Les Tommyknockers

I’ll admit, I was skeptical when I started *The Tommyknockers*. At 30 hours, it’s King at his most indulgent—a sprawling, messy descent into horror that prioritizes atmosphere over tidy storytelling. But damn if it doesn’t work. Braconnier’s performance is the secret weapon here. She nails the small-town folksiness at the outset, making the characters feel lived-in and real, then expertly pivots into something unnervingly inhuman as the Tommyknockers take hold. Her voice cracks with unease during the later scenes, and I found myself holding my breath along with the characters. That said, the pacing is glacial, and the middle act drags like a rusted hinge. King loves his tangents—subplots about toxic relationships, alcoholism, and small-town politics that, while thematically rich, don’t always serve the horror. And let’s talk about the ending. Or lack thereof. King leaves things disturbingly open, which is provocative but also frustrating if you crave closure. Still, the audiobook’s production is top-tier, with no distracting mishaps, and Braconnier’s commitment to the material makes the slow burn worth it. If you’re here for a tight, adrenaline-fueled horror ride, look elsewhere. But if you want horror that seeps into your pores and festers, this is a masterclass in dread.