This was my first time reading a Ronald Malfi book and I absolutely loved it. The creepy atmosphere and suoernatural vibes buily nicely. I enjoyed the character building and descriptions that were well fleshed out but not too much. I felt the ending was a bit cliche but done in a bit of a different way. Overall i enjoyed this book and will be adding more of Malfi's books to my TBR.

I love a good small town horror story and this had all of the elements I love!! This checks all the boxes.

Andrew, workaholic lawyer with a VERY pregnant wife has done everything he can to escape where he grew up. But, when a friend from back home calls him in the middle of the night, desperate for him to come back, Andrew heads home to Kingsport.

His friend’s wife has gone missing, just one of a string of strange things happening in town, and fearful he will be the main suspect, he needs Andrew’s help. Something much more nefarious could be at play though, because Andrew and his friends share a secret. Andrew, Eric, Dale, Tig and Meach experienced a terrifying night years ago… something nobody was supposed to know about. And they are starting to think it is all connected.

The way all of this plays out was masterful. I love the plot line of someone who got out, left their past behind, only to be pulled back in years later, along with a group of old friends who all share a dark secret… it’s catnip to me! Small Town Horror has done this so well.

What a wild ride. The beginning gave me Stephen King’s It vibes, down to the whole gang being called back to their hometown. I was surprised where the book went though and have to say I’m happy that it wasn’t a carbon copy of It.

Writing is excellent and really creates a fast pacing that immerses you into the story. I had to finish because I had to know the fate of the characters.

Speaking of characters, I really enjoyed Malfi’s portrayal of friendship within a small town setting. Despite years of being apart, certain characters kept the same loyalty to their childhood friends. It made the story believable, and more set in reality despite supernatural elements.

I enjoyed the supernatural element as well because it wasn’t too over the top or out there.

I don’t want to spoil too much, if you’re from a small town, pick it up. It will give you all the cozy vibes from home. If you’re not from a small town, like me, still pick it up and live vicariously through tight knit relationships and small town secrets that refuse to stay buried.

In ‘Small Town Horror’ an unpunished crime resurfaces after
twenty years with five old friends unable to escape their past

For the last decade or so Ronald Malfi has been on a seriously hot streak, which includes the exceptional novels; Bone White (2017), Come With Me (2021) and Black Mouth (2022). This has been backed up by an ultra-slick interconnected sequence of novellas Ghostwritten (2022), the repackaging of earlier novellas They Lurk (2023) and We Should Have Left Well Enough Alone (2017) a collection of career spanning short stories. If you are new to this author, he undoubtedly has one of the finest back catalogues in horror, which has strengthened as he has matured as a writer. All of Malfi’s recent work has been published by Titan (in the UK) and it looks like they will be rereleasing further earlier work, watch out for The Narrows, which is out in October 2024 and is another terrific novel.

His latest, Small Town Horror is another quality supernatural page-turner, with a similar feel to Black Mouth, with the main character returning to his old hometown of Kingsport after many years away. Andrew Larimer has made a new life for himself and has a successful career as a lawyer, however, a desperate telephone call from an old friend takes him back home and into the orbit of the four former best friends he has not seen for twenty years. Although it was a good read, the story was not exactly original, as we realise they did something horrific twenty years earlier as teenagers, which might potentially resurface. This incident is the reason Andrew has never returned, turning away from the guilt, and there were few surprises in the direction this story takes.

The flashbacks to 2003, leading up to the incident were nicely handled, with a convincing coming-of-age vibe with the five teenagers roaming around their small town until their lives are changed forever. Upon his return Andrew finds out that the wife of one of his old friend’s (Dale) has disappeared, he is the prime suspect, however, the water is made even murkier by the fact that the current sheriff (Eric) is also one of the five. There are secrets everywhere.

The supernatural element of the story is a slow burner and for the most part lurks too far in the background, carried limited threat and could have had more bite. I felt this part of the narrative could have been stronger and lacked the intensity that the supernatural narratives had in Bone White, Come With Me and Black Mouth. This was a strong supernatural thriller, but I would rank those other three novels above this.

As the story advances I was stuck on what I believed to be a potential plot hole, or an aspect of the narrative which deserved further exploration, however, apologies to Ronald Malfi as this was connected to an almighty and very clever plot twist. If ever there was a development which turned a story on its head then this was it, with the reader realising which Andrew tries to keep his distance from his old friends.

