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The Hive
Not yet published
Expected 14 Apr 26An epic, Lovecraftian horror novel in the vein of Black River Orchard and American Elsewhere about a small town that becomes obsessed with a series of random objects left strewn across their town in the aftermath of a storm. From the Bram Stoker award-nominated and bestselling author of Come with Me.
The residents of Mariner's Cove are changing…
In the aftermath of a violent storm, a collective obsession is rapidly developing among the people of this quaint suburban neighborhood. Random, everyday items left scattered upon the lawns, the streets, and the shoreline all seem to call out to them. There is an item for almost everyone, and each item has a certain hold over the person who finds it—a hold that soon turns into unwavering infatuation. They hide their items from each other, obsess over them, and they will do anything—anything—to protect them.
The collective hum of bees' wings...
A young boy finds himself the possessor of a strange and inexplicable power. Is the arrival of this power linked to the increasingly odd and dangerous behavior of the residents of Mariner's Cove? Has he been granted this power in order to thwart whatever is about to happen in this small, bayside community, or is there a more sinister purpose?
All hail the Dragon...
All eyes are on him now.
The residents of Mariner's Cove are watching.
They move as one, like a solitary organism, and will do anything to succeed in their single-minded purpose.
They will not be stopped.
All hail the Dragon...
All eyes are on him now.
The residents of Mariner's Cove are watching.
They move as one, like a solitary organism, and will do anything to succeed in their single-minded purpose.
They will not be stopped.
The residents of Mariner's Cove are changing…
In the aftermath of a violent storm, a collective obsession is rapidly developing among the people of this quaint suburban neighborhood. Random, everyday items left scattered upon the lawns, the streets, and the shoreline all seem to call out to them. There is an item for almost everyone, and each item has a certain hold over the person who finds it—a hold that soon turns into unwavering infatuation. They hide their items from each other, obsess over them, and they will do anything—anything—to protect them.
The collective hum of bees' wings...
A young boy finds himself the possessor of a strange and inexplicable power. Is the arrival of this power linked to the increasingly odd and dangerous behavior of the residents of Mariner's Cove? Has he been granted this power in order to thwart whatever is about to happen in this small, bayside community, or is there a more sinister purpose?
All hail the Dragon...
All eyes are on him now.
The residents of Mariner's Cove are watching.
They move as one, like a solitary organism, and will do anything to succeed in their single-minded purpose.
They will not be stopped.
All hail the Dragon...
All eyes are on him now.
The residents of Mariner's Cove are watching.
They move as one, like a solitary organism, and will do anything to succeed in their single-minded purpose.
They will not be stopped.
608 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication April 14, 2026
11 people are currently reading
800 people want to read
About the author
Ronald Malfi
76 books3,866 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 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 4, 2026
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Needful Things meets Dr Sleep meets The Tommyknockers meets King Sorrow, but only if you took the best parts of those books and smushed them together into a pile of cosmic, non-derivative, macabre deliciousness.
Originally written over a decade ago, this one sat in the trunk until the world was ready to receive it, and until Malfi was established enough to put the finishing touches on it. This feels very different than anything he’s written before. It’s ethereal, off-kilter, and inexplicably uncanny. The evil they face is nameless, faceless, and almost entirely unexplained, and yet it somehow feels wholly understandable.
I wouldn’t recommend this for someone just discovering Malfi for the first time. It requires patience, and a willingness to work for a payoff that’s set up one carefully placed word at a time.
I put this among my favorites of his books, which is saying a lot because he’s my favorite author whose name doesn’t rhyme with even ring. It won’t be for everyone, but it feels right for me.
Needful Things meets Dr Sleep meets The Tommyknockers meets King Sorrow, but only if you took the best parts of those books and smushed them together into a pile of cosmic, non-derivative, macabre deliciousness.
Originally written over a decade ago, this one sat in the trunk until the world was ready to receive it, and until Malfi was established enough to put the finishing touches on it. This feels very different than anything he’s written before. It’s ethereal, off-kilter, and inexplicably uncanny. The evil they face is nameless, faceless, and almost entirely unexplained, and yet it somehow feels wholly understandable.
I wouldn’t recommend this for someone just discovering Malfi for the first time. It requires patience, and a willingness to work for a payoff that’s set up one carefully placed word at a time.
I put this among my favorites of his books, which is saying a lot because he’s my favorite author whose name doesn’t rhyme with even ring. It won’t be for everyone, but it feels right for me.
Want to read
February 3, 2026ARC received, yaay. So excited for this. Thank you Titan Books for the copy :D
Want to read
January 27, 2026ARC received!!! Thank you so much, Titan Books. This is one of my most anticipated releases of 2026, and I cannot wait to pick it up!!! This will be read soon.
Want to read
September 24, 2025I'm in - no matter what! I love this author!! 2026 let's goo!
