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I Will Find You: Solving Killer Cases from My Life Fighting Crime
Detective Lt. Joe Kenda, star of Homicide Hunter, shares his deepest, darkest, and never before revealed case files from his 19 years as a homicide detective.Are you horrified yet fascinated by abhorrent murders? Do you crave to know the gory details of these crimes, and do you seek comfort in the solving of the most gruesome? In I Will Find You, the star of Homicide Lt. Joe Kenda shares his deepest, darkest, and never-before-revealed case files from his two decades as a homicide detective and reminds us that crimes like these are very real and can happen even in our own backyards. Gruesome, macabre, and complex cases. Joe Kenda investigated 387 murder cases during his 23 years with the Colorado Springs Police Department and solved almost all of them. And he is ready to detail the cases that are too gruesome to air on television, cases that still haunt him, and the few cases where the killer got away. These cases are horrifyingly real, and the detail is so mesmerizing you won't be able to look away. The tales in I Will Find You will shock you like the best horror stories-divulging insights into the actions, motivations, and proclivities of nature's most dangerous species. Don't mind the blood.
289 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 5, 2017
691 people are currently reading
3353 people want to read
About the author
Joe Kenda
12 books416 followersJoe Kenda is a retired Colorado Springs Police Department detective lieutenant who was involved in 387 homicide cases over a 23-year career, with a closure rate of 92%. He is featured on the Investigation Discovery television show Homicide Hunter, where he recounts stories of cases he solved. The show began in 2011 and lasted nine seasons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 828 reviews
September 25, 2017
I’m a true crime fan so when I saw I Will Find You by Joe Kenda on NetGalley I knew I had to read it. And then I was granted a copy. Oh, happy day! I’m familiar with Joe Kenda from his Investigation Discovery network show, Homicide Hunter: Lt. Joe Kenda. He has a dry, very serious persona on the show as he narrates. I wasn’t sure how that was going to translate on paper.
The real personality of Joe Kenda emerges right off the bat. He’s professional, funny, and sarcastic as hell (sarcasm is a second language in my house) making this a very enjoyable read when the circumstances are dire. He takes the reader through many of his cases over his 23year career as well as welcoming us to a peek at his family life. A part that I found hilarious was when he wanted to teach his kids about gun safety. What he really wanted to do was scare the hell out of them (his words, not mine) so they would never want to touch a gun. It backfired. They loved it and as a family spent many weekends shooting in the woods.
The book is very well organized and starts at the beginning right through retirement. He explains that he can’t televise all his cases because of the explicit nature. This isn’t the show and he holds nothing back and indulges us with grisly details of some of those cases. He has a demanding job and he’s good at it, but it also takes a toll. He describes the toll it took on his marriage, as a father, and his psyche. He’s honest and forthcoming when he talks about PTSD after he retired. A great read!
Thank you Joe Kenda for writing this book! Your wife was right when she told you your story needed to be told. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Center Street.
The real personality of Joe Kenda emerges right off the bat. He’s professional, funny, and sarcastic as hell (sarcasm is a second language in my house) making this a very enjoyable read when the circumstances are dire. He takes the reader through many of his cases over his 23year career as well as welcoming us to a peek at his family life. A part that I found hilarious was when he wanted to teach his kids about gun safety. What he really wanted to do was scare the hell out of them (his words, not mine) so they would never want to touch a gun. It backfired. They loved it and as a family spent many weekends shooting in the woods.
The book is very well organized and starts at the beginning right through retirement. He explains that he can’t televise all his cases because of the explicit nature. This isn’t the show and he holds nothing back and indulges us with grisly details of some of those cases. He has a demanding job and he’s good at it, but it also takes a toll. He describes the toll it took on his marriage, as a father, and his psyche. He’s honest and forthcoming when he talks about PTSD after he retired. A great read!
Thank you Joe Kenda for writing this book! Your wife was right when she told you your story needed to be told. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Center Street.
October 19, 2017
Writing: 5 stars
Narration by Kenda: 5 stars
----
"My My My" how I love this book...
couldn't resist hehe:).
I don't remember how I started watching Homicide Hunter show.. it may have been that mom and/or I were bored and turned it on one night. I vaguely remember seeing ads for it on Dateline on ID though.
I got hooked on it more quickly than mom at first but now we are both addicted. If I happen to be working and miss it, she'll wait for me do we can watch it together.
I remember thinking that "I hope he writes a book one day." You can guess my reaction when I heard this was coming out:). I held out for the audiobook once I heard he narrated it himself.
I was worried it would be just a rehashing of cases from the show at first. Yes, he does discuss a few from there but he also goes through other experiences and tells us about his life as well. It was fun to hear what he was willing to us about his personal life as well. (During and post police career).
Some stories were amusing but most will disturb you, break your heart, make you angry, or all three.
Fair warning: there are some things talked about that may squick some of you out. He doesn't shy away from the details of the crimes (my advice would be not to eat if you are squeamish while reading)... some of the vicrtims are children too.
All I will say about that.
Mom and I were laughing at the language coming out of his mouth a few times. Nothing explicit but somewhat different than on TV😊.
Couple examples: the way he dealt with a reporter who
(Not sure if that counts as a spoiler, but just to be safe)
The second: when he dealt with a disrespectful kid in his post-retirement gig... that had mom and me laughing :). I would have loved
I love that he grew up in PA not far from a city I visit semi-frequently but am very glad his family growing up wasn't mine.. yikes.
He's own of those "Salt of the Earth" (Right word?) type of guys... not many of them left. I think Pop Pop and him would have gotten along and Pop Pop would loved listening to his stories.
I really want to meet Kenda one day and listen to more of his tales... imagine what else he may have to say.
Would recommend! Very compelling book.
Narration by Kenda: 5 stars
----
"My My My" how I love this book...
couldn't resist hehe:).
I don't remember how I started watching Homicide Hunter show.. it may have been that mom and/or I were bored and turned it on one night. I vaguely remember seeing ads for it on Dateline on ID though.
I got hooked on it more quickly than mom at first but now we are both addicted. If I happen to be working and miss it, she'll wait for me do we can watch it together.
I remember thinking that "I hope he writes a book one day." You can guess my reaction when I heard this was coming out:). I held out for the audiobook once I heard he narrated it himself.
I was worried it would be just a rehashing of cases from the show at first. Yes, he does discuss a few from there but he also goes through other experiences and tells us about his life as well. It was fun to hear what he was willing to us about his personal life as well. (During and post police career).
Some stories were amusing but most will disturb you, break your heart, make you angry, or all three.
