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hallie_34's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
chemwitch's review against another edition
4.0
Okay so... despite the 4-star rating I have a lot of negative things to say about this book. Just keep in mind that I thought this book was tons of fun and I did enjoy it!
This was a wild ride. We follow Jazz as he's taken to New York to solve the case of the Dog-Hat Murderer. In the weirdest twist of all time, this turns out to be two separate killers. Playing a game of Monopoly. I shit you not. While I didn't see this twist coming (at all), which is a complaint I lodged about the first, this Monopoly thing felt like it came way out of left field. It was too weird.
Then there's the bit where Jazz's aunt is apparently a serial killer. Yep. Not only his dad, but his aunt. It's a family affair. The whole thing just went from "neat little dark murder mysteries" to "serial killer secret society conspiracy" in like 50 pages. It just felt very convenient for his dad AND his aunt to kill. And get away with it. I don't know.
And then thrown into all this is romance! Because what would a YA novel be without it. Even when it makes no sense. Connie and Jazz are literally in New York trying to catch a serial murderer. They're discussing rape and torture and disemboweling and then... the subject of if they'll have sex? It just didn't really fit.
AND then there's the text messages between Connie and mystery person. Allllll that shit with the Impressionist and she doesn't go to the police? She just walks in knowing it's gonna be a trap? What the actual fuck. Also, a birth certificate with the father part missing doesn't mean that Billy isn't Jazz's father. That leap was astonishing. It could just mean he didn't write his name on the birth certificate. I just... Ugh. This book.
It was way too much but also a lot of fun and a surprisingly quick read which is why it gets 4 stars despite my wall of text complaining.
1/14/19:This was so over-the-top ridiculous but also such a goddamn page-turner that it’d be criminal to rate it under 4 stars.
Rtc
This was a wild ride. We follow Jazz as he's taken to New York to solve the case of the Dog-Hat Murderer. In the weirdest twist of all time, this turns out to be two separate killers. Playing a game of Monopoly. I shit you not. While I didn't see this twist coming (at all), which is a complaint I lodged about the first, this Monopoly thing felt like it came way out of left field. It was too weird.
Then there's the bit where Jazz's aunt is apparently a serial killer. Yep. Not only his dad, but his aunt. It's a family affair. The whole thing just went from "neat little dark murder mysteries" to "serial killer secret society conspiracy" in like 50 pages. It just felt very convenient for his dad AND his aunt to kill. And get away with it. I don't know.
And then thrown into all this is romance! Because what would a YA novel be without it. Even when it makes no sense. Connie and Jazz are literally in New York trying to catch a serial murderer. They're discussing rape and torture and disemboweling and then... the subject of if they'll have sex? It just didn't really fit.
AND then there's the text messages between Connie and mystery person. Allllll that shit with the Impressionist and she doesn't go to the police? She just walks in knowing it's gonna be a trap? What the actual fuck. Also, a birth certificate with the father part missing doesn't mean that Billy isn't Jazz's father. That leap was astonishing. It could just mean he didn't write his name on the birth certificate. I just... Ugh. This book.
It was way too much but also a lot of fun and a surprisingly quick read which is why it gets 4 stars despite my wall of text complaining.
1/14/19:This was so over-the-top ridiculous but also such a goddamn page-turner that it’d be criminal to rate it under 4 stars.
Rtc
jephapha's review against another edition
5.0
I love this book. Every time I read it, I consume it like I'm reading for the first time again.
athnyx230's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Death of parent
vidhi26p's review against another edition
4.0
The beginning and the middle was kind of slow. By the end, I flew through the book, not wanting to put it down.
teddybears1221's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
deedralapray's review against another edition
4.0
Another riveting book by Barry Lyga. Not as good as the first one, but still thoroughly enjoyed it!
erincataldi's review against another edition
5.0
GAHH!! Amazing!!! I loved the first Jasper Dent book (I Hunt Killers) so I assumed I would like the sequel. Wrong! I LOVED LOVED LOVED it! It may even be better than the first one. Seriously so good.
This time around the story follows not only Jazz, but his hot black girlfriend Connie and his best friend, Howie. The three of them all have adventures of their own to deal with it, adventures that are more connected then they realize.
Jazz shoots off to New York where the NYPD have asked for his expertise on the serial murderer, the hat-dog killer (i'll admit at first I was skeptical that NYPD would ask for a teenager for help but as the story went on it did seem plausible). Jazz uses all the knowledge his dad (the worst serial murderer of all time) imparted on him to help out as much as he can. Back in his home town, Howie and his aunt look after Jazz's seriously crazy grandma and Connie starts to get weird texts asking if she wants to join the game.
This book is so fast paced and amazing that you don't even realize it's over 500 pages. You fly through it and wish there was more at the end. Seriously must read. I am eagerly eagerly awaiting the next book in the series. This is hands down one of the best books I've read this year. A real nail biter that leaves you wanting more. Barry Lyga really does his homework and the details, the graphic crime scenes, intricate plot lines, and super amazing characters makes it hard to believe that this book is for young adults.
This time around the story follows not only Jazz, but his hot black girlfriend Connie and his best friend, Howie. The three of them all have adventures of their own to deal with it, adventures that are more connected then they realize.
Jazz shoots off to New York where the NYPD have asked for his expertise on the serial murderer, the hat-dog killer (i'll admit at first I was skeptical that NYPD would ask for a teenager for help but as the story went on it did seem plausible). Jazz uses all the knowledge his dad (the worst serial murderer of all time) imparted on him to help out as much as he can. Back in his home town, Howie and his aunt look after Jazz's seriously crazy grandma and Connie starts to get weird texts asking if she wants to join the game.
This book is so fast paced and amazing that you don't even realize it's over 500 pages. You fly through it and wish there was more at the end. Seriously must read. I am eagerly eagerly awaiting the next book in the series. This is hands down one of the best books I've read this year. A real nail biter that leaves you wanting more. Barry Lyga really does his homework and the details, the graphic crime scenes, intricate plot lines, and super amazing characters makes it hard to believe that this book is for young adults.
ashcash04's review against another edition
4.0
I feel so stupid when I read these books because the twists get me every time! I'm a terrible guesser but that makes the books more enjoyable. I did guess a couple parts of the ending but still exciting read. Loved the game twist and can't wait to read the final book!