Ronald Malfi's Come With Me - Review

The first time I read a Malfi book was 2015. Six years later, I can safely say that he has become one of my favorite authors. Horror has always been one of my favorite genres, but in the past so many years, it has moved to the forefront of my favorites. That's largely due to authors like Malfi. They know what scares us and they leave us wanting more. 

I never go into a plot rehash (I HATE spoilers), so let me just say there's a sudden death, some buried secrets, ghostly happenings, and a serial killer. Not only do we get scares from this book, we get a good old-fashioned mystery to boot. That's part of the thrill here. Trying to figure it out as we follow Aaron on his journey through the evidence, and to the past. As always, there's creepiness. It wouldn't be Malfi without it. I can only describe it as the willies. Every one of his books has affected me in such a way...in a good way. Anyone who loves horror will get it.

Honestly, I can't wait for his next one. I'm also working on reading his backlist (just a few to go), and planning a reread (listen) of Bone White, which is my favorite. Seriously, people. If you have not read his books, you are doing yourself a disservice. 

About the book

A masterful, heart-palpitating novel of small-town horror and psychological dread from a Bram Stoker nominee.

Aaron Decker's life changes one December morning when his wife Allison is killed. Haunted by her absence--and her ghost--Aaron goes through her belongings, where he finds a receipt for a motel room in another part of the country. Piloted by grief and an increasing sense of curiosity, Aaron embarks on a journey to discover what Allison had been doing in the weeks prior to her death.

Yet Aaron is unprepared to discover the dark secrets Allison kept, the death and horror that make up the tapestry of her hidden life. And with each dark secret revealed, Aaron becomes more and more consumed by his obsession to learn the terrifying truth about the woman who had been his wife, even if it puts his own life at risk.

You will find Ronald Malfi on Goodreads and check out his website here. 

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Happy Blog Birthday, Castle Macabre and Save the Date! #SomethingWickedFall

One day late, but yesterday was the anniversary of 10 years of blogging here at Castle Macabre. Wow! Ten years of horror goodness. I've so enjoyed this journey, and the branch off from my founding/sister blog, True Book Addict. It has been great getting know those who are just as passionate about horror as I am. Here's to many more years of all things murder and mayhem. Long live horror! 💀👹👿

Save the date! Coming up September/October is our FOURTH year for Something Wicked Fall AND, as always, we have the annual FrightFall Readathon all month long in October. SO excited! Stay tuned for the official event post for Something Wicked Fall by the end of the month, along with the read-along schedule for The Blood Countess. The FrightFall sign-up will be posted at Seasons of Reading in September. 

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Glenn Rolfe's August's Eyes - Review

Childhood trauma is one of the worst things a person could ever experience. So, what if that trauma started manifesting in adulthood, in your nightmares? 

First, I just want to warn. This book contains sensitive subject matter so be warned. Now that that's out of the way, let's get down to brass tacks. Rolfe knows horror. 

This isn't my first foray into a Rolfe book. Blood and Rain and Chasing Ghosts were standouts for me. This book joins them. Yes, it is a coming of age tale, but it's much more than that. Beyond the horrific moments, there is a story here of human nature and relationships. It gets to the heart of what's at stake when horror enters a life. 

I never go into much detail about the story because I really hate spoilers. I'm sure others do as well so you're welcome. I just have to say that this was a book I did not want to put down. For every parent who has ever feared that lurking stranger, the exact one we warn our children about, this book will chill you to the bone. Be warned. 

I have more of Rolfe's backlist which I plan to read, but if he keeps writing books like this, it's going to be difficult to find the time to get back to them. 

About the book

When dreams start bleeding into reality, a social worker is forced to face the mistakes of his past.

A serial killer has found a way to make his land of graveyards a sinister playground to be bent at his sadistic will.

The secrets behind August's eyes will bring two worlds together, and end in a cataclysm of pain and ruin.

Releases on August 17, 2021

About the author

Glenn Rolfe is an author/singer/songwriter from the haunted woods of New England. He has studied Creative Writing at Southern New Hampshire University, and continues his education in the world of horror by devouring the novels of Stephen King, Ronald Malfi, Jack Ketchum, and many others. He and his wife, Meghan, have three children, Ruby, Ramona, and Axl. He is grateful to be loved despite his weirdness.

He is a Splatterpunk Award nominee and the author of The Window, Becoming, Blood and Rain, The Haunted Halls, Chasing Ghosts, Abram's Bridge, Things We Fear, Boom Town, and the collections, Slush. and Land of Bones.

He is hard at work on many more. Stay tuned!

Thank you to NetGalley and Flame Tree Press for the opportunity to read this book.

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I Read Horror Year-Round Reading Challenge - Second Quarter Check-in #IReadHorror

Here we are at the six month mark! Time is flying by. 

I've managed to check two more off my list of 12 books. I'm doing the Chilling level. (Full challenge details here...you can still sign up.)

What I've read so far:

Winter theme, or winter appearance on the cover (snow, ice, etc.)
The Ascent by Ronald Malfi (short review on Goodreads)

Written by a woman
The Witch's Trinity by Erika Mailman (Review)

Historical horror (must be an historical novel written by a contemporary author)
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

A body of water (featured in story, on cover, or in title)
Cradle Lake by Ronald Malfi (short review on Goodreads)

I'm currently reading Glenn Rolfe's August's Eyes which comes out in...you guessed it...August (Indie Author category). 

So, how's it going for you with the horror reading? Share your progress in the comments (update, links to posts/reviews, etc.).

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