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I: The Creation of a Serial Killer

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I: The Creation of a Serial Killer

By: Jack Olsen
Narrated by: Kevin Pierce
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About this listen

Prize-winning journalist Jack Olsen, armed with unprecedented access to one of the most infamous serial killers in American history, provides a fascinating glimpse into the mind of a murderer in the killer's own words....

In February 1990, Oregon State Police arrested John Sosnovke and Laverne Pavlinac for the vicious rape and murder of Taunja Bennet, a troubled 23-year-old barfly who had suffered mild retardation since birth. Pavlinac had come forth and confessed, implicating her boyfriend and producing physical evidence that linked them to the crime. Authorities closed the case.

There was just one problem. They had the wrong people.

And the real killer wasn't about to let anyone take credit for his kill. Keith Hunter Jesperson was a long haul truck driver and the murderer of eight women, including Taunja Bennet. As the case wound through police precincts and courts - ending in life sentences for both Sosnovke and Pavlinac - Jesperson began a twisted one man campaign to win their release. To the editors of newspapers and on the walls of highway rest stops, Jesperson scribbled out a series of taunting confessions:

I killed Tanya Bennett.... I beat her to death, raped her and loved it. Yes I'm sick, but I enjoy myself too. People took the blame and I'm free.... Look over your shoulder. I may be closer than you think.

At the end of each confession, Jesperson drew a happy face, earning for himself the grisly sobriquet "The Happy Face Killer".

Based on access to interviews, diaries, court records, and the criminal himself, I: The Creation of a Serial Killer is Jesperson's chilling story. It chronicles his evolution from angry child to sociopathic murderer, from tormentor of animals to torturer of women. It is also the story of the fate that befell him after two innocent citizens were imprisoned four years for one of his killings.

Edgar Award winner Jack Olsen lets the killer to tell his story in his own words, offering unprecedented insight into the twisted thought process of a serial murderer. Olsen takes his listeners along on Jesperson's vicious cross-country killing spree, letting him describe how he played his "death game" with eight innocent victims and how he finally came to grips with the fate he deserved.

I: The Creation of a Serial Killer is one of the most revealing and insightful pieces of crime reporting ever published.

©2018 Jack Olsen (P)2018 Jack Olsen Literary Works
Murder Happiness
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What listeners say about I: The Creation of a Serial Killer

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A Great Read

I really enjoyed listening & reading this book at the same time. The authors style of writing I found decent. It's either in first person via the killer or 3rd person when describing the family life. I still don't know how the killer never ended up where he should've been but hey that's the justice system for you in America.

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1 person found this helpful

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brilliant book from a different perspective

loved the narrator. the book was a great listen and offered a different perspective of the murderer from the usual podcasts ABOUT the murders...

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    3 out of 5 stars

disappointing

Relentless repetition of killing after killing. I couldn't empathise with the character despite Kevin Pierce's great narration.a sad little man committing sordid little crimes. Didn't enjoy as much as other jack Olsen books.

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Eye opener

Pretty chilling history! Makes your thinking and stomake twist, and you learn much more about the dark side of the man than you think

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Another excellent listen

Brilliant listen. Some hard parts regarding animal cruelty which I had to skim past but the usual fantastic writing by Jack Olsen.

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The story told by the HFK

Remember seeing the movie about this the happy face killer hearing him tell the story was so weird but couldent stop listening to this kevin pierce true crime best narratar

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4 people found this helpful

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excellent book

absolutely loved this audio book, loved the way it was told from Keith's jerspersons view

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2 people found this helpful

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Chilling

In the mind of a psychopath in denial. Worth it if you can handle it!

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One mean miserable SOB

As soon as you discover what the boy did to animals you know that there’s something seriously wrong.
Is he mad? Maybe not, but no right minded person does what he did.
Frightening but riveting story

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Sickening listen but worth it if you can handle it

After reading the reviews I knew I needed to give this book a listen and boy was I not disappointed. Word of warning though Keith Jesperson is one sick puppy and some parts are hard to stomach. This book takes you on a wild, VERY detailed ride and delves deep into the mind of a serial killer. It's a must read for any avid true crime enthusiast.

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