couldn't hold my attention; too much like a standard police procedural to keep me interested, not enough horror elements.

If Malfi writes it I will read it, and chances are, I will love it.
I very much enjoyed this one as well! There are multiple story lines that all wrap up together in a neat way, but there is still some ambiguity which I did like. It is more of a mystery/thriller with a hint of possible supernatural elements, but you can't really tell until you get towards the end of the book.
I took one star because there was a bit towards the 70%-90% mark that I struggled through, it felt like it started to drag and I was just ready to know what was going on.
I also really enjoyed the narrators, they were done super well. I will be buying a copy of this.

This was the first book I have listened to by Ronald Malfi. This was a very interesting thriller story mixed with horror. I found it a little hard to follow along with sometimes because of all the characters but that happens in audio sometimes. I did enjoy listening to the book and was drawn into the story easily.

The narrators Jenn Lee, Ray Greenley and Joe Hempel did a good job telling this story. They hold your attention throughout the book.

This book gave me dateline vibes mixed with a 80's vampire themed horror movie. It was definitely an interesting concept. There were a few twist and turns that had me questioning everything. Some scenes are graphic so if you have a queasy stomach to gory details beware. I was shocked at some of the details. LOL...If you love horror movies, murder stories with detective work, and twists and turns that make you think then I would recommend this book.

Thank you Tantor Audio and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to this ALC for my honest opinion.

This book had an incredible atmosphere — dark, eerie, and expertly crafted — but the pacing was slow and, at times, frustrating. There are three different storylines running throughout, and while I was intrigued by each, I kept waiting for them to come together neatly. Unfortunately, the convergence didn’t flow as seamlessly as I had hoped. Each thread had strong elements individually, but the overall execution left me feeling a little detached from the bigger picture. I loved the unsettling, cinematic tone Ronald Malfi created, but the disjointed structure made it harder for me to stay fully engaged.

Thank you NetGalley & Tantor Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

Narration: 2/5
Plot: 3/5

This is a bit of an odd one because of how strange the book was and how the book was broken up into three different perspectives. I really enjoyed the police procedural chapters with Detective Renney. I had almost no opinion about Maureen's perspective because I read a book from a character with her perspective like a thousand times. It mainly was just kind of weird to include a "son-in-law masturbation" scene within her first chapter. It just kind of gave me a major ick about the entire book that I couldn't shake. It felt wholly unnecessary to get across to the audience that the son-in-law is a creep. It was already achieved just by him existing. What really made me not enjoy the book was the third perspective following the guy who things he's a fly. I just couldn't. It was absolutely so painful to read those chapters. I think this book would have been way better as just a police procedural because those parts had me hooked.

Really enjoyed this one! Another Malfi book that kept me extremely invested all the way through. Excited to see what Malfi has coming in the future

I enjoyed the narrator’s voices but this whole story went over my head. It felt like three very different stories until the last 10% so I spent a majority of my time saying “wait what’s happening?” I’d also like to know how many times the word “sinew” was used because that word kept coming up making the story feel redundant. I can understand why horror and Malfi lovers like this book, but for my first Malfi novel, this wasn’t ticking my boxes. The book ended and I said “I don’t get it” so maybe the whole thing was just over my head.

Senseless is a dark, atmospheric thriller that weaves together three gripping storylines: a detective investigating a brutal murder, a woman caught in a tense engagement, and a disturbed young man with an unsettling obsession. Malfi blends suspense, horror, and psychological drama to create a chilling read. While some may find certain storylines less engaging, fans of dark, suspenseful thrillers will be hooked by the eerie tension and character depth.

Senseless gets five stars from me, of course, and is a fresh reminder of why Malfi sits at the top of my horror shelf.

We slip into the story through three damaged lenses: Detective Bill Renney, whose last case still bleeds into his nightmares; Maureen Park, a novelist clinging to a Hollywood-shiny engagement that may be rotting underneath; and Toby “Human Fly” Kampen, whose obsession with an uncanny woman edges into the supernatural.