Fair warning: there are some things talked about that may squick some of you out. He doesn't shy away from the details of the crimes (my advice would be not to eat if you are squeamish while reading)... some of the vicrtims are children too.
All I will say about that.
Mom and I were laughing at the language coming out of his mouth a few times. Nothing explicit but somewhat different than on TV😊.
Couple examples: the way he dealt with a reporter who
(Not sure if that counts as a spoiler, but just to be safe)
The second: when he dealt with a disrespectful kid in his post-retirement gig... that had mom and me laughing :). I would have loved
I love that he grew up in PA not far from a city I visit semi-frequently but am very glad his family growing up wasn't mine.. yikes.
He's own of those "Salt of the Earth" (Right word?) type of guys... not many of them left. I think Pop Pop and him would have gotten along and Pop Pop would loved listening to his stories.
I really want to meet Kenda one day and listen to more of his tales... imagine what else he may have to say.
Would recommend! Very compelling book.
October 2, 2017
I've never watched Det. Kenda's television show, but I've listened to his podcasts. This book really caught the true essence of the man, Jo Kenda. He's what I would call a cop's cop, with his integrity and attitude that "every life matters" is one that is not often found in this day and age. His candid account of life in Law Enforcement was straight on, from the toll it takes on the officer himself to how it affects his family. I found him to be very witty and likable, he didn't try to portray himself as a super cop. He has some great stories regarding how he started out and wasn't afraid to reveal a lot of his "rookie" mistakes. This is a great book for any True-Crime buff. I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my review.
September 20, 2017
Joe Kenda investigated 387 murder cases during his 23 years with the Colorado Springs Police Department and solved almost all of them.
In his book, he touches on some of them ... the victims whom he never forgets .... the criminals he's proud to have put away ... even the very few that walked free despite his best efforts. There are the children, especially, that he remembers as he had 2 young children of his own.
But there is also humor .... although you might find cop humor a little different. Anyone who has been, or is, in law enforcement, or who grew up in a law enforcement family will get it right away.
The book is well-written, without a lot of gory details that may deter some from reading. He gives just enough information to relay how bad it was. He touches on so many things .... how his life as a cop affected his wife, his children.
He speaks of motives, some justified, but most of them not. He talks about interrogation techniques and of having to work with rookies after he had spent a decade of working with the 'big boys'.
When he was a young rookie, there was no such thing as DNA. He became an expert on blood splatter. He's the first to say that shows like CSI have colored most peoples' views on how cases are solved ... or not solved.
He also speaks of when he decided to retire and just what it was that was the last straw .... and of the tough time adjusting to that retirement. He went from criminals to selling cars to driving a children's bus to starring in his own TV show, Homicide Hunter, Lt. Joe Kenda.
All in all, a very knowledgeable book, an entertaining book, a real look at the life on one of our finest.
Many thanks to the author / Center Street True Crime / Netgalley for the advance digital copy. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
December 24, 2021
I have been a fan of the show from the start. This book kept my attention from start to finish. I felt like I got to know another side of Detective Kenda. He isn't afraid to show the gritty side along with the soft side. Thank you sir for all that you did for the victims and their families.
December 24, 2020
Love this man. Best True Crime TV series ever!!!
Recommended for fans of the show.
Joe's personality really shines through within the writing and his personal real life experiences as a cop are more than interesting to read about.
I also was fascinated by some of his opinions about guns, forensic science, the justice system including the death penalty. They aren't necessarily what you would expect.
A life as a homicide detective takes it's emotional toll on a person as well....and Joe doesn't shy away from discussing this either with the reader.
Great read.
Excerpts:
If a monster does horrible things to another person, you can stand up or you can remain seated. I stood up for the victims of murder. I was proud of that.
What matters most is that telling my stories is cathartic. It’s a way of releasing the grief and the horror accumulated over my career as a homicide detective and police officer. I have written this book for the same reason; sharing these stories eases the burden of carrying them.
I’m a right-or-wrong, black-and-white kind of guy.
The primary motives for murder revolve around the unholy trio of money, sex, and revenge. Then there is the wild-card motive, depravity, which is the realm of drug-crazed maniacs, psychopaths, sociopaths, and serial killers. You wouldn’t know it from all the book, television series, and movie plotlines they inspire but they are rare animals; deadly, but rare in the real world of crime.
Most victims are killed by someone they know: a spouse, a lover, a coworker, a boss, their drug dealer or their drug customer. Emotions overcome judgement and to hell with the consequences.
Picture a murder case as a spinning top on a table. It is made to spin. It spins perfectly. You as a detective should admire it for as long as necessary to determine the parameters of the case. If you touch it too quickly or too firmly in the wrong place, it scoots off the table and disappears—and you never get it back. You only have one chance to get it right. You can make it unsolvable if you don’t know what you are doing on that first touch. —RETIRED POLICE DETECTIVE JOE KENDA
Recommended for fans of the show.
Joe's personality really shines through within the writing and his personal real life experiences as a cop are more than interesting to read about.
I also was fascinated by some of his opinions about guns, forensic science, the justice system including the death penalty. They aren't necessarily what you would expect.
A life as a homicide detective takes it's emotional toll on a person as well....and Joe doesn't shy away from discussing this either with the reader.
Great read.
Excerpts:
If a monster does horrible things to another person, you can stand up or you can remain seated. I stood up for the victims of murder. I was proud of that.
What matters most is that telling my stories is cathartic. It’s a way of releasing the grief and the horror accumulated over my career as a homicide detective and police officer. I have written this book for the same reason; sharing these stories eases the burden of carrying them.
I’m a right-or-wrong, black-and-white kind of guy.
The primary motives for murder revolve around the unholy trio of money, sex, and revenge. Then there is the wild-card motive, depravity, which is the realm of drug-crazed maniacs, psychopaths, sociopaths, and serial killers. You wouldn’t know it from all the book, television series, and movie plotlines they inspire but they are rare animals; deadly, but rare in the real world of crime.
Most victims are killed by someone they know: a spouse, a lover, a coworker, a boss, their drug dealer or their drug customer. Emotions overcome judgement and to hell with the consequences.
Picture a murder case as a spinning top on a table. It is made to spin. It spins perfectly. You as a detective should admire it for as long as necessary to determine the parameters of the case. If you touch it too quickly or too firmly in the wrong place, it scoots off the table and disappears—and you never get it back. You only have one chance to get it right. You can make it unsolvable if you don’t know what you are doing on that first touch. —RETIRED POLICE DETECTIVE JOE KENDA
December 20, 2018
Like many I stumbled on Homicide Hunter some years ago and found it interesting. I mean do you ever watch True Crime type TV shows? I was at the time interested in it and watching quite a bit of I/D (Investigation Discovery) TV.
