A Review of 'I Am Not a Serial Killer' by Dan Wells (Audio Book)

"John Wayne Cleaver is dangerous and he knows it.  He's spent his life doing his best not to live up to his potential.


John is obsessed with serial killers, but really doesn't want to become one.  So for his own sake, and the safety of those around him, he lives by rigid rules he's written for himself, practicing normal life as if it were a private religion that could save him from damnation.


Dead bodies are normal to John.  He likes them, actually.  They don't demand or expect the empathy he's unable to offer.  Perhaps that's what give him the objectivity to recognize that there's something different about the body the police have just found behind the Wash-n-Dry Laundromat-- and to appreciate what that difference means.


Now, for the first time, John has to confront a danger outside himself, a threat he can't control, a menace to everything and everyone he would love, if only he could."

This is a very eerie read, especially if you begin listening at night before falling asleep, as I did.  John Wayne is extremely fascinated by dead people and on top of that, he helps his mom and one of his sisters (I think she's a sister) in their mortuary.  On the first CD, he goes through the embalming process.  It was uncomfortable to listen to, but it was really effective.

Another interesting thing is John Wayne's rules.  As said in the description above, John knows a lot about serial killers.  He researches them, tying them into his school work and even discovering that he shares a name with a serial killer.  John has researched the characteristics that most serial killers show before they even become serial killers.  John exhibits most if not all the predictors.  So in order to prevent himself from encountering a serial killer, he gives himself rules that he must follow.

More and more people keep dying.  There are suspects, but there aren't any strong candidates.  There doesn't seem to be a specific demographic this killer is targeting.  So far, the victims have only been men.  So what does John do?  He takes it upon him to solve this thing using his knowledge of serial killers.

There is a twist at the end that I really believe no one will guess.  It surprised me and I was really thrown for a loop.

I Am Not a Serial Killer was very intriguing and interesting to listen to.  It kept me on my toes and it involved psychology and a look into the human persona.  I'm rather excited to read/hear the sequel.

I give I Am Not a Serial Killer:

Thanks for reading!


--Jude