Jess, is a budding actress who works a graveyard shift at a diner.
She has an incident one night, and then encounters a young boy.
The rest is a complex exploration of daddy issues, facing one’s fears and life.
I liked Jess and the kiddo, and some of the side characters.
I liked the last part of the story and the author’s Afterword.
As for the writing, it was not for me. I found it too explanatory, bordering on the nose, and some of the social commentary as jokes, not well-integrated into the story.
This is not to say that I think the author’s craft is substandard. It is to say that perhaps this was an earlier copy, the writing was not fully edited yet.
The themes and topics intrigued me, and some scenes were impactful and emotional.
And yet, overall, my experience was a 3 star read.
I would read more by Cassidy. Simply that Afterword and his previous writing as well as some of the ideas in this book are memorable.

Some books get under your skin in the best way, and When the Wolf Comes Home is one of them. A gripping blend of psychological horror, folklore, and small-town tension, this novel sinks its teeth in and doesn’t let go.

Set in the isolated town of Wolfgrid, the story follows the unsettling return of a man once thought dead—and the darkness that trails behind him. Cassidy masterfully weaves together an eerie atmosphere, unsettling body horror, and deeply human fears, crafting a tale that is as haunting as it is compelling. The prose is sharp, the tension palpable, and the themes of identity, trauma, and transformation linger long after the final page.

If you love horror that is both visceral and thought-provoking, When the Wolf Comes Home is a must-read.

⭐⭐⭐⭐½

This was an emotional rollercoaster I was not prepared for coming into this book. An endless thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy.

Wow. Jess was a wonderful main character, and I absolutely loved her internal monologue, she was hilarious. I near lost my mind at the description of one character being “an old man the consistency of beef jerky”. Alongside these little quips of comedy, there were some really dark and gruesome scenes, but it was also tragic and heart warming all at the same time.

This has the makings of a real horror classic, twisty, addictive and thrilling.

For anyone with daddy issues.

Jess is having one hell of a day and that’s before helping a five-year-old boy running and terrified of his dad. After a violent, bloody encounter (gross, gory, graphic) with the boy's father, she and the boy find themselves running for their lives.

I would recommend going into this knowing nothing else.
This is about parental relationships, questioning self-worth and has parallels with The Lathe of Heaven by Ursula Le Guin.

It is extremely visual, vivid, vicious.
We get multi perspectives with Jess as the focus.

I have never read a book by Cassidy before and found the writing style gripping yet simplistic. He captures character and voice and tone well.

I didn’t feel like this was as profound as I was expecting. The ending also left me wanting - it felt lacklustre.

Sometimes, the monsters in our heads are worse than any horror movies.

Arc gifted by Titan Books.

My first Nat Cassidy was superb! I went in expecting a werewolf story but got something completely, wonderfully different!

We meet a little boy, cowering as his father tears their house apart. We meet Jess, an actress who can't catch a break, working a graveyard shift at Poppy's diner. The two collide and set off on a road trip from hell with a shady government employee, the boy's father, and monsters hunting them down.

There is so much in this book: meditations on parent/child relationships (the good, the bad, the flawed); grief; gut-punchingly violent scenes that bring the horror and the thrills; characters to root for. I cared, and I cried - always a good sign!

A clever exploration of fear, love, reality, and what makes a monster 🖤

<b>My Rating System:</b>
<b>Enjoyment:</b> I loved it, had fun, sobbed like a baby, never found myself wanting to dnf - 5
<b>More?:</b> I will absolutely read more from the author - 5
<b>Criticism:</b> some minor criticisms but nothing that would bring my rating down - 4
<b>Rereadability:</b> Not desperate to reread immediately but I likely will reread in the future- 4
Average: 4.5 Stars

When the Wolf Comes Home is reminiscent of all of my favourite horror classics in all the best ways. I think the synopsis is best left to the imagination when it comes to a book like this so I won't say too much but every chapter was wild and unexpected and exactly what I want going into a horror novel. It was brutal, fun, and sometimes hit a bit too close to home, making the reading experience the perfect emotional roller coaster (I love to cry). Nat Cassidy is quickly cementing himself as one of my favourites in the genre and I cannot wait to read more.

Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eArc of this book!

This is what is best referred to as a chase book. When Jess a budding actress makes the surprising acquaintance of "Kiddo" a boy with unusual skills they must run for their lives. The father of the boy, a damaged war hero, a part time werewolf with a mind and body damaged by scientific experiments, gives chase, the killing spree is on! Add to this an obsessed, driven government agent who will stop at nothing to hide the agencys involvement then all the ingredients are present for a hight octane ride.

