This book is a little bit like Marmite. You’re either going to love it and everything about it or you are going to hate it. I started it and was sat in the middle purely because I wasn’t really sure how I felt about it… This book has taken me a while to read, over a week in fact and I’m not sure what it was about it that took me most of that time to hit the 50% mark but once I did however, I flew through the rest in a day. Once I finished my views certainly did change.

There were certain elements I loved, like the nostalgia feel it had to it. The electronics of my youth, Blockbusters, the shopping centres with C&A and Tammy Girl and reminiscences of shopping with my parents. It all brought back great memories of growing up.

The unlikable characters were my biggest issue as I didn’t feel for them and what they were going through it was just a process for them to get to daybreak so they could leave… the end of the book was executed really well though and the author really made up for the slow burn novel it started it to be.

It was a well written story that is twisted with secrets and lies, which you expect with an Alice Feeney novel. I understood the concept of the book early on so although this doesn’t normally bother me, I do feel this may have somewhat spoilt it for me slightly as I could see the progression but I loved the whole storyline which then unfolded and laced all the elements through to the end, which was this books saving grace.

I really do not know how to rate and review this book. There is only Alice Feeney who could produce such an amazing, suspenseful novel and be able to end it in this manner.
Throughout the novel, I was hooked. I was on tenterhooks and absolutely no idea what was going on in this novel. l suspected everyone. No one was innocent and no one was the victim in my eyes.
As the book progressed, I was literally baffled. All of my theories were out of the window and I read on at speed to find out the fate of the Darker family and who exactly was responsible for what was happened.
Never did I envisage such an eding. I am still, two weeks later, baffled and shocked.;
I think in a way the ending spoilt the book, as it changed the genre and it is a genre that I am not a fan of. But at the same time, it was completely original and different and one that has stayed with me. It was unbelievably unexpected.
One thing is for certain. Alice Feeney knows exacfly how to shock her readers with that killer twist!

an interesting murder mystery "Its like a messed up family edition of cluedo" which held my interest throughout, I absolutely loved the setting and I was trying to guess the culprit along the way. One of the twists was very clever which I would never of seen coming however one annoyed me as I felt like it was done before in one of her previous books.

Rock paper scissors is my current favourite but would still highly recommend this one and her others.
Feeney is an amazing writer and I'm looking forward to more books from her in the future

Daisy Darker tells the story of a family who gathers to celebrate grandma's 80th birthday on Halloween, in a private island where they'll be cut off from the rest of the world for several hours. At midnight, grandma is found dead. One hour later, another member of the family dies...

I had such fun reading Rock, Paper, Scissors that I had faith Alice Feeney would at least tell a very entertaining and twisty story. Boy, did she! This kept me turning pages like there was no tomorrow. It's not a perfect book by any means, there were some pacing issues because of all the flashbacks especially on the first half of the book, but I was so intrigued to find out everyone's secrets that I just flew threw this. Plus the family's interactions were so awkward and full of juicy drama. And! Lots of twists, as it's truly Alice Feeney's specialty. If you love a good Agatha Christie vibe - including rich-eccentric-person-leaves-a-controversial-will (one of my favorite tropes) - plus you enjoy Gothic, creepy stories, definitely pick this one up!

To be honest, i have mixed feelings about this book. Overall, i enjoyed it and hence the four stars. The book pays homage to Christie's And Then There Were None through its setting and its plot. The narrator of the story is Daisy Darker, a member of the dysfunctional Darker family.

The Darker family gathers for celebrating the birthday of Nana, the grandmother of Daisy and her two sisters Rose and Lily, who is also a well known children's story writer. She lives in a house which gets cut off from the world in high-tide and as all members of the family gather there, they are all cut off from the world for the night when high tide comes. Then someone starts killing them one by one and the story moves between past and present as we see how the events of today have their roots in the dark history of the Darker family.

