Killer Triggers

November 1, 2020

Kenda, host of the TV series Homicide Hunter, details a series of brutal crimes that he solved as a Colorado Springs detective in the 1980s through the early 1990s. Full of sensationalist dialog that feels straight out of a procedural drama, the book offers an insider's look at criminal cases, from the 911 call to the sentencing of the convicted. Kenda is unquestionably confident in his opinions, which, along with his interjections and asides, may raise eyebrows, especially given recent Black Lives Matter protests shining a light on an inequitable criminal justice system. He makes sweeping claims about young criminals and the role of parenting, later contradicting this viewpoint by emphasizing that violence may stem from anywhere, including "good" families. Discussing security cameras and privacy concerns, he notes, "If you don't break any laws, why would you worry?" and he makes tactless jokes about shooting uncooperative suspects. He also spins what might seem to many a story of Christian redemption followed by tragedy into a tale of harsh poetic justice. Still, Kenda does share some useful perspectives; he discusses a criminally neglectful slumlord, argues for the importance of investigative print journalism, and highlights the role therapy and talking can play in healing those who regularly see the worst of humanity. VERDICT True crime stories with all the gory details, both aided and stymied by the author's insights.--Bart Everts, Rutgers Univ.-Camden Lib., NJ

Copyright 2020 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from January 11, 2021
In this exceptional memoir, Kenda (I Will Find You: Solving Killer Cases from My Life Fighting Crime) chronicles the highlights of his 21 years as a Colorado Springs, Colo., homicide detective. Kenda investigated or oversaw 387 cases, and here uses them to offer insights into why killers kill. The cases cover a wide range, involving such elements as mental illness (a demented man fatally shot his wife, daughter, and grandson before shooting himself in the head) and greed (a slumlord lied about fixing a heater and a family of five subsequently died of carbon monoxide poisoning in his rundown rental property). Kenda also dealt with drug runners and gangs, and solved the case of a teen mob killing. In addition, he worked the first homicide in Colorado to be solved with DNA evidence, using the technology to identify the murderer of a lowlife drunk in 1994 nine years after the crime. Finally, Kenda throws in a few entertaining tales from his nine seasons as the star of the Discovery Channel’s Homicide Hunter. His Colorado cowboy cop humor and compassionate voice help make the dark stories he tells easier to bear. This is must reading for true crime fans. Agent: Austin Miller, Dupree Miller & Assoc.