Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This is my second Josh Malerman book and with my love of anthologies, I wanted to give it a try. These 5 stories ranged in level of how much I liked them. All of these stories were unique and I appreciate Josh’s writing skills and creativity. 3.5 stars.

The first story “Half The House Is Haunted” tells of 2 siblings who have a very strange relationship. The older sister terrorizes her little brother, telling him that “half the house is haunted” but she will never tell him which half. His sister’s teasing as well as the ghosts he saw in his childhood have followed him throughout his life. This story was interesting, but I felt like it was missing something. It’s broken up in 3 different parts and it still didn’t really explain much.

“Argyle” was one of my favorites. A man on his death bed finally reveals to his family a dark secret he’s been hiding his whole life. I was fully invested in his story. I love how people would be like “okay Shawn, that’s enough” and he’d just continue like he didn’t care. I don’t know what I would have done if my Father confessed to the things Shawn did. I don’t think I would ever be the same.

“Doug and Judy Buy the House Washer™️” honestly felt like a Black Mirror or Twilight Zone episode I would have loved to see adapted. Doug and Judy are pompous assholes who treat everyone around them like dirt. They purchase a state of the art house cleaner that is supposed to make every single thing in the house clean. All their appliances, clothes, and even trash. Everything gets washed away. And it should, for the money they paid. This one was actually super sad. I love stories where we see people’s life crumble around them and their tragic pasts be revealed. I also thought of Scrooged a lot during this story. If you’ve seen it, you know what I mean.

“The Juniper Drop” is story for the lovers of sci-fi. A man trying to run away from his guilt signs up to participate in a trip to space where his past is out to get him and his mind slowly unravels. I love the “nobody can save you in space or from yourself” stories and this one was short and sweet.

The last story “Egrov” tells of 2 brothers, who are a set of triplets, and their road to vengeance when their 3rd brother is murdered. I couldn’t help but think of The Umbrella Academy and the Swedish triplets who try to get revenge after one of them is murdered. It had the same exact vibes.

All in all, this collection wasn’t bad. It had some hits and misses for me. Some dragged on while others I didn’t think were long enough. I’ll have to check out more of Josh’s stories to get a better feel of his writing, for sure.

I’ve always found Josh’s work to have immense power in shorter forms. Not to detract from his wildly entertaining novels but Spin A Black Yarn joins Goblin and A House at the Bottom of a Lake as my favorites. An easy recommendation and a great way for folks to get into Malerman’s work.

"Five harrowing novellas of horror and speculative fiction from the singular mind of the New York Times bestselling author of Bird Box.

Josh Malerman is a master weaver of stories - and in this spine-chilling collection he spins five twisted tales from the shadows of the human soul:

A sister insists to her little brother that "Half the House Is Haunted" by a strange presence. But is it the house that's haunted - or their childhoods?

In "Argyle," a dying man confesses to homicides he never committed, and he reveals long-kept secrets far more sinister than murder.

A tourist takes the ultimate trip to outer space in "The Jupiter Drop," but the real journey is into his own dark past.

In "Doug and Judy Buy the House Washer(TM)," a trendy married couple buys the latest home gadget only to find themselves trapped by their possessions, their history...and each other.

And in "Egorov," a wealthy old cretin murders a young man, not knowing the victim was a triplet. The two surviving brothers stage a savage faux-haunting - playing the ghost of their slain brother - with the aim of driving the old murderer mad."

Does one wonder if Josh Malerman's growing up was akin to the Addams Family?

Spin a Black Yarn is a collection of five novellas/short stories. I found this to be an enjoyable and thought provoking mixed bag of stories.

"Half the House Is Haunted"- an older sister, eight-year-old sister Stephanie tries to convince/show her six-year-old brother Robbie that the house is haunted. Well, maybe not the whole house, maybe just half the house is haunted.

"Argyle" - a dying man confesses to crimes he never committed. To be a fly on the wall, during this confession.

"The Jupiter Drop" - a tourist takes a trip to outer space while taking readers on a journey into his past and the guilt he carries.

"Doug and Judy Buy the House Washer - a couple buys the latest washer. They like to impress, and this new washer will do just that, or will it? They are the ultimate consumers, after all. Be careful what you wash when you have dirty laundry.

"Egorov," a man kills a young man who was a triplet, and his brothers seek revenge.

I am hit or miss with short story collections. They tend to be a mixed bag with those I think are great and those that miss the mark. This was an overall enjoyable collection that fans of Josh Malerman will enjoy. As with his other books, this collection showcased his creativity, originality, and dark subject matter.

I also liked that I could read a novella, put this down and come back to it when I was ready for another. Overall, an enjoyable and thought provoking read.

3.5 stars

This was my first Josh Malerman book, and I had high hopes. I didn’t hate it, I would still give another one of his books a try, especially since I have Pearl already and loved the Bird Box movie. However, this was not my favorite. I think he relied too heavily on shock factor without real climax and internal anguish for my liking.

