I know it’s on January 4th but I feel secure in saying this is one of my favorite books of the year! Once I started reading I did not want to put it down.
“Senseless” by Ronald Malfi is a psychological thriller/kinda police procedural that is told from three separate perspectives. All three character POVs were equally engaging to me and everything came together in a very satisfying way.
I honestly cannot recommend this book enough. I have read and enjoyed a couple of Malfi’s books before but if it says anything, after finishing this I immediately went and put library holds on all of his books I haven’t read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Titan books for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

A crime thriller with great suspense, some brolliantly disturbing characters, and intense squelchiness. Many scenes ride psychosexual undertows. This was my first book by Malfi.

After the powerful crime-scene opening, the changing points of view frustrated me at first. I ended up liking the odd, kaleidoscopic nature of the storytelling. It was a fascinating read and parts of it were mesmerizing.

I'm a bit unsettled with the ending.

Favorite Things:
The unusual premise, crime scene depictions, and a horpillilating chapter
Stories within stories
Male grief
Palpable sense of menace
Edges of supernatural horror and dread
A realistic woman in a difficult situation–she’s not a common thriller stock female
Malfi’s use of language is appetizingly crunchy
At times hallucinogenic

Thank you, Titan Books, for the e-ARC for consideration. These are solely my own opinions.
I'll post public reviews and link them closer to the publication date.

Told from several POVs, I did find it a bit confusing at first. This book seemed to stray from Malfi's normal writing style. But once I got the rhythm of it, I enjoyed the different storylines and how they inevitably merged by the end.

This novel mixed vampires and the paranormal, possible mental illness and monsters, murder and grief, running away from problems and family dysfunction. There's something for everyone in this, and Malfi always knows how to draw in his readers.

I gave this 4⭐️

As always, thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to have an advanced ebook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

4 stars--I really liked it.

"Have you met the monkey?" Good lord, that sentence was unsettling! If you've read this book, you'll know what I mean!

Senseless straddles the line between horror and noir. Malfi is a good writer, and he knows how to create an unsettling atmosphere. Very dark and intricately plotted. Each character and plot element falls into place, creating a disturbing whole.

I received this review copy from the publisher on NetGalley. Thanks for the opportunity to read and review; I appreciate it!

Thank you so much Titan books for the advanced copy. Ronald Malfi is a master of horror and dealing with grief. A cop grieving for his dead wife,a psychiatrist with a murdered wife looking for revenge. A soon to be wife with a stepson who might be a murderer and a troubled young man who believes he’s in love with a vampire and will do anything to get her to turn him. All these people weave together after another murder in the unforgiving desert. This was an amazing noir feeling novel that kept you engaged to the very end unraveling the mystery. 4.5 ⭐️

OK, I am not going to lie, so ‘no cap’ as my middle schooler would say. I LOVE this author with all my being. I think I have read 3-4 of his novels and I just love the way he ties the characters together. Although, while reading “Senseless” you might be curious and think “how is this going to wrap up in a neat bow?” BUT Malfi NAILS IT all while delivering a fantastic plot!! Now I am not going to go into what this is about anyone can read the blurb….what I am going to say is that if you are looking for some creepy horror, a crazy mystery woven in, and an amazing story then Ronald Malfi is for you! There is some gore and graphic scenes, and you should probably check your trigger warnings but damn what an amazing ride. Big thanks to NetGalley and Titan Books for the eARC (my views are my own!), and a massive shoutout to Ronald Malfi for another amazing read!

Three people living separate lives but end up linked in this latest book by Ronald Malfi. Bill Renney is a detective who's been called to a body in the desert a year on from an almost identical murder was found in the same location. Maureen Parks is a newly engaged writer getting to grips with life in her fiance's Hollywood circles and feeling unsettled after an unexpected introduction to her future stepson Landon. Toby Kampen is a young man whose grip on reality is unravelling; he believes he is a human fly and has become obsessed with a young woman he met in a nightclub who he believes is a vampire.

Having read A Smalltown Horror by the same author earlier in the year I was looking forward to reading this one, and it did not disappoint. A great last read of 2024. Ronald Malfi is quickly becoming one of my favourite authors.

Thanks to Netgalley, Titan Books and Ronald Malfi for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

Ronald Malfi's is a bit of a mess.

The book sees Malfi step outside of his usual horror fare for a more traditional Hollywood murder-mystery billed as being in the vein of the Zodiac. Yet despite a strong opening in which a mutilated body is found in the desert it's a mostly ho-hum affair which runs out of air before the mystery is solved.

Others have it enjoyed it far more so maybe I missed something but for me there were far too many threads that fizzed out well before the final reveal.

Senseless is an intriguing story on multiple levels, driven to an unexpected and disturbing conclusion through the eyes of various characters whom you want to trust but just can’t because of their darkest secrets.

Malfi is such a great writer. I’ve read several of his books and was super happy to be able to get a copy of this before the release.

