Evil in Me

Brom’s (Slewfoot) grimly humorous story is a love letter to punk rock. In the 1980s, young Ruby Tucker is trapped in small-town Alabama, desperate to get off probation and get on with her life. Then, while helping her neighbor sort through his collection of religious artifacts, a demonic ring latches onto her. To save her immortal soul, Ruby must journey to Atlanta, reconnect with her band, and give the performance of her life. Listeners might expect a tale like Robert Johnson’s deal with the Devil (just replace Robert Johnson with Joan Jett), but instead, they’ll get the Ramones’ “Rock ’n’ Roll High School” with demons. Brom takes his time setting up the story’s elements but ultimately delivers a testament to the antiauthority, youth-gone-wild message of rock music. Tough-talking protopunk Ruby, voiced by narrator Stephanie Németh-Parker, gives the book its snarling voice, while narrator Shahjehan Khan plays a counterpoint as a monotone serial killer who pursues Ruby and her song. The audiobook also lets readers hear (and feel) Ruby’s song “Evil in Me,” performed by Brom’s band, the Maxines.