Where to Start with Daisy Pearce
Because all of Daisy Pearce’s novels are currently written as standalones, you can pick up any of her books without worrying about cliffhangers or unresolved multi-book storylines. However, depending on what flavor of thrill you prefer, there are two ideal entry points:
- For Psychological Suspense: Start with her debut, The Silence. It focuses heavily on gaslighting, control, and a slow-building paranoia that is grounded in psychological realism with a faint, ambiguous touch of the supernatural.
- For Folk Horror: Start with Something in the Walls. This book leans heavily into the traditions of folk horror, village superstitions, and eerie local legends, making it perfect for fans of creeping dread.
Daisy Pearce Books in Publication Order
Reading Daisy Pearce's novels in publication order allows you to watch her style evolve from standard psychological suspense into rich, unsettling folk horror. Her novels include:
- The Silence (2020)
- The Missing (2020)
- Something in the Walls (2025)
- Dark Is When the Devil Comes (2026)
Deep Dive: The Standalone Novels
The Silence (2020)
Pearce’s debut novel introduces Stella Wiseman, a former child star trying to rebuild her life. She falls under the sway of Marco, a charismatic but deeply sinister man who isolates her in a remote cottage. The book is a masterclass in slow-burn psychological dread, dealing with themes of gaslighting and manipulation, while keeping a light, ambiguous supernatural element lingering in the background.
The Missing (2020)
Longlisted for the Mslexia Novel Award, this second novel focuses on a mother's relentless quest to find out what happened to her daughter, who went missing two decades prior. It showcases Pearce’s poetic prose style and ability to weave emotional trauma with unexpected twists.
Something in the Walls (2025)
Set in 1989 in the fictional, isolated Cornwall village of Banathel, this novel follows Mina Ellis, a child psychologist hired to work with a teenage girl who claims a witch is haunting her. It is a full step into atmospheric folk horror, dealing with village folklore, isolation, and superstitious terror.
Dark Is When the Devil Comes (2026)
This thriller follows Hazel as she returns to her childhood home bordering the vast Idless wood following a difficult divorce. When a man named Andrew traps her, Hazel begins to realize that the human threat might not be the only thing she has to fear inside the farmhouse. It blends survival thriller elements with dark, folklore-inspired horror.
What to Know Before You Start
Pearce's writing style is heavily influenced by her childhood in Cornwall and her love for classic horror literature, particularly the works of Stephen King and Shirley Jackson. Readers should expect slow-burn pacing, highly atmospheric settings where the landscape itself acts as a character, and stories focused on vulnerable, flawed protagonists navigating psychological trauma.