What a fantastic story! Full of emotion, horror and fear, this book was a real page turner. I’ve not read anything like it before and I was impressed with the world building and intricate characters details, especially Jess. I loved reading her interactions with the boy and watching their bond grow. Cassidy did a wonderful job of keeping the suspense going, even with the more emotional and candid moments.

The ending had me gobsmacked. Although there were a few carefully placed hints throughout the book, I didn’t guess the twist and I’m glad I was able to be shocked by the writing and reveal. Overall, this was an intense and enjoyable story about what we’re really afraid of, and how to combat our fears.

When the Wolf Comes Home by Nat Cassidy is a haunting and masterfully crafted horror novel that lingers long after the final page. Blending psychological terror with raw emotional depth, the story follows a protagonist grappling with dark secrets, a shifting reality, and an eerie force that refuses to stay buried. Cassidy’s ability to weave dread into every scene makes this an unforgettable read.

The writing is sharp, immersive, and filled with unsettling atmosphere. Cassidy doesn’t rely on cheap scares—instead, the horror creeps in gradually, seeping into the reader’s mind with its chilling imagery and deeply human fears. The characters are richly developed, particularly the protagonist, whose struggles with identity, trauma, and survival add weight to the supernatural elements. Every twist feels both unexpected and inevitable, making the journey as gripping as it is terrifying.

Beyond the horror, When the Wolf Comes Home is a deeply affecting exploration of memory, grief, and transformation. The novel delivers not just scares, but a story that resonates on multiple levels. It’s bold, beautifully written, and wholly original. A solid 5 stars—Cassidy has crafted a modern horror classic that deserves to be devoured.

I absolutely loved this book! It’s a fast-paced nightmare that’s as imaginative as it is horrifying.

Jess is a struggling actress who has a very bad night at her make-do diner job and then things get even worse when she winds up with a runaway kid on her hands. But this isn’t just any kid; this kid is being doggedly pursued by a werewolf. From there the story goes even more off the rails.

This book truly has everything: a hectic plot that wouldn’t let me go, characters I cared deeply about, and some fantastically visceral and creative descriptions of horror. On top of all of that, there were some emotional moments that I wasn’t expecting and that felt like a punch in the heart. It’s an expertly crafted horror story with an absolute ton of heart. I kind of want to just read it all over again, but I’m going to hold off until I check out Nat Cassidy’s other books!

Readers will want to take a bite out of this bloody goody, horrific, riveting, and shocking book!!!! Nat Cassidy slayed the werewolf paranormal fiction genre with When the Wolf Comes Home!!! Nat Cassidy wowed me with Nestlings and I could not wait to devour this powerhouse of a book. He seriously delivered and then some! This book kept me on my toes, turning the pages, and on the edge of my seat.

Whew! Jess, a struggling actress, has had a horrible night at work and comes home to a find a five-year-old boy hiding in her bushes. Soon a horrific, violent, and bloody attack involving the boy's father brutally unfolds. She is beyond scared, traumatized and runs with the boy. Those who enjoy the horror genre know that you can run but you can't hide!

Holy Moly! This is not, I repeat, this is not your usual werewolf story! This one is deep, brilliant, shocking, evokes emotion, and provides shock and shock. Nat Cassidy has more instore than I imagined when I picked this book up. You will need to buckle up while reading this one as it is a wild thrilling and jaw dropping ride. This book is sooo original and unique. It is also terrifying and thought provoking. This is a book where you may want to cover your eyes while reading yet will keep pulling your hands down because you just must keep reading!

I love it when I am certain that I know where a book is going and then *bam* it becomes so much more than I could ever imagine. That is the case with this book. I loved the writing, the vivid descriptions, the tension, the suspense, and the characters. This one sucked me in, chewed me up, spit me out, then chewed me up again! My head is still spinning, and my pulse is still pounding! I don't think I have ever said 'OMG' and 'Wait, what did I just read?' so many times while reading a book. I mean that in the best possible way.

*Be sure to read the Author's note at the end of this awesome book!

Dark, shocking, brutal, and beyond brilliant!

I’ve wanted to read something from this author for a while as I keep hearing such good things so I requested this from NetGalley and was not disappointed!
This is a fast paced horror thriller with great characters and plenty to say
I devoured this is a couple of days and will be recommending it

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc