I Am Not a Serial Killer

I Am Not a Serial Killer

By Dan Wells

Tor, 2010. 271 pages. Horror.

ISBN: 9780765322470

Reading/Interest Level: Ages 13+

Curriculum ties: Morality

Booktalk Ideas: Resisting impulse: Describe life as John Wayne Cleaver, and how much he wants to be a good person, but that he’s fascinated by serial killers and why he thinks he may be at risk of becoming one.

Challenge Issues: Dark subject matter, serial killers

Challenge Response: First Defense File

Reader’s Annotation:

John Wayne Cleaver is a sociopath, his family owns a mortuary, he is fascinated by death, and fears he’s destined to become a serial killer. When serial murders begin occurring in his quiet town, his self-discipline is tested.

Plot Summary:

John Wayne Cleaver very much wants to be “good” and “normal,” but as a diagnosed sociopath with homicidal impulses, it’s very difficult to keep himself in check. John has been fascinated, he prefers not to say “obsessed,” with serial killers for a long time and learns as much as he can about the individuals. Even his school reports center on serial killers. He’s certain that he’s destined to also become a serial killer, so he sets rules for himself to keep the “monster” inside of him at bay. For example, he can’t fixate on any one person, he must avoid cruelty to animals, and when he wants to hurt someone he gives them a compliment.

One day, on the way to see his therapist, John comes across a crime scene and stops for a few minutes to soak in all the details. As he does so, he imagines how he would have committed the murder. He is fascinated by the murder and is compelled to learn more, but knows that it could lead him down a particularly dark path.

As more and more murders take place in town, John feels like he is the only person that understands serial killers well enough to stop the attacks. However, as he gets closer to the dark truth, it becomes harder to keep himself in check.

Critical Evaluation:

The characterization of John Wayne Cleaver is superb. Dan Wells himself is actually fascinated by serial killers, though is not a sociopath. So, when he was struggling to write and was told to “write what you know about” the story of John Wayne Cleaver was born. John is a likeable character who is torn between his compulsion to become a serial killer, but also be a “normal” person. As a child he had no qualms about dismembering gophers his dad caught in traps. He thought nothing of it and never felt the least bit guilty. Then, when he learned that one of the indicators of future violent tendencies was animal cruelty, he stopped. Not because he wanted to, but because he didn’t want to be a bad person. The warring compulsions and desires are a fascinating mix in a single character, which is really what drives this story along.

In terms of plot, the story starts off well but when it turns out the killer in town isn’t actually a serial killer but a demon like monster, it almost ruined the book for me. The story became less believable and relatable as soon as fantasy was introduced. Had Wells kept the story about a serial killer against would-be serial killer, it would have been more fulfilling.

About the Author:

Dan Wells is a thriller and science fiction writer. Born in Utah, he spent his early years reading and writing. He is he author of the Partials series (Partials, Isolation, Fragments, and Ruins), the John Cleaver series (I Am Not a Serial Killer, Mr. Monster, and I Don't Want To Kill You), and a few others (The Hollow City, A Night of Blacker Darkness, etc).

He was a Campbell nomine for best new writer, and has won a Hugo award for his work on the podcast Writing Excuses; the podcast is also a multiple winner of the Parsec Award.

-from Goodreads.com author page-

Justification of Selection:

This is an entertaining read about a teen who is trying to live a good life, but feels tremendous internal pressure to do terrible things. Teens who struggle with internal compulsions may find that they can relate to John Wayne Cleaver and connect with him on some level.