Daisy Darker

Wow. I felt a little bored by this book until i was about 60% done. I expected to give it 3 stars. There was nothing happening and i was unimpressed by the writing (which was sad because i LOVE Alice's other books). AND THEN the ending happened and i realized everything i missed in the first 60% and i went back reading as much as i could absolutely marveling at Alice's ability to make that first 69% work. WOW. Holy shit. I have been manipulated in the best way possible and i want to re read the entire book to feel in awe at everything that i couldn't have picked up on until i knew the ending. WOW.

Also an agatha stan and loved the nod to her. Knew the red herring was somewhere as it was in and then there were none.

I worked out the twist somewhere around chapter 2, but that really didn't diminish my enjoyment of the book. It feels like a better written Lucy Foley, and the And Then There Were None influence is apparent. The setting and the characters were very good, and my only complaint was that the reveal felt very rushed, like too much was being explained at once.

Daisy Darker is a remarkably dark and thought-provoking book that explores the depths of darkness in the most profound ways. It unfolds as a slow burn, occasionally venturing into eerie and unsettling territories, all within the backdrop of a captivating tidal island. The vibrant scenery near Sea Glass and the intricately crafted characters left me yearning for more, completely engrossed in their world. The narration was a true delight, compelling me to savor each and every word as I immersed myself in the story's depths. There was one particular scene that I found deeply unsettling and unforgettable—the description of the eyes visible from the cupboard—it left a strong impact on me. Throughout the book, I was thoroughly engrossed, my anticipation building with each turn of the page. As someone who prides themselves on predicting outcomes in thrillers, I was astounded when this story took unexpected turns, leaving me in awe of its cleverness and unpredictability. The revelation of the culprit and the motives behind their actions gave me pause, serving as a chilling reminder of the darker aspects of human nature. The haunting descriptions throughout the book have left a lasting impression, evoking a sense of unease and introspection. Just when I thought the story had reached its conclusion, there was another reveal, taking me on an emotionally intense journey. While some may find aspects of the story unrealistic, I find solace in losing myself within the intricate web of a well-crafted mystery. This particular book held a special place in my heart as it continuously surprised me with its shocking twists and turns. I was left astounded that I couldn't anticipate any of them. The quote, “some people are ghosts even before they're dead,” resonates deeply and encapsulates the book's underlying theme. It serves as a profound reminder of how humans yearn for validation and love, not necessarily from those closest to us, but from anyone who truly sees and hears our stories. Indeed, some stories can only be revealed with the passage of time. Daisy Darker, a book I immersed myself in for over a week, left me with a lasting impression, a testament to the profound lessons it imparted.

I see this has mixed reviews but I loved this twist!!! I saw one thing coming because I read “and then there were none” so I truly appreciated the author adding a few other twists for everyone to be surprised.

Overall a really good book and one I may even reread! I would highly recommend this as a good road trip book but I read it normally.

Had I not figured out the big twist of what was happening, I would have been completely blown away and given a higher reading. I guess I read too many thrillers, because while it was clever, I had read this type of twist before and guessed it pretty early on. The characters are all unlikeable, but that's part of the story. I loved the spooky vibes and the poems that related to the deaths. The deaths were also very well thought out, and reflective of the characters. I didn't like all of the flashback chapters, I feel like many of them could have been cut. The last 50 pages or so packs many twists, and the minor ones I didn't guess, and were pretty satisfying. This would make a fun miniseries!

Ik kon dit audioboek gewoon niet wegleggen! Zo meeslepend. Het droeg me ook volledig doorheen het in elkaar zetten van deze Orbit!
Hoewel dit waarschijnlijk een verhaal is waarin ik, als ik er te lang over na zou denken, plotgaten en zaken zou ontdekken die nergens op slaan, ga ik dit niet doen. Ik heb me rot geamuseerd tijdens het luisteren en ik ga die ervaring niet bederven met over analyseren.

Ik hield enorm veel van de onheilspellende atmosfeer, het claustrofobische gevoel van gevangen zitten vanwege de getijden, het prachtige oude Victoriaanse landhuis en de raadselachtige rijmpjes. Die laatste maken een voor mij meeslepend verhaal steeds des te meeslepender! Het einde was een shocker en de kers op de taart!

