Needful Things vs The Malefactor: Which Should You Read?

Both live on shelves: Good and evil, Thriller, Fiction

Cover of Needful Things

Needful Things Stephen King · 1991 ★★★★☆ 4.0 698 pages · ≈ 12 h 56 m · Moderate Find on Amazon

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Cover of The Malefactor

The Malefactor Edward Phillips Oppenheim · 1906 ★★★★☆ 3.9 148 pages · ≈ 2 h 44 m · Challenging Find on Amazon

The verdict

Ratings are close: 4.0 vs 3.9 — either is a safe pick by score.
The Malefactor is the quicker read — about 2 hours vs 12 for Needful Things.
Needful Things is the easier read (Moderate), The Malefactor more demanding (Challenging).

Side by side