I found this collection to be a bit more of a mixed bag than his others. I really loved This Skin Was Once Mine and Prickle - the first and last stories in the collection - but didn't quite click with the two middle ones. LaRocca is such a talented writing - fans of horror must check this collection out!

This is a collection of dark short stories. When I say dark, I mean darrrrk so take note of the trigger warnings that the author lays out at the start of the book.

The author is talented with his words and has a way of successfully creating a layer of grief and despair within a story which is its own type of imaginative horror genre. I don't really think this type of horror is for me, however.

All of the stories were strange and very grim and I can't say I really enjoyed the stories themselves even if the writing was creative and unique.

_This Skin Was Once Mine and Other Disturbances_ by Eric LaRocca is a disturbing, dark, and vivid read. Four short stories encompass this work, dealing with trauma, grief, pain, and violence. While the stories, including child abuse and parental death, are horrifying, they enthrall the reader. There is ample content warning, as LaRocca describes the murky depths of humanity.

I received a gifted copy of THIS SKIN WAS ONCE MINE AND OTHER DISTURBANCES by Eric LaRoca, thank you to Titan Books.

THIS SKIN WAS ONCE MINE AND OTHER DISTURBANCES is a new collection of four horror stories. A woman loses her father and must return to the home her mother kicked her out of twenty years prior to uncover family secrets and reexamine her own past. A man arrives at his family home after the death of his mother to find her body still there as strange things begin to happen to him. Two men play a horrible and cruel game. Lastly, a man buys a fancy knife for his husband's dinner party only to be drawn into a new addiction.

I've read and enjoyed (aka been disturbed by in a good way) Eric LaRoca's stories before, so was thrilled to have the opportunity to read this collection in advance of its release. I picked this up during a readathon and kept mentioning during reading sprints that it was unhinged in a good way as I was reading it and I think that is ultimately the best description. This collection definitely has disturbing moments with body horror in particular, but it was just the right level of weird to keep me intrigued and wanting more.

I think LaRoca puts a lot into these stories, even with the relatively short page count (the entire collection of four comes in at only 240 pages). There is a lot about grief and relationships, the good and the twisted. I thought that each story in the collection worked with the others while still standing out individually in my mind.

Definitely be aware of the content warnings of this collection but this was a great array of creepy short stories

Story 1: you could see where it was going with the Dad right away. But then it surprised you by twisting that outcome into something unexpected. I kept thinking I’d reached the horrifying end and then the story would keep going, just getting worse each time. Probably my favourite story of the four.

Story 2: this is a side pet peeve but I feel like people vomit too much in books. There are other ways to show extreme distress other than throwing up. Much shorter, body horror, the weakest of the 4 in my opinion.

Story 3: this one was so weird and uncomfy. Definitely had an element of body horror as well, stronger than in story 2. This one made me feel so uncomfortable, gave my skin the heebie jeebies. Makes you feel jittery, effectively told. And went in a wildly different direction at the end.

Story 4: was short and deranged but affective. I kept wishing we would learn more about the one older man being away for his “health” but not knowing made it more sinister for the reader to fill in the blanks

Themes of the complicated family dynamics, grief, extreme cruelty and deviance

This is a gripping collection of four short horror stories.
THIS SKIN WAS ONCE MINE - Jillians father dies under mysterious circumstances, and she's summoned to the family home she was sent away from 20 years ago by her mother. Struggling through her grief over the man she idolised she discovers a shocking secret that threatens everything she thought she knew about her beloved father.
SEEDLING - When a young man's mother dies he arrives home to find her still in the house. Struggling to come to terms with the news he notices a small black hole on his wrist. He becomes even more unsettled when he realises they are on his father's body too.
ALL THE PARTS THAT WONT EASILY BURN - Enoch Leadbetter goes to buy a fancy knife for his husband where he meets a strange shopkeeper who draws him into an obsession with self mutilation and destruction.
PRICKLE - Two old friends revive a cruel game which have absolutely devastating consequences.

These 4 stories all had me gripped from the first page. This was gripping and so fast paced I flew through it in a couple of hours. I adore Eric LaRoccas writing style. I highly recommend reading the content warnings before going into this book as some stories may be triggering for some people. My favourite was definitely This Skin Was Once Mine as it was haunting and terrifying. I highly recommend.

After reading "Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke," I thought Eric LaRocca might not be for me. After reading "This Skin Was Once Mine," I have come to the same conclusion. I generally like body horror and darker themes, but something about these stories just doesn't resonate with me. I would still recommend his books to people who are interested in body horror because I believe LaRocca's books are good examples. I however, will not be reading more.

Thanks NetGalley for a chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is a riveting compilation that delves into the abyss of human nature with a masterful touch. The author skillfully weaves short stories that explore the darkest corners of the human psyche, leaving readers both disturbed and captivated. The narratives are rich in atmospheric details, creating an immersive experience that lingers long after the book is closed. Each story, though brief, packs a punch, delivering thought-provoking twists and turns that keep you on the edge. While the darkness may be intense, the writing is undeniably brilliant, making this collection a must-read for fans of dark literature fiction. The only reason for withholding that fifth star is a longing for a bit more variety in tone across the tales, but overall, an enthralling journey into the shadows of the human soul.

