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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
I love Joe Kenda's TV show Homicide Hunter. It was very sad to hear there would only be 9 seasons. I picked up his last book and loved it, so of course I had to read this one as well. The audiobook was definitely worth it. It's narrated by Joe Kenda himself, and his dry humor makes the book really pop. All in all, very interesting and a great read, especially if you love Joe Kenda and true crime.
As per usual, entertaining and interesting. True crime stories told w/Kenda's inimitable wit.
I did have to roll my eyes at his lecture to parents about making their children fear consequences. I've never been a fan of the idea anyone should be good because of fear of consequences (it's why I don't like religion). Authoritative parenting doesn't necessarily include punishment and produces kids who genuinely want to be good not because they will be punished otherwise, but because it's the right thing to do. Permissive parenting doesn't usually create criminals either, though it might create people who struggle with adulthood. Criminality has a lot of factors, many of which society as a whole could help solve, but this isn't the place for that conversation. It was just a comment he made that annoyed me. That and, of course, the bs he supposedly put his daughter's boyfriends through. Epic eyeroll.
Cops, you know?
But, again, Kenda is very clever with his words and has a lot of empathy for victims.
A good read for true crime buffs.
I did have to roll my eyes at his lecture to parents about making their children fear consequences. I've never been a fan of the idea anyone should be good because of fear of consequences (it's why I don't like religion). Authoritative parenting doesn't necessarily include punishment and produces kids who genuinely want to be good not because they will be punished otherwise, but because it's the right thing to do. Permissive parenting doesn't usually create criminals either, though it might create people who struggle with adulthood. Criminality has a lot of factors, many of which society as a whole could help solve, but this isn't the place for that conversation. It was just a comment he made that annoyed me. That and, of course, the bs he supposedly put his daughter's boyfriends through. Epic eyeroll.
Cops, you know?
But, again, Kenda is very clever with his words and has a lot of empathy for victims.
A good read for true crime buffs.
I listened to the audiobook. I was aware of the fact that the author tends to have a monotone voice, but it was a little too much for an audiobook. He also came off as arrogant and smug. I was turned off by some of the comments he made and his assertion that some acts in the bedroom are never okay, even if all parties consent, annoyed me.
Kenda has been a favorite in our house when it comes to true crime stories. His off beat wit and honest telling of the facts keep us coming back. This book stayed true to the man we have grown to love on TV. I will say that the cases in the book felt familiar and recapped from the show. But Kenda himself said that he had started burning through the number of cases to talk about. I enjoyed it all the same.
I received a coy of this title via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
I received a coy of this title via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
Growing up in Colorado Springs, neigh being a native, I was aware off and on, of the cases that Joe Kenda writes about in Killer Triggers. But the enigmatic detective was only on my radar when ID network came to be, and the Kenda Homicide Hunter TV show began airing. Also being a fan if his TV show I was eager to read a straight up book by him.
I found every story to be written exactly in the matter-of-fact way he presents on the show. I enjoyed his first hand take on witness interviews and with every case tried to recall if I had any memories the media reports. I could hear his voice in my head the entire time. I would imagine this in audio format would be great, but the tone of the storytelling is just as in the TV show
His inner thoughts, the musings he contemplated while investigating the multitude of scenes he managed. He's very aware of his detectives and holds them to high standards. It's clear he's recounting investigative notes or perhaps he maintained a journal as the details are unscrupulous. He explains procedures and training (delivering bad news) and sometimes the lack of, the resources available for investigating, etc.
The range of cases he presents made me aware that the making detective grade is more about the person, on the whole, and for Kenda, the reason he's gone on to success in TV. I first learned of his celebrity status years ago while participating in the Marriott happy hour in Houston. I traveled there for work and in a moment of sharing a table with strangers and discussing where we were all from. When I mentioned my hometown as Colorado Springs, the entire table lit up with questions and comments about Joe Kenda and if I was aware of him (yes, I was). They immediately shared that they had been a Kenda cruise. Essentially, a group of fans paid for the honor to hang out with him and bask in his storytelling. He mentions in the book which I really enjoyed his perspective on what his celebrity status means to his family.
For Kenda fans, this is a must read. If you’re not aware of him, this is a great recount of true-crime in a medium size city and will make you a fan of Kenda and his TV shows.
I found every story to be written exactly in the matter-of-fact way he presents on the show. I enjoyed his first hand take on witness interviews and with every case tried to recall if I had any memories the media reports. I could hear his voice in my head the entire time. I would imagine this in audio format would be great, but the tone of the storytelling is just as in the TV show
His inner thoughts, the musings he contemplated while investigating the multitude of scenes he managed. He's very aware of his detectives and holds them to high standards. It's clear he's recounting investigative notes or perhaps he maintained a journal as the details are unscrupulous. He explains procedures and training (delivering bad news) and sometimes the lack of, the resources available for investigating, etc.
The range of cases he presents made me aware that the making detective grade is more about the person, on the whole, and for Kenda, the reason he's gone on to success in TV. I first learned of his celebrity status years ago while participating in the Marriott happy hour in Houston. I traveled there for work and in a moment of sharing a table with strangers and discussing where we were all from. When I mentioned my hometown as Colorado Springs, the entire table lit up with questions and comments about Joe Kenda and if I was aware of him (yes, I was). They immediately shared that they had been a Kenda cruise. Essentially, a group of fans paid for the honor to hang out with him and bask in his storytelling. He mentions in the book which I really enjoyed his perspective on what his celebrity status means to his family.
For Kenda fans, this is a must read. If you’re not aware of him, this is a great recount of true-crime in a medium size city and will make you a fan of Kenda and his TV shows.
He has a great way of sharing his stories, without making them to traumatizing! Very conversational, this book was a fascinating read for me, a person who really enjoys true crime!
The best !!! A true testament of what it’s like to be in the front row of what it like to see the carnage humans can do to each other. I spent 30 years in the FD, I fully understand how he feels.
Good fun read of true crime homicide cases investigated by Colorado Springs PD Det. Joe Kenda...I am familiar with most of these cases due to Kenda's TV show Homicide Hunter...AND...I'm from Denver with a lot of family who live in C. Springs. I've spent a lot of time there, I know where these cases took place, and I have cousins who work in law enforcement & justice in C. Springs and they personally know Joe Kenda. In fact I'd go deeper than that but it would be unethical for me to discuss extended family business if you know what I mean...But...yeah, fun true crime book and if you're from Colorado I highly recommend...I drop a point due to the writing being rather simplistic, but, what the hay, they'll sell more books that way. Nothing wrong with that...4.0 outta 5.0....
informative
tense
medium-paced