If you’ve followed me for any length of time, you know that there are a few authors out there who I absolutely adore – and would read their shopping list if published. Josh Malerman is one. The fact that we’re friends truly has nothing to do with it (I was a fan before that).

So when Netgalley listed his forthcoming book – SPIN A BLACK YARN – I immediately requested it. I also put down everything else to read it because, well, I can’t get enough of his storytelling.

And he doesn’t disappoint with this odd collection of stories!

I had a really hard time picking a favorite, but in the end, it would up like this. From favorite to “least” favorite (and I use the term “least” loosely:

1) Doug and Judy Buy the House Washer – OK, right from the get-go, Doug and Judy are the epitome of the “Yuppie” culture. Status, wealth, and material things are all that matter to them, and they will do anything to get it – even destroying people’s reputations with false accusations. They buy this new piece of equipment for their home that washes everything and are trapped inside with their memories, and hate. I think, for me, the reason I love this story so much is that I work in the technical support industry and can’t tell you how many times people don’t read the manual, or follow directions. In this instance, that has unexpected results. A+

2) Egorov – I’ve seen some reviews of this story where the readers don’t like it. They say it’s repetitive, or doesn’t resonate with them. I didn’t find that to be the case. Knowing a few sets of twins (but no triplets), I understand the bond between them. In this story, two surviving triplets enact revenge on their brother’s murderer in a unique way. Props to Josh for writing one of the most disgusting scene I’ve read in a long time. A+

3) Argyle – Wow, just… wow. I don’t think I’ve read a story like this. Josh takes a man’s deathbed “confession” to his family down a weird, and disturbing, path. Unfortunately, not much more can be said without giving too much away. I think I can best sum it up using the beginning of an old radio show – “ Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men?” (Bonus points if you know what show, or even what a radio is 😉 ). A

4) Half the House is Haunted – This one ran a little long for me to be honest. It’s truly a “slow-burn”, but I felt it ended with a pop, and not an explosion. Josh shows siblings as the cruel, but still loving, people they are. As anyone with siblings can tell you, the older ones love tormenting the younger ones, but will turn on a dime to protect them. So, throughout the story we are wondering, is Stephanie just screwing with Robin or is she really trying to protect him from the evil in the house? A-

5) The Jupiter Drop – Let me start with this: Growing up, I wanted to be an astronomer. That was all I thought about; even went to college for Aerospace Engineering (when I discovered that astronomers don’t spend a lot of time looking at the stars). Then Differential Equations hit, and my mind couldn’t grasp the concept. But my love for the stars has never died. So when I started reading this story, I loved the concept – being dropped, in a clear, sealed, box (with all the amenities) through Jupiter. But, and I hate to write this, it just didn’t resonate with me. I get having to deal with the isolation for two months (cabin fever is something we all experienced during Covid), and at the core of this story is how to not only deal with that, but also having time to reflect on the guilt a person has over doing something – even an accident. But for whatever reason, I personally found it hard to get through. However, Josh does a wonderful job painting a picture of what a drop through Jupiter must look like, and it would be really cool to see someone do a VR of the concept. B

Once again, I want to thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC, and of course I’ll be buying a copy once it’s released. I think you’re going to enjoy this one.

I’m confused now. Am I. Josh Malerman fan or am I not? It definitely wasn’t love at first read, but then he won me over with his later novels, but lately the appreciation has been ebbing. The novella collections seem to do nothing for me. Which is frustrating because I love novellas as a format.
First it was the Goblin collection and now this one, set in the same/similar/adjacent universe.
I’m not sure if it’s because these stories are actually older and are being rereleased or what, but they just don’t interest as much. They certainly don’t wow.
The overall quality is good enough, the plots are great, but the writing itself is overindulgent, unnecessarily protracted, and muddling. Nothing like, say, Black Mad Wheel in its slick lethal elegance.
In this collection, Malerman does showcase a nice range, from sci fi to thrillers, so that was nice. The second story was practically dark comedy. Such a clever concept, but way too drawn out.
Same with the last and longest novella, a clever suspense thriller, but so freaking long and slow and rambling with these ridiculous pages-long dialogues.
Overall, entertaining enough, but disappointing too. User mileage may vary. Thanks Netgalley.

Josh Malerman is a consistently good author who always manages to surprise with the topics he selects. Spin A Black Yarn — his novella collection — is just as good as you’d imagine.