My daughter called it "Murder Porn".
This book gives a bit more insight into Lieutenant Joe Kenda, his life and what went on in the criminal investigations in which he was involved. The accounts in the book go a bit more into the effect these things had on Kenda, his family and their life. You'll also get accounts of some of the cases which were/are too...well repugnant to present on TV.
I don't suppose "like" is a word to refer to this read but I do recommend it those who are interested in true crime reads.
My daughter called it "Murder Porn".
This book gives a bit more insight into Lieutenant Joe Kenda, his life and what went on in the criminal investigations in which he was involved. The accounts in the book go a bit more into the effect these things had on Kenda, his family and their life. You'll also get accounts of some of the cases which were/are too...well repugnant to present on TV.
I don't suppose "like" is a word to refer to this read but I do recommend it those who are interested in true crime reads.
October 17, 2017
Considering I’m a huge true crime thriller fan it’s very rare these days that I watch any true crime series on the television, so unfortunately until I picked up I Will Find You I have never heard of Detective Lt. Joe Kenda, who is the star of Homicide Hunter. I must admit I did Google the series and so I’ve included more about the series at the end of my review.
In the introduction to I will Find You Joe Kenda quotes “if you don’t think you can handle the darkest aspects of human nature, then you might want to put this book down, because it will get real in a hurry” and I have to agree, it’s a true crime story at the end of the day, so yes at times it’s both graphic and disturbing. This book offers a candid and personal reflection and recollection of some of Joe Kenda’s most gruesome and disturbing cases.
From the book description I really thought this book would be a difficult read, but strangely enough thanks to the author’s dark humour, which he admits himself is a defence mechanism against the darkness he’s experienced it wasn’t as gruesome or as horrifying as I expected. Don’t get me wrong there are some seriously upsetting and tragic cases discussed in this book, so I’m not sure it’s a book suited to the more faint hearted. I will Find You is broken up into sections motives for murder, drugs and depravity and catching Killers to name but a few, each section gives you an insight into the victims, the perpetrators and their motives which I found extremely interesting.
The author is honest and forthcoming as he describes the toll the job took on his marriage, family and his own wellbeing. Part memoir and part true crime, I Will Find You can’t be described as a book I enjoyed, but it certainly made for a fascinating read, as it gives the reader a revealing and gritty insight into police work, the good, the bad and the damn right ugly.
All my reviews can be found at http://thebookreviewcafe.com
In the introduction to I will Find You Joe Kenda quotes “if you don’t think you can handle the darkest aspects of human nature, then you might want to put this book down, because it will get real in a hurry” and I have to agree, it’s a true crime story at the end of the day, so yes at times it’s both graphic and disturbing. This book offers a candid and personal reflection and recollection of some of Joe Kenda’s most gruesome and disturbing cases.
From the book description I really thought this book would be a difficult read, but strangely enough thanks to the author’s dark humour, which he admits himself is a defence mechanism against the darkness he’s experienced it wasn’t as gruesome or as horrifying as I expected. Don’t get me wrong there are some seriously upsetting and tragic cases discussed in this book, so I’m not sure it’s a book suited to the more faint hearted. I will Find You is broken up into sections motives for murder, drugs and depravity and catching Killers to name but a few, each section gives you an insight into the victims, the perpetrators and their motives which I found extremely interesting.
The author is honest and forthcoming as he describes the toll the job took on his marriage, family and his own wellbeing. Part memoir and part true crime, I Will Find You can’t be described as a book I enjoyed, but it certainly made for a fascinating read, as it gives the reader a revealing and gritty insight into police work, the good, the bad and the damn right ugly.
All my reviews can be found at http://thebookreviewcafe.com
September 11, 2017
I just love Lt. Joe Kenda on HOMICIDE HUNTER on TV with his deadpan storytelling style, it translates well into book form as he shares details from his many years as a homicide detective in Colorado Springs, Colorado with his many fortunate fans. I found this book to be just as good as the tv series, plus he was able to share some stories that were too graphic for the medium of television. So that was an added bonus. Although after the book sent me back to bingeing on the TV show all night again, I had to question if that were true after seeing the episode where the dead guy had his eyes gouged out and shoved down his throat, whoa! Hardcore stuff, Lt. Joe.
I think I sleep better knowing that there are Kenda-like men, and even those he trained out there solving murders and getting these creeps off the streets. He should not only have his own show, but I think that he should have his own channel, so we could watch his shows 24/7. We want more of his books too please, along with the all Kenda channel, producers! He's the real deal. I was given an ARC of this ebook to review.
I think I sleep better knowing that there are Kenda-like men, and even those he trained out there solving murders and getting these creeps off the streets. He should not only have his own show, but I think that he should have his own channel, so we could watch his shows 24/7. We want more of his books too please, along with the all Kenda channel, producers! He's the real deal. I was given an ARC of this ebook to review.
October 17, 2017
I've never watched Kenda's TV show, "Homicide Hunter" but I would probably like it if I did.
When I began this book, I had high hopes. He grabs your attention right away, and there are many very funny lines. However, I ended up disappointed and irritated.
Kenda, as portrayed by his ghostwriter (he takes the unusual step of explicitly identifying the ghostwriter as such rather than his "co-author" or "collaborator"; I give him a point for honesty) comes across as extremely arrogant and full of himself. Even his attempts to sound like a regular guy who screws up royally like everybody else from time to time manage to convey the opposite; humble-bragging, I think that's the current term.
I got tired of his perfect, amazing, wonderful wife and kids too. He includes a few passages supposedly written by them, but those still seem solely designed to reinforce the Amazing Joe Kenda myth.
And the (ghost)-writing itself was not particuarly good. The book was rather carelessly organized and poorly edited (somehow, "the soul of a shoe" slipped past) and a couple of times, stories are told and then repeated elsewhere without, apparently, either author remembering that "we heard this one before."
I could have more easily forgiven all this if the descriptions of the cases Kenda investigated weren't so vague. Only occasionally does he provide names or dates, making it very difficult to verify his facts or learn more about them. Murder is public record, and I see no reason why he could not have been more specific about victims and perpetrators whose identities and court histories must already be available to anybody who cares to Google them.
A lot of potential, poor execution.
When I began this book, I had high hopes. He grabs your attention right away, and there are many very funny lines. However, I ended up disappointed and irritated.
Kenda, as portrayed by his ghostwriter (he takes the unusual step of explicitly identifying the ghostwriter as such rather than his "co-author" or "collaborator"; I give him a point for honesty) comes across as extremely arrogant and full of himself. Even his attempts to sound like a regular guy who screws up royally like everybody else from time to time manage to convey the opposite; humble-bragging, I think that's the current term.
