Content Warning: The source material for this study guide depicts extreme violence and gore. The novel also references self-harm, death by suicide, and suggested child abuse.



Tolly Driver introduces himself as a slasher who killed six people in his hometown of Lamesa, Texas, when he was 17 years old. He explains that he is writing his story down for his best friend, Amber Big Plume Dennison, with whom he has lost contact since then. He apologetically suggests that he never wanted to become a slasher and the only reason it happened was because of his peanut allergy.

Tolly recounts the events of July 1989. He and Amber are driving to high school alumnus Deek Masterson’s house party. Tolly nervously anticipates that he might get a chance to talk to his crush and former babysitter, Stace Goodkin. When Amber hears this, she pulls the emergency brake, causing Tolly’s car seat to rush forward and crack his head on the windshield. She teases him about Stace, so Tolly gets back at her by lurching the truck forward, causing Amber to lose her family heirloom silver-feather earring.

Entering the party, Tolly is conscious of his reputation as the “fragile” kid with a peanut allergy.