Senseless was filled with twists and turns. It’s suspenseful, scary, and filled with so many memorable characters. What really stuck out on this one was the use of multiple story lines that eventually mended into one.

Anything Malfi writes is guaranteed to be solid!

Captivating--as Malfi's tales usually are. This story touches on every aspect of the human experience. Especially the dark ones. I was plunged into the lives and perspectives of three characters with no idea how they would eventually cross paths. The twists were brilliant and the creepiness was expertly crafted.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Senseless.

I really enjoy the author's books and always look forward to a new novel.

Unfortunately, Senseless wasn't my favorite because I felt the ending was anti-climatic and lacked the twists Mr. Malfi excels at.

The narrative is divided into three parts; Detective Renney is investigating the brutal murder of a young woman, which is similar to another victim from the previous year.

One-time novelist Maureen Park is celebrating her quickie engagement to her film producer fiance.

When his troubled son returns home Maureen soon wonders what connection her future stepson has to the recent murder victim on the news.

Toby is a disturbed young man whose quest for immortality will lead him the readers back to the beginning of the narrative and how he ties in with Kenney and Maureen.

I enjoyed Renney's POV and the police procedural aspects of narrative; his character development was better fleshed out than Maureen and Toby.

Maureen was a cliche; a woman with a secret hiding from her past and engaged in just a few months. She spends most of her narrative anxious, tense, but does move her narrative forward by doing a little investigating of her own.

I couldn't stand Toby's arc; as a character he was uncompelling and often irritating. His narrative was the most tedious and dragged the story's pacing.

Maybe he was supposed to be blatantly unlikable and creepy; but I wished he had been developed better, instead of just a flat out nut.

I enjoyed Mr. Malfi's writing; he has a comfortable writing style that flows and draws you in easily.

I liked how all three characters tied back to each other, but I didn't like this as much as Mr. Malfi's previous books.

With Senseless, Ronald Malfi has crafted a creepy, captivating, supernatural, horrific and shocking tale. I had no idea where this book was going with the various subplots, but Malfi wove this book together expertly and brilliantly. This book touches on secrets, family, loss, relationships, the underbelly of Los Angeles, mental health, marriage, and horrific crimes.

Whew! The body of a young woman has been found horribly mutilated outside of L.A. and Detective Bill Renney, who recently lost his wife, can't help but see the similarities between the murder and horrific mutilation of a woman the year prior.

Maureen Park has recently become engaged to Hollywood producer, Greg Dawson and finds herself increasingly uncomfortable and feeling uneasy around his son, Landon. He seems to enjoy making people uncomfortable.

Toby Kampen, is a young man who refers to himself as a Human Fly. He lives a solitary existence but when he meets a unique woman a bar who piques his interest and has him wondering if she human or something else altogether.

As I mentioned, I had no clue where this book was going or how everything was going to come together. but Malfi pulled it off brilliantly. The characters are an interesting bunch with many of the characters being more unlikeable than the next. One or two were likeable, but ALL had secrets!

This book was oozing with unease, tension, dread, and chilling moments! Plus, the atmosphere was top notch and added to the eerie vibe of this book. Hats off to Malfi for such a horrific, wonderfully written, and well thought out book!

Fans of Malfi will not be disappointed. If you have not read a book by Malfi, you will want to sink your teeth into this one!

I’ve loved most of Malfis books that I’ve read with the possible exception of his short story collection.
When I had a chance to get a copy of this to read I grabbed it without reading the blurb and honestly I’d advise you to do the same. The less you know about this book the more enjoyment you will get.

The basis of the tale revolves around two women found murdered and buried in the desert, a year apart, both mutilated in the same way.
That is the backdrop for a trilogy of three different stories within one that all come together at the end.

This reminded me of early Stephen King in its character development. The three completely set of characters all get plenty of time here and are beautifully developed. Yes they are all here for a purpose but unlike many authors, Malfi takes the time to develop these characters and their world. Each story stands on its own and gets plenty of time. There’s no real jarring changes as time spent in each setting is tells a little story within itself.

There are some bonkers characters here, no more so than “the fly”. What an unsettling experience it is spending time in his head as you feeel a sense of both pity and horror.

This is a really clever book. Three books for one that is intimately one book. I had no idea how the stories would come together but they did so seamlessly.

The ending I can see having a bit of a mixed reception but personally I loved it.

And easy 5 stars for me. When Malfi is on form there’s few to match him. Senseless might be his best work to date.

Thanks to the publisher for the ARC through Netgalley.

I never know how to review Malfi without spoilers so I will keep this short and sweet. Plus, I don’t know what y’all expect me to say about his writing that I haven’t already said before. With his usual precision, intensity, and unique storytelling, Malfi delivers not just any novel but a vampire novel. It’s disturbing, horrifying in all the right places, and I never knew where the story was taking me.