Life has not been kind to all of the five, Meech, a homeless alcoholic and drug addict, believes the group has been cursed for the incident from the past, with incidents intensifying as the twentieth anniversary approaches. The dynamics between the five was one of the strongest aspects of the novel, particularly with Tig, a single mother and owner of one of the local bars and secret girlfriend of Andrew when they were teenagers. Although she remained in the background, I also enjoyed the interactions with Andrew’s wife, who seems to have her own sixth sense and is troubled by nightmares whilst heavily pregnant.

If you have never read Ronald Malfi before this is a solid introduction to his work, even if it fails to reach the heights of his three most recent novels. Once you get past the very well-used trope of adults returning to the guilt-ridden location of a dumb teenage crime it was a melancholic dark thriller, full of regret, good twists and characters unable to escape their past.

Another excellent story from Ronalld Malfi. All of his works have suspense, scares and heart and Small Town Horror, a story about 5 friends that have kept a big secret for 20 years, is no exception. If you think you are familiar with that plot line, Malfi very much makes it his own. Books like this make him a must read for me.

4 stars

This was my first Malfi book and it did not disappoint.

I group of 5 friends are brought back together after 20 years as one of their wives has gone missing.

The story is based mainly on Andrew Larimer who gets a call demanding him to come back to his hometown. It’s a great slow burn, with a satisfying ending.
Creepy ghost story and it keeps you wanting more!

I can’t stop thinking about the last few chapters and how I was in complete shock, it wasn’t what I was expecting in a good way. I know I will be reading more from this author.

Thank you to Titan Books and to Netgalley for letting me review this arc!

Ronald Malfi writes a captivating and absorbingly dark horror story that chills you to your bones as you find yourself sinking deeper into the hellish depths of the story. The first-person POV works to creep you out, as if you’re seeing all the horrors first hand. A must-read.

This had some IT vibes as childhood friends are called back to their small hometown to face a dark past.

For a chunk of the story it went in circles with long chapters that were a bit redundant. As a reader, you know a boy named Robert was killed, and you know the friend group had something to do with it, but the details are not revealed and it is just mentioned over and over and over as the boy's ghost haunts certain members of the group.

The second half of the book picks up nicely and I liked some of the twists and creepy moments that Malfi provides.

Although I didn't absolutely love this one, I do tend to really enjoy Ronald Malfi's work and will for sure read more of his novels in the future, regardless.

I love Ronald Malfi’s writing. I’ve enjoyed all that I’ve read from him. “Small Town Horror” is another winner that treads familiar territory but manages enough twists and turns to set itself apart from other childhood friend reunion stories. Malfi is incredibly skilled at weaving deeply human horror with compelling mystery. His characterization and mastery of setting and atmosphere make you feel like you are the 6th friend in this group. Everything feels alive and dangerous. A wonderful work of horror and mystery. Highly recommend. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

This was my first book my Ronald Malfi, despite having Bone White downloaded from KU and several of his books on my TBR. When I saw the cover for Small Town Horror, I knew I was ready to take the plunge.

This book definitely gave me early Stephen King vibes with the extensive character development. This helped to build backstory and make the ending more impactful. I also liked that the characters weren’t painted to garner sympathy for them - they were presented with their ugly on full display.

Small Town Horror is about going home and how we never really leave. Coming from a small town, I definitely felt a lot of the sentiments in this one pretty deeply as Andrew traveled south to Kingsport, and returned “home” once again. Linking back up with his childhood friends, he then had to deal with the “horror” part of this story.

The spooky vibes in this one were on point and definitely had me looking over my shoulder at night. The twists were really solid and while I knew one of them was coming, I hadn’t quite put my finger on what the twist would actually be. The ending absolutely took me out.

Check this one out if you like horror, thrillers, small towns, and supernatural mysteries!

Quotes (may not be verbatim in final publication:)

“This isn’t a ghost story, Andrew,” he said. “This is reality.”

“Hell is a three-hour train ride in the opposite direction of the thing that makes you whole.”

**Thank you to Titan Books for the ARC of this amazing title!**

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Small Town Horror. Thank you to Ronald Malfi for sharing your talents and that brain!

