3 Stars

I've read a few of Eric's books now and just like with those I liked this one just enough to want to finish it, it was okay but honestly nothing mind blowing. I don't think his writing style is for me.

I was first introduced to Eric LaRocca’s work when Titan Books sent me Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke and Other Misfortunes back in 2022. Since then, I have read every published novel/novella/short story collection that Eric has written.

I have always been a horror fan, and I love a short story collection. But no one does horror short stories quite like LaRocca.

The stories in this latest collection are possibly my favourite of Eric’s yet. The titular story was probably my favourite as it really spoke to me on so many levels, as well as being horrifying. This is the first story in the book, and also the longest, so it really grips the reader and tugs on your heartstrings before snapping them entirely.

The other three stories in the collection were prime examples of Eric’s masterful writing, lulling you into a false sense of security by creating seemingly ordinary situations, and then twisting them to within an inch of their lives to become something far more macabre and disturbing.

I absolutely adored this book and will forever recommend Eric’s works to everyone who loves dark and weird vibes. These stories certainly won’t be for everyone due to their extremely dark topics, but there is a warning at the beginning of the book to help you decide if it’s for you or not. It states that all of the stories in this collection “deal with human pain and trauma in some form or another.”, and that there are “graphic depictions of child abuse and self harm.”

If you feel prepared to take on the emotional burden of this book, I highly recommend you do so. I will be thinking about this book for a long long time.

Eric LaRocca does not miss! This made my skin crawl and question so much! I adore the way Eric writes, it’s so captivating! I could not put this down and devoured it almost in one sitting. I would highly recommend this to horror lovers. This Skin Was Once Mine really caught me off guard and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since.

I’ve been trying to get into Eric LaRocca’s writing for a while now, with mixed results. But this one is easily my favorite that I’ve read so far. It contains four stories- “This Skin was Once Mine”, “Seedling”, “All the Parts of You That Won’t Easily Burn”, and “Prickle”. The first two were definitely my favorite, with the titular story easily taking the top spot. Although there are a few scenes from “All the Parts of You That Won’t Easily Burn” that are seared into my memory, it’s gnarly. This is a more extreme horror novel, so be warned on that, but that’s also what LaRocca primarily writes, so I think most people who know them know that. I don’t think I have a least favorite story, as all of them were memorable in their own ways. The titular story is like the most extreme example of “hurt people, hurt people” I’ve ever read. It was so upsetting.If you want a horror read that packs a pretty gross punch, this is a good pick!

My review is now posted on my Instagram @boozehoundbookclub

Eric LaRocca writes horror and transgressive fiction like no other. These tales, delightfully uncomfortable, are no exception. They stick with long after each tale’s conclusion. Bravo!

My experience with Eric LaRocca's work has been one of ups and downs. I've always found his writing to be very well made, to be interesting, and to be stories that I remember. But I'm not sure I always enjoy them because they're the kind of stories that I remember with a slight shudder and a sense of unease. He's perhaps one of the few writers who I'm always excited to read more of, yet also never want to read again thanks to how well he works the horror centre into truly unsettling pieces of art.

His latest release, This Skin Was Once Mine follows a similar style to his previous work with Titan Books, where you find several small stories collected together rather than one large narrative. And I think this is my preferred method of reading LaRocca's work, as I'm not sure I would bring myself to read a whole novel length story by him as it would feel like too intimidating a prospect; but when it comes to the horror short story format he's become something of an expert. And as much as his stories get under my skin I can't help but delve into one of his short stories with a sense of perverse excitement.

