Friday, June 14, 2024

Review: Game (I Hunt Killers #2) by Barry Lyga

Title: Game

Series: I Hunt Killers #2

Previous novellas/books in this series: Down Time (#0.1) | Lucky Day (#0.2) | Career Day (#0.3) | Neutral Mask (#0.4) | Blood Boy (#0.5) | I Hunt Killers (#1)

Author: Barry Lyga

Genre: YA, mystery thriller

Publication date: April 2013

Published by: Little, Brown and Company

Source: Purchased paperback

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Synopsis: 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.

My rating: ★★★★★

This book was insane... in the best way possible!


So Jazz is recruited by the NYPD to help consult on a case because it seems like New York has a serial killer and they need his expertise, him being the son of an infamous serial killer and all. An infamous serial killer that broke out of jail in the last book, actually. So Jazz has that to contend with too.


But that case that Jazz helps the cops with... it was WILD. I was not expecting it to be what it turned out to be and I just need to talk about it in a spoiler tag!



What was going on in New York was just... it was morbidly brilliant. The way the pieces fell into place... it was SO well done! The book alternates POV and we even got some from the killer’s POV and even Jazz’s dad! Being inside their heads was so gross, but so fascinating at the same time. Lol. And the way Jazz is able to read people, manipulate them, and even put things together that the cops can't is scarily impressive. But the thing about Jaz is that even though he was raised by a serial killer, he tries to be a good person. As you can imagine, he’s got some serious trauma, and he thinks it’s only a matter of time before he ends up becoming a killer like his dad. And that just made me so sad! He has a mantra that he tells himself all the time: “People are real, people matter,” and I just-


I love him and how hard he tries to be compassionate and caring. And he is! It is scary when he slips into serial killer mode when he helps out the cops, but deep down I really do believe that he is a good person. And I am so glad that he has Howie and Connie at his side supporting him.


I have been really enjoying this series! I loved how the titular game was set up, and I just love how messed up and gory it is. I also love the characters and following them as they try to overcome their struggles. I am very interested to see how things wrap up in the next book because we are left with some pretty insane cliffhangers in this one!



Have you read this book? If so, what did you think about it? If not, what do you think? Does it sound like something you might want to read? Leave me a link to your review or comment below! 😊

4 comments:

  1. I read I Hunt Killers AGES ago and never continued with the series, I don't even know why 😂I gave the first book 4 stars and just completely forgot about it

    Thanks for reminding me of this series! Now I know what to read in my "murder mystery" era 😂

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    1. Yes!! The series as a whole is good! Third book gets real messed up though, so be prepared for that

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  2. I love that the series is continuing to be good as they often are not always great. I need to read it! Great review!
    Lisa Loves Literature

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