succession, everything feels very mechanical. The short chapters paper over the thinness of the plot and the sense of workmanship that accompanies each dramatic moment, and it is done well enough to keep you turning pages but if you stop to really think about it then it is a bit underwhelming. I think there is enough story here for a really tense and exciting novella, and by making it a full novel it feels stretched out. Additionally, it just felt really safe. There are so many moments where it could have felt more visceral, where bolder, darker decisions could have been made, where additional plot or narrative complications could have collided with reader expectations, but none of them happen. Nothing really felt unexpected, and I never had a sense of actually meaningful stakes, and, even knowing the main character was facing death (or worse) in her imprisonment, there wasn’t enough character depth for me to really care about her. I appreciated that she wasn’t a boring stereotype, but she didn’t feel particularly lived-in, either.
This book isn’t offensive in any way, which does feel like damning praise. The central idea is a fun one and the decision to write in present tense makes the narration stand out. It reads incredibly quickly, in part because of the narrative decision to make remarkably short chapters, and the tension is written well enough that it is hard to put it down at the end of a chapter. If you’re looking for a quick read with smart world building and unexpected characters to scratch that thriller-itch then this can certainly satisfy that.
(Rounded from 2.5)
The story felt like it moved quickly, because the chapters are very short and each has a sense of breathlessness to it… But I read this book in three roughly equal sessions, and stepping back after finishing a third of the book you realize that while it felt like it was rushed and always moving, not a lot actually happened. All the small dramatic or horrific set pieces feel almost obligatory, and surface level, which is to say they are set up and executed in short succession, everything feels very mechanical. The short chapters paper over the thinness of the plot and the sense of workmanship that accompanies each dramatic moment, and it is done well enough to keep you turning pages but if you stop to really think about it then it is a bit underwhelming. I think there is enough story here for a really tense and exciting novella, and by making it a full novel it feels stretched out. Additionally, it just felt really safe. There are so many moments where it could have felt more visceral, where bolder, darker decisions could have been made, where additional plot or narrative complications could have collided with reader expectations, but none of them happen. Nothing really felt unexpected, and I never had a sense of actually meaningful stakes, and, even knowing the main character was facing death (or worse) in her imprisonment, there wasn’t enough character depth for me to really care about her. I appreciated that she wasn’t a boring stereotype, but she didn’t feel particularly lived-in, either.
This book isn’t offensive in any way, which does feel like damning praise. The central idea is a fun one and the decision to write in present tense makes the narration stand out. It reads incredibly quickly, in part because of the narrative decision to make remarkably short chapters, and the tension is written well enough that it is hard to put it down at the end of a chapter. If you’re looking for a quick read with smart world building and unexpected characters to scratch that thriller-itch then this can certainly satisfy that.
(Rounded from 2.5)
December 26, 2025
The other sister was so creepy and unsettling, I love this author and will continue to read her books!
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.
June 4, 2026
4🌟
The suspense was killing me!!!!
This was an excellent thriller with some horror elements that really made the story unique, I think. Like, the whole teratoma concept was so intriguing.
Not going to lie, for a while there I was totally convinced that 50% of what was happening was just the imagination of the FMC, Hazel 😅 I thought, oooh plot twist, it's just nothing at all. But no, no imagination just real events happening with a monster that is latched on to Hazel.
I really enjoyed this one and had a hard time putting it down. I liked the multiple POV's, and to get more information about a young Hazel. But because of the other pov's you realize that the monster is actually real. I think I would loved a little more mystery for a little while longer 🫠
Thank you Netgalley and Little Brown book group for this ARC!! ❤️
The suspense was killing me!!!!
This was an excellent thriller with some horror elements that really made the story unique, I think. Like, the whole teratoma concept was so intriguing.
Not going to lie, for a while there I was totally convinced that 50% of what was happening was just the imagination of the FMC, Hazel 😅 I thought, oooh plot twist, it's just nothing at all. But no, no imagination just real events happening with a monster that is latched on to Hazel.
I really enjoyed this one and had a hard time putting it down. I liked the multiple POV's, and to get more information about a young Hazel. But because of the other pov's you realize that the monster is actually real. I think I would loved a little more mystery for a little while longer 🫠
Thank you Netgalley and Little Brown book group for this ARC!! ❤️
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 2, 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.
January 28, 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!
June 7, 2026
Holy hell this was so creepy and so incredibly immersive. I had honestly lost count of the amount of extremely descriptive scenes that truly made me grimace and crawl out of my skin - which to me means nothing less than a five star. Daaaamn this was good and is perfect for lovers of possession and body horror.
May 30, 2026
I don’t often read horror novels but when Dark is When the Devil Comes was offered on Netgalley, I decided to step outside my comfort zone and give it a try. And, boy, was this outside my comfort zone. It is one eerie, creepy, claustrophobic, and very unsettling read and I couldn’t put it down. For any horror fan or someone, like me, looking for something different from their usual genre choice, I recommend this highly. One caveat, though, I suggest you do not read this before bed because, trust me, you won’t want to close your eyes afterwards.
I received an eARC of this book from Netgalley and St Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review
I received an eARC of this book from Netgalley and St Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review
August 13, 2026
This was a solid but unspectacular psychological/supernatural horror story. It had a weirdly sedate and melancholy vibe despite the fact that it was a thriller about a woman being abducted by a serial killer!
The plot was intriguing. After a mental breakdown, and with an impending divorce, amateur mycologist Hazel finds herself back in her hometown pet-sitting while her parents are on a lengthy holiday. Things go awry when she catches the eye of a local serial killer and he decides to abduct her.
