I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga

I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga, Little Brown, 2012

Format: Teen Fiction

Rating: 4

Genre:  Mystery/Crime Adventure

What did you like about the book? Finally a believable teen crime novel!  Jazz is a great character, haunted by his serial killer father and obsessed with proving that he’s not like him.  His compulsion is both fascinating and frightening and the details of the murders are grotesque.  Either Barry Lyga did a ton of research or he’s one sick guy.  Teens will eat this up!

What didn’t you like about the book?  The ending left a little to be desired but I’m not sure how I would have done it differently.

To whom would you recommend this book?  (Read-alikes if you can think of them)  This story is extremely violent and disturbing but if kids can handle shows like CSI and Law & Order, they’ll love it.  Give it to any teens who love crime stories.

Who should buy this book? (Middle schools, high schools, small libraries, all libraries, etc.)  It might be a bit controversial for school libraries, but it’ll be a surefire hit in public libraries.    I’d say grades 8 and up.

Where would you shelve it and why?  Teen Fiction

Should we (librarians) put this on the top of our “to read” piles?  Absolutely

Sharon Colvin
Chelmsford Public Library
April 16, 2012