I got tired of his perfect, amazing, wonderful wife and kids too. He includes a few passages supposedly written by them, but those still seem solely designed to reinforce the Amazing Joe Kenda myth.
And the (ghost)-writing itself was not particuarly good. The book was rather carelessly organized and poorly edited (somehow, "the soul of a shoe" slipped past) and a couple of times, stories are told and then repeated elsewhere without, apparently, either author remembering that "we heard this one before."
I could have more easily forgiven all this if the descriptions of the cases Kenda investigated weren't so vague. Only occasionally does he provide names or dates, making it very difficult to verify his facts or learn more about them. Murder is public record, and I see no reason why he could not have been more specific about victims and perpetrators whose identities and court histories must already be available to anybody who cares to Google them.
A lot of potential, poor execution.
December 14, 2018
Audiobook #239
December 27, 2019
I really enjoyed listening to this book, but honestly it could use some sensitivity editing. I know that I'm really not an expert or anything, and I'm not trying to get out of my lane, but I'm pretty sure calling a Native American a "beast" is kinda not politically correct. In context, I honestly think the writer meant to convey that this particular individual was very large and very tough, but I still would have expressed that differently. The portion describing the Japanese exchange student was a little clumsy and offensive, as well.
However, those were my only two complaints with this book. The narration was stellar (I love listening to Joe Kenda talk. I find it bizarrely soothing) and the anecdotes were very interesting, although some were simply repeats from the Homicide Hunter show, with added detail.
If you enjoy the show, you will definitely like the book, repeats and all. It definitely expands on Lt. Kenda's life outside of being a police officer and gives him a more faceted personality.
3.5 stars. Would be more if I weren't afraid that some sections were offensive.
However, those were my only two complaints with this book. The narration was stellar (I love listening to Joe Kenda talk. I find it bizarrely soothing) and the anecdotes were very interesting, although some were simply repeats from the Homicide Hunter show, with added detail.
If you enjoy the show, you will definitely like the book, repeats and all. It definitely expands on Lt. Kenda's life outside of being a police officer and gives him a more faceted personality.
3.5 stars. Would be more if I weren't afraid that some sections were offensive.
November 6, 2019
A very interesting account of a police detective's experiences.
July 29, 2019
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 / 5 rounded up!
I have been a big fan of Joe Kenda's Homicide Hunter on the Investigation Discovery channel for some time now, so when I saw he had written I Will Find You: Solving Killer Cases from My Life Fighting Crime I knew I had to read it!
What it's about: Retired Lieutenant from the Colorado Springs Police Department, Joe Kenda, talks about cases he saw throughout his 23-year career with the department, and a little bit about his personal life.
The scariest thing about I Will Find You is the fact that everything in this book really happened. I currently live in Colorado (although a decent distance away from Colorado Springs), and never would have guessed all the things that Kenda managed to see during his career. Sure I know there are a lot of bad people in the world, but this book really puts things in perspective.
I basically chose this book because I already knew who Kenda was through his television show, and I thought it would be very enlightening to read things from his perspective - especially things they wouldn't be able to put on TV - and I was right. Kenda talks about what is going through his mind during his career and the cases mentioned, and you definitely get some extra details for the cases shown on Homicide Hunter.
I love Kenda's dry sense of humor and it really shows through in I Will Find You. My family is basically 'the Kenda family' as we all really love Kenda, which means both his show and this book! I really enjoyed getting to know him a little better through reading this, and I had no idea when or why he had retired so that was information I'm glad he included here.
Song/s the book brought to mind: A mix of For What It's Worth by Buffalo Springfield and Takin' Care of Business by Bachman-Turner Overdrive.
Final Thought: If you are a Homicide Hunter fan, a Joe Kenda fan, or even just a true crime fan, I highly recommend reading I Will Find You. This is a heavier read while still managing to feel like it's on the lighter side of things, and provided some nice details into the mind of Joe Kenda. The only reason I dinged it a half star is a few editing things, otherwise this book was gold to me!
I have been a big fan of Joe Kenda's Homicide Hunter on the Investigation Discovery channel for some time now, so when I saw he had written I Will Find You: Solving Killer Cases from My Life Fighting Crime I knew I had to read it!
What it's about: Retired Lieutenant from the Colorado Springs Police Department, Joe Kenda, talks about cases he saw throughout his 23-year career with the department, and a little bit about his personal life.
The scariest thing about I Will Find You is the fact that everything in this book really happened. I currently live in Colorado (although a decent distance away from Colorado Springs), and never would have guessed all the things that Kenda managed to see during his career. Sure I know there are a lot of bad people in the world, but this book really puts things in perspective.
I basically chose this book because I already knew who Kenda was through his television show, and I thought it would be very enlightening to read things from his perspective - especially things they wouldn't be able to put on TV - and I was right. Kenda talks about what is going through his mind during his career and the cases mentioned, and you definitely get some extra details for the cases shown on Homicide Hunter.
I love Kenda's dry sense of humor and it really shows through in I Will Find You. My family is basically 'the Kenda family' as we all really love Kenda, which means both his show and this book! I really enjoyed getting to know him a little better through reading this, and I had no idea when or why he had retired so that was information I'm glad he included here.
Song/s the book brought to mind: A mix of For What It's Worth by Buffalo Springfield and Takin' Care of Business by Bachman-Turner Overdrive.
Final Thought: If you are a Homicide Hunter fan, a Joe Kenda fan, or even just a true crime fan, I highly recommend reading I Will Find You. This is a heavier read while still managing to feel like it's on the lighter side of things, and provided some nice details into the mind of Joe Kenda. The only reason I dinged it a half star is a few editing things, otherwise this book was gold to me!
April 28, 2018
Okay, so I've never seen the TV show that this book is connected with, but I don't think that this affected my enjoyment of the book. If you could call it that - it is a grim reality that Kenda portrays here.
He tells us about many cases that he was involved with and incidents that impinged on his family life and his relationship with his wife and kids.
The book is an authentic memoir of a normal person and this is its strength but also its weakness as much like the lives that we all lead, this one lacks structure and stumbles from one event to the next with little sense of progression towards any kind of conclusion.
Of course this has positives too. In that you get a good sense of what being a homicide detective really is. At the end of the book I admire Kenda for everything that he done in his professional life, for his dedication and professionalism, but I'm not sure I like him very much.
He seems pretty sure that he's right about everything and knows better than everyone else - especially noticeable in the post cop section. Maybe he does.
Anyway I guess the beauty of memoirs like these are that you get to hear (mostly) authentic voices that you might not otherwise hear, and there's a lot of authenticity here.
