Small Town Horror is my first Ronald Malfi book and I have to say, I’m pretty impressed. I was super curious about Black River Orchard when it was released in 2023, but the sheer page count was somewhat intimidating. I’m a novice in the horror genre, so the shorter books are more appealing at the moment and Small Town Horror clocks in at a whopping 400 pages. Very doable.
This coastal horror follows Andrew Larimer, a rising star in the NYC law scene as he returns to his hometown of Kingsport, Maryland to face his past. You see, Andrew has four friends who still live in the fading town of Kingsport and one has just called him up, desperate for his help and referencing something that happened during their teen years. He reluctantly heads home, only to find himself embroiled in an investigation into the disappearance of his friend Dale’s wife. The most unsettling part is that Dale, Meach, and even Tig seem to be haunted by the specter of a boy named Robert Graves.
It’s not difficult to conclude that they were involved in something tragic that happened to this boy, but at first the events are carefully skirted around. When it’s finally revealed it’s somehow anticlimactic - a horrible accident and a combination of fear and guilt that lead the five friends to abandon the scene. This is a spooky read and I found it delightfully difficult to tell if the supernatural elements were real or induced by drugs or the paranoia and guilt of the characters.
I was surprised by how engrossed I was in Small Town Horror and I thought it did a great job analyzing all the things that can truly make a small town awful. Cover-ups, cruelty and ostracizing ‘weird’ people, secrets on top of secrets. Ultimately, this is a story about how guilt can eat away at a person, eroding sanity and breeding a paranoia dangerous enough to kill. This is a complex, layered story that kept me turning pages late into the night and at one point I audibly gasped at one particular reveal. I think it’s safe to say this won’t be my last book by Ronald Malfi.

Thanks to Titan Books and Ronald Malfi for the chance to read ‘Small Town Horror’! I didn’t enjoy this one as much as I did ‘Come with Me’ but it definitely had some twists that I did NOT see coming. I wish some of the characters were more fleshed out (specifically Dale and Eric) and I struggled with caring about what happened to them. I thought that the PAST INCIDENT was one of the best parts of the book and I felt the panic and guilt leap off the pages.
It kept me guessing until the very (bleak) end but I sometimes had to drag myself through. I will definitely steer fans of King/Koontz this way.

Secrets will come out, the past will haunt you, and you can never really escape your home in the latest book from Ronald Malfi that sees a group of childhood friends reuniting and having to deal with the things they did years before; things that no one can ever know about.

Small Town Horror tells the story of Andrew Larimer, a successful lawyer in New York City. He's married, and is expecting his first child. Things are going great for him. However, when he receives a phone call from his childhood friend, Dale, telling him that his wife has gone missing and begging Andrew to come back to his hometown to help. Andrew makes some lies to his wife, and heads out to the town he never wanted to go back to, where he reunites with Dale and his other friends, Meech, Tig, and Eric. The five of them have come together to try and help find Dale's wife, and to deal with the curse hanging over them. You see, the five of them did something terrible when they were younger, something that has left a stain upon them, and it's coming back to haunt them now.

Starting Small Town Horror I was immediately struck by the similarity to Black Mouth, Malfi's previous novel, which also played upon the trope of a group of childhood friends reuniting years later to deal with a dark secret. The two of them are also strikingly similar to Stephen King's IT not just because they use this trope, but because they use the double narrative, where we see things play out across two time periods that build the story in a way that gradually unfolds the mystery. Whilst making use of this structure that was made famous with IT, this in no way feels like a copy, as Malfi manages to make it distinct in its own ways, and instead it feels more like a love letter to that kind of story, a small nod to similar horror books that have come before.

Small Town Horror is a slower read than some, and instead of putting the horror up front Malfi slowly builds the dread and tension, focusing instead on the narrative and the characters. The central group are an interesting bunch, each of them with their own distinct flavours, with their own quirks and flaws that seem to stem from the terrible event in their past. Each of them is clearly haunted in some particular way, whether it's running away from what they don't want to face up to, or losing themselves in drink and drugs, each of them feels like a study in both trauma and suppression.

