Game

February 25, 2013
Lyga’s engrossing follow-up to I Hunt Killers (2012) again focuses on 17-year-old Jazz, the son of the world’s most prolific serial killer, but expands his world by fleshing out previously minor characters. Jazz is called upon to help the NYPD hunt Hat-Dog, a brutal killer who might be connected to Jazz’s now-escaped father, Billy Dent. Meanwhile, Jazz’s girlfriend, Connie, starts receiving mysterious information about Jazz’s past. Her quest drags in Jazz’s hemophiliac best friend Howie, whose horndog behavior belies his deep understanding of his friend, as well as his talent for sneakiness. The gore and violence flow freely (references to disemboweling and enucleating abound); the main differentiator between this and adult thrillers is the age of the protagonists. As such, it’s a riveting story for any reader capable of handling the violence, as Lyga juggles multiple points of view and elegant shocks and twists. Readers might be frustrated by the multicliffhanger finale, but the main mystery wraps up smartly, and the character arcs are as fascinating as the gruesome murders. Ages 15–up. Agent: Kathleen Anderson, Anderson Literary Management.

January 1, 2014

Gr 11 Up-Jazz barely survived his encounter with the serial killer the Impressionist, who was responsible for Jazz's dad, Billy Dent, himself a serial killer, escaping from prison. Jazz wants to help capture his dad-and has a tattoo reading "I Hunt Killers" to show his drive-but even he is shocked when the NYPD approaches him to help them catch another villain. The Hat-Dog Killer is very difficult to profile, since he sometimes leaves DNA evidence behind and sometimes is very precise and cautious. Jazz tries to unravel the evidence, but is rattled when his dad contacts him and Jazz's friends Howie and Connie. Lyga's brand of brutal and shocking suspense is not for the faint of heart. Charlie Thurston captures Jazz's moral indecision and Billy's chilling persona, making both characters believable. The book (Little, Brown, 2013) keeps the reader guessing until the end and the cliffhanger ending has a surprising twist. Because of the sexual and violent content, this works better as an adult crossover title or for very mature teens.-Sarah Flood, Breckinridge County Public Library, Hardinsburg, KY

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