Author: Barry Lyga
Series: Jasper Dent #1
Release Date: April 3, 2012
Publisher: Little, Brown Books
Pages: 359
Source: Hachette Book Group Canada (Thank you so much!)
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon CA | The Book Depository | Chapters
Stars: 4.5/5
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?MY THOUGHTS:
(summary taken from Goodreads)
It's hard to imagine how a serial killer's mind works. But Barry Lyga must have some sort of shady part time job or at least serial killer mind-reading powers, because this book is BRILLIANT.
Jazz — son of the most notorious serial killer, snarky teenager, and overall charmer — takes the phrase dark hero to extremes! Being brought up by his psychotic father, he has How To Be A Good Serial Killer lessons ingrained on his brain. Sometimes they help him figure out other cases, and sometimes they make him seem more twisted than he is. But his dark assessments are what make him so uniquely awesome, and loving Jazz is guaranteed! ♥
The rest of the cast is a riot too! Jazz's best friend Howie is a type-A hemophiliac and a quirky chatterbomb, which makes him the perfect sidekick to Jazz's dark-minded hero. His girlfriend Connie is a complete badass. And we can't forget Gramma Dent, whose hilarious incoherent ramblings prove that maybe being out-of-whack runs in the family.
I Hunt Killers is dark. There are mentions of bodies being nailed to ceilings and eyeballs being fed to cats. But it's also surprisingly funny, with witty lines that catch you off guard. I didn't expect to be that enamoured by this book, but the serial killer logistics and chilling details had me reading into the early hours of the morning!
Part compelling murder mystery, part intense psychological thriller, and 100 % brilliantly original story, I Hunt Killers is a deliciously dark novel that I would recommend to people of all sanity levels! Jasper Dent, I can't wait to learn more about you in book two! ;)
BUY or BORROW?: Not only is the cover under the dust jacket bloodily gorgeous, but the story is SO wow-worthy! If you've ever been interested in how the son of a serial killer thinks, then you need to buy this book ASAP!
-Mimi
Posts
Amazing review, Mimi! I'm more than convinced that this will be my type of book. I love that it's about serial killers but it's still humorous. I'm really looking forward to meeting Jazz! I'm glad you had a good time reading this. :)
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh! This book sounds really dark and chilling! But the premise is fantastic! I don't think there are many YA books about serial killers out there so I'm definitely interested :) And Jazz is a charmer? Wow, I thought you'd end up hating a criminal not loving him so the author must have done really well in creating the characters :D Fab review as always, Mimi <3
ReplyDeleteYay! I'm so glad you loved this too Mimi! I love gory books which mix it up with a bit of humour too! Also Jazz sounds like the sort of snarky character that I would like! Fab review my love! I can't wait to pick this one up! :)
ReplyDeleteI want to read this book.
ReplyDeleteHehehe I see that you didn't outwardly accuse Barry Lyga of being a serial killer himself, because that might be a bit awkward :P
ReplyDeleteOh hell. Gory and funny and twisted and addictive? I WANT THIS BOOK! I've been strangely fascinated by the premise for months and now reading how amazing it is, I cannot WAIT TO READ IT! No kidding, your enthusiasm and persuasive writing always have me clambouring for a book the minute I leave your blog!
Great review Mimi! I haven't heard of this one before, but I definitely am going to check it out now! I love snarky bad boy hero types and his quirky friend sounds awesome too. Thank you for finding me another book to obsess over!
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful day Mimi! <3
WANT. Hehe. Lovely review sweet Mimi!! <3 Happy Tuesday! :D
ReplyDeleteI got scared by that cover. Right before reading the entire review, there was one second where I went, "Mimi?!" precisely because of that cover. =)) I'm really scared of blood, okay?! Haha. But, after reading that fab review, I'm thinking it's like "Dexter"... which I actually watched... so maybe I'm not as afraid as I'd like to think... which means, I should check out this book!
ReplyDeleteHaha, I just psychologized myself into this!
