The Wild Things is a thrilling page turner that combines the old-fashioned mystery of Agatha Christie and spine-tingling horror of old school Stephen King. The characters were great as were the twists. I loved this book.

What a great book! I loved the style, loved the characters, and loved the growing sense of unease. Maybe things came together a little too conveniently at the end, but I still stayed up until the wee hours to finish it!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an advanced copy of this book for me to read!

I am not a prolific thriller/mystery reader, however this book may have turned me. I could not put it down and read it extremely fast. A true crime author moves into a neighborhood suggested by a long time friend, and she starts to question everything from then on. She starts to question reality, who she can trust, and how to protect the people she cares about. There is so much happening in this book, but it all pieces come together for a couple different mysteries.

This book has a lot of dark themes, that-for me- are quite scary and unsettling. However, the dark spirits weren’t focused on so much that I felt like it’s all the book was about.

Think Frieda McFadden meets Harley Laroux.

The book started off a little slow however, don’t let that fool you. It was still grasping with suspense of knowing something was coming. The book is filled with moments of anticipation and feeling off in the pits of the stomach. Once it takes its turn, its darkness is riveting like something out of a Harley Laroux novel. I could have never guessed the ending or suspected the outcome.

By far one of my best reads this year!

This book is reported as part of a series however, I seen no issue with reading as a stand alone. I will be going back to read the first two books, because I don’t like leaving a series incomplete but mostly because I am excited for more chaotic creative story lines like this one!

*The Wild Things* by London Clarke is a captivating and daring adventure that sweeps readers into a world of mystery, danger, and self-discovery. Clarke's writing is fast-paced and filled with tension, drawing you into a vivid landscape where the characters must confront both external threats and their own inner turmoil. The story skillfully blends elements of survival, camaraderie, and the raw beauty of nature, making it a compelling read for those who enjoy stories about resilience and human spirit. With rich, dynamic characters and an unpredictable plot, *The Wild Things* is an unforgettable journey that will keep readers hooked from start to finish.

The Wild Things: Neighborhood Nightmares Series centers on Kendall Casey a true crime writer who travels around following the stories she covers. Her latest project brings her to a community called The Cove in the North Carolina mountains. She is there to investigate the disappearance of a young girl three years earlier. The community is quick to welcome her, especially the Robinettes who throw interesting parties. Kendall gets a weird vibe from them and begins seeing strange things. Is she experiencing hallucinations or is something else going on....

This is a supernatural horror book that I thought would be right up my alley. This is the fourth book written by London Clarke that I have read and I tend to enjoy her writing, characters, plots, and books. While other reviewers are loving The Wild Things: Neighborhood Nightmares Series, it failed to wow me. We can't love them all and that is the case here so please read the other reviews for this book as well.

What did work was how Clarke created the chilling and creepy vibe in this book. She nailed the something-isn't-quite-right feeling that Kendall was feeling. This book was just missing that little bit of something that would have pushed my rating higher.

First of all thank you to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Oh this book was *chefs kiss* for me.

We follow Kendall, a true crime writer who moves regularly based on what case she is writing about. She moves into her best friend’s neighbourhood and let’s just say the neighbours are a little…strange.

I can’t say more without spoiling it! I’m off to read the rest of the series immediately!

I love thrillers and anything to do with romance and crime, and this has all three! It was seriously spooky too and I honestly was surprised with every twist that was revealed!

This author is now an auto buy for me!

This is a fantastic supernatural horror novel wrapped in a mysterious disappearance in a very strange place.

Our protagonist is a successful true crime author who moves to an HOA regulated area to work on her new book. The disappearance thirteen years ago of a then ten year old girl which happened nearby.

The neighborhood, known as The Cove has a variety of eclectic residents. The older couple across the street are always yelling and screaming about any perceived violations and act as neighborhood bullies. The couple next door are well loved and are known as the wild things. They have lavish parties each month for the neighborhood with free food and drinks for all.

