Overview

In Girl in the Walls, we meet Elise, an eleven year old girl who survives a car crash that kills her parents. With nowhere else to go, she returns to the large old house she once lived in, now owned by the Mason family. Elise hides inside the walls and crawl spaces, moving unseen through the home while learning its sounds and rhythms. As the family settles in, the teenage sons begin to sense that something is wrong, raising questions about safety, belonging and what it means to disappear.

Writing & Voice

The writing is quiet and unsettling, with a strong focus on mood and setting. We found the house itself to be one of the book’s greatest strengths, described in careful detail that makes every creak and shadow feel alive. The pace is slow and measured, leaning more toward reflection than shock, which suits the story’s emotional weight.

Characters

Elise is resourceful and deeply lonely, shaped by grief and a need to hold on to the last place that feels familiar. The Mason family offer different reactions to her hidden presence, especially Eddie, who is more open and perceptive than the adults around him. While some characters remain in the background, the emotional centre stays firmly with Elise.

Themes

At its core, this novel explores grief, invisibility and the idea of home. It asks whether hiding can be a form of safety, and what happens when survival means giving up being seen. The story also looks at the fragile line between childhood and adulthood, and how loss can freeze someone in place.

What Worked

• Striking premise: the idea of a child living inside the walls is eerie and memorable.
• Strong atmosphere: the house feels tense, intimate and claustrophobic.
• Emotional focus: grief and loneliness are handled with care.

Minor Quibbles

• The slow pace may not suit readers looking for fast moving suspense.
• Some practical details require a willingness to suspend disbelief.

Final Thoughts

We found Girl in the Walls to be a quiet, haunting novel that stays with you, more concerned with emotional truth than shock.

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.0 / 5)