Barry Lyga

It was a beautiful day. It was a beautiful field. Except for the body. Jazz is 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. Now, with bodies piling up in the sleepy town of Lobo's Nod, Jazz must work with the police to prove that murder doesn't run in the family.

I Hunt Killers

Seventeen-year-old Jazz learned all about being a serial killer from his notorious "Dear Old Dad," but believes he has a conscience that will help fight his own urges and right some of his father's wrongs, so he secretly helps the police apprehend the town's newest murderer, "The Impressionist."

I hunt killers

ghost girl in satin

I loved it! Gruesome and chilling and stressful, I love the characters and I can't wait to read the following books.

Melissa Palmer

Book #74 Read in 2012
I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga

Jasper (Jazz) Dent is the son of Billy Dent, one of the most evil serial killers ever. Jazz is not convinced that he is not a serial killer in the making and struggles daily about this. In his small hometown, another killer is on the loose. This killer is mimicking the kills of his father, seemingly in some sort of homage to Billy Dent. Jazz pleads with the sheriff to be allowed to search for this serial killer--because who better to understand this sort of monster than a boy who was brought up by one?

This book was a great read. It was very intense and at times so disturbing but I could not put it down. It had a lot of action, humor, some romance and a cliffhanger ending that makes me really want to read the sequel, which is coming out in April 2013. I recommend this gritty read.

http://melissasbookpicks.blogspot.com

Courtney Gendreau

Original review at: www.literarychaos.com 

First of all, the synopsis for the book does not do this story justice. I was not too impressed by the synopsis and was half expecting this story to be predictable and juvenile. To be frank I was expecting a half-baked murder story that had an easily predictable plot. Boy, was I surprised to find that this book was anything but. This story was gruesome, full of suspense, and artfully written. Barry Lyga created an amazingly horrific story, that I couldn't stop reading.

Jasper, Jazz, Dent was such an intriguing character. As far as YA characters go, he was by far one of the most complex and believable characters that I have read. Jazz is struggling psychologically throughout the book. The reader gets to see first-hand Jazz's struggles with whether or not he is a sociopath and will end up a murderer like his father. The author did such a great job of showing just how damaging a persons childhood can be. Over and over again the reader sees how Jazz's upbringing has shaped his responses to the people and things around him. His perspective is often unsettling and gruesome, and I found his perspective to be a unique and compelling way of telling the story. 

Then there was the supporting characters and comic relief. While I really liked Jazz as a character, my favorite character was definitely Howie. Howie was such a funny and lovable character, his quips and one-liners were the perfect comedic break in an otherwise gruesome and gory story. Not to mention how good of a friend he was. I don't know about you, but I would not break into a morgue for my friends. Howie created the perfect balance of gruesome and wit to the story. In my opinion, Howie made this story. 

One of the most interesting parts of the plot is that the book contains chapters from the killers perspective. These chapters were some of my favorite because it really upped the creepiness of factor and gave the reader some insight in of the killers thinking. I found it fun to try and guess the killer based on the observations Jazz made and the chapters from the killer's perspective. That being said I was completely wrong, and the book had a plot twist I did not see coming. Without giving too much away let's just say that this book will keep you on your toes. 

My Thoughts on the Audio: 

If you have the choice I recommend reading this as an audiobook. The narrator really did an amazing job of bringing the story to life. His tone and inflections really set the ambiance of the story, and the voices he did were really spot on. The voice he did for the serial killer was far better than I could have ever expected. I don't know how to describe it other than the voice was menacing and creepy; if I were to imagine the voice of a serial killer it would have been that voice. I can't recommend the audiobook highly enough, it is totally worth the time it takes to listen.

Nicole Dykeman

2. I think I could have enjoyed this a lot more if I actually liked the any of the characters. Plot wise, I was very much interested, but I found Jasper, Howie, Connie, and even the adult characters like his Grandma and G. William vastly annoying. I never looked forward to picking this up and finishing it.

Mariyah

4/5 ⭐️ I love this mystery thriller book, especially when the main character is the child of a serial killer. That’s what gets us hooked into it.

Tiffany Robinson

This was such an amazing book. I didn't want to put it down because I wanted to know what was going to happen next. This kind of reminded me of Dexter as a teenage which is not a bad thing. It was fingering to figure out who the killer was along with Jazz. Also I loved all the characters on this. I think this is a must read and there better be a second one so I can find out what happens next!

