"I": The Creation of a Serial Killer
Jack Olsen
Aug 2003 · Macmillan + ORM
4.4star
41 reviewsreport
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320
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About this ebook
The prize-winning, bestselling journalist provides a fascinating glimpse into the mind of “The Happy Face Killer” in the serial murderer’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 twenty-three-year-old barfly who had a mild intellectual disability since birth. 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. At the end of each admission, 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.
In I: The Creation of a Serial Killer, Edgar Award winner Jack Olsen lets Jesperson tell his story in his own words, offering unprecedented insight into the twisted thought process of a serial murderer.
In February 1990, Oregon State Police arrested John Sosnovke and Laverne Pavlinac for the vicious rape and murder of Taunja Bennet, a troubled twenty-three-year-old barfly who had a mild intellectual disability since birth. 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. At the end of each admission, 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.
In I: The Creation of a Serial Killer, Edgar Award winner Jack Olsen lets Jesperson tell his story in his own words, offering unprecedented insight into the twisted thought process of a serial murderer.
Ratings and reviews
4.4
41 reviews
Elizabeth Eldring
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August 18, 2024
A very well written page turner, I couldn't put it down. As I would like to understand what makes people commit their crimes, how do they evolve, I appreciated the distinguished art, like the author described all the known facettes of the life of the protagonist, without judgement. Reading the facts, it's up to the reader to form their own opinion and find the answers - or maybe not? A very interesting book indeed.
Sarah Hayden
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June 23, 2020
I enjoyed the alternating narratives. It feels horrible to say, but there was a relief to break up the horrific autobiography with insights about the serial killer's family life and to re-contextualize the past and present. What an awful, self-centered, horrible man.
1 person found this review helpful
Scott G
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February 15, 2021
Great Book! Already read the hard cover. Couldn't put it down! Finished it in 2 days. Buying it again.
About the author
Jack Olsen is the award-winning author of Son, Doc, Hastened To The Grave and other highly acclaimed works of non-fiction. The Philadelphia Inquirer called him"an American treasure." His work has been cited in the New York Times Notable Books of the Year.
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