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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
I listened to the audio while following along in my physical copy ...
I truly wanted to like this, but I did not.
With the 3 different POVs, I felt like I was reading three different books, and one of them would have been a DNF!
My least favorite character was Toby. I just could not get into his story or even the narrator. Though I knew that eventually his POV would make sense, it did not.
My favorite character was Renney, only because he was easier to understand and follow. I know that he had his own issues, especially dealing with grief and his weird relationship with Alan.
Maureen's POV came in at a close second to liking, and this was in the beginning.
The ending was left to be subjective, and I did not quite like that. I felt that I wanted more for the over 400 pages that I read. As I sat with my thoughts, I realized that the author wanted to create the illusion of imperfect characters and different challenges that humans go through ... and can appreciate that.
Although this book was not quite what I expected in the moment, I am glad that others were able to enjoy it.
I truly wanted to like this, but I did not.
With the 3 different POVs, I felt like I was reading three different books, and one of them would have been a DNF!
My favorite character was Renney, only because he was easier to understand and follow. I know that he had his own issues, especially dealing with grief and his weird relationship with Alan.
Maureen's POV came in at a close second to liking, and this was in the beginning.
The ending was left to be subjective, and I did not quite like that. I felt that I wanted more for the over 400 pages that I read. As I sat with my thoughts, I realized that the author wanted to create the illusion of imperfect characters and different challenges that humans go through ... and can appreciate that.
Although this book was not quite what I expected in the moment, I am glad that others were able to enjoy it.
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
I listened to the audio while following along in my physical copy ...
I truly wanted to like this, but I did not.
With the 3 different POVs, I felt like I was reading three different books, and one of them would have been a DNF!
My least favorite character was Toby. I just could not get into his story or even the narrator. Though I knew that eventually his POV would make sense, it did not.
My favorite character was Renney, only because he was easier to understand and follow. I know that he had his own issues, especially dealing with grief and his weird relationship with Alan.
Maureen's POV came in at a close second to liking, and this was in the beginning.
The ending was left to be subjective, and I did not quite like that. I felt that I wanted more for the over 400 pages that I read. As I sat with my thoughts, I realized that the author wanted to create the illusion of imperfect characters and different challenges that humans go through ... and can appreciate that.
Although this book was not quite what I expected in the moment, I am glad that others were able to enjoy it.
I truly wanted to like this, but I did not.
With the 3 different POVs, I felt like I was reading three different books, and one of them would have been a DNF!
My favorite character was Renney, only because he was easier to understand and follow. I know that he had his own issues, especially dealing with grief and his weird relationship with Alan.
Maureen's POV came in at a close second to liking, and this was in the beginning.
The ending was left to be subjective, and I did not quite like that. I felt that I wanted more for the over 400 pages that I read. As I sat with my thoughts, I realized that the author wanted to create the illusion of imperfect characters and different challenges that humans go through ... and can appreciate that.
Although this book was not quite what I expected in the moment, I am glad that others were able to enjoy it.
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I would first like to thank Netgalley and Titan books for the arc in exchange for feedback/review.
I am fairly new to Malfi's work, in fact this is only my second novel of his that I have read, the first being "Come With Me". I really enjoyed that one and the writing and just the overall feel of the novel lingered long after I finished it, so this was a no brainer of a request. Well, I was slightly disappointed with "Senseless" in terms of story, but some of the imagery and illusions were really beautiful.
I'm not going to get into a summary of the novel, because I could take it or leave it, I have a weird thing when it comes to endings when it relates to novels and films, and this just ended rather abruptly for me, I was completely taken aback that there was no more to the story. Nothing felt resolved, and believe me, this can be a wonderful tactic, as things rarely get tied up in a neat little bow, but this really did not work for me.
What did work? The themes of reality vs unreality, how our "senses" can confuse us, what if our reality is different from the person next to us because of trauma, or because of brain chemistry? Every one of our characters deals with this in different ways as it relates to the murders in the desert. I also really loved the Renner, our detective, he felt so real and complex, and I wish we spent more time with him, instead of Toby/the fly, but that's probably a "me" thing.
The rest of the characters left me wanting more and not in a good way. We learned about quirks and mannerisms, but not enough history about the women in this novel. Also, seriously what is the deal with Langdon and Greg, I wanted/needed more of their history, and the whole "monkey" thing was weird.
