Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke and Other Misfortunes

Name: Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke and Other Misfortunes
Price: 18.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781803363769

✍️ Eric Larocca

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

$18.99

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Three dark novellas exploring obsession, grief, and supernatural intrusion.

This volume collects three award-winning stories by Eric Larocca, focusing on the intersection of human loneliness and supernatural threat. The narratives move from the digital void of early internet chat rooms to isolated physical spaces like remote islands and suburban backyards. Each story examines how characters confront their deepest fears through encounters with the unknown. The first tale highlights the dangers of online fixation, while the others explore grief and neighborly paranoia. Larocca’s writing style is described as beautifully written yet devastating, offering a cutting-edge perspective on horror that challenges conventional genre boundaries.

Key Themes

internet obsession grief isolation neighborly paranoia

Literary Context

Published by Titan Books in 2023, this collection arrives after the peak of early 2000s internet culture, reflecting on how digital communication shaped modern anxieties. The work is positioned among top horror books by Cosmopolitan, appealing to fans of established genre voices like Clive Barker and Stephen Graham Jones.

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

Kathe Koja · Clive Barker · Stephen Graham Jones

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Horror Fiction

🏛 Titan Books (UK) 📅 2023 📖 288 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781803363769

📝 Description: Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke and Other Misfortunes

Eric Larocca presents three distinct narratives in this collection, which earned the Splatterpunk Award for Best Novella. The title story follows two isolated women in an early 2000s internet chat room, where their digital obsession deepens into a macabre ballet of horrific desires. This tale of online fixation reflects the specific anxieties of that era's communication technology. The second piece shifts to a remote island setting. A couple retreats there to process the death of their teenage son, only to have their isolation shattered when a mysterious young man arrives during a storm. The final story involves a man who discovers a strange object in his backyard, leading him into a dangerous game with his neighbor. These plots draw on gothic traditions of isolation and supernatural intrusion. Larocca is recognized as an astonishing new voice in the genre, appealing to readers who enjoy the works of Kathe Koja, Clive Barker, and Stephen Graham Jones. The book suits those seeking dark, disturbing tales of obsession and loss. It may not suit readers preferring lighthearted supernatural fiction or those uncomfortable with intense psychological horror. The collection offers a whirlpool of darkness that transforms its characters through their most horrific desires.

💎 Our verdict on Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke and Other Misfortunes

“

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Eric Larocca delivers three distinct, award-winning narratives that masterfully explore the thin line between human loneliness and supernatural threat. The collection moves from the digital void of early chat rooms to isolated physical spaces, examining how characters confront their deepest fears. Larocca’s style is beautifully written yet devastating, offering a fresh perspective on horror that challenges traditional boundaries. The title story highlights online fixation, while subsequent tales delve into grief and neighborly paranoia. This volume suits readers who appreciate dark, disturbing explorations of obsession and loss. It is best for those comfortable with intense psychological horror and gothic isolation, rather than those preferring lighter supernatural tales.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Readers drawn to the intersection of psychological depth and supernatural horror will find this collection compelling. It appeals to those who appreciate narratives exploring obsession, grief, and loneliness through a dark lens. The book is ideal for fans of award-winning novellas that challenge conventional genre boundaries by blending cosmic dread with intimate human failure. Those seeking disturbing tales of loss and the terrifying power of desire will gain from its devastating impact. It offers a cutting-edge perspective on horror, making it suitable for readers who enjoy works that transform characters through their most horrific desires rather than offering lighthearted supernatural fiction.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Eric Larocca delivers three distinct, award-winning narratives that masterfully explore the thin line between human loneliness and supernatural threat. The collection moves from the digital void of early chat rooms to isolated physical spaces, examining how characters confront their deepest fears. Larocca’s style is beautifully written yet devastating, offering a fresh perspective on horror that challenges traditional boundaries. The title story highlights online fixation, while subsequent tales delve into grief and neighborly paranoia. This volume suits readers who appreciate dark, disturbing explorations of obsession and loss. It is best for those comfortable with intense psychological horror and gothic isolation, rather than those preferring lighter supernatural tales.