I’ve had this one sitting in my Audible library for a while now and I thought that it would be a good one to stick in, as I was awaiting my next credit; eleven hours. I would it done in a couple of weeks and then move on. Wow! Was I in for a surprise! It didn’t take long for me to realize that this was going to be a special story.

It is easy to tell when an author grew up around the same time as you did. The cultural references, the music, just the intrinsic knowledge of that time. It makes it easier for the author to create that connection with me. I found myself easing comfortably into this story.

I cannot think of a better narrator than Michael Crouch for this Audible; his lazy drawl was a perfect fit for Tolly Driver, the typical underachiever growing up in Smalltown America.

There aren’t too many stories that are told from the perspective of the serial killer. Typically, the serial killer is a basic unfeeling monster. There are some exceptions (Freddy) where we get into the “why,” but rarely is the story the killer’s story. The change of perspective is a great change of pace.

Having the story told from Tolly’s POV really brought me into his mind and what was going through his head. Stephen Graham Jones created that connection between Tolly and me. Tolly was the villain and the hero at the same time.

Slasher books are not supposed to make me cry – but when I do, it is something special. This just might be his best book yet.

*7 Stars