On the eve of her 80th birthday, Beatrice Darker summons her family to Seaglass, their family home just off the coast of Cornwall connected by a causeway that can only be accessed at low tide.
An incredible setting that was clearly depicted and by far my favourite part of this book. The sense of atmosphere and the characterisation was also really good, love or loathe them the Darker family were portrayed in glorious technicolour, warts and all.

Told from the point of view of Daisy, Beatrices youngest grandaughter the storyline moved back and forth between past and present, the family life I'd earlier envied becoming less and less attractive with each chapter.

This novel started out well, kept my attention throughout and for the most part I really enjoyed reading it, I guessed the major twist early on in the novel but don't think that detracted from the story and the ending was good. I'd recommend.

My thanks to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for the advance copy for review, I was under no obligation and all opinions expressed are my own.

A fantastically dark tale that certainly keeps you on your toes! The family secrets are delicious, as is the narrative voice. The simplicity and childishness of the narrative really adds to the macabre atmosphere whilst simultaneously building the protagonist’s character. The only thing that let it down for me was that the wave illustration at the beginning of every chapter didn’t render well in the ebook version. A really good read with an excellent ending!

It's nana's 80th birthday and she invites her whole family to celebrate at her large house on its own island that becomes cut off from the world when the tide comes in. Her family don't get on well and haven't all spent time together in years but Nana thinks this special birthday celebration will be the perfect opportunity.
However, at midnight, nana is found dead with mysterious poems written on the walls. Outside a storm rages and the family is not able to escape due to the tide. It's only a matter of time before another body is found...and then another...!
Very much like Christie's 'And then there were None' however a little bit more predictable. My first Alice Feeney book and I did enjoy but not as much as I'd hoped.

Alice Feeney is one of my “automatically to be read” authors so when I saw her latest novel, Daisy Darker, I was so excited! And it did not disappoint!

It’s about murder. It’s about madness. It’s about love. It’s about revenge. It’s about the most dysfunctional family you’ll ever meet, and while you’ll be abhorred by each one of them, you’ll love them all too! It should be a cult classic!

The story is narrated by Daisy, both in the present and in the past (via VHS tapes!) and is told hour by hour throughout the night, before low tide. I love how this was used to build tension. As you move on to the next chapter, and the next hour, the chills are to building and you have to keep going!

#netgalley #alicefeeny #daisydarker #panmacmillan

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan and Alice Feeney for an ARC in return for an honest review.

The Darker family is full of secrets. They all reunite for Nannas 80th birthday… at high-tide. A murder occurs and no one is safe. Little cryptic poems are written in the walls detailing their demise.

I must admit, I was worried nothing would compare to ‘Rock, Paper, Scissors’ but what a pleasant surprise this was! Daisy Darker is a horrific and truly obsessive read - it is pure genius. It is dark, scary and compelling. I genuinely haven’t stopped thinking about it. It is an absolute masterpiece. This book keeps you on your toes. Always expect the unexpected. I can’t recommend it enough.

Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney is another twisted story by the author. The storyline has many twists and turns to confuse the reader. Daisy Darker is broken, she has a bad heart and is then kept at home by her mother while her two older sisters go to boarding school and lead a normal life. The only person who ever seem to care for Daisy was her grandmother, whom Daisy called Nana.
When Nana is 80 she asks all her family to join her at Seaglass, the family home which can be surrounded by sea at high tide. Then mysterious things begin to happen and life for the Darker family will never be the same.
Highly recommended.

I have mixed reviews on Alice Feeney's books so far. I really enjoyed His & Hers but really disliked Rock Paper Scissors so I went into this one super apprehensive!

I devoured this in one sitting! Its basically a 'And Then They Were None' modernisation. I really enjoy isolated settings in thrillers so this book was exactly what I wanted.

Really enjoyed the story, characters and family secrets. The build up was done really well and I wasnt mad about the ending either.

4 stars!

5⭐️

What a WOW book, it may be my book of the year, certainly in my top 3 at the time of reading. It is without doubt the authors best book, one you really need to read, it’s so cleverly done.