Want to read
January 16, 2026The new Ronald Malfi! Can't wait for this one, the premise sounds like a vintage Stephen King or something.
Malfi is 5 for 5 for me with the books I've read of his so far, and I have no intention of slowing down now. Definitely my favorite horror author right now!
Malfi is 5 for 5 for me with the books I've read of his so far, and I have no intention of slowing down now. Definitely my favorite horror author right now!
Want to read
October 10, 2025"An epic, Lovecraftian horror novel in the vein of Black River Orchard and American Elsewhere about a small town that becomes obsessed with a series of random objects left strewn across their town in the aftermath of a storm"
oooooh
oooooh
Want to read
October 29, 2025More Malfi? Sign me up!
February 9, 2026
3.5/5
It took me a little longer than usual to get through this book because of the jumping around between different heads and such, and the length. I really like the descriptive scenes, particularly with Queenie. My gripe is that it could have been much shorter. There are revelations that happen, and the same revelation happens to each character in their respective POVs, which made the story seem very repetitive.
Spoilers below (even if you read the spoilers, you should give the book a try):
Overall, I found the story to be unique and strange, even if I couldn't completely follow some of the moments or make sense of them. It's abstract and thought-provoking.
It took me a little longer than usual to get through this book because of the jumping around between different heads and such, and the length. I really like the descriptive scenes, particularly with Queenie. My gripe is that it could have been much shorter. There are revelations that happen, and the same revelation happens to each character in their respective POVs, which made the story seem very repetitive.
Spoilers below (even if you read the spoilers, you should give the book a try):
Overall, I found the story to be unique and strange, even if I couldn't completely follow some of the moments or make sense of them. It's abstract and thought-provoking.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
From the mysterious and frightening first pages all the way to the frenetic action packed ending, this epic novel could possibly rival The Stand in tone but the similarities end there.
This is set not just in a small town but a specific neighborhood in that town and within this area, the characters are going to take center stage in the midst of a terrifying supernatural SOMETHING.
After a terrible storm one night the residents of this neighbourhood begin changing. Slowly, in increments, they find various objects blown about by the storm and become obsessed with them. They begin to see strange symbols on sidewalks, houses, and driveways. And they have the same nightmare and can begin communicating with each other through their minds.
But not everyone has been affected by whatever this is and a telepathic ten year old boy knows something really bad is coming. He'll play a major role as this novel unfolds.
I really loved not being able to figure out what the heck was going on until the endgame is revealed. It put me right with the characters who also don't know why they're behaving this way. It had me compulsively turning the pages because I had to know what was happening! That's my kind of book. I highly recommend it.
I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
This is set not just in a small town but a specific neighborhood in that town and within this area, the characters are going to take center stage in the midst of a terrifying supernatural SOMETHING.
After a terrible storm one night the residents of this neighbourhood begin changing. Slowly, in increments, they find various objects blown about by the storm and become obsessed with them. They begin to see strange symbols on sidewalks, houses, and driveways. And they have the same nightmare and can begin communicating with each other through their minds.
But not everyone has been affected by whatever this is and a telepathic ten year old boy knows something really bad is coming. He'll play a major role as this novel unfolds.
I really loved not being able to figure out what the heck was going on until the endgame is revealed. It put me right with the characters who also don't know why they're behaving this way. It had me compulsively turning the pages because I had to know what was happening! That's my kind of book. I highly recommend it.
I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
After reading Bone White, Ronald Malfi is currently one of my absolutely favorite authors, and I’ve read a total of nine of his books. So it was with a lot of anticipation that I started The Hive, his forthcoming novel. Unfortunately, as I was reading, my anticipation slowly turned morphed into irritation. I normally don’t mind reading long novels, but The Hive became a tad problematic for me.
I’m sad to say that the book was just too lengthy to consistently hold my interest, though never to the point where I thought I should just throw in the towel There were sections of the book in which I felt the backstory of some of the characters could have been edited down. And there were a lot of back stories, given the multiplicity of characters. The plot line, in my opinion, could have been tightened up. And yet there were moments where Mr. Malfi’s writing shone through, and I have to say that the last 10-15% of the book was an absolute banger.
So, three stars for the length, but five for that terrific ending, averaging out to four stars. Recommended for die hard fans of Mr. Malfi, but not as a reader’s first introduction to the author.
My thanks to the publisher and to Netgalley for providing an ARC of The Hive.
I’m sad to say that the book was just too lengthy to consistently hold my interest, though never to the point where I thought I should just throw in the towel There were sections of the book in which I felt the backstory of some of the characters could have been edited down. And there were a lot of back stories, given the multiplicity of characters. The plot line, in my opinion, could have been tightened up. And yet there were moments where Mr. Malfi’s writing shone through, and I have to say that the last 10-15% of the book was an absolute banger.
