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The Ascent
Six months after he almost died in a caving accident, sculptor Tim Overleigh spends his time crutching his broken body from bar to bar in downtown Annapolis. He has told no one that it was his dead wife, Hannah, who helped him survive—and that he's still seeing her . . .
But a chance meeting with an old friend—and a plane ticket to Kathmandu—reawaken Tim's passion for adventure. He agrees to join an expedition to one of the last unexplored places on earth: the Canyon of Souls in the Himalayas. The daunting climb will pit Tim and the other climbers against icy winds, mysterious forces, and the ghosts that live within each of them.
But a chance meeting with an old friend—and a plane ticket to Kathmandu—reawaken Tim's passion for adventure. He agrees to join an expedition to one of the last unexplored places on earth: the Canyon of Souls in the Himalayas. The daunting climb will pit Tim and the other climbers against icy winds, mysterious forces, and the ghosts that live within each of them.
9 pages, Audible Audio
First published January 1, 2010
111 people are currently reading
1267 people want to read
About the author
Ronald Malfi
74 books3,780 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 176 reviews
June 17, 2024
Malfi's The Ascent what I call the ultimate atmospheric thriller. A group of seven men set out to scale one of the few untraversed locations left in the world: the "Canyon of Souls" in the Himalayas. The excursion has been arranged by Andrew Trumbauer, who has a relationship with each of the six others in the group, yet they do not know each other. He has paid for the trip and provided all their equipment, so they easily put their faith in him as the fearless group leader. However, Trumbauer brushes off warnings by the locals that they should not make this journey, as they will be disturbing hallowed ground.
From the very start of their expedition - before they even begin the numerous icy and treacherous mountain climbs ahead - they contend with unexpected difficulties. What ensues is action-packed, suspense filled horror. My heart raced as I read the terrifying events unfolding one after the other - right up till the unbelievable jaw-dropping ending.
I easily became invested in each the characters because of their impeccable development. It was impossible not to imagine their agony as they strained to climb impossibly icy mountains in subzero weather and their never-ending (physical and emotional) hardships.
Mr. Malfi's descriptive writing made it so easy for me to visualize their horrendous trek, sympathize with their ever increasing hopelessness, and feel outrage when the motive for bringing this handpicked group of well honed adventure seekers together comes to light.
I loved every second of this riveting and deeply moving thriller.
From the very start of their expedition - before they even begin the numerous icy and treacherous mountain climbs ahead - they contend with unexpected difficulties. What ensues is action-packed, suspense filled horror. My heart raced as I read the terrifying events unfolding one after the other - right up till the unbelievable jaw-dropping ending.
I easily became invested in each the characters because of their impeccable development. It was impossible not to imagine their agony as they strained to climb impossibly icy mountains in subzero weather and their never-ending (physical and emotional) hardships.
Mr. Malfi's descriptive writing made it so easy for me to visualize their horrendous trek, sympathize with their ever increasing hopelessness, and feel outrage when the motive for bringing this handpicked group of well honed adventure seekers together comes to light.
I loved every second of this riveting and deeply moving thriller.
January 8, 2025
Ronald Malfi is one of my favorite authors. Reading one of his books is like sitting at a campfire with an old friend and having them tell you a story of their life.
The Ascent is one of his older titles, having first been released in 2010. It's now being released in audiobook format, as of June 6, 2023, thanks to Tantor Audio.
I was so excited when I learned this was happening, as I always love a survival story, particularly if it involves mountaineering, or hiking.
In this story we follow Tim Overleigh, a sculptor, who after the tragic death of his wife, quit his craft and took up extreme sports as a way to escape his pain.
After a solo-caving accident left him close to death, Tim is in worse shape than ever. His rehabilitation was long and arduous, just ask his nurse. It took time and work before he could even walk again.
Six months later, back on his feet with the aide of crutches and visiting his local watering hole, Tim runs into an old friend, who makes him an intriguing offer.
The man's name is Andrew and he is arranging an expedition to the infamous Canyon of Souls in the Himalayas. It's clear to Andrew that Tim needs a life-changing experience like this. This trip could be helpful for his long-term mental health.
Tim initially is against it, but Andrew points out it won't take place for another year. There's plenty of time for Tim to prepare himself physically. Eventually Tim caves.
Using a plane ticket provided by Andrew, Tim flies to Kathmandu, where he meets up with the rest of the men that Andrew has recruited for the expedition.
With Andrew acting as their unofficial leader, the men set out on a journey up to the Godesh Ridge. Let's say, things don't go as planned.
