Jasper Dent: I Hunt Killers (1)
by Barry Lyga
Genre: Young Adult, Horror, Thriller, Mystery
Published: April 2012
Publisher: Little, Brown Books
Pages: 359
Summary: "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?"
Review: Guilty confession: When I first started this, I was not expecting much.
The summary left me skeptical to a good plot but I was determined to
try because I had already heard lots of great things about the sequel to
this one. What I can say now is that I am so glad I did. This book is
so much more than what it seems on the surface!
As I began, I was torn or the style in which the story was presented. At first it seemed short and abrupt. Normally this would annoy me but after the first couple chapters I was quickly captivated by the thought process of young Jasper (more commonly known as Jazz) Dent. Once you get to understand him, the style it is written in makes so much more sense and fits to his personality and lifestyle.
This poor guy has lived a life of hell! A serial killer for a father who's victims were in the triple digits. After his father is caught is stuck with his deranged grandmother. What a crazy coot she is! He is so worried his mentality is like his fathers. He has seen WAY too much horror for his age. How can it not twist a person?
When a new serial killer makes an appearance in his town, Jazz is determined to help solve it. To absolve himself, to clear his name or prove just what kind of person he really is no one knows. Jazz is smart and methodical but no matter how much he tries, he can never escape his father's shadow. Especially when the killers methods strike too close to home for comfort!
I cannot express enough how much I enjoyed this. A great psychological thriller and mystery. The mental battles Jazz goes through are so well described. You really feel you are right there in his brain, working through everything with him. Jazz is terrified of his own capabilities to kill. Questioning if he has killed, figuring how easy it would be to kill... Then trying to solve the crimes and save his friends!
This book goes through a wide range of mental processes one might experience under such a life. Almost makes you wonder about the author... (just kidding!). There is action, violence and death in this book. While it is Young Adult in nature, it is older adult. Do not let the writing style and the lighter chapters at the beginning fool you. This goes dark! It is filled with twists and turns and unexpected moments. I cannot wait to continue the series!
As I began, I was torn or the style in which the story was presented. At first it seemed short and abrupt. Normally this would annoy me but after the first couple chapters I was quickly captivated by the thought process of young Jasper (more commonly known as Jazz) Dent. Once you get to understand him, the style it is written in makes so much more sense and fits to his personality and lifestyle.
This poor guy has lived a life of hell! A serial killer for a father who's victims were in the triple digits. After his father is caught is stuck with his deranged grandmother. What a crazy coot she is! He is so worried his mentality is like his fathers. He has seen WAY too much horror for his age. How can it not twist a person?
When a new serial killer makes an appearance in his town, Jazz is determined to help solve it. To absolve himself, to clear his name or prove just what kind of person he really is no one knows. Jazz is smart and methodical but no matter how much he tries, he can never escape his father's shadow. Especially when the killers methods strike too close to home for comfort!
I cannot express enough how much I enjoyed this. A great psychological thriller and mystery. The mental battles Jazz goes through are so well described. You really feel you are right there in his brain, working through everything with him. Jazz is terrified of his own capabilities to kill. Questioning if he has killed, figuring how easy it would be to kill... Then trying to solve the crimes and save his friends!
This book goes through a wide range of mental processes one might experience under such a life. Almost makes you wonder about the author... (just kidding!). There is action, violence and death in this book. While it is Young Adult in nature, it is older adult. Do not let the writing style and the lighter chapters at the beginning fool you. This goes dark! It is filled with twists and turns and unexpected moments. I cannot wait to continue the series!
I actually liked this book so much I want to give a copy to one lucky winner. Available world wide so long as The Book Depository ships to you.
Or you can have an eBook copy from Amazon. Your choice.
Winner will be have 48 hours once notified to claim their prize.
Entries will be verified before contacted. False entries will equal disqualification from this giveaway and all future giveaways.
I've read most of Barry Lyga's books but this is, hands down, one of his best! Like you, I loved being inside Jazz's head. It's so weird and strange and complicated. Can't wait for the epic conclusion to this series!
ReplyDeleteGreat review!
ReplyDeleteI heard about this book and sounds really good,unique,intresting :)
Looking forward to read!
Thanks for the recommendation and great review :)
I love a good mystery, and this sounds very exciting. I would enjoy reading this book.
ReplyDeleteI've only read a few of Barry Lyga's books, but I've liked what I've read so far and this one sounds awesome. I really like thrillers/horror so I really look forward to reading this one :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win!
I agree, this book was so enjoyable! So creepy and disturbing, but I loved it! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI don't know how meaningful a comment this is but I loved how you admitted originally you weren't expecting much. I've gone into books with that thought and oftentimes wouldn't give the book its duet. Typically after I've reread it I've gained a different perspective. My nay turned to yeah.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great, but creepy book! I really like your review, I know exactly what to expect from the book now!
ReplyDeleteThis book gives me White Cat by Holly Black vibes. Maybe it`s the dark premise, the messed up family members, I don`t know. I`m really interested into I Hunt Killers. One of my friends loved it.
ReplyDeleteI've been on the fence about reading this one for a while because the subject sounds really interesting but I haven't enjoyed some of Barry Lyga's other books as much. After reading your review I do think I'll give this one a go at some point though because it sounds like it could be awesome.
ReplyDeleteThese types of books are really on my to-read shelves, aside from YA ones. I also read some John Grisham books and I think it's like this one. Or maybe more than I expect it to be. I'm really willing to read this book, too.
ReplyDeleteI love the sound of it! Mystery-Horror-Thriller?! This is so going to be on my TBR list.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThanks to your review by the way, It actually is very helpful. Made me think this is worth a try.
ReplyDeleteWhat was the psychological part?
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds really cool; might have to pick it up!
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds so awesome! I've been wanting to get my mittens on this book since I first heard about it last year.
ReplyDeleteYour reviews are very informative yet non-spoilery. I like it. Actually I've heard a lot about this book and I am very interested in reading it, since I'm very into mystery novels.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the opportunity to win this! :)
Erleen @ Books For YA!
I like that you gave this book a chance and that you stuck it out. I really liked your review you made a compelling statement to convince me to also read this series.
ReplyDeleteSounds like an interesting read! I agree with you – the blurb doesn’t sound like much, but glad you really enjoyed it :D Can’t wait to get my hands on this one... thanks for the great giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI would love to read this book! To me, it sounds very unique. It has a rare and unusual plot.
ReplyDeleteMy rafflecopter name is Neira
This sounds like it will be a very interesting book. It would be so awful to have your dad being a killer.
ReplyDeleteI've been skeptical about this book, too. But so many people seem to like it, so I might have to give it a try (:
ReplyDeleteFamily psychos - someone trying to break free of the cycle - you made this sound like an excellent read and I would love to get to know Jazz (thru the story) lol
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like an exciting read!
ReplyDelete