A collection of four intensely dark horror stories that turns a mirror on the human body and transforms it into something truly disturbing. It takes the complexities and nuanced nature of interpersonal relationships only to dissect it and see just how deeply these relationships can infect our minds, how they can become addictive or obsessive in dangerous ways - each story offering a chilling version of human connection that turns dark.

In our title tale, This Skin Was Once Mine, Jillian’s father dies mysteriously and she returns to the home she’s been exiled from for the last two decades but his death reveals secrets about his past that may make everything she knows a lie. In Seedling, a young man returns home after his father tells him his mother has passed to find her body still laying on the floor with a strange black mark on her wrist, one that is now on his father too. Our third story, all the parts of you that won’t easily burn Enoch is purchasing a knife for his husband to use at a dinner party but meets a strange shopkeeper who lures him into a dangerous and intoxicating new obsession. And our final story, Prickle sees two old friends recount a cruel game from their past and revive it for one last set time with deadly consequences.

Although each individual tale offers a new perspective, a new characters voice, there is a quiet, careful and poetic style of storytelling that moves throughout each title with such vivid, rich detail and settings that almost felt like secondary characters themselves even with the stories being so short.

Intense, uncomfortable but hauntingly beautiful - this is the kind of horror that doesn’t need ghosts and ghouls because it knows we can find plenty of nightmares in the real world.

***This review will go live on Goodreads on 4/1, per the request of the publisher.***

This release is made up of four stories, the first of which is the longest and the title story of the bunch. It was surprisingly my least favorite, and I felt that the quality was not as high as the rest. It was imaginative for sure, but it felt to me like something that could have been written very early in LaRocca’s career when compared to the rest of these pieces, which come across as more polished and developed in both language and content. The title story was also very extreme, and while I do read horror because I enjoy it, that kind of thing doesn't really appeal to me. I will say there was some satisfaction in the ending, at least.

The second story, “Seedling” is SO BIZARRE and disturbing but I liked it a lot more than the first one. I think it has the potential to upset people in an entirely different way than the former story did. I won’t spoil anything but what I liked about “Seedling” was how the narrative is very straightforward until an element of body horror is introduced, but then there’s also a symbolic act between two family members that, while not literal, is deeply taboo and unsettling. So be warned before you read. This piece felt like it belonged on one of those "Craziest Movies I've Ever SEEN!" YouTube compilations I like to watch, and I loved it for that.

The third story, “All the Parts of You That Won’t Easily Burn,” has elements of Clive Barker in it, which is very high praise, and truly it is a dark and twisted tale not for the faint of heart. But much like “Seedling,” it’s weird and it’s violent and I was so intrigued that I read each page delighted to find out where in the world this was going. In a thousand years I wouldn’t have guessed exactly what was about to happen. This one is my favorite, with “Seedling” as a close second. 

The final story, “Prickle,” is interesting but not quite as strong as the previous two. (Though I do like this one more than the title story.) It ends a little bit abruptly, but I see what he was going for and it certainly leaves an impression.

I haven’t read everything by LaRocca, but I have read several, and my reactions have ranged from “This is good/alright” to “This isn’t really for me.” But I remember LOVING “You’ve Lost a Lot of Blood.” So I do recommend that one and most of this collection. Whether you're a fan of LaRocca or not, he definitely isn't afraid to explore deeply disturbing themes in his writing, and he openly admits to working through personal demons while doing so.

Thank you to Netgalley and to the publisher for letting me read this ARC in exchange for my honest review! All my opinions are my own.

Biggest TW: Child abuse, SA, self-harm, chronic illness, incest, cutting

Wow, this is a super dark collection of stories, which should be expecting when picking up something by Eric LaRocca... but damn.

The first story, This Skin Was Once Mine, was my favorite in the collection. It was incredibly bleak and a little heart breaking while being so full of twists that I had no idea were coming. I think that this first story is the one with the heaviest subject matter and requires the most care with going into. The story collection as a whole offers some really interesting insight into many topics like abuse, nature versus nurture, trauma, grief, infidelity, and more. One of the stories, Seedling, was such an intense look into the manifestations of grief and trauma that I was left reeling once the final sentences scrolled by. The last two stories weren't as hard hitting for me but they were equally as disturbing and unsettling and the final scene in the last story will have a lot of people gasping I'm sure.

Overall, I would highly recommend this collection to anyone looking for a quick read that will have you feeling uncomfortable in your own skin.

Content Warnings: self harm, child abuse, attempted suicide, imprisonment, murder, wounds, fire, assault, death of a baby

Eric LaRocca is one of my favorite authors. The way he blends horror with everyday life issues is nothing short of amazing. This collection is not an easy read, and I truly appreciate that a warning was given at the very beginning by the author that this book would be difficult, however, do not let that stop you from what is one of the greatest reading experiences you might ever have.

If you have never read this author, you should, and if you're a long time fan like me, you will definitely want to add this one to your reading list.