The Ascent was such a fun read. It was quick and hooked me from the first moments. The audio narration was so believable as being from Tim's perspective. It really added to my experience.
Malfi sure knows how to tell a tale. This is a freaking great story, layered and textured. It was compelling from the very start, all the way through to the final pages.
The tone of Malfi's writing and the way he set-ups and builds his stories always reminds me of Stephen King, in the best ways. It's so comfortable to read. I knew immediately that this one was going to work for me.
I think anyone who enjoys a tense Survival Story, especially involving mountaineering, will love this and be able to connect to it. Tim is a likeable character. He's fighting to try to get himself out of a dark place and I think we all can relate to that in one way or another.
The intensity of this story builds throughout. It does get fairly wild, but never stops being page-turning. I was really impressed with this.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Tantor Audio, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I may not have gotten to this one if it hadn't been for the audio format, so I truly appreciate it.
I definitely need to continue working my way through Malfi's backlist!
The Ascent is one of his older titles, having first been released in 2010. It's now being released in audiobook format, as of June 6, 2023, thanks to Tantor Audio.
I was so excited when I learned this was happening, as I always love a survival story, particularly if it involves mountaineering, or hiking.
In this story we follow Tim Overleigh, a sculptor, who after the tragic death of his wife, quit his craft and took up extreme sports as a way to escape his pain.
After a solo-caving accident left him close to death, Tim is in worse shape than ever. His rehabilitation was long and arduous, just ask his nurse. It took time and work before he could even walk again.
Six months later, back on his feet with the aide of crutches and visiting his local watering hole, Tim runs into an old friend, who makes him an intriguing offer.
The man's name is Andrew and he is arranging an expedition to the infamous Canyon of Souls in the Himalayas. It's clear to Andrew that Tim needs a life-changing experience like this. This trip could be helpful for his long-term mental health.
Tim initially is against it, but Andrew points out it won't take place for another year. There's plenty of time for Tim to prepare himself physically. Eventually Tim caves.
Using a plane ticket provided by Andrew, Tim flies to Kathmandu, where he meets up with the rest of the men that Andrew has recruited for the expedition.
With Andrew acting as their unofficial leader, the men set out on a journey up to the Godesh Ridge. Let's say, things don't go as planned.
The Ascent was such a fun read. It was quick and hooked me from the first moments. The audio narration was so believable as being from Tim's perspective. It really added to my experience.
Malfi sure knows how to tell a tale. This is a freaking great story, layered and textured. It was compelling from the very start, all the way through to the final pages.
The tone of Malfi's writing and the way he set-ups and builds his stories always reminds me of Stephen King, in the best ways. It's so comfortable to read. I knew immediately that this one was going to work for me.
I think anyone who enjoys a tense Survival Story, especially involving mountaineering, will love this and be able to connect to it. Tim is a likeable character. He's fighting to try to get himself out of a dark place and I think we all can relate to that in one way or another.
The intensity of this story builds throughout. It does get fairly wild, but never stops being page-turning. I was really impressed with this.
Thank you so much to the publisher, Tantor Audio, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I may not have gotten to this one if it hadn't been for the audio format, so I truly appreciate it.
I definitely need to continue working my way through Malfi's backlist!
October 23, 2016
Well, that was fun. I should have read this book when the weather was warmer, as I'm cold enough as it is. I had to read half the book under the duvet.
Tim OverLeigh, who is (was) a sculptor and teacher, is offered the trip of a lifetime, when he happens to meet Andrew Trumbauer at the Filibuster bar where he's trying to drain his sorrows away. He met Trumbauer a few years earlier: as he was a friend of Tim's wife, Hannah. Since the death of his wife; which he blames himself for, he's been unable to sculpt anything worth a damn; lost his talent, somehow. Anyway, Tim has been getting involved in extreme sports; skydiving, spelunking and white-water-rafting. After a few minutes of conversation between the two, Trumbauer asks Tim if he's heard of the Canyon of Souls (an ice canyon), Nepal, in the Himalayas. Trumbauer tells Overleigh that it's never been seen, nevermind transversed - and Trumbauer wants Tim to accompany him on a trip to do what no-one else has done before; cross the canyon, which won't be for a year, at least. He declines.
Anyway, months later, he receives a ticket to Nepal....where he is supposed to meet his friend from the past at a lodge, in Katmandu. This is where he meets other people who have also been invited on the journey up to the Godesh Ridge. They are all there for their own reasons, or so they think, but there is only one reason they are there, which some of the group will eventually find out.
