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They Lurk
From the bestselling author of Come with Me , five collected novellas from the master of terror, featuring possession, parasites and something monstrous lurking outside…
COME CLOSER…
Five terrifying collected horror novellas newly reissued from the “modern-day Algernon Blackwood”.
Skullbelly
After three teenagers disappear in a forest, a private detective is hired and uncovers a terrible local secret.
The Separation
Marcus arrives in Germany to find his friend up-and-coming prizefighter Charlie in a deep depression. But soon Charlie's behavior grows increasingly bizarre. Is he suffering from a nervous breakdown, or are otherworldly forces at work?
The Stranger
Set a rural Florida parking lot, David returns to his car to find a stranger sat behind the wheel. The doors are locked and there’s a gun on the dashboard. And that was when then the insanity started…
After the Fade
A girl walked into a small Annapolis tavern, collapsed and died. Something had latched itself to the base of her skull. And it didn't arrive alone.
Now, the patrons of The Fulcrum are trapped, held prisoner within the tavern's walls by monstrous things, trying to find their way in.
And one more novella to be revealed!
COME CLOSER…
Five terrifying collected horror novellas newly reissued from the “modern-day Algernon Blackwood”.
Skullbelly
After three teenagers disappear in a forest, a private detective is hired and uncovers a terrible local secret.
The Separation
Marcus arrives in Germany to find his friend up-and-coming prizefighter Charlie in a deep depression. But soon Charlie's behavior grows increasingly bizarre. Is he suffering from a nervous breakdown, or are otherworldly forces at work?
The Stranger
Set a rural Florida parking lot, David returns to his car to find a stranger sat behind the wheel. The doors are locked and there’s a gun on the dashboard. And that was when then the insanity started…
After the Fade
A girl walked into a small Annapolis tavern, collapsed and died. Something had latched itself to the base of her skull. And it didn't arrive alone.
Now, the patrons of The Fulcrum are trapped, held prisoner within the tavern's walls by monstrous things, trying to find their way in.
And one more novella to be revealed!
336 pages, Paperback
First published April 25, 2014
213 people are currently reading
2792 people want to read
About the author
Ronald Malfi
74 books3,760 followersRonald Malfi is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling, award-winning author of many novels and novellas in the horror, mystery, and thriller genres. In 2011, his novel, Floating Staircase, was nominated for a Bram Stoker Award for best novel by the Horror Writers Association, and also won a gold IPPY award. In 2024, he was presented with the prestigious William G. Wilson Award for Adult Fiction by the Maryland Library Association. Perhaps his most well-received novel, Come with Me (2021), about a man who learns a dark secret about his wife after she's killed, has received stellar reviews, including a starred review from BookPage, and Publishers Weekly has said, "Malfi impresses in this taut, supernaturally tinged mystery... and sticks the landing with a powerful denouement. There’s plenty here to enjoy."
His most recent novels include Senseless (2025) and Small Town Horror (2024), both of which received favorable reviews and saw Malfi stretch his authorial voice.
Come with Me (2021) and Black Mouth (2022), tackle themes of grief and loss, and of the effects of childhood trauma and alcoholism, respectively. Both books have been critically praised, with Publishers Weekly calling Black Mouth a "standout" book of the year. These novels were followed by Ghostwritten (2022), a collection of four subtly-linked novellas about haunted books and the power of the written word. Ghostwritten received a starred review from Publishers Weekly, which called the book a "wonderfully meta collection...vibrantly imagined," and that "Malfi makes reading about the perils of reading a terrifying delight."
Among his most popular works is December Park, a coming-of-age thriller set in the '90s, wherein five teenage boys take up the hunt for a child murderer in their hometown of Harting Farms, Maryland. In interviews, Malfi has expressed that this is his most autobiographical book to date. In 2015, this novel was awarded the Beverly Hills International Book Award for best suspense novel. It has been optioned several times for film.
Bone White (2017), about a man searching for his lost twin brother in a haunted Alaskan mining town, was touted as "an elegant, twisted, gripping slow-burn of a novel that burrows under the skin and nestles deep," by RT Book Reviews, and has also been optioned for television by Fox21/Disney and Amazon Studios.
His novels Little Girls (2015) and The Night Parade (2016) explore broken families forced to endure horrific and extraordinary circumstances, which has become the hallmark for Malfi's brand of intimate, lyrical horror fiction.
His earlier works, such as Via Dolorosa (2007) and Passenger (2008) explored characters with lost or confused identities, wherein Malfi experimented with the ultimate unreliable narrators. He maintained this trend in his award-winning novel, Floating Staircase (2011), which the author has suggested contains "multiple endings for the astute reader."
His more "monstery" novels, such as Snow (2010) and The Narrows (2012) still resonate with his inimitable brand of literary cadence and focus on character and story over plot. Both books were highly regarded by fans and reviewers in the genre.
A bit of a departure, Malfi published the crime drama Shamrock Alley in 2009, based on the true exploits of his own father, a former Secret Service agent. The book was optioned several times for film.
Ronald Malfi was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1977, the eldest of four children, and eventually relocated to Maryland, where he currently resides along the Chesapeake Bay.
When he's not writing, he's performing with the rock band VEER, who can be found at veerband.net and wherever you stream your music.
Visit
His most recent novels include Senseless (2025) and Small Town Horror (2024), both of which received favorable reviews and saw Malfi stretch his authorial voice.
Come with Me (2021) and Black Mouth (2022), tackle themes of grief and loss, and of the effects of childhood trauma and alcoholism, respectively. Both books have been critically praised, with Publishers Weekly calling Black Mouth a "standout" book of the year. These novels were followed by Ghostwritten (2022), a collection of four subtly-linked novellas about haunted books and the power of the written word. Ghostwritten received a starred review from Publishers Weekly, which called the book a "wonderfully meta collection...vibrantly imagined," and that "Malfi makes reading about the perils of reading a terrifying delight."
Among his most popular works is December Park, a coming-of-age thriller set in the '90s, wherein five teenage boys take up the hunt for a child murderer in their hometown of Harting Farms, Maryland. In interviews, Malfi has expressed that this is his most autobiographical book to date. In 2015, this novel was awarded the Beverly Hills International Book Award for best suspense novel. It has been optioned several times for film.
Bone White (2017), about a man searching for his lost twin brother in a haunted Alaskan mining town, was touted as "an elegant, twisted, gripping slow-burn of a novel that burrows under the skin and nestles deep," by RT Book Reviews, and has also been optioned for television by Fox21/Disney and Amazon Studios.
His novels Little Girls (2015) and The Night Parade (2016) explore broken families forced to endure horrific and extraordinary circumstances, which has become the hallmark for Malfi's brand of intimate, lyrical horror fiction.