3 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Unfortunately, I was accidentally spoiled for a major twist in this book. It was on my mind the entire time while everything was happening so it explained a lot of what was going on while I was reading. The experience was okay. Honestly, it was a lot of reminiscing and flashbacks that kind of hard me bored some of the time. I feel like even if I was spoiled, I'd they didn't have so many flashbacks and stayed focused on the present, I would've enjoyed it more.

I just didn't really understand the ending and I had some questions. It was pretty convoluted. Despite all that, I didn't have the worst time. It was alright and I'm giving it a middle of the road rating.

Twisty Murder Mystery Unveiled


Meet Daisy Darker, the protagonist and narrator of this extraordinary tale, who unveils her poignant truth from the very first line, confessing to be “born with a broken heart.” With this intriguing opening, the book embarks on a journey into the realms of the unusual, captivating readers with each progressive chapter.

The Darker family, without a doubt, epitomizes dysfunction. Every Halloween, Daisy, her two sisters, and their divorced parents gather at Sea Glass—an isolated mansion, inaccessible during high tides—to celebrate their grandmother's birthday. This year, as “Nana” turns eighty, she chooses to reveal her will. However, the joyous occasion takes a sinister turn when Nana is discovered murdered, a cryptic poem etched in chalk nearby. As the tide engulfs Sea Glass, trapping its inhabitants within, the Darker family finds themselves cut off from the mainland.

Isolated and running out of time, the surviving family members bear witness to a series of murders, each occurring at the stroke of an hour, accompanied by a new version of the chilling chalk poem. The use of these poems becomes one of the most captivating elements of the book, sending shivers down the readers' spines.

This is a tale of sheer peculiarity, yet utterly mesmerizing. The characters, including an unexpected arrival by boat—an old friend—harbor deep-seated animosity towards one another and carry hidden secrets, making for an enticing mix. Reminiscent of Agatha Christie's “And Then There Were None,” we are treated to a cascade of perplexing murders, with tension and suspicion escalating among the surviving family members after each death. The narrative gracefully shifts between the present and the past, with eerie clues left in the form of VHS tapes, prompting glimpses into historical events.

Typically, adept at unraveling the identity of the killer, I found myself caught off guard by the dizzying twists and turns that unfolded in the final pages of this novel. Upon reaching the end, I felt compelled to reevaluate everything I had read, revisiting earlier passages to fully appreciate the cunning intricacies of the plot.

3.5/5⭐️

i have a lot of mixed feelings about this book - initially i didn't think there was a plot and then i was literally dropping my jaw in public and being too freaked to read it at night time, to being underwhelmed by the end.

i think the biggest reason this isn't a higher rating is because of the pacing, it felt too slow at the start and then was quick and then sort of dwindled out. the ending just wasn't for me as a personal preference.

i think i would still recommend this - just with some pre warnings!

TW: suicide, alcoholism

This would have been a 5 star read if i wasn't for the ending... It has so many elements that I loved: the gloomy atmosphere chef's kiss. The characters are stuck in the house with a murder on the loose and clues/messages keep mysteriously appearing, which was very fun. Flashbacks (told through Daisy's POV) that slowly but surely reveal family secrets and helps us the reader understand more of their dynamic with one another (this family is highly dysfunctional). There are short little poems thrown in about each family member that hint at how they may or may not die. It's very “and then there were none” inspired, so if you enjoyed that book and you like the elements I mentioned then I say pick it up! But I must warn you that the ending may not be for everyone.


SPOILERS AHEAD: in case you want to know what happens in this book:




It turns out that Daisy Darker has been dead this whole time. I have a few issues with this. It did clear up why her family members kept ignoring her (even though I didn't really notice it that much). It also explains why Daisy never really helped move any bodies and why no one asked for her help when she was standing right there. However, there were two instances where it didn't really make sense. The first was when Daisy was in her room alone with Conner (the neighbor), she says something to him and he replies and has a full on small conversation with her. Was it maybe him just talking out loud? Not sure.. In another scene, Daisy, her sister Rose and her niece Trixie where in a room hiding from the murderer when Rose straight up asks “Daisy are you doing this?”, Daisy replies no and just the exchange felt like they were actually talking to each other. It's just very weird.. Rose knows her sister is dead why would she all of a sudden be asking this?

