I Was A Teenage Slasher

Bookseller recommendation

“Didn’t think I could actually love a slasher character, but in this subversion of the genre I truly connected with Tali Driver!”

— Christen • Itinerant Literate Books

Bookseller recommendation

“Readers get an inside look into Tolly’s daily life, thoughts, and observations as he slashes his way through life’s challenges. As you read on, it becomes quickly obvious that he’s just a kid trying his best – and, in this case, that might be enough to cheer him on.”

— Bud • Quail Ridge Books

Bookseller recommendation

“SGJ is the master of the slasher novel. Tolly Driver tells his story of the summer of 1989 in west Texas, where he became much more than a slightly outcast, bullied, and introverted seventeen-year-old. Who could have predicted that a teen party and a peanut allergy would lead to Tolly's transformation into a teenage slasher and the deaths of more than a dozen people in his hometown? Tolly takes his time with the story, but once the slashing starts, buckle up! It's a crazy ride! ”

— Suzanne • Underground Books

Bookseller recommendation

“I opened this book expecting a typical slasher, but what I got was a coming-of-age tale from the perspective of a killer. The experience of being a teenager in West Texas in the 1980s was palpable, the confessional style a surprising delivery choice that worked with the subject matter. Stephen Graham Jones continues to prove that the horror genre can be as nuanced and diverse as other genre fiction.”

— Ri • House of Books

Bookseller recommendation

“Oh my gosh!! I don't think I've ever sobbed at the end of a horror novel or movie before this! When asked what I think of as the scariest horror book I've read, I usually answer, Only the Good Indians. When I'm on the lake in Cda, I'm usually thinking of My Heart is A Chainsaw. Now, whenever someone mentions a slasher, Tolly Driver will come to mind, and my heart will break a little bit. I'm a fan of Stephen Graham Jones and his ability to make characters so real and dimensional. He has a way of knowing what really scares us and can put that to paper. I listened on Libro.fm and the production was stellar! ”

— Melanie • The Well-Read Moose

Bookseller recommendation

“If you’re a big fan of 80s/90s slasher films, this book is a MUST READ! It is uniquely narrated & has a coming-of-age quality to it that will grip your heart by the end - a full on love letter to the slasher genre that is chock full of slasher tropes. ”

— Natalie • Court Street Books

Bookseller recommendation

“I didn't think I could love Stephen Graham Jones more than I already did, this one proved me wrong. Great for fans of meta horror ; Scream, Cabin in the Woods, and of course My Heart Is a Chainsaw. ”

— Kayla • Page Turner Books

Bookseller recommendation

“Anyone who's a fan of horror - especially slashers - needs to read this. It's the perfect blend of homage to and fresh take on the genre, and Stephen Graham Jones's writing is both fresh and nostalgic.”

— Jess • The BookMark Shoppe

Bookseller recommendation

“Told from the teen slashers perspective, this compelling story was riveting. I love all of Graham Jones' books but this may be my favorite so far! Listen to it now.”

— Tricia • Mostly Books