His earlier works, such as Via Dolorosa (2007) and Passenger (2008) explored characters with lost or confused identities, wherein Malfi experimented with the ultimate unreliable narrators. He maintained this trend in his award-winning novel, Floating Staircase (2011), which the author has suggested contains "multiple endings for the astute reader."
His more "monstery" novels, such as Snow (2010) and The Narrows (2012) still resonate with his inimitable brand of literary cadence and focus on character and story over plot. Both books were highly regarded by fans and reviewers in the genre.
A bit of a departure, Malfi published the crime drama Shamrock Alley in 2009, based on the true exploits of his own father, a former Secret Service agent. The book was optioned several times for film.
Ronald Malfi was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1977, the eldest of four children, and eventually relocated to Maryland, where he currently resides along the Chesapeake Bay.
When he's not writing, he's performing with the rock band VEER, who can be found at veerband.net and wherever you stream your music.
Visit
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 392 reviews
July 19, 2023
Anyone that has been with me on my reviewing journey here on Goodreads will know that I am a huge fan of Ronald Malfi. I have loved every novel of his that I've read so when I saw an opportunity to read this short story collection, I grabbed it, even though I don't typically care for short stories. I wanted something to satisfy my Malfi craving while waiting for his next release.
Skullbelly - Four teenagers walk into the woods but only one returns bloodied and catatonic. Jim Jeffers, a private investigator, has been hired by the families to solve the mystery of what happened. What he discovers is beyond our comprehension. 3 stars!
The Separation - Marcus is called to Germany to help with a friend that is in a severe depressive state after his marriage dissolved. Marcus can't believe the state of his once prize-fighting friend. He's frail and sunken in on him self claiming he has been displaced. By what or by whom is the question? 4 stars!
* Trigger Warning - A horse meets a violent death on page. Beware my animal loving friends.
The Stranger - David and his young girlfriend have been traveling by car across the country when they decide to stop for the night at a rundown motel. When David returns to his room after having a couple drinks at the motel bar he notices a stranger is sitting in the drivers seat of his car. What follows is a gruesome and gory nightmare. 4 stars!
After the Fade - Tommy is meeting his girlfriend at the local watering hole where he intends to break the news that he wants to break up but before he has a chance to explain this to Lauren a woman comes into the bar bleeding from the nose and collapses. It's only then when Tommy, Lauren, and their fellow patrons realize that something has attached itself to the back of the woman's skull. This may be the last call for everyone. 4 stars!
Fierce - A mother and her 18 year old daughter are traveling home on a snow covered road when out of nowhere a truck careens into them. I assure you the accident is the least of their concern once they meet the other driver! RUUUUUUNNNNNNNN!!!!!! 2 stars!
I did enjoy my time with this but not as much as I do his full length novels. His books are always rich in atmosphere and his character development superb. That's hard to do with short stories so my level of investment varied from tale to tale. In his author's note at the end Malfi explains that the first four stories have been previously published and that the last story was his newest addition. I was most surprised that his newest was my least favorite. The rest are perfectly serviceable snack size treats! 3.5 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for my complimentary copy.
Skullbelly - Four teenagers walk into the woods but only one returns bloodied and catatonic. Jim Jeffers, a private investigator, has been hired by the families to solve the mystery of what happened. What he discovers is beyond our comprehension. 3 stars!
The Separation - Marcus is called to Germany to help with a friend that is in a severe depressive state after his marriage dissolved. Marcus can't believe the state of his once prize-fighting friend. He's frail and sunken in on him self claiming he has been displaced. By what or by whom is the question? 4 stars!
* Trigger Warning - A horse meets a violent death on page. Beware my animal loving friends.
The Stranger - David and his young girlfriend have been traveling by car across the country when they decide to stop for the night at a rundown motel. When David returns to his room after having a couple drinks at the motel bar he notices a stranger is sitting in the drivers seat of his car. What follows is a gruesome and gory nightmare. 4 stars!
After the Fade - Tommy is meeting his girlfriend at the local watering hole where he intends to break the news that he wants to break up but before he has a chance to explain this to Lauren a woman comes into the bar bleeding from the nose and collapses. It's only then when Tommy, Lauren, and their fellow patrons realize that something has attached itself to the back of the woman's skull. This may be the last call for everyone. 4 stars!
Fierce - A mother and her 18 year old daughter are traveling home on a snow covered road when out of nowhere a truck careens into them. I assure you the accident is the least of their concern once they meet the other driver! RUUUUUUNNNNNNNN!!!!!! 2 stars!
I did enjoy my time with this but not as much as I do his full length novels. His books are always rich in atmosphere and his character development superb. That's hard to do with short stories so my level of investment varied from tale to tale. In his author's note at the end Malfi explains that the first four stories have been previously published and that the last story was his newest addition. I was most surprised that his newest was my least favorite. The rest are perfectly serviceable snack size treats! 3.5 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for my complimentary copy.
September 4, 2024
**4.5-stars rounded up**
This 2014-novella collection has been lovingly-repackaged and rereleased by Titan Books and Tantor Audio.
I am so pleased with how the cover pairs with Ghostwritten. I really enjoyed that collection as well and feel like these two would make quite a duo on the shelves.
The stories included are: They Lurk, Skullbelly, The Separation, The Stranger, After the Fade and Fierce.
I felt the arrangement was great, as my favorite story was the first one and my least favorite was last, but by least favorite, we're still talking like a solid 3.5-star rounded up.
Ronald Malfi is one of my favorite authors. Truth be told, I'm a bit of a fangirl, but honestly, I feel like this collection has something for every Horror Reader to enjoy.
Each story had it's own vibe, but the one thing they all had was a overriding creepiness as the narrative unfolded. There were times I was feeling like Bone White vibes, other times I was getting The Mist, I was hooked.
I listened to the audiobook and would definitely recommend that as a medium. Both narrators did an incredible job bringing these stories to life. Well done!
It's rare for me to find a short-story collection that works for me so well. This was fantastic. I can't praise Malfi enough. Every time I pick up one of his books, I'm reminded of how in love I am with the tone and delivery of his stories.
Chef's freaking kiss!!!
Thank you so much to the publisher, Tantor Audio and Titan Books, for providing me with copies to read and review. I'm working my way through Malfi's backlist and these rereleases are certainly helpful!!
If you love Horror and have yet to read Malfi, you need to change that ASAP. 10-out-of-10 recommend!!!
This 2014-novella collection has been lovingly-repackaged and rereleased by Titan Books and Tantor Audio.
I am so pleased with how the cover pairs with Ghostwritten. I really enjoyed that collection as well and feel like these two would make quite a duo on the shelves.
The stories included are: They Lurk, Skullbelly, The Separation, The Stranger, After the Fade and Fierce.
I felt the arrangement was great, as my favorite story was the first one and my least favorite was last, but by least favorite, we're still talking like a solid 3.5-star rounded up.
