““Jasper Francis Dent,” Howie mused. He said it several more times, giving it different inflections and different emphases: “Jasper Francis Dent. Jasper Francis Dent.” Finally, he should his head. “Nah, it doesn’t work. Doesn’t sound right. I don’t think you’re a serial killer.” Carefully stepping through tall weeds and dead stalks of soybean plants, Jazz muttered, “Well, that’s a relief.” But deep down, he was surprised by how grateful Howie’s pronouncement made him feel.”
Hey, I loved the I hunt killers series. At one point Jazz doubted that he was a sociopath. Was he actually or was it just his coping mechanism to get through the years? (I'm like 99 percent sure his a sociopath)
Medically, one must be 18 or older to be officially diagnosed as a sociopath, so it’s currently a moot point for 17-year-old Jazz. He slips by on a technicality! But it’s a very thin line for him – he could go either way, really. It’s left to the reader to decide if he is or isn’t, and what the implications are. Glad you liked the books!!!
Hey! Just wanted to drop in and say thanks for the I Hunt Killers series, it always makes it possible for me to read when my attention is all over the place. Also, wishing you luck finding a publisher for the adult Jazz series! Would definitely read that. Cheers!
One of my favourite things that Barry Lyga does in his two biggest whump scenes in the I Hunt Killers trilogy is that before Jazz has the chance to pass he out, thus ending the scene (as often happens in books. The character passes out at the end of a fight and wakes up somewhere like a hospital) he cuts to the perspective of a character who cares about him a lot in spite of the fact that he doesn’t want to. This allows for a couple awesome things to happen:
1. You see Jazz’s injuries and predicament from an outside perspective and they can be visually cataloged.
2. You get a supporting character’s emotional reaction to seeing him like that.
3. You see the character interact with him in the moments leading up to him passing out and, just as importantly, in the moments after.
In these moments Jazz is exhausted and in incredible pain so getting the pure emotions of empathy, fear, and concern from another character who happens upon him and discovers what has happened is SO REFRESHING (and heartbreaking).
Sorry about this I Hunt Killers spam lately. I just finished the series and I have a lot of feelings about this whump and no one to talk to but you guys!
Based on the books by Barry Lyga, dentedlives is your source for all things I HUNT KILLERS. Feel free to ask questions, submit stuff, or just join the ihkcrows murder. Be warned, spoilers are not tagged.