The foreword from the authors agent adds an interesting aspect to the story.

This is a closed circle murder mystery described in the blurb as a wicked wink to Agatha Christie.

Daisy Darker’s family gets together to celebrate her nana’s 80th birthday which she is celebrating at her home on a tiny tidal island cut off for 8 hrs when the tide comes in. Connor a family friend also turns up for the celebration.

Daisy is the story’s narrator.
We get an insight into the Darker girls youth from memories and home movie clips which also provide clues.

It’s got a creepy vibe which builds with the rising tension. The plot is excellently woven, with great twists and deceptions. The past and present are interwoven very effectively.

The characters are all very individual some a little quirky, some not so likeable. It’s full of complicated family relationships. Daisy is very likeable as is the quirky nana.

The writing style is chatty and instantly engaging. It had me chuckling in places. I like the chapters ending with mini cliffhangers.

Honestly I can’t rave enough about this book!

**Listened to the audiobook and read electronic version too**

This book is like nothing I have ever read before, it's so unique! It hooked me right from the start! I loved how the book kept evolving, it starts off being one thing, and within a few chapters it changes into something else. It spans so many topics, and themes throughout the book - but all the time it is just so engrossing.
Alice Feeney's writing is so filmic, and this really would make a great film or tv series. I could visualise everything so vividly.

I usually struggle with books that have too many characters, but Feeney made the characters so unique and interesting, that i didn't feel overwhelmed or lost at any point like I have with other books.

The narrator of the audiobook was fabulous, and brought all of the characters to life perfectly.

I adored this book, and if you love a book full of twists and turns - this will certainly not disappoint!

<b> <i> “Daisy Darker’s family were as dark as dark can be. When one of them died, all of them lied and pretended not to see.” </b> </i>

This was my most anticipated read of 2022 and it lived up to my expectations for the better part of those three hundred fifty plus pages.

The Darker family assemble for Nana’s eightieth birthday at her house on a tiny island off the Cornish Coast. When the tide comes in, they’re cut off from the rest of the world for eight hours. Eight hours- when someone starts killing them one by one.

Alice Feeney is my favourite thriller writer, period. Right off the bat, she sets the tempo as Daisy introduces herself to the reader by saying “I was born with a broken heart. The day I arrived into this lonely little world was also the first time I died.”
We’re introduced to the Darker family and through a series of flashbacks we get to know the secrets they hide from each other.

This is an homage to the greatest murder mystery imo, And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie. Feeney provides an unique take on the Christie classic in her own lyrical prose.
If you’re an Agatha Christie fan, then you have to pick this up.

I read this in one day and just couldn’t put it down. Alice Feeney is known for her jaw dropping plot twists at the end and this was what I was waiting for all along but my expectations weren’t met…


Alice Feeney calls this her best book but I don’t think a lot of people would be satisfied by the end twist, at least I wasn’t. It was shocking, to say the least but I didn’t buy that ending, one bit.
She makes a bold choice to take the story Ina certain direction towards the end but it’s definitely gonna be a hit or a miss for most of the people. However, i enjoyed this so much and people will love how she builds up the tension and makes us feel as if we’re part of that house.

Alice Feeney proved yet again why she’s the best writer in the thriller genre currently. This one is a must read for all the thriller fans.

<i> Thanks to NetGalley for the e-arc </i> (advanced reader’s copy)

I had every expectation that this would be my book of the year so far, and I wasn’t the least bit disappointed - it’s even better than Rock Paper Scissors!

Set in a crumbling mansion, on a crumbling island disappearing into the sea. Of course, it can only be accessed by climbing down a cliff and crossing a causeway on foot, during low tide. I mean, what could possible go wrong?

Daisy Darker, a lost soul born with a broken heart into a truly dysfunctional family. Daisy loves her Nana, and this old crumbling mansion, but lives under an overarching sense of doom.

I don’t want to give anything away, but what a wonderful book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my free copy in exchange for my honest review.

And Then There Were None meets ... I can't say which book because it would give the twist away. Not quite what I was expecting, but ideal for fans of slow-burn, atmospheric storytelling.
With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an independent review.

