**Review for *Daddy's Girl* by Lydia Graves**

Lydia Graves' *Daddy's Girl* is a spine-chilling gothic thriller that skillfully intertwines love, loss, and horror in a story laced with deception and dark family secrets. Set against the eerie backdrop of Shortbury Prison, a hauntingly atmospheric location with medieval stone walls steeped in history, the novel draws readers into a labyrinth of psychological suspense and supernatural terror.

Claire, the protagonist, leads a seemingly ordinary life as a tour guide at Shortbury, illuminating its past for visitors. But when her best friend vanishes without a trace, Claire is thrust into a nightmare where the lines between past and present begin to blur. As she dives deeper into the mystery surrounding her friend's disappearance, Claire's judgment becomes clouded by suspicion, and the tangled web of her romantic entanglements with Archie—her enigmatic boss and recent lover—complicates matters further. Their affair, born out of grief after the tragic death of her boyfriend, now threatens to unravel Claire's sanity.

The gothic atmosphere of the prison becomes a character in itself, casting a sinister shadow over Claire's every move. The prison's damp cells and ancient walls echo with secrets, and as Claire’s investigation deepens, she uncovers a chilling truth: the prison’s most dangerous inmate is not just a terrifying figure from the past but is connected to Rosie—a child with unsettling eyes and a hunger for paternal approval that feels almost predatory. This revelation sends Claire into a spiraling descent, as she races against time to uncover the truth behind her friend’s disappearance and to confront the deeply unsettling ties that bind Shortbury’s darkest secrets.

Graves’ prose is sharp and atmospheric, with an uncanny ability to make the reader feel as though they are walking the echoing halls of Shortbury Prison right alongside Claire. The sense of dread and tension is palpable as Claire’s investigation unravels layer after layer of deception. The suspense builds steadily, drawing readers into a world where reality constantly teeters on the edge of nightmare.

The relationship between Claire and Archie is complex and fraught with tension, adding a personal layer of emotional turmoil to the broader mystery. Their tragic love affair, rooted in shared grief, adds depth to the story while also complicating Claire’s already fractured sense of trust and judgment. As Claire digs deeper into her investigation, her vulnerabilities are exposed, making her a highly relatable and sympathetic character even as she becomes increasingly unreliable in her own perceptions.

One of the most compelling elements of *Daddy’s Girl* is the eerie, almost supernatural presence of Rosie, whose unnerving obsession with her father drives much of the novel’s tension. The girl’s dark nature and the disturbing familial connections bring a sense of dread that lingers long after the pages are turned. In Rosie’s pursuit of approval, there is a palpable sense of danger, as she becomes a force that threatens to consume everything in her path—making her a fascinating and terrifying figure at the heart of the story.

Ultimately, *Daddy’s Girl* is a haunting exploration of guilt, vengeance, and the inescapable weight of the past. As Claire’s investigation takes her further into the dark recesses of Shortbury Prison and her own psyche, the novel weaves a gripping tale of suspense and horror. Can Claire uncover the truth before it’s too late, or will she, too, become just another ghost in the prison’s grim history? The ending, which ties together the supernatural and the psychological, will leave readers questioning the nature of redemption and whether some sins can ever truly be forgiven.

Daddy's Girl by Lydia Graves is a gripping Southern Gothic thriller that weaves mystery, family secrets, and a haunting atmosphere into a compelling read. The novel’s richly drawn characters and slow-burning suspense keep the tension high, making it hard to put down. While some plot points feel slightly predictable, the emotional depth and vivid setting more than make up for it. Overall, it’s a well-crafted and eerie tale that lingers long after the final page.

Daddy's Girl by Lydia Graves  is a horror novel about a little girl and her "real" daddy.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Red Escape Publishing,  and the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


My Synopsis:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Clare works in the closed Shortbury Prison, giving tours of the medieval building that housed criminals of all sorts.  The hangings and torture that went on in that prison were beyond the norm.   Her boss is Archie, who has been around for a very, very long time.

Clare's boyfriend, Lennie, wraps his car around an ancient Yew tree,  and she tries to move on...with Archie.  Her girlfriend Elizabeth is her rock...until she disappears.

Elly, an old flame of Lennie's, is raising Rosie on her own.  Rosie is a rather difficult child who prefers hurting things and people instead of playing with dolls.  She is six.  Elly alternates between wanting her child dead, and just running away.  Elly finally gets some help when the social worker steps in, and then when Annie takes Rosie for a respite visit.  But Rosie isn't happy, and when Rosie isn't happy, bad things can happen.  She wants her daddy...her real daddy.


My Opinions:
Well, this was wonderful.  True horror, with a really creepy/scary child and a father from hell.    All woven together with a protagonist that you could cheer for.  Clare was great!

The author created a psychological horror novel with a lot of suspense.  The writing was good, and it was a really fast read.  Probably because I just kept turning those pages.  The writing was vivid, if sometimes a little gross.