Oh, Mimi, I just got this on audio (the narrator is fabulous) and I listened to maybe half an hour so far. I love Jazz, he is such an amusing character already. His grandma didn't really show up yet, but the way he described her and went out the window to avoid her was hilarious. I am just now meeting Howie and Connie.
ReplyDeleteDon't you just love how smart and capable Jazz is? I think that's my favorite part so far.
Wonderful review as usual, my love!
Oh my gosh, I know about the cover under the dust jacket! So clever! I think Barry Lyga did Jazz's character really well and I liked his relationships with Howie + Connie a lot. I wasn't too fond of Grandma Dent though, haha. As always, such a great review, Mimi. xo
ReplyDeleteDark and funny! Perfect! Now thats the books I love to read!!!!!! Wonderful review Mimi! I like the sound of a wacky family! I especially like the sound of a cool Grandmother, I don't see many Grandma's in fiction these days.
ReplyDeleteRachel
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Great review! I'm really looking forward to this one. :) My husband watches Dexter, and I've heard it compared to that. Sounds completely unlike anything else I've read!
ReplyDeleteI've been kind of freaked out by the cover and title, which were not to my taste (although at least no one's staring at me ;) Now that I've read your review though I'm converted-this book looks awesome and I'm especially intrigued by badass Connie.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read this... As usual spectacular review Mimi!
ReplyDeleteI've been waiting to read this for forever, and reading your review has made me more than excited to get a copy in my hands! Great review Mimi! :)
ReplyDeleteOOOOHHH my gosh!! Mimi, this looks absolutely awesome!! I think I'll definitely give it a go...I love a good psychological thriller, and, if it's done right (I'm a bit spoiled by Anne Perry), a good murder mystery, and I love charming characters who make you laugh and reel you in!! :D Sounds excellent! (Just like your review, might I add...)
ReplyDeleteHappy reading, Mimi! Thanks for the awesome review! <3
I'm going to have to pick this one up! This sounds like Criminal Minds for Young Adults and I love that show. Showing the crime from the criminal's POV is always interesting because I want to know what they are thinking and what they believe that prompts them to commit the crime in the first place. And the cast of characters sounds like a lot of fun, especially his grandmother.
ReplyDeleteI am DYING to read this one. It actually reminds me a story idea I once had. Too funny. I'm so glad you enjoyed it, and Jasper sounds amazing. I didn't realize the book had a lot of humor as well...albeit a bit dark, I'm sure...whic his AWESOME! Sounds like my perfect read. LOL
ReplyDelete-Lauren
I never had the urge to read this one but your descriptions of the characters has me thinking I SHOULD! You actually have me all sorts of excited to try it!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read my copy! I like a good dark thriller! I agree about the cover under the dust jacket. Love it! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat review Mimi!! I don't think I've heard anyone say a negative thing about this one! I will absolutely have to read it. :D
ReplyDeleteI've seen this title before, but I think this is the first review I've read for it. The dark and gritty nature of this book seems right up my alley. I could use a break from all the lovey-dovey books I've been reading lately. And I'm really impressed by what seems like a very unique story for the YA market. Can't say I've stumbled upon many YA books dealing with serial killers. I've gotta check this book out!
ReplyDeleteBahahahaha Gramma Dent sounds AH-MAZING, Mimi, as does the rest of this book! You know how much of a Criminal Minds junkie I am, so how can you expect me to NOT be super interested in reading this novel? It sounds like a mixture of Nancy Drew and Dexter and just all-around awesomeness! I guess that Jazz's girlfriend would HAVE to be pretty badass considering who she's dating LOL. Do you think I'd stand a chance with this boy? :D
ReplyDeleteFan-freaking-TABULOUS review, Mimi-Doll!! <333333 ASAP suddenly doesn't feel soon enough to me! (x
Wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooah, this book sounds great!! Omigod, I can't wait to read it and see the blood under the dust jacket, thank you for the review! =) I also like how you put that heart in your review, it's very cool!
