Title: I Hunt Killers (I Hunt Killers #1)
Author: Barry Lyga
Release date: April 3, 2012
Publisher: Little, Brown BFYR
Pages: 359
Source: Publisher
What if the world’s worst serial killer…was your dad?
Jasper (Jazz) Dent is a likable teenager. A charmer, one might say.
But he’s also the son of the world’s most infamous serial killer, and for Dear Old Dad, Take Your Son to Work Day was year-round. Jazz has witnessed crime scenes the way cops wish they could–from the criminal’s point of view.
And now bodies are piling up in Lobo’s Nod.
In an effort to clear his name, Jazz joins the police in a hunt for a new serial killer. But Jazz has a secret–could he be more like his father than anyone knows?
I Hunt Killers is one of the best books I have read so far in 2012. Barry Lyga has created an amazingly likable character with a story that readers won’t be able to stop reading.
Jazz is the most messed up character I have ever had the pleasure to read about. His whole childhood was a lesson in how to be a good serial killer. Even though his dad is no longer in his life he can’t shut off that part of his brain. However, Jazz has a few people in his life that help keep him sane. G. William, the cop who finally caught his dad, believes that Jazz is a good kid and keeps an eye on him. His best friend Howie is not at all who you would expect Jazz to be friends with but they will do anything for each other. Jazz’s girlfriend Connie knows all about his dark side but she’s not scared of him. She takes no shit from him. However the best character is Jazz’s grandma. Holy crap that woman is hilarious! She is 100% crazy and she is 100% awesome. The scenes with Jazz’s grandma really lighten the mood of the book.
The subject matter of I Hunt Killers is not for younger teens or teens that can’t handle violence and brutality. Barry Lyga doesn’t shy away from anything and he goes into quite a bit of detail regarding the murders (both current and previous.) There were times when I was beyond disturbed but I could not put the book down.
The mystery of who might be the new serial killer is completely impossible to solve. There were so many twists in the story that there was no way I could put together who the murderer was. Readers will be kept guessing until the very end. Best kind of book!
Overall, I Hunt Killers is a new favorite of mine. I am beyond thrilled to find out that there should be more books about Jazz in the near future!
Looking for more reviews of I Hunt Killers?
YA Librarian Tales’ Review
The Readventurer’s Review
This does sound as an interesting read. I really wonder how the boy copes having such a past… Looks like this is going into my wishlist….:)
I LOVE murder mysteries so this book sounds right up my alley!! 🙂
This sounds amazing! Truly original.
Can you believe I actually DIDN’T TAKE the opportunity to review this? I hadn’t heard of it before so I turned it down, ARGH. This book sounds awesome! I’m excited for some blood ‘n guts 🙂
I’ve seen so many people RAVE about this book. It sounds fabulous and right up my alley. I love when characters are so wonderfully screwed up! 🙂 And, okay, the fact that you say it’s really disturbing entices me as well! Great review. I REALLLLLLY want to read this book now.
This book just shot wayy up to the top of my TBR pile! I’ve been kind of stalling reading it since I got it from ALA Midwinter, but I’m definitely going to be picking this up next! It sounds like an action-packed, keeps-you-guessing type book, which is just what I love in my books. And the fact that you said it’s your favorite book so far of 2012? That makes me even more excited to read this book. Great review! Now I can’t wait to start this book! =)
-Aneeqah @ My Not So Real Life
I like creepy, but there’s just something a little off-putting about reading about killers. That being said, I’m thinking I’ll actually really like this one with all the good reviews that keep popping up. Thanks for another review convincing me to read this one :]
this book is on the short list of books i want to read soon. i find serial killers really interesting and the dexter-like nature of this book is appealing to me. glad you liked it so much.
I loved this book! I loved it for the mystery, but mostly for the characters. They were so well developed!
Jazz is an awesome guy. It’s so sad seeing him struggle with who he thinks he might become and who he actually is. His girlfriend Connie is awesome!