Killer Triggers

Having watched "Homicide Hunter" for years, some of these cases I am familiar with, but it did not affect my interest in reading this book. I always love reading Joe Kenda's books because it feels like he's having a conversation with you. He goes off on tangents (related to the case on hand), but it feels like he is talking to us, the readers.

The cases he discusses are all awful, as murder is. Some are worse than others. Kenda is not afraid to let his emotions show through, which is needed. A lot of police officers and others in the emergency services and military do not feel comfortable expressing the emotions that come with witnessing what they witness. Having Kenda talk so candidly about the horror he has seen and been affected by is much needed in society.

I'll admit, I picked this book up because my mom is a huge Homicide Hunter fan but I was quickly pulled in and ended up reading it almost straight through. Anyone who has ever seen an episode of the show will have no trouble hearing Kenda's voice in their mind as they read. His dry wit helped to offset the tragic circumstances of the cases he shared. What inspired me most was his compassion for every victim and his determination that each deserved justice. But perhaps the most powerful, and relevant, message of the book was about the incredible emotional strain law enforcement officers face with the terrible things they see and hear.

I love Homicide Hunter and have told all my friends and family that if I ever come up missing that they should all him, because he will find me! This book was so easy to read. I recognized a few of the cases from show episodes, but it was nice to read even more information about the case. I also loved how he described the effects of his job on his mental health and his family. Perfect gift for a true crime junkie and a definite purchase for libraries.

Joe Kenda, author of Killer Triggers, former star of TV's Homicide Hunter, and retired detective lieutenant, doesn't pull any punches. Literally.

This book, due to be released in March 2021, is another account of Kenda's crime-fighting career, similar to his 2017 title, I Will Find You. It's gripping and realistic and not for the faint of heart. Lt. Kenda takes readers into blood-spattered rooms in cheap motels, through dark streets frequented by drug dealers, junkies, and drunks, and shows us just how depraved some people can be. Cases are summarized, and Kenda doesn't go into great detail, but they're compelling and I read the book in two sittings.

There are flashes of Kenda's black humor and wit. As he writes about one murder investigation, "(A criminal's) west-side crew was shadier than Sherwood Forest. And here we were with all the hoods and no Robin. Another difference: Most of these merry men took from the poor and kept it."

He also reveals his own deep commitment to seeing justice done. When one detective suggests forgetting about the death of a skid-row alcoholic with mental problems, Kenda quickly tells him he'll have him writing tickets at the airport for the rest of his days if he doesn't get in line and do his job.

Killer Triggers isn't for everyone. There are stories of lacerated livers, victims kicked in the head until they expire, brutal stabbings, and more. But if you are committed to law and order, as Lt. Kenda is, you'll read this and be grateful the police are there to answer when you call.

**I received an ARC from the publisher on Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was a huge fan of Joe Kenda's show Homicide Hunter so of course when I found out he had a book coming out I just had to read it. It's almost like a continuation of the show. He gives us more cases and breaks down the motives behind the killing, how they come up with suspects, interrogation, capturing, etc. Since it's written in Joe Kenda's words, there's plenty of his witty comments and sarcastic remarks. I loved this book! If you're a fan of Joe Kenda this is the right book for you. And if you're a fan of true crime, it's also the right book for you.

Joe Kenda is a retired Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) detective lieutenant, who was involved in 387 homicide cases over a 23-year career (source: Wikipedia). Featured on Investigation Discovery show Homicide Hunter.
Joe Kenda takes the reader through multiple homicides that he worked. The writing is conversational and very “tough-guy”.

I, like so many others I’m sure, always thought I would be a great detective. I read detective novels, watched detective TV shows, I even started my own private investigation agency when I was in Grade Four (and I solved my one and only case, the Case of the Demolished Snow Fort!).

Reading Joe Kenda’s latest, Killer Triggers (Blackstone Publishing, release 2021), I’m not so sure about that now. Being a successful detective, heck, even just a competent one, requires a level of dedication and service of which, I suspect, I may not have been capable when I was younger…and the emotional and mental price paid by those detectives seems pretty high.

