{Book Review} Daisy Darker: A Novel by Alice Feeney

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Date Started: 23 May 2026

Date Finished: 30 May 2026

This is the second book {the first was My Husband’s Wife} I’ve read by Alice Feeney and I can unequivocally say I am a fan. I was introduced to Feeney through the Netflix adaptation of her novel, His & Hers. The series captured my attention because it contained some of my favorite psychological thriller tropes: unreliable narrator, split timeline format, and family intrigue. Sweeney also references books/libraries in her stories, which I love.

I picked this novel up because I wanted something to distract me from life, but I also wanted something that could hold my attention. And I knew Alice Feeney would do that for me.

MY THOUGHTS

As soon as I started reading, I was hooked. It’s hard not to be when the opening line is: “I was born with a broken heart.” Was the broken heart physical, emotional, or spiritual? I needed to know. And, after finishing this book, I can confidently say, it’s all three.

The characters in this novel are, as a whole, unlikable and grow very little during the course of the novel. Still, I couldn’t help but to be absorbed in their stories and what made them become who they became. I think the lack of character growth is key to the mystery of the Darker family. Additionally, it shows how we take on roles within our family and, no matter how old we get, we easily slip back into old habits and spaces.

The story is told in a split timeline format, narrated by the title character, Daisy Darker. Even though I read her words and absorbed the little details, I still wasn’t prepared for the ending. Of course, hindsight being 20/20, I was like Oooooh, now that makes more sense. And, speaking of split timeline, I enjoyed the little pop culture references, they made me realize how universal some trends really were back in the eighties before cell phones and such. Also, I was living in Italy during much of the timeframe of this novel, and I thought we were so far behind the U.S., but we really weren’t.

As for believability of the plot, well, I think with all thrillers/mysteries, there has to be some suspension of belief. And this novel definitely calls for it. The family dynamics are believable and, honestly, the crux of the mystery is believable {especially if you’ve listened to any true crime podcast ever}, but the ending is, well, it depends upon your personal faith system. Gosh, that’s so hard to write without giving everything away. My one gripe with the ending is that it went on a bit too long. After the initial shock and explanation of the who, how, and why, the book could’ve ended. The long drawn out details and conversations felt a bit like a mandatory word count deliverable.

Overall, I enjoyed this novel and it was just what I needed to take my mind off the news, personal issues, professional concerns, and such. If you’re looking for a quick read with a jaw dropping ending, I recommend you borrow Daisy Darker from your local library or purchase it from the link below.

Favorite Quote(s)

We all have bad habits, some we let the world see, some we only reveal with family, and some we’re too ashamed to share with anyone except ourselves.

The Cover Art

The cover art is beautiful and fits the story. It has a gothic vibe that harkens back to the island on which the story is set. The bright yellow is both a nod to Daisy, the main character, and the sun shining light on the truth.

Recommended For

Fans of twisty thrillers, gothic literature, psychological thrillers, mysteries, and family drama.

Trigger Warnings

Child abuse. Animal abuse. Murder. Alcoholism.

IT’S YOUR TURN

Have you read this book? What are your thoughts? Let’s discuss in the comments below. If you haven’t, feel free to purchase the book using the link below.

BOOK DETAILS

Title: Daisy Darker: A Novel

Author: Alice Feeney

Cover Art:

Publisher: Flatiron Books

Publication Date: 25 July 2023

Genre: Mystery, Popular Fiction

Format: Paperback

Print Length: 352 pages

ABOUT THE AUTHOR (from the book)

Alice Feeney is the New York Times bestselling author of My Husband’s Wife, Beautiful Ugly, Good Bad Girl, Daisy Darker, Rock Paper Scissors, His & Hers, I Know Who You Are, and Sometimes I Lie. Her novels have been translated into over thirty languages, and have been optioned for major screen adaptations. Alice was a BBC journalist for fifteen years, and now lives in the Devon countryside with her family.

ABOUT THE BOOK (from the book)

Daisy Darker was born with a broken heart. Now after years of avoiding each other, Daisy Darker’s entire family is assembling for Nana’s 80th birthday party in her crumbling gothic house on a tiny tidal island. The family arrives, each of them harboring secrets. When the tide comes in, they will be cut off from the rest of the world for eight hours.

But at the stroke of midnight, as a storm rages, Nana is found dead. And an hour later, the next family member follows…

Trapped on an island where someone is killing them one by one, the Darkers must reckon with their present mystery as well as their past secrets, before the tide goes out and all is revealed. As seen on the TODAY show and picked by Book of the Month, Daisy Darker’s family secrets and Alice Feeney’s trademark shocking twists will keep readers riveted.

PURCHASING OPTIONS

If you purchase any book using this link from Bookshop.org, I’ll receive a small commission at no extra charge to you.

BOOKISH THINGS

Bookshop.org – Shop for books selected by me, for you!

NetGalley Professional Reader – I receive free ARCs from NetGalley to review on my blog and share on Instagram.

The StoryGraph – A reading app that shares all the nerdy details of my bookish life.

THANK YOU

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Affiliate Information

Reading and reviewing books brings me a great deal of happiness. If you’re a reader, I’d love for you to visit my online bookstore, Living Outside the Stacks, to make your purchase. If you purchase from my shop, I’ll receive a small commission, but you’ll also support indie bookstores. If you need help staying organized and want to keep it pretty, I invite you to give Artful Agenda a try. Artful Agenda is a digital planner inspired by paper planners. Use my code: RD1028912. To learn more, read my review here.

Happy Reading,

 

 

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