Review of "I Hunt Killers"

"Don't ever let me call her an it again."

     So demands the protagonist of Barry Lyga's I Hunt Killers. Seventeen-year-old Jasper Francis Dent had a disturbing childhood, to say the least. As far as Billy Dent was concerned, Bring Your Kid to Work Day was a daily observance--which would have been fine if Dear Old Dad hadn't been a serial killer. Four years after Billy's arrest, Jazz still can't get over the lessons that were drilled into him since he was old enough to lift a knife. Even Howie and Connie, his best friend and girlfriend respectively, can't fix the brokenness that haunts him day and night. It isn't until a copycat begins leaving bodies outside of town that Jazz realizes he can make up for letting Billy do so many horrible things. If he catches this killer, it'll prove he isn't destined to grow up like Dad. But when his inner darkness rears its head it won't be the world he has to convince. He'll have to prove it to himself.

     It's impossible to properly categorize Jazz Dent. He's equal part clinical reserve, pragmatism, scared teenager, and terrifying potential. He cons people. He investigates crime scenes without permission and comes to conclusions that only officers close to the case and the criminal himself would ever put together. Howie keeps him human, and Connie keeps him happy; without them, he would be in a much darker place. Their love for him brings out the best aspects of his personality, and is the primary thing that makes Jazz's story worth reading.

     One of the great things about this mystery is the incredible work this small-town sheriff's office is able to do. Too often are sheriffs, chiefs, and ordinary police officers portrayed as incompetent, dim-witted, or otherwise useless. Not so in this tale. G. William may have a round belly and a big nose, but he's got a lifetime of experience under his belt and knows exactly how to use it. He doesn't get in Jazz's way so much as he tries to protect him. When he needs help and has nowhere else to turn, the young Dent is right there on the sidelines, yearning to join the big boys even as he conducts his own investigation. This feels much more realistic than if Sheriff William had let him help out immediately or been a bumbling idiot, and thus cements the premise and its stakes firmly in the reader's mind.

     In fact, realism is the name of the game from start to end. Lyga paints each scene so vividly that one could easily imagine this story playing out in the world we know. Side effects of such an immersive setting and plot include foul language, violence, graphic memories and crime scenes, and other assaults less suitable for public discussion. Thankfully, swearing is kept to a minimum. Both Billy and his copycat preyed upon women, the reasons for which are occasionally discussed, resulting in some crude comments. Jazz must constantly resist the urge to let his inner Billy take over, which leads to some rather chilling inner commentary. Crime scenes are described graphically enough to churn the stomach, stopping right at the brink of "too much". Jazz notes detachedly when his body reacts to Connie's touch. Trigger-sensitive readers should try this one with caution.

     I would recommend this book to older teens and adults looking for a serial killer story with kick. Jazz is a strong protagonist with a war raging wildly within him, one which could decide the fate of his entire town if he lets it. As his friend and girlfriend struggle to help him figure out who and what he is, all three are swept up in a murder mystery with high stakes and a truly frightening villain. Don't read this at night, because I Hunt Killers is as terrifying as it is intriguing. However, even the graphic details can't change the fact that Barry Lyga has written a great story worth four stars.