ARC 📖 Review: Senseless by Ronald Malfi
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5 stars)

What a cool take on a murder investigation story! I’m obsessed with Malfi’s writing style—it really keeps you intrigued the whole time, even when the chapters feel forever long, lol. Highly recommend this one! Publishes April 15th!

Thank you @netgalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

🦟🧛🏼‍♀️💀

Detective Bill Renney investigates a murder in the Los Angeles desert that mirrors a past case while hiding a secret linking him to the first victim’s husband. Meanwhile, Maureen Park suspects her fiancé’s unsettling son may be connected to the crime, and Toby Kampen becomes obsessed with a mysterious woman who may not be fully human. As their lives intertwine, secrets and obsession blur the line between reality and the monstrous.

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3.75 ✨📚 My experience with "Senseless" was somewhat of a mixed bag when it came to the story. While the narrative didn't quite hit the mark for me, the vivid imagery and enchanting illusions throughout the text captivated my imagination. Instead of delving into a plot summary, I want to focus on how the conclusion affected my overall enjoyment. The ending caught me off guard with its abruptness, leaving numerous threads dangling in the air. I recognize that leaving things unresolved can be an intentional and powerful storytelling choice, yet in this case, it didn’t resonate with me as I had hoped.

I am eager to explore Ronald Malfi's extensive collection of previous works, as I have heard remarkable things about his storytelling. I want to thank my dear friend Nikki for recommending that I read Senseless and White Bone. I anticipate being drawn into his captivating narratives and unique characters on each page. Moreover, I eagerly await the release of his upcoming books, curious to see how his writing continues to evolve.

On a brighter note, the novel skillfully navigates thought-provoking themes such as the dichotomy of reality versus unreality. It explores how our senses can be distorted, especially under the weight of trauma or imbalances in brain chemistry. This layered complexity was evident as each character faced their own interpretations of reality, particularly in the harrowing context of the desert murders. Among them, our detective, Renner, stood out as a remarkably real and multi-faceted character. I found myself deeply invested in his journey. I wished we could have spent more time exploring his backstory and motivations instead of focusing primarily on Toby/the fly. It is a personal preference, but I believe Renner's character had much more to offer.

Conversely, I was left wanting more from the other characters, particularly the women in the story. While we were introduced to their unique quirks and mannerisms, I would have loved to see more depth and history to understand their motivations truly. Additionally, the relationship between Langdon and Greg intrigued me; I found myself craving deeper insights into their contentious dynamic, particularly regarding the puzzling “monkey” subplot that seemed to linger in the background.

In summary, the writing in "Senseless" is undeniably exquisite, brimming with beautiful imagery and profound themes, supported by a few wonderful characters. However, it would have been gratifying to receive at least one clear answer by the conclusion. For instance, what was the more profound significance of the monkey? Was he genuinely implicated in the murder case? And what events led to the palpable animosity between Langdon and Greg? I truly hope that future narratives can strike a balance between the allure of an open-ended conclusion and providing a satisfying resolution that leaves readers feeling fulfilled rather than frustrated. Expected Release Date: April 15, 2025

Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for providing an e-ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Three subplots with only the loosest ties in geography and theme weave together in a patient, painstaking way. Malfi is at a point in his career where he's earned my trust as a reader, and Senseless takes advantage of that, never rushing to put up flashy signs that say "just hold on!" and "you'll see". Instead, he lets the whole story slick out like oil across the surface of a pool until the threads ingeniously and inevitably intertwine to put sense to the senseless. Police procedural meets domestic drama meets seedy supernatural oddity in the newest release from one of horror's strongest modern voices.

Excellent multi-layered potential serial killer procedural / horror / psychological study of three very different but ultimately connected individuals - a grieving detective, the new fiancée of a Hollywood producer and a disturbed young man who thinks he’s a fly and hangs around with vampires. It’s a particularly eerie story at times, with an unsettling vibe that develops towards the end as the alternating narratives come together.
Arguably more crime thriller with a hallucinatory horror edge than a full horror, it reminded me of some of Stephen King’s ventures into crime. Hugely satisfying read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Titan Books for the ARC, in exchange for an honest review.