Ronald Malfi is one of my favorite authors. Truth be told, I'm a bit of a fangirl, but honestly, I feel like this collection has something for every Horror Reader to enjoy.
Each story had it's own vibe, but the one thing they all had was a overriding creepiness as the narrative unfolded. There were times I was feeling like Bone White vibes, other times I was getting The Mist, I was hooked.
I listened to the audiobook and would definitely recommend that as a medium. Both narrators did an incredible job bringing these stories to life. Well done!
It's rare for me to find a short-story collection that works for me so well. This was fantastic. I can't praise Malfi enough. Every time I pick up one of his books, I'm reminded of how in love I am with the tone and delivery of his stories.
Chef's freaking kiss!!!
Thank you so much to the publisher, Tantor Audio and Titan Books, for providing me with copies to read and review. I'm working my way through Malfi's backlist and these rereleases are certainly helpful!!
If you love Horror and have yet to read Malfi, you need to change that ASAP. 10-out-of-10 recommend!!!
August 9, 2025
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Novellas are like sex if you think about it, or a good meal for that matter. When they’re good, you want it to last longer and when they’re not as good, you wish it would wrap up… you have places to be. There was far more good romps in this book than lackluster ones, as you would expect from Malfi, but this definitely falls short of the magic captured in Ghostwritten.
But still, this is Malfi we’re talking about here, so obviously the writing was superb, the ideas were unique, and the characters had depth. These are mainstays of all of his works, and this was no exception.
The definitive, I won’t accept any other opinions on it, order:
1. The Stranger
2. After the Fade
3. The Separation
4. Skullbelly
.
.
.
.
5. Fierce
Novellas are like sex if you think about it, or a good meal for that matter. When they’re good, you want it to last longer and when they’re not as good, you wish it would wrap up… you have places to be. There was far more good romps in this book than lackluster ones, as you would expect from Malfi, but this definitely falls short of the magic captured in Ghostwritten.
But still, this is Malfi we’re talking about here, so obviously the writing was superb, the ideas were unique, and the characters had depth. These are mainstays of all of his works, and this was no exception.
The definitive, I won’t accept any other opinions on it, order:
1. The Stranger
2. After the Fade
3. The Separation
4. Skullbelly
.
.
.
.
5. Fierce
September 22, 2023
I could not resist requesting Mr Malfi's offering of novellas in hope of a little horror during summer time. Each plot is intriguing but one novella gripped me from the very first sentence I heard. I would recommend this title to Mr Malfi's fans and fans of the genre.
*A big thank-you to Ronald Malfi, Tantor Audio, and NetGalley for a free audiobook in exchange for my honest review.*
*A big thank-you to Ronald Malfi, Tantor Audio, and NetGalley for a free audiobook in exchange for my honest review.*
July 16, 2024
An enjoyable collection of five sinister and creepy novellas. The first four novellas are some of his early work rereleased with an additional new novella. There wasn't a particular theme to this collection, every story was something different. I think fans of horror will find something to enjoy in this collection! This is the second novella collection that I have read by Malfi, after Ghostwritten, though I preferred that collection, this was still a very good collection.
Skullbelly - A private detective is investigating the disappearance of three teenagers in a forest camping trip. Only one member of the group is accounted for and he is in a catatonic state. Were they murdered by their friend, or is something lurking in the forest? I liked this story, but wanted a bit more from it. Perhaps it would have worked better as a novel. 3.5 ⭐
The Separation - A psychotherapist goes to stay with his friend, who is suffering from a nervous breakdown, in Germany. He is not coping with a break-up, and is having episodes of sleepwalking. But it there something more strange occuring? I enjoyed this story, it had a good atmosphere and a vintage, gothic feel to it. A warning that there is some strong violence to a horse in this one. 4 ⭐
The Stranger A man travelling with his girlfriend stops at a motel and later finds a strange man locked in his car with a gun. What happens next is very disturbing. This was my least favourite in the collection, it was a well written story, just personal preference. 3 ⭐
After the Fade I really enjoyed this novella, my favourite in the collection. Told in first person narrative of an up and coming musician meeting up with his girlfriend in a tavern to break up with her, when a girl walks in and collapses. An apocalyptic story, I thought the ending was excellent! 5 ⭐
Fierce A teenager is travelling in a snowstorm with her mother when they are run off the road by a truck. A great story, I could imagine this as a slasher horror film. A foreboding atmosphere, a very unsettling story! 4.5 ⭐
Skullbelly - A private detective is investigating the disappearance of three teenagers in a forest camping trip. Only one member of the group is accounted for and he is in a catatonic state. Were they murdered by their friend, or is something lurking in the forest? I liked this story, but wanted a bit more from it. Perhaps it would have worked better as a novel. 3.5 ⭐
The Separation - A psychotherapist goes to stay with his friend, who is suffering from a nervous breakdown, in Germany. He is not coping with a break-up, and is having episodes of sleepwalking. But it there something more strange occuring? I enjoyed this story, it had a good atmosphere and a vintage, gothic feel to it. A warning that there is some strong violence to a horse in this one. 4 ⭐
The Stranger A man travelling with his girlfriend stops at a motel and later finds a strange man locked in his car with a gun. What happens next is very disturbing. This was my least favourite in the collection, it was a well written story, just personal preference. 3 ⭐
After the Fade I really enjoyed this novella, my favourite in the collection. Told in first person narrative of an up and coming musician meeting up with his girlfriend in a tavern to break up with her, when a girl walks in and collapses. An apocalyptic story, I thought the ending was excellent! 5 ⭐
Fierce A teenager is travelling in a snowstorm with her mother when they are run off the road by a truck. A great story, I could imagine this as a slasher horror film. A foreboding atmosphere, a very unsettling story! 4.5 ⭐
July 19, 2023
I'm a huge fan of Ronald Malfi and his amazing horror stories, so I was thrilled to get my hands on his latest collection, They Lurk. However, I have to admit that I was a bit disappointed by some of the stories in this book. Don't get me wrong, this is still a solid collection of creepy tales, but it didn't blow me away like his previous one did. The stories that really stood out for me were Skullbelly and They Lurk, which were both terrifying and original. I learned from the afterword that these stories were written earlier in his career, which might explain why they felt less polished and impactful than his more recent work. Overall, this was an enjoyable read, but not his best work in my opinion.
July 15, 2023
This was five short stories written by Ronald Malfi. They were very creepy and entertaining. Ronald Malfi never fails to amaze.
Thanks NetGalley and Titan books for this ARC that will be released July 18, 2023!
Thanks NetGalley and Titan books for this ARC that will be released July 18, 2023!
