A review by bookmaster4
I Am Not a Serial Killer by Dan Wells

3.0

I’m really not a horror person so I didn’t enjoy the book too much but the mystery and conflict were enough to get me to finish it. John is a very interesting character, not just because of the dangerous impulses he has but because of the way he sees the world. It was thought provoking to see “normal”/neurotypical humans through his eyes, how their actions and reactions don’t make sense because they are based on emotion which he doesn’t understand. I liked the relational tension created when the killer was revealed. I think it added an extra layer to John’s conflict with the world.
I can’t speak to the accuracy of John’s condition or how well it’s portrayed, but I didn’t like his mom’s attitude towards him. I understand how concerned she might be and how there could be a certain level of disbelief/unacceptable, but it frustrated me how she seemed to treat him like his psychopathy was something he could turn on/off. I feel like there should have been a bit more understanding between her and her son but that’s nothing against the author or the book itself and I assume she goes through growth throughout the rest of the series.
I took stars off because it’s not my genre but that should in no way deter you if this is your genre. In terms of writing/characterization/development/plot…5/5