The first story in this collection is the one from which the entire book takes it's title, 'This Skin Was Once Mine', and tells the story of a young woman, Jillian, and her having to return home and deal with her estranged family after the death of her father. Unlike with most people returning to their childhood homes and finding them smaller, them having grown both physically and emotionally since they were last there, Jillian finds a home that feels larger, full of secrets and dark emotions waiting for her. The setting is as much a character as the people in the story, and the tale takes on as strange, psychological horror that twists and turns so many times that you begin to wonder what might be real. It gets into your head in the most perverse way possible. The story has an almost nightmarish, dream logic to it that is easy to imagine, but hard to translate well to the written word; yet LaRocca does so wonderfully, creating an experience that feels like it's crawled out of the back of your mind in the small hours of the night.

The second story, 'Seedling', has a similar theme to it, as it deals with a man learning that his mother has died, and returning home to console his grieving father. The loss of a parent seems to be a theme that LaRocca uses a lot, and despite having two stories in a row in this collection that have that as a basis, the execution of each of them is very different from the other. The story is less about loss and more about obsession. It deals with something twisted and wrong in the worst way possible, a part of your body. Unable to escape it, it becomes all you can think about, it dominates your mind and takes on a life of its own. It's an experience most of us are familiar with, from picking at a wound, to worrying over an odd lump, to having fears about losing a piece of your body. But as with most things LaRocca takes it to a horrific extreme and plays into some primal and disturbing phobias that will at times leave you feeling ill.

'All The Parts of You That Won't Easily Burn' takes the third place in the book, and tells the story of a man who buys an ornate, antique knife and the journey that comes from that simple purchase. A tale about kink, pushing boundaries, and the extremes of consent, it tells a dark story about a spiral of self destruction. This story is one that definitely gets under your skin, pun intended. It reminds me in some ways of 'Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke', a story about someone being introduced to new, extreme experiences, and how the person who does so seems to be leading another human being to willingly destroy themselves. Every story in this collection is dark, but this is perhaps the darkest as for the most part it feels incredibly real. It's easy to imagine the drive for new, more extreme experiences leading someone to do terrible things, and is a theme that isn't new to horror. It's not hard to pair this story up with something like the cenobites from Hellraiser, of monsters pushed to the extremes of physical sensation, and as with those stories, it will likely leave you feeling shocked and sickened in unique ways.

The final story, 'Prickle', is perhaps the more simple of the bunch, and feels much more straightforward compared to the others. It tells the story of two older men who have a special game, whereby they go out of their way to ruin other peoples days. It doesn't sound that bad on the surface, but the simplicity of the concept hides some truly awful acts that occur across the story. The story escalates as the two old friends compete against each other, leading to an ending that will leave you reeling; and on reflection might be the perfect way to round out the collection of stories.

Eric LaRocca has a mind that frightens me. A lot of people who aren't into horror assume that those that are, and those that create it, must be twisted people, with minds filled with awful ideas and darkness. And of course, that's complete rubbish. But LaRocca is one of the few horror creators who makes that sentiment come to mind for me. I wonder what dark and twisted things are lurking in his mind, and what stories are yet to come; stories that leave me feeling sickened and shaken, yet that I can't wait to read.

This Skin Was Once Mine and Other Disturbances - all four tales deliver a nauseating gut-punch of horror - just the way I like it.

I’m a fan of the author and really enjoyed This Skin Was Once Mine and Other Disturbances. This is the kind of horror I enjoy the most, strange, disturbing and unsettling. I got chills reading this. The best stories were This Skin Was Once Mine, Seedling and All the Parts of You That Won’t Easily Burn. I enjoyed Pickle but the other stories were a shade darker and a little bit better. These tales are strange and unsettling and highly recommended.

Eric LaRocca returns to the short story collection game with This Skin Was Once Mine and Other Disturbances. These stories arrive April 2, 2024 from Titan Books. Following LaRocca’s usual brand of horror, they promise trauma. They promise pain. They promise to, well, disturb. Like the viral Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke and Other Misfortunes, readers will find few stories in these pages—only four. But they pack a punch.

It feels almost unnecessary to say these stories will hurt. This is what LaRocca does. The titular story and the second tale “Seedling” both deal with grief, in particular. Multiple shades of grief, actually. These two are fun to compare because of that. They both are even about losing a parent. Sure, one loses their dad and the other loses their mom, but that’s not what makes them different. What makes them feel so separate, and they do, is what they’re saying.

