Game: The Sequel to "I Hunt Killers"

by Barry Lyga Narrated by Charlie Thurston

Overview

The second book in this thrilling, terrifying series by New York Times bestselling author Barry Lyga is perfect for fans of Dexter.

Billy grinned. "Oh, New York," he whispered. "We're gonna have so much fun."

I Hunt Killers introduced the world to Jazz, the son of history's most infamous serial killer, Billy Dent.

In an effort to prove murder didn't run in the family, Jazz teamed with the police in the small town of Lobo's Nod to solve a deadly case. And now, when a determined New York City detective comes knocking on Jazz's door asking for help, he can't say no. The Hat-Dog Killer has the Big Apple--and its police force--running scared. So Jazz and his girlfriend, Connie, hop on a plane to the big city and get swept up in a killer's murderous game.

Both the stakes and the body count are higher in this suspenseful and unstoppable sequel from acclaimed author Barry Lyga.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

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. (Apr.)

From the Publisher

* "[The game is] orchestrated so cunningly that rare indeed will be the reader who figures it out early...You can't deny Lyga's ambition to craft the most serious (and bloodiest) crime series yet for teen readers."—Booklist, starred review

"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...The character arcs are as fascinating as the gruesome murders."—Publishers Weekly

starred review Booklist

* "[The game is] orchestrated so cunningly that rare indeed will be the reader who figures it out early...You can't deny Lyga's ambition to craft the most serious (and bloodiest) crime series yet for teen readers."

Booklist

* "[The game is] orchestrated so cunningly that rare indeed will be the reader who figures it out early...You can't deny Lyga's ambition to craft the most serious (and bloodiest) crime series yet for teen readers."

Kirkus Reviews

Son of a notorious serial killer, Jazz Dent goes to New York City to continue his hunt for killers like his father--and maybe the old man himself. Seventeen-year-old Jasper "Jazz" Dent and his hometown of Lobo's Nod have mostly recovered from the predations of the Impressionist, a serial killer who impersonated Jazz's father, Billy, but Billy's out there somewhere, killing again. When NYPD Detective Louis Hughes comes to Jazz's door asking for help in catching the Hat-Dog Killer, Jazz says no--but he can't deny that he's an expert on serial-killer behavior, since his notorious father raised him to be one. Jazz and his girlfriend, Connie, head to NYC to help, but they find themselves caught up in a grisly game with no idea of who the players are or whom they can trust. Jazz isn't even sure he can trust himself. Lyga's second serial-killer–hunting title is even more open-ended (and overstuffed) than the first (I Hunt Killers, 2012). Chapters from the perspectives of the various killers undercut the mystery aspects of the tale, and extraneous subplots distract from what could have been a complex thriller. Jazz is believable, but the other characters are mostly flat; Billy himself often comes off as more Bozo than Bundy. Even fans may balk at the closureless close, but there is obviously more to come. (Thriller. 15 & up)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940170090587
Publisher:	Hachette Audio
Publication date:	04/16/2013
Edition description:	Unabridged
Sales rank:	1,002,694

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