In the sweltering heat of a British summer, Daisy Pearce’s “Something in the Walls” beckons readers into a world where superstition and psychology collide with devastating consequences. This atmospheric horror-thriller marks Pearce’s return after her previous novels “The Silence” and “The Missing,” bringing her trademark blend of psychological suspense and disturbing imagery to a story steeped in folk horror tradition.
When newly qualified child psychologist Mina Ellis meets journalist Sam Hunter at a bereavement group, she’s dragged into investigating the case of thirteen-year-old Alice Webber, who claims a witch is watching her through the cracks in her bedroom chimney. The investigation takes them to Banathel, a remote Cornish village with an unsettling history of witchcraft and a tradition called “Riddance” – a ritual meant to cleanse young girls of demonic possession. As Mina attempts to uncover the truth behind Alice’s claims, she confronts both the town’s deeply rooted superstitions and her own unresolved grief over her brother Eddie’s death years earlier.
Spellbinding Atmosphere and Setting
Pearce excels at creating a claustrophobic atmosphere that practically drips off the page. The oppressive heat wave that serves as the novel’s backdrop becomes a character of its own, heightening tensions and lending an apocalyptic air to the proceedings:
“The air is heavy with fragrant heat; melting rubber, hot clay. The tails of smoke.”
The village of Banathel itself is masterfully rendered—a place where hagstones hang in doorways and ancient superstitions dictate modern behavior. Pearce’s description of the village’s pond where the “Riddance” rituals take place is particularly chilling:
“Even over the smoke I can smell the water; silt and copper and rich black mud.”
This atmospheric quality is undoubtedly the novel’s greatest strength, creating a miasma of dread that permeates every page.
Complex Characters and Their Demons
Mina Ellis: A Protagonist Haunted by More Than Ghosts
Mina is a compelling, flawed protagonist whose psychological struggles mirror the external horror she faces. Her relationships—with her distant fiancé Oscar, with the enigmatic Sam, and with the memory of her brother—are textured and believable. As the novel progresses, Pearce peels back layers of Mina’s past, revealing the true circumstances of her brother’s death and her role in it. This revelation transforms what might have been a straightforward horror story into something more profound—an exploration of guilt, grief, and the stories we tell ourselves to survive.
Supporting Cast: Shadows and Substance
The supporting characters are equally nuanced:
Alice Webber – A teenager trapped between childhood and adulthood, whose apparent possession blurs the line between mental illness and supernatural influence
Sam Hunter – A journalist haunted by the death of his daughter Maggie, seeking answers through paranormal investigation
Bert Roscow – A seemingly kindly neighbor whose true nature represents the novel’s most disturbing revelation
Fern – A video store owner with her own connection to Banathel’s dark traditions
Each character carries their own trauma, making them vulnerable to manipulation by both supernatural and human forces. Pearce is particularly adept at depicting the power dynamics between adults and children, and how trauma can be passed down through generations.
Narrative Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths: Atmospheric Horror and Psychological Depth
Immersive setting: The oppressive heat wave and isolated village create a perfect breeding ground for horror
Unsettling imagery: Pearce has a gift for disturbing descriptions, from the “hagstones” hanging in doorways to the black substance leaking through the chimney
Psychological complexity: The characters’ internal struggles are as compelling as the external threats
Slow-burn suspense: The gradual revelation of Banathel’s secrets creates genuine tension
Folk horror elements: The novel draws effectively on traditional witchcraft lore and small-town superstition
Weaknesses: Pacing Issues and Underdeveloped Elements
Uneven pacing: The middle section drags somewhat before rushing toward the climax
Ambiguous supernatural elements: Some readers may find the ambiguity around whether anything supernatural is actually happening frustrating
Underdeveloped relationships: The connection between Mina and Sam feels somewhat rushed
Convenient plot developments: Some revelations come too easily or depend too heavily on coincidence
Abrupt ending: The hospital epilogue feels somewhat disconnected from the main narrative
Thematic Explorations: Witchcraft, Trauma, and Power
Pearce deftly explores how superstition can be weaponized against vulnerable populations, particularly young women. The “Riddance” ritual serves as a potent metaphor for how society controls female bodies and behavior under the guise of protection. This contemporary relevance gives the novel a depth beyond typical horror fare.
The exploration of trauma is equally nuanced. Each character carries wounds that shape their perception and behavior, making them susceptible to manipulation. Pearce suggests that trauma, like possession, can be contagious – passing from person to person, generation to generation.
“You know, you’ll go to prison for this. All these girls were underage.”
“The problem with Riddance girls, Mina, is that they’re liars. Thieves. Runaways. The Riddance isn’t a panacea, it can’t fundamentally change who they are. Under the skin they are still rotten.”
This exchange between Mina and Bert crystallizes the novel’s exploration of how power operates – through gaslighting, through positioning victims as unreliable, through exploiting societal biases.
Stylistic Elements: Gothic Horror Meets Psychological Thriller
Pearce’s prose style is evocative without being overwrought, blending sensory description with psychological insight. Her use of fragmented passages during moments of high tension effectively conveys Mina’s disorientation:
“The night is inky dark, humidity pressing close to the skin. Smothering us. Sam, running his hands through his hair, walking beside me, long shadowed, pleading. He is still clutching that shoe to his chest, glassy eyes deeply socketed. Distant thunder over the moors, a pall of hazy smoke across the green. The crackling PA system, which plays over speakers hanging from the branches of the trees; a waltz, the tune slow-moving and drowsy.”
This stylistic approach creates a dreamlike quality that enhances the novel’s ambiguity about what is real and what is imagined.
Comparable Works and Genre Context
Fans of the following will find much to appreciate in “Something in the Walls”:
Sarah Waters’ “The Little Stranger” – For its ambiguous haunting and psychological depth
Andrew Michael Hurley’s “The Loney” – For its exploration of religious ritual and rural superstition
Shirley Jackson’s “We Have Always Lived in the Castle” – For its unreliable narration and small-town suspicion
Sarah Moss’s “Ghost Wall” – For its examination of how ancient practices can be misused in modern contexts
Pearce positions herself within the tradition of British folk horror while bringing contemporary psychological insight to the genre.
Final Assessment: A Haunting Experience with Minor Flaws
“Something in the Walls” is a darkly compelling novel that lingers in the mind long after reading. While it occasionally stumbles with pacing issues and some underdeveloped elements, its strengths – atmospheric setting, psychological depth, and exploration of trauma – make it a worthwhile read for fans of horror with substance.
Pearce demonstrates a keen understanding of how true horror stems not from supernatural forces but from human capacity for cruelty and self-deception. The novel’s most chilling moments come not from potential hauntings but from revelations about what people have done to one another.
Something in the Walls successfully balances ambiguity with satisfaction, leaving readers to decide for themselves how much of the horror was supernatural and how much was born from human darkness. This thoughtful approach, combined with genuinely disturbing imagery and complex characters, makes “Something in the Walls” a notable addition to contemporary horror literature, despite its occasional shortcomings.