“This Skin Was Once Mine” deals with loss, yes. But the real grief of this story is losing someone you didn’t really know. In losing them, learning everything you didn’t in life. It’s a story of identity. Who we are in relation to our bonds with those around us—those who made us. “Seedlings” though, in grief as a bond. It’s a form of connection, a shared experience. Instead of being about a relation, it is about relating. But both of them are dark. And both endings are that type of unsettling dissatisfaction that I expect from LaRocca.

And speaking of what I come to expect from LaRocca, there is the other half of this collection. “All The Parts of You That Won’t Easily Burn” is another long one, and it is absolutely what I think of when I think of LaRocca. There is body horror, there is manipulation, there is carnality. If anything, this feels the most like “Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke”—the story, this time. The lengths people will go to chase a certain feeling. To maintain a connection. Which flows perfectly into the final story.

“Prickle” also feels like older LaRocca. I could see it easily slotting into The Trees Grew Because I Bled There. From that collection, it reminds me a lot of “You’re Not Supposed to Be Here.” But from another angle, a reversal that isn’t. If you know that story, you’ll understand what I’m getting at. But mostly it felt like an echo of “You’ll Find It’s Like That All Over.” For that one we return to Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke and Other Misfortunes. And the reason why these stories resonate is simple. They involve playing games. Well, I say playing.

Because that’s the thing, isn’t it? LaRocca does not play. That’s why they went viral, isn’t it? And these stories are not messing around. I’m really looking forward to this hitting shelves. For me, short stories really blossom in the discussion. So, though this is subject to change, the second half of the collection is the strongest for me. It’s hard to rate a collection of four, so I’m going with that. As for where this collection, these stories, rank with their other works? Well, I’d have to cut them out and rearrange them. And hey, I think that’s how they’d like it.

It's so rare to find a horror story these days that's genuinely disturbing (without going "splatter"). LaRocca does genuine disturbance very well in this short collection of terrifying and surreal excursions. And avoids the splatter. Quite wonderful!

What elevates a book from words on a page to ✨Literature✨? In my opinion, it's about the subtext—the meaning behind the story, the purpose beyond the prose. A meaningful story can be found in any genre, including (especially!) horror. However, this collection of short stories is horror for its own sake. There's no grand message behind it—and maybe that's okay.

It's disturbing! (Not to me, obviously, but to many readers.) It's unique! Sometimes, even well-written! (LaRocca's writing has decidedly improved over time, but could still use some work.) If you like other works by this author, like Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke, then you'll probably like this collection, too.

Eric LaRocca never misses! This short story collection is no exception.

I’m always impressed with Eric LaRocca’s imagination and ways in which he can quickly sink you into a story, no matter the page count. Also, their ability to make me feel grossed out and sad at the same never ceases to amaze me.

My favorite story in this collection was “This Skin Was Once Mine” with “All the Parts of You That Won’t Easily Burn” as a very close second. There was something shocking to pull out of each story and that last one definitely had my mouth AGAPE.

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ცყ: ɛཞıƈ Ɩąཞơƈƈą

Ａｂｏｕｔ

THIS SKIN WAS ONCE MINE
When her father dies under mysterious circumstances, Jillian Finch finds herself grieving the man she idolized while struggling to feel comfortable in the childhood home she was sent away from nearly twenty years ago. Then Jillian discovers a dark secret that will threaten to undo everything she has ever known about her father.

SEEDLING
A young man’s father calls him early in the morning to say that his mother has passed away. He arrives home to find his mother’s body still in the house. Struggling to process what has happened he notices a small black wound appear on his wrist. Then he discovers his father is cursed with the same affliction.

