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

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!

10 of 10 people found this review helpful

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!

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Amazing

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

8 of 9 people found this review helpful

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

8 of 10 people found this review helpful

Jack Olson at his Best!

Always love to hear Kevin Pierce. He is a great true crime narrator.:
Great Book about a sick man.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

exvellent

Great book nicely read never heard of this killer before to the point in creepy

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Next level true crime novel

If you're into true crime, this is next level intense stuff. The story being told from the killer's perspective is unique, and well done. The story goes from childhood, to present day seamlessly. It was easy to follow, and very well written.

I highly recommend this book if you are interested in serial killers and understanding their psyche. However, you must be thick skinned as some details are highly disturbing and it is not censored or sugar coated. I consider myself to have a solid stomach, but some of the entries in this book made me feel physically ill.

I am unsure why people are so fascinated with these types of true crime. It's somewhat hard to understand why these murderers do what they do, and I think that is where the interest comes from.

Kevin Pierce is a fine narrator. It did take me a minute to get used to his tone, but once I was done listening, it felt as though Kevin Pierce was in fact Keith because he did a great job of making the characters stories seem as though they were his own.

What did he just say?

Another Jack Olsen book, with Kevin Pierce at the wheel narrating. A homerun. I would have given it 5 stars, but I couldn't bring myself to do it knowing some of those words were Jesperson's own. His versions of events often play out in perpostous grandiose snuff fantasy. Jesperson designs his fantasy storytelling to trigger the reader's moral disgust, and succeeds. There are parts of those fantasies, that are also100% true. I'm going to go shower now, cuz eww. If there is scarring after listening, "Consider it a life lesson."

Very excited to see one more Jack Olsen/ Kevin Pierce book.

The team of Jack Olsen and Kevin pierce are the best there is in true crime. Again this book is a home run. One of my favorite

When is enough enough?

Exceptional performance, let down by disgusting details that shows signs of the death of society.

Reading it is easier on the heart; but this book is one of the reasons this serial killer came out : Unnecessary attention and details of crimes.

The killer testified about how much TV series about crimes and their details from the criminal and Police sides made him better.

Society need to stop and fix their problems buy taking care of each other. Details makes people immune and feel nothing.

I think the writer may had a point, but this book should not be needed, and this book is not a solution.

2 of 6 people found this review helpful

Exellent

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