Something in the Walls (by Daisy Pearce)
I stumbled upon a copy of Something in the Walls by Daisy Pearce in a bookstore in Somewhere, USA, and the cover’s blend of beauty and creepiness immediately drew me in. The intriguing book description further piqued my interest. Thankfully, my library hold arrived just as spooky reading season approached.
The story unfolds in 1989, where newly qualified child psychologist Mina is eager to gain practical experience in her field. She’s contemplating her upcoming wedding to Oscar, a pragmatic and logical researcher. Mina is still grappling with the lingering guilt over her brother Eddie’s death and finds solace in attending a grief support group. It’s here that she meets Sam, who is processing the tragic loss of his young daughter.
Sam, a journalist, is investigating claims of a teenage girl named Alice being possessed by a vengeful witch trapped within the crumbling walls of her family’s home. He proposes that Mina join him on this investigation, suggesting that they assess, monitor, and potentially treat Alice’s symptoms if the claims are a manifestation of a mental health condition rather than a demonic possession. This investigation also serves as a platform for Sam and Mina to confront and explore their own personal traumas.
I thoroughly enjoyed the premise of a potential haunting or demonic possession, where the truth remains uncertain, leaving readers questioning whether it’s real or a hoax. It was refreshing to have Sam, a skeptic, and Mina, who sought answers through her psychologist training. Both characters frequently found themselves derailed by their own personal losses, leading to instances of counter-transference. The ending was particularly surprising and captivating. The story was reminiscent of the movie The Conjuring 2. (I’m a big fan of The Conjuring movie series.) I appreciated the author’s acknowledgment of this similarity by mentioning the Enfield poltergeist case in the narrative a few times.
I borrowed the audiobook of Something in the Walls through Libby. The narration by Ana Clements was incredibly enjoyable.
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