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A review by whatyoutolkienabout
They Lurk by Ronald Malfi
5.0
Introduction
I was given a copy to review by Titan Books and Netgalley. My reviews are always honest and all opinions are my own. #ARCReview #Netgalley #TheyLurk #RonaldMalfi #TitanBooks #Horror
Review
They Lurk is the third work by Ronald Malfi and I really need to get into his back catalogue. My first introduction was Black Mouth a full novel that was perfection, my second was Ghostwritten and now They Lurk. I can say I think Malfi is becoming one of those authors that are an instant buy because you know you are going to get something good, scary, creepy or gory or perhaps all those things in one! This collection has five horror novellas reissued in one place. All five were brilliant. I particularly liked Skullbelly, where three children disappear in a forest which leads to private investigator uncovering a terrible local secret and Fierce that considers and tests the bonds of mother and daughter in a terrifying way.
That said The Separation which sees a friend visit Germany to help his old friend and up-and-coming prizefighter Charlie snap out of a deep depression. But soon Charlie’s behaviour grows increasing ly worrying and bizarre. Is the man suffering a nervous breakdown or is an other worldly force at work is brilliant, but was probably rated the lowest for me (because of my pet peeve of animal cruelty although fitting in with the story). The Strange being set in a Florida parking lot was a real ride, pun intended when David returns to find a stranger sat behind the wheel. The doors are locked and there’s a gun on the dashboard and slowly the insanity begins to start. Finally After the Fade which is almost biblical in parts sees a girl walk into a Annapolis tavern collapse and die but something latched itself to the base of her skull and it didn’t arrive alone. Now the patrons are all trapped, held imprisoned by the walls as monstrous things trying to find their way in.
Each story was unique but had Malfi’s flare and style of storytelling but of different aspects of horror as well. We have creeping horror, a take on folk horror, the horror of the human condition and so much more. On top of this the characters in these novellas are all too human with saving graces and flailing in equal parts. I honestly loved this collection. It is a must for any horror or thriller fan out there. If you know Malfi’s work you’ll not be disappointed and if this is your first you’ll be left wondering why you didn’t read his works sooner!
Hashtags
#ARCReview #Netgalley #TheyLurk #RonaldMalfi #TitanBooks #Horror #BookReviewer#BookBlogger #BookHoader #FantasticRead #BookDragon #BookShark #BookReader #Bookstagram #BookNerd #BookReader #BookLover #BooksBooksBooks #BookAddict #Book
I was given a copy to review by Titan Books and Netgalley. My reviews are always honest and all opinions are my own. #ARCReview #Netgalley #TheyLurk #RonaldMalfi #TitanBooks #Horror
Review
They Lurk is the third work by Ronald Malfi and I really need to get into his back catalogue. My first introduction was Black Mouth a full novel that was perfection, my second was Ghostwritten and now They Lurk. I can say I think Malfi is becoming one of those authors that are an instant buy because you know you are going to get something good, scary, creepy or gory or perhaps all those things in one! This collection has five horror novellas reissued in one place. All five were brilliant. I particularly liked Skullbelly, where three children disappear in a forest which leads to private investigator uncovering a terrible local secret and Fierce that considers and tests the bonds of mother and daughter in a terrifying way.
That said The Separation which sees a friend visit Germany to help his old friend and up-and-coming prizefighter Charlie snap out of a deep depression. But soon Charlie’s behaviour grows increasing ly worrying and bizarre. Is the man suffering a nervous breakdown or is an other worldly force at work is brilliant, but was probably rated the lowest for me (because of my pet peeve of animal cruelty although fitting in with the story). The Strange being set in a Florida parking lot was a real ride, pun intended when David returns to find a stranger sat behind the wheel. The doors are locked and there’s a gun on the dashboard and slowly the insanity begins to start. Finally After the Fade which is almost biblical in parts sees a girl walk into a Annapolis tavern collapse and die but something latched itself to the base of her skull and it didn’t arrive alone. Now the patrons are all trapped, held imprisoned by the walls as monstrous things trying to find their way in.
Each story was unique but had Malfi’s flare and style of storytelling but of different aspects of horror as well. We have creeping horror, a take on folk horror, the horror of the human condition and so much more. On top of this the characters in these novellas are all too human with saving graces and flailing in equal parts. I honestly loved this collection. It is a must for any horror or thriller fan out there. If you know Malfi’s work you’ll not be disappointed and if this is your first you’ll be left wondering why you didn’t read his works sooner!
Hashtags
#ARCReview #Netgalley #TheyLurk #RonaldMalfi #TitanBooks #Horror #BookReviewer#BookBlogger #BookHoader #FantasticRead #BookDragon #BookShark #BookReader #Bookstagram #BookNerd #BookReader #BookLover #BooksBooksBooks #BookAddict #Book