So, three stars for the length, but five for that terrific ending, averaging out to four stars. Recommended for die hard fans of Mr. Malfi, but not as a reader’s first introduction to the author.
My thanks to the publisher and to Netgalley for providing an ARC of The Hive.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
608 Pages
5 stars
Reading this book became an obsession for me. I simply had to keep reading to learn what happened to the characters. I was very invested in the story and the thoughts and actions of the players in the story. They were a truly varied lot. From all walks of life, to a person, they all became obsessed in their own way. Their obsessions led many of them into a dark and terrifying place.
I was very much reminded of Stephen King;s novel Needful Things. It, too, is a wonderful story about the psychological cost of personal obsession. For anyone with an interest in the psychology of needs or wants, these two books are a definite must.
The characters were wonderfully drawn. Their obsessions were unique, but as the story moves along, integral to their final purpose.
I loved this book.
I thank NetGalley and Titan Books for forwarding this book to me. The opinions on this review are solely my own.
5 stars
Reading this book became an obsession for me. I simply had to keep reading to learn what happened to the characters. I was very invested in the story and the thoughts and actions of the players in the story. They were a truly varied lot. From all walks of life, to a person, they all became obsessed in their own way. Their obsessions led many of them into a dark and terrifying place.
I was very much reminded of Stephen King;s novel Needful Things. It, too, is a wonderful story about the psychological cost of personal obsession. For anyone with an interest in the psychology of needs or wants, these two books are a definite must.
The characters were wonderfully drawn. Their obsessions were unique, but as the story moves along, integral to their final purpose.
I loved this book.
I thank NetGalley and Titan Books for forwarding this book to me. The opinions on this review are solely my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books.
After a spectacular storm, the residents of Mariner's Cove begin to change, to feel as one, to become obsessed with the strangest objects and to follow the instructions that appear in incomprehensible drawings. Cody, a boy with a very particular ability, seems to notice the situation and tries to warn those who are not affected.
As always, Ronald Malfi manages to create that disturbing and ominous atmosphere that characterises him. We follow the multiple characters, weaving together an eerie story that keeps you reading because you want to know more, like an obsession.
Without a doubt, it is perfect reading for lovers of dark horror.
After a spectacular storm, the residents of Mariner's Cove begin to change, to feel as one, to become obsessed with the strangest objects and to follow the instructions that appear in incomprehensible drawings. Cody, a boy with a very particular ability, seems to notice the situation and tries to warn those who are not affected.
As always, Ronald Malfi manages to create that disturbing and ominous atmosphere that characterises him. We follow the multiple characters, weaving together an eerie story that keeps you reading because you want to know more, like an obsession.
Without a doubt, it is perfect reading for lovers of dark horror.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
First, thank you to Titan Books for the opportunity to read and review Malfi's latest tome (I mean novel).
This was phenomenal! But fellow readers please note, this is a slow burn, character driven masterpiece.
I was hooked right from the first chapter. This takes place in the fictional town of Mariner's Cove where we meet some likable and unlikable characters that are changing following the events of a storm. Malfi does a great job creating tension throughout, as the characters become obsessed over random objects that will slowly be brought together over the course of this story.
For Stephen King fans this is an absolute must!
This was phenomenal! But fellow readers please note, this is a slow burn, character driven masterpiece.
I was hooked right from the first chapter. This takes place in the fictional town of Mariner's Cove where we meet some likable and unlikable characters that are changing following the events of a storm. Malfi does a great job creating tension throughout, as the characters become obsessed over random objects that will slowly be brought together over the course of this story.
For Stephen King fans this is an absolute must!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to the publisher for a early copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Sadly I don't feel the same as the other reviews which is disappointing for me as well since i loved Small town horror by this author. I felt like this book was unnecessarily long when it didn't need to be. The storyline was OK but at times felt a bit repetitive and didn't feel like any action really happend until the last 15% or so.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Hive
By Ronald Malfis
Pub Date: Apr 14 2026
This is the sixth Ronald Malfis book I've read. Malfis is the best horror author writing today. This is a classic horror book. My only nitpick is that the book is a little too long.
Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for the opportunity to read this book early in return for my honest review.
By Ronald Malfis
Pub Date: Apr 14 2026
This is the sixth Ronald Malfis book I've read. Malfis is the best horror author writing today. This is a classic horror book. My only nitpick is that the book is a little too long.
Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for the opportunity to read this book early in return for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The beginning was creepy and intriguing. Unfortunately, it got a bit boring and I felt it was way too long. By the time I reached the end, I wasn’t invested enough to even give it a chance of redeeming the book.
Thank you NetGalley for a the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you NetGalley for a the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review!
February 7, 2026
Loved this! My first Malfi and oh boy, I need more!
Highly recommend.
Get a copy as soon as you can.
Fantastic!
Highly recommend.
Get a copy as soon as you can.
Fantastic!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews