Dark Is When the Devil Comes is an eerie supernatural horror set in the small English countryside town of Idless. After a traumatic divorce, Hazel returns home planning to quietly regroup at her parents’ empty house and reconnect with her estranged sister, Cathy. But when Hazel never arrives, Cathy begins to worry. As Cathy searches for answers, the town’s folklore and the darkness surrounding the forest begin to feel far less like superstition and far more like something real.
I ended up liking this one more than Daisy Pearce’s first book, Something in the Walls. This story leans more heavily into a supernatural horror vibe, and the ending felt much more complete and satisfying. I also really enjoyed the focus on the relationship between Hazel and Cathy. The complicated sister dynamic added a lot of emotional weight to the mystery.
There were definitely a few moments where characters (especially Suzy and Cathy) made decisions that felt a little questionable, but that might just be my horror-reader brain being suspicious of everything. When you read enough scary books, you start expecting the worst from every situation.
The multiple POVs worked well, though Hazel’s perspective was easily the strongest. Her chapters were the most surreal and unsettling, and the idea of her “other sister” was genuinely creepy. Cathy’s side of the story added a lot of heart. Her search for Hazel feels driven by guilt, love, and the hope that their fractured relationship might still be repaired.
The horror itself is very atmospheric. Instead of relying on jump scares, the tension slowly builds until you realize how uneasy the story has made you. The woods surrounding Idless almost feel alive: ancient, watchful, and quietly threatening every time someone gets too close.
I listened to this one on audio and really enjoyed Catrin Walker-Booth’s narration throughout. Overall, the pacing keeps you hooked, the tension builds well, and the emotional stakes make the horror land even harder. If you enjoy atmospheric horror with folklore elements and complicated sister relationships, this one is definitely worth checking out.
Other Reviews for Daisy Pearce
AMAZON | GOODREADS | BOOKSHOP |★★★★
Dark is When the Devil Comes comes out April 28, 2026. Thank you to Minotaur & Macmillan Audio for my advanced copy in exchange for my review. If you liked this review, please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my Instagram @speakingof.books.