How do I even begin to describe a book like this? Big deep breath, and be patient with me. There's a lot to unpack here.
There's a group of friends in a small town that get together on a night of celebration of the 4th and for a 16th birthday. They're wild and rambunctious which leads to some bad decisions when alcohol is involved. Something happens and the group quickly falls apart. Andrew, being the one who got away from the small town, comes back after twenty years due to a desperate call from one of the friends. When he returns, he visits his old home and feels the presence of something dark that had been waiting for him this whole time. Between the friends, they share that dark things had been happening to each leading some to think of a town witch and curses, others to think of things as bad timing. One friend is now a cop, Andrew is a lawyer, one owns her family's bar, one has become a bum and drug addict, and lastly one owns his own business and is in trouble.

The things that unfold between and among these friends are frightening and sink them farther into a troubling mindset of being cursed. I want so badly to talk about this book in detail with everyone, but I don't do spoilers! Do know that Malfi has a genius way of scaring the pants off of you. It's not like, OMG a monster is chasing me and I'm gonna get ripped to shreds!!!!! No, it's the feeling under your skin. It's the darkness just out of the line of sight that holds evil. It's the fact that you don't know if the horrible things you are experiencing through the character are in their head or really happening. I scared myself in front of my own closet the other day after reading this. YES, me! A horror junkie that is scared of nothing! He is so sneaky about it too. You're in a house eating a chicken strip minding your own business, then there's something down the dark hall staring you down, but it was your spine sending signals before your eyes could even fathom what you were seeing!!! You can't breathe and you feel like your drowning with every inhale attempt. For those who do like those elements, there are some body horror moments in this book (shudders on remembering). He is very much next level creepy!

I read Come With Me before I read this just to get a sense if what I was getting into (it's an amazing book and you should read it!). Each book he writes is so unique to the situation and the overall message. I also found that I have a new to me seasoned horror writer that I will gleefully enjoy! His writing style is very much my type!

Okay, back over this way again. So the book is horror based, yes. But, there's a moment way later in the story where he exudes love and adoration in a character. Malfi has such skill and it is not boxed in at all! Also, so it's been ages since I've been surprised by a twist. If you follow me on Goodreads, you'll see my reactions to this novel. I was blown away about a thing, that again I can't tell you, but then there was a massive reveal that just left me jaw dropped. Thinking back there was the slightest nudge of suggestion, but oh my goodness. There is so much in this novel to unpack that it's going up in my book club after release! So many lies and deceit! This book is eerie, sad, mysterious, and just one heck of a ride to experience.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I will happily work my way through all of Mafi's books! And so should you. Cheers!!

Twenty years ago, Andy and his friends made some terrible decisions that both broke them apart and destroyed a family. Now, Andy is living a comfortable life in NYC with his wife when he gets a call summoning him back to his hometown. When he arrives, he finds his old friends in shambles. Half seem to think that they’re finally paying for their actions 20 years ago. Some are determined to keep things quiet forever. As Andy is pulled further and further into the town’s problems, he begins losing his own grip on reality. Has their past really come back to haunt them? Or is it all in their heads?

This book is told along two timelines: One showing the events of 20 years ago; and one following the events of the present.

I absolutely cannot recommend this book enough for people that love ghost stories. It’s like the ultimate slow-burn thriller as you just watch this group of former friends dissolve into madness and paranoia. I couldn’t put it down! And that ending PHEW! Blew me away.

The characters were really well drawn, and each friend was very distinct. At least one (Eric) was pretty awful, but I think the rest were really worth rooting for in some way, even if it was small in some cases (Dale). And I think that was on purpose and done really well because it kept things interesting. I mean, it kept us guessing about what the group was capable of and what they were going to do next. And trust me, in this book, it could be anything.

I hadn’t read anything before by Ronald Malfi, but after this, I’m a fan. I’m going to look for his new work, and I’m going back to look at his older stuff. This book was THAT good.

If you like horror, just get this one.

Small Town Horror by Ronald Malfi
I am a huge fan of horror books that take place in small towns. I mean, what’s scarier than everyone being up in your business? But unfortunately, I did not click with this book. I found that the authors writing style was *too* descriptive for me. I need enough description that I can picture what’s happening and be transported to the story, but sometimes if it’s too much I just lose the plot. I found my mind drifting during a lot of scenes and could not focus on what was actually happening.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

In a chilling tale set in a small town, "Haunted by the Past" follows five childhood friends grappling with dark secrets and curses that refuse to stay buried. When married man Andrew Larimer is beckoned back to his hometown by a childhood friend, buried secrets resurface, forcing the group to confront their shared past and the consequences of their actions. The atmospheric small-town setting overlooking the ocean adds an unsettling tone to the story, complemented by an eerie and tense vibe that builds throughout the narrative.

