I Hunt Killers

By: Barry Lyga

Narrated by: Charlie Thurston

Length: 9 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

Jazz is a likable teenager. A charmer. But he's also the son of a (now incarcerated) infamous serial killer, and "Dear Old Dad" (as Jazz calls him) has taught Jazz everything he knows. But what Jazz doesn't know is whether or not he is destined to follow in his father's footsteps. He knows he has urges, but he also knows (hopes) that he has a conscience, that he isn't like his father, that he can follow his own path. And so, in an effort to right his father's wrongs, Jazz decides to help the police (although they don't know it yet) hunt down "The Impressionist" - a new serial killer in town.

As The Impressionist kills more victims, Jazz uses the "skills" he's learned to determine the killer is copying his father's career - almost to the letter. Everyone in town thinks that Jazz could be the murderer, and why shouldn't they? The only people that stand by him are his hemophiliac best friend, Howie, and his tough, beautiful girlfriend, Connie - one of the few girls Jazz feels comfortable around given his father's history: His dad may have murdered dozens of women, but they were all white, and Connie is black.

As the bodies pile up, Jazz struggles with determining his "true" destiny. Ultimately, he manages to stop The Impressionist, but in the meantime learns his father has escaped from his maximum security prison, and Jazz may have played a role in his escape.... For now he's safe, but he knows his dad is out there, somewhere, looking for his next victim....

©2012 Barry Lyga (P)2012 Hachette Audio

Sick & Twisted & Oh SO Sweet!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

If you are a fan of Dexter, this is the book for you. Jaz is like a baby Dexter -- raised by his brilliant, psychotic serial killer father. Even with his father behind bars, serving dozens of life sentences for the many murders he committed, Jaz is unable to escape his father's shadow. He has thoughts constantly that veer toward the murderous side, and because of that is always doubting himself. The cast of characters is pretty intriguing as well, especially the country bumpkin Sheriff who is a pretty smart guy even though he might not seem so at first. The narrator perfectly captured Jaz in his performance, and the voice of the psychotic father and even the Sheriff. But I wasn't happy with how the friend and girlfriend and other people were portrayed. They felt like caricatures, which is disappointing because they weren't written as such. All in all, this is an excellent, engrossing audio book and well worth the purchase. It's my first audio book to complete and I am very glad to recommend it. I can't wait for the sequel!

What did you like best about this story?

The fact that the main character is so flawed but doesn't sit around and whine about it. So what if I might grow up to be a serial killer just like daddy dearest? I'm not going to whine about it. I'll go out and hunt them in the mean time!

What does Charlie Thurston bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Great vulnerability and emotion to the main character.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The scene between Jaz and his dad is amazing. So raw and chilling.

Loved This Book!

Would you listen to I Hunt Killers again? Why?

If you enjoy shows like "Criminal Minds", or scary and gross crime shows revolving about serial killers, then you will love this book. The story was different, interesting, and I loved the main character. The narrator was also very good. I cant wait for the sequel!

"I Hunt Killers" was pretty awesome!

What made the experience of listening to I Hunt Killers the most enjoyable?

The detail of the crimes and how the killer(s) think.

What did you like best about this story?

The plot. After the book was over and I was thinking about it, it all made sense. I'm still putting bits and pieces together. I really, really enjoyed this story. I can't wait until the next one comes out.

What does Charlie Thurston bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Absolutely! He did an outstanding job of narrating.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, but couldn't. Listened to it in my car on the way to and from work. I'd get up in the morning and couldn't wait to get in my car so I could listen to it!

Any additional comments?

Wow--what a great listen!

Love It!

Would you consider the audio edition of I Hunt Killers to be better than the print version?

I have not read the print version to compare.

What was one of the most memorable moments of I Hunt Killers?

Can't tell without giving the story away.

What does Charlie Thurston bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His voice fits the book well.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book was great from beginning to end.

Any additional comments?

My son picked up the book with me at part 2 in a long car ride, and was able to get into it with no problem. We really enjoyed it, and commented that the ride even seemed shorter because we were so captivated by the book, the time and miles flew by. I cannot wait for the sequel!

Not so good

The basis for the story seems like a good idea that just fails to deliver. I read somewhere that a story may require a willing suspension of disbelief. Fair enough, however in this book so many things deviate from what would really happen that it starts to grate. I pushed on and only got really grumpy after wading through about 6 and a half hours when the killer (spoiler alert) basically turns up to confess and he does it all (even bigger spoiler alert) so he can get the son of a serial killer to become one as well. I find myself looking to the skies for flying pigs.

Interesting premise

I will admit this is a new storyline for me. I guess it has a Dexter feel to me even though Jazz has not succumbed to his serial killer urges. The fact that he may never give in or that he will give in and kill other evil people is not yet revealed in this book. I liked it but I did think the angst that Jazz has over his dual realities was a little overdone. It was the total focus of Jazz 24/7 and that got a little old for me. I think more ancillary character development would have made this better. We shall see what the next books bring as I do plan to continue the series. Good narrator

Not really a YA

A look at how a sadistc killer raised his boy. What a hellish childhood Jazz had and the fact that he came out of it half way sane is amazing to me. After his father goes to jail a copy cat killer is out there killing on his behalf and Jazz is helping the police by getting into his mind, so they may have a chance at stopping him. Jazz has some good friends that help him to remember who he is and a detective that always seems to be on his side.

A different twist on a serial killer case that was interesting but still very creepy. I felt sorry for Jazz because he will always have the fear of his dark side consuming him. Good narration and fast moving.

Good story, interesting characters & suspense.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Certainly, if the friend was interested in murder mysteries.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The haemophiliac friend, goofy sidekick.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, unfortunately I had to listen to this book over a couple of days.

Creepy & Addictive

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

The story was addictive and the mystery keep me fully engaged and guessing up to the end. Guaranteed to creep you the heck out!

What other book might you compare I Hunt Killers to and why?

I can't really compare this to any other read, it's very different, but it reminded my of the TV series Dexter, but YA. Just about as brutal which is surprising given it was a YA read.

What does Charlie Thurston bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Charlie Thurston's voice was perfect for Jasper and the secondary characters were well done, too.

Underwhelming, Predictable and Dull

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

A better listening experience would have been a story that wasn't so repetitive in the lead character's inner dialog. It became tiresome, and stale.

Would you ever listen to anything by Barry Lyga again?

I doubt it.

What three words best describe Charlie Thurston’s voice?

Buzzing, Ratcheting, Sticky

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from I Hunt Killers?

There too many scenes with his rather nauseatingly preachy girlfriend. I would cut all of the preachiness, or at least the long argument in the Jas's hideout.