I really liked the book, which is told in the first person. Tim is a troubled character, since the death of his wife, he's been on a downward spiral. He keeps seeing his dead wife's apparition, or thinks he does; he's not sure if he's hallucinating or losing his sanity. Maybe, if he goes on this trip, she'll stop bugging him? Although, a few years earlier, he had an accident in which he nearly died - and he believes Hannah was the one to guide him to safety. I also liked how it ended, some of the revelations caught me off guard; especially about one of the characters who came along for the ride. There were a few typos, throughout: no spacing between words, spelling errors, etcetera, but nothing that bothered me too much.
Tim OverLeigh, who is (was) a sculptor and teacher, is offered the trip of a lifetime, when he happens to meet Andrew Trumbauer at the Filibuster bar where he's trying to drain his sorrows away. He met Trumbauer a few years earlier: as he was a friend of Tim's wife, Hannah. Since the death of his wife; which he blames himself for, he's been unable to sculpt anything worth a damn; lost his talent, somehow. Anyway, Tim has been getting involved in extreme sports; skydiving, spelunking and white-water-rafting. After a few minutes of conversation between the two, Trumbauer asks Tim if he's heard of the Canyon of Souls (an ice canyon), Nepal, in the Himalayas. Trumbauer tells Overleigh that it's never been seen, nevermind transversed - and Trumbauer wants Tim to accompany him on a trip to do what no-one else has done before; cross the canyon, which won't be for a year, at least. He declines.
Anyway, months later, he receives a ticket to Nepal....where he is supposed to meet his friend from the past at a lodge, in Katmandu. This is where he meets other people who have also been invited on the journey up to the Godesh Ridge. They are all there for their own reasons, or so they think, but there is only one reason they are there, which some of the group will eventually find out.
I really liked the book, which is told in the first person. Tim is a troubled character, since the death of his wife, he's been on a downward spiral. He keeps seeing his dead wife's apparition, or thinks he does; he's not sure if he's hallucinating or losing his sanity. Maybe, if he goes on this trip, she'll stop bugging him? Although, a few years earlier, he had an accident in which he nearly died - and he believes Hannah was the one to guide him to safety. I also liked how it ended, some of the revelations caught me off guard; especially about one of the characters who came along for the ride. There were a few typos, throughout: no spacing between words, spelling errors, etcetera, but nothing that bothered me too much.
August 22, 2024
I thought this was a standard thriller, which is apparently my opinion on every Malfi book. Do I love to leave these reviews? No, I don't, and I will keep away from his work in the future and not write further neutral reviews. So why did I read this book? There's only a week left to finish the Summer Word Challenge at Horror Aficionados and it was the only audiobook available to me which starts with an A so I can quickly finish it. I made it. 😁
December 27, 2024
Chilling, atmospheric, and full of tension! The Ascent is about Tim Overleigh who has joined an expedition to climb the Canyon of Souls in the Himalayas. Tim lost his ex-wife six months earlier and is still grappling with her loss and his grief. One could say that he is still haunted by her loss. His sense of adventure keeps him going as he and other climbers decide to face/fight the elements despite warnings from those who live there.
This book is heavy on atmosphere and chilling vibes. The quest of the climbers, the snow, the ice, the chilling vibe and the fight for survival was very well done. There are quite a few twists and revelations which I did not see coming toward the end. I also enjoyed the tension, sense of dread, and danger that jumped off the pages. The Ascentwas not as horrific as I would have liked, and I found I had a hard time connecting to or feeling for Tim.
This book had me grabbing for a warm blanket and thankful to be inside where is warm and cozy. While this was not my favorite book by Malfi, it was still enjoyable and a worthwhile read.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
This book is heavy on atmosphere and chilling vibes. The quest of the climbers, the snow, the ice, the chilling vibe and the fight for survival was very well done. There are quite a few twists and revelations which I did not see coming toward the end. I also enjoyed the tension, sense of dread, and danger that jumped off the pages. The Ascentwas not as horrific as I would have liked, and I found I had a hard time connecting to or feeling for Tim.
This book had me grabbing for a warm blanket and thankful to be inside where is warm and cozy. While this was not my favorite book by Malfi, it was still enjoyable and a worthwhile read.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
December 25, 2025
I liked the adventure story aspect and descriptions of mountain climbing, and the story was often suspenseful. Unfortunately, as I often find in this author’s books, the main characters are unappealing and superficially constructed. The ending of this one was also extremely far-fetched, and the dialogue in the closing chapters, as well as the supernatural bits, were too melodramatic and hokey for my tastes.