Delivered in dual timelines, the story shifts between the present day and the past, offering a glimpse into the friends' shared history and their present-day struggles. The novel explores themes of friendship, marriage, guilt, fear, and the enduring impact of secrets and lies. With well-crafted twists and reveals, the slow-building tension keeps readers engaged until the gripping conclusion.

Gratitude to Titan Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

Small Town Horror by Ronald Malfi was a good book. It left you guessing. There are many twists and turns throughout. There are some aspects that you wish were expanded on but it was good otherwise.

A secret shared between childhood friends (Andrew, Dale, Eric, Tig & Meach) threatens to come to light in this newest novel from Ronald Malfi.

If you're anticipating fast-paced, in your face horror, that's not what you're getting here. This novel is a dread-filled slow burn that develops and reveals, akin to a Poloroid photo, as we flip from our current place in time, where our main character Andrew is returning to his hometown, back to when all of our characters were growing up together in Kingsport 16 years ago.

I've personally always loved the set-up of having to go back to your hometown to deal with something. There's something so familiar about this premise in that it's something most people will do in their lifetime. It also functions well in many genres i.e. horror, romance, drama, etc.

Small Town Horror explores the reverberations of guilt and the prospect of the supernatural, the power of local legends and the intolerance of small town mentalities, the evolution of relationships and the consequences of deception.

There were things in this story that I didn't see coming, which was a welcome experience, but I also at times I found myself slogging through the story which yielded a less enjoyable reading experience when that would occur.

I give Small Town Horror by Ronald Malfi 3.75 stars ⭐⭐⭐✨ (rounded up to 4 stars for NetGalley)

Thank you so much to Titan Books for approving me for this eARC! Small Town Horror was one of my most anticipated 2024 releases & Ronald Malfi is a favorite contemporary horror writer of mine 🖤

Pub Date: June 4th 2024 📖

I'm a huge fan of Ronald Malfi having read almost all of his books. I was excited to see what the author had to offer here as I'm also a fan of horror set in small towns. This one had all the usual tropes but done in a way that is compelling, well written and keeps you engrossed right to the last page. Ronald Malfi's writing style is impeccable and so immersive that you can picture yourself right there among the characters. The story is tense, chilling and leaves you feeling things long after you finish. I'd highly recommend this author to anyone who loves a good horror novel. If you're new to this author, I'd highly recommend checking out Come With Me and Blackmouth after this one. I can't wait to see what he comes up with next.

New York attorney Andrew Larimer thought he left his home town for good.. But a call from one of his old friends brings him back to deal with responsibilities from a past he'd tried to leave behind. Returning to his childhood home he's finds a reunion of old friends who share a terrible secret, forced back together to deal with a disappearance and a ghostly presence from their youth. Ronald Malfi takes a classic horror theme and puts his own spin on it. Replete with his stellar prose, the story continually goes in directions you won't expect.

I do like the way Malfi tells a story. He has a style that combines literary fiction, horror, psychological thriller, and character studies into a complex narrative that is rich in detail and high in creepy factor. I've seen other reviewers compare it to It or Stand by Me, and I can see the comparisons. King, too, manages to blend multiple elements into a fully-three dimensional world that is the embodiment of creepy while simultaneously offering a snapshot into a time and place, with a focus on the friendships of children. The atmosphere is thick on the ground here, and the town of Kingsport almost becomes a character in its own right as the past and present come together in this one.

3.5/5 - This is my third Ronald Malfi book and I was looking forward to a great read.

This is the story of 5 friends where, when teenagers, events unfold to have a dramatic effect on each of their lives. As adults, they live with guilt, fear, secrets, grief, lies as events collude to bring them back to the small town where the catastrophic event happened. It is an interesting concept of how many seemingly random events can collate into and lead to one catastrophic event. The first half of the book is slow, I almost gave up a couple of times. The overly descriptive paragraphs and the long drawn out story does weigh down the narrative of what could be a much more exciting book. However I do realise it is a slow burn read. There are a couple of good twists. that I didn't see coming. I did enjoy it, the second half far more than the first, but would definitely like to read more of this author's books.