Picture a Cornwall-born storyteller who crafts chilling tales that linger like fog on a coastal cliff—meet Daisy Pearce! With her debut novel The Silence topping Kindle charts in 2020, Pearce has carved a niche in mystery and thriller fiction, blending psychological depth with supernatural whispers. Her stories, inspired by a childhood steeped in Stephen King and hippie vibes, captivate readers with their eerie atmospheres and flawed, relatable characters.
Now settled in Lewes with her daughter and a one-eyed Siamese cat, Pearce channels her fascination with the macabre into page-turners that keep you up past midnight. Let’s dive into her journey from a smallholding in Cornwall to a rising star in the thriller world.
The Making of Daisy Pearce
Born in Cornwall, Daisy Pearce grew up on a smallholding surrounded by hippies, where her early exposure to Stephen King’s Cujo and The Hamlyn Book of Horror sparked a lifelong love for the macabre. As a teenager, she began penning short stories, finding creative writing far more thrilling than her brief stint in a fashion journalism course, which she promptly abandoned. After living in London and Brighton, Pearce honed her craft, publishing her first short story, ‘The Black Prince,’ in One Eye Grey magazine, and later seeing ‘The Brook Witch’ performed at Lewes’s Small Story Cabaret in 2016.
Her early career wasn’t just about fiction—she also wrote candid articles on mental health, showcasing her knack for raw, human stories. By 2015, her debut novel The Silence won a bursary from The Literary Consultancy, and her short story ‘Worm Food’ clinched the Chindi Authors Competition, signaling her arrival as a writer to watch.
Daisy Pearce’s Unforgettable Stories
Pearce’s novels are a masterclass in blending psychological suspense with supernatural undertones, often set against vivid backdrops like Cornwall’s rugged cliffs or London’s gritty streets. Her debut, The Silence (2020), follows Stella Wiseman, a former child star whose life unravels under the influence of a charismatic but sinister man named Marco. Readers praised its atmospheric tension and gaslighting subplot, though some noted its supernatural elements left tantalizing questions unanswered, echoing Stephen King’s knack for ambiguity.
Hot on its heels, The Missing (2020) explores a mother’s quest to uncover the truth behind her daughter’s disappearance two decades earlier. Longlisted for the Mslexia Novel Award, it showcases Pearce’s poetic prose and knack for gripping twists. Her latest, Something in the Walls (2025), dives into folk horror, with a child psychologist investigating a girl’s claims of a witch haunting her village. Reviewers hail its chilling, Midsommar-esque vibe, cementing Pearce’s versatility. Her short stories, like ‘The Brook Witch,’ further highlight her ability to weave folklore and unease into compact, haunting narratives.
Pearce’s style—lush, atmospheric, and deeply human—draws comparisons to Shirley Jackson and Donna Tartt. Her characters, often vulnerable yet resilient, navigate worlds where reality blurs with the uncanny, making her books perfect for readers who love a slow-burn thrill with emotional heft.
Why Daisy Pearce Matters
In a crowded thriller genre, Daisy Pearce stands out for her ability to blend psychological realism with supernatural intrigue, crafting stories that feel both intimate and universal. Her focus on flawed, relatable protagonists—especially women grappling with trauma or doubt—resonates with readers seeking depth in their suspense. Her Cornish roots infuse her work with a palpable sense of place, turning settings into characters as vivid as her heroines.
Pearce’s growing fanbase and critical acclaim, including her Kindle chart success and Mslexia longlisting, signal a bright future. As she prepares to release more folk horror with Dark is When the Devil Comes in 2026, her influence on modern thriller and horror fiction continues to expand, proving that even lesser-known voices can leave a lasting mark.
- Born: Cornwall, UK
- Key Works: The Silence (2020), The Missing (2020), Something in the Walls (2025)
- Awards: Chindi Authors Competition (2015), Mslexia Novel Award longlist
- Fun Fact: She works at the University of Sussex library, shelving books while listening to true crime podcasts.
Ready to get lost in a world of creeping dread and unforgettable characters? Snag The Silence or Something in the Walls and dive into Daisy Pearce’s thrilling universe!