Eric LaRocca is back with another horrifyingly enchanting novel and with four heart-pounding shorts, you’ll be kept on the edge of your seat as you cry, scream, and gasp out loud.

One of my favourite aspects of LaRocca’s novellas is the atmosphere and how it comes alive between the pages. Especially if you imagine the scenes in your head like a movie. Whether you’re being traumatised by a paternal relationship- This Skin was Once Mine- or feeling the despair creep closer and closer- Prickle- you’re guaranteed an immersive experience.

As a horror lover I appreciate that LaRocca doesn’t pull punches. These stories are gory, claustrophobic, and the characters are downright unhinged and I ATE IT UP. I also love what LaRocca is doing for queer horror, they’re changing the game and I LOVE IT.

I think This Skin Was Once Mine was a very unique and fresh look at body horror. I especially enjoyed the last story because really, what’s more horrifying than reverse evolution, as Mr Spirro so eloquently put it.

My one criticism is mainly to do with one story I couldn’t get through. It just wasn’t for me. Personally I think the last story could have been one of the longer ones. It had more potential.

Overall: this was a hit for me and I cannot wait to read more by Eric LaRocca.

<b> *Thank you to Netgalley and publisher for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*</b>

Four darkdarkdark short horror tales, that come with their own warning from the author about making sure you want to subject yourself to the book before you start. I have to admit, I did find the first story, the title story, a bit claustrophobic. Still there’s that one plus “Seedling,” “All the Parts of You That Won’t Easily Burn,” (which I could swear seemed vaguely familiar to me) and “Prickle.” I haven’t always loved LaRocca in the past but this collection gives me a new appreciation for him. Some good stuff for horror aficionados.

Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke is still the best thing Eric has ever written, but the last story in this collection, "Prickle," may be the second-best thing he has ever written.

Keep em coming Eric

Jason Cavallaro

I’m ashamed that this was my first time reading this authors work. It was exactly everything that I love. Horrific, gross, captivating, yet has substance. I’m typically not a short story gal but this collection may have changed that. Seedling was my least favorite of the 4, but I’d still have rated it a solid 4 stars on its own. BRB running to read the entire backlist

This is Eric LaRocca at his absolute best, he is circling the drain of human depravity and emotion with these four stories and I was hypnotized by the storytelling. Two of the stories in this collection were all out five stars - This skin was Once Mine (impeccable) & All the parts Of You That Won't Easily Burn (incredible) - but even Prickle (what a way to end a story) & Seedling (sad & sensitive) were top quality, so overall a very strong 4.5 rating. A pure heady mix of the true ugliness of human nature and emotional longing. Intoxicating is the best way to describe the writing because although it was downright filth and mess in places, I was obsessed by LaRocca's way with words. He has such a talent for lifting the veil on the bizarre and throwing you into the deep end of the festering bog that can be humanity.

I love Eric LaRocca and I have come to expect really gruesome, alarming horror from him. This is no different. All of the stories share a theme of claustrophobia and until you finish the book and look back on it you won't realise how accurate that is. I'm still thinking about these stories weeks later which for me is rare and a sign of real success.

Weird, wild and brilliant, this collection blew me away!

Here, Eric pushes the boundaries of...nearly everything. Body horror abounds and his style and content is immediately recognizable as Eric's. In exactly the way early Clive Barker works are easily recognizable. I was thinking about Barker a lot as I was reading this book. Is Eric the next Clive? Maybe. He might even be better.

There are 4 stories in this collection, each one more bizarre than the last. All of them engaging, all of them fascinating, all of them creepy as hell. Stories about relationships...some with parents, some with lovers, some with old friends. All of them, fully developed and like little tidbits of horrific bliss.

I'm not going to go into each story, if you've read Eric LaRocca's books before, you know what you're getting. If you haven't, they should be a complete surprise for you, and this book is a great way to introduce yourself to his work. Pay attention to Eric's foreword and be sure you want to tackle this before you begin.

If you do, you're in for a real treat. Eric's imagination has no limits and his stories are all over the place. Weird as his characters and tales sometimes are, I always find a way to relate to them. They feel real. Their thoughts are recognizable as thoughts that you, yourself, might have. Well, some of them anyway.

I've been reading Eric LaRocca since he first arrived on the horror scene. This man's words speak to me, and I am so eager to have more of them. I feel like maybe I got in on the ground floor of what is sure to be a long and successful career, and I couldn't be more pleased.

"All this for a knife?" That is the final question from ALL THE PARTS OF YOU THAT WON'T EASILY BURN, the last story in this splendid collection. My answer is "YES!"

My highest recommendation!

*ARC from publisher and author, via NetGalley.*

I really enjoyed this book! It is, of course, not for the faint hearted or the squeamish but I’m neither of those things so I enjoyed it! I think This Skin Was Once Mine is my favorite story of the bunch, my least favorite being All the Parts of You That Won’t Easily Burn. They all had shock value and some sort of depravity and each story held its own weight within the collection. I enjoyed this and I appreciate Netgalley and Titan Books so much for giving me the opportunity to read this book in advance!