I was looking forward to this book because I love true crime, even though I have never watched one of Joe Kindares shows on the Investigation Discovery channel. However, the book read very much like a Criminal Justice textbook. Aside from the many jokes that made me laugh out loud in this book, I was not as interested in the way Joe presented cases to his readers.

I tend to watch true crime shows on TV, so I was familiar with Joe Kenda. I was excited to be offered an audio arc from Blackstone Publishing and Netgalley.

This book is real life stories that Kenda has experienced during his time with the Colorado Springs Police Department. The descriptions of the stories is descriptive, but not over the top. He shares his thought process during the investigations along with colorful commentary. I really enjoyed the humanizing stories and the application of the triggers for crimes. I really enjoyed this audiobook and it was even better that it was narrated by Joe Kenda. 4 stars!

If you know Joe Kenda from his show, Homicide Hunter, and his first book, I