There are five stories total. I’ve placed them in order from best to worst (or, more accurately, best to not quite as best):

1. Doug and Judy Buy the House Washer - 5/5 stars. This story starts off kind of like Sideshow Bob with the rakes, and I thought it was hilarious. Once we meet the couple, it becomes immediately obvious that they are horrible people who have dedicated themselves to sh!tting on others. They become trapped in a box together, though, and this will change everything in some unexpected ways.

2. Half the House is Haunted - 5/5 stars.
Malerman put some of his real-life history in this story (with the music), and I can’t help but wonder if he had much more in common with Robin’s character than just that. I can’t say much without spoiling it, so I’ll simply say that this one made me feel anxious, and that almost never happens. I did a coin flip to decide if this or Doug and Judy would be listed first because they’re both outstanding.

3. The Jupiter Drop - 5/5 stars.
This is — at its root — a story about how guilt can ravage you. Malerman decided to put this into a sci-fi/horror story about a man who goes to Jupiter for a two month vacation/experience. The Jupiter Drop is what it sounds like — you are dropped right through the planet (inside a sealed apartment). The question is whether you can mentally survive the experience. And remember: there is no life on Jupiter. If you think you see life on Jupiter, you are mistaken.

4. Argyle - 4/5 stars.
The concept behind this story was extremely cool and something that not many other writers have explored. Since it was all a man reflecting on his past, however, it ran a bit long in some areas. I can’t really say anything else without giving away spoilers. Suffice it to say that even Malerman’s slightly less good writings are better than most people’s best work.

5. Egorov - 4/5 stars.
Set in an American city’s Little Russia, this story was set before cars and electricity, but I don’t think Malerman ever set a specific time frame. What would you do if you were two of three triplets and the other one was murdered? Now, imagine what you’d do if you knew who his killer was. Whatever you’re thinking, it’s most likely not going to be what Malerman went with. The titular character is put through his paces — and does the grossest thing Malerman has ever written. I had a bit of difficulty connecting with the time period (since I didn’t know exactly when it was set), but the rest of the story more than makes up for that.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC. This review contains my honest, unbiased opinion.

This has already been posted to Goodreads.

Not included on Goodreads is the following feedback: there were a number of typographical errors throughout the book that I assume will be rectified prior to publication.

[3.5 rounded up]

Some of the stories were actually really scary! It got to the point in “Half the House is Haunted” that I had to set the story down several times because it gave me the creeps. The best story in the collection (in my opinion) was “Doug and Judy Buy the House Washer”, but unfortunately the following story “The Jupiter Drop” touched on so many similar elements and themes (isolation, guilt, being trapped) that it cheapened the effect when paired together. The last story, “Egorov”, was a really interesting concept but slogged on forever. I think overall each story could have taken a 20% cut in length. I’m not the biggest fan of Josh Malerman, but I think after reading this collection I’d be more open to reading his future works.

Thanks Netgalley for this free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.
This is the third book of Malerman's I have read, and it was a bit of a letdown. The first novella, "Half of the House," was definitely my favorite of the book. I liked the eerie vibes, and I kind of love when the speech of children is anachronistic - the children could have been from many different eras, and the story seemed very "Turn of the Screw"-ish at first.
"Argyle" was easily my least favorite story. The death-bed confession bit was too much, and it was rather dull for a story about a would-be serial killer.
The next two stories were very similar in concept, and I didn't really like either. They also felt very Bradbury-esque in their distrust of technology and mankind's faith in it. "Doug and Judy Buy a House Washer" started strong, but the dialogue was just not there for me in this one. Doug and Judy were too cartoonishly evil for me to care about either their redemption arc or their fates. In "The Jupiter Drop," I felt like the poor main character didn't get any resolution - I didn't feel like there was a strong enough connection between his guilt and his actions here.
Egorov was the least fantastical of the stories, and it completely fell flat for me. I found myself skimming through it after the first six or so "chapters."
I gave this one a 2.5 stars.

When I saw this new collection of Novellas by Malerman, of course I had to check it out. But I have to keep my opinion unbiased as a reviewer, because I think that all readers should go into a favorite author blind. Pretending as if it’s an author they have never heard of before, not showing favoritism.

Out of all of the 5 novellas in this book, “Doug & Judy Buy a House Washer” was my absolute favorite!!! Doug & Judy are portrayed as an asshole couple who buy a house washer- it’s a Dr Suess type contraption where they sit in a glass cube and wait 90 minutes for their whole house to be cleaned thoroughly. In 90 minutes, they find a lot out of each other even though they have been married for a number of years. Most of it, not good at all. I found myself anticipating what was going to happen next- spooking myself out, wondering what is outside of that glass cube of theirs, while their house is being cleaned.