Secrets, lies and betryal all play their part in this story and i was fairly enjoying this book until i came to the ending. I am still not sure i liked the way it ended or the main twist. And yet, i also know how hard it is to pull of a story like this and can't blame the author for trying what she did. I have to say, though, that i did feel a bit cheated although the clues were there throughout the narrative along with lots of red herrings. This was perhaps a 3.5 stars book for me which i am rounding off to 4 stars.

Review
Wow, wow, wow!

I say this after every single one of Alice Feeney's books but this is has just pipped Rock Paper Scissors to the post for my favourite book.

As with all of Alice's books they are so cleverly written and as with all of her books I thought I had the ending sussed but nope I was 100% wrong.

This book is so good, you can imagine it as a Netflix movie, it is full of twists and turns and is just brilliant and if I could give more than five stars I absolutely would.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“In family life, love is the oil that eases friction, the cement that binds closer together, and the music that brings harmony.”
― Friedrich Nietzsche

If only the Darker family had heeded those words, they might not have found themselves on a private, isolated island, at Halloween with a killer amongst them, and when the tide comes in, they will be isolated from the mainland for 8 hours - plenty of time for things to go badly wrong!

Beatrice (Nana) Darker, is a successful author and illustrator of the children’s book “Daisy Darker’s Little Secret “. She has arranged a rare gathering of her family in her spooky Victorian home, on her private island off the Cornish Coast, in order to celebrate her 80th birthday. A woman obsessed with clocks (she has 80 of them) one for each year of her life. Nana Darker expects this clock to be her last after a palm reader in Lands End predicted her death after she reached the age of 80.

As the evening proceeds, Nana Darker gathers the family together, and announces the reading of her last will and testament. When the 80 clocks chime the midnight hour, there is a terrifying scream, after which the Darker family’s lives get even ‘darker’, leading to a very surprising and unexpected ending!

This is a really great read. Alice Feeney has done it again. Fast paced with a storyline which kept me completely rapt whilst read8ng. Twists and turns abound. Recommend.

Another 5 star read from Alice feeney. Great plot with a twist at the end you do not see coming. Thankyou for this ARC

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. I really like this authors style of writing and have read all her previous books. This was a real page turner and edge of your seat read and I would recommend this to other readers.

This is one of those books that feels like a slower burn until you hit the ending and realize how clever the author had been all along. I also loved the tense atmosphere, and a fresh take on the crumbling old house trope - Seaglass felt like a character in and of itself! Highly recommend.

I always look forward to reading Alice Feeney's books as they have such varied plots and Daisy Darker was no different. The majority of the book takes place in Seaglass, a crumbling, old but beautiful house by the sea. I loved the location and thought this added to eeriness of the story (I also thought like it sounded like a great place to grow up!) and the 80 clocks, which are well featured heavily in the book, only add to this. I'll always find books about families interesting and the Darker family are certainly an odd bunch. I didn't warm to any of them (although I don't think you're supposed to) but even Daisy felt untrustworthy. I personally much preferred the chapters set in the 'past' as there was a lot more going on and the present was quite slow and repetitive once you could see the direction the book was heading. However it's worth adding that this slow pace admittedly does help build the tense atmosphere and things really ramp up in last 10% of the book. It's not until this point where some pretty major twists are revealed, which led me to hurriedly flick through the previous pages and admire how clever the author had been. I can't pretend the book and it's subsequent twists weren't far-fetched, because it was, but sometimes that's part of the fun of reading.

On the eve of her 80th birthday the matriarch of the Darker family calls everyone to her isolated home. Having been told years previously that she would not live beyond 80 she decides to share the contents of her will with the family. When she is found dead later that evening everyone begins to wonder if it was natural causes, an accident or murder?

I loved Alice Feeney's previous novel, Rock Paper Scissors, so was really pleased to get hold of a review copy of Daisy Darker. The tone of this novel is set right from the start with the deliciously dark humour. The opening is shocking and amusing at the same time and this tone is continued throughout the novel.

