My Never Ending List

I need the sequel! What a cliffhanger I was left with at 1:00 am this morning. Barry Lyga you are truly a master of keeping your reader engaged in a spectacular, fast-moving thriller. I wanted to wrap myself up in a good mystery/thriller book for a few days but I unfortunately I finished this book in one day. How was I supposed to put this book down when there was a serial killer on the loose? Most children learn from their daddies the way of the world, what’s right and what’s wrong but in the case of Jazz, his father’s words of wisdom are twisted. Always check the hands and feet before leaving the crime, you need a sharp knife not necessary a good one, or don’t panic, panic makes you stupid, these are the words that haunt Jazz, his words of wisdom from his daddy, a notorious serial killer, someone Jazz and the rest of the world will never forget. With his dad serving life sentences, Jazz is living with his grandmother, keeping up appearances and trying to remain under the radar. It’s starting again, in this quiet town of Lobo Nod as Jazz snakes his way into the crime scene unbeknownst to the Sheriff. Jazz is knowledgeable in the field of murder, thanks to this father, and there’s something about this case that’s not right. If only he can convince the Sheriff to bring him on board, I’m thinking he’s got more talent and inside knowledge than anyone on staff. I’m not a creepy person or anything but just the information that Jazz has collected from his father from living with him, listening and watching him over the years, I find interesting. The minds of these twisted individuals, their way of deception, how they wander from subject to subject and their perception, it intrigues me. Jazz’s insight is priceless, the poor boy is haunted, he needs an escape to rid his mind of some of this knowledge and if he can help the Sheriff perhaps that would help. But the Sheriff is not buying Jazz’s request, so Jazz starts to do his own investigative work with his best friend and right-hand man, Howie. His parents don’t like Jazz as they know his history but Howie and Jazz click. Jazz looks after him and Howie believes in Jazz, they’re buds. Connie, Jazz’s girlfriend, adds spark to this novel and she pushes him, pushes him hard where I thought he might succumb to the dark side as his subconscious minds drifts. As the second victim body surfaces, Jazz’s insights creep me out. Someone better be listening to this boy and soon! I cannot forget his grandmother. I loved his confused, rifle-packing grandmother who Jazz cared so much about. She added another side to Jazz, she also made me laugh many times and she provided lots of emotions throughout the book. She was prepared to blow anything and everything that came close to their house to smithereens’, sure that they were anything but what they were. As the chills went down my arms, the Sheriff knocked on Jazz’s door.