My next fav was “Half the House is Haunted”. A sister constantly scares her little brother into thinking that half of their house is haunted. Which half? And how long is this going to go on for? Unfortunately, I wished that this could have been a longer story. I felt cheated on their background life and the parents. It just seemed too abrupt.

“Argyle” was the hardest read for me. A father who is dying but has to tell his family and friends that he was a serial killer but never really killed anyone even though he had psychopath behaviors and it was freeing for him to admit. My father died a little over a year ago, and I just didn’t understand the actions that were made by the children of the main character. The premise was good though.

Egorov was a slog. I mean a slog to get through.

Overall, I had a lot of fun reading all of the novellas and still need to read his short story collection Goblin. Thanks to NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group. These five stories will have you wondering long after you close the book or turn off your kindle. Each one is different, but each one makes you wonder where the author was going with his words. I had to go back and read a few over due to how deep they take you. This is the first book I read by this author but not the last. Five stories, five times to be spooked!

Everything Malerman writes, or at least that I have read of his, ties the horrific with the sublime and the emotional, it's a very deeply-felt horror that he writes about. This collection is...genius. It made me feel, it made me scream.

thank you to netgalley, and random house publishing/ del rey, for giving me the chance to read this ARC. spin a black yarn is a collection of five horror short stories in the samhatten universe. the release date is august 15, 2023. if you want to get your spooky season on the right foot, grab this story!

half the house is haunted- this story shook me to my core. it’s a story about a relationship between a brother and sister, and this was really hard for me to read because i was terrified the entire time i was reading it.

argyle- this one was my favorite out of them all. it was about a dad on his deathbed who is so happy that he had these serial killer urges, but never acted on them. this was a page turner.

doug and judy buy the house washer- this story is about a pretentious, horrible couple who want the latest innovation to show off to people they know. this gave me some sci-fi vibes.

the jupiter drop- this one made me feel a type of way because it’s about a man who takes an apartment down to the center of jupiter while grieving the loss of his neighbor…but the entire apartment is basically made out of windows.

egorov- this story is a revenge story about triplets who lose one of their brothers because he was murdered. i felt this one lost me a little bit because i had a hard time getting into it. i’m not sure if it was the characters, or if some of the dialogue was hard to follow.

overall, i’d give it 4/5 stars.

Five novellas. Five different plots. One entertaining compendium of mystery and thrills.
Story 1.
Half of the House is Haunted.
The question is...which half of the house is haunted? Hell, I'd have to know. First story is a social volley, of sorts, between a brother and a sister.
Frought with fear and the mind tricks of youths. Are they mind tricks? Or is there some truth to the games the older sister plays? Part two is the recollection of the boy back when he was in said haunted house. A childhood home is supposed to be a haven of peace, but this house is shrouded in mystery.
Facing your fears, I felt, was a theme in this story. A classic notion of bravery, however the author took this classic character pov to a new level. One of which is so absurdly astounding that you actually feel motivational chills. If that's even possible in a horror novel. The author proved that it is possible and I will applaud this story for years to come.
Childhood haunts can dig deep roots. Those roots can grow through the years in an invasive way effecting different aspects of one's life. The story leaves you with the ultimate question. The very same question you had in the beginning. Which half of the house was haunted?
Story 2.
Argyle.
A chilling confession of dark urges sets the ink of the short story aflame. Immediately a hook that lingers in your mind and settles in your stomach.
A deathbed divulgence with intensity. A father sits amongst his family and closest friends revealing his deepest, darkest secret whilst the closest people to him stare, mouths open agast. Tensions rise along with the disbelief. You find yourself wondering...how deep will this rabbit hole go? How would you, personally, react if your father confessed such insidious, lifelong musings?
I don't want to dole out too many details because I think anyone would want to read the details and thought patterns for themselves. This story gets your cogs turning on moral thought patterns, white, grey, dark, and anything in-between. All of which had me stirring. I will say, however, it makes you wonder about all the seemingly regular people you meet. Who are they and what are they hiding?
Story 3.
Doug and Judy Buy the House Washer.
An odious couple purchases a state of the art house washer/cleaning system. A tale of keeping up with the Jones. They have the typical, " I want it first then I'll rub their noses in it" attitude.
A bickering couple stuck in a plexiglass tube chatting about their former lives. What could go wrong? You are drenched in their egotistical, apathetic attitudes whilst they are compelled to relive their self centered deeds.
The house washer gets to work. What I appreciated is despite their vainglorious behavior, the time in the tube makes them think about all the terrible things they have done.
The house washer unpacks long forgotten baggage and forces a couple to rethink their life choices. A morality check. So to speak. Did it work? You have to find out.
What do you do when a product purchased to clean your house becomes aggressive?