Malfi also does a wonderful job with the feel of the locations. I loved the town that he built, and whilst it's not a place that I'd want to live in, it serves the story well and is filled with that creepy, small town horror that the title promises. The cover sets up the feel for the book wonderfully, and the remote lighthouse in the cold, hard environment lays the groundwork for what you'll find within the pages. The clifftop over the sea, the old houses, and the flooded basement all bring a particular feel to mind that makes a cold chill go down your back, even though the book is set during the height of summer. Malfi is able to take the ordinary, the unremarkable, and make it chilling in a way that I adore.

Whilst the book spends much of its time building, it eventually has to reach a peak, a point in which the rising tension must break, and when it does it's all the more shocking. I think that Small Town Horror has one of those endings that people are going to remember, one that's so shocking to read, so horrific that you find yourself gripping your book all the tighter whilst reading, and once you've reached the final word you realise you were holding your breath for too long. It might not sit well with everyone, and it may be a little too much for some, but it's the kind of ending that shows why Malfi is such a deft hand at horror, and why you should be keeping an eye out for his name on the shelves.

I really enjoyed this one. A group of friends are brought together after an accident and struggle to keep a dark secret from their pasts from resurfacing. It was a great mix of murder, missing persons, paranormal, and dark secrets. This is a first I’ve read by this author and will definitely be reading more.

4 o 5 stars
https://lynns-books.com/2024/06/06/summerofhorror-small-town-horror-by-ronald-malfi/
My Five Word TL:DR Review : Ominously Creepy and Darkly Atmospheric

Small Town Horror is my first read for ‘Summer of Horror’.

Unsurprisingly Small Town Horror is written really well, Malfi can certainly set a scene, so well in fact that the setting feeds the anticipation. He has a wonderful way with words that just gives you a prickle on the back of your neck and makes you glance apprehensively into the shadows of the room where you’re reading. I’ve read and loved already two of his books and so was super excited for this one.

Small Town Horror is a story of two halves. One, five young people, in the height of their youth, getting up to hijinx until things go horribly wrong – think ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ – for a loose idea of what to expect. The second half brings these five people back together years later to face a series of chilling intrigues.

This is a book of consequences, it’s a dark and chilling read and there is little of forgiveness or redemption among these pages.

So, Andrew Larimer is one of those friends. He’s managed to escape the small town where he was brought up and is now a successful attorney with a wife and a baby on the way. Then he gets a phone call from an old friend who needs help and he returns to his childhood home, a place he hasn’t visited since his father died.

The story is told in two timelines. We follow the friends as they build up for a double celebration, a birthday and 4th July. We then jump forward to the present day. This is an old and tested method and a way of storytelling that I particularly enjoy. We get to witness the difference between the characters as the years have passed and also see the impact that their actions have had upon them. Something that they all have in common is a feeling of ultimate doom, like they’ve all simply been waiting for something bad to happen. Dale’s wife has gone missing and he’s the prime suspect, he has a serious drink problem and is seeing things in the dark. Eric has become the local police chief, he is married with a family and this ultimately gives him this heightened sense of needing to pull out all the stops to protect what he has. Meach suffers with drug addiction. He is haunted (literally) by the past and can’t escape the guilt. Tig runs a local bar and diner, she has a young daughter who seems to be acting quite unusually, sleepwalking and getting into dangerous situations. Are they all cursed, or has the guilt simply got too much.

Now, all of this is built up gradually, all the while we have this small town feel, the sense of overall dilapidation and negativity. Then throw into the mix the local witch – that one woman who is plagued because she’s different and doesn’t fit the norm. And, Andrew’s childhood home also plays a strange part – it’s full of flies, the cellar is flooded with dark brackish water that steadily rises each day and someone has been squatting. It’s really creepy, I couldn’t actually believe that he could even sleep in the house, particularly with the eerie feeling of being watched.