But I will always read and listen to their stories, safely removed from the brutality and horror of the actual events.

Which is why I loved this second offering from the retired Lieutenant and star of Discovery’s Homicide Hunter. Reading Kenda is almost like sitting with an old friend by a fire, sipping a scotch, after all the other dinner party guests have left.

Kenda’s style of immediacy and intimacy makes you almost hear his steady, sonorous voice as he walks the reader through several of his 372 homicide investigations (356 of which were solved) as a detective in, then head of, the Colorado Springs Police Department homicide unit.

Kenda outlines in each case what the “trigger” was that led to homicide, and then breaks down the investigation step by step, peppered with his usual Kenda-esque dry, deadpan humour.

Yes, Kenda occasionally strays from his narrative with an aside or distraction, but this only adds to that intimate, personal atmosphere. This is not a cold reporting of the facts; it is a personal conversation between Kenda and you.

A few of the investigations were familiar to me from the TV show, but that didn’t detract from the book in any way. In fact, reading the details made those cases more intriguing and fresh, like I was hearing about them for the first time.

However, Killer Triggers could probably use an introduction. A few simple pages outlining what the basic triggers are, along the lines of Kenda’s 2015 podcast Detective, produced by Discovery to promote the TV series. In those podcast episodes, Kenda expertly explains that nearly every homicide can fall into three motive categories: money, sex or revenge. A brief introduction that just touches on each trigger might have been beneficial before launching into the actual cases discussed in the book.

In many respects, the final section of the book is its strongest, in which Kenda recounts his post-police career and the effect the TV show has had on his life. Years of dealing with human horror and tragedy cost Kenda dearly.

This section was in many ways the most powerful of the stories told throughout Killer Triggers: how a man became wounded in trying to help others, and how he slowly healed those wounds by talking about them.

Well…my, my, my.

I love true crime in any format. I originally found Joe Kenda through his Homicide Hunter TV show. I would fall asleep to it just about every night that it was on. Then his first book came out and I devoured the audiobook to get more of his voice in my life. I immediately preordered this second book on audio and cannot wait to hear him tell his stories.

Killer Triggers: Murder Comes Down to Sex, Drugs, or Money by Joe Kenda is a brilliant follow up to I Will Find You: Solving Killer Cases from My Life Fighting Crime. The reader follows Kenda through ten cases where the main triggers of the homicide are identified at the beginning of each chapter. Each case is heartbreaking in the senseless nature of death caused by another human being, but they are told in Kenda's no-nonsense, matter-of-fact tone, sprinkled with a little bit of humor.

My favorite line of the book comes in one of the later chapters and I think sums up why I respect Kenda so much: " I always told my guys that we are every victim's last hope. Nobody else can give them justice. I wanted my detectives to stand in the victim's shoes, and if they couldn't do that, I told them to find another division."

(Based on ARC). “Once I became the lieutenant in charge of the homicide division, my role was like that of a symphony conductor. I’d walk into the scene of a murder and try to pick up on the melody so that I could orchestrate the investigation.”

Kenda’s opening words describe his style perfectly, from his podcast to his show to his books. Simultaneously lyrical and matter-of-fact, he takes us through some of the crimes he investigated with his signature dry, self-deprecating (and, often, dark) sense of humor, often lacking in the true crime genre (cue the all-too-often dopey humor of podcasts known for murder while drinking various alcoholic beverages; no judgement, just cliche, at this point).

“I am trainable—just ask my wife.”
“I played a very convincing moron.”
“... I wanted the kid to think I was Sherlock Holmesing his ass.”
“They seemed like nice people, so I didn’t shoot them.”
And, of course, you get the classic “Well, well, well” a time or two.

Damn, there’s even a reference to The Fonz, further solidifying a definite 5-star rating.

It’s Kenda. Read the book.

