Daisy Darker

Alice Feeney • Thriller, Psychological Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Psychological thriller, Gothic fiction

Daisy Darker Summary by Alice Feeney

Alice Feeney has established herself as a powerhouse in the world of psychological thrillers, and with “Daisy Darker,” she delivers one of her most gripping stories yet. In this atmospheric novel, Feeney invites readers into the world of the Darker family—a dysfunctional family whose secrets run as deep as the tides surrounding their grandmother’s remote island home. When the family arrives at Nana’s crumbling gothic house on a tiny tidal island to celebrate her 80th birthday, they bring with them years of unresolved tension and hidden truths.

As the storm rages outside and the tide cuts them off from the mainland for eight hours, the stage is set for a classic locked room mystery. The entire family is trapped together, and as midnight strikes, the night takes a deadly turn. One by one, family members are found dead, and the remaining relatives must confront both the present mystery and the dark secrets of their past if they hope to survive. The youngest daughter, Daisy, serves as the novel’s narrator, guiding readers through the tangled web of family history, betrayal, and heartbreak that defines the Darker family.

“Daisy Darker” by Alice Feeney is a masterful blend of suspense, family drama, and murder mystery, paying homage to the classic works of Agatha Christie while carving out its own unique identity. The isolated island setting, the countdown to the next family member’s fate, and the stormy atmosphere all contribute to a sense of claustrophobic tension that keeps readers on edge. Feeney’s storytelling is both clever and immersive, weaving together past secrets and present danger in a way that makes every page compelling.

Fans of locked room mysteries and psychological thrillers will absolutely love “Daisy Darker.” The novel’s big twist, well-developed characters, and emotionally charged narrative make it a standout in the genre. Whether you’re a big fan of Alice Feeney’s previous books or discovering her work for the first time, “Daisy Darker” is a must-read that will keep you guessing until the very last page. If you’re searching for a story that combines a dysfunctional family, a remote island, and a murder mystery with a truly unforgettable reveal, look no further than “Daisy Darker” by Alice Feeney.

Summary

Daisy Darker is a gothic, twist-filled thriller centered on Daisy, a young woman with a lifelong heart condition, who joins her eccentric family as the whole family gathers at her grandmother’s isolated mansion on a tidal island to celebrate the matriarch’s 80th birthday. As the tide rises and traps them on the island, the family gathers with long-held resentments simmering beneath polite conversation. At midnight, a family member is found dead—and with each passing hour, more relatives are murdered, echoing the structure of an Agatha Christie–style locked-room mystery. Meanwhile, Daisy narrates her complicated family history, revealing emotional neglect, painful secrets, and the loneliness that shaped her life. The truth behind the murders eventually intertwines with Daisy’s tragic past, culminating in a shocking reveal that reframes the entire narrative and forces readers to reassess every earlier detail, showing how understanding the whole story is crucial to appreciating the twist.

Characters

Daisy Darker – The reflective, isolated protagonist marked by illness and emotional abandonment.

Nana (Beatrice Darker) – The eccentric grandmother whose birthday sets the stage for the mystery.

Daisy’s Parents & Sisters – Self-absorbed, dysfunctional family members tied to Daisy’s emotional wounds.

Tilly – A family friend and filmmaker who captures the night’s events.

Lily’s daughter Trixie – The youngest member of the family, Trixie is Lily’s daughter whose innocence and curiosity add tension and vulnerability to the unfolding events.

Aunt Daisy – The beloved, quirky aunt with a whimsical past as an author, whose warmth and eccentricity provide both comic relief and emotional depth within the family’s dark, mysterious setting.

Ex wife Nancy – The estranged and resentful ex-wife, Nancy, whose presence at the family gathering stirs up old conflicts and secrets, contributing to the suspenseful and dysfunctional atmosphere.

Mother Nancy – The commanding and manipulative matriarch, Mother Nancy, whose influence and orchestration of family secrets are central to the gothic tone and mystery of the story.

Conor’s dad – Conor’s absent father, whose troubled backstory and impact on Conor shape the family dynamic and add layers to the unfolding drama.

Analysis

Alice Feeney blends atmospheric tension with psychological depth, telling the story in the first person from Daisy’s perspective and using isolation to intensify the unraveling of family secrets.

Themes of invisibility, childhood trauma, and the longing for love permeate Daisy’s narration, with Daisy’s memories serving as a key narrative device.

The novel uses classic mystery tropes—an isolated setting, a shrinking cast, time-locked events—while introducing emotional layers that complicate the characters’ motives, sometimes casting events or individuals in a positive light.

The final twist recontextualizes the entire story with a big reveal, elevating it beyond a simple whodunit into a meditation on grief, memory, and forgiveness, exploring the rest the characters seek and the consequences of harboring secrets.