Starving Ghosts in Every Thread is a haunting and beautiful debut novella from Eric LaRocca. When the story begins, I will admit I was slightly confused. But as we read more we inevitably learn what is happening. Teddy is our main character and has a secret... and she is so full of guilt that she develops this parasitic condition where her body unravels, and continues doing so, until she feeds off the emotions of others. Her father is dead. Teddy's mother is definitely not in a great state mentally... and Teddy feeds from her emotions most frequently causing her mother to develop this belief that scorpion venom will cure the "wounds" / skin condition that Teddy has caused. Her neighbor just happens to be a scorpion and exotic bug/creature dealer (possibly part-time con man but I still liked him a whole lot). While going to purchase a new scorpion, Teddy meets another interesting girl, Kiiara, and she has her own secret, too. How the rest of the story unfolds and all the details and scenes between, however, you are going to have to find out on your own! And trust me--- you definitely want to find out!

This novella is only ~90 pages but packs SUCH a punch not to soon be forgotten. Fans of body horror, grief, identity, and trauma will absolutely add this to a favorites list. To see a character's emotional pain and turmoil physically manifest into this parasitic condition is such a brilliant and unique plot that I'll be thinking about it for quite some time. And for any newbie to this subgenre of horror this will make a great introduction. LaRocca's style of writing and word choice is dark and beautiful. I cannot wait for more haunting works from this author!