What I really liked about this. The absolute sense of dread and horror. Malfi is fantastic at making you feel fear as you read. One example, Andrew, before he returns to his hometown, he’s in the bedroom one night, his wife taking a shower, when he becomes aware that he’s not alone, something is watching him from the shadows, something that begins to retreat slowly once it realises it has been noticed. Okay, I’m not a writer so I can’t do that scene justice but it gave me a serious case of the heebies. I found myself looking round the room into the dark corners. And this sense of creepiness keeps on and is increased by the general feeling of foreboding.

There’s also the mystery of what actually happened on ‘that night’. It’s one of those situations that is just staggering, and shattering. The sort of occurence that would make you repeatedly ask ‘if only’. It was captivating, of course you have an idea of what is going to happen, but at the same time you’re almost racing forward to find out what the big reveal is.

In the present day there’s also the mystery of the missing wife. Dale’s wife had been acting very strangely for some time and you could see why the police would have no hesitation in suspecting him of wanting to put a stop to her shenanigans. The situation is placing Dale under enormous stress and there is always the potential that he will give away secrets.

The other thing I really liked was the sense of anticipation and the build up of atmosphere as we head to the finale.

Also, there is a twist that I really didn’t see coming.

In terms of criticisms. Well, even now, as I write this review, I just don’t know how I feel about the ending. It was definitely a surprise. Everything went a little crazy and it all felt so abrupt, and a little sad. I think it was perhaps a bit of a shock and in some ways I feel like I should go back and reread the ending to see what vibes it gives me the second time round. In a nutshell I can’t help feeling that I’ve missed something important.

Anyway, this was certainly a compelling read and very well written and I can’t wait to see what the author comes up with next.

I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.

I really enjoy the small town setting in horror novels. This is spooky and suspenseful. The ending is completely messed up!

Whew - this is a very well-written feel bad book. Our narrator, Andrew, gets a call to return to the hometown he abandoned as soon as he could, reuniting him and his four friends to confront their darkest secret.

"My father was right about small towns: the cost is sometimes higher than the return, and secrets, much like the things that lurk far below the surface of the bay, can stay buried for a very, very long time. But in the end, everyone pays."

When they were 16, the five of them did something unforgivable, and now 20 years later they are being haunted by the ghost they created and a curse they placed on the whole town. It's easy to kind of hate everyone, even while you also feel bad for the ones in which they are being punished. It's a good reminder that terribleness is a spectrum and some of these human monsters are worse than others.

There are lots of twists at the end that I did not see coming, not even a little bit, and lots of times I said "oh no!" out loud because it was shocking. I was swept up in these characters, but especially in the mystery of how things were going to resolve in the present when the past decided it was time to come clean.

The last note I wrote was "how hopeless." There really isn't a good ending for anyone, so prepare yourself.

We have five friends from a small town that have a dark past. What did they do? How is this affecting their adult lives? How did this one event in the past possibly curse them? In Malfi's new release Andrew comes back to his hometown to help out a friend, which in turn, will change his life forever. Andrew, Dale, Eric, Tig and Meach all share the same secret. Will that secret now come out and what will happen while trying to keep that secret buried?

This is the second book I have read by Ronadl Malfi, the first being Night Parade. I really wanted to love this book and went in with high expectations. Unfortunately, the read kind of dragged and was a bit slow for my taste. The last 30 percent of the book was my favorite. There were two plot twists that surprised me and made the ending more interesting and climatic. I'm sure Malfi fans will still want to add Small Town Horror to their collections. Small Town Horror because available on June 4th. Happy Reading!

When Andrew Larimer returns to his childhood hometown of Kingsport following an ominous phone call from an old friend, one can't help but make a few comparisons to Stephen King's 'IT'. 'Small Town Horror', however, is less concerned with the supernatural (though don't worry, there's still plenty to be found here) than it is with what Andrew and his friends did when they were younger that continues to haunt them well into adulthood.

