Horribly Good Read

I picked up Dan Wells's debut novel I Am Not A Serial Killer because I thought it looked like an interesting thriller (have I mentioned I'm on a thriller kick lately?), but I ended up getting so much more than I'd bargained for. It's kind of hard to categorize this book - it's part coming-of-age, part thriller, part horror, and all riveting.

Teenager John Wayne Cleaver lives in Clayton, a small city in an unspecified state. He's known for a long time that there's something wrong inside himself: he lacks empathy. He can't connect with other people, not even his family; on top of all that, he's obsessed with serial killers like Bundy, Dahmer, and Gacy. He and his therapist talk about the rules of behavior he's set up for himself, and even though John's fascinated by death and dead things (it doesn't help that the family business is a funeral parlor), he's quite clear that there are lines he dare not cross, for fear of becoming the monster he knows lurks inside.

He's got everything under control - until the day a horribly disfigured body is found behind the laundromat. Then another body shows up, and John recognizes the work of a kindred spirit. At least he thinks he does, until curiosity gets the best of him and he discovers the horrible truth behind the sudden spate of murders. He knows he's the only person in town who can stop the killing, but is it already too late?

Fans of the Dexter series by Jeff Lindsay may enjoy this book, for its first-person narrative voice. Like Dexter, John speaks directly to the reader, and also like Dexter he's got a twisted code of right and wrong, and an elaborate set of rules that allow him to blend in with "normal" people. Stephen King fans might like this one too, especially fans of earlier King works like It, where kids confront evil armed only with their wits.

Another vote for The Strain

Tammy H. has already mentioned The Strain, by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan. Here's another endorsement from a library staff member:

I've just finished reading the The Strain by Guillermo Del Toro and Chuck Hogan and I must say I really loved it. After I finished reading it, I realized that this is how vampires are supposed to be - SCARY! They only see humans as a means for their survival and their goal is to finally conquer the human race. Literally, they're out for blood. So much for brooding, sexy vampires with feelings!

--Greta N.

(More) What I'm Reading

The Last Child, by John Hart

I've been a John Hart fan since his first novel, The King of Lies. The author recently spoke at the North Regional Branch and stated that he thought this novel was his best yet. I have to agree. If you haven't yet discovered John Hart, what are you waiting for? In Last Child, young girls are disappearing in an unnamed rural NC town and 12 year-old Johnny is determined to find his twin sister, who's among the missing. What he unearths is more sinister than anyone imagined, sending shock waves through the community and putting Johnny's own life in danger. This is an excellent read that I couldn't put down.

The Strain, by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan

Tired of sexy, sensitive vampires? Well, here's an alternative for you! From the creator of the Academy Award-winning Pan's Labyrinth, this novel reminded me of why vampires scared the heck out of me as a kid. The blurb says it all: They have always been here. Vampires. Nesting and Feeding. In secret and in darkness. Waiting. Now their time has come. In one week, Manhattan will be gone. In three months, the country. In six months -- the World. This is a great read -- it grabs you by the throat (pun intended) and doesn't let go. It's the first installment in a trilogy.

Relentless, by Dean Koontz

I've been a Koontz fan for years, but his recent novels were a disappointment. This novel reminded me why I am a fan. Relentless is a great read and fast-paced. Filled with quirky characters and a hint of the supernatural, it had me reading into the wee hours of the morning.

--Tammy H.