September 24, 2025
This was a surprisingly disappointing collection. I say surprisingly, because I enjoyed, as far as I recall, all of the novellas in Malfi's Ghostwritten. Here's a brief rundown of my issues with the novellas collected here:
"Skullbelly" - The opening novella was actually quite good, and just when things were getting really interesting it...ended. If Malfi ever decides to develop this into a novel, I would definitely pick it up. 3.5⭐
"The Separation" - Boy, was this one boring as hell. And then there was the protracted scene of extreme cruelty to a horse. 1⭐
"The Stranger" - Think Stephen King's "Survivor Type," but told from the perspective of an alarmed observer rather than first person. Some good gory descriptions, but this really went from one person locked in a car to pretty much nowhere. 3⭐
"The Aftermath" - King again, with a blatant rip-off of "The Mist" only in a bar instead of a grocery store, with no fog. I did like the surprise twist at the end. 2⭐
"Fierce" - Texas Chainsaw Massacre with a nod to cosmic horror, perhaps? The MC in this story really gives your standard slasher movie victim a run for their money in the intelligence department. 1.5⭐
I gather some editions have an extra novella, the titular story, but the audiobook I borrowed from my library did not, and I'm not sorry about it, since I was more than ready to move on.
"Skullbelly" - The opening novella was actually quite good, and just when things were getting really interesting it...ended. If Malfi ever decides to develop this into a novel, I would definitely pick it up. 3.5⭐
"The Separation" - Boy, was this one boring as hell. And then there was the protracted scene of extreme cruelty to a horse. 1⭐
"The Stranger" - Think Stephen King's "Survivor Type," but told from the perspective of an alarmed observer rather than first person. Some good gory descriptions, but this really went from one person locked in a car to pretty much nowhere. 3⭐
"The Aftermath" - King again, with a blatant rip-off of "The Mist" only in a bar instead of a grocery store, with no fog. I did like the surprise twist at the end. 2⭐
"Fierce" - Texas Chainsaw Massacre with a nod to cosmic horror, perhaps? The MC in this story really gives your standard slasher movie victim a run for their money in the intelligence department. 1.5⭐
I gather some editions have an extra novella, the titular story, but the audiobook I borrowed from my library did not, and I'm not sorry about it, since I was more than ready to move on.
June 26, 2023
3/5 stars
Sensitivity warnings at the bottom, behind the spoiler-tag.
With They Lurk, Titan Press have rebound and rereleased 4 of Ronald Malfi’s out-of-print novella’s, together with a brand-new tale in this new collection of short-horrors.
Being a more recent fan of Malfi, after only first discovering his work back in 2021, I was all too happy to be offered a second chance at checking out some of his older work. Overall, I wasn’t disappointed. While I generally prefer his longer novels, each of these novella’s had his signature sense of ominous atmosphere combined with memorable characters, and a perfect balance between supernatural- and psychological threads.
In Skullbelly, a weathered detective investigates the disappearance of three teenagers in a nearby forest, and the urban legend on what happened to them that haunts the town.
In The Separation, a psychotherapist chases down his friend/client; a washed up boxer who’s moved to rural Germany, and is exhibiting increasingly odd behaviour. Is this a simple case of depression, or is something more malicious at play…?
In The Stranger we follow the cuttingly tense situation that arises when a man returns to his car in the parking lot, only to find a stranger at the wheel. A stranger with a gun…
In After the Fade, we witness the start of an apocalyptic event from the point of view of the regulars of a bar, after a young woman stumbles in with something strange protruding from the back of her head.
Finally, in Fierce, a mother and daughter narrowly survive a carcrash in the snow, only to end up in an even more intense survival situation that strangely mirrors one from their past.
I’ve compared Malfi’s novels, stylistically and thematically, to some of the works of Stephen King. Most recently Black Mouth, which reminded me a lot of It, without some of the big problems I had with that book. This collection too was reminiscent of Kings style, in both strengths and weaknesses. The latter is most apparent in their endings. Although I know Malfi has proven he can stick an ending (e.g. Come with Me and the aforementioned Black Mouth), he seems to struggle with this in his older works. Where the final and most recent novella Fierce goes out with a bang, the first four go out with various levels of whimpers.
My final issue that brought me to round my initial 3.5 star rating down instead of up, was the lack of cohesion in the collection. This might be a matter of personal taste, but when a publisher releases something as a joined collection, I like there to be an overarching theme/style or other factor to bind the individual stories together. That isn’t the case here, as these stories were never written to be released together. This is made worse by the fact that the final story was obviously written years later, by a more experienced Malfi, which makes it stand out a bit from the rest.
Overall, I’m a big fan of Malfi’s work, and I’m happy to add this book to my list of reads by him. I’d recommend it if you’re in the market for a good collection of horror novella’s, although I think I personally preferred the authors previously collection Ghostwritten over this one.
Sensitivity warning:
Many thanks to Titan Books for providing me with an in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Sensitivity warnings at the bottom, behind the spoiler-tag.
With They Lurk, Titan Press have rebound and rereleased 4 of Ronald Malfi’s out-of-print novella’s, together with a brand-new tale in this new collection of short-horrors.
Being a more recent fan of Malfi, after only first discovering his work back in 2021, I was all too happy to be offered a second chance at checking out some of his older work. Overall, I wasn’t disappointed. While I generally prefer his longer novels, each of these novella’s had his signature sense of ominous atmosphere combined with memorable characters, and a perfect balance between supernatural- and psychological threads.
In Skullbelly, a weathered detective investigates the disappearance of three teenagers in a nearby forest, and the urban legend on what happened to them that haunts the town.
In The Separation, a psychotherapist chases down his friend/client; a washed up boxer who’s moved to rural Germany, and is exhibiting increasingly odd behaviour. Is this a simple case of depression, or is something more malicious at play…?
In The Stranger we follow the cuttingly tense situation that arises when a man returns to his car in the parking lot, only to find a stranger at the wheel. A stranger with a gun…
In After the Fade, we witness the start of an apocalyptic event from the point of view of the regulars of a bar, after a young woman stumbles in with something strange protruding from the back of her head.
Finally, in Fierce, a mother and daughter narrowly survive a carcrash in the snow, only to end up in an even more intense survival situation that strangely mirrors one from their past.
I’ve compared Malfi’s novels, stylistically and thematically, to some of the works of Stephen King. Most recently Black Mouth, which reminded me a lot of It, without some of the big problems I had with that book. This collection too was reminiscent of Kings style, in both strengths and weaknesses. The latter is most apparent in their endings. Although I know Malfi has proven he can stick an ending (e.g. Come with Me and the aforementioned Black Mouth), he seems to struggle with this in his older works. Where the final and most recent novella Fierce goes out with a bang, the first four go out with various levels of whimpers.
My final issue that brought me to round my initial 3.5 star rating down instead of up, was the lack of cohesion in the collection. This might be a matter of personal taste, but when a publisher releases something as a joined collection, I like there to be an overarching theme/style or other factor to bind the individual stories together. That isn’t the case here, as these stories were never written to be released together. This is made worse by the fact that the final story was obviously written years later, by a more experienced Malfi, which makes it stand out a bit from the rest.
