I Was a Teenage Slasher — Stephen Jones

Texas-born and raised, narrator Michael Crouch draws on his roots to bring the title character of this audiobook to life. In mournful tones, Tolly Driver recounts the events of the summer of 1989, when a peanut-infused Coke nearly kills him (he's allergic) and ultimately triggers a gruesome revenge rampage against the bullies who forced it on him. Crouch makes sure listeners understand that Tolly is the most reluctant of killers--and is totally aware of the ridiculousness of the setup--but he's caught in the inexorable grasp of the slasher genre's conventions. There's vomit and blood aplenty, but Crouch's light touch leaves listeners remembering the love: for the small West Texas town Tolly can never return to and for his best friend, who tried to save Tolly from his fate. Unexpectedly sweet. V.S. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine