My Heart Is a Chainsaw

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.

This is the first Jones full-length novel I've read. I read ‘Mapping the Interiors' ages ago and enjoyed it, but keep putting off other works for no good reason. So when I saw this being offered, I jumped at the chance.

This is a book for horror lovers, chock full of references, which was fun. I even watched a movie of which I'd never heard.

Basically, this is the tale of outcast Native American girl Jade, who dyes her hair with shoe polish and food coloring and deals with a drunk father and no friends. Horror is her life. Specifically slashers. She basically eats, sleeps, and breathes them in order to process and deal with life. She basically wants to have a slasher experience. For reasons the reader learns throughout the book.

Enter Terra Nova, the new, richy-rich housing development across Indian Lake from Jade's town of Proofrock, ID. Since the houses aren't done yet, the main family lives off their yacht on the lake, and their gorgeous, brilliant daughter is in Jade's senior class.

Jade becomes convinced this girl, Letha, is her life's Final Girl and proceeds to attempt to educate Letha for her big showdown with the slasher. Which would be delusional, but people ARE actually dying. The book begins with two hapless Dutch students dying.

This book is good fun and heartbreaking. Jade is tough and self-deprecating/self-loathing, thinks she could never be a true Final Girl.

The body counts grows until the climax, which is crazy, chaotic, and fun. There are red herrings all over the place, which is a strength, but also a weakness. Some of the red herrings aren't just red, but they are also where the plot gets a little murky, which I can't discuss without spoilers.

But grue and gore happen, and Jade's tale is potent and tragic, and I totally loved that little punk.

And the end...well, after all the fun feints and horror pontifications, even I was surprised, and I can usually spot something a mile away. So first Jones novel–not perfect, but oh, so worth it. hugs Jade and bundles her off to watch scary movies with kitties and teddy bears