I never watched the show, so I won’t be able to compare for now (I may watch some episodes later if I can find some episodes that aren’t available for US only or through shady websites); actually, I hadn’t even known about Joe Kenda before requesting this book. The book itself, when I read its blurb, looked interesting, and I was in the mood for crime-related non fiction, so here I am now.

Interesting it was, indeed. I learnt quite a few things about police procedures, all the more because I don’t live in the USA, and basically all I know is what I’ve seen in TV series (no worries, I was kind of already suspecting that TV =/= truth ;)). Not that it surprised me, but it’s always good to see that, well, one was right in wondering ‘do these things really happen like that?’

What also really happens like that is crime itself, and sadly, what Kenda described in the book didn’t surprise me either (I don’t have a very good opinion of man as a species). Again, I can’t compare with the series, and I don’t know if what he writes about here is something watchers already know, or grittier/less gritty than what has been aired. It did seem gruesome enough to me. I’m not easily disgusted to the point of physically having to stop reading, but I can envision this being a turnoff, at least at times, as a reminder that people can do horrible things, including to their kids, innocent bystanders, for the stupidest reasons, for something as trivial as 20 quid, etc.

I wasn’t entirely convinced by the tone/style. Not sure how Joe Kenda fares in the show, but here there were some turns of phrase, some vocabulary, that I felt was... not sure how to explain it, too demeaning or for shock value? I would probably have such words about criminals myself, so it’s nothing like ‘oh noes, swearing is bad’, and more like ‘the stronger the vocabulary/opinion, the lesser the impact’? Yes, I think that’s it: the grit and dark side can very well stand on their own, and they would have more impact if presented in a more ‘neutral’ tone. It may just be me, though.

(On the other hand, of course, you can tell that the author feels very strongly about this, and it's completely understandable!)

Apart from this, I definitely found this book interesting, both for the police work it presented, and for the other aspect of Kenda’s life (his family, how they too had to cope with his career, how the horrors he’s seen affected his whole home, etc.).

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.

I love Detective Lt. Joe Kenda, and have watched every episode of his hit show, Homicide Hunter, on ID. When I saw he wrote a book, I was so excited. I read it in about 24 hours on my Kindle. The book is written in the same style he speaks - it feels like you're sitting across the table from him having a cup of coffee while he tells you stories. I could hear his voice in my head while I read the words. Some of the stories are repeats of the ones he's told on his show, but he goes into more details in the book (and gives details he couldn't give on the show, for various reasons). There are many new stories as well. Some were extremely disturbing (I completely understand why he has PTSD from his career), but he tells everyone's story with compassion and empathy, no matter who they were and how or why they were murdered. I highly recommend this book to everyone who loves his show.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to receive a complimentary copy of this book to review.

I loved how straight he is even in this book ,his not afraid to speak his mind and tell the truth. Yes it some what different then his show but not by much , think you NetGalley for letting me read and review his book

I enjoyed reading this book. The cases Joe Kenda worked on were interesting. Sometimes the the book read like the narration of the show. That's not a bad thing.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

Stories behind the cases from Lt. Joe Kenda. We get to hear firsthand Kenda's thoughts, feelings, nightmares, and rare joys.
I had to take off a star off because at the beginning we're told that we'll be told about cases not shown on the TV series Homicide Hunter. However, many of the stories, though with added detail or insight, are definitely repeats from the show.
I'm already recommending this to fans of the show as well as fans of Ann Rule and other true crime authors.

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.

I really liked this book. Of course, I watch "Homicide Hunter" and love Joe Kenda! While reading the book, I read it in his voice! I really liked reading his stories, especially with the overall theme that the victim comes first. Justice for the victim. It was interesting to hear how he felt about the people he had to deal with, especially suspects. I also liked that he explained thing about the show, and how he could not tell all the stories he wanted to or was passionate about. Like cases with children. It was great to know that a cop felt the same emotions over these poor children, even after so many years on the job. If you like the show, you will also like the book. And you will hear Joe read it in your head!

