We Should Have Left Well Enough Alone: Twenty Haunting Stories by Ronal Mali

(Thank you Titan Books for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book: (summary from Goodreads)

A new mother is pursued by mysterious men in black. A misguided youth learns the dark secrets of the world from an elderly neighbor on Halloween night. A housewarming party where the guests never leave. A caretaker tends to his rusted relic of a god deep in the desert... 

In his debut short story collection, Bram Stoker Award finalist Ronald Malfi mines the depths and depravities of the human condition, exploring the dark underside of religion, marriage, love, fear, regret, and hunger in a world that spins just slightly askew on its axis. Rich in atmosphere and character, Malfi's debut collection is not to be missed.

my thoughts:

I'm a huge fan of Ronald Malfi's novels. They are creepy, thrilling, and unputdownable. So, I was thrilled to get a copy of his short story collection, We Should Have Left Well Enough Alone. The book was originally published in 2017 and has be re-released by Titan Books today - January 27th, 2026. How exciting! 

Grabbing a huge cuppa, I settled down in a cozy spot, and dove right in. Right from the start I was hooked. How could I not be? A woman with a baby trying to make dinner, all the while wondering about the men in black outside her house, and a horrible smell that she can't seem to figure out - suffice it to say, that first story was disturbing, intriguing, riveting, and unforgettable. Wow! Oh, and there's a story about a married couple on a vacation who go out on a boat. Sharks abound and that is all I will say. Just know that you are in for a spooky treat with this gem - We Should Have Left Well Enough Alone - is a definite must-read!

I would happily recommend this book to fans of Malfi and anyone looking for their next horror book - you are going to LOVE this one to bits! Make sure to grab a copy ASAP! 

Thank you Titan Books for providing me with a copy of this book!