The twist on the usual abduction/survival story was the fact that Hazel had an evil supernatural companion of her own!
It was readable enough but not super compelling or particularly scary. As well as Hazel as a POV character, we also got a bit from Hazel’s sister and a friend in the village, both of whom were trying to find Hazel after she went missing.
The big plus for me was the fact that this book did not end on the same depressing note as my other recent horror reads (Molka and Shy Girl). I was expecting more threat and violence, but instead, we got a melancholy vibe and the odd bit of tension. Even the supernatural elements of the story always threatened to be more fun than they actually delivered.
All in all, this was just OK.
Rating: 3 Stars.
Audio Note: I felt like Catrin Walker-Booth did a good job with the audio. She was particularly good with the sad emotional moments.
The plot was intriguing. After a mental breakdown, and with an impending divorce, amateur mycologist Hazel finds herself back in her hometown pet-sitting while her parents are on a lengthy holiday. Things go awry when she catches the eye of a local serial killer and he decides to abduct her.
The twist on the usual abduction/survival story was the fact that Hazel had an evil supernatural companion of her own!
It was readable enough but not super compelling or particularly scary. As well as Hazel as a POV character, we also got a bit from Hazel’s sister and a friend in the village, both of whom were trying to find Hazel after she went missing.
The big plus for me was the fact that this book did not end on the same depressing note as my other recent horror reads (Molka and Shy Girl). I was expecting more threat and violence, but instead, we got a melancholy vibe and the odd bit of tension. Even the supernatural elements of the story always threatened to be more fun than they actually delivered.
All in all, this was just OK.
Rating: 3 Stars.
Audio Note: I felt like Catrin Walker-Booth did a good job with the audio. She was particularly good with the sad emotional moments.
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.
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 23, 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
Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
I am a huge fan of crime, mystery, and horror books. I have read a lot of each and at this point have "seen it all". The premise and story of this book is very basic as far as mystery/crime books go and I have definitely read books that are almost exactly like this one. Typically when I read books that are almost exactly the same, I enjoy them. It is like watching a cooking show...you know what is going to happen the whole time, but each episode is a smidge different and still enjoyable. This book works, but it doesn't quite hit the mark.
My biggest issue with this story was the questionable choices of the main character from the beginning. Without spoiling anything, Hazel makes some choices that I don't believe ANY WOMAN WITH TWO BRAIN CELLS would make concerning a creepy man engaging with her. I just don't buy it. Alternatively, there is a paranormal aspect in this story that wasn't used to the full potential and so it just kind of sits there as a storyline to nowhere.
By the time the ending happened, I was sorely disappointed. I feel like there was a lot of potential in this story that just wasn't fleshed out fully and so it leads to a lackluster story full of holes. Again, I don't want to spoil anything but even from the very beginning things just didn't make sense. I assumed the main character was going to be an "unreliable narrator" which is one of my FAVORITE things to read...but sadly she was just stupid? I am still questioning what I read in certain scenes because....why???
It's not all bad though, it could be a fun read for someone who has NOT read a bunch of other mystery/crime/horror books. If I were on vacation and needed a book for the beach or to sit by the pool, this would do nicely. It is an engaging story, but when you're on vacation you're not looking for an A+ type book, so this fits that bill.
If you want to read a book that just gives you a story that is unlike your own life, or you want a book that just takes your mind off of your real life for awhile...this is the book for you. I would akin it to how every episode of Forensic Files isn't an A+ but as a fan of the show I have watched each episode multiple times. This would be one of the lesser episodes...still watching it, but not an A+.
I am a huge fan of crime, mystery, and horror books. I have read a lot of each and at this point have "seen it all". The premise and story of this book is very basic as far as mystery/crime books go and I have definitely read books that are almost exactly like this one. Typically when I read books that are almost exactly the same, I enjoy them. It is like watching a cooking show...you know what is going to happen the whole time, but each episode is a smidge different and still enjoyable. This book works, but it doesn't quite hit the mark.
My biggest issue with this story was the questionable choices of the main character from the beginning. Without spoiling anything, Hazel makes some choices that I don't believe ANY WOMAN WITH TWO BRAIN CELLS would make concerning a creepy man engaging with her. I just don't buy it. Alternatively, there is a paranormal aspect in this story that wasn't used to the full potential and so it just kind of sits there as a storyline to nowhere.
By the time the ending happened, I was sorely disappointed. I feel like there was a lot of potential in this story that just wasn't fleshed out fully and so it leads to a lackluster story full of holes. Again, I don't want to spoil anything but even from the very beginning things just didn't make sense. I assumed the main character was going to be an "unreliable narrator" which is one of my FAVORITE things to read...but sadly she was just stupid? I am still questioning what I read in certain scenes because....why???
It's not all bad though, it could be a fun read for someone who has NOT read a bunch of other mystery/crime/horror books. If I were on vacation and needed a book for the beach or to sit by the pool, this would do nicely. It is an engaging story, but when you're on vacation you're not looking for an A+ type book, so this fits that bill.
If you want to read a book that just gives you a story that is unlike your own life, or you want a book that just takes your mind off of your real life for awhile...this is the book for you. I would akin it to how every episode of Forensic Files isn't an A+ but as a fan of the show I have watched each episode multiple times. This would be one of the lesser episodes...still watching it, but not an A+.
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! 📚⭐️📖🩷
June 29, 2026
Serial killer thriller with a touch of horror. The tension in this one was good. Definitely got under my skin. I loved the whole teratoma plot. The other sister was low key creepier than the killer.
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