ALL THE PARTS OF YOU THAT WON’T EASILY BURN
Enoch Leadbetter goes to buy a knife for his husband to use at a forthcoming dinner party. He encounters a strange shopkeeper who draws him into an intoxicating new obsession and sets him on a path towards mutilation and destruction...

PRICKLE
Two old men revive a cruel game with devastating consequences...

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WOW! First off I’m just getting started in the horr0r realm, and this book of stories has me hooked! Thank you titan books netgally and Eric larocca for the eARC.

This Skin Was Once Mine. I wish this short could be created into a novel of its own! I loved every second. It’s so incredibly dark! The symbolism for the MC’s trauma was jaw dropping. It’s heart wrenching, gruesome, revengeful and thrilling! I love that it was all packed into this insane story.

As the stories continue the depths of the different MC’s trauma and the continuation of symbolism used to convey these traumas is absolute perfection! Every story had me thinking so far below surface level! It’s as if this is a Psychology book dressed up as horr0r. Of course there are some gruesome parts so please read the triggers!

These stories will have you on a roller coaster of intrigued, nervous, frightened, shocked! And all in the best way.

This Skin Was Once Mine is available today!!

I think it might be time to accept that I'm just not a LaRocca fan. I have previously read "Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke" and barring the collections titular story, I thought that the rest of the collection was underwhelming. I was curious to try again since I didn't dislike any of the LaRocca's stories in the previous collection. This new collection unfortunately didn't wow me and I was left the a similarly underwhelmed feeling upon finishing this book as I did with "Things Have Gotten Worse."

I found that the titular "This Skin was Once Mine" interesting but overall predictable. I did appreciate the callback at the end of the story to the opening line of "The worst thing a person can do to you after they’ve hurt you is let you live." to really drive home the reality of the situation and the outcome of the story but for me that was the most exciting part of it all. I liked the idea of "Seedling" but I think it ultimately fell flat. I was surprised by the sharp turn at the end of "All the Parts of You that wont Easily Burn" and thought "okay finally!" but then it ended abruptly and without any payoff to the journey the story just took us on. I was left with more questions than answers, which may have been the point, but my questions were less of the thought provoking kind and more along the lines of "wtf man where's the rest!" And "Prickle" had a twist to it but it felt weak, especially directly following "All the Parts of You."

While I don't think any of these stories are bad on their own, I do think part of my dissatisfaction is that while the stories have good bones, I think that the short story format has hobbled them just a bit. The decisions and motivations of the characters can be understood because LaRocca often tells us but it is hard to get invested in their journeys, especially in the midst of whatever weird situation they find themselves in, because there's not time to build those connections. It feels to me like these stories are an attempt to tackle big subjects but the stories themselves left me wanting and weren't strong enough to leave me thinking about those subjects when the story was over.

I understand why LaRocca's book are classes as Horror but I think perhaps my expectations of Horror and what LaRocca delivers are not aligned. I'm giving it three stars because while I didn't like the book, I don't think it has committed any crime against literature and someone else out there may enjoy it greatly. It was a fine read but for me LaRocca's works often leave me wanting.

My first Eric LaRocca collection! Horror has always been a genre I kept at arm's length, but I have been more adventurous with my reading as of late and thought it was time to give the genre a fair shot. I knew eventually I would need to test out the Eric LaRocca waters, but I must admit I spent a lot of time prior to reading this collection hyping myself up. I am glad I did since this collection is not for the faint of heart.

While each of the stories has their own unique spin, this collection felt like a succinct study in how far each of us will go amongst those we love most. I particularly enjoyed (and I use that adjective loosely here) Prickle followed by All the Parts of You That Won't Easily Burn. These two stories in particular left me with that wtf feeling I have learned to love from authors similar to Paul Tremblay. Speaking of Tremblay, he was the dedication recipient of this collection and it was like a sign that this collection and I were meant to meet. After all, how often is one of your favorite authors ushering you into meeting a potential new favorite author?