In Senseless, Malfi plays with the supernatural in an interesting way, keeping readers at an arm’s length for much of the book. For me, it didn’t feel like his usual style; less dreadful horror, more detective/crime thriller. Still, it is undoubtedly a masterful piece of work. Dark, gritty, unsettling—really, really damn good.

If you haven’t read Ronald Malfi yet, I really don’t know what the hell you are waiting for.

Thank you Titan Books for the early copy in exchange for an honest review! Available Apr. 15 2025

Senseless by Ronald Malfi is a masterclass in psychological horror, blending gripping suspense with profound emotional depth. Malfi’s evocative prose pulls readers into a dark, unsettling world where every twist feels both shocking and inevitable. The characters are richly drawn, their struggles and fears palpable, making the story as emotionally resonant as it is terrifying. The pacing is flawless, building tension and dread with every chapter, culminating in a breathtaking conclusion. A haunting and unforgettable novel that cements Malfi’s place as a powerhouse in the genre. Perfect for fans of intelligent, character-driven horror.

Believe it or not I scarcely read thrillers. One without fantasy, sci-fi, whatever else you could possibly throw into the mix to make it more interesting.

Reading Ronald Malfi's "Senseless" is my attempt to dip back into the pool of a really popular genre at my branch! I understand why people like reading them so much now.

Three vastly different POVs converge into one utterly baffling mystery.

I was blindsided by how bizarre the third POV readers encounter is. If you read the blurb you'll know which one I'm talking about. The presentation is so unlike the others that it snapped my attention back but I still felt like there was an unbalance between the three perspectives.

The other nitpick is that even though the book is fiction, it loses a sense of realism when specific ideas and turns of phrase are repeated in the different POVs sacrificing believability for a consistent motif.

I really enjoyed the read, I think the construction of the narrative is pretty addicting and it's clear why thrillers are often paired with the phrase "can't be put down".

This book was everything I wanted and more. While it technically can’t be crowned a 2024 favorite because of its release date, Senseless is already shaping up to be a 2025 standout for me. Malfi’s latest masterpiece is a seamless blend of supernatural horror and procedural thriller that will leave readers haunted long after the final page.

To be honest, I was a little hesitant going into this one. Procedurals don’t usually make my list of favorites because I often find the detectives unrelatable—characters with savior complexes and a chip on their shoulder. But this is Malfi, and when Malfi writes, you read. Needless to say, I’m glad I did because Senseless blew away every expectation I had.

Malfi’s writing style pulls you in like nothing else I’ve read. It’s vivid and immersive without bogging you down in unnecessary detail. Every word feels intentional, designed to draw you further into the dark, tangled world he’s created. And the three main characters? Flawless. Each was so well fleshed out, so unique, they could have carried their own standalone novel.

I absolutely loved—and hated—all three. Malfi’s ability to evoke such complex emotions is astounding. It takes real skill to make you feel something for characters whose actions you utterly despise. Each character’s story is heartbreaking, and Malfi reveals their backstories with such precise timing that you’re constantly reevaluating your feelings about them. Just when you think you’ve figured someone out, he gives you another piece of the puzzle. Another layer. Another reason to question everything.

The supernatural elements are masterfully woven into the procedural thriller. As you’re reading, you’re constantly asking yourself: Is this real? Is it all in the characters’ heads? Are they unraveling, or is something far more sinister at play? By the time the storylines converge, nearly everything falls into place—but not without some open-ended threads that will leave readers’ jaws hanging. Trust me, you’ll be saying WTF! (I definitely was). And yet, the ending feels perfect for the wild ride this story takes you on.

Malfi doesn’t wrap things up with a neat little bow. There’s no “and they lived happily ever after” here. Instead, he leaves you with questions that will have you thinking about Senseless days later. And honestly, isn’t that the mark of a great horror novel?

Ronald Malfi continues to prove why he’s a force to be reckoned with in the horror genre. I truly believe he’s destined to become a household name, as synonymous with horror as Stephen King. If you haven’t read his work yet, you need to dip your toes into the Malfi waters. Start with Senseless. You won’t regret it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for the eARC. All opinions expressed are my own—and thank you, Ronald Malfi, for yet another phenomenal read. Honestly, how do you keep outdoing yourself?

Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for an ARC of Senseless.

I am not a fan of police procedurals so I almost skipped this one but so glad I didn't! I was absolutely captivated by each story individually and couldn't turn the pages quickly enough. For most of the book I had no idea how the different story lines were going to come together but the wait was worth it because the characters and events were masterfully woven in the end. My only wish would be for a more definite answer on the identity of the murderer. I finished reading late at night and actually dreamed about who I thought the murder was because it was such an open-ended conclusion.

This was my third Ronald Malfi book and he officially has a place on my "auto-read" list!

4.5 stars

Ronald Malfi writes such beautiful horror novels, my only regret is not getting to read this one until after spooky season was over!