He tells us about many cases that he was involved with and incidents that impinged on his family life and his relationship with his wife and kids.
The book is an authentic memoir of a normal person and this is its strength but also its weakness as much like the lives that we all lead, this one lacks structure and stumbles from one event to the next with little sense of progression towards any kind of conclusion.
Of course this has positives too. In that you get a good sense of what being a homicide detective really is. At the end of the book I admire Kenda for everything that he done in his professional life, for his dedication and professionalism, but I'm not sure I like him very much.
He seems pretty sure that he's right about everything and knows better than everyone else - especially noticeable in the post cop section. Maybe he does.
Anyway I guess the beauty of memoirs like these are that you get to hear (mostly) authentic voices that you might not otherwise hear, and there's a lot of authenticity here.
September 22, 2017
"I have not forgotten her...or any of the murder victims I sought to avenge. They will always be with me."
3.5 Stars
Some may know of Lt. Kenda from his TV show Homicide Hunter. In Kenda's first book, he takes you through his career as a detective in Colorado Springs. The book is filled with anecdotes that are tragic and violent. His use of cop humor lightens the otherwise heavy material. I recommend for fans of the show and true crime aficionados.
3.5 Stars
Some may know of Lt. Kenda from his TV show Homicide Hunter. In Kenda's first book, he takes you through his career as a detective in Colorado Springs. The book is filled with anecdotes that are tragic and violent. His use of cop humor lightens the otherwise heavy material. I recommend for fans of the show and true crime aficionados.
March 15, 2018
Book received from NetGalley.
Most people know former Detective Joe Kenda from his Investigation Discovery show, Homicide Hunter. He worked for many years on the Colorado Springs Police Department and retired with a very high solve rate. This book while touching on some of his harder cases that didn't make it on the show so far, also gives you some background on why he decided to become an officer and the reasons he decided to retire from a job he enjoyed. While I think any fan of True Crime would enjoy the book, I think fans of the show will get the most out of it.
Most people know former Detective Joe Kenda from his Investigation Discovery show, Homicide Hunter. He worked for many years on the Colorado Springs Police Department and retired with a very high solve rate. This book while touching on some of his harder cases that didn't make it on the show so far, also gives you some background on why he decided to become an officer and the reasons he decided to retire from a job he enjoyed. While I think any fan of True Crime would enjoy the book, I think fans of the show will get the most out of it.
August 6, 2021
3 stars
For those of you who like true crime, I am sure you recognize the author of this book - Joe Kenda. He has had a show on television for a few years now about the cases that he solved while he was a homicide detective in Colorado Springs. This book is a culmination of some of the crimes.
Surprisingly Kenda has a sense of humor. You would never believe that from his portrayal on television or from the book cover, where he is stone faced with the haunted look of a man who has seen too much. However I chuckled quite a few times throughout the book.
There are a few grisly scenes that he speaks of, but he was in law enforcement for 27 years, most of that time in a homicide unit. There are also tender moments that he relates - both of his family and also situations from his job. Don't get me wrong, his demeanor on the job was rough and demanding, with both his coworkers and with criminals, but there were times that also melted his heart. And surprisingly his wife had no problem putting him straight and keeping him in line. Good Woman!
For those who like true crime, I would recommend this book. There are many facets to Joe Kenda, and he comes shining through in this book.
For those of you who like true crime, I am sure you recognize the author of this book - Joe Kenda. He has had a show on television for a few years now about the cases that he solved while he was a homicide detective in Colorado Springs. This book is a culmination of some of the crimes.
Surprisingly Kenda has a sense of humor. You would never believe that from his portrayal on television or from the book cover, where he is stone faced with the haunted look of a man who has seen too much. However I chuckled quite a few times throughout the book.
There are a few grisly scenes that he speaks of, but he was in law enforcement for 27 years, most of that time in a homicide unit. There are also tender moments that he relates - both of his family and also situations from his job. Don't get me wrong, his demeanor on the job was rough and demanding, with both his coworkers and with criminals, but there were times that also melted his heart. And surprisingly his wife had no problem putting him straight and keeping him in line. Good Woman!
For those who like true crime, I would recommend this book. There are many facets to Joe Kenda, and he comes shining through in this book.
August 22, 2020
If you are a true crime lover, are interested in police work and the nature of crimes, this is a must-read. Okay. I'll admit it. I've never seen an episode of Homicide Hunter. (I'm wondering why and rolling my eyes at myself.) The real perk to reading I Will Find You is that you get more intimate details about Joe and his life. Some parts were hilarious, like when he described his childhood: "Hugging wasn’t big in my family, growing up. We were more like the Addams Family than the Waltons."😂
I very much enjoyed reading about the author's road to becoming a homicide detective. He definitely doesn't mince words on the difficulties of being a police officer or investigator. He also makes a point of clarifying the reality of police work versus what we see on TV and read in fiction, such as the fact that AFIS can take two months to match fingerprints!
The scars left on Mr. Kenda from working in homicide are heartbreaking. He states that his memories are like armor-piercing bullets, and they can be triggered again and again by a smell, a sound, or a face from the past.😢
If you are faint of heart, get grossed out easily, or find the disturbing REALLY disturbing, you should pass on this one. It's apparently more graphic than the TV series. I was definitely appreciative of the humorous parts, as they made the gruesome and depressing parts more bearable to read. (And I loved reading the part where Mr. Kenda was a part-time school bus driver soon after he retired from the police department!)
I very much enjoyed reading about the author's road to becoming a homicide detective. He definitely doesn't mince words on the difficulties of being a police officer or investigator. He also makes a point of clarifying the reality of police work versus what we see on TV and read in fiction, such as the fact that AFIS can take two months to match fingerprints!
The scars left on Mr. Kenda from working in homicide are heartbreaking. He states that his memories are like armor-piercing bullets, and they can be triggered again and again by a smell, a sound, or a face from the past.😢
If you are faint of heart, get grossed out easily, or find the disturbing REALLY disturbing, you should pass on this one. It's apparently more graphic than the TV series. I was definitely appreciative of the humorous parts, as they made the gruesome and depressing parts more bearable to read. (And I loved reading the part where Mr. Kenda was a part-time school bus driver soon after he retired from the police department!)
February 6, 2019
Joe Kenda did an exceptional job of writing “his” story about a hard to write about subject. His dry sense of humor lightens the read. He also wrote with great sensitivity for a manly kind of guy. This is a good book, different from my usual type, but so glad to have read it.