Those were my three favorites out of the five novellas. I will leave the other two for others to discover. My advice give this a read if you enjoy mind twists and dark human nature being revealed. It will get the cogs and clock parts in your mind turning with each peculiar quandary.

This collection includes 5 longer short stories, and I enjoyed four of them, which is not a bad ratio! Of the four, Half the House Is Haunted and Argyle were my favorites. The Jupiter Drop and Doug and Judy Buy the House Washer were interesting and weird (in good ways). The last novella, Egorov, was the longest and didn't really do it for me. It didn't capture my interest in the same was as the first four.

But, this is a solid collection of stories. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

These novellas were quite enjoyable. They all had a creepy feel and were fun to read. I’m glad they were all together in one book, as I wouldn’t seek out or buy these stories on their own.

The novellas presented here could be spectacular short stories, if they were tightened up by a good editor. But as they are, they're overlong to the point of extreme dullness.

Awesome! I have loved everything written by this author! Highly recommend and will be purchasing a physical copy.

This little collection, was a great disappointment to me. I'd expected a sure fire spooker from this author but was alternately dazed and confused with the one exception. The only yarn that spun anything of any color for me was The Jupiter Drop.

Spin a Black Yarn is a collection of short stories by Josh Malerman. In most anthologies, some stories are hits and some stories are not. For me there were two stories that I enjoyed more than the others but they all were interesting to read.
Half the House is Haunted is the first story. It is story about a brother and a sister growing up in a large house with little adult supervision. It is a ghost story of sorts but it can also be perceived as an examination of child neglect and the effects on mental health. Is the house haunted or are the children haunted by their upbringing?
Argyle is the second story and the best of the five. I loved this story of a dying man's last confession. I felt like I was at the bedside listening to the confession. I wish this was an entire novel because I wanted more.
Doug and Judy Buy the House Washer seemed like a story right out of The Twilight Zone or the Outer Limits. I could imagine watching this episode and waiting for the catch. Oh what a catch it was! Doug and Judy got exactly what they purchased .
The Jupiter Drop was a little weird. It started out really good. I was hanging on waiting to see what adventure awaited in Jupiter but it fell a little flat at the end.
Egorov was my least favorite story. It was very wordy and dull. I think it should have been shorter and more to the point as it dragged on in the middle.
Josh Malerman is known for his post apocalyptic horror stories. These stories fall more under ghost stories or cosmic horror but if you are a Malerman fan, you will enjoy reading these as well.
Thank you to Netgalley and Del Ray Publishing for the advanced copy of the book. The opinions are my own.

Josh Malerman is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors and I haven't even read Bird Box yet! This collection of novellas is so unique and different it took me a bit to decide if I loved it or hated it. The stories are not connected at all, one is even sci-fi, but the Samhattan Easter eggs are fun when you spot them. The MalerVerse is alive and well. I did enjoy the first half more than the second one, which includes a very long story I was a teensy bit bored by but the impressive prose kept me reading. Thanks to Netgalley for this Arc!

This is where I admit that I didn't like Bird Box, and I went along my way thinking that Malerman just wasn't for me. After falling in love with Daphne and absolutely loving Spin a Black Yarn, it's becoming clear that Bird Box was an anomaly for me.

Spin a Black Yarn is, like Goblin, a collection of novellas that peer deep into the human heart and psyche. The stories in SaBY take place in Malerman's fictional universe, this time just down the street from Goblin. Each one of them packs a punch, but my absolute favorite is the last one, "Egorov," in which one of a set of triplets is murdered, and the surviving brothers devise a "haunting" in order to drive the murderer out of his mind. Malerman channels Dostoyevsky like he has an inroad to the other side in that one. Though, each of the five novellas [one of them is arguably more short story length] is raw with heartbreak and sparkles with the magic of an author who seems to get better and better.

Thank you for the opportunity to preview Spin a Black Yarn. Josh Mallerman has written some great books This book has Five short stories and I liked most of them. Thought provoking and quite scary these novellas are spooky and different.
If you want a change of pace and want a jolt of scary this is a good read!
4 stars

I’ve enjoyed all of Josh Malermans short stories in the past, and this was no exception. Spooky but engaging is the perfect mix for me. I definitely recommend for Malerman fans.