So, as a whole the writing is suburb with a ton of beautiful imagery and themes with a few wonderful characters, and while not answering all questions that happen throughout a story, give us at least one concrete answer; why the monkey? was he really the murderer of MJ? Maureen's novel? the mysterious woman she kept seeing? why do Langdon and Greg (father and son) hate each other? I don't want to feel frustrated at the end of a novel.
This novel contains graphic details of a mutilated corpse, child death, and mental illness
I am fairly new to Malfi's work, in fact this is only my second novel of his that I have read, the first being "Come With Me". I really enjoyed that one and the writing and just the overall feel of the novel lingered long after I finished it, so this was a no brainer of a request. Well, I was slightly disappointed with "Senseless" in terms of story, but some of the imagery and illusions were really beautiful.
I'm not going to get into a summary of the novel, because I could take it or leave it, I have a weird thing when it comes to endings when it relates to novels and films, and this just ended rather abruptly for me, I was completely taken aback that there was no more to the story. Nothing felt resolved, and believe me, this can be a wonderful tactic, as things rarely get tied up in a neat little bow, but this really did not work for me.
What did work? The themes of reality vs unreality, how our "senses" can confuse us, what if our reality is different from the person next to us because of trauma, or because of brain chemistry? Every one of our characters deals with this in different ways as it relates to the murders in the desert. I also really loved the Renner, our detective, he felt so real and complex, and I wish we spent more time with him, instead of Toby/the fly, but that's probably a "me" thing.
The rest of the characters left me wanting more and not in a good way. We learned about quirks and mannerisms, but not enough history about the women in this novel. Also, seriously what is the deal with Langdon and Greg, I wanted/needed more of their history, and the whole "monkey" thing was weird.
So, as a whole the writing is suburb with a ton of beautiful imagery and themes with a few wonderful characters, and while not answering all questions that happen throughout a story, give us at least one concrete answer; why the monkey? was he really the murderer of MJ? Maureen's novel? the mysterious woman she kept seeing? why do Langdon and Greg (father and son) hate each other? I don't want to feel frustrated at the end of a novel.
This novel contains graphic details of a mutilated corpse, child death, and mental illness
Book: Senseless
Author: Ronald Malfi
Publisher: Titan Books
Pub Date: April 2025
Capone’s Rating: 5 of 5 ⭐s
100%. A+. 5 of 5, Would Recommend. Interconnected nonlinear storylines collide in Malfi’s latest.
Y’all might have noticed I appreciate Malfi's writing. I previously reviewed [a:Ronald Malfi|3512996|Ronald Malfi|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1706023504p2/3512996.jpg]'s [b:Ghostwritten|60686837|Ghostwritten|Ronald Malfi|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1667998370l/60686837._SY75_.jpg|95671034] (2022) and [b:Small Town Horror|199221815|Small Town Horror|Ronald Malfi|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1695980864l/199221815._SY75_.jpg|203152898] (2024), and I’ve read a few of his others besides these— [b:Black Mouth|59120294|Black Mouth|Ronald Malfi|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1633009634l/59120294._SY75_.jpg|92337999](2022) and Snow (2010). He’s gotten better and better over the years (I compare his newer stuff to Snow and can only hope I improve as much as he had, and that’s not intended to denigrate his earlier efforts), and Senseless might be his best yet.
There are a few storylines here, and the book reads best with zero foreknowledge—so if you trust me, stop reading and go grab a copy of his book. If you continue, though I’m not revealing anything directly, the surprises in the structure and whatnot will be somewhat spoiled.
Still with me? Okay.
Storyline One: A murdered woman is discovered in the desert? The setup is a whodunit, with increasing tension around the lead investigator who is starting to feel pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty conflicted about the guy he let go last year after a similarly treated victim was discovered outside the LA County limits around the same spot as the fresh corpse. We follow this guy, Detective Renney, as he does his best to untangle the web of evidence without ensnaring himself in the process.
Storyline Two: Maureen Park is about to marry a rich Hollywood producer (Greg Dawson) when his estranged son shows up at his door and throws a wrench in those works. The kid (Landon Dawson) insinuates his father is maybe / possibly / probably a murderer with a dark past (his second wife did drown—how, exactly?—in a swimming pool, right? Or was she his third?). Is this guy maybe the fella Renney is looking for in that other storyline?