Overall, I’m a big fan of Malfi’s work, and I’m happy to add this book to my list of reads by him. I’d recommend it if you’re in the market for a good collection of horror novella’s, although I think I personally preferred the authors previously collection Ghostwritten over this one.
Sensitivity warning:
Many thanks to Titan Books for providing me with an in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
June 19, 2023
Four previously published novellas join one brand new story in this glorious collection from one of my favorite authors.
All five novellas were new to me since I missed reading them before they went out of print.
Each novella stands alone so you can read them in any order you choose.
In the first story, an urban legend may prove to be real when some unsuspecting teenagers go camping where they shouldn't. Only one returns but he is too traumatized to speak. Did Skullbelly kill his friends? This was my least favorite only because it takes place after the fact and deals mostly with the private investigator the families have hired to find out what happened to their missing kids. This is a case of it's not you it's me. I just do not like police or detective work.
The Separation has been hard on Charlie. He hasn't been himself since his wife left. He says he feels displaced. His friends want to help him but this is well beyond a case of depression and they are not equipped to handle it. Trigger warning here for animal abuse.
I mostly liked this novella. It had a twilight zone/old-timey vibe to it that I enjoyed but I had to skim when I got to the animal abuse.
What would you do if you found someone sitting in your car and they refused to get out? That is the situation faced by David in The Stranger. This was one of my favorites in the collection. It's creepy and gory and my favorite form of horror when a normal situation turns bizarre and then goes totally off the rails.
Another favorite was After The Fade, which reminded me a lot of Stephen King's The Mist. But instead of a grocery store, we find ourselves trapped in a bar during a very strange occurrence.
In the new novella Fierce, a mother and daughter survive a car accident on a snowy desolate stretch of road., but that was the easy part to live through compared to what happens next. I loved this one, it was survival horror at its finest.
4 out of 5 stars
My thanks to Titan Books
All five novellas were new to me since I missed reading them before they went out of print.
Each novella stands alone so you can read them in any order you choose.
In the first story, an urban legend may prove to be real when some unsuspecting teenagers go camping where they shouldn't. Only one returns but he is too traumatized to speak. Did Skullbelly kill his friends? This was my least favorite only because it takes place after the fact and deals mostly with the private investigator the families have hired to find out what happened to their missing kids. This is a case of it's not you it's me. I just do not like police or detective work.
The Separation has been hard on Charlie. He hasn't been himself since his wife left. He says he feels displaced. His friends want to help him but this is well beyond a case of depression and they are not equipped to handle it. Trigger warning here for animal abuse.
I mostly liked this novella. It had a twilight zone/old-timey vibe to it that I enjoyed but I had to skim when I got to the animal abuse.
What would you do if you found someone sitting in your car and they refused to get out? That is the situation faced by David in The Stranger. This was one of my favorites in the collection. It's creepy and gory and my favorite form of horror when a normal situation turns bizarre and then goes totally off the rails.
Another favorite was After The Fade, which reminded me a lot of Stephen King's The Mist. But instead of a grocery store, we find ourselves trapped in a bar during a very strange occurrence.
In the new novella Fierce, a mother and daughter survive a car accident on a snowy desolate stretch of road., but that was the easy part to live through compared to what happens next. I loved this one, it was survival horror at its finest.
4 out of 5 stars
My thanks to Titan Books
August 5, 2023
"Out in the street, the dead began to rise..."
Another solid collection of absolute creepy crawlie unholiness from Malfi!! He never fails to deliver and this one has a few new favorites for me.
Another solid collection of absolute creepy crawlie unholiness from Malfi!! He never fails to deliver and this one has a few new favorites for me.
July 12, 2023
This is my first read of anything by Ronald Malfi. I understand that 4 of these novellas where released previously but this new release had one extra story. What a great idea to re release these! I really enjoyed this authors writting style. The unnerving, heart pounding and gripping elements really had me fully interested in these stories.
I particularly liked the second last and last stories. These are a brillaint example of horror short stories and i think i was wide eyed in parts reading these two👀.
This is a book i would love to give as a prezzie to friends for a dark, spooky halloween nights reading.
I will definatly look to read more from this author.
Malfi has a fantastic talent in getting readers to immerse themselves in the scene it seems from other review. I really did feel like i could have been hiding/running from the threat too. Sweaty palms and holding my breath in parts.
Many thanks to the Author, publisher and netgalley for an ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my review
I particularly liked the second last and last stories. These are a brillaint example of horror short stories and i think i was wide eyed in parts reading these two👀.
This is a book i would love to give as a prezzie to friends for a dark, spooky halloween nights reading.
I will definatly look to read more from this author.
Malfi has a fantastic talent in getting readers to immerse themselves in the scene it seems from other review. I really did feel like i could have been hiding/running from the threat too. Sweaty palms and holding my breath in parts.
Many thanks to the Author, publisher and netgalley for an ARC. I am voluntarily leaving my review
May 18, 2014
4.5 stars, rounded up.
This book combined four of Ronald Malfi's novellas into one e-book.
SKULLBELLY: An atmospheric novella that makes you feel as if you were right in the story. Probably my favorite of the bunch--solid 5 stars!
THE SEPARATION: 3.5 stars.
THE STRANGER: Character-driven tale that makes you ponder the events narrated long after you've finished--4.5 stars
AFTER THE FADE: Very original tale that I've already re-read twice now! Great imagery and characterization combined--5 stars.
A great value! Highly recommended!
This book combined four of Ronald Malfi's novellas into one e-book.
SKULLBELLY: An atmospheric novella that makes you feel as if you were right in the story. Probably my favorite of the bunch--solid 5 stars!
THE SEPARATION: 3.5 stars.
THE STRANGER: Character-driven tale that makes you ponder the events narrated long after you've finished--4.5 stars
AFTER THE FADE: Very original tale that I've already re-read twice now! Great imagery and characterization combined--5 stars.
A great value! Highly recommended!
August 20, 2023
Ronald Malfi shows us once again why he is the master of modern horror, a diverse collection of stories that has something for every horror reader to enjoy, although unique each story has Master Malfis signature ominous atmospheric prose and that overall creep factor that lingers long after you've finished reading, thankyou titan for the review copy!
February 25, 2025
This was my 7th Malfi book and maybe the one I’ve had the most fun with. It’s a collection of four short novellas that are Twilight Zone-style weird stories vibe that remind at time of Joe Hill or Bentley Little. But the last two stories are bangers. This book has a weirder sense of humor and uses more fantasy elements than some of his longer books and was more fun because of it.
June 7, 2024
Everything that I have read of Malfi’s thus far has received 5 stars from me. Unfortunately, this collection of novellas didn’t hit as hard as his novel length books. Still enjoyable and worth the read but these don’t have that Malfi feel and the depth that I have come to know and love from his work.
