I'm a huge fan of this author, and Small Town Horror did NOT disappoint. Eerie, creepy, suspenseful... This book had me wrapped around its pages from the start. As always, the writing was inviting. Malfi has a way of casting his prose so that it hooks the reader onto its grips. I was incredibly taken with the plot and had no idea where it was going. The characters were superbly developed. AND there were a couple of twists I did NOT see coming! Wow! Terrific horror story and the perfect book for October if you're looking...

Thank you #NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#SmallTownHorror

5 Stars!



I knew I was in for a treat when I saw Small Town Horror by Ronald Malfi. Malfi is, in my opinion, one of the most underrated dark fiction writers around and I have never read anything from him that did not terrify and entertain. I knew this would be another great read as even the cover is, well, haunting as befitting a ghost story. The only thing to find out was just how good the story was going to be, and whether or not it is really a ghost story.

Andrew Larimer had thought he had left his past behind. That night in 2003 was supposed to be a celebration of his birthday and, as a quirk of fate, the Fourth of July. Things were looking up for Andrew. His teenage years were passing in the company of good friends and even the possibility of a budding romance with one of the group. They had to tempt fate that night, though, when they went to the house of the town witch. A couple of the group of the five friends shot fireworks at the house and started a small fire. They took off but the witch's son followed them and confronted them. One thing led to another and ended in a tragic accident that left the witch's son dead. No one ever found out what happened and, honestly, no one cared. The old woman may not really have been a witch, but she was an eccentric outsider that did not fit in with the small town's view of itself. It was quickly swept under the rug and life went on.

Andrew was not going to escape the small town, or his past, that easily, though. When his childhood friend's wife dies, he is drawn back to the small town and the mysteries it still holds. He finds himself drawn back in to that horrific deed and the past begins to unravel his present. His old friends had never left the small town behind. They were held prisoners by the curse that had hovered over them for years. Andrew had thought he had left it all behind, but he is soon to find out just how wrong he was.

Small Town Horror is not a tale that is told in a linear fashion, at least not at first, and this keeps the reader guessing. Malfi switches between the past and the present to weave a tale that is at times both enchanting and terrifying. There is an element of wonder in the story at times as it is a coming-of-age tale, but there is also a monster lurking around the corner biding its time and waiting to pounce. Malfi takes time to set up the story so that the atmosphere and setting become almost as important as the characters. He builds it up at a slow burn over the first half of the novel and it is clear that the town is a powder keg just waiting for a spark to cause it to explode. The explosion inevitably comes and the story finishes at a sprint as everything comes to a head at once. It is a masterful tale handles by a master of dark fiction that is reminiscent of some of Stephen King's works. Even the setting of a small New England town is reminiscent of King and it is clear that Malfi is a worthy successor. The story just simmers as it grows but then comes to a climax that leaves the reader gasping.

This novel is not really a tale of the supernatural. At least, in my opinion, it is not although Malfi leaves that open to interpretation. While there is a witch and a curse that may or may not have been cast on the group of friends, the true horror in the story lies in the destructive nature of secrets. In order to cover up what was an accident which probably would have repercussions but not the life-shattering ones the friends feared, it is the choice to keep the accident a secret that becomes the destructive force in their lives. Secrets have a way of growing and festering. Malfi sheds a light in this dark corner of human nature and scares the hell out of the reader by crafting a story that could happen to anyone, anywhere. Secrets. like lies, grow over time and become much darker than they were when they were formed. That is what makes Small Town Horror and Ronald Malfi so terrifying. They do not need monsters that lurk in the shadows of our imagination to craft a scary story. All they need is the darkness that exists in each and every one of us that we are all afraid to explore. Malfi sets this darkness free and proves that he is a dark force to be reckoned with.

I would like to thank Titan Books and NetGalley for this review copy. Small Town Horror is available now.

I love Ronald Malfi .- he is right up there with Stephen King. Once again he delivers a completely visceral and skin crawling experience.

This is my first book by Ronald Malfi, and based on this experience, it certainly won’t be my last! Small Town Horror has a familiar set up, probably most reminiscent of Ghost Story by Peter Straub (which is undoubtedly deliberate). You’ve got your small-town setting and a group of friends splintered by a traumatic incident in their past, some of which have managed to go on and achieve success, and some that have found themselves stuck in the same place and weighed down by its memory. It’s definitely like dipping into a warm, comfortable bath as far as ghost story plots are concerned.