Ah, my favorite retired homicide detective who switched to TV actor and author is back with another book. Yes, Joe Kenda, who has become a social media sensation with memes galore. Your fans on Facebook can’t wait until you are back on the tube again, they are tired of reruns. They will enjoy this book just as much as your first, if not more, I will assure them. It’s full of gritty stories of your nights catching bad guys as you got called out to crime scenes as grisly as ever. Telling your stories in the unique way you have of sharing how they appeared to you, and affected you. Giving your gut felt opinion of the perps and their methods.

You don’t mince words. You tell it like it is, and people love you for it. We dream of an army of RoboKendas out there right now protecting us, 24/7. Keeping the peace and catching the bad guys. But short of that we’ll be happy to watch you in whatever capacity you return in. Thankfully, you are starting soon hosting American Detective. Advance electronic review copy was provided by NetGalley, author Joe Kenda, and the publisher.

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Killer Triggers is a non fiction, true story compilation by the amazing retired Police detective Joe Kenda.
This book gives start to finish information told by Joe about some of the murder cases he has had to investigate during his 23 years on the force. These particular murder cases were committed under the influence of sex, money and drugs.
Joe draws you in with his captivating knack of weaving a story together that not only fascinates you but gets under your skin too. I used to love watching Joe's true crime show Homicide Hunter and this book has endeared me even more to this amazing detective.
I love how Joe talks about the effects of his job upon his family relationships and mental health of himself and them too. It makes you realise what sacrifices officers like him have to undertake and the stresses and strains it takes on their lives and family lives too.
This is a fantastic read and I couldn't put it down. If you like reading about true crime, this is a definite read for you!

Joe Kenda never disappoints! I watched the series that he had out, but this book was amazing and full of great information! I could not put it down! I had to read through this in one sitting!
What pushes someone to murder can be hard to ascertain sometimes, especially if that person is unknown to the victim. But Joe Kenda and his team never gave up, working each case to find a solution, and give answers to the families of the victim, giving them a little closure.

This book sure does not disappoint, and if you are a true crime fan, then you have to get this book. Lt. Kenda walks you through the investigation, and you get the frustrations, the good, the bad, and the outcome. I read through his first book and really enjoyed it, and this one did not disappoint either. The humor and the witty remarks are peppered through the story, making you feel as though you are sharing a drink with a good friend, listening to the case from their perspective, and picking their brain a bit more on the details and people involved.

Get this on your read list now, you won't regret it!

#NetGalley. Kenda is a homicide detective well known for his high success rate of case closures. His book is a compilation of his most intriguing homicide cases ripe with antidotes of effortless witticism. I’ve followed his cases closely for years, so I was already familiar with most of the cases he details. However, in his book he gives a play by play of case details while adding in interesting psychoanalysis of the perpetrators, details interrogation tactics he used to get them to crack under pressure, and details the fatal mistakes these criminals made that led him to cracking the case. Incredible career and quality book for any true crime aficionado or lover of dry sarcasm.

4 stars

What I love most about Joe Kenda's writing is that it feels like Joe Kenda is in the room with you chatting away about his life and experiences. He has a very distinct voice, which both makes his writing feel authentic AND makes it a bit cringey at times when he throws out a dad joke or ten or - much worse - makes some likely inadvertently offensive reference using terms or language that haven't been reasonable in the general population for...many years. I cracked up often because there are several moments here where the editor's hand is almost visible on the page and others where I thought, "Hmm. So this was the battle you weren't going to fight that day."

Kenda's sometimes questionable descriptions aside, preexisting fans will get what they came for: an entertaining journey through his past cases in the way that only he can describe them. Fans of true crime and Joe Kenda alike will enjoy this immensely.

I have watched Joe Kenda on ID channel and loved the program. I had no idea he also wrote books! Very interesting read with a ton of information. I can not wait to find more books by him!