Rachel Benton

This book really surprised me, I didn't think that it was going to be all that good and its not the type of book that I gravitate towards, but I am glad that I did start reading it. I couldn't put it down. The story is based around this boy named Jasper Dent...or Jazz as he goes by. He is seventeen, and he lives with his grandmother, who is suffering from mental illness or illness that goes along with old age. Jazz is not your ordinary boy, he is the son of a famous serial killer (Billy Dent), who supposed to be the killer of all killers. His body count goes well into the hundreds. Wanting Jazz to get into the family business so speak he taught Jazz everything he knew as he was growing up. Its kind of disturbing to reading that aspect of it, that someone so twisted could expose their own child to things that Billy showed Jazz. I am surprised that Jazz turned out turned out better then he did. Though I think that his greatest fear is becoming like his father. He also doesn't want people thinking that he is like his father. So when a new serial killer hits town and starts to copy Billy Dents murders Jazz thinks he can help the police by catching this latest killer. I couldn't help but think that Jazz would make a great profiler like on criminal minds. Eventually as the murders continue the police bring him into the investigation. The things I do like about the book. I like all the main characters. I think Jazz was my most favorite character. As the story goes on, he is easy to root for. You can see that beneath all the insecurity that he is holding onto he is a great kid. I also like that they would switch to the *Impressionist* point of view. I have to say this guy was straight up scary, usually books and moves tend over exaggerate serial killers. Just my opinion. But Lyga did his research. I think this a picture of what serial killer should be like, both him and Billy, twisted is not the word I would describe these men. The only criticism I have is that the police had let Jazz come in on the investigation, this seemed a bit contrived to me. I doubt that the police would do this in real life, but I have admit it makes the story even more better. Plus the knowledge that this story Is a trilogy, which makes me extremely happy. I cannot wait to see what happens in second book. If you have not read this, I highly recommend it. You would be disappointed.

It was a beautiful day. It was a beautiful field.Except for the body. Jazz is a likable teenager. A charmer, some 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 criminals' point of view. And now, even though Dad has been in jail for years, bodies are piling up in the sleepy town of Lobo's Nod. Again. In an effort to prove murder doesn't run in the family, Jazz joins the police in the hunt for this new serial killer. But Jazz has a secret--could he be more like his father than anyone knows? From acclaimed author Barry Lyga comes a riveting thriller about a teenager trying to control his own destiny in the face of overwhelming odds.

Allison Urban

This book was. Beautiful. I love Jazz, and I actually love Billy's character. He's so mysterious. And Howie. Howie. Howie!! He's too funny. Connie's a sweetheart! Then there's G. William, who's awesome. Every single character I'm this book was AMAZING.

Finally a good dark YA thriller/murder mystery.
Can't wait to get my hands on the sequel.

Jessica Nottingham

Holy YA Batman. This book completely shattered all expectations I had before picking it up. I've always been a bit intrigued by serial killers, morbid as that may seem. It's something about the cold and calculating personas that they have one moment, while having the ability to blend into normal society the next. Jazz's dad was a perfect example of this. Meticulous and horrific, and yet wholly intriguing. Being in the head of a boy raised by a serial killer was intense. And yet, I loved it.

Let's talk about that boy. Jazz. I truly think it is his character that brings this story to life. Raised by a monster, desensitized to the pain of others, Jazz has a point of view that is quite interesting. His life has been filled with a battle between what he knows he should feel, and what he actually does feel. Always battling the darkness inside himself. Is he truly a copy of his father like everyone else believes? Or is there something within Jazz that keeps him from turning into that stigma? This question drives Jazz in I Hunt Killers. Motivates him to solve the murders, and keep the part of himself that still sees the light. 

Lucky for Jazz, Barry Lyga gives him some allies in his quest for some type of normalcy. The other characters in this book may be minor ones, but they truly do just as much to bring the book to life as Jazz himself does. Howie was by far my favorite. I won't spoil anything for you, in case you haven't had the pleasure of devouring this book, but trust me he's amazing. I loved the way that he and Jazz are so completely different from one another. One strong, but afraid of his inner demons. The other weak on the outside, but with a strength all his own on the inside. It is these characters that keep Jazz sane, and move the story along.

I will warn you to make sure you have a strong stomach if you are going to take a shot at this amazing story. It is definitely a serial killer novel at its core, and there are some shocking pieces that might make you cringe. Heck, I don't think you'd be human if at least a bit of this story didn't affect you. Still, it's so compulsively readable. Anything you ever wanted to know about the mind of a serial murderer, about the motivations they feel, or even about the crime scenes they leave behind, it's here.

What can I say? I Hunt Killers is just stunning. Gorgeously morbid, and so unique. There is absolutely nothing that I did not love about this book! Barry Lyga is a genius and I simply cannot wait for more! The ending tore me in half with wanting. This is going to be a series that I will follow with a fan girl intensity. You can be sure of that.

Katie

Alexandra S

Andrea Delgado Guzman

Moxie Minion

The first book in this thrilling, terrifying series by New York Times bestselling author Barry Lyga is perfect for fans of Dexter. It was a beautiful day. It was a beautiful field. Except for the body. Jazz is a likable teenager. A charmer, some 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 criminals' point of view. And now, even though Dad has been in jail for years, bodies are piling up in the sleepy town of Lobo's Nod. Again. In an effort to prove murder doesn't run in the family, Jazz joins the police in the hunt for this new serial killer. But Jazz has a secret--could he be more like his father than anyone knows? From acclaimed author Barry Lyga comes a riveting thriller about a teenager trying to control his own destiny in the face of overwhelming odds.

I Hunt Killers

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