ReplyDeleteI think this is the most excited I've been about a book in a really long time. Maybe I'm turning into a crazy cynic but I can't think of anything cooler than the plot of this book. Am going to buy it right now.
ReplyDeleteAwesome review, my lovely! I've heard this compared to Dexter which I love so I'm so excited to read this. I already have my copy. Now I just need more time to read all these books! :)
ReplyDeleteMimi, I wasn't even aware of this book until a couple of bloggers I follow reviewed it and said how much they loved it. I normally avoid dark books but I have a feeling I'm really going to enjoy this one. I added to my TBR pile; now I just need to get around to reading it!
ReplyDeleteI just got this book from the library! I love dark and psychotic! LOL Jazz sounds unique and it's cool that he is taking his traumatic upbringing and using it for good things. I love Dexter so I'm sure I will enjoy this one.
ReplyDeleteThis one seems dark but SO interesting. Great review, Mimi :)
ReplyDelete"the dusk jacket is bloodily gorgeous" - LOL
Jennifer @ Dream Reads
EEEEE MIMI!!! I've never actually been interested in reading this book until your review! I've only heard of it but now I want to read it! The cover IS bloodily gorgeous! ;P
ReplyDeleteAwesome review, Mimi! <3 So glad you enjoyed it!
PS: Sorry I haven't been commenting on your blog lately! :(
Omg Mimi!! I can't even describe how glad I am that you loved it!! Now I have to read it even more. I was kinda scared it'd be one of those look-awesome-but-disappoint, but this is promising and I will so HAVE to give it a try. o: As soon as my move is over and I have money again, I'll totally buy it. *nods* Fantastic review!
ReplyDeleteThe word 'dark' is sometimes all it takes to make me want to read a book :D I love a nasty book sometimes, so bodies nailed to a ceiling, sounds great to me :D It's also very funny that the main characters name is 'Jasper' because that's my boyfriends name too ^^
ReplyDeleteThanks for another AWESOME review, Mimi!
Wowie! Jazz seems like the type of complex character that you could never truly understand, but totally fall for anyway. And I love it when the side characters are just as amazing as the main. I've heard nothing but good things about this book so far and I'm excited to read it.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds so BRILLIANT, Mimi!!!! It sounds so amazingly dark and complex and thrilling and unique and oh my god I want to read this now! I've been having an eye on this for quite a while. So glad you enjoyed it! It's great how YA can go so many directions and I LOVE the sound of I Hunt Killers. Fab review, Mimi <3
ReplyDeleteWow, I keep seeing this book popping up in blogosphere and I think I SERIOUSLY need this book! <3 Like you said, Mimi, the story sounds very WOW-worthy! And I'm always up for dark heroes - they have tendency to make my heart beats faster! :P *cough* Dexter *cough*
ReplyDeleteAaaaamazing review, Mimi! Not that I expect less from you. <3 Off to hunt killers now! Err, I mean, I'm off now to buy 'I Hunt Killers'! ;)
I want to read this so bad. Have you read I Am Not A Killer by Dan Wells? If not - try it. I loved that one. I studied serial killers in college, so I've always had kind of a fascination with them. Great review, Mimi.
ReplyDelete*hides* This sounds TERRIFYING! and GRAPHIC! *runs away* I think I'll be too scared to read this, even though it sounds SO AMAZING<3 LOL It seems there are A LOT of characters! HAHAHHAAHHA Barry Lyga probably DOES have a part-time job stalking serial killers or something, if he can capture the mind of a serial killer so PERFECTLY! Okayy, now I WANT to read this! BUT IT'S STILL SCARYYYYY! Anywayyyyy FABULOUS REVIEW MIMIIII!<3 I'm glad you enjoyed this :)
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ReplyDeleteI Hunt Killers was a book that created images and fearful shivers constantly till the last word. I am looking to what happens in the next book and will have my blanket ready to cover my eyes when I do. I highly recommend this book to everyone, even those who are afraid of these books.
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