Read time: 3 minutes
📚 Genre: Mystery Thriller
🎧 Format: Audiobook | Published by Flatiron Books
🎙 Narrator: Stephanie Racine
⏳ Duration: 11 hours
👥 Book Club Pick: Authors like Agatha Christie
Book Blurb:
Daisy Darker’s fractured family reluctantly reunites at Seaglass, a storm-battered, isolated mansion on a tidal island, to celebrate their matriarch’s 80th birthday. Cut off from the mainland, secrets simmer as old grudges resurface. When Nana is found dead after the first chime of midnight, what was meant to be a family celebration turns into a relentless whodunnit. With the tide stranding everyone, family members are picked off one by one, forcing the survivors to confront both the killer among them and the truth behind years of dark secrets.
Let’s talk about the book:
I came across Daisy Darker as part of my book club picks, and honestly, I wouldn’t have read it otherwise. My regular genre is cozy mystery, and I don’t usually reach for psychological thrillers or intense dramas unless they come highly recommended or land on my book club list. But I was pleasantly surprised by Alice Feeney’s writing and might just try more of her books in the future.
The Christie “And Then There Were None” influence is unmistakable, but Feeney adds layers of emotional weight and twisty, volatile family dynamics. Stephanie Racine’s narration in the audiobook is pure magic, her voice weaving suspense and heart into every chapter. The story doesn’t just offer murder and misdirection—it digs into pain, regret, and the ways secrets can poison everything. By the time I finished listening, I couldn’t believe what I had just experienced.
Once you realize the Christie-inspired setup, you may start to suspect that not every death is quite what it seems. What keeps you listening (and frantically pressing play) is the why. Feeney’s reveal is deliciously convoluted, and while I did feel the emotional punch, I’ll admit: the end left me with as many questions as answers. Without giving spoilers, I’ll just say some pieces didn’t fully add up for me (and if you’ve read it and understood everything, please DM me. I have questions!)
Still, the tangled layers of this dysfunctional family, the tension, and the sheer addictiveness of the story make it unforgettable. If you’re chasing that addictive mystery high—dysfunction, family secrets, and the kind of plot twists that make you want to instantly re-listen for clues—this is it. Just be ready to suspend disbelief and hang on tight; the ending goes for broke.
Would I recommend it?
Daisy Darker is a heart-racing, twist-packed thriller that surprised this cozy mystery fan. Stephanie Racine’s narration amplifies the chills, and Feeney’s storytelling is unforgettable, even if the ending leaves you puzzled. It’s a must-read for thriller lovers, and I’m glad my book club pushed me to try it.
If you like this…
Maybe try these …
- And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie – The ultimate inspiration for locked-room, family-on-an-island thrillers. A must-read if you loved the Christie-style tension.
- The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley – A tense, twisty mystery set in a remote Scottish lodge with a group of friends facing deadly secrets.
- The Guest List by Lucy Foley – Another atmospheric thriller with dark family and social secrets, perfect for fans of twisty psychological drama.
- Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney – Feeney’s own thriller with her signature mind-bending twists and complex family dynamics.
- The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell – A dark, suspenseful family mystery full of secrets, lies, and shocking revelations.
Share your dark thoughts!
Did Daisy Darker keep you up all night? Were you floored by the twists or scratching your head at the end? Share your thoughts (no spoilers!) in the comments. I’m dying to know what you made of that wild finale!
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Awesome, fantastic, superb! Your take on Daisy Darker is gripping in itself. The way you compared it with Agatha Christie’s classic makes the suspense even more thrilling. Twisty, addictive, and unforgettable — your review captures the essence perfectly. Loved it!
Thank you. Much much appreciated 😊
Family secrets, stormy nights, and a tidal‑locked mansion… Daisy Darker is pure gothic suspense. Alice Feeney takes the Christie “And Then There Were None” setup and twists it into something darker, layered with regret and volatile family drama. Stephanie Racine’s narration makes every chapter pulse with tension and heart.
This isn’t just a whodunnit — it’s a haunting dive into secrets that refuse to stay buried. The ending may leave you questioning everything, but the ride is unforgettable.
Love how you captured the Christie vibes while still highlighting Feeney’s emotional depth. The way you described Stephanie Racine’s narration makes me want to queue this up immediately — atmospheric voices can make or break a thriller, and it sounds like she nailed it. Totally agree that the ending leaves you puzzling over the pieces… but that’s part of the fun of a twisted family mystery!
Did you read it too? What were your thoughts?
A chilling, twist-filled family mystery set on a tidal island, Daisy Darker delivers classic whodunit vibes with a modern psychological edge.
Alice Feeney’s Daisy Darker is a gothic thriller that blends Agatha Christie-style locked-room suspense with Feeney’s signature narrative twists. The story unfolds during a stormy family reunion at Seaglass, a crumbling house cut off by the tide, where secrets surface and bodies begin to fall. Daisy, the narrator, guides us through a night of revelations, betrayals, and eerie clues—including cryptic poems and unsettling flashbacks.
If you enjoy psychological thrillers with a literary flair and don’t mind a few surreal turns, Daisy Darker is a compelling, eerie read perfect for stormy nights.