Little Girls

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Authors: Ronald Malfi

BOOK: Little Girls
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Praise for the work of Ronald Malfi
December Park
“A complex and chilling tale of friends, family, and the often
murderous secrets that hide in the dark. Ronald Malfi takes
you for a terrifying visit to
December Park
.”
—Robert McCammon
 
“Some novelists find something that works and stick with it
for years; others like to jump around, experimenting with
genres and writing styles. Malfi appears to be one of the latter.
Although most of his novels fall into the thriller, horror, or SF
genre, they are stylistically quite different. This one, about a
group of teenage friends living in a Maryland beach
community from which some children have gone missing,
feels a bit like Stephen King crossed with Dennis Lehane—
specifically, the early portions of King’s
It
melded with
Lehane’s
Mystic River
. But, just as Lehane doesn’t sound very
much like King, so Malfi doesn’t sound much like either of
them. He has his own voice, and he’s telling his own story, one
that begins with some disappearances, segues into murder, and
ends with a violent confrontation. Malfi is a sort of literary
version of Mel Blanc (the “man of a thousand voices”), but all
of his voices are captivating, though none of them are quite
the same. Horror and crime fans will find much to like here.”

Booklist
 
“Malfi is truly gifted when it comes to writing . . . I am going
to eagerly devour all the books from Mr. Malfi that I can get
my chubby fingers on.”
—Haunted Bookcase
 
“Malfi is a master at horror, and his expertise shines through in
this thriller set in the small town of Harting Farms. Skillfully
plotted with carefully placed clues, the novel progresses like a
map leading to the exhilarating ending.”

RT Book Reviews
 
“An intensely dark tale.”
—Fresh Fiction
 
 
The Narrows
“Malfi (
Floating Staircase
) brings a cinematic vividness to this
story of a dying small town whose fate manifests as a nightmare
of supernatural horror. Cross-cutting among the increasingly
bizarre experiences of several principal characters, Malfi
constructs a panoramic narrative in which the despair of
individuals sharpens the sense of horror overwhelming the
town. This smartly written novel succeeds as both an allegory
of small-town life and a tale of visceral horror.”

Publishers Weekly
 
“So here is a book that should appeal to most horror
aficionados: well-drawn characters, horrific creatures,
gruesome deaths, plenty of blood for you gore hounds, a
soupçon of mystery and an atmosphere of dread that just oozes
from the pages.”
—Dread Central
 
 
Floating Staircase
“[A] clever, emotionally resonant foray into horror.”

Booklist
 
“Malfi’s lyrical prose and sensitive approach only heighten his
tale’s emotional impact, and the final turn of events is both
surprising and expertly set up.”

Publishers Weekly
 
“Mixing elements of both horror and mystery, Malfi has put
together a page-turner that even when finished leaves you
wanting more. Powerful and chilling,
Floating Staircase
is one
ghost story that horror fans should not miss. Highly
recommended!”
—MonsterLibrarian
 

Floating Staircase
deserves to stand alongside a Stephen King
or a Dean Koontz—at their best.
Floating Staircase
is a mature
horror yarn, but deep down it is also an exploration of
obsessions and in particular the obsession it takes to be a
writer.”

New York Journal of Books
 
“[A] thoughtful, multilayered tale . . .”

Rue Morgue
 
“This is a super haunted-house ghost story with an interesting
protagonist and a great final turn-of-the-screw twist.”

Midwest Book Review
 
“An outstanding achievement in the supernatural horror
genre.”
—The Crows Caw
 
“A must-read novel that just might garner some Stoker
attention.”
—Horrorworld
 
“Ronald Malfi . . . has for years been a rising star in the horror
genre. His lyricism and sense of character stand with the very
best of the genre, and though I am hesitant to make
comparisons, one cannot help but think of writers like Peter
Straub, Chet Williamson, F. Paul Wilson, and Stephen King
when reading.... The sense of dread and tension are palpable,
recalling another great writer, Charles L. Grant. His language
is stirring and evocative.”
—FearNet
 
 
Cradle Lake
 
“Malfi deftly maintains the tension and engrossing atmosphere
of horror by stepping up the pace and frequency of bizarre
events. . . .”

Publishers Weekly
 
“Riveting, idiosyncratic horror at its best.”
—Fresh Fiction
 
“This is, very often, a haunting and disturbing read. In places
genuinely terrifying, it’s also a book concerned with themes of
hope, redemption, and how your past can poison your
present.”
—Horror Novel Reviews
 
“A haunting and terrifying novel of madness and despair.”
—HorrorNews.Net
 
“A tense thriller.”
—Genre Go Round Reviews
 
 
The Ascent
 
“A thrilling edge-of-your-seat ride that should not be
missed.... If you love thrillers that keep you guessing, this is a
must-read.”

Suspense Magazine
 
“Malfi delivers a nearly straightforward adventure story of man
against the elements, with man being the most dangerous
element of all.”

Publishers Weekly
 
“Malfi, like the great documentarians, really makes us feel as
though we are there. Another fine effort from this increasingly
interesting writer.”

Booklist
 
 
Snow
 
“A genuine page-turner that grabs you from the very first
word and doesn’t stop cranking until the very last.”
—House of Horrors
 
“An impressive work that leaves the reader eager to see more
from this talented writer . . . Ronald Malfi’s fast-paced
plotting, smooth prose, and strong, believable characters make
Snow
one of the best novels to bear the Leisure imprint in
some time.”

Dark Scribe Magazine
 
“Some ‘old school’ horror storytelling of the highest degree.”
—Bloody-Disgusting.com
 
“Malfi’s descriptive writing captures the cold and desperate
scene in a way that will lure new fans to the genre.”

Las Vegas Review-Journal
 

Snow
is a throwback to some of the best horror writing of the
late ’70s and early ’80s. . . . Malfi has written a novel that is
absolutely brilliant . . . a must-read for every lover of horror
fiction. Very highly recommended—you really don’t want to
pass this one by.”
—Horror World Reviews
 
“An impressively atmospheric novel with a wicked streak.”
—Dread Central
 
“An absolutely top-notch horror novel.”

Famous Monsters of Filmland
 
 
Shamrock Alley
 
“This is a bottom-of-the-ninth, two-out grand-slam home run
of a book.”
—Lorenzo Carcaterra, author of
Sleepers
and
Chasers
 
“The author’s previous books have garnered him acclaim and a
small but devoted audience; this one could easily lift him into
the mainstream.”

Booklist
 
 
The Mourning House
“Lyrical prose creates an atmosphere of eerie claustrophobia,
flawless pacing, and a plot that unfolds into a quietly shattering
climax. Fans of literary horror will enjoy this compelling,
haunting story.”

Publishers Weekly
LITTLE GIRLS
RONALD MALFI
KENSINGTON BOOKS
www.kensingtonbooks.com
All copyrighted material within is Attributor Protected.
For Sam, who holds the key . . .
Dear, you should not stay so late,
Twilight is not good for maidens;
Should not loiter in the glen
In the haunts of goblin men.
—C
HRISTINA
R
OSSETTI
,
“Goblin Market”

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