Earlier this year I was feeling bored and channel-surfing, when I came upon an American show called 'Homicide Hunter'. I watched one episode, and then another. Now, I love true crime shows, and being British, I definitely appreciate a dry sense of humour - pretty soon I was hooked. So you can't imagine how pleased I was to see Detective Lt. Joe Kenda's book available for advance review via Netgalley.

The book is just as good as the show. Packed with memories from Kenda's amazing solve rate (92%), I like the fact that Kenda stresses how much he was part of a team that worked to solve the cases. He does seem to have that extra something though and that comes through in the writing of the book. He even casts his formidable eye over TV crime shows and tells us just what they get wrong. Kenda doesn't shy away from admitting he made mistakes at times and about the toll his job took on his family life. I found the book very informative, even if some parts about child victims were a little difficult to read. If you like reading the true crime genre, put this book on your reading list.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher, Center Street, for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book. I am voluntarily giving an honest review.

It's not often I start reading a biography and feel like I just can't put it down and when I do put it down it nags at me to pick it back up because it's so engrossing.
This novel is graphic in some parts because Joe Kenda gives you insight to the realities of being a homicide detective. It's not gonna be flowers and rainbows. It's real life grit and sometimes a struggle and in many places full of sarcasm and humor.
I have never met the man but after reading his book it's hard to say you don't feel like you do. He has a relentless gift for storytelling but unfortunately for him, his stories are all true. This book caries you through his life and career in the police department from meeting his wife to his rookie days all the way to his retirement and many adventures after. Yes one of those adventures is a television show called Homicide Hunter on Investigation Discovery channel. But this book is not about the television show it is about him. You can read this without having ever watched the show and enjoy it just as much as I did. I was honestly sad when the book was over. I also really enjoyed the parts where he let his wife and kids tell things from their perspective as well. I am hoping his wife Kathy will write a book too because I'd love to hear her nursing career stories. I'm sure they are also intense and would be fascinating based on her personality alone. This book is just as much about the Kenda family as it is Joe himself. If you are a fan of the tv show there are cases in the book that you won't see on the show. Thank you Joe for sharing private and tough parts of your life and giving insight to future police officers.
This is a must read and I highly recommend it!

ARC supplied by NetGalley and the publisher for a fair and honest review.

I was excited to see this book, as I am a huge fan of Homicide Hunter on the ID channel, and I was not disappointed! Lt. Kenda goes in depth into his life as a homicide detective, and offers insights into his life and career that you won't find on the show. I appreciated learning more about some of the cases that I had seen on the show, as well as more background on the ins and outs of being a detective. I highly recommend this for all Homicide Hunter fans, as well as true crime fans who want to learn more about homicide investigation.

"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.

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.

I love Homicide Hunter and Joe Kenda so was excited to read this. I really enjoyed it even though some of the cases I had seen on the show. I feel like we got to know Joe a little better and the book goes into more detail than the show. A really well written and interesting memoire. Only negative is it could have been longer!

Detective Kenda Solved 92% of 387 Homicides


In I WILL FIND YOU, former Colorado Springs Detective Joe Kenda takes us on a gritty tour of his life catching murderers. The book reads a little like a “police procedural,” and is pretty gory at times in describing the murders. The crime scenes are described in great detail, as are the injuries to the victims. So, if you are sensitive to violence and gore, avoid these sections. (When I came to the parts about child victims, I skimmed over those sections.)

Kenda made his name as a tough guy early on in his career. He recalls a situation early in his career, where a huge man was strangling one of his colleagues. Kenda took quick, brutal action: “I did not intentionally flatten the dispenser with his face, but that was the result.” Kenda thought he might be fired for unnecessary force , but instead, his superiors admired the forceful action of a rookie.

Kenda developed a routine for each crime scene. In the chapter, “I Talk To Dead People,” he explains his routine. He asks, “What did you do here? Why did you do it? What was your first move? What was next?” At the crime scene, he “listened” intently to the victim, or even spoke out loud. His methods were very successful. Of his cases going to trial, 215 out of 217 suspects were convicted.

The author corrects some misconceptions about police work, as compared to what is simplified on TV. For example, fingerprints aren’t checked in just a few minutes. In reality, you send your prints in, and “within a couple of weeks or months AFIS sends you back fifteen possible suspects.”