January 5, 2019
Back in the days before I ditched cable, I had three channels I watched on a semi-regular basis: TCM, AXS, and ID. TCM was a no-brainer for its black-and-white noir shows, altho I did grow bored with their 31 Days of Oscar marathons when they show things like 'The Sound of Tinkling' which was a runner up in the category of 'Best Film to Feature a Flushing Toilet'. I also liked Robert Osborne over Ben Mankiewicz. AXS was there for its Friday night MMA fights and its SAT/SUN rock concerts. They weren't always good but it beat the heck out of watching 'stars' lip-syncing on NBC. And finally there was ID with its true crime stories that showed us not everyone in this world is a nice guy to be trusted implicitly.
My favorite show in the ID lineup was 'Homicide Hunter' hosted by Joe Kenda. That man did for 23 years something I couldn't have done for 3 minutes. Told in a dry, straight-forward manner, Lt Kenda drew you into his world, ugly as it might be, and showed you that retribution did in fact exist, and if you were a scumbag, you would eventually get caught.
If you know the TV show then you will know the book. It covers many of the cases presented on the air. But there's a lot more. It gives you a look inside the mind of Detective Kenda, and by extension most other police officers as well. As you read the book you can hear Kenda's voice talking directly to you. Some of the things he describes are gruesome and stomach-turning. Some are positive. And there are moments of understated wit in the conversations between him and his wife, Kathy.
The next time you see a sensation-seeking TV news reporter air a video of some police officer being perhaps a little rough on a culprit, try to remember what these guys go thru every day. Then ask yourself if you conjure the restraint not to off the bastard on the spot. Also ask yourself if you'd rather there were no cops around to protect you. (I'm sure there are some fools who'd say Yes.) Kenda's book is a wake-up call to those who believe there's nothing but good people out there. Not that there aren't; but there's an equal number of scumbags who will kill you over a bucket of KFC. (True story from the book.)
My favorite show in the ID lineup was 'Homicide Hunter' hosted by Joe Kenda. That man did for 23 years something I couldn't have done for 3 minutes. Told in a dry, straight-forward manner, Lt Kenda drew you into his world, ugly as it might be, and showed you that retribution did in fact exist, and if you were a scumbag, you would eventually get caught.
If you know the TV show then you will know the book. It covers many of the cases presented on the air. But there's a lot more. It gives you a look inside the mind of Detective Kenda, and by extension most other police officers as well. As you read the book you can hear Kenda's voice talking directly to you. Some of the things he describes are gruesome and stomach-turning. Some are positive. And there are moments of understated wit in the conversations between him and his wife, Kathy.
The next time you see a sensation-seeking TV news reporter air a video of some police officer being perhaps a little rough on a culprit, try to remember what these guys go thru every day. Then ask yourself if you conjure the restraint not to off the bastard on the spot. Also ask yourself if you'd rather there were no cops around to protect you. (I'm sure there are some fools who'd say Yes.) Kenda's book is a wake-up call to those who believe there's nothing but good people out there. Not that there aren't; but there's an equal number of scumbags who will kill you over a bucket of KFC. (True story from the book.)
February 18, 2019
Book #96 for 2018
Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge: A book of true crime
The Legendary Book Club of Habitica's Ultimate Reading Challenge: A book about true crime
PopSugar: True crime
You'd think a mystery writer would be a true crime nut, but I've never been a huge fan of the genre. I occasionally read a true crime book and more often than not find it interesting or useful, but I don't tend to seek them out. And I was more than a little wary of this one. The police profession (in this country, at least) is a notoriously conservative one, and Colorado Springs is infamous for its concentration of right-wing religious wackos. So I was surprised by how Kenda was pretty even-handed in his approach to police work and then refreshingly honest about how the darkness of it all ultimately impacted his family life and his career.
I came to this book completely unfamiliar with Kenda's work, so until he mentioned it here, I'd never even heard of his TV show. Maybe if I had, I'd have been more prepared for the episodic format of this book. Well, "episodic" implies more structure than was employed here. I'm not criticizing. It just took a little getting used to. I think I was expecting an in-depth analysis of a few of his larger cases. Instead, this was more like hanging out with him at a party while he related stories in a semi-random fashion. Like I said, not a bad thing. I worked in law enforcement long enough that that feels normal to me. I just didn't expect it in a book.
Once I got used to Kenda's style, I found his experiences very interesting, often entertaining, and sometimes touching. I don't agree with him on some things, but I think I would have liked working with him. He comes across as a man of integrity, one interested in serving the ideals of justice. These days, it's nice to be reminded that good cops really do exist. Let's hope they haven't all retired.
Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge: A book of true crime
The Legendary Book Club of Habitica's Ultimate Reading Challenge: A book about true crime
PopSugar: True crime
You'd think a mystery writer would be a true crime nut, but I've never been a huge fan of the genre. I occasionally read a true crime book and more often than not find it interesting or useful, but I don't tend to seek them out. And I was more than a little wary of this one. The police profession (in this country, at least) is a notoriously conservative one, and Colorado Springs is infamous for its concentration of right-wing religious wackos. So I was surprised by how Kenda was pretty even-handed in his approach to police work and then refreshingly honest about how the darkness of it all ultimately impacted his family life and his career.
I came to this book completely unfamiliar with Kenda's work, so until he mentioned it here, I'd never even heard of his TV show. Maybe if I had, I'd have been more prepared for the episodic format of this book. Well, "episodic" implies more structure than was employed here. I'm not criticizing. It just took a little getting used to. I think I was expecting an in-depth analysis of a few of his larger cases. Instead, this was more like hanging out with him at a party while he related stories in a semi-random fashion. Like I said, not a bad thing. I worked in law enforcement long enough that that feels normal to me. I just didn't expect it in a book.
Once I got used to Kenda's style, I found his experiences very interesting, often entertaining, and sometimes touching. I don't agree with him on some things, but I think I would have liked working with him. He comes across as a man of integrity, one interested in serving the ideals of justice. These days, it's nice to be reminded that good cops really do exist. Let's hope they haven't all retired.
January 29, 2019
If you have seen the hit TV show Homicide Hunter, this is a must read. If you have never seen the show but are a fan of true crime detective stories, this book is for you. I Will Find You is more than a recap of the show, it is more like a biography of a true American hero, Detective Lt. Joe Kenda. You get to follow along from his humble beginnings through his life as a police officer then as a homicide detective to his reaching of his breaking point and his life after retiring from the Colorado Springs Police.
Not for the faint of heart, this book contains graphic scenes of real-life crimes and the graphic language that realistically accompanied the officers who worked these cases.
A fulfilling book that allows you to pay a small bit of homage to a truly great man who was and is a hero. He deserves to be upon the pantheon of other great heroes who gave of themselves to help others.