August 1, 2023
Format: audiobook ~ Narrator: Joe Hempel, Amy McFadden
Content: 3 stars ~ Narration: 4.5 stars
I read a few other works by Ronald Malfi. I admit, I also fell for the cover, which reminded me of the cover of Ghostwritten.
Five novellas:
* Skullbelly
A private detective wants to find out what happened to three missing teenagers that went on a hiking trip.
* The Separation
Marcus goes to Germany and finds his once successful friend Charlie a complete wreck after his divorce. But is he depressed, or is something different going on with his friend?
* The Stranger
David stops at the motel to spend the night after a long drive. After a while, he returns to his parked car and finds a weird stranger locked inside his car.
* After the Fade
A girl walks into a bar and collapses. The customers of the bar soon realize there’s something very wrong about how she died.
* Fierce
A teenage girl and her mother have a car accident on a snowy road.
Most of these novellas were written before, except for the last novella, and are now collected in one volume.
They Lurk is a solid collection of horror novellas. But I hoped for a different style and expected the vibe and eeriness of Ronald Malfi's latest works. I began with Malfi's most recent works, so now that I'm reading his older works I'm a little disappointed because my expectations were different.
Thanks to Tantor Audio for the advanced copy and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review and all opinions are my own.
Content: 3 stars ~ Narration: 4.5 stars
I read a few other works by Ronald Malfi. I admit, I also fell for the cover, which reminded me of the cover of Ghostwritten.
Five novellas:
* Skullbelly
A private detective wants to find out what happened to three missing teenagers that went on a hiking trip.
* The Separation
Marcus goes to Germany and finds his once successful friend Charlie a complete wreck after his divorce. But is he depressed, or is something different going on with his friend?
* The Stranger
David stops at the motel to spend the night after a long drive. After a while, he returns to his parked car and finds a weird stranger locked inside his car.
* After the Fade
A girl walks into a bar and collapses. The customers of the bar soon realize there’s something very wrong about how she died.
* Fierce
A teenage girl and her mother have a car accident on a snowy road.
Most of these novellas were written before, except for the last novella, and are now collected in one volume.
They Lurk is a solid collection of horror novellas. But I hoped for a different style and expected the vibe and eeriness of Ronald Malfi's latest works. I began with Malfi's most recent works, so now that I'm reading his older works I'm a little disappointed because my expectations were different.
Thanks to Tantor Audio for the advanced copy and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review and all opinions are my own.
October 15, 2023
When I requested this book, I didn’t look at the description. I saw that it was written by Ronald Malfi, one of my favourite authors, and pressed request! I love Malfi’s writing style and his stories resonate with me. He is a master of horror. With that said, They Lurk is a compilation of short horror stories, which I don’t normally gravitate towards. As with most compilations, some of the stories were better than others. There were some extremely graphic gore scenes that traumatized me. I wasn’t expecting that. I guess that speaks to Malfi’s strong descriptive writing skills.
This was an older publication and it showed. I prefer Malfi’s more current works. However, this was the perfect October read and I think other readers who enjoy short stories will enjoy this book more than I did. I would suggest reading other reviews.
The audio performance was average. Good range of voices that added some entertainment.
A gracious thank you to #NetGalley and #TantorAudio for an audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
This was an older publication and it showed. I prefer Malfi’s more current works. However, this was the perfect October read and I think other readers who enjoy short stories will enjoy this book more than I did. I would suggest reading other reviews.
The audio performance was average. Good range of voices that added some entertainment.
A gracious thank you to #NetGalley and #TantorAudio for an audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
September 26, 2024
Five terrific Malfi offerings. My favorites were the final two…After the Fade and Fierce. This author is quickly becoming one of my favorites in the horror genre.
4 ⭐️s
4 ⭐️s
August 29, 2023
This author can do no wrong and his latest book They Lurk is everything I expect from this author and so much more. Personally I prefer one complete story but five novellas, this is one very happy reader. They start off slowly and gradually takes the the reader on a rollercoaster ride to hell. Things that lurk in the shadows have been released in this book. Each story gets scarier than the last. At times I had goosebumps on my goosebumps and I must admit that by the time I had finished this book I had been reading with all the lights on. Loved it and highly recommended.
Thanks to Netgalley for the Arc.
Thanks to Netgalley for the Arc.
January 15, 2018
Great collection
This is a great collection of novellas! Perfect creepy stories you can read in a sitting. I liked them all. I love Ronald Malfi’s novels, and the shorter stories do not disappoint! Highly recommended by me ;)
This is a great collection of novellas! Perfect creepy stories you can read in a sitting. I liked them all. I love Ronald Malfi’s novels, and the shorter stories do not disappoint! Highly recommended by me ;)
September 15, 2023
3 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2023/09/14/...
As you might know, while I’m not really one to pick up short story collections, I do try to make the odd exception for my favorite authors like Ronald Malfi. This is also not the first collection that I’ve read by him. Last year, I read Ghostwritten, a collection containing four separate and self-contained stories which were set in the same world and united by a common theme—the written word—and it was so enjoyable that I felt pretty good about picking up a second volume of his collected novellas.
But this one, called They Lurk, features five stories with tenuous links that don’t feel as though they share that same kind of cohesiveness, likely because most of them were curated from Malfi’s older work with only one new for this collection. I also didn’t enjoy the selection as much. A couple of the offerings were on the more forgettable side, failing to make a lasting impression. For me, only the first and last one really stood out.
Skullbelly
A private detective has been hired to investigate the case of three teenagers who disappeared into the woods, while a fourth emerged in shock and covered in blood. Naturally, suspicion has fallen upon the survivor, but our detective knows there has to be more to the story. Like I said, this tale was one of the better ones, and it was good that the book started on a strong note. “Skullbelly” positively gave me the creeps, and I do love myself a bloody mystery. The only downside was that it ended rather abruptly, an underwhelming conclusion to a story that had so much promise in its mood and atmosphere.
The Separation
A therapist named Marcus is called to Germany to help his newly divorced friend Charlie who has fallen into a deep depression. But can his condition really be blamed on the failed marriage, or is something more bizarre and sinister going on? This one was more on the strange and abstract side, admittedly not my style at all. Not going to lie, I was pretty happy to see the back of this one, but your mileage may vary as this was probably more of a case of “it’s me, not the story.”
The Stranger
David and Rhonda had only been together for a short time when they decided to go on a road trip and ended up in the parking lot of a rural Florida motel. Upon his return to his car, David finds a stranger inside—with the doors locked, a gun on the dashboard—refusing to come out even after the police have been called. Another really weird story, this one could have been better if there had been a more powerful build-up considering we’re really just working with one scene. For me, the most memorable aspects of “The Stranger” were the graphic details and the insufferable nature of the characters. Nothing to write home about.
