Something in the Walls
The addictive and chilling folk horror perfect for fans of Midsommar
Published on 10. February 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
320 pages
978-0-356-52915-8 (ISBN)
Description
'FULL OF SUPERB, AND SUSTAINED, TENSION AND HEAVY DOSES OF FOLKLORE AND EERIE HISTORY' New York Times
*A Library Reads Pick!*
*Most Anticipated by Goodreads, E! News, BookRiot, and more!*
Unbearably tense and utterly propulsive, Daisy Pearce's critically acclaimed horror debut is perfect for anyone who loves Midsommar and The Haunting of Hill House.
Reader reviews:
'I was completely hooked! . . . I'll definitely be recommending it far and wide' ?????
'This entire book was a craving satisfied. Suspense, mystery, heavy folk horror themes and a hefty dose of creepiness' ?????
'I absolutely loved this book! . . . From the things Alice says, to the creepy atmospheric town full of their superstitious beliefs, unhinged believers and folklore, the entire book was just the perfect haunted story' ?????
SHE'S LOOKING FOR THE TRUTH, BUT SOMETHING ELSE IS STARING BACK.
Newly trained child psychologist Mina has little experience. In a field full of experts, she's been unable to find work, instead aimlessly spending her days stuck in the stifling heat wave sweeping across Britain. So it feels like a welcome reprieve when journalist Sam Hunter approaches her with a proposition.
Alice Webber is a thirteen-year-old girl who claims she's being haunted by a witch. Living with her family in the remote Cornish village of Banathel, Alice's symptoms are increasingly disturbing. Taking this job will give Mina some experience, Sam will get the scoop of a lifetime, and Alice will get better - Mina is sure of it.
But as Alice's behaviour becomes increasingly inexplicable and intense, the dark cracks in Banathel begin to show. The village has a deep history of superstition and witchcraft. They believe there is evil in the world, and they have ways of . . . dealing with it. Mina is desperate to understand how deep their sinister traditions go - and how her own past may be the biggest threat of all.
'A haunting suspense novel that readers will not soon forget' Library Journal
'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
*A Library Reads Pick!*
*Most Anticipated by Goodreads, E! News, BookRiot, and more!*
Unbearably tense and utterly propulsive, Daisy Pearce's critically acclaimed horror debut is perfect for anyone who loves Midsommar and The Haunting of Hill House.
Reader reviews:
'I was completely hooked! . . . I'll definitely be recommending it far and wide' ?????
'This entire book was a craving satisfied. Suspense, mystery, heavy folk horror themes and a hefty dose of creepiness' ?????
'I absolutely loved this book! . . . From the things Alice says, to the creepy atmospheric town full of their superstitious beliefs, unhinged believers and folklore, the entire book was just the perfect haunted story' ?????
SHE'S LOOKING FOR THE TRUTH, BUT SOMETHING ELSE IS STARING BACK.
Newly trained child psychologist Mina has little experience. In a field full of experts, she's been unable to find work, instead aimlessly spending her days stuck in the stifling heat wave sweeping across Britain. So it feels like a welcome reprieve when journalist Sam Hunter approaches her with a proposition.
Alice Webber is a thirteen-year-old girl who claims she's being haunted by a witch. Living with her family in the remote Cornish village of Banathel, Alice's symptoms are increasingly disturbing. Taking this job will give Mina some experience, Sam will get the scoop of a lifetime, and Alice will get better - Mina is sure of it.
But as Alice's behaviour becomes increasingly inexplicable and intense, the dark cracks in Banathel begin to show. The village has a deep history of superstition and witchcraft. They believe there is evil in the world, and they have ways of . . . dealing with it. Mina is desperate to understand how deep their sinister traditions go - and how her own past may be the biggest threat of all.
'A haunting suspense novel that readers will not soon forget' Library Journal
'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
Reviews / Votes
The novel is full of superb, and sustained, tension and heavy doses of folklore and eerie history, making this a fun read that is also smart and engaging * New York Times * A taut tale that chillingly intertwines psychological and supernatural suspense * Kirkus * 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 * In this tense page-turner, Pearce weaves together folklore and horror to create a haunting suspense novel that readers will not soon forget * Library Journal * What begins as a supernatural thriller gradually develops into a thoughtful meditation on grief and groupthink, with enough pathos and drama to keep the pages turning. It's a winner * Publishers Weekly * 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 *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Little, Brown Book Group
Dimensions
Height: 196 mm
Width: 124 mm
Thickness: 22 mm
Weight
222 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-356-52915-8 (9780356529158)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Daisy Pearce
Something in the Walls
The addictive and chilling folk horror perfect for fans of Midsommar
E-Book
07/2025
Run for It
€4.49
Available for download
Persons
Daisy Pearce was born in Cornwall and grew up on a smallholding surrounded by hippies. She read The Hamlyn Book of Horror far too young and has been fascinated with the macabre ever since.
Daisy began writing short stories as a teenager and had her first short story 'The Black Prince' published in One Eye Grey magazine. In 2015 'The Silence' won a bursary with The Literary Consultancy and her short story, 'The Brook Witch', was performed on stage at the Small Story Cabaret in Lewes.
Daisy's debut novels The Silence and The Missing were published by Thomas & Mercer in 2020. Her third novel Something In The Walls was published in the US in 2025 and will soon be available in the UK. Daisy currently works in a library and hunts ghosts.
Daisy began writing short stories as a teenager and had her first short story 'The Black Prince' published in One Eye Grey magazine. In 2015 'The Silence' won a bursary with The Literary Consultancy and her short story, 'The Brook Witch', was performed on stage at the Small Story Cabaret in Lewes.
Daisy's debut novels The Silence and The Missing were published by Thomas & Mercer in 2020. Her third novel Something In The Walls was published in the US in 2025 and will soon be available in the UK. Daisy currently works in a library and hunts ghosts.