Storyline Three: Toby, a common housefly in human form, wants more than anything to be accepted, and he’s escaped the spider (in “mother skin”) and is on his own. How does he ingratiate himself to women (specifically) out in the world? Just what the hell is that creepy thing, that VERY SPECIAL THING, he keeps stroking so affectionately to which he turns whenever he feels overwhelmed by the timelines, events, and places out in the world who all seem conspiring against him?
Are all these timelines happening simultaneously? At staggered intervals but aligning at key points? In the past, present, and future? I MUST KNOW. I was driven—nay, compelled forward through Senseless. As noted above, I always appreciate Malfi’s storytelling, but this is a work of intensely (excruciatingly) careful application of skill. It ought therefore to be appreciated and swallowed whole—taken in with all five senses.
100%. A+. 5 of 5, Would Recommend.
Author: Ronald Malfi
Publisher: Titan Books
Pub Date: April 2025
Capone’s Rating: 5 of 5 ⭐s
100%. A+. 5 of 5, Would Recommend. Interconnected nonlinear storylines collide in Malfi’s latest.
Y’all might have noticed I appreciate Malfi's writing. I previously reviewed [a:Ronald Malfi|3512996|Ronald Malfi|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1706023504p2/3512996.jpg]'s [b:Ghostwritten|60686837|Ghostwritten|Ronald Malfi|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1667998370l/60686837._SY75_.jpg|95671034] (2022) and [b:Small Town Horror|199221815|Small Town Horror|Ronald Malfi|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1695980864l/199221815._SY75_.jpg|203152898] (2024), and I’ve read a few of his others besides these— [b:Black Mouth|59120294|Black Mouth|Ronald Malfi|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1633009634l/59120294._SY75_.jpg|92337999](2022) and Snow (2010). He’s gotten better and better over the years (I compare his newer stuff to Snow and can only hope I improve as much as he had, and that’s not intended to denigrate his earlier efforts), and Senseless might be his best yet.
There are a few storylines here, and the book reads best with zero foreknowledge—so if you trust me, stop reading and go grab a copy of his book. If you continue, though I’m not revealing anything directly, the surprises in the structure and whatnot will be somewhat spoiled.
Still with me? Okay.
Storyline One: A murdered woman is discovered in the desert? The setup is a whodunit, with increasing tension around the lead investigator who is starting to feel pretty, pretty, pretty, pretty conflicted about the guy he let go last year after a similarly treated victim was discovered outside the LA County limits around the same spot as the fresh corpse. We follow this guy, Detective Renney, as he does his best to untangle the web of evidence without ensnaring himself in the process.
Storyline Two: Maureen Park is about to marry a rich Hollywood producer (Greg Dawson) when his estranged son shows up at his door and throws a wrench in those works. The kid (Landon Dawson) insinuates his father is maybe / possibly / probably a murderer with a dark past (his second wife did drown—how, exactly?—in a swimming pool, right? Or was she his third?). Is this guy maybe the fella Renney is looking for in that other storyline?
Storyline Three: Toby, a common housefly in human form, wants more than anything to be accepted, and he’s escaped the spider (in “mother skin”) and is on his own. How does he ingratiate himself to women (specifically) out in the world? Just what the hell is that creepy thing, that VERY SPECIAL THING, he keeps stroking so affectionately to which he turns whenever he feels overwhelmed by the timelines, events, and places out in the world who all seem conspiring against him?
Are all these timelines happening simultaneously? At staggered intervals but aligning at key points? In the past, present, and future? I MUST KNOW. I was driven—nay, compelled forward through Senseless. As noted above, I always appreciate Malfi’s storytelling, but this is a work of intensely (excruciatingly) careful application of skill. It ought therefore to be appreciated and swallowed whole—taken in with all five senses.
100%. A+. 5 of 5, Would Recommend.
Underwhelmed. I love this author and I have to say this one as my least favorite. There's a lot to it and not all of it's bad but I think it was missing something to bring it all together.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“Senseless” by Ronald Malfi is a chilling, slow-burn, dark thriller. The novel weaves together three distinct storylines, each filled with tension and mystery. Malfi’s masterful pacing builds suspense as the dark, gruesome elements unfold, creating an atmosphere of dread that intensifies with every chapter. The narrative's gradual convergence of the plotlines adds a layer of intrigue, making for a gripping read. Fans of psychological horror and twisted thrillers will find Senseless a satisfying, if unsettling, experience.