After the Fade
A woman walks into a bar and promptly drops dead, revealing an icky bug-like creature attached to the base of her skull. The rest of the patrons are left horrified and trapped inside the pub, forced to watch as the apocalypse unfolds outside. Kind of like Alien meets The Mist, this was a very “throwaway” type of horror story, but it was also all kinds of awesome and fun.
Fierce
The newest story of the bunch and presumably written for this collection, “Fierce” is about a teenage girl named Connie and her mother desperately fighting for survival after their car crashes in snowy weather. But the elements turn out to be the least of their worries. A dangerous killer is hunting them, and Connie is reminded of another time when she and her mom had to escape a monster. Ronald Malfi has gotten better as time goes on, and it really shows. Of all the stories here, this last one was the most complex, featuring flashbacks and character growth. It was also the most well put together and cohesive, with a proper ending that was actually quite touching, while leaving just the right amount of ambiguity.
I wish all the stories had been of the same high caliber. I also think that the publication of They Lurk may have been a hasty decision following the success of Ghostwritten. While I know it is somewhat unfair to compare the two, the common theme behind all the novellas in Ghostwritten was a highlight and main selling point, in stark contrast with They Lurk where the stories have the feel of being thrown haphazardly together.
As such, I can only recommend this for Ronald Malfi fans who need something to tide them over until his next book. For newcomers to his work, his more recent novels are more indicative of his amazing talent for telling horror and mystery stories, and even novella and short fiction format readers would find Ghostwritten to be a better collection.
As you might know, while I’m not really one to pick up short story collections, I do try to make the odd exception for my favorite authors like Ronald Malfi. This is also not the first collection that I’ve read by him. Last year, I read Ghostwritten, a collection containing four separate and self-contained stories which were set in the same world and united by a common theme—the written word—and it was so enjoyable that I felt pretty good about picking up a second volume of his collected novellas.
But this one, called They Lurk, features five stories with tenuous links that don’t feel as though they share that same kind of cohesiveness, likely because most of them were curated from Malfi’s older work with only one new for this collection. I also didn’t enjoy the selection as much. A couple of the offerings were on the more forgettable side, failing to make a lasting impression. For me, only the first and last one really stood out.
Skullbelly
A private detective has been hired to investigate the case of three teenagers who disappeared into the woods, while a fourth emerged in shock and covered in blood. Naturally, suspicion has fallen upon the survivor, but our detective knows there has to be more to the story. Like I said, this tale was one of the better ones, and it was good that the book started on a strong note. “Skullbelly” positively gave me the creeps, and I do love myself a bloody mystery. The only downside was that it ended rather abruptly, an underwhelming conclusion to a story that had so much promise in its mood and atmosphere.
The Separation
A therapist named Marcus is called to Germany to help his newly divorced friend Charlie who has fallen into a deep depression. But can his condition really be blamed on the failed marriage, or is something more bizarre and sinister going on? This one was more on the strange and abstract side, admittedly not my style at all. Not going to lie, I was pretty happy to see the back of this one, but your mileage may vary as this was probably more of a case of “it’s me, not the story.”
The Stranger
David and Rhonda had only been together for a short time when they decided to go on a road trip and ended up in the parking lot of a rural Florida motel. Upon his return to his car, David finds a stranger inside—with the doors locked, a gun on the dashboard—refusing to come out even after the police have been called. Another really weird story, this one could have been better if there had been a more powerful build-up considering we’re really just working with one scene. For me, the most memorable aspects of “The Stranger” were the graphic details and the insufferable nature of the characters. Nothing to write home about.
After the Fade
A woman walks into a bar and promptly drops dead, revealing an icky bug-like creature attached to the base of her skull. The rest of the patrons are left horrified and trapped inside the pub, forced to watch as the apocalypse unfolds outside. Kind of like Alien meets The Mist, this was a very “throwaway” type of horror story, but it was also all kinds of awesome and fun.
Fierce
The newest story of the bunch and presumably written for this collection, “Fierce” is about a teenage girl named Connie and her mother desperately fighting for survival after their car crashes in snowy weather. But the elements turn out to be the least of their worries. A dangerous killer is hunting them, and Connie is reminded of another time when she and her mom had to escape a monster. Ronald Malfi has gotten better as time goes on, and it really shows. Of all the stories here, this last one was the most complex, featuring flashbacks and character growth. It was also the most well put together and cohesive, with a proper ending that was actually quite touching, while leaving just the right amount of ambiguity.
I wish all the stories had been of the same high caliber. I also think that the publication of They Lurk may have been a hasty decision following the success of Ghostwritten. While I know it is somewhat unfair to compare the two, the common theme behind all the novellas in Ghostwritten was a highlight and main selling point, in stark contrast with They Lurk where the stories have the feel of being thrown haphazardly together.
As such, I can only recommend this for Ronald Malfi fans who need something to tide them over until his next book. For newcomers to his work, his more recent novels are more indicative of his amazing talent for telling horror and mystery stories, and even novella and short fiction format readers would find Ghostwritten to be a better collection.
January 31, 2024
Five short horror stories. One I didn't like, two that were pretty good, and two that were really good.
March 30, 2024
Every story delivers! A great collection that showcases why Malfi is one of the best in the business.
July 11, 2023
Wow, what a collection of story stories 👏 Ronald Malfi is an author who I've read from before, but I wasn't expecting this. Malfi has a way of gripping you into his novels, and each one of these short horror stories did just that.
I feel like each of the 5 novellas had something different. Some were slower to get into, others were faster and much more gory. There's something for every horror, mystery, or thriller fan here.
A great set of creepy, unknown horror, supernatural based novellas that I enjoyed reading.
Thanks, Titan and netgalley, for providing me with a review copy of They Lurk, which is publishing on July 18th.
I feel like each of the 5 novellas had something different. Some were slower to get into, others were faster and much more gory. There's something for every horror, mystery, or thriller fan here.
A great set of creepy, unknown horror, supernatural based novellas that I enjoyed reading.
Thanks, Titan and netgalley, for providing me with a review copy of They Lurk, which is publishing on July 18th.
December 20, 2023
An excellent collection of five novellas all gripping, intense and contain great atmosphere. Well written, great characters, a plethora of general creepiness, blood and gore. Excellent stuff and Malfi is my new favourite horror writer.
July 2, 2023
Five strong and creepy novellas, four of them previously published but all new to me. I always enjoy Malfi's writing style which is horror that also provides fully fleshed out characters, people you can care about. Like all short story/novella collections, I liked some of the stories more than others. A short description of the novellas and my ratings: Skullbelly: three stars. This one is about a young man who goes hiking with friends and comes back by himself, with injuries and covered in blood, also catatonic. The story is from the viewpoint of a PI hired by the families to find out what really happened. I liked this one but wanted more of an ending.