July 6, 2024
3.5 stars.
October 5, 2013
How often do you come across a thriller that genuinely thrills? Malfi here with The Ascent has accomplished just that. This book was awesome, I couldn't put it down, finished it in about 3 hours. There is so much going on here, it's a story of redemption, love, revenge, survival, camaraderie, perseverance and all tucked into an umbrella of a grand action packed adventure. Malfi's strength as an author really shines through here, elevating the book (no pun intended) above the average action adventure thriller. Malfi (who also happens to be a genuinely nice and funny guy) doesn't slack off with his characters as so many thriller authors are wont to do, he takes time to develop them and it really pays off, because the reader ends up really involved with the story, really caring about what happens. I am not an adventurous person by nature and mountain climbing frankly sounds like an extreme masochism to me, that's probably what made it so much fun to read about, purely vicarious experience. Immensely enjoyable, wildly exciting read. Highly recommended.
October 24, 2022
ronald malfi the characters you put on this earth to objectify women are constructing intricate rituals which allow them to touch the skin of other men
November 30, 2017
Hate to say this but the story seemed kinda pointless.
July 16, 2023
Format: audiobook ~ Narrator: Joe Hempel
Content: 3 stars ~ Narration: 4 stars
Complete audiobook review
I’m not into sports novels, but Malfi is an author I really liked before. The Ascent was my fourth book by Ronald Malfi. I previously read: Come With Me, Black Mouth, and a set of short stories Ghostwritten, and I liked them all.
Tim Overleigh almost died in a caving accident. He is sure his late wife, Hannah, saved his life then. Later, his old friend Andrew invites him on an expedition to the Himalayas. The Canyon of Souls is a place that no human has conquered yet.
The plot is a bit messy, as is the MC’s state of mind. It shuffles from one event to another. The Ascent is a solid eerie thriller, and I think other readers may like it. But I enjoyed other works by Ronald Malfi much more than this novel.
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 stars
Complete audiobook review
I’m not into sports novels, but Malfi is an author I really liked before. The Ascent was my fourth book by Ronald Malfi. I previously read: Come With Me, Black Mouth, and a set of short stories Ghostwritten, and I liked them all.
Tim Overleigh almost died in a caving accident. He is sure his late wife, Hannah, saved his life then. Later, his old friend Andrew invites him on an expedition to the Himalayas. The Canyon of Souls is a place that no human has conquered yet.
The plot is a bit messy, as is the MC’s state of mind. It shuffles from one event to another. The Ascent is a solid eerie thriller, and I think other readers may like it. But I enjoyed other works by Ronald Malfi much more than this novel.
Thanks to Tantor Audio for the advanced copy and this opportunity! This is a voluntary review and all opinions are my own.
June 10, 2023
3.5 stars
It was fun going to Tibet on a climbing expedition fraught with danger in this atmospheric adventure thriller. This author knows how to blend horror and tension in his books and The Ascent is a perfect example.
Tim is a broken man drowning in guilt since the death of his wife Hannah. He used to be a sought after sculptor but now spends his time drinking heavily. For awhile he was doing extreme sports, walking on the edge of death, but it’s been a year since he seriously injured himself falling in a crevasse. When an old friend invites him to climb a sacred mountain in Tibet with a team of adventurists, Tim decides to take this opportunity with hopes of cleaning himself up.
This book reminded me of an “adventure gone wrong” movie but with a couple of intriguing twists at the end. It is part adventure, part mystery and part horror. The audio performance was on the weaker side. There was very little voice inflection so all of the characters sounded the same. This made it confusing at times as it was difficult to know which character was talking and sadly impacted my enjoyment of this story.
A gracious thank you to Netgalley for an audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
It was fun going to Tibet on a climbing expedition fraught with danger in this atmospheric adventure thriller. This author knows how to blend horror and tension in his books and The Ascent is a perfect example.
Tim is a broken man drowning in guilt since the death of his wife Hannah. He used to be a sought after sculptor but now spends his time drinking heavily. For awhile he was doing extreme sports, walking on the edge of death, but it’s been a year since he seriously injured himself falling in a crevasse. When an old friend invites him to climb a sacred mountain in Tibet with a team of adventurists, Tim decides to take this opportunity with hopes of cleaning himself up.
