Small Town Horror
"Small Town Horror" by Ronald Malfi is a chilling and atmospheric novel that dives deep into the dark heart of small-town secrets, guilt, and the inescapable pull of the past. Published in June 2024 by Titan Books, this horror masterpiece centers on Andrew Larimer, a successful New York lawyer who has built a new life far from his childhood home of Kingsport, Maryland. With a pregnant wife and a promising career, Andrew seems to have left his past behind—until a late-night phone call from an old friend, Dale Walls, drags him back to the decaying seaside village where he grew up.
The story unfolds across two timelines: the present, where Andrew returns to Kingsport, and the past, revealed through vivid flashbacks to a fateful night twenty years earlier. That night, Andrew and his four childhood friends—Dale, Eric (now the town’s deputy sheriff), Tig (a single mother running a local bar), and Meach (a drug-addicted wreck haunted by visions)—committed an act so terrible that they’ve kept it buried ever since. But as Andrew reconnects with his old crew, it becomes clear that their shared secret isn’t as dead as they’d hoped. Strange occurrences pile up: Dale’s wife has vanished, Meach rants about a curse tied to the town’s reclusive "witch," Ruth Graves, and Andrew is plagued by nightmares and an unshakable sense of being watched. The group must confront not only their guilt but also the possibility that something supernatural—or perhaps their own unraveling minds—is coming for them.
Malfi’s strength lies in his ability to craft an eerie, slow-burn atmosphere that seeps into every page. Kingsport itself feels like a character—stagnant, rotting, and heavy with unspoken history. The imagery is haunting: vultures circling overhead, a flooded basement in Andrew’s childhood home, and the constant buzz of flies that hint at decay both literal and metaphorical. The novel’s pacing starts deliberately, building tension through the fractured dynamics of the friend group and the gradual unveiling of their past misdeeds. Then, around the 70% mark, it explodes into a cascade of shocking twists and visceral horror that keeps readers hooked until the final, heartbreaking yet fitting conclusion.
What sets "Small Town Horror" apart from similar tales—like Stephen King’s "It," which it echoes in its premise—is Malfi’s focus on the human cost of secrets. The five friends are flawed, often unlikable, and deeply real, their lives shaped by the weight of what they’ve done. Andrew, the narrator, is particularly compelling as he grapples with his lies—to his wife, to himself—and the creeping dread that his perfect life is unraveling. The supernatural elements are present but ambiguous, leaving readers to wonder whether the group is cursed by an external force or simply haunted by their own consciences. This blend of psychological and supernatural horror is where Malfi shines, delivering a story that’s as emotionally resonant as it is terrifying.
The novel isn’t without flaws. Some readers might find the middle section drags slightly, with abrupt shifts between timelines occasionally disrupting the flow. Others might note similarities to Malfi’s earlier work, like "Black Mouth," which also features a group of friends facing a dark past. Yet these are minor quibbles in a book that ultimately delivers on its promise. The ending, unexpected yet inevitable, lingers long after the last page, a testament to Malfi’s skill at weaving dread and despair into something unforgettable.
"Small Town Horror" is a standout in Malfi’s already impressive catalog, a must-read for fans of atmospheric horror and character-driven narratives. It’s a tale of friendship, betrayal, and the ghosts—real or imagined—that refuse to stay buried. Perfect for a late-night read, preferably with the lights on, this book cements Ronald Malfi’s reputation as one of horror’s most compelling voices today.
You can buy Small Town Horror by Ronald Malfi with my Amazon Affiliate link: https://amzn.to/3FL2BLI
The story unfolds across two timelines: the present, where Andrew returns to Kingsport, and the past, revealed through vivid flashbacks to a fateful night twenty years earlier. That night, Andrew and his four childhood friends—Dale, Eric (now the town’s deputy sheriff), Tig (a single mother running a local bar), and Meach (a drug-addicted wreck haunted by visions)—committed an act so terrible that they’ve kept it buried ever since. But as Andrew reconnects with his old crew, it becomes clear that their shared secret isn’t as dead as they’d hoped. Strange occurrences pile up: Dale’s wife has vanished, Meach rants about a curse tied to the town’s reclusive "witch," Ruth Graves, and Andrew is plagued by nightmares and an unshakable sense of being watched. The group must confront not only their guilt but also the possibility that something supernatural—or perhaps their own unraveling minds—is coming for them.
Malfi’s strength lies in his ability to craft an eerie, slow-burn atmosphere that seeps into every page. Kingsport itself feels like a character—stagnant, rotting, and heavy with unspoken history. The imagery is haunting: vultures circling overhead, a flooded basement in Andrew’s childhood home, and the constant buzz of flies that hint at decay both literal and metaphorical. The novel’s pacing starts deliberately, building tension through the fractured dynamics of the friend group and the gradual unveiling of their past misdeeds. Then, around the 70% mark, it explodes into a cascade of shocking twists and visceral horror that keeps readers hooked until the final, heartbreaking yet fitting conclusion.
What sets "Small Town Horror" apart from similar tales—like Stephen King’s "It," which it echoes in its premise—is Malfi’s focus on the human cost of secrets. The five friends are flawed, often unlikable, and deeply real, their lives shaped by the weight of what they’ve done. Andrew, the narrator, is particularly compelling as he grapples with his lies—to his wife, to himself—and the creeping dread that his perfect life is unraveling. The supernatural elements are present but ambiguous, leaving readers to wonder whether the group is cursed by an external force or simply haunted by their own consciences. This blend of psychological and supernatural horror is where Malfi shines, delivering a story that’s as emotionally resonant as it is terrifying.
The novel isn’t without flaws. Some readers might find the middle section drags slightly, with abrupt shifts between timelines occasionally disrupting the flow. Others might note similarities to Malfi’s earlier work, like "Black Mouth," which also features a group of friends facing a dark past. Yet these are minor quibbles in a book that ultimately delivers on its promise. The ending, unexpected yet inevitable, lingers long after the last page, a testament to Malfi’s skill at weaving dread and despair into something unforgettable.
"Small Town Horror" is a standout in Malfi’s already impressive catalog, a must-read for fans of atmospheric horror and character-driven narratives. It’s a tale of friendship, betrayal, and the ghosts—real or imagined—that refuse to stay buried. Perfect for a late-night read, preferably with the lights on, this book cements Ronald Malfi’s reputation as one of horror’s most compelling voices today.
You can buy Small Town Horror by Ronald Malfi with my Amazon Affiliate link: https://amzn.to/3FL2BLI
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