The Darker family are completely dysfunctional, one of those families that are rarely all together at the same time because of the animosity. Daisy, the youngest daughter, is the outsider. While the rest of the family are out for what they can get, Daisy clearly loves her Nana and simply wants to spend time with her.

The story is set in 2004 but harks back to previous times spent at Seaglass, the family home. Seaglass is set on a small island just off the Cornish coast. Tides mean that the island is cut off from the mainland and this adds to the sense of peril when the family think there is a possible murderer.

As the story moves between the 1980's and 2004 we get glimpses of recent history which I found very nostalgic. Technology was limited to a single TV, VHS tapes and Walkman's. There's mentions of popular films such as Fame and Staying Alive along with shops that no longer exist (Woolworths, C&A, Blockbusters).

The tone of the novel. along with the enigmatic Daisy, made this a thoroughly enjoyable read. As soon as I'd finished I wanted to go right back to the start and look for all those clues I'd missed.

A dysfunctional family meet on Halloween, which also happens to be their grandmother's 80th birthday, at the family's remote home on an island cut off from the mainland when the tide comes in and covers the causeway. Then the deaths begin...

I thought this was a good mystery thriller, deliciously gothic, atmospheric and a bit spooky. I worked out some of what was going on quite early on, but I still enjoyed seeing how the story developed and more of the Darker family secrets unfolded.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

It's approaching Halloween and as eccentric author Nana Darker's 80th birthday looms it's an anxious time as will the fortune tellers prediction come true that she won't live beyond it? She requests the family's presence on 'Seaglass', the family home on a small island off the Cornish coast, accessible only by causeway at low tide. As the family assemble, Nana announces there'll be a reading of her will but as this is Alice Feeney don't expect champagne and cake in celebration but what I can tell you is that this is a delicious five star read from beginning to end. I gasp, I chortle, there's even the odd snort, I admire, I shout Bravo and so in my own little way I write this ode to Alice but please excuse my manipulative mangling of the English language!

Dear Alice Feeney,
I think I love you, well, I love your books
This is your best yet and that's high praise.
So what did I like? Let's take a look.
The setting, the storm, the eighty clocks which amaze.
It's Halloween, trick or treat but this isn't sweet.
Poor Daisy, she's broken, her poor little heart,
With her sisters for attention she has to compete.
Are the answers contained in "Daisy's Little Secret"?
The characters, there's Nana the writer with truths to impart,
Mum Nancy, so cold, musical Dad so absent yet
Home, Sister Rose so clever, Lily selfish and vain.
Friend Conor, a reporter, will he eat humble pie
Or his words? Sweet niece Trixie, she doesn't complain.
Poor Daisy, ignored, a self raising flower
Although sweet Nan on whom love she does shower.
The tension, the humour, the countdown til dawn.
Just desserts, the pretence, the lies and they're huge.
The Darkers put D in dissatisfaction and dysfunction
It's way too late for restorative action
As hour by hour, one by one, they're gone.
Threats and warnings chalked in Nana's fair hand
A lesson to learn and most understand.
It builds in mystery and it certainly is creepy.
Watch me.Hear me, Notice me, See me, the Darker familyee (sorry I was thinking of a family called Adams)
The clues you did chalk led us on a merry dance
Via betrayal, jealousy, cruelty and sweet revenge.
Sibling rivalry, the love and the grief.
The truth as it comes, we reel in disbelief,
The end revelation a shocker, eyes popping.
Kudos to you for your clever plotting.
Your homage to Christie, the "Queen of Crime"
Has the old Queen's crown gone dare I opine?
A new genius crowned Queen enters stage right
Oh yes, indeed, I think she just might!


(OK, OK I hear Christie fans yell
To which I say "Boo" only time will tell!)

