I’ve had this on my shelf for a very long time, and when I was going through my hidden books on one of the double-stacked shelves looking for some to get rid of, I figured I might as well give this one a try. It’s the story of Jasper Dent, whose father is the most notorious serial killer in American history. Jasper still lives in the small town his father was raised and caught in, and has to deal with plenty of judgment and gossip. Jasper is trying his best to move on from his past, which would be hard enough if he had been as surprised as everyone else when his father was outed as a prolific killer – but unfortunately he’s known about it his whole life. His father had been training him to become one.
The book begins with a murder. Jasper becomes involved in the investigation because this murderer bears similarities to Jasper’s father – and of course, this makes Jasper the first person people suspect. Determined not only to catch the perpetrator, but to prove to himself – and everyone else – that he’s nothing like his dad, Jasper starts his own investigation using the skills his father passed down to him, which allow him to look at the murder from the other side – the killer’s side.
This book is definitely a page turner. It didn’t take long to read, and had me interested to know what was going to happen next. I liked the concept – I haven’t come across another book like it. I didn’t guess all the twists and I enjoyed his internal struggle and his relationships with his best friend and girlfriend – both of whom he relies on to keep him from becoming too much like his father.
It wasn’t perfect – some of the character development didn’t quite work for me, and I wanted a little more depth to some parts of the plot. But for a YA book, it’s entertaining and definitely has a fascinating premise. It was a good one to pick up after having not read much for a year, but I don’t think I’ll be continuing on with the series – this one was enough for me.
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? – Goodreads
Book Title: I Hunt Killers
Author: Barry Lyga
Series: Yes – Jasper Dent #1
Edition: Paperback
Published By: Little, Brown Company
Released: April 3, 2012
Genre: Fiction, Young Adult, Thriller, Suspense
Pages: 378
Date Read: May 31-June 3, 2017
Rating: 5/10