“What do you see…?

When the mutilated body of a young woman is discovered in the desert on the outskirts of Los Angeles, the detective assigned to the case can’t deny the similarities between this murder and one that occurred a year prior. Media outlets are quick to surmise this is the work of a budding serial killer, but Detective Bill Renney is struggling with an altogether different scenario: a secret that keeps him tethered to the husband of the first victim.

What do you hear…?

Maureen Park, newly engaged to Hollywood producer Greg Dawson, finds her engagement party crashed by the arrival of Landon, Greg’s son. A darkly unsettling young man, Landon invades Maureen’s new existence, and the longer he stays, the more convinced she becomes that he may have something to do with the recent murder in the high desert.

What do you feel…?

Toby Kampen, the self-proclaimed Human Fly, begins an obsession over a woman who is unlike anyone he has ever met. A woman with rattlesnake teeth and a penchant for biting. A woman who has trapped him in her spell. A woman who may or may not be completely human.

In Ronald Malfi’s brand-new thriller, these three storylines converge to create a tapestry of deceit, distrust, and unapologetic horror. A brand-new novel of dark suspense set in the City of Angels, as only “horror’s Faulkner” can tell it.”

Hello and welcome to damppebbles. Today I am delighted to share my review of Senseless by Ronald Malfi. Senseless is published by Titan Books today (that’s Tuesday 15th April 2025) and is available in hardcover and digital formats with the paperback to follow. I chose to read a free eARC of Senseless but that has in no way influenced my review.

Ronald Malfi has quickly become my favourite horror author. His books, whilst quite dark and disturbing, have such beauty and depth to them. I adore how this author tells a story, along with the characters he creates. The release of a new Ronald Malfi book is something I always look forward to very much. And if you’re a fan of horror fiction and you haven’t discovered this author yet then you’re truly missing out on something GREAT! Senseless is a superb addition to Malfi’s catalogue of work. Something a little different, but just as haunting and unsettling. A subtle horror story that gets under the skin and doesn’t let you go.

Detective Bill Renney is called to the LA county line to investigate the murder of a young woman. Having recently lost his wife, Renney is deep in grief and struggling to function normally. But even he can’t help but draw similarities between this recent murder and an unsolved murder from a year ago.
Maureen Park is celebrating her engagement to movie producer, Greg Dawson in a room full of people she doesn’t know. When Greg’s son, Landon, arrives uninvited, the mood instantly sours. There’s something about Landon that makes Maureen feel uncomfortable. And Landon seems to relish the fact.
Toby Kampen is a human fly. Finding himself in a nightclub one evening he meets a woman who Toby finds utterly captivating. He believes the mysterious woman has supernatural powers and he wants more from her. Toby’s obsession knows no bounds.

Three seemingly unconnected stories come together in a creeping, nuanced way. Unexpected and completely shocking, the links are slowly revealed to the reader. I loved Senseless. It’s one of those books (and I do find this happens a lot with Malfi’s books) that just stays with you. You’ll be thinking about this book weeks after you’ve finished reading it. The storytelling is superb. The reveal of how each storyline is connected – where all of a sudden, the pace completely changes and you don’t know which way is up – will leave you breathless. Senseless is such a clever, well-plotted novel. No one else tells a story like Ronald Malfi.

Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. Senseless is a dark and hypnotic story. Full of dread and menace. It puts you on edge with its palpable, building tension and I loved every second of it. I’ve already said it once in this review but it bears repeating, no one tells a story like Ronald Malfi. The writing is sublime. The characters are truly magnificent creations, and the plot was unlike anything I’ve read previously. Three very different stories featuring their own beautifully defined characters whose paths eventually cross and it all makes the most perfect sense. Personally, I’m always in awe of writers and how they create their stories. But to do THIS, to create Senseless…WOW! Absolutely outstanding. I savoured every word, every minute I spent with this book. All in all, a dark, subtle, meticulous tale. Expertly written and a real experience for the reader. Highly recommended.

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

Senseless by Ronald Malfi was published in the UK by Titan Books on 15th April 2025 and is available in paperback, audio and digital formats (please note, the following links are affiliate links which means I receive a small percentage of the purchase price at no extra cost to you): | amazon.co.uk | Waterstones | bookshop.org | Goodreads | damppebbles bookshop.org shop | damppebbles amazon.co.uk shop | damppebbles amazon.com shop |

Ronald Malfi is a bestselling, award-winning author of dark fiction. He is the recipient of two IPPY Awards, the Beverly Hills Book Award, the Vincent Preis Horror Award, the Benjamin Franklin Award for Popular Fiction, the William G. Wilson Award, and is a Bram Stoker Award nominee. Most recognized for his haunting, literary style and memorable characters, Malfi’s work has gained acceptance among readers of all genres. When he’s not writing, he’s fronting the rock band VEER.