It's not a particularly original storyline, granted, but it's well told and Malfi does an exceptional job at building dread and suspense with each page-turn. I enjoyed the interactions between the characters, though naturally, none of them can seemingly bring themselves to directly reference their past for the sake of, you know, keeping the reader in the dark. It's 'convenient' to the point of being slightly unrealistic, but I can forgive it.

There were a few revelations that didn't quite sit well with me, but I absolutely loved the climax to the story and it made the slow build-up during the first half of the book well worth it. One thing to note, however, is that the book shifts from first-person to third depending on which character you're following. Malfi even calls this out at the start, which I enjoyed, but if you're not into this kind of thing, then just keep it in mind.

Otherwise, jumping between the past and present-day was painless and I never found myself confused or wondering what the heck was going on. All in all, it's well worth a read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Titan Books for providing a digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Well I can honestly say I didn’t imagine the story would end the way it did. Delightfully twisted I must say. As always, Ronald Malfi entertains. He sure knows how to weave a story and draw the reader in. There is just something about stories that center around kids bonding over an event and later being drawn back together to confront the consequences. I just can’t resist them. Sometimes the coming back together is to lend each other strength to attempt to combat an evil not quite vanquished the first time around. (Such as King’s classic IT). This is not that type of tale. No, in Small Town Horror, Malfi has his characters reuniting to finally confront the dirty secret that has haunted them for the last two decades. Think “I Know What You Did Last Summer” only it’s more like I know what you did twenty summers ago. Malfi does a wonderful job with the characters, they’re fully realized and completely believable. The story is totally engrossing and while I saw a few of the plot twists coming, there were a few that took me completely by surprise, and not just that ending. This is another worthy addition to Malfi already impressive collection of novels. I’d like to thank Titan Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an eARC of Small Town Horror.

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/small-town-horror-ronald-malfi/1144125785?ean=9781803365657&bvnotificationId=86a7f17f-22db-11ef-99a5-12ae1a06bf8b&bvmessageType=REVIEW_APPROVED&bvrecipientDomain=gmail.com#review/311105704

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC of this book. This was a very entertaining read. This is my first Malfi book and it will not be the last! The story started a bit slow but picked up midway. The storyline was creepy and kept me wanting more after each chapter. The characters were well done and relatable.

First, let me thank NetGalley, and Titan Books, for allowing me the opportunity to receive an advanced copy of Small Town Horror in exchange for an honest review; and thanks to Ronald Malfi for writing what, so far, has been my favorite read this year.

I’ve looked at some of the other reviews, and I honestly don’t know why this book isn’t resonating with some people. Yes, there isn’t a character in the story that you care for, except Rebecca (in my opinion). That was intentional. Malfi doesn’t want you to like the characters - because they don’t deserve to be liked. Plain and simple.

Without rehashing the story - like so many other reviews do - I’m just going to say this. The group of friends made a mistake; a mistake that ended in the death of an outcast. Of course, they didn’t say anything to anyone, and karma (or maybe something else) kicked them in the ass, with devastating consequences. So no, they don’t deserve to be liked, but they did deserve everything they had coming to them.

Now, was it scary? Not necessarily - I’d say it was more a psychological thriller. It was most certainly a slow burn, and while you may think you know where it’s going, i can say with certainty that you do not. I was not expecting the ending we got, and I’m still not 100% sure if… never mind, I don’t want to spoil anything.

I will say this - if you haven’t read anything by Ronald Malfi, this would be a great book to start with. You get a feel for his phenomenal storytelling ability, and maybe a little chill down your spine once or twice (but nothing to make you want to leave the lights on all night - that honor went to a different book this year).

I would love to see Hollywood stop with the BS remakes that nobody wants, and talk to Malfi about an option for this one (or December Park) - and follow through with a movie. Better yet, a Netflix series, where justice can be done to this fantastic tale of friendship, murder, pacts, revenge, and karma.