At first they welcome our protagonist with open arms. But creepy things begin happening. Visions or hallucinations of a little girl, a dark human shaped man crouching in the trees with evil intentions, and voices when nobody is around.

We'll find out that this neighborhood holds a very dark supernatural secret. Something terrifying and not all the residents are who we first believe.

While this is happening, strange things begin to unfold and the case she's working on for the book keeps getting more twisted as new information comes to light.

This is a book which reels you in from the start and keeps you fully engaged throughout. Secrets upon secrets are slowly revealed adding layers to the horrific things this neighborhood is hiding. I highly recommend it.

I received a copy of this book through Netgalley. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.

I wanted to rate this higher. I really did but the paranormal aspect threw me for a loop that I wasn’t into. Also, I felt like the author left the path of why Kendall was there in the first place (to write and discover about the missing girl). It was an afterthought after a while.

I liked how easy it was to read and how much I rooted for Kendall and Sam. I had a feeling something would happen with Sam but it really felt like the author had 1247472829 options in her head and instead of making one or two really thought out, she tried to get every twist to fit somewhere.

The Wild Things by London Clarke is a dark, atmospheric, and utterly gripping psychological thriller that delves into the depths of human nature and the shadows that lurk within us all. Set against a hauntingly vivid backdrop, the novel follows a group of characters whose lives intertwine in unexpected and often chilling ways. Clarke’s writing is richly descriptive, drawing readers into a world where the line between reality and madness blurs, and the wildness within each character begins to surface.

One of the most striking aspects of the book is its exploration of the primal instincts and darker impulses that lie beneath the veneer of civility. Clarke masterfully builds tension throughout the narrative, creating a sense of unease that lingers long after the final page. The characters are complex and flawed, each grappling with their own demons and desires, making them feel incredibly real and relatable—even when their actions are anything but.

The pacing is deliberate, allowing the suspense to build steadily, and the plot is peppered with twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end. Clarke’s use of setting is particularly effective, with the wild, untamed landscape serving as a metaphor for the untamed aspects of the human psyche. The prose is sharp and evocative, with a distinctly British sensibility that adds to the novel’s unique tone.

While the book’s dark themes and unsettling content may not be for everyone, those who enjoy psychological thrillers with a literary edge will find much to appreciate. The exploration of themes such as identity, morality, and the nature of evil is thought-provoking and adds depth to the story.

In summary, The Wild Things is a compelling and haunting read that showcases London Clarke’s talent for crafting intricate, character-driven narratives. It’s a novel that stays with you, challenging you to confront the wildness within yourself. Perfect for fans of psychological thrillers and dark, atmospheric fiction, this is a book that demands to be read with the lights on—preferably with a cup of tea in hand to steady the nerves.

"It seems that for every breath I should take, the being is taking it for me."

Kendall Casey, a true crime writer, has just moved to North Carolina to focus on her next book, and to be closer to her best friend, Sam. While investigating the disappearance of Eliana, the subject of her next book, she begins to suspect that the friendly next door neighbors may be a bit less friendly than she originally thought, and may even be dangerous.

WOW. 4.5 stars rounded down, only because I felt the explanation around the herbs and techniques was a bit too loose to explain everything for me. But, wow, what a book! The pace was great, the characters were vivid and well thought out, and I absolutely loved being drawn more and more into this incredibly creepy story.

I think my favorite (and most terrifying part) was the men in the trees. Not sure how I'll be able to walk my dog at night without inspecting the trees for the next week or so...

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Such a great book. Couldn't stop reading it. Thank you for my advance reader copy. Can't wait to look up other books from this author.

The Wild Things
London Clarke

“We all need someone”
“She’s right - we do. Not just to save us from loneliness but to rescue us from the dark corners and give us a chance to write new endings together.”