This is an awesome book! I am some what of a True Crime enthusiast and I cannot get enough Kenda! I just love his background and intro to his stories, also love that he writes by the case file. He is so awesome how he just adds in his personal feelings and thoughts as well as humerous things that happened along side the investigation as "side notes"! I will be reading all his books and recommending them to all my fellow true crime readers and lovers!

Killer Triggers by Joe Kenda

9781982678357

200 Pages
Publisher: Blackstone Publishing
Release Date: March 9, 2021

Nonfiction (Adult), Biographies & Memoirs, Crime, Police Procedural

In each of the eleven chapters, Joe Kenda details a different case.

Chapter 1: A runner’s fatal walk
Chapter 2: The serial killer next door
Chapter 3: The coming undone of a good man
Chapter 4: The choirboy gone bad
Chapter 5: A killer rental
Chapter 6: Murder in a mom ‘n’ pop shop
Chapter 7: A nest of vipers
Chapter 8: Twisted sisters
Chapter 9: Lowlifes deserve justice too
Chapter 10: A killer pack
Chapter 11: Pulling the trigger

The stories in the book are very similar to the cases on Homicide Hunter. As I read the book, I could hear him narrating it in my head. It is written as if he is telling the stories. These are gritty stories from murders in Colorado Springs, Colorado that took place before he retired. If you like the Identification Discovery channel, Homicide Hunter, or his previous book, I Will Find You, you will definitely like this one. I have read it twice already!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
As a reader of true crime, this book looked interesting. It turned out to be an excellent book. I really love Joe Kenda's sense of humor and that he doesn't sugar-coat anything. He doesn't take BS from anyone either. I feel today's world is too hypersensitive and easily offended so this is so refreshing!
The crimes he tells about are definitely gruesome. He writes the important stuff and leaves out all of the filler that a lot of true crime books generally have.

An excellent read for true crime fans. The stories are witty and entertaining. I found them interesting and they kept my attention as a reader. For those who love true crime novels, this is a must read!

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Well, my, my, my, what do we have here? (In my best Kenda voice impression!)

I have been watching Joe Kenda on ID Discovery for the last few years and I tell you, although Kenda deals with the dark and dreary underworld of murder and mayhem, he truly belongs on a comedic stage. You wouldn’t think there is anything funny to find in the line of work that Lt. Kenda has done for many years, but his snappy comebacks and side note banter is enough to have you falling out laughing. Well, I’ll say this, I couldn’t stop laughing at Kenda’s sarcasm. If you’re a fan of the original Law & Order TV show and familiar with Detective Lennie Briscoe played by the late Jerry Orbach, I believe Dick Wolf got his character’s idea from Lt. Kenda. Kenda is Briscoe hands down with all the Lennie-isms to boot!

OMG, this book was to die for (pardon the pun) although Lt. Kenda would completely understand, it was utterly amazing! Some of the cases he discussed I believe may have been on his show, but what I loved about the book is that Kenda was able to be extremely raw and very real in the book. You get to experience a whole other level of Kenda than what you see on TV. For one, he can use profanity in the appropriate places and describe the scumbags he was constantly searching for with detail, whereas on television he’s extremely censored.

Many of the cases he discusses stick out in my mind, but there were a few that had me in complete stitches. Readers make sure that you do not skip any of the chapters because Kenda gives a lot of insight into the cases than he normally does. I learned so much more than the cases I viewed on TV. There is one chapter where he talks about a suspect named Chuckie. OMG, whatever you do, make sure you read that chapter slow because you are going to fall out when you read what Kenda had to say about that guy. I was completely blown away by that case. Another chapter that stood out is a murdered victim named Eric Houston. What he ends up telling one of his detectives almost made me pee myself I laughed so hard.

Bottom line, if you’ve never watched Homicide Hunter on ID Discovery or watch his newest shows on Discovery+, reading Kenda’s words are just as pleasurable. What I find so ironic is Kenda finished out his final season of Homicide Hunter and after COVID-19 hit America, he was forced out of retirement aah-gain to do a new show for Discovery+. Who knew? Obviously, Kenda would get it! (wink, wink!)