My Rating: 5+ stars
Reviewed by: Mr. N
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/si...
Not for the faint of heart, this book contains graphic scenes of real-life crimes and the graphic language that realistically accompanied the officers who worked these cases.
A fulfilling book that allows you to pay a small bit of homage to a truly great man who was and is a hero. He deserves to be upon the pantheon of other great heroes who gave of themselves to help others.
My Rating: 5+ stars
Reviewed by: Mr. N
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/si...
October 15, 2017
I have to admit that I'm amazed by the high ratings of this book. I feel like a 3 star rating is generous. The book wasn't terrible, but it's also not particularly well written. There were a lot of word choice, grammar, and spelling errors.
I also feel like the book misses the mark in capturing Joe Kenda's voice. There are moments of brilliance, and moments when I can picture Kenda on camera telling these stories, and almost hear his voice, but those are few and far between. Mostly, I was bored and looking forward to the end.
There's no doubt that Kenda was good at his job. His record is testament to that. There's also no doubt that it was a dark, difficult, and often thankless job. I appreciated his insights into the legal system. However, on the whole, this book feels like a poorly executed attempt to capitalize on the success of the TV show. 2 1/2 stars. Tops.
I also feel like the book misses the mark in capturing Joe Kenda's voice. There are moments of brilliance, and moments when I can picture Kenda on camera telling these stories, and almost hear his voice, but those are few and far between. Mostly, I was bored and looking forward to the end.
There's no doubt that Kenda was good at his job. His record is testament to that. There's also no doubt that it was a dark, difficult, and often thankless job. I appreciated his insights into the legal system. However, on the whole, this book feels like a poorly executed attempt to capitalize on the success of the TV show. 2 1/2 stars. Tops.
October 15, 2019
I was surprised by this book upon meeting it because 1) I had never heard of Joe Kenda* and 2) this takes place in Colorado Springs, the town in which I was born and had lived the first nine years of my life. Even after we moved to our little mountain village, ColoSpgs was still the closest town so we were always there. Then, 3) I found out this guy had a true crime show on the TeeVee for several seasons.
And I had no idea! How has this all passed me by?
This, folks, is why I am not a detective. I am something less than observant.
Now that I've listened to this (on 1.5 speed because, in case you, like me, don't know who this guy is, you aren't prepared for his very even, steady, slow-paced speech patterns), I can safely say I feel toward Mr. Kenda pretty much the same way I feel toward Joel Salatin - I strongly agree with a huge chunk of this guy's politics and ideologies but, man, he just rubbed me the wrong way.
Originally, this book popped up after I'd finished Green River, Running Red: The Real Story of the Green River Killer - America's Deadliest Serial Murderer and I had almost skipped right by it because I am currently trying to stick to true crime written by women but I saw the words "Colorado Springs" and was intrigued. I figured if he were a homicide detective, he worked on the Heather Dawn Church case, the big one that rattled all us Colorado kids in the early 90's. That's not in here. Turns out, it was an episode on his show and I don't want to watch that because I don't like those kinds of shows and, also, I watched the news that entire time (he was probably featured regularly and I don't remember him at all) and I saw her face staring at me from every bank, post office, grocery store, restaurant, phone pole, and any other flat surface in public. I don't need to see a dramatic re-creation of that time.
There was a later murder that really got to me and I had hoped it would be addressed in this book. It wasn't because it happened after he'd retired. So the two crimes I had hoped to hear more about were not addressed in this book and the crimes that were featured were glossed over quickly and the "Solved" box checked...except for the few that didn't get solved. There's just not a lot of Crimes of El Paso County in this book.
I was also sorely disappointed by the briefest mention of Gold Camp Road and Rampart Range Road, the local body-dumping sites. There could have been a whole chapter on how those roads are legend as well as an exact count of how many bodies have been found up there to date. Maybe those roads are also in the TV show and that's why they were given short shrift here.
This was less a look at cracking down on crime-ridden Colorado Springs of the 1970's-1990's (it's not crime-ridden, we probably have an average crime rate) and more a reflection on how this man's years on the force were horrible and rewarding but mostly exhausting, mentally and physically, for him. And that would be worth reading, in itself, but I don't know Joe Kenda. Even after hearing him read his book, I don't know him. I couldn't tell how he'd changed over the years, I couldn't see the effect his work had on his family, other than a few snippets from his wife and children explaining their thoughts about him during his time on the ColoSpngs police force. Logically, I understand that what he did for work had a profound and negative effect on him in many ways and even though he confirms just that, I didn't see it reflected in his story.
Mostly, these are meandering thoughts on cases that Mr. Kenda remembers. It's also a cautionary tale on what kind of personality you'd need to be a successful homicide detective. It's also a lesson on why it is important to have qualified and talented mental health professionals available, perhaps mandatorily so, to people who work with trauma.
This was fun to listen to because I knew all the places of which he spoke, the neighborhoods, the bars, all of it. Many of those places are gone now; the Springs has changed a lot since the 70's and the trip down memory lane was definitely a trip. But I was also uncomfortable with how he talked about people, about how he judged a woman because she abused her child (of course she was wrong and that child definitely needed to be removed from her care but I don't think offering to blow her head off for doing something awful that she thought was her best option was something that needed to be shared with the class. We may all think things like that when we read about cruel parents but most of us don't have the means to legally kill people who make us angry. Vocalizing the desire to kill someone isn't dark humor if you can legitimately follow through on the threat) about how a large Native American man went savage in the bathroom, about how everyone who isn't law-abiding is a bad guy, about how out-of-shape officers are "limp dicks" and former officers who aren't respectful enough are surly, about how strippers just automatically know where to get hitmen. Like, why are you even trying to help people if you hate them all so much? Just let us go full anarchy and we'll sort ourselves out. You can clean up the limp dick, savage, low life leftovers.
All in all, I enjoyed reminiscing about Colorado Springs' past, I appreciated the work he did for and the experience he brought to the homicide department of my hometown police force, and I'm glad I took a chance on this but I rather hope to never meet Mr. Kenda in person.
*I have probably already met Mr. Kenda in person, potentially a number of times. There is a good chance I saw him when I was a kid because I lived in some of the neighborhoods he patrolled. I may have gone to school with his children. There's an even better chance I saw him as a guest speaker when my first husband was getting his criminology degree because I went to a lot of his classes with him and sat in on most of the guest lectures and Kenda said he was a regular guest at the local colleges, sooo...I'll let you do the detecting on the probability of me having met Joe Kenda at some point(s) in my life.
And I had no idea! How has this all passed me by?
This, folks, is why I am not a detective. I am something less than observant.