Eventually I want to build up to reading LaRocca’s Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke, but I know myself well enough to know I am not quite there yet. So, in the meantime, I might very well pick this collection up again!

Thank you to NetGalley, Eric LaRocca, and Titan Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

LaRocca delivers yet another beautifully disturbing short story collection. Focusing on love and grief in the most unsettling descriptives but if you take a minute to look at the deeper meanings behind each story you will be amazed at the things that could conspire based on these two very strong emotions. Sometimes people do crazy things for love and grief is an absolute struggle, it just depends how far you will let them take over. After all everyone handles ish a bit differently and you never know what hides underneath until they shed back a little skin.

Each story has a uniquely horrifying spin on its main topic but they all leave you with your jaw on the ground. I just cannot get over LaRocca's writing and the imagery they portray on these pages, it's nothing short of amazing.

It's so hard to choose a favorite because I absolutely loved all four stories and they are so short in length I feel any descriptions into the individual stories will take away all shock value so I'll just leave you with the vibes I walked away with.

•The Skin Was Once Mine
Vibes: OH, no No NO she didn't
•Seedling
Vibes: Stabby
•All The Parts of You That Won't Easily Burn
Vibes: Ouch
•Prickle
Vibes: No thank you Grandpa

I'd like to send a huge thank you out to Eric LaRocca, Titan Books and Netgalley for granting me early access to this collection. I loved every freaking minute of it 🖤

This Skin Was Once Mine and Other Disturbances was a wild ride that i enjoyed every second of. there’s something so captivating about using unspeakable horrors to convey more base level human emotion and experiences. my fav short story was the third one.. it went in a direction that had my jaw 10 feet underground. i will read anything Eric Larocca writes, they’re talent for writing the disturbing and uncomfortable is everything i look for in horror.

my personal ratings for each short story:

this skin was once mine - 4 stars
seedling - 3.5 stars
all the parts of you that won’t easily burn - 4.5 stars
prickle - 4 stars

I really enjoyed Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke and You've Lost a Lot of Blood so I had very high expectations. I have to say I was a bit underwhelmed by this collection. There were thought-provoking themes and ideas here but it just didn't capture my attention or even gross me out the way his previous work has. I hope LaRocca dials up the horror for his next work!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

I first heard about Eric LaRocca via "Things Have Gotten Worse..." when it was trending on TikTok. It ended up being a quick read and a great introduction to the recurring themes in their work (which are quite brutal, by the way). This is the second book I've read of Eric's and happy to report that it is another yet another WTF entry into the literary horror genre. The f*cked up relationships, the obsession with pain, broken people (and broken families), it's all here. The titular story was definitely my favorite, although the ending of the final might almost make me rethink that.

In a world where I have lots to read, I really appreciate the short and sweet approach to the writing here. Ready for the next one!!

Also want to shout out Titan Books for sending me a hardcover copy which was wrapped in a snakeskin bow! Gorgeous.

*ARC from publisher and author, via NetGalley.*

Wow! Transgressive and destructively satisfying!

Reading this felt like an invitation into a seductively curious compulsion to push moral boundaries. I was in an unstoppable trance with what I've discovered as 'transgressive horror'. Absolutely in love.

I had no idea these stories could be so addictively unsettling, and that words could hold so much power to crawl under my skin. I also didn't realise that horror meshes beautifully with erotica, and found myself feeling some strange excitement that I am looking forward to reading more of ('Horrotica,' I think I've seen thrown around bookstagram). In the most subtlest forms of messed up wordplay, I definitely caught on to the sensual resemblance.

This series of four stories all connect to the cover, which is just delicious and makes me love the cover even more.

My favourite of the four has to be "All the Parts of You that Won't Easily Burn," where a peculiar encounter with an antique shopkeeper unravels into a perturbed descent of frenzied salaciousness. Exquisite.

Thank you to Netgalley, Eric LaRocca and Titan Books - I was extremely excited when this was approved. I'm definitely a fan!