Joe Kenda is known for his work with the Colorado Springs Police Department as a detective who cleared an awe-inspiring over 90% of his cases. Anytime he wants to delve into his work, experience and tell a story you’ll be guaranteed a winner.

I loved "Killer Triggers" by Joe Kenda! It read very much like his old show, Homicide Hunter on Discovery ID - so much so that I could practically hear Kenda narrating the text inside my head! As Kenda leads us through a handful of his memorable cases, readers will find the text rich with his distinctive mix of wit, humor and bada$$ery!

Even those who have never heard of him before will enjoy this in depth look at how homicide cases were investigated during his tenure at the Colorado Springs PD. A must for any true crime fan!

What I enjoyed the most, though, was how Kenda makes himself vulnerable in this book, discussing his own PTSD demons and promoting the importance of cops, EMTs, etc. to reach out and discuss the traumas they experience on the job to keep it from festering and leading to negative behaviors.

Lt Joe Kenda is back! In Killer Triggers, Kenda discusses a handful of crimes and the reasons behind them.

I have always liked Kenda's no nonsense style. In this story, he details a handful of murders he worked or oversaw, from beginning to end. Some of them took years to solve. Kenda delivers each story with his lack of frills pattern describing the victim, the crime, and the reason behind it. He details the efforts taken by police to solve it, as well as expressing how every victim deserved respect and care from the detectives.

I think in some ways, Kenda is more personal in Killer Triggers. He discusses how the TV show and previous book were cathartic. He shares stories about his long suffering wife, Kathy. He shares anecdotes about times he had to come down hard on an officer for not caring enough, or come down hard on a suspect who was not being straight with him.

True crime fans will enjoy Killer Triggers because the cases are obscure; these will all be unheard cases not covered by tv shows, podcasts, and other authors. Add in Kenda's flair and you have a true crime delight! The audio is wonderful-Kenda's speech patterns and unique quality are part of what makes him so great!

Nice recap of Kenda's cases. Fans of the show will recognize many of these cases, but Kenda goes into much more detail. Content goes beyond what would have been shown on the show.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I’m a long time fan of ‘Homicide Hunter’ and when I saw this book on NetGalley I couldn’t resist requesting a review copy. I was delighted when I was approved and have read it.

This book is a strange dichotomy of both funny and sad at the same time. There is nothing funny about people being killed but Joe Kenda’s wit, displayed to full effect in the Discovery show, shone through every chapter of this book. Reading this book, I couldn’t help but sort of hear him narrating it in my head. I sincerely hope it’s released on audio and narrated by the author.

I recently discovered Joe Kenda’s Homicide Detective true crime tv show though there have been 9 seasons. That is what happens when you are stuck at home for months during a pandemic. Much channel surfing exposed this gem and I am now a huge fan. I love Joe’s deadpan sense of humor, his piercing eyes and dedication to solving homicides.

In Killer Triggers, Joe highlights memorable homicide investigations in his 20+ years on the job and the triggers that precipitated these cases. His deductive reasoning is masterful and the cases concise and interesting. Joe sprinkles in funny personal stories along the way including the time he and his wife took in a retired canine for a few months named Harry Von Stroheim. Very entertaining. He also reflects on his incredible career, the toll it took on his family and post retirement fan encounters and reflections.

A most notable chapter related to the canines. Fascinating tidbits about their training, the numerous commands taught and overall performances in catching the bad guys along with their handlers. Will never forget this quote: “Every badass is a badass until a police canine tears into him. Then they squeal like little girls, screaming for help.”

I received this book from the publisher through Netgalley for review and all thoughts and opinions are my own. I watched a few episodes of Homicide Hunter to get a feel for Joe Kenda and hear his voice again. It will remain a favorite documentary crime show for me. That said, this book is also an account of his cases, some cold ones and a cause for frustration for this intrepid detective. His character and dedication to the job shows on every page. A fine work for true crime readers and one not easily forgotten.

