Debra's Reviews > Black Mouth

When the past haunt you...

Growing up in Black Mouth, the site of a collapsed mine was less than ideal. But Jamie, Mia, Clay and Jamie's learning-disabled brother, Dennis form a tight friendship. After an encounter with The Magician, things will never be the same for them. He shows them some magic tricks and offers to show them how to do magic tricks as well. They will serve as his apprentices, well, he has an issue with Dennis, but being his apprentice comes with a price.

After learning of his mother's suicide and of his brother walking for miles in his underwear, Jamie has come home. Jamie now has a bit of a drinking problem and has not been home for years. Mia is a movie director, horror of course, and Clay is a social worker. They have come back together after so many years apart due to interesting circumstances. Who said you can never go home again?

Together they must face their past, their shared secret, and confront their own personal demon.


I had not read a Ronald Malfi book before and enjoyed this. I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the narrator. They blurb wasn't kidding; this does give strong Stephen King "IT" vibes. I appreciated how he showed Jamie's reaction to his childhood trauma by distancing himself and self-medicating with booze. I also enjoyed the use of two timelines which provided readers with glimpses into the past, while also showing the present. I found this to be nicely done.

I loved Dennis and he stole the show for me!

The book got a little drawn out in parts, but overall, I found this to be enjoyable and look forward to more of Malfi's books in the future.

#BlackMouth #NetGalley

Thank you to Tantor Audio and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

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