This book reminded me of an “adventure gone wrong” movie but with a couple of intriguing twists at the end. It is part adventure, part mystery and part horror. The audio performance was on the weaker side. There was very little voice inflection so all of the characters sounded the same. This made it confusing at times as it was difficult to know which character was talking and sadly impacted my enjoyment of this story.
A gracious thank you to Netgalley for an audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
November 30, 2017
The build up is great and intense but after the reveal, it declines. It's not terrible but it's not as good as Bone White.
August 2, 2017
I'm not sure why it took me so long to read this - been sitting on my shelf for ages. Anyway, it's what you would expect from a Malfi novel: emotional wrenching story about a man facing his darker nature, fighting through that to the light on the other side. Excellent plot twist, also!
June 15, 2014
A brilliant, taut thriller. Reading it on an 80 degree day, I was shivering!
February 17, 2023
Enjoyable enough, but veers off the rails plot-wise.
July 7, 2023
Unfortunately, Malfi just might not be an author I enjoy. This is my third and my least favorite of his. The first half of this book was incredibly boring to me; I didn't care about any of it. The second half is a little better but at that point I had checked out and just wanted it to be done.
March 19, 2011
In Ronald Malfi’s The Ascent, thrill-seeking sculptor Tim Overleigh is invited on a treacherous hike through Nepalese mountains that have killed nearly everyone who’s attempted to cross them. Having lost his wife a year or so earlier, and his ability to sculpt with her, Overleigh agrees. Unfortunately for Tim, and the other men invited on the climb, the harsh cold and hostile terrain might be the least treacherous part of the journey.
The Ascent is best categorized as a thriller and the easiest description of Malfi’s writing is, “kinda like Dean Koontz, but ten times better.” He does a great job of setting up Tim Overleigh and Andrew Trumbauer, the adventure seeker Tim’s wife introduced him to on their honeymoon. Some of the characters are more…disposable, I guess you could say, but Malfi takes the time to give them a bit of substance and voice as well, which can only be a good thing. He’s also not shy in his descriptions; that’s about all I can say about that without spoiling anything.
Overall, I don’t think a reader could ask for more. The Ascent has a great premise, an exotic locale and a tidy, satisfying ending. Not my first Malfi novel, and definitely not my last.
The Ascent is best categorized as a thriller and the easiest description of Malfi’s writing is, “kinda like Dean Koontz, but ten times better.” He does a great job of setting up Tim Overleigh and Andrew Trumbauer, the adventure seeker Tim’s wife introduced him to on their honeymoon. Some of the characters are more…disposable, I guess you could say, but Malfi takes the time to give them a bit of substance and voice as well, which can only be a good thing. He’s also not shy in his descriptions; that’s about all I can say about that without spoiling anything.
Overall, I don’t think a reader could ask for more. The Ascent has a great premise, an exotic locale and a tidy, satisfying ending. Not my first Malfi novel, and definitely not my last.
December 4, 2025
1.5/5 (rounded up for GoodReads)
I was really looking forward to this book, there really isn't anything more terrifying to me than arctic cold adventures. Why people willingly choose to brave the elements of subzero temperatures is quite honestly beyond me. For that reason, for the setting alone, this book earned its 1.5 star rating. Otherwise, I really did not enjoy this book. I listened to it as an audiobook and the narrator did a good job but if I did not listen to this book but rather picked up a physical copy I would have certainly DNF'd this read. The characters were unlikable to a degree I haven't experienced since 'The Handyman Method'. This book felt like a Scooby Doo mystery, down to the antagonist Andrew who really did feel like a Scooby Doo villan, especially at the end reveal which was a) predictable and b) SO cheesy. The main character Tim was insufferable and his character development throughout was lack luster. Every other character felt like a side thought, despite having many in the story. I didn't find any particularly memorable, they were all quite one dimensional.
In the last 30mins of this book I yelled out in my car "OH MY GOD WHEN DOES THIS END?!" and I think that moment really encapsulates how I felt about this read. I would not classify this as horror, despite some of its more graphic scenes its definately more of a mystery book. I think there was a lot of potential here but the execution was subpar.