The Wild Things is a horror novel from London Clarke - my first London Clarke book. And my god was I not ready for it. I was hooked from the very first chapter, even though nothing awfully exciting was happening. The writing drew me in, and I was enthralled into the wee hours of the morning to finish in one sitting.

Going in, I was prepared for a semi-nomadic true crime writer researching a cold case in the mountains of North Carolina. What I wasn’t prepared for was the heavy dose of cultiness, the paranormal, and all the twists. And then the narrator’s sister showed up, and I thought there were so many elements to be brought together, there’s no way to do all of these plot points justice throughout the book, let alone wrap everything up.

But that’s exactly what our author did. There was not one loose string left in the wind (or nailed to a tree) and I feel fully satisfied finishing this book.

If you are into creepy neighbors, crime, psychological experiments, the paranormal, and cult leaders who think they’re a god, this is the perfect book for you. I have a feeling this will be sticking with me for quite some time.

#TheWildThings #NetGalley sent me on a wild ride, with so many twists and turns I couldn't put the book down.
This book intrigued me from the beginning and by the second paragraph I was in deep.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.

A 5 star must read!

Wow! What a twist you didn’t see coming in this one. From the moment I started reading, I was hooked. The end of each chapter had me itching to know what happened next. If you like thriller meets supernatural type book vibes, then this one is absolutely a must read!

This book was a really enjoyable read. It drew me in from the first page and I couldn’t put it down. It has a bit of everything - dark, paranormal, thriller vibes with just a hint of romance.

The story follows Kendall Casey, a true crime writer who’s moved to a remote neighbourhood in order to do some research for her new novel. I loved the setting throughout, the rural location really added the overall atmosphere of the entire book and I found myself second guessing everything along with the FMC as I read.

Her new neighbourhood “The Cove”, is portrayed as the perfect place to live - set in the mountains of North Carolina and surrounded by beautiful hiking trails, with an array of welcoming neighbours. However Kendall soon realises things may not be as harmonious as they seem.

The pacing throughout this book was perfect, fast moving with short chapters that kept me hooked from the start. There’s mystery, drama and tension woven throughout that left me wanting more right up until the last page. I found myself hugely invested in the characters and it had the perfect ending, I would definitely recommend this book.

Murder, suspect, intensity, you name it and this boook provides this naturally and effectively. Mind blowing twists, turns and characters/world/scene building. Hats off to London Clarke.

The Wild Things by London Clarke is a psychological thriller with paranormal aspects that will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about your neighbors, and I enjoyed every step of the way. From the start, you're given a heads-up about which neighbors to look out for, but it doesn't keep you from guessing some of the plot twists I found myself on the edge of my seat for.

We've all had a problem neighbor, or two, and Clarke's take on it really makes you stop and think about just what goes on behind closed doors, and if can really trust the person who lives next to you. At times it was dark, suspenseful, and chaotic, but overall leaves you with a sense of craving justice.

If you're into psychological thrillers that leave you guessing until the very last page, this one is definitely for you.

Wow! This book had everything in it - cold case, fresh murder, supernatural, cult, science, witch craft ! And they all surprisingly work together. I’ve always been a reclusive neighbor and I’ll probably stay that way now 😂 happy to find out this is part of a series! Can’t wait to read the others.

Wow what a great read. I loved this book so much I read it all today. I couldn't put it down. I was determined to know the end. The story centres around Kendall Casey who moves into a new neighbourhood called the cove. Her reason so she could investigate the disappearance of a teenage girl who was still missing after 13 years. She was also writing a true crime book about it. Like every new neighbourhood you also have new neighbours. This is what makes the book so interesting. I'm sure everyone at some time in their lives have had neighbours they don't necessarily get on with or like. For Kendall this is an understatement. Her neighbours are creepy dangerous and very good at manipulation. Can she find the answers to her questions and at what cost? There is nothing slow about this book. It keeps you hooked all the way through. Drama, tension and horror are the key elements to this book. I would highly recommend this.