The Houseful Reads {Playaway} I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga

A while back, I picked up a book on audio at the suggestion of one of my favorite young adult librarians  I checked out I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga on Playaway. Essentially, the book is preloaded on a device that you can carry around with you anywhere and listen to it, without having to have your smart phone or an mp3 player. Pretty ingenious to me. Especially to those who can’t read just yet, or who don’t own the technology to be able to play audiobooks or downloads.

I guess this blog post is kind of review of both the book and the Playaway system. Possibly because I was super surprised at how well I got into the book via audio because I had the freedom of being able to MOVE around while still taking in a book or two. I could wash dishes and…wait, who am I kidding, I leave the dishes for Nate. I could cut fabric while listening to a book, and not have to worry about my phone getting hot from overuse. 

Now as far as the book, I Hunt Killers is definitely a book for older children, I would have to say for ages 15 and up because of all of the killing, and some sexuality. I was caught off guard by some of the staunch sexual talk that the protagonist, Jazz has with his dad Billy at one point in the book. Well, the talk that his dad has with him, I should say. 

In this book, Jazz is searching for a serial killer who is copying every single murder that his father committed before his arrest. Except the local police don’t believe that it’s happening until it’s too late. Jazz must keep one step ahead of the killer all while hoping that he isn’t carrying the DNA that made his dad into a serial killer. He depends on his best friend and girlfriend to keep his head above water all while fighting the urge to give into tendencies that he is afraid that he has. 

The book was narrated by Charlie Thurston, and for the most part he did a great job for what it is worth. I will say that I tend to have a bit of a giggle fit when I hear a man try to encompass the voice of a black female, as he does with Jazz’s girlfriend, Connie. The sass is a little strong, but tolerable. 

I won’t spoil the ending, mostly because I’m currently listening to it at the moment, so I can’t. However, I pretty much guarantee that some portion of it will sink its claws into you, and keep you listening (or reading – if you pick up the hard copy) until the very end. I will say, this book was good enough to make me want to pick up another of Barry Lyga’s books, and giving it a go. 

How about you? What have you read lately? I need suggestions of what to put on my list next.