Each character was flawed, which added to the realism of the characters. Bill Renney, whose wife died the year before, is hiding a secret, which, if revealed, could spell disaster not only for his career but his life. Maureen is hiding a secret of her own, one so devastating that it weighs her down like an anchor. Toby is just plain weird. He believes he is a fly, his mother is a spider, and the woman he is obsessed with is a vampire. The killer was not who I thought it would be. Is it Landon? Maureen's violent future step-son with a scrapbook containing pictures of a mutilated woman? Or is it the husband of the first murder victim? The Human Fly? Malfi kept me guessing to the end. And even then, I wasn't sure.

What I love most about Malfi is how he saturates every setting with mood. How his prose describes in perfect horrific detail the scene. If you already worship at the altar of Malfi, Senseless is another dark gem for the collection. If you’re new to him, brace yourself: his brand of slow-burn terror doesn’t just scare, it lingers.

I really wanted to enjoy Senseless by Ronald Malfi, but I found it incredibly confusing. The writing style was fine, but the way the storylines unfolded left me more lost than intrigued. I kept waiting for everything to come together in a meaningful way, but even by the end, I still didn’t fully understand how the different plot threads were supposed to intersect. It felt disjointed, like pieces of a puzzle that never quite fit. Maybe others will appreciate the ambiguity, but it just didn’t work for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia!

3.5 stars! ⭐️ Huge thanks to Tantor Audio & NetGalley for the ALC! 💌

Okay sooo... this isn't my usual type of read, and I'm guessing that’s why it didn’t totally land for me. First time reading Ronald Malfi and... I honestly don’t know if I’ll continue. BUT there were some things that got under my skin in a good way!

The premise? Senseless follows three separate POVs:

✧ Detective Bill Renney, grappling with grief and a murder eerily similar to a past case
✧ Maureen Park, a small-town writer now engaged to a hotshot Hollywood producer (red flag alert)
✧ Toby Kampen, aka “The Human Fly,” obsessed with a strange woman who may or may not be… human?

Their stories slowly start to intersect in weird, eerie, uncomfortable ways.
There's trauma, mental illness, secrets, creepy vibes, and that classic slow-building dread Malfi’s known for.

Let me just say: the atmosphere? GRIPPING.
Whether it's a sun-scorched desert or a shady Hollywood party, every setting drips with dread. And the writing?? So sharp and immersive it hurts. You don’t just read Malfi, you get sucked in, like some weird fever dream you can’t wake up from.

And major shoutout to the narrators—Jenn Lee, Ray Greenley, and Joe Hempel absolutely nailed the tone and pacing. Each POV felt distinct and layered, and the performances added a whole extra level of tension and emotion. There were moments that legit gave me chills, especially during the more unhinged or emotionally raw scenes—they brought those characters to life in such a vivid, unsettling way.

BUT…

Plot-wise? Kinda messy.
I felt like the story wanted to be a gritty mystery, but then dipped its toes into horror, then character study, then... something else entirely. Detective Renney was set up to be the heart of the story, but he honestly didn’t do much? He’s the emotional throughline, sure, but the actual detective work? Minimal at best. He mostly exists to get handed info by other people, which made me feel like the plot was dragging its feet.

Toby's storyline was the most compelling—unhinged, raw, full-on spiraling energy. Maureen’s arc felt more like a psychological detour than a main course, and while it was interesting, I kept waiting for it to snap together with everything else in a more satisfying way.

There were definitely scenes that hit (Toby in the desert?? HELLO?!), but a lot of it felt like a slow crawl to a finale that didn’t quite deliver the “AHA!” moment I was hoping for.

Final thoughts?
If you like your thrillers dark, gritty, and soaked in psychological weirdness, this might be your jam. Just go in knowing it’s more unsettling mood piece than twisty whodunit. For me, it was a mixed bag—some beautiful writing, strong themes, a haunting vibe… but an execution that didn’t fully hit.