Wow, wow, wow!!! I have just read one of the most beautiful books I have ever had the pleasure to read, and also one which pulled on my heartstrings, and still won’t let go.

I was lucky to have been sent this in return for an honest review. This is the first from Alice Feeney which I have read, and I’m definitely planning on reading all the others.
This is a nod to Agatha Christie’s ‘And Then There Were None’, and had me hooked from beginning to end. This has got to be one of my favourite books, not just for this year, but EVER!

A big thank you to NetGalley and Pan McMillan for the opportunity to read this, and to Alice Feeney for such a beautiful book!

She does it again!
I think this actually might be the best Alice Feeney novel yet - another unreliable narrator story but this time it’s about a dysfunctional family not a marriage.
Loved all the characters but Daisy was my favourite.
It’s a dark story for sure but hugely enjoyable!

Thank you for my review copy I absolutely loved it!

Beautifully descriptive writing, i could really visualise the Cornish coastline and Nana's home.

Daisy's siblings and parents were written in such a way that made me dislike them from the get go but made the story so much more interesting.
We are taken back frequently to there childhood which only enhanced the build up.

No spoilers here but although i had a feeling i knew a major twist it still didn't spoil it for me.

A fab murder mystery read.

My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy in return for my honest review.

Sometimes you just know from the first chapter that a book is for you. This was one of those.
This is now my favourite Alice Feeney book!
When books are called 'Agatha Christie inspired' or 'for fans of Agatha' a small part of me winces because nothing could ever match the legend in my mind. This however, definitely lives up to the hype.
Right from the start the story pulled me in and I was gripped throughout. The setting really worked well and added to the atmosphere. I will never look at a clock again without remembering this story!
I found the writing to be beautiful and I loved how the witty humour from Daisy was written.
One thing I really appreciated was how the flashbacks were written. Having the characters watch old VHS tapes instead of flashback chapters, gave it bonus points for me! Finally a new, unique and fresh way of getting the backstory!
The characters were well fleshed out and I was never confused as to who was who.
Now onto the twist. Usually in psychological suspense/thrillers I find it quite easy to figure out what is going to happen. This one had me surprised and shouting out loud 'Oh my god!'
Absolutely brilliant twist!
In case you can't tell, I LOVED IT!

I really enjoyed this book, devouring it in one sitting, Alice Feeney is a remarkable writer who keeps the reader guessing at every turn, I thought I had it all figured out, but I was only partly right. I do love a book that can surprise me and isn't predictable which is exactly what Alice Feeney provides.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book! I absolutely ADORE Alice Feeney's work, and Daisy Darker is no different. What I loved about this story, is the fact that I never had any idea of what the ending would be!

I often wanted to skip straight to the end so many times but at the same time, didn't want the book to end. I liked getting to know the back stories of the characters and following along at each twist and turn.

For me, the only reason this didn't hit a full five stars is simply because of the ease of reading. If you're looking for a quick and simple read, this isn't it. However, it is definitely worth taking your time and devouring.

Families are like snowflakes: each and every every one is unique.

I don't know why it took me this long to read an Alice Feeney book but I am so glad I got accepted to read this one on Netgalley.

I don't know where to start with this one.. Wow. I did not see that ending coming at all. I'm a little mind blown and I finished this book a few weeks ago!

Daisy Darker meets up with her estranged family for a very special date. Nan's 80th birthday. Feeney paints a beautiful picture of Seaglass and it feels like you are in the room with the family. The story unfolds like an Agatha Christie murder mystery with a lot of family drama and secrets being discovered. Poor Daisy Darker had it rough from the very start.

This was a fast read for me and I enjoyed turning every page on the kindle. Thank you Netgalley and Pam Macmillan for the advanced copy for an honest review.

This book had an in rebounds spooky, suspenseful feeling - I’m a bit of a wuss so it was a bit unsettling.

Whilst I wasn’t quite there with Daisy from early on it became apparent from about half way through - and I knew grandma was much more intrinsic to the plot than you are initially led to believe.

Overall an interesting book but fillled with utterly unlikeable characters.