What really lifts Small Town Horror above its counterparts is the incredible atmosphere. There is such an eerie, evocative setting, and the ‘haunting’ scenes are VERY creepy and effective. Whatever ghostly presence is at work feels very threatening.

Malfi is great at painting a picture of the less salubrious underbelly of a town and its inhabitants by using all five senses. I really enjoyed the time spent with the main cast of characters and I felt fully immersed in the setting and story.

I had a lot of fun reading this. So if you’re a fan of the small town horror of King, or Straub, or Richard Chizmar, or so many others, definitely pick this up!

Book review 📚
Small Town Horror by Ronald Malfi
⭐⭐⭐

Although this read had some truly creepy and scary moments, it was a chore to get through. It’s a shame because the writing was amazing and I was drawn in from the get to, but it is dragged out in places it didn’t need to be and it unfortunately I wasn’t wanting to finish it.

It took a couple of times to go back to it and I did eventually finish, the ending is frightening, but there was nothing that kept me wanting to carry on. It was easy to put down and it’s unfortunate because the writing was impeccable.

3.5 stars. Mixed feelings about this one. The writing was great and there were some fantastically creepy moments (and a deeply unsettling ending), but it took forever to get through (was not pulling me back in) and none of the characters were particularly compelling or memorable. But if you're looking for a spooky story about secrets and the price of covering them up, this may satisfy you.

**4 out of 5 stars**

*Atmospheric and Haunting with a Dark Twist*

Ronald Malfi's *Small Town Horror* is a chilling tale that masterfully combines the eerie charm of small-town life with a deeply unsettling story of guilt, secrets, and supernatural revenge. If you're a fan of slow-burn horror with a creeping sense of dread, this book will be right up your alley.

The novel centers around Andrew Larimer, a lawyer haunted by the events of a fateful night in 2003, when he and his group of friends made a terrible decision that would forever alter their lives. Now, as an adult, Andrew is drawn back to his hometown of Kingsport, where the past refuses to stay buried and dark forces begin to resurface.

What Malfi does best in *Small Town Horror* is create an atmosphere thick with tension and unease. The small town of Kingsport is brought to life with vivid descriptions of its coastal cliffs, foggy nights, and shadowy corners, making it the perfect backdrop for a story steeped in mystery and fear. The novel's dual timeline, shifting between the present day and the events of that tragic night, adds layers of suspense as the pieces of the puzzle slowly come together.

The characters, though flawed and at times unlikable, are well-developed and complex, particularly Meach, whose descent into paranoia and addiction is both heartbreaking and terrifying. The dynamic among the group of friends, now fractured and strained by years of guilt, is compelling and adds emotional depth to the narrative. Malfi captures the nuances of long-standing relationships and the weight of shared secrets with a deft hand.

While the novel starts off slowly, building the suspense gradually, it eventually crescendos into a series of shocking twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. The tension builds steadily, and when the supernatural elements come into play, they hit hard, leading to an intense and unexpected climax. However, some readers might find the final act a bit jarring, as the story shifts gears into full-on horror, leaving behind some of the more subtle, psychological aspects that defined the earlier chapters.

Overall, *Small Town Horror* is a well-crafted, atmospheric horror novel that delivers both in terms of scares and storytelling. While it may not break entirely new ground in the genre, it's a solid, engaging read that will leave you feeling unsettled long after you’ve turned the last page. If you enjoy horror stories that explore the darker sides of human nature, secrets, and the supernatural, this one is definitely worth adding to your list.

Many thanks to Titan Books and NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I've been meaning to get into Malfi for a while, and this was a good one to start with! Creepy slow burn ghost story with a fantastic ending.

This is third book by Malfi, and I believe it’s my favorite. as always, he has a gift of creating well-rounded characters. The story is intriguing. it certainly has some Stephen King “It” vibes to it. However, it’s its own creation as well. There were times towards the middle that it felt a little slow, but when the big twist hits towards the end, there’s no putting the book down. Definitely recommend and will be reading more of him.

Small Town Horror by Ronald Malfi is a horror novel about the reunion of a group of troubled childhood friends. 

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Titan Books and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


My Synopsis:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Andrew Larimer is devoting a lot of time to his job as a lawyer in New York.  This way he doesn't worry so much that something is going to happen to the child his wife is now carrying.