Not my favourite but it was an interesting read.
I really liked the cop story line however the “Fly “ storyline I found bit creepy and uncomfortable… but I think that was the point !
The Monkey scene was written well and it was actually quite creepy to lisen to.

I quite enjoyed it even though it was bit chunky and slow in some places.

This was my first book by Ronald Malfi, and while I went in expecting full-blown horror—given his reputation—I was surprised (in the best way) to find something leaning more toward gritty crime fiction. That said, it still carried that eerie undertone and psychological tension you’d hope for. The vibe reminded me a lot of Stephen King’s Bill Hodges trilogy: grounded, grimy, unsettling, and full of morally complicated characters.

I listened to the audiobook version, and it featured three narrators—Jenn Lee, Ray Greenley, and Joe Hempel—who were all absolutely excellent. This is exactly the way to do multiple POV books. Each narrator brought depth and nuance to their character, which made the transitions seamless and the listening experience incredibly immersive. Their performances really elevated the tone and emotion of the story.
The novel is split between three main POVs, which was perfect for me. It gave the story a nice momentum—enough variation to stay engaging without ever feeling disjointed or rushed. One of those POVs dove deeper into the horror space, and I loved it. I found myself questioning that character’s perception, his actions, even his sanity—and that thread gave the book a truly unsettling edge. The balance between his chapters and the others worked well, keeping things grounded.

What also stood out was the world Malfi builds here—the grimy neighborhoods, the shadowy scenes, the morally grey side characters. It all felt lived-in and rich, almost as if this story could easily be tied into a larger world. There were moments when I wondered if it did crossover with his other books, because there’s so much depth it wouldn’t surprise me.

About halfway through, the book began to feel a bit like a thematic anthology, with its storylines drifting in different directions, but I didn’t mind that at all. I was completely along for the ride. There’s a twist about the title—Senseless—that hit just right. It’s always satisfying when that reveal lands well, and this one did. My only minor critique is that the ending wrapped up a bit too neatly, but considering this is a shorter read than I usually go for, that might be part of it. Still, I liked the conclusion overall.

And honestly? One of the POV characters has enough going on that I could see this turning into a trilogy. I’d read more in a heartbeat.

Malfi has got range, and if Senseless is anything to go by, I need to explore his horror work next—I have a feeling I’m going to love it.

4.75 stars

<i>Senseless</i> follows three POVs that appear to be unrelated after a mutilated body is discovered in the desert. Detective Renney suspects her husband and quickly learns some secrets about their life together. Maureen finds her fiancé's son to be troubled and quickly begins to suspect he played a role in the recent copy-cat murder. Toby finds his thoughts all-consumed with a women he's met. Those eyes and teeth... almost as if she's not a human.

The stories begin to piece together and intertwine as new information is gained. The story is dark, unsettling, and eerie. I've finally found a horror novel with aspects that have left me unnerved. I recoiled at each reference to <i>The Wonderful Thing.</i>

While I was confused as some parts (I easily miss things while listening to audiobooks), I overall enjoyed this book and though Malfi did a great job. The book was dark and disturbing and I was yearning to finish it. This was my first read of his and I have several on my TBR.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for the advanced audio copy of Senseless. Available now and worth the read (or listen)!

This audiobook had some solid narration. Using multiple narrators worked well and helped distinguish between the different characters. It made the listening experience smoother and gave each storyline its own tone.

The detective storyline was easily the most engaging part for me. That plot had real depth, focusing on guilt, grief, and the consequences of trying to bury the past. I found myself really invested in that part and wishing the book had stuck with it more.

The other two storylines didn’t hit the same. The family plot with Maureen, her fiancé, and his odd son started out promising but ended up feeling like a distraction. And the subplot with the guy obsessed with flies and vampires just felt out of place. Instead of adding layers, it made the story feel a bit disjointed and pulled me out of the main mystery.

The pacing dragged at times. There were sections that felt like filler and could have been cut without losing anything important. By the end, I didn’t feel like everything came together in a way that made it worth sitting through the extra plots.