3.5 stars rounded up

Told in dual timelines, Small Town Horror tells the tale of 5 adults reconnecting years after a dark misdeed. The book centres on Andrew, a lawyer by day but plagued with fear by night. An old friend calls upon him for legal aid as he's the number one suspect in his wife's disappearance. Drawn back into his hometown, he'd plunged into mystery as friendships, memories, and secrets resurface. But it's not only the past that haunts the 5 friends, as they begin to doubt their mind and their experiences - is it a ghost, a hallucination, or are they influenced by suggestion? Things continue to worsen for the group as they search for answers, with deadly consequences.

The book focuses primarily on the mystery of missing persons, whilst retelling the dark events from many years ago, alongside background on the groups dynamic and history together. Andrew does not believe it's a haunting at first, but begins to experience more and more bewildering events. The book meanders through the mystery, weaving in creepy supernatural doubt, before escalating at the end with plot twists and deaths aplenty. I found the story interesting, if not predictable, but found it hard to understand the characters motivations at times - for example, why does Andrew lie to his wife? Andrew is often the catalyst to uncovering the truth, but the main plot would largely remain the same without him. It's overall a story we've heard before - a group of friends reunite as adults following a dark event in their childhood. Whilst reminiscent of IT at times (especially with the token girl that several of the boys like), my interest waxed and waned due to the slow pace. I personally felt there was not enough horror, and I would have enjoyed exploring more of the haunting, possible witch curse, and wibbly wobbly timey wimey stuff (it was a really cool concept that was only briefly touched on). Additionally the characters could have been fleshed out a little more, as they could easily blur together, and it was hard to care for anymore (though I did like Tig a little more than the rest). I particularly liked the scene in the motel, which was especially evocative and atmospheric, I just wish the rest of the book kept this up or the endings quicker pace. Overall it was enjoyable, but the pace really let it down and it would've benefitted from more horror than interpersonal conflict. Thank you to netgalley for the arc.

Another excellent book by Ronald Malfi. Although not an original premise five friends back in their childhood town it's very well told. Andrew Latimer is the main protagonist and told in two timelines. Very atmospheric and it shows an author at the top of his game. Thanks to Titan books and Netgalley for this review ARC

Small Town Horror" by Ronald Malfi is a gripping novel that explores how our past can haunt us even when we try to move on. The story follows Andrew Larimer, who is forced to confront memories of his past when he receives a phone call from a childhood friend. As the story unfolds, we see how Andrew's past affects his present, and how a secret shared by him and his childhood friends has far-reaching consequences.

Malfi has created an atmospheric novel, using familiar tropes like the small-town setting, secrets and lies to create a sense of unease and tension. The story is told through two timelines, Andrew's past and present, which are woven together seamlessly.
While the story may not be the most original, Malfi's expert handling of familiar plots and tropes keeps you engaged and guessing until the very end. With well-written twists and turns, "Small Town Horror" is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers or fans of horror. For those unfamiliar with Malfi's work, this novel is a great place to start.

Thank you to Titan Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Brief Summary:
We follow our main character Andrew who is living with his wife and they’re expecting a baby. Moving away from his small town upbringing, he is a successful laywer and living the dream. One night he gets a phone call from an old friend and is forced to return back home and face a dark secret he has put aside for many years..

My Thoughts:
I’m absolutely captivated by Malfi’s writing style. This is only my second book by him, but he’s quickly become one of my favourites. His writing is spine-chilling and filled with a creeping dread that’s hard to shake. Malfi takes simple concepts and executes them brilliantly, although there were definitely moments in this book that left me shocked. I highly recommend picking it up—you won’t be disappointed!

I chose to read a free eARC of Small Town Horror but that has in no way influenced my review.

I’m a huge fan of Ronald Malfi’s books. It all started when I read Come With Me back in 2021. Boy, did that book make me sit up and take notice. Since then I’ve made it my mission to read everything Malfi has written. You can find my reviews of some of his other books HERE. There is something about the set-up of the author’s stories, something about the characters, and something about how utterly devastating the denouement tends to be that has, in the short space of a few years, made Ronald Malfi one of my favourite authors. So, of course, I was thrilled to get hold of an early copy of Small Town Horror. The last couple of offerings published here in the UK have been rather excellent short story collections, so I was very much looking forward to getting stuck into a full length novel. And it did not disappoint one jot!