Andrew has left his home-town of Kingsport, and his friends, far behind him.  But when he receives a late night call from Dale Wells, one of those friends, he returns home.  Dale's wife is missing.

Meanwhile, Matthew Meachem, another friend, is seeing things.  Mind you, his mind is often confused with drugs and alcohol.

Antigone (Tig) Mayronne, was Andrew's childhood sweetheart.  Now a single mom, Tig is struggling with raising her daughter, who seems to be sleepwalking.

Eric Kelly, now the Deputy Sherriff of Kingsport, and father of three, is trying to keep things under control.

These five friends will have to come to terms with their memories, their secrets, and the horrors of the night Robert Graves died, many years ago.


My Opinions:
I've read a number of books about kids doing something bad in their younger years and it comes back to bite them, so I didn't have really high hopes for this one.  And indeed, it was a bit of a slow burner.  However, it went a little deeper than the norm.

The characters all had depth, although not all of them were really likeable.  I liked Meach more than any of them, because I could feel sorry for him.  The rest often just annoyed me.

The plot was good.  I had an idea where it was headed, and was "mostly" right.  There were a couple of major twists that I did not see coming, and I'm not sure I liked the ending.

The book is about secrets and lies...and guilt.  It is also about friendship and love.

This was a rather dark, slow read, but overall,  worth it!

Wowzer!!! My first Malfi book ..what a wild ride!

One, two, three, four, five....When the past wont stay burried and the friends you knew and loved may not be what you thought they were..

Haunted house, haunted town or haunted people...maybe all of the above!

This story had twist after twist...my head is still spinning..

Thank you NetGalley for the copy it wont be a story I'll forget any time soon.

what a spooky and mysterious read. definitely a delight for the thrill chasers! liked the plot and the pace, the mysteries were intruiging.

This is my first Malfi book, but it will definitely not be my last. I really enjoyed the storytelling, and the plot fully of twists and turns. A group of friends in a small town confront the pasts and all hell breaks loose. Great read and looking forward to reading more from Malfi

Thanks to NetGalley and Titan Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Five childhood friends are forced to confront their own dark past as well as the curse placed upon them in this horror masterpiece from the bestselling author of Come with Me.

This was solid. Good tension and atmosphere, interesting characters. Not quite ground-breaking, but I enjoyed it.

Potentially my favourite Malfi?? Simply everything worked for me! The atmosphere, the setting, the plot, the characters, the writing, the spooky vibes… I was kept ON MY TOES. Small Town Horror is about five childhood friends who must face their past and the curse placed upon them. A common trope in horror books, but this felt so fresh! It was bleak, haunting and perfectly paced. Thank you @titanbooks for the review copy! 5 stars.

I plan to read everything by Malfi, and I enjoyed this for the atmosphere, the dread, the horror. However, the plot seems so overdone right now: kids have a secret and grow up to pay for it. The punishment also seemed disproportionate -- although some of the main characters were pretty terrible.
I did like the twist and how everything ended up fitting together. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

This book took me awhile to get into.. however, it was not the book or authors fault! I was in a heavy reading slump for awhile, so I wasn't immediately wanting to read anything.. but once i got into this book, man i was hooked! And gawd I did not expect that twist at all!!!! What an atmospheric read. The writing was phenomenal, and the characters... amazing! Definitely will be reading more from this author!

This is a ghost story about a group of estranged friends who are haunted by something they did when they were teenagers. It jumps back and forth between current events and the past events. I really like how the story was told. It’s not too scary but definitely had some creepy moments. I also absolutely loved the ending…

Malfi has quietly been establishing himself as the "Peter Straub" of this generation. His prose is tantalizing, his stories are dark and strange, and this one is no different. "Small Town Horror" nestles inside of your mind and it won't dissipate, even days after you've turned the final page. Go into this one blind. And if this is your first experience with Malfi, welcome to the fandom for a writer who is clever and sinister.

From its prologue to the end, the sense of dread in Small Town Horror is unrelenting. Malfi has crafted his latest book complete with a town haunted by bad memories, deeds, and their consequences. The scares come quickly and often. This is perfectly suited for summer reading: most of it takes place on or around July 4th. There was more than one occasion where Malfi’s writing scared me into having to put it down for a spell. This is a twisty (most of which took me by surprise), terrifying story that manages to ramp up the frights until the final chapter.