Love Ceecee xx

With thanks to NetGalley and especially HUGE thanks to Pan McMillan for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

I'm an avid fan of Alice Feeney and I read all the other books by the author. I was very excited for the new release, especially after hearing it was inspired by 'And then there were none'. I would say this book was very different from her other books, it was Gothic Murder Mystery rather than a Thriller. Daisy Darker was very good but when we compare it to And then there were none, it pales somewhat in comparison.

I wish it didn't try to emulate the same feelings and took a different road instead. The writing was very beautiful, it had all the dark feels and gothic witchy vibes. There were so many lines I highlighted in this book because they were so quote worthy. The tone of the book was very whimsical and witty. The book was set in an island which had Nana Darker's house, the Seaglass.

After the tide comes in, the house is basically inaccessible for 8 hours. The whole Darker family comes together for the Nana Beatrice Darker 80th birthday party. She believed that it would be her last birthday and everyone else just wanted to see what they inherit from her. Nana was a successful children's book author and illustrator. Her most successful series was the Daisy Darker series named after the third Darker child. The child who was born with a broken heart. Rose was the eldest, Lily the second and Daisy the third. Lily's child was called Trixie.

As the clock struck 12, people keep dying one by one and the family keeps trying to figure it out. The actual twist in the end was brilliant and I loved it. The ending was a bit predictable but it was still enjoyable. I would still recommend this book, if you are looking for a gothic murder mystery.

Ooooh this is soooo good! I really enjoyed Alice Feeney's books and this was no exception, in fact, the best yet in my opinion.

The story was so clever, twisty and dark with an ending that blew my mind, I didn't see it coming and then it really challenged me to think back over the course of the story.

Would recommend this, read in 24 Hours!

A beautifully dark and atmospheric, literary game of Cluedo.

I loved this book and everything about it. The style of writing has a wonderful flow to it that as a reader you can’t help but be drawn in. I loved Nana’s ways of explaining the world and the people within it. And I enjoyed the spooky poem and how it changed and created tension.

Set admits a storm the Darker family come together. None of them are particularly nice and none of them want to be there. But they gather anyway to celebrate Nana’s 80th (and in her opinion, last) birthday. For added spooky-ness it’s also Halloween and whilst Nana doesn’t like what Halloween has become (ghosts and fear) she does love fun and games!

Nana is what most would call eccentric but I thought she was probably the most intelligent, thoughtful and caring person in their whole family. She’s not spiteful or one to hold a grudge, she’s just sad that her family members have become something she doesn’t like and that they live such independent lives from each other.

Told from the viewpoint of Daisy Darker. She flips between the birthday celebrations and her life and time at Seaglass as a child giving you insight into each of the family members and their own ‘motives’ including her own!

I loved this book more than I thought I would. And I mean that in the best possible way! I went into it thinking it sounds similar to something I’ve read before but the synopsis intrigued me and I came out thinking ‘I need to read that again!’

I can’t quite figure out how Alice did it, subtly at its finest would be the best description. The twist was there all the way along and not so carefully hidden but I just didn’t see it! Was it because I was lost in the story and the telling of Daisy Darker’s childhood? Was it because I wasn’t trying hard enough to figure it out? Either way it’s very clever and whilst some may find it too far fetched. I would urge you to read it, don’t judge it and allow the story to unfold like it did for me and then you’ll really love it!

Thank you to NetGalley for my advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

I was so disappointed with this book as i loved Rock Paper Scissors. This book had a good ending but i found the story dragged on too long and i ended up skipping pages. Daisy Darker and her nanna are likeable character but the rest of the family are not. The reader can not help but warm to Daisy and laugh at her Nanna. Thank you to netgalley and Macmillan for the early read.

A strange and eerie tale. Having read some other reviews, I can see there are some DNFs here from Feeney fans and I can see why - I did struggle in parts to keep reading because it’s not absolutely gripping, but I am so, so glad I continued because the ending is so powerful.

Really well written and very different.