I was really looking forward to this book, there really isn't anything more terrifying to me than arctic cold adventures. Why people willingly choose to brave the elements of subzero temperatures is quite honestly beyond me. For that reason, for the setting alone, this book earned its 1.5 star rating. Otherwise, I really did not enjoy this book. I listened to it as an audiobook and the narrator did a good job but if I did not listen to this book but rather picked up a physical copy I would have certainly DNF'd this read. The characters were unlikable to a degree I haven't experienced since 'The Handyman Method'. This book felt like a Scooby Doo mystery, down to the antagonist Andrew who really did feel like a Scooby Doo villan, especially at the end reveal which was a) predictable and b) SO cheesy. The main character Tim was insufferable and his character development throughout was lack luster. Every other character felt like a side thought, despite having many in the story. I didn't find any particularly memorable, they were all quite one dimensional.
In the last 30mins of this book I yelled out in my car "OH MY GOD WHEN DOES THIS END?!" and I think that moment really encapsulates how I felt about this read. I would not classify this as horror, despite some of its more graphic scenes its definately more of a mystery book. I think there was a lot of potential here but the execution was subpar.
June 18, 2023
Finished sometime last week and promptly forgotten. Alcoholic guy who lost his ex wife in a car accident goes to the Himalayas and is haunted by her. That about sums it up. I did not like any of the characters, there was very little description of climbing or action of any sort. Not recommend. Unless you like the paranormal, in which case you might find something to hold onto here. I didn’t.
February 8, 2021
4,5 *
February 7, 2017
review to come, I'm tired right now
September 12, 2024
Over the last number of years, I’ve read a number of Ronald Malfi’s books, but the one book that seemed most obvious of his that I’d read, I’d left floundering on my Kindle TBR. I LOVE wilderness books, mountain-based books, and that’s exactly what his novel, ‘The Ascent,’ is. I was so elated to see him mention ‘Into Thin Air’ in the afterword, as that novel from Krakauer remains an all-time fav (even with it being non-fiction) and the pacing and frenetic energy within this one felt like it had been ripped from those pages.
What I liked: Tim was a superstar in the art world, a sought-after sculptor, who seemed to have it all – talent, success, and the woman of his dreams. But after her death, he’s lost his ability to create art and wants to die.
Malfi opens the book up with just that, Tim somehow surviving a caving fall, lead to safety by the ghost of his dead wife. Shattered, he drinks himself stupid daily, until an old acquaintance appears and challenges him to join in in Nepal, in search of a place nobody has ever found, nor seen before.
From there, Malfi takes us on a edge-of-your-seat thrill ride, high up in the mountains of Nepal. The old acquaintance, Andrew, has assembled a rag-tag group of folks to come on the climb with Tim and himself. Each one is slowly introduced throughout the middle section, and, as this is a mountain climbing book, some don’t make it far, accidents occur, Sherpa’s refuse to continue on, and all the while, Malfi dangles the carrot of this mythical location in front of the readers faces. I was hooked. I wanted to know what was there. Why didn’t people manage to climb there? And why was Tim’s dead wife continuing to appear in fleeting glimpses.
Malfi is a masterful storyteller, and that is on full display here. Between pacing, character development and using the environment as a pseudo-antagonist, his ability to create classic stories is showcased and when we get to the very bitter end, all is revealed and shit hits the fan. Of every aspect of this novel, the final chaotic moments are perhaps the most fun, and most nerve-wracking.
I’ll also mention, though not a true epilogue, the final section acts as one, and it was wonderful to see what happens after the big, climatic moment. Often books end with a bang and then done, but not in this case, and I think that really worked to humanize Tim, and his experience even more.
What I didn’t like: If you’re unwilling to suspend belief at all, some parts are potentially going to drive you batty. The most glaring is this random group of people seemingly scaling an impenetrably mountain area with little to no obvious experience. Though Tim himself, is a climber, this is still an extreme undertaking. As well, there’s a moment where impossibly, someone seems to survive an un-survivable fall and returns. But if they didn’t return, where would the fun in that be?
Why you should buy this: Even fourteen years ago, Malfi was showing everyone why he’s one of the best ever, if not of all time, and ‘The Ascent’ is a phenomenal undertaking. As much a story of internal battles as it is external difficulties, we see the lengths characters will go to overcome personal issues, physical set backs and psychological trauma, in an attempt to achieve something they hope will be remembered forever. Or at least see something no one else has ever seen.
Malfi delivers a pulse-pounding novel, one that is a perfect example of why he’s a must-read author.
What I liked: Tim was a superstar in the art world, a sought-after sculptor, who seemed to have it all – talent, success, and the woman of his dreams. But after her death, he’s lost his ability to create art and wants to die.
Malfi opens the book up with just that, Tim somehow surviving a caving fall, lead to safety by the ghost of his dead wife. Shattered, he drinks himself stupid daily, until an old acquaintance appears and challenges him to join in in Nepal, in search of a place nobody has ever found, nor seen before.