Now that I've listened to this (on 1.5 speed because, in case you, like me, don't know who this guy is, you aren't prepared for his very even, steady, slow-paced speech patterns), I can safely say I feel toward Mr. Kenda pretty much the same way I feel toward Joel Salatin - I strongly agree with a huge chunk of this guy's politics and ideologies but, man, he just rubbed me the wrong way.
Originally, this book popped up after I'd finished Green River, Running Red: The Real Story of the Green River Killer - America's Deadliest Serial Murderer and I had almost skipped right by it because I am currently trying to stick to true crime written by women but I saw the words "Colorado Springs" and was intrigued. I figured if he were a homicide detective, he worked on the Heather Dawn Church case, the big one that rattled all us Colorado kids in the early 90's. That's not in here. Turns out, it was an episode on his show and I don't want to watch that because I don't like those kinds of shows and, also, I watched the news that entire time (he was probably featured regularly and I don't remember him at all) and I saw her face staring at me from every bank, post office, grocery store, restaurant, phone pole, and any other flat surface in public. I don't need to see a dramatic re-creation of that time.
There was a later murder that really got to me and I had hoped it would be addressed in this book. It wasn't because it happened after he'd retired. So the two crimes I had hoped to hear more about were not addressed in this book and the crimes that were featured were glossed over quickly and the "Solved" box checked...except for the few that didn't get solved. There's just not a lot of Crimes of El Paso County in this book.
I was also sorely disappointed by the briefest mention of Gold Camp Road and Rampart Range Road, the local body-dumping sites. There could have been a whole chapter on how those roads are legend as well as an exact count of how many bodies have been found up there to date. Maybe those roads are also in the TV show and that's why they were given short shrift here.
This was less a look at cracking down on crime-ridden Colorado Springs of the 1970's-1990's (it's not crime-ridden, we probably have an average crime rate) and more a reflection on how this man's years on the force were horrible and rewarding but mostly exhausting, mentally and physically, for him. And that would be worth reading, in itself, but I don't know Joe Kenda. Even after hearing him read his book, I don't know him. I couldn't tell how he'd changed over the years, I couldn't see the effect his work had on his family, other than a few snippets from his wife and children explaining their thoughts about him during his time on the ColoSpngs police force. Logically, I understand that what he did for work had a profound and negative effect on him in many ways and even though he confirms just that, I didn't see it reflected in his story.
Mostly, these are meandering thoughts on cases that Mr. Kenda remembers. It's also a cautionary tale on what kind of personality you'd need to be a successful homicide detective. It's also a lesson on why it is important to have qualified and talented mental health professionals available, perhaps mandatorily so, to people who work with trauma.
This was fun to listen to because I knew all the places of which he spoke, the neighborhoods, the bars, all of it. Many of those places are gone now; the Springs has changed a lot since the 70's and the trip down memory lane was definitely a trip. But I was also uncomfortable with how he talked about people, about how he judged a woman because she abused her child (of course she was wrong and that child definitely needed to be removed from her care but I don't think offering to blow her head off for doing something awful that she thought was her best option was something that needed to be shared with the class. We may all think things like that when we read about cruel parents but most of us don't have the means to legally kill people who make us angry. Vocalizing the desire to kill someone isn't dark humor if you can legitimately follow through on the threat) about how a large Native American man went savage in the bathroom, about how everyone who isn't law-abiding is a bad guy, about how out-of-shape officers are "limp dicks" and former officers who aren't respectful enough are surly, about how strippers just automatically know where to get hitmen. Like, why are you even trying to help people if you hate them all so much? Just let us go full anarchy and we'll sort ourselves out. You can clean up the limp dick, savage, low life leftovers.
All in all, I enjoyed reminiscing about Colorado Springs' past, I appreciated the work he did for and the experience he brought to the homicide department of my hometown police force, and I'm glad I took a chance on this but I rather hope to never meet Mr. Kenda in person.
*I have probably already met Mr. Kenda in person, potentially a number of times. There is a good chance I saw him when I was a kid because I lived in some of the neighborhoods he patrolled. I may have gone to school with his children. There's an even better chance I saw him as a guest speaker when my first husband was getting his criminology degree because I went to a lot of his classes with him and sat in on most of the guest lectures and Kenda said he was a regular guest at the local colleges, sooo...I'll let you do the detecting on the probability of me having met Joe Kenda at some point(s) in my life.
November 1, 2017
I HEART KENDA!
I'm an all things Joe Kenda addict. Snatched up this book as quickly as possible because I can never get enough. It's better than the TV series. He's much more real and discusses many other parts of his life, which only make me love him more. He has a genuine, down to earth way of telling you the brutal life of an officer and crime. If you are already a fan, stop everything and read this now. If you aren't, it may not be your thing, however, if you like crime mysteries, police procedurals, and/or gritty guys you will like this book.
I'm an all things Joe Kenda addict. Snatched up this book as quickly as possible because I can never get enough. It's better than the TV series. He's much more real and discusses many other parts of his life, which only make me love him more. He has a genuine, down to earth way of telling you the brutal life of an officer and crime. If you are already a fan, stop everything and read this now. If you aren't, it may not be your thing, however, if you like crime mysteries, police procedurals, and/or gritty guys you will like this book.
October 13, 2020
"My, my, my..."
I didn't expect to laugh when I bought this gem of an audiobook in which is narrated by the man himself, might I add. But I laughed more at the content of this book than I have almost any other. I'm sure Joe Kenda expected to get some chuckles but I shed tears at his cop humor. It's truly amazing what ludicrous stuff this man has laid eyes upon. "Money, sex and revenge" are the motives to kill. Apparently, they're the motives to laugh until you cry as well.
I didn't expect to laugh when I bought this gem of an audiobook in which is narrated by the man himself, might I add. But I laughed more at the content of this book than I have almost any other. I'm sure Joe Kenda expected to get some chuckles but I shed tears at his cop humor. It's truly amazing what ludicrous stuff this man has laid eyes upon. "Money, sex and revenge" are the motives to kill. Apparently, they're the motives to laugh until you cry as well.
January 10, 2018
My second #NetGalley review. #TrueCrime stories retold by the famous #homicidehunter #JoeKenda . Really enjoyed reading this biography. Retellings of Detective Lt. Kenda's career and cases he worked on remind us of how far human insanity can go and that there are no limits. This man is an example to follow. Down to earth, genuine, honest and truthful.
January 14, 2019
Very fascinating
February 19, 2023
Despite the telling of some horrific crimes, Joe Kenda, with his dry humor and wit, keeps you drawn to the chapters of this book. Look for the particular part where Joe asks a news reporter, if he has a string attached to his camera. I laughed until I cried!
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