Book Review: I Hunt Killers (Jasper Dent #1) by Barry Lyga

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?




Release Date: April 2012
Age Group: YA, Psychological Thriller
Source: Library
Reviewed By: Nat

Review:
This was darrkkkk, a dark psychological thriller. I Hunt Killers is classified as YA because of the age of the characters BUT I think it is better suited as New Adult or Adult lit. because of the themes throughout: implication of rape, contains graphic violence and brutal murders. I wouldn't recommend this to anyone under 16. With that said, I am 100% confident that all Dexter fans will love this series!

Do you believe violent offenders are the product of nature or nurture?   

Every aspect of this story leads back to this question. Is Jasper Dent a killer? It's something he can't answer yet. As sadistic as it gets in the mind of a serial killer, I was surprised at the sprinkles of humor throughout. I think I felt every possible emotion when reading I Hunt Killers. I sent several texts to the librarian telling her I thought I might have homicidal tendencies! Barry Lyga does such a fantastic job of warping your thoughts and blurring the lines of humanity that it was a bit scary at times. When I went to the store if anyone looked at me for longer than half a second I started to assume they were prospecting (specifically me, I fit the profile of an easy target)!

I sat in shock half the time I read this book. I wasn't shocked by what I was reading because I've been desensitized from all the Criminal Minds I've watched, but more shocked at how I was so passive to the demented thoughts Jasper was having!

This series is for fans of crime shows and psychological thrillers. If this is your cup of tea, then get ready to drink a gallon!

PS. I'm a visual learner by nature and I stumbled upon this awesome graphic guide on GoodReads and had to share. Shout out to Flannery at The Adventurer for sharing!