Anyway, you're probably wondering who the killer is and the answer is....Trixie, the 15 year old niece. With the help of 80 year old Nana, yes the first one to be “murdered”. I know you are confused but bare with me, let's go back to the beginning of the storyline. Daisy has a heart condition, so her life expectancy was very low. Because of this she wasn't allowed to do anything, because her parents were worried it would kill her. But don't be fooled, her parents are very wishy washy with their feelings and mainly don't seem to really care about anyone but themselves. Parents divorce, drama and mess ensue blah blah. Point is, that Daisy only really has her sisters for company and even then not really because Rose and Lily are assholes, especially Lily. I hate Lily with all my soul, to say she is an entitled brat is an understatement. So naturally Daisy loved going to her grandma's because Nana truly was the only one who loved her.

To make a long story short we will fast forward to what I will call “the accident”. It is implied that something bad happened between Daisy, Rose, Lily and Conner because after whatever it was, no one has spoken to Daisy and things were tense. When Daisy was 13 she snuck out to a halloween party because she was tired of not being able to be like a normal person. Her sisters and Conner (who were at the party) find her and let her stay. It's important to mention that the rest were between 17-18 years old and Rose and Conner were dating, and Lily was very jealous of that. Daisy ends up catching Lily and Conner having sex after Conner and Rose got into a fight. Daisy tells Rose but she doesn't believe her and Lily and Conner gaslight so Daisy gets mad and starts running back to the grandma's house. Somehow Rose, Lily and Conner end up in the car driving back home as well (the pacing here is a bit weird). Conner is drunk driving and ends up hitting Daisy without even noticing until they all get out. They are naturally freaking out and Conner convinces the sisters to throw Daisy down the cliff to make it look like she fell. So they do and midair Daisy revives, while all three are looking in shock horror realizing that their sister was actually alive and they have now murdered her twice. She dies, the police investigate and since the car belonged to Conners dad and he was back to being an alcoholic, he thought that he accidentally did it but didn't remember it during his drunken state. He commit's suicide mainly due to guilt.

Eventually, the mom finds out because Lily tells her (she is the mom's favorite) so to protect her daughter she keeps her secret. I believe the dad also found out and he too kept his mouth shut. Basically everyone knew except Nana. Trixie was born, Lily's daughter (we find out towards the end Conner is the father), and she too had the same heart condition as Daisy. One day she dies for a few minutes and that's how she see's Daisy for the first time. After that she constantly see's her and that's how she finds out the real story behind her death. Her mom Lily is very upset about this and forbids her to talk about her dead sister. Nana notices that Trixie is telling the truth because she has seen things move around. So when Nana finds out the truth, she gets extremely angry because Daisy was her favorite so she makes this plan as an act of revenge and is hoping it will also help Daisy move to the afterlife. The mom, dad, sisters and Conner die and Nana commits suicide to be able to see her granddaughter for the last time. Apparently people only see Daisy when they are dying. Daisy also forgets she is dead and apparently this reveal has been done many times before. Instead of being an adult women, she is still 13 and in the same outfit that she died in. So yeah... Trixie is basically left alone and is apparently totally fine with that because they all put her in a bubble just like they did with Daisy and she just wants to live her life. It ends with Daisy writing a book about the “real daisy darker” in order to move on because she can still somehow interact with the physical world.

I would have LOVED if Daisy was actually alive and the killer because there are so many time she mentions that “maybe killing is worth keeping secrets” and other comments that made it seem like her being the killer was being foreshadowed. Based on how awful everyone (except the niece and Nana) were to her it would have made so much sense. Sure, it would be a “been there done that” type of ending but in my opinion sometimes simple is better and it would have been such a better revenge story. So I was disappointed.