Malfi’s in my top-three favorite modern authors, so maybe I went into this one with too high expectations – especially concerning his exceptional skill at delivering brilliantly foreshadowed / satisfying endings. This one didn’t land for me, though I’m glad it did for so many others.

One character meandered too much, with their narrative having the same level of engagement as someone describing their dreams. And I lost count of how many characters had hallucinations at the core of their storylines, which is not my bag at all.

All of that said, it’s still a solid, good book - I just expect more from this author.

OMG! This horror novel is not for the faint of heart. Even hardy hearts beware. This is one crazy scary book. Ghosts, would be vampires, hallucinations, violent murders, psychos... it's all in there. Whoa. Thank you to NetGalley for this advance digital readers copy. And thanks for the nightmares.

A dark, gritty, eerie slow burn that held my attention throughout.

Thank you to Netgalley and Titan books for the arc.

I would first like to thank Netgalley and Titan books for the arc in exchange for feedback/review.
I am fairly new to Malfi's work, in fact this is only my second novel of his that I have read, the first being "Come With Me". I really enjoyed that one and the writing and just the overall feel of the novel lingered long after I finished it, so this was a no brainer of a request. Well, I was slightly disappointed with "Senseless" in terms of story, but some of the imagery and illusions were really beautiful.
I'm not going to get into a summary of the novel, because I could take it or leave it, I have a weird thing when it comes to endings when it relates to novels and films, and this just ended rather abruptly for me, I was completely taken aback that there was no more to the story. Nothing felt resolved, and believe me, this can be a wonderful tactic, as things rarely get tied up in a neat little bow, but this really did not work for me.
What did work? The themes of reality vs unreality, how our "senses" can confuse us, what if our reality is different from the person next to us because of trauma, or because of brain chemistry? Every one of our characters deals with this in different ways as it relates to the murders in the desert. I also really loved the Renner, our detective, he felt so real and complex, and I wish we spent more time with him, instead of Toby/the fly, but that's probably a "me" thing.
The rest of the characters left me wanting more and not in a good way. We learned about quirks and mannerisms, but not enough history about the women in this novel. Also, seriously what is the deal with Langdon and Greg, I wanted/needed more of their history, and the whole "monkey" thing was weird.

So, as a whole the writing is suburb with a ton of beautiful imagery and themes with a few wonderful characters, and while not answering all questions that happen throughout a story, give us at least one concrete answer; why the monkey? was he really the murderer of MJ? Maureen's novel? the mysterious woman she kept seeing? why do Langdon and Greg (father and son) hate each other? I don't want to feel frustrated at the end of a novel.

This novel contains graphic details of a mutilated corpse, child death, and mental illness

SENSELESS, by Ronald Malfi, is a Mystery/Thriller that follows three distinct sets of people.

When the body of a woman is found in the desert: mutilated in a horrific fashion, Bill Renney can't help but draw similarities to the case of a woman who was found in exactly the same area--with the same mutilations--a year before.

Maureen is engaged to Hollywood producer, Greg Dawson. After an unexpected visit from his "unhinged" son, Landon, Maureen begins to question if he could be responsible for more serious crimes.

Finally, we have Toby Kampen, a man who considers himself "The Human Fly". When he encounters a woman with vampire-like teeth, she becomes his obsession, and his life revolves around how he could become "like" her.

These are the three main lines we follow. Seemingly unconnected, Malfi weaves a world where you need to question everything you think you know, and follow down these individual dark paths. There was so much I didn't see coming, as these tales were slowly and masterfully brought together.

Recommended.

*I received and ARC from the publisher and NetGalley. All opinions expressed are uniquely my own.*

Crime/Mystery thriller with a touch of horror. Malfi magically blends three separate narratives into an eerie cohesive story. The main narrative follows a veteran detective investigating a recent gruesome murder of a psychiatrists wife that resembles a similar murder from years ago. Both women are left “senseless”. The second narrative follows a movie producer, his fiancee, and creepy son who shows potential signs of being a murderer. The third and best narrative, follows a mentally ill man who believes himself to be transforming into a fly, has a spider mother, and becomes infatuated with a woman he believes is a vampire! This third narrative is what adds the horror aspect to the book.