Lt. Joe Kenda, a twenty-three-year veteran of the Colorado Springs Police Department, spent twenty-one years chasing killers as a homicide detective and commander of the major crimes unit. Kenda and his team solved 356 of his 387 homicide cases, getting a 92 percent solve rate—one of the highest in the country.

Rage, fear, money, envy, fear, sex, and sometimes just plain evil --- these are the most common triggers for homicide.

Lt. Kenda takes the reader on some of his cases that involved some ...if not all, of the most common triggers. Per Lt Kenda, even though the why of a murder case may not be critical in an investigation, it can sometimes lead to the killer.

For the true crime aficionado, this is a terrific book. Facts are presented along with Kenda's thoughts at the time. Sometimes I could hear the sadness in his literary voice, sometimes the anger at not finding justice for a victim. I could also hear the humor ..

My favorite chapter was the one in which police dogs were featured ... how much training they have, exactly when they're used ... and the distinct personalities of some of them... and also of the handlers.

This is very well written with intriguing stories by a man who knows.

Many thanks to the author / Blackstone Publishing / Netgalley for the digital copy of this most interesting book. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

I enjoyed this book so much! It was equally as good as his first book, I Will Find You. You can truly feel the emotion behind Kenda’s stories as he tells them, and his wit and dry sense of humor are amazing. The only thing missing are his voice and cadence, which I loved from the audiobook of the first book. I’ll definitely be purchasing the audio of this one!

Following along with the audiobook is a must, Kenda’s voice and retellings add another level to the foolishness of the crimes and his joy when solving them.

This is Joe Kenda's second book, and I enjoyed it as much as the first one. I have to admit that as I read it, I read it in his voice! I find that he has an enjoyable way of telling a story and of the cases that he was involved in while he was a detective. I thought the book was well written and it was enjoyable to read. Of course, I had a hard time putting it down! I hope he continues to write more books. It was a great read. And I love the fact that his focus was always the victims and their loved ones. I do admire him greatly

Kenda is in a class unto himself when it comes to the world of true crime. He caps off 9 years leading a series about his major cases as a detective in Colorado Springs with this book. He highlights multiple cases and the triggers related to those cases. Kenda's self-deprecating, but over confident, tone translates perfectly from television to this series of case summaries. His dark sense of humor makes it entertaining to read about these cases while maintaining the respect and dignity the victims deserve. That is a hard balance beam to walk, but I think Kenda masters it.

As a true crime junkie, I watched the Homicide Hunter TV series and fell hard for Joe Kenda's no nonsense style of story telling. I jumped on the chance to read Killer Triggers to get my Kenda fix. What a wonderful surprise to find his writing style is just the same as his storytelling. Kenda is a man who doesn't take crap and can sift through the facts and fallacies. He deliveries each case as a modern and more personable "Joe Friday". In a manner that entertains and I feel grateful there are people who can do the job of homicide detective.

The last chapter on mental health and the stressors our police forces face was a great wrap up. Please talk to someone about the things you witness and face daily. Kenda describes how the TV show helped relieve him of the burden he had been carrying and how his wife felt she had her Joe back.

Thank you for your police service, Det. Lt. Joe Kenda, your fans love you very much. I look forward to your upcoming projects.

*I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my review. All opinions are mine.*

As a huge true crime junkie, I definitely knew who Joe Kenda was, although I had never watched Homicide Hunter. (That is going to change soon). I didn't really know what to expect going into "Killer Triggers" though. I could not put it down. I thoroughly enjoyed his voice and his way of telling stories. Kenda had a deep love for the job that he did, despite all the horrible things he must have seen, and it shows in the way he talks about his cases and the victims he helped get justice for. For anyone who likes true crime, this is a definite have to read, and that's probably why there's a waiting list a mile long at our library for it.

Love watching Joe Kenda on TV and also.love reading his books. He has a way of weaving these true crime stories in a way that is unlike other true crime books. The stories are really interesting and I appreciate the way he tells them.