Overall, a pleasant surprise, as this was the first novel I have read by this author.  It will not be the last.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

**Daddy's Girl: Some Family Trees Have Deadly Roots** by Lydia Graves is a haunting exploration of familial bonds turned sinister. Graves has masterfully woven a tale that delves deep into the dark secrets lurking within a seemingly normal family, challenging our understanding of trust and loyalty.

The story follows the protagonist, Emma, who returns to her childhood home after the mysterious death of her estranged father. What begins as a simple quest for closure quickly spirals into a chilling journey as Emma unearths hidden truths about her family’s past. The plot is intricately crafted, with each revelation drawing the reader further into a web of suspense and intrigue.

Graves’ writing is evocative and tense, capturing the eerie atmosphere of the old family estate with a palpable sense of dread. The characters are richly developed, each with their own layers of complexity that add to the novel’s gripping narrative. Emma is a compelling heroine, her strength and determination providing a stark contrast to the malevolent forces she faces.

What sets **Daddy's Girl** apart is its exploration of the theme of inherited evil. Graves deftly examines how the sins of the past continue to haunt the present, creating a legacy of darkness that is both inescapable and all-consuming. The novel’s pacing is impeccable, with each chapter leaving the reader on edge, eager to uncover the next piece of the puzzle.

**Daddy's Girl** is a profound commentary on the nature of family and the shadows that can linger within. Lydia Graves has crafted a story that is as thought-provoking as it is terrifying, making it a must-read for fans of psychological suspense.

Prepare to be captivated, disturbed, and utterly engrossed in this tale of deadly family secrets.

The story offers a compelling premise with dark and emotional undertones. The author captures complex relationships and tension well, but the pacing sometimes falters, and certain plot points feel underexplored. While the story has its gripping moments, it doesn’t fully deliver the depth or impact it promises. An okay read for those who enjoy family dramas with a darker edge.

I went into Daddy’s Girl with intrigue, expecting a darkly layered, gothic tale of an evil child set in the haunting halls of Shortbury Prison. What I got, however, was a disjointed, gross-out horror, with a muddled journey that left me mostly confused and and trying to figure out what this book was actually supposed to be about.

The story follows two main plotlines that barely intersect. First, we have Clare, grappling with grief over her boyfriend Lenny’s mysterious death, working as a tour guide at an old prison, and a twisted relationship with her boss, Archie. The second focuses on Elly and her disturbing daughter, Rosie, whose eerie, unnatural behavior leaves you thoroughly unnerved.

For me, Daddy’s Girl lacked clarity and commitment. The synopsis promised suspenseful, layered storytelling, but the events in the book felt either rushed or drawn out in the wrong places. Clare’s friend’s disappearance—what I thought would be a main plot point based on the synopsis—barely surfaced until the last quarter, with no real mystery left to unravel. And while the synopsis suggests a climactic struggle, this felt more like a brief, confusing event with no lasting impact.

The prose itself was actually my favorite part about the book. It offered a wide range of perspectives, which I found interesting, though it did little to mask the overall lack of direction. Between following Claire through mundane tour details and trying to piece together Rosie's unsettling storyline, I often felt like I was reading two separate books, neither of which felt fully realized.

If there was a central theme or message, it either went over my head or was buried beneath too many disconnected elements. Ultimately, Rosie’s scenes held my attention the most, but they were too few to fully carry the story. Daddy’s Girl left me more frustrated than thrilled, earning it just two stars in the end.

That being said, my review seems to be the unpopular opinion, so don't let me put you off - this book could be for you even if it wasn't for me

Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for this ARC!

Thank you NetGalley and Red Escape Publishing for the ARC.

This one was a creepy, gothic horror, and there’s nothing scarier than creepy kids am I right?
It took me a bit to get into it, but once I did I sped through it.

4/5 ⭐️

Not a huge fan of this one, the story idea was great, but the writing was off, maybe a little too young for me, but I didn't see this marked as YA.

It was a creepy read, and wasn't awful just didn't flow well.

Editing or possibly changing the way this was laid out and written might help it be the story it could be.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC and opportunity to review this book. It just wasn’t for me. It was just too far fetched even for a thriller book. The writing style was juvenile and all over the place. Nothing flowed nicely. It felt like a whole lot of ideas just thrown together.

⭐️⭐️

I could not read this book. I only got a couple chapters in and the storyline already has me not enjoying it. I don't like the writing at all.

This book is just a big no for me. Everything about it is annoying me.

This book gave me the shivers. it is one of the most creepiest takes ever.

It gave me 'orpham' vibes and it is a story that is incredibly told.

Claire mission to find her missing friend was a task I wouldn't like to have but I really enjoyed how the plot unfolded. There were some dark moments. I also like the setting.

I would love this to be made into a film. I has all the scares and drama to make it a good one .

This has a decent feeling of dread, and a very creepy kid.
One of the creepiest I've come across.
However, I didn't particularly enjoy the writing style.
Rounding up to three stars for those moments of dread and tension.