The author’s approach to making an arrest was simple: He just threatened to blow the suspect away. Pointing his gun right at them, he announced: “My name is Kenda. I’m with the police department. You are under arrest. If you don’t do what I say, I will kill you right here and now.”

The author explained something that has always confused me about cop shows on TV. Why do suspects on TV always start blabbing on without a lawyer? They can’t possibly be this stupid!
Well, it turns out that suspects DO usually talk to the police. Kenda explains that about 80% of suspects waive their Miranda rights to an attorney and “just gab away.” They think they can outwit the police, since they are so used to getting away with lies.

For folks considering buying a hand gun for self-protection, the author recommends that purchase only if you are willing to do the training. Don’t get a gun unless you are buy a gun unless you are “supremely confident that you can use it with great accuracy and protect those you love from it.” This strikes me as good advice.

All in all, I enjoyed reading the book. It has lots of interesting detail, and is a captivating read. Yes, it is on the grisly side, but the gore was not exaggerated. Near the end of the book, the author gives his take on the justice system:

“We don’t have a perfect system. Yet, as imperfect as it is, I don’t see anything better out there. For all of its weaknesses and all of the mistakes that happen, our rate of success is still better than most.”


Advance Review Copy courtesy of the publisher.

See also:

https://www.bassocantor.com/blog/find-you

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.

Fans of the television series will certainly enjoy this book. Part memoir and part true crime, this book is vivid in the descriptions at times.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book.

(Please note: The following review will not be posted until September 16th, 2017.)
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Disclaimer:
Book provided by netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Thoughts:
First off, if you are interested in this book and have never seen even a single episode of Homicide Hunter... stop reading this review and get your hands on an episode or two. You can watch the first episodes of Seasons 1 & 7 for free on either the Investigation Discovery app or the website. For Hulu Plus subscribers, Seasons 3-5 are available in their entirety.
If, for some reason, you do not like the show or it's narration, walk away. This book isn't for you.

I feel the summary oversells this a bit. Yes, it does include cases that aren't ready for primetime, even on a network created exclusively to host murder shows. However, it's not the entire book, and that's not a bad thing. I won't discuss the unfilmed cases here, but caution that a fair chunk of the "not for tv" ones involve children. He also curses a lot more than in the show. This is not a detraction and it suits him. Just caught me a bit off guard at first.

He briefly touches upon his childhood, meeting his wife, how he came into the police force ,and why and when he retired. He is candid about mistakes he made and how he learned from them. There are a good balance of cases that are far too gory/horrifying for tv and others that illustrate how Kenda honed his detective skills or used them in his personal life.

It's not as catch-phrase heavy as I thought it would be, but it's balanced nicely and there is definitely a "My, my, my" thrown in for good measure. (It wouldn't be the Joe Kenda we all love to watch if there wasn't one!)

His compassion for human life shines through. One thing I gush to others about this show is that Kenda doesn't victim blame and that same quality shines bright and clear here.

Verdict:
4/5
A must read for Homicide Hunter fans. Kenda's trademark charm, dark humor, and even a few pet phrases grace these pages making for a quick read that feels like Kenda is speaking directly to you.

Lt. Kenda!!! You are my hero. What an outstanding read. As a watcher of his show on the ID channel, I was so happy to get the ARC of this book. I read it in 2 days, only because I had to go to sleep for work the next day!! Lt. Kenda takes us into some of his cases that were deemed a bit to much for the tv series. We also get to meet his family. We learn the life of a cop. Lt. Kenda is straight with no chasers. He had a job to do and he did it well. Very engrossing book. Well written and I must say, even in the acknowledgements was worth reading!!! Any Lt. Kenda fan must get this book. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC of t his book in exchange for my honest review.

Joe Kenda the homicide hunter. I love his show and have been watching it from the beginning, this book was just as interesting. I enjoyed reading about his cases but also about more of his personal life. Some of the cases that he had to deal with would have destroyed a lesser person. Thank you NetGalley and Joe Kenda for allowing me to read this book and write a honest review.