Constrictor

By: John Lee Schneider

Narrated by: Khai Lannor

The reticulated python is the largest and most dangerous of the giant constrictors – documented to swallow humans whole.

But people still keep them as exotic pets.

Frank has raised Buffy from a hatchling. She measures over twenty-four-feet and more than three-hundred pounds. She is Frank's pride-and-joy.

She is also his secret – a black-market purchase, kept illegally – unbeknownst to his neighbors, who might fear for their pets... or their kids.

Especially, if they knew Buffy sometimes escapes her cage.

A python wraps in less than a second – its coils kill in seven minutes.

Then it swallows you whole.

And you never see it coming until it's too late.

©2024 Severed Press (P)2024 Severed Press

Buffy is Happy to See You… But Not in a Good Way

Loved reading the paperback version back in 2024. Decided to give the audio version a listen and thoroughly enjoyed revisiting this story.

Buffy remains my favorite animal creation from John Lee Schneider. Appreciate the grounded approach to her behavior for such a massive snake. Every detail provided about her has an eventual pay off in the story. So smartly written.

The main human characters are developed just right to where you understand each’s personality and motives. No extra, unnecessary fluff.

Narrator did a good job. Could have used a little more inflection to exaggerate some of the suspenseful/intense moments but it never felt dry/dull.

Highly recommend if you’re looking for a quick listen of a constrictor wreaking havoc on an apartment community.