Senseless

Name: Senseless
Price: 19.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781803367613

✍️ Ronald Malfi

Reader Score

4.5

(1 review)

$19.99

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Three converging storylines reveal deceit and supernatural horror in Los Angeles.

The narrative shifts between a detective haunted by past cases, a woman threatened by her new family, and a man trapped by an unnatural obsession. Malfi uses these perspectives to build tension without relying on jump scares. The desert setting provides isolation for the crime scenes. Hollywood elements add layers of hidden agendas. The supernatural aspect emerges through the biting woman, grounding the horror in physical reality. This approach distinguishes the work from standard police procedurals by introducing unexplained phenomena that challenge rational investigation.

Key Themes

serial killer investigation supernatural obsession family deceit

Literary Context

The story is set on the outskirts of Los Angeles and in the high desert. It draws on Hollywood producer culture and the figure of the Human Fly. The narrative reflects contemporary anxieties about identity and hidden pasts within modern American society.

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

Stephen King · Clive Barker · Poppy Z. Brite · Tana French

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Horror Fiction

🏛 Titan Books (UK) 📅 2026 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781803367613

📝 Description: Senseless

Ronald Malfi presents a thriller where three distinct narratives intersect. Detective Bill Renney investigates a desert murder that mirrors a case from one year prior. He faces personal complications due to his secret connection with Greg Dawson, the husband of the first victim. Maureen Park, engaged to producer Greg Dawson, deals with her fiancé’s son Landon. This unsettling young man invades her life and raises suspicions about his role in the recent high desert killing. The third thread follows Toby Kampen, known as the Human Fly. He becomes obsessed with a woman possessing rattlesnake teeth who bites him. Her nature remains ambiguous, leaving readers to question if she is human. Malfi weaves these plots together to create a story of deceit and distrust. The book suits fans of psychological horror and supernatural fiction. It may not appeal to those seeking lighthearted reads or pure action without character depth. The narrative structure relies on the convergence of these separate lives rather than a single protagonist's journey. Malfi’s background in horror guides the tone, ensuring the dread feels grounded in personal secrets as much as external threats.

💎 Our verdict on Senseless

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Malfi crafts a compelling narrative by intertwining three distinct perspectives: a haunted detective, a woman threatened by her new family, and an obsessed man. The desert setting enhances the isolation of the crime scenes, while Hollywood elements add layers of complexity. The supernatural horror emerges subtly through the biting woman, grounding the terror in physical reality rather than abstract fear. This method distinguishes the work from standard police procedurals. The book excels in building tension through personal secrets and unexplained phenomena. It best suits readers who appreciate psychological depth and atmospheric dread over fast-paced action. Fans of dark fantasy and horror fiction will find much to admire in this nuanced exploration of deceit.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking a tense, atmospheric thriller will find this book rewarding for its intricate narrative structure. Malfi’s approach avoids cheap jump scares, relying instead on building dread through character secrets and supernatural ambiguity. Those who enjoy psychological horror grounded in physical reality will appreciate the focus on personal deceit and hidden agendas. The converging storylines offer a complex puzzle that challenges rational investigation, appealing to fans of dark fantasy and true crime aesthetics. It is ideal for those who value character depth over pure action, offering a chilling exploration of obsession and distrust without resorting to lighthearted tropes.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Malfi crafts a compelling narrative by intertwining three distinct perspectives: a haunted detective, a woman threatened by her new family, and an obsessed man. The desert setting enhances the isolation of the crime scenes, while Hollywood elements add layers of complexity. The supernatural horror emerges subtly through the biting woman, grounding the terror in physical reality rather than abstract fear. This method distinguishes the work from standard police procedurals. The book excels in building tension through personal secrets and unexplained phenomena. It best suits readers who appreciate psychological depth and atmospheric dread over fast-paced action. Fans of dark fantasy and horror fiction will find much to admire in this nuanced exploration of deceit.