Overall, it wasn’t a bad listen. I liked the narration and the main detective angle, but there was just too much going on. It could have been a much tighter and more satisfying story with some of the side stuff trimmed down.

Senseless follows three storylines with three flawed main characters, in a gritty LA-based crime noir novel with disturbing supernatural elements. Malfi keeps the reader on their toes, guessing and off-center, consistently surprised at the story’s twists. We follow the mentally wounded and awkward Toby as he scours nightclubs looking for a vampire to turn him. The grief-stricken and haunted detective trying to solve brutal murders. And the newly engaged novelist, Maureen, fighting her OCD and her memories, trying to start a new life with a man she barely knows and his just-arrived son with an ax to grind.

The audiobook has three narrators which propels the three-POV story forward.. Malfi inserts off-putting scenes around Toby’s mom, Detective Renney’s ghost, Maureen’s new novel. It is almost a dream-like rendering of each character’s battles and slow unraveling.

Purposely unsatisfying and mysterious, Malfi encourages the reader to suspend their expectations of a modern police procedural thriller, as he shows us glimpses of each of his characters’ inner darkness and demons..

Thank you Titan and Tantor Audio for my free ARC of Senseless by Ronald Malfi — available now!

» READ IF YOU «
🔍 love intricate crime thrillers with a touch of the supernatural
😈 appreciate flawed characters with personal demons
🦍 want to go "....what?!" in the middle of the book

» SYNOPSIS «
Three flawed characters—a detective, a new fiancée, and a delusional fly-man—circle their own personal issues in the dark underbelly of Los Angeles. Their stories will converge, unlikely as that seems, as we dive deep into questions of identity, obsession, and the supernatural, ultimately bringing us to a breathless conclusion.

» REVIEW «
I loooooooved this blend of crime thriller and supernatural horror! Its plot is completely engrossing, but there are also these complex, flawed character arcs that are wildly enjoyable. The POV alternates between three perspectives, one of them kind of outrageous, and I think it's superb how well Malfi weaves them together as the story progresses. Noir Los Angeles is a perfect setting—a dark and unsettling combo of reality and nightmare—and it fits all three characters and their stories so beautifully. Definitely check this one out if you're a fan of crime procedurals and psychological horror!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🎧The book started off strong and grabbed my attention. Then it went into two other storylines and kept flipping back and forth between them. Toby, the self proclaimed human fly was just odd and I had a hard time getting into it. I really enjoyed the Greg, Maureen & Landon story and wish it focused more on that. Eventually all three stories came together but it wasn’t a strong finish for me.

The narrator was good and I’m glad I did the audiobook opposed to reading it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for an advanced copy.

This is an Audiobook review: From a narration standpoint, there were multiple narrators to break down the detectives to the characters within this story. While the narration or flow of the story was great to differentiate between characters there were parts of this audiobook that felt it dragged on.

We have 3 major story lines:
1 Detectives: With a secret past
2 The Family Dispute: Did the son or father commit the crime?
3 The fly/Vampire subplot.

The storyline with the detectives was my favorite throughout the entire novel, going into a cop turned guilty over grief for his friend and his friends murdered wife, however how far can one go to hide the past when a new murder washes up.

The other storylines feel almost unnecessary and add a confusing breakaway, only confusing the reader into thinking did the strange Renfield/Fly person kill the woman or did the son/father kill them from an old movie. I would probably give this a 3.5 out of 5 I enjoyed the narration and plot of the story but it seemed to drag on with too many side plots and distractions. The ending to me did not feel satisfying enough to make me feel we needed the 2 separate subplots. I think a chunk of the story could’ve been removed or edited out.

This is my first Ronald Malfi book, and now I know I need his backlist. There were times in Senseless that I was baffled how Malfi would bring the three different threads of the book together, but, when he did, it was perfect. I admit to being more invested in one of the storylines than others, but they were all necessary to advance the narrative. I loved the creepy vibes with a touch of the paranormal.