Something in the Walls by Daisy Pearce: A Chilling Encounter with Folklore and Grief
There’s something inherently captivating about tales that intertwine the supernatural with deeply human emotions. When I first came across Something in the Walls by Daisy Pearce, the premise struck a chord. A teenage girl in a sleepy English backwater claims she can see a witch living in her walls, while two emotionally burdened adults seek closure with their lost loved ones. I couldn’t resist diving into this dark, atmospheric narrative, and I’m so glad I did.
Set in the eerie little town of Banathel, the story revolves around Alice Webber, a girl whose vibrant youth collides with shadows of despair. After being tormented by a mysterious ailment—complete with vivid hallucinations and strange bodily manifestations—she finds herself at the center of a disturbing spectacle. Observers, including journalist Sam Hunter and child psychologist Mina Ellis, flock to her home, hoping to uncover the truth behind her unsettling experiences. Their conflicting motivations—Sam’s skepticism and Mina’s longing for connection—create an engaging dynamic as they contend with rural superstitions and their own emotional scars.
One of the standout elements for me was Pearce’s evocative writing style. The prose flows seamlessly, crafting a vivid atmosphere filled with texture and tension. As I read about the “throat full of molasses” and the “bile in the back of [Sam’s] throat,” I felt the weight of dread that hung over Banathel like an oppressive fog. Pearce masterfully blends suspense with psychological depth, intertwining the characters’ personal struggles with the eerie elements of folk horror that echo the likes of The Wicker Man.
The story carries a richer message about loss and the human desire for connection amidst the chaos of grief. As Sam and Mina grapple with their haunting pasts—both bear the scars of losing children—their journey toward healing feels painfully relatable. The juxtaposition of Alice’s youthful innocence with the town’s superstitions offers a powerful commentary on how fear can manifest in our lives, both in the supernatural and within ourselves.
That said, I did find myself wishing for a deeper exploration of Mina’s character. As a psychologist, her involvement with the obviously troubled Alice felt a tad underdeveloped. Often, I found myself questioning her decisions. Despite this, Pearce’s portrayal of the teenage Alice kept me intrigued; she’s both the quintessential “normal girl” and the vessel for the town’s deepest fears—a wonderfully complex character.
Most importantly, the novel’s pacing kept me on edge without the dreaded feeling of dragging through repetitive sections. The tension escalated perfectly, each revelation pushing the story toward its unsettling climax. While it didn’t keep me up at night like some horror novels do, it certainly left me pondering the intricate dance between human agency and the supernatural.
I believe lovers of folklore, psychological suspense, and character-driven storytelling will find Something in the Walls enchanting. Pearce reminds us that while our deepest fears can originate from the darkest places, there is also hope for healing, connection, and perhaps, understanding.
So if you’re looking to uncover a bewitching tale layered with emotional depth and spine-tingling suspense, look no further than Daisy Pearce’s debut. It just might leave a mark on your heart as it did on mine.
Happy reading!
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