I: The Creation of a Serial Killer

By: Jack Olsen

Narrated by: Kevin Pierce

Length: 8 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's Summary

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

Well done but too much for me

This is well performed, well written, well researched, and accurately described, but I couldn’t finish it. It’s just too awful listening to details of what he did, especially in first person, and hearing how it turned him on. Animal torture as well as the rape and torture of women. Strong content warnings.

The last of Jack Olsen

I am so sad this is probably the last of Jack Olsen to be in audible. He was a remarkable writer. By far my favorite author. Perhaps even the king of true crime. As usual Kevin Pierce delivers another incredible narration.
If you’ve read other books on the Happy Face Killer, this is hands down the best. 5 stars!

Great book but lots of animal cruelty

A lot of graphic descriptions of animal cruelty which I personally had to skip over. (Weird, I know, when talking about a book about a man who murdered women.) But I know it comes with the territory and I did not take that into account when rating. Otherwise thought this was a very interesting story and a very engaging performance by the narrator. Definitely worth a listen.

I want to give this one SIX STARS!!!

This was by far probably THE BEST true crime book I’ve listened to in ages! Wow. Wow. Following the killer through “his eyes” as he travels about searching for victims. Superbly written! You won’t be able to walk away from this one without finishing it in one sitting! And with Kevin Pierce narrating....swoon factor all the way.

Took a chance and loved it!!!! you will too

didnt know this author, just wanted something that drew me in like Mind Hunter. This is a great book and the narrator is perfect!!! Give it a try, I did and I loved it

Not up to par for Olsen

I did not like this book as much as other Olsen books. The main reason is the author described the torture of animals too vividly and in a drawn out manner. It was extremely disturbing and unnecessary. It would have been enough to just say the man tortured animals as do most serial killers when they are young. The descriptions were over the top. The killer is despicable and I had zero sympathy for him. There was almost no background on the victims and the little that was supplied did not make the victims very likable. The story failed to capture my attention to much degree. I am returning this book. I do not want it in my library.
Kevin Pierce did an amazing job as narrator, as usual. He is most talented.

Wasn't disturbing until it was.

I have read numerous books on serial killers and watched several documentaries profiling them. This one did not get under my skin until I looked up a picture of Keith Jesperson and it suddenly made this all too real rather than just a "story". I am sure other true crime fans understand what I mean. I have never heard it straight from the killer's mouth in such graphic and honest detail. Usually they hem and haw and try to glance over what they did or deny, deny, deny. This is a full and VERY graphic recollection of the murders directly from the murderer's mouth and without remorse. Get ready to have nightmares.

Amazing

Such an exciting and emotional experience. It is incredible how smoothly the story unfolds from two perspectives.

THE LAST AND THE BEST OF JACK OLSON'S BOOK

GREAT STORY...DON'T MISS LISTENING TO ONE OF THE BEST TRUE CRIME STORIES I HAVE EVER HEARD! IT COMES RIGHT FROM THE SERIAL KILLERS OWN WORDS AND IS SIMPLY UNBELIEVABLE AND TERRIFYING AT THE SAME TIME!

This is the shortest review I have ever written!

Thank you for reading my review...I have nothing more to say but get this true crime story! I listened to it non stop. I could not break my concentration even when I tried!

Best to you and your great listen,
Steve

His best and last.

I absolutely loved this book, the first person perspective in this book brings us closer than ever to what it is like to think like a psychopath. Amazing and tragic story told like no other. I am now truly sad it was his last book amd will try and find one I haven't read yet. As always, Kevin Pierce was perfect and does this book and Author as a whole justice. Thank you!

Exellent

brilliant history from both angles of perspective hard to stop lustening too well read and executed

Great read

This is one of the most Frank and unbiased book on the inside of a serial killer's mind.
It doesn't condone or glamorous what he has done but goes some way into explaining his true motivations.
It is told as if he himself is telling you what happened instead of someone looking in from the outside.

One of the best true crime

One of the best I've listened to.
Told thru a serial killer words and thoughts.
Gripping and horrifying tale of a truck driver who murders 8 women. Of his strange childhood to his captivity in prison.
Jack Olsen was a master of these style of books.
I received a free copy of this audio book at my own request and voluntarily leave this honest review. .

excellent book

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

Too sympathetic for the killer

The narration flipped between the killer and the narrator which was confusing.
The story was, at times, too sympathetic to the cold blooded killer, very little police work is revealed.

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.

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

Gripping!

Listened to the whole thing in one sitting. I enjoyed how the book was written , very unique and added to the overall chill factor. What a piece of work. Fantastic narrator. I will try all of Olsens books now and any book narrated by Pierce.

brilliant

loved it and one of the narrators very different to hear it from the killer perspective

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...