Andrew Larimer is a successful lawyer in New York. His wife, Rebecca, is expecting their first child and things really seem on the up for the couple. So when late at night, an old friend from his hometown of Kingsport calls and tells Andrew he must return to the small fishing town, he reluctantly does exactly that. Leaving heavily pregnant Rebecca alone, telling her he’s going on a business trip rather than the truth. Andrew swore he would never return to Kingsport. The town doesn’t fit in with his life anymore. He managed to escape, the others didn’t. Now all grown up, Andrew, Dale, Eric, Tig and Meach need to confront what happened that night twenty years ago. They need to own up to what they did. Otherwise, it could be the end of everything as they know it…

Superbly written, as I have come to expect from this author. Small Town Horror has a creeping, building sense of foreboding and I gobbled it up with glee. Andrew is a fairly normal guy on first meeting. He’s successful, adores his wife and, understandably, is fairly anxious about becoming a father for the first time. But Andrew’s ‘fairly anxious’ is a little more heightened perhaps than other first time parents. When he receives a call from an old childhood friend that implies he must return to Kingsport, he drops everything and heads home. Enter everything ominous you can possibly think of. On arrival at his late father’s house he’s greeted by turkey vultures sitting on the roof, a smell of death permeating the premises, evidence of a squatter and a pressing sense that there is something seriously wrong with the house. Surrounded by his father’s possessions, having to face his grief head on, Andrew decides the house will do for the short time he plans to stay. But then things get really weird.

Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. Small Town Horror is another stunning read from a skilled storyteller. Malfi’s characters are very believable. You may not particularly like them, but you will become invested in their story. And what a story they have to share! Utterly haunting, creepy, full of atmosphere and with a strong sense of place. I was drawn into the world of Kingsport and the dark history held between these five people. There’s an absolute shocker of a twist in the second half of the book which changed everything for me. Perfectly placed and expertly delivered for maximum effect. I cannot get enough of the author’s writing and I urge all horror readers out there to make sure you have at least one Ronald Malfi book on your shelf. Once you’ve read one and experienced the author’s clever, vivid, emotional, haunting prose I can guarantee you’ll be on the hunt for more! As for THAT ending…*chef’s kiss*. Absolute perfection. I am devastated and I flipping loved it. Highly recommended

I chose to read and review a free eARC of Small Town Horror. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.

Small Town Horror by Ronald Malfi is an atmospheric, menacing story that kept me in suspense until the end.
Well-written, with excellent character development. This is a creepy, atmospheric tale, full of suspense.
This book will keep you intrigued to the very end! Written with great care to detail and characterization. Kept me entertained through the whole story. It was so interesting I couldn't put it down. I read the book in one day.

Thank You NetGalley and Titan Books for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

An atmospheric, deliciously creepy, and haunting story of revenge. This dark tale is told mostly from the perspective of Andrew Larimer, although the story surrounds him as well as his four friends in a dual timeline. He's forced to return to his small hometown of Kingsport to deal with the ramifications of a tragic incident in the past that threatens to upend his happy life. With the pacing of a thriller and the darkness of a horror tale, this was a dream read for me. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I have to admit Malfi is becoming a favourite author of mine but I was a tad worried when the trope of returning back to the small town was mentioned. I shouldn’t have been when I knew Malfi was writing it. Some aspects of course did follow the tried and true trope but others created enough interest to keep me engaged through out.

I obviously won’t go too far into details on the plot in fear of spoilers but I will say that I really enjoyed this one. Once again Malfi is great at creating atmosphere and keeping you hooked. You don’t always know what is going on but that isn’t a bad thing at all. I do have to admit some of the characters I didn’t like but that was on me and also a testament to Malfi’s ability at creating believable characters so it is not something I would consider a negative.

Despite the length I quickly got through tis one since I needed to know what happened next. If you enjoy horror you need to read this one.

As always thank you to Titan Books and Netgalley for the copy to review. My review is honest and truthful.