Game

Gr 11 Up—Jazz barely survived his encounter with the serial killer the Impressionist, who was responsible for Jazz's dad, Billy Dent, himself a serial killer, escaping from prison. Jazz wants to help capture his dad-and has a tattoo reading "I Hunt Killers" to show his drive-but even he is shocked when the NYPD approaches him to help them catch another villain. The Hat-Dog Killer is very difficult to profile, since he sometimes leaves DNA evidence behind and sometimes is very precise and cautious. Jazz tries to unravel the evidence, but is rattled when his dad contacts him and Jazz's friends Howie and Connie. Lyga's brand of brutal and shocking suspense is not for the faint of heart. Charlie Thurston captures Jazz's moral indecision and Billy's chilling persona, making both characters believable. The book (Little, Brown, 2013) keeps the reader guessing until the end and the cliffhanger ending has a surprising twist. Because of the sexual and violent content, this works better as an adult crossover title or for very mature teens.—Sarah Flood, Breckinridge County Public Library, Hardinsburg, KY