The Separation: 4 stars. This one reminded me of a Twilight Zone episode and had a strong psychological bent. A man whose wife has left him experiences a strange separation from himself and a friend of his who is a psychologist tries to help him with classic horror result. The Stranger: A man checks into a motel with his girlfriend and notices a stranger is sitting in his car. The rest you should find out about yourself. 4 stars. After the Fade: This one reminded me of a Stephen King story. A group of people are trapped together in a bar as mysterious and deadly bugs appear in their town. Another 4 stars. The last novella is Fierce: This one was a five star for me. A mother and daughter are driving in the snow and get into an accident. Only the snow and cold are the least of the worries when they come across a dangerous man on the road. Overall, a really good collection. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this ARC in exchange for a review.
The Separation: 4 stars. This one reminded me of a Twilight Zone episode and had a strong psychological bent. A man whose wife has left him experiences a strange separation from himself and a friend of his who is a psychologist tries to help him with classic horror result. The Stranger: A man checks into a motel with his girlfriend and notices a stranger is sitting in his car. The rest you should find out about yourself. 4 stars. After the Fade: This one reminded me of a Stephen King story. A group of people are trapped together in a bar as mysterious and deadly bugs appear in their town. Another 4 stars. The last novella is Fierce: This one was a five star for me. A mother and daughter are driving in the snow and get into an accident. Only the snow and cold are the least of the worries when they come across a dangerous man on the road. Overall, a really good collection. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this ARC in exchange for a review.
July 14, 2023
Ronald Malfi can do very little wrong in my eyes, and They Lurk is no exception.
His writing is sharp and immersive, and the cohesion between all five novellas and the theme he presents throughout is perfectly blended. Four of these stories, he tells us, were previously released in a very limited run, with the fifth being an entirely new release. Malfi's writing is always phenomenal, his flair for storytelling second to few if any, and while he can invoke many emotions within his readers, he rarely strays too far from safety. His books will give you chills but rarely unsettle.
Until now.
It Lurks is more than Malfi dipping a toe in the darkness, he dives right in! Those layers of safety and comfort we've come to expect are shed, and he takes us on a journey through the darker recesses of his mind. And boy does it pay off!
A personal favourite was hard to choose, especially between The Stranger, After the Fade and Fierce, so I'm not going to try, but I will say this; if you're a steadfast Malfi fan like myself, or you're a horror fan in general, this collection does not disappoint! Get your hands on a copy as soon as it releases.
Huge thanks to Titan Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy.
His writing is sharp and immersive, and the cohesion between all five novellas and the theme he presents throughout is perfectly blended. Four of these stories, he tells us, were previously released in a very limited run, with the fifth being an entirely new release. Malfi's writing is always phenomenal, his flair for storytelling second to few if any, and while he can invoke many emotions within his readers, he rarely strays too far from safety. His books will give you chills but rarely unsettle.
Until now.
It Lurks is more than Malfi dipping a toe in the darkness, he dives right in! Those layers of safety and comfort we've come to expect are shed, and he takes us on a journey through the darker recesses of his mind. And boy does it pay off!
A personal favourite was hard to choose, especially between The Stranger, After the Fade and Fierce, so I'm not going to try, but I will say this; if you're a steadfast Malfi fan like myself, or you're a horror fan in general, this collection does not disappoint! Get your hands on a copy as soon as it releases.
Huge thanks to Titan Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy.
March 14, 2024
Das erste Wort das mir zu They Lurk einfällt ist solide. Keine der Novellen enttäuscht so wirklich, aber es ist auch keine dabei die mich richtig begeistern konnte. Solide eben.
Skullbelly ist eine ruhig erzählte Geschichte die sich mit dem merkwürdigen Verschwinden von drei Jugendlichen befasst. Ein Privatdetektiv versucht aufzuklären was mit ihnen passiert ist und was der wieder aufgetauchte Vierte im Bund damit zu tun hat. Für mich eine durchschnittlich gute Geschichte deren Ende mir aber eine regelrechte Gänsehaut verpasst hat und die Bewertung ein gutes Stück nach oben befördert. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Separation hat mich durch den Handlungsort Deutschland überzeugt. Ich mag es, wenn amerikanische Autoren Bücher in Deutschland spielen lassen und man ihre Sicht auf unsere Kultur kennenlernt. Außerdem ist die Novelle sehr spannend und bis zum Ende nur schwer zu durchschauen. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Stranger war mir persönlich zu strange. Ich mag offene Enden, aber hier tue ich mich selbst im Nachhinein immer noch schwer die Handlung zu durchschauen. Vielleicht ist genau das auch so gewollt, aber es trifft eben nicht meinen Geschmack. ⭐️⭐️
After The Fade bringt so richtig schöne The Mist-Vibes mit sich. Ich persönlich hätte mir aber noch etwas mehr Spannung zwischen den einzelnen Charakteren gewünscht und ein wenig mehr Zeit bis zum bekannt werden der Bedrohung. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fierce lebt für mich ein bisschen zu sehr von der Action, aber die Teile in der Vergangenheit die sich mit der Mutter-Tochter-Beziehung befassen sind großartig. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Skullbelly ist eine ruhig erzählte Geschichte die sich mit dem merkwürdigen Verschwinden von drei Jugendlichen befasst. Ein Privatdetektiv versucht aufzuklären was mit ihnen passiert ist und was der wieder aufgetauchte Vierte im Bund damit zu tun hat. Für mich eine durchschnittlich gute Geschichte deren Ende mir aber eine regelrechte Gänsehaut verpasst hat und die Bewertung ein gutes Stück nach oben befördert. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Separation hat mich durch den Handlungsort Deutschland überzeugt. Ich mag es, wenn amerikanische Autoren Bücher in Deutschland spielen lassen und man ihre Sicht auf unsere Kultur kennenlernt. Außerdem ist die Novelle sehr spannend und bis zum Ende nur schwer zu durchschauen. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Stranger war mir persönlich zu strange. Ich mag offene Enden, aber hier tue ich mich selbst im Nachhinein immer noch schwer die Handlung zu durchschauen. Vielleicht ist genau das auch so gewollt, aber es trifft eben nicht meinen Geschmack. ⭐️⭐️
After The Fade bringt so richtig schöne The Mist-Vibes mit sich. Ich persönlich hätte mir aber noch etwas mehr Spannung zwischen den einzelnen Charakteren gewünscht und ein wenig mehr Zeit bis zum bekannt werden der Bedrohung. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Fierce lebt für mich ein bisschen zu sehr von der Action, aber die Teile in der Vergangenheit die sich mit der Mutter-Tochter-Beziehung befassen sind großartig. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 1, 2023
4.5 stars. My favorite story was the last one. But I have a fondness for the zombie bug story, too, since I was sitting in the exact town it mentioned the parents lived in while reading it, was kind of freaky.
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