Pacing is a bit slow but I remained interested in the story, wondering how in the hell it was all going to connect. Characters were all interesting, and the ending left some big unknowns for the reader. Overall it was a great story and very unique plot. An entire book could have been on the fly man, my favorite story line. Senseless come out April 15, 2025.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC to review!
Rating (on a scale of 1 to 5, 5 being excellent)
Quality of writing: 5
Pace: 5
Plot development: 5
Characters: 5
Enjoyability: 5
Ease of Reading: 4

Overall rating: 5 out of 5

4.5 ⭐️ rounded up

A mutilated woman found in a horrific scene in the desert, a newly engaged Maureen who is reveling in her new life until her stepson comes along, and a young, 20-year old Toby who comes to obsess over a dark, lustful creature of the night with devastating consequences; how do these stories intertwine?

Malfi weaves together these three stories into one hauntingly beautiful, supernatural-esque mystery that unveils the dark secrets and their weight when one tries to suppress them. His exquisite writing elicits such a tangible fear in between the spaces of these character’s experiences, that you don’t even recognize the chill in your bones until it smacks you square in the face.

These characters were so defined in their grief, their mental illnesses, their secrets and their lies, that it’ll be hard to forget them. Malfi covers a lot of dark topics and displays them on a platter of gruesome reality, so check your trigger warnings. While this was fast-paced, the characters were well fleshed out and the plot was so engaging. I honestly could have read 100 more pages of this. What a fantastic, whirlwind of a story!

Part police procedural, part domestic thriller, and part potential supernatural horror, with Senseless Malfi once again proves that he is a master weaver working a literary loom, tying these three seemingly unconnected stories together. If I hadn’t already been hooked from the start, the initial crime scene description would have done the trick. As gruesome as it was, after ‘witnessing’ the condition of the victim I just had to know what kind of sick twisted monster could do that to a person. As always, I love the complex characters Malfi creates. They always feel real, flawed to be sure but real nonetheless, and no matter how wild the circumstances the situations always feel plausible as well. This one will keep you reading late into the night, and then unsettled by any sounds you might hear while drifting off to sleep. I’m probably a bit biased, but I feel Malfi is truly under appreciated. I’d like to thank Titan Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an eARC of Senseless.

Reviewing a book like Senseless is no easy feat. Especially when not mentioning any spoilers but I’ll try my best. Because I really loved the reading experience and, even if I don’t think this is a book for everyone, I recommend checking it out.

First, I’ll say that this book gave me all the feelings a horror book story should include. It was eerie, it was very odd at times, I found a few things slightly gross (it’s the eyes…don’t mess with the eyes) and I still couldn’t look away. I’m very used to this genre by now and few things shock me or disgust me. Perhaps this is not the book I would recommend to someone as their first horror book but I don’t consider it “advanced horror” if that makes any sense. The thriller elements probably make it more appealing to a wider audience. I love my thrillers too.

And it’s the mystery part that I found that made it work so well for me. We talk all day every day about how our attention spans keep getting worse. I notice that too. And yet, while reading this novel, I found myself so immersed in the story, I didn’t allow distractions to bother me like they usually do. So I find that to be a big positive for this book. It’s one of those stories that sucks you in and makes you keep reading…because you need to know what on Earth is going on!
As for the structure, it’s not the most orthodox but it works. Given who the author is, I was confident it’d be ok to have a confusing timeline. You have to do a bit more brainwork but it’s nothing insane. The pieces fall into place quite naturally while giving us time to theorise a lot. There’s a mystery and so we wonder who did it. But there are also supernatural elements and we can wonder if they are real or there’s another explanation for that. Maybe even by the end, we still theorise about what it all meant. I might have at least 5 theories for the ending and no real answers. I cannot wait to read other people’s thoughts on the ending. Also, I know the story will stay with me for a long time. And that’s what I want when I read a book. I want it to be memorable.

As for the characters, it’s tricky to talk about them given the nature of the story. But I mostly really enjoyed them. Maybe I would have wanted to know a bit more about Maureen. However, that could have ruined her character. And Toby was probably my least favourite…sometimes. He’s such a key element of the story and so many things about him were so interesting. But I’d lie if I said I didn’t sigh once when I saw a long chapter was all about him. In the end, it made sense why he got so much page time and I’ll definitely appreciate his character more in the future. While reading, his story felt a bit long at times. But it’s a very personal feeling and it makes me feel conflicted. Because so many interesting elements of the story happened because of Toby’s character.

