I have always been intrigued by serial killers. I am so utterly fascinated, in fact, that I scared a student worker at my college library during my freshman year. I used to go during my breaks to watch A&E Biography videos about serial killers like Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted Bundy, and David “Son of Sam” Berkowitz in the media lab. One week, he asked what class I was studying for. When I replied that it was “just for fun,” he practically threw the video at me before running and hiding in the back office! Luckily, I happened to meet him at a later time and was able to set his mind at ease. Until I had the chance to explain myself, he called me “the creepy serial killer girl” and worried that I was studying up so I wouldn’t get caught! Though I no longer frequent the library to watch videos about serial killers, I have watched enough of them (and reality-based shows like Crossing Jordan, Law & Order, Castle, and Criminal Minds) that I have a frighteningly thorough knowledge of serial killer pathology and the methods of the law enforcement officials who try to catch them. When one of my teens told me about this book, I knew I had to read it.
Though he is pretty average and a fairly nice guy, most people in town wouldn’t be surprised if Jasper Dent was secretly a serial killer. Why? Because his dad, Billy Dent, killed into the triple digits by the time he was caught. Everyone seems to be afraid that Jasper is a killing spree just waiting to happen; well, everyone except his best friend, Howie, and girlfriend, Connie. So, after a dead body shows up in Lobo’s Nod, Jasper is determined to help the police. Even though Sheriff G. William Tanner does his best to dissuade him, Jasper keeps insisting that he needs to help — because he’s sure it’s a serial killer (even though the police don’t think so), because he knows how serial killers think, and because he wants to clear his own name.
I was enjoying this audiobook so much that I jokingly told my husband I was going to make him listen to it when I was done. He agreed that it sounded good, so we decided to actually start it over (even though I was at 96%!) and listen to it together on our weekend roadtrip without the kids. We finished all but half an hour by the time we got home and we couldn’t imagine leaving it for later… So, we listened while we unpacked our bags and sorted laundry! Since then, I have read the prequel (an e-novella) and downloaded the second audiobook from OverDrive.com. The third book comes out in September on the day after my birthday. Coincidence? I think not! 😉