Spin A Black Yarn is a compilation of five novellas written by the author of the notorious Bird Box. Each of the stories is spooky in its own way.
My favorite tale in the book is a toss up between Doug and Judy Buy The House Washer™️ which is about a very rich couple who buy a machine that cleans everything top to bottom, including “their closets”, and Egorov, a tale about avenging a loved one.
I found Argyle to be so-so. It details a man on his deathbed confessing. The Jupiter Drop and Half the House Is Haunted had me a little lost and uninterested. I was not a fan of the writing style of Half the House Is Haunted. Overall I think Spin A Black Yarn is worthy of recommendation!

This is a good collection of 5 novellas. As I was reading them, they felt like more science fiction than horror, reminding of something like Black Mirror. The stories are good but very dialogue heavy and some times I felt a little lost in what was happening. Some times nothing is happening, you're just lost in the mind of the character. The 2 standout stories for me were Argyle and Doug and Judy Buy the House Washer.

I thought this book was soooo interesting! I wanted to read it because I adored Bird Box and this collection of horror stories did not disappoint.

I'm not the biggest reader of short stories because I'm always left wanting more - while that's frustrating, it's also a sign the author kept my interest.

Malerman gives us various stories ranging from siblings dealing with a haunted house, a man moments from dying confesses to wishing he had become the serial killer he always wanted to be (I know, I know!), a man traveling to Jupiter by his own choice, a terrible couple who are reminded of their past behavior while having their house cleaned and twins haunting the murderer of their triplet brother.

While a tad weird, these stories were all set in Samhattan (Manhattan? wink, wink) so they were somewhat connected.

I enjoyed how each told varying degrees of horror and weirdness.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group, Ballantine for providing me an e-copy of SPIN A BLACK YARN to review.

I rate SPIN A BLACK YARN four out of five stars.

Spin A Black Yarn is a compilation of horror novellas, similar to the style of Malerman's previous collection Goblin. Each story is moody and unique. They are all set in Malerman's Samhattan, and many include references to the same possibly evil corporation. However, there's much less tying the stories in SABY together than there is in Goblin. This left me searching for reoccurring characters or plotlines where there weren't any, and now I am tired.

"Half the House is Haunted" is your traditional haunted house story, except only parts of the house are haunted. A brother and sister are the only ones who seem to notice. The sister, being older, uses the ghosts to torment her brother.

In "Argyle" a man on his deathbed confesses to all of the murders he wishes he had committed.

"The Jupiter Drop" follows a man on his vacation from Earth to the center of Jupiter, as he tries to sort out his guilt for what happened back on Earth. There's a lot of guilt in this book.

In "Doug and Judy Buy the House Washer," a monstrous couple are forced to confront the things they did to become rich and successful. The dialogue reminds me of a Hemingway short.

"Egorov" takes us back in time to when Samhattan had horses walking its streets. Two triplets get revenge on the man who tried to kill their third. This one was WAY too long. It had a great style, similar to "The Tell-Tale Heart", but it was so repetitive that it was hard to finish. A few chapters could have been cut out.

A few more connecting threads between the stories would have made "Spin a Black Yarn" a five star read, but four is good too.

Wowowowow, I love this collection of stories so much! Spin a Black Yarn is a collection of five novellas from acclaimed horror writer, Josh Malerman. Varying in genre and style this is a really rich collection for every kind of horror fan. From a dying man’s chilling last words to a man in a glass box hurtling through Jupiter, each story is super memorable. The last story, Egorov, even delivered like a Edgar Allen Poe reminiscent revenge story. It ruled! The only thing that I didn’t love is that two stories back to back- "Doug and Judy Buy the House Washer(TM)” and “The Jupiter Drop” are a little too similar thematically to be put right next to each other, but I still really liked both. My favorite stories were “Argyle” and “Half the House is Haunted”, but this is a really impressive collection of work. I super recommend!

My review will be posted closer to the publication date on my Instagram- @boozehoundbookclub

Josh does not disappoint. The first 2 stories were my favorite. I rather enjoyed the Juniper Drop but the last and longest story did drag out a bit. I think it could have been shorter but still a very interesting story altogether. Would definitely recommend.

Malerman is the type of author who despite his successes still takes swings. Sometimes that works and sometimes it doesn't. This collection is varied.

Of the stories contained within I felt two were successful. One tells of a man who makes confessions on his death bed to his family that aren't what one would hope to hear be their loved one's last words. It's a simple premise, but not one I've read before and he spares no punches. Another talks about isolation on a very long trip. This one was the one story in the collection I wanted to go on for more pages. The other tales didn't connect at all for me. They felt way too long and didn't land the endings.

If you're a Malerman fan, go ahead and read this. When he's good he's really good and there definitely will be something here you like. If you're mixed on his works, skip it. New readers should check out something else first (Goblin is a treat if you're looking for shorter stories).