From there, Malfi takes us on a edge-of-your-seat thrill ride, high up in the mountains of Nepal. The old acquaintance, Andrew, has assembled a rag-tag group of folks to come on the climb with Tim and himself. Each one is slowly introduced throughout the middle section, and, as this is a mountain climbing book, some don’t make it far, accidents occur, Sherpa’s refuse to continue on, and all the while, Malfi dangles the carrot of this mythical location in front of the readers faces. I was hooked. I wanted to know what was there. Why didn’t people manage to climb there? And why was Tim’s dead wife continuing to appear in fleeting glimpses.
Malfi is a masterful storyteller, and that is on full display here. Between pacing, character development and using the environment as a pseudo-antagonist, his ability to create classic stories is showcased and when we get to the very bitter end, all is revealed and shit hits the fan. Of every aspect of this novel, the final chaotic moments are perhaps the most fun, and most nerve-wracking.
I’ll also mention, though not a true epilogue, the final section acts as one, and it was wonderful to see what happens after the big, climatic moment. Often books end with a bang and then done, but not in this case, and I think that really worked to humanize Tim, and his experience even more.
What I didn’t like: If you’re unwilling to suspend belief at all, some parts are potentially going to drive you batty. The most glaring is this random group of people seemingly scaling an impenetrably mountain area with little to no obvious experience. Though Tim himself, is a climber, this is still an extreme undertaking. As well, there’s a moment where impossibly, someone seems to survive an un-survivable fall and returns. But if they didn’t return, where would the fun in that be?
Why you should buy this: Even fourteen years ago, Malfi was showing everyone why he’s one of the best ever, if not of all time, and ‘The Ascent’ is a phenomenal undertaking. As much a story of internal battles as it is external difficulties, we see the lengths characters will go to overcome personal issues, physical set backs and psychological trauma, in an attempt to achieve something they hope will be remembered forever. Or at least see something no one else has ever seen.
Malfi delivers a pulse-pounding novel, one that is a perfect example of why he’s a must-read author.
July 15, 2016
"It's no death wish coming out here. The death wish would have been to stay home."
I just finished Ronald Malfi's newest book THE NIGHT PARADE and was in the mood for another of his stories. I've had THE ASCENT for a while and love books with cold and snow in them for some reason so it was a no-brainer to read this one.
This is different from other Malfi horror books I've read - this is more about the damage men can do to their fellow man.
Tim Overleigh is an accomplished sculptor, that is until his wife leaves him for another man and is killed in a car wreck. Tim blames himself, can't sculpt any more, and takes up all kinds of extreme sports, tempting fate.
When an old friend of his wife's, Andrew, contacts him and wants him to go on an expedition into the Himalayas to find the Canyon of Souls, he doesn't turn him down.
Author Malfi, as I've written in reviews before, is great at creating believable characters. Tim and Andrew and the other members of the expedition come alive in the pages of this story.
And Malfi had me shivering as they made their way through the peaks and valleys around Mt. Everest.
In some ways this book reminds me of THE ABOMINABLE by Dan Simmons, which I also enjoyed very much.
If you are into adventure stories, thrillers, or stories of the Himalayas, I think you'll like this page-turner by Malfi.
I just finished Ronald Malfi's newest book THE NIGHT PARADE and was in the mood for another of his stories. I've had THE ASCENT for a while and love books with cold and snow in them for some reason so it was a no-brainer to read this one.
This is different from other Malfi horror books I've read - this is more about the damage men can do to their fellow man.
Tim Overleigh is an accomplished sculptor, that is until his wife leaves him for another man and is killed in a car wreck. Tim blames himself, can't sculpt any more, and takes up all kinds of extreme sports, tempting fate.
When an old friend of his wife's, Andrew, contacts him and wants him to go on an expedition into the Himalayas to find the Canyon of Souls, he doesn't turn him down.
Author Malfi, as I've written in reviews before, is great at creating believable characters. Tim and Andrew and the other members of the expedition come alive in the pages of this story.
And Malfi had me shivering as they made their way through the peaks and valleys around Mt. Everest.
In some ways this book reminds me of THE ABOMINABLE by Dan Simmons, which I also enjoyed very much.
If you are into adventure stories, thrillers, or stories of the Himalayas, I think you'll like this page-turner by Malfi.
Want to read
January 3, 2023I can't rate this book, as I passed on it after a very short way in, it held no interest for me. I feel badly, because a friend recommended the book and was eager for me to read it. (I have enjoyed other horror books and authors she has recommended, even though the genre is not one of my favorites.)
Additional strike against the book: two errors just within the first four pages!! For example, towards the bottom of the second page (page 3), the book has "the tenants of the trade," instead of "tenets." I usually let such things go, or at least I try to do so, but I have to wonder when such easy mistakes to spot are not found by the big team involved in publishing any given book, and especially when we're talking about the very beginning of a book, when everyone is presumably feeling "fresh." Anyway, my friend is very big on Ronald Malfi, so I may try another book of his down the road.
Additional strike against the book: two errors just within the first four pages!! For example, towards the bottom of the second page (page 3), the book has "the tenants of the trade," instead of "tenets." I usually let such things go, or at least I try to do so, but I have to wonder when such easy mistakes to spot are not found by the big team involved in publishing any given book, and especially when we're talking about the very beginning of a book, when everyone is presumably feeling "fresh." Anyway, my friend is very big on Ronald Malfi, so I may try another book of his down the road.
January 18, 2022
My second Malfi read. I believe I will have to read them all. This was really fun to read, and unputdownable.
April 29, 2018
This is quite a good story and definitely for anyone interested in mountaineering, as a trip to the Himalayas forms the major part of the tale. There are elements of the supernatural which reminded me of Sarah Lotz's novel The White Road, which is also set during a climbing expedition to the Himalayas.
But it is a good read. I enjoyed getting back to it every night. Malfi is an excellent writer and if you haven't discovered him yet, check him out.
But it is a good read. I enjoyed getting back to it every night. Malfi is an excellent writer and if you haven't discovered him yet, check him out.
July 17, 2016
A good story by one of my favourite authors, but not his best. Tim Overleigh haunted by the death of his wife Hannah has departed on a journey to seek out the elusive Canyon of Lost Souls in Nepal. He is accompanied by a motley crew and under the leadership of his friend Andrew they embark on a perilous journey that will have devastating results and a bloody conclusion.
The real winner in this story is the descriptive and colourful prose as our happy band of travellers face the perilous conditions prevalent in the Himalayas. "In oncoming dusk, we dipped through a stone channel and found ourselves staring at the Himalayas, ghostly and blue and seeming to hover off the ground, in the distance. The range was spectacular in its grandness, its solidity, forcing even the most atheistic of mankind to pause and contemplate the existence of the divine."
A big thank you to the people at Medallion Press who supplied me with a free copy of this book for a true and honest review, and that is what I have written.
The real winner in this story is the descriptive and colourful prose as our happy band of travellers face the perilous conditions prevalent in the Himalayas. "In oncoming dusk, we dipped through a stone channel and found ourselves staring at the Himalayas, ghostly and blue and seeming to hover off the ground, in the distance. The range was spectacular in its grandness, its solidity, forcing even the most atheistic of mankind to pause and contemplate the existence of the divine."
A big thank you to the people at Medallion Press who supplied me with a free copy of this book for a true and honest review, and that is what I have written.
December 27, 2012
Tim Overleigh, a stalled sculptor derailed by self-destructive tendencies and the death of his ex-wife, accepts an invitation to trek to the Himalayan Valley of Souls, a mythical location. The invitation comes from Andrew Trumbauer, a shadowy man whose life intersected both Tim and his ex-wife’s past.
Malfi gathers a great cast for this perilous mountain journey and sets them in a frozen location so well-described you’ll shiver reading this at the beach in summer. Great prose highlights a page turning story that will capture you from start to finish. Malfi blends the thriller, mystery and supernatural genres into an excellent read.
Malfi gathers a great cast for this perilous mountain journey and sets them in a frozen location so well-described you’ll shiver reading this at the beach in summer. Great prose highlights a page turning story that will capture you from start to finish. Malfi blends the thriller, mystery and supernatural genres into an excellent read.
April 12, 2015
My favorite by Ronald Malfi so far, in which a our protagonist, Tim Overleigh, is lured into joining an ill-fated band of trekkers heading for the mysterious (fictional) Canyon of Souls in the Himalayas. Things seem off about this trip from the start: they are warned they are hiking into forbidden, sacred ground; their leader, a charismatic dare-devil, is acting strangely; Tim is struggling with depression and alcohol withdrawal; some of the other members of the party are clearly unqualified for the task. So, what could go wrong? Let's just say it makes for very entertaining reading.
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