For my final comment about the book, I want to say I loved how the title of the book sums up the story so well. It’s one of those words that can mean more than one thing and it’s because of that it works. Silly detail but I pay attention to those things.

“There are places in the desert where things can be hidden and never found.”

Ronald Malfi's novel is set in LA, Detective Renney is assigned to a case where a mutilated body was found in the desert. This doesn't sit well with him as media are speculating its the work of a serial killer. The Detective has his own challenges as he has to face things from his past including knowledge about the husband of a victim who was murdered in this similar way years prior. The story spans three bizarre events consisting of this brutal murder, an unsettling individual and a person infatuated with something dangerous. It's up to Detective to figure out wether this is all connected.

I've been looking forward to reading this new novel by Ronald Malfi.

It is a dark and gritty thriller with all the glitz and horror of Hollywood. I enjoyed the way in which the Detective works his way through the case with the interlinking stories.

Having that element of supernatural horror and deep dives into the circumstances of these three story lines, it felt like an addictive and gripping read. I didn't want to put it down until I could get close to the truth and of course I couldn't call it even if I tried.

Can honestly see this becoming a Film or TV Show that I'd happily binge.

I'd like to consider myself quite acquainted with Malfis work. Senseless definitely teeters into crime thriller for me rather than horror. Which I still enjoyed! I can typically "figure out" the ending with many, however this one kept me guessing! I contribute that to the various POVs. Unfortunately the ending had me yelling, "why Malfi, why?!?!"

(4.5/5) Ronald Malfi has long been one of my must-read authors, and with this new novel, he weaves three equally compelling storylines—each its own distinct genre—together into an engaging, suspensful thriller.

The hard-boiled detective noir: When a body is found mutilated in the desert in a similar manner to one found a year ago, the media is quick to assume a serial killer. Still grieving the loss of his wife, Detective Bill Renney forms a troubling friendship with the first victim's widower—the Dead Wives Club—and potential murder suspect.

The domestic thriller: Author Maureen Park has just become engaged to Hollywood producer Greg Dawson, prompting the return of his prodigal son Landon. The young man is temperamental and manipulative, and soon, Maureen finds herself ensnared in an unsettling and sinister family dynamic.

The surrealist horror: A man who believes he is a fly walks into a bar, becoming obsessed with a female vampire. He's willing to do her bidding, from the mundane to the gory, escalating in his attempts to impress her.

As the lines between reality and fantasy start to blur for each of our protagonists, their lives converge, resulting in horror and tragedy. In novels told through multiple perspectives, it can sometimes be hard to connect with all of them, but Malfi did a masterful job of making me feel thoroughly invested in all three storylines. The ending combines the satisfaction of a mystery solved with impending, off-page dread, leaving the reader wanting more. Another winner from Ronald Malfi that's bound to satisfy old fans and new readers.

3.5 stars. This book was deeply unsettling and chilling, with some graphic moments, particularly in the descriptions of the victims. The mystery combined with subtle supernatural elements gave me strong True Detective vibes, so if you enjoyed that show, you may really enjoy this book.

Told from the perspectives of Bill, Maureen, and Toby, each character’s storyline was compelling in their own way and I enjoyed how all three eventually came together at the end. Although I appreciated all three viewpoints, Toby’s chapters had a dreamlike quality that left me feeling a bit disoriented at times and I still had lingering questions at the end. While this wasn’t my favorite Ronald Malfi book, he’s a talented writer so I’ll continue to read any of his future books!

If you’re interested in a murder mystery featuring a detailed police investigation, a potential serial killer on the loose, and a Hollywood backdrop with a film noir atmosphere, you may enjoy this book!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an electronic ARC of this book!

I was not aware that ✨horror noir✨ is a genre but I might pick up every book marketed as one in the near future (yes this is a call for recommendations). I find Ronald Malfi's writing a tad on the dry side, but this lush and intricate story really kept my attention the entire time; I just had little to no idea where any of the plot lines will go up until the end.

This was such a good book. Immediately draws you in and keeps you interested. I loved the 3 different points of view and how it all ties together in the end was fantastic. Super creepy and right up my alley. 100% recommend and will be buying to add to my collection.