Spin a Black Yarn is an exceptional compilation of horror novellas that will captivate your imagination and send shivers down your spine. Each novella presents a unique and haunting story that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

My top 2 tales were first about exploring a haunted house through the eyes of a skeptical brother and his insistent sister. The author skillfully blurs the lines between the supernatural and the complexities of their troubled childhood. The other tale I enjoyed was about a married couple that had everything they could ever ask for and more, find themselves trapped in their newest home gadget revisiting their past leading to unsettling realization.

Each tale is a testament to Josh Malerman’s ability to delve into the darkest recesses of the human psyche, crafting stories that are both unsettling and thought-provoking. Prepare to be captivated and disturbed by Malerman’s haunting narratives that will leave you questioning the boundaries of reality and the shadows that reside within us all.


Thank you to @netgalley for an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.

Josh Malerman has a style unlike any author I know. While his novels dig deep, his novellas and collections (Goblin, House at the Bottom of the Lake) can give you the same depth in less words than most authors can do, without being overly descriptive. You visualize it so easily. Here in Spin a Black Yarn, the novellas get to the point with the same depth you wouldn’t expect in a shorter story or stories. There’s a reason he has written over 30 novels and novellas and stops nothing short of amazing every time. Pick up this collection.

**I was provided an ARC**

I did not enjoy this collection of short stories in the slightest and was very disappointed that it read like the worst episodes of Cabinet of Curiosities. I don’t care about any of these people and the writing is so incredibly repetitive for what?

I want to start by saying I love the creative trajectory Josh Malerman is currently on. His outside of the box thinking is fresh and I dare say, he seems to thrive in it. I've read some of the books he has written after Bird Box and I am glad I picked those up. They are not Bird Box, nor should they be. The reason I say this is because I feel there are authors that have a hugely successful novel and then, for some reason, they feel they need to continue writing within the boundaries of their successful book. Josh Malerman isn't afraid to let some of his story ideas play out.

I really enjoyed Spin a Black Yarn. For me, this says a lot because it is rare that I like short stories collections. Each of the stories in Spin a Black Yarn felt unique with a bizarre vibe. The stories, "Doug and Judy Buy a House Washer" and "Jupiter Drop" made me feel like, "what the heck did I just walk in to?". "Half of the House" is just insane to think of how long the endurance of evil can last. My absolute favorite were, "Argyle" and "Egorov". These stories best represent how talented Josh Malerman is as an author. I loved the references to locations from his other novels. Josh is slowly but surely building his own Maler-verse and I look forward to reading more from this strange, scary and mysterious universe.

I want to thank Josh Malerman, Random House Publishing Group, Ballentine, Del Rey and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read/review. I’m not typically a big horror reader, but I wanted to try something different and I was REALLY drawn to this cover. I’d have to say Argyle was my favorite of the 5 just because of the concept. Some of the others were… eh. Wasn’t into the fourth story line at all. I think I will stick to spicy novellas.

Spin a Black Yard is a book composed of five novellas. As you open to the first story the yarn begins to spin and takes you on a journey through Samhatten.

Samhatten is where Daphne was from. If you've had the pleasure of meeting Daphne or rather the displeasure, you know what kind place this is and the people it could possibly contain.

The first story is called 'Half of the House is Haunted' in which an older sister proceeds to drive her brother nuts with trying to figure out which half is haunted or if any of it is haunted. The way this story wrapped up at the end was very emotional and tied together the first thread in a neurotic, emotional, and spooky way.

The second story called 'Argyle' was about a serial killer that has never killed and upon starting it I thought how can this possibly be portrayed? It was portrayed in a deranged and sinister way and the ending of it, the ending, oh my heart. Argyle... (You'll have to read it to see).

The third story entitled 'Doug and Judy Buy The House Washer,' this boring unassuming title hides a gem, a brilliant blinding gem of a story. This is my absolute favorite of all of them. Doug and Judy are the worst and everybody hates them. What happens to them? What is a house washer? Were they always this horrible? The answers lie therein.

'The Jupiter Drop' takes us beyond the stars and to realms unknown.

Then the last story called 'Egorov' follows the story of triplets, one of which has been murdered and to exact their revenge for their brother they decide to haunt the killer and slowly drive him mad.

A fantastic ride of intriguing and electric stories that weaves a tapestry or rather spins a yarn of the place that is Samhatten. Where strange things lurk around the corner waiting to be discovered.

This is one of the best novella collections I’ve read. Each story is amazing and stays with you. A must read.

Thanks so much to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with this e-Arc! I have a planned review of this on my Instagram and will also review on Goodreads once I get to this read. This is one of my most anticipated reads of this year! Until then, I am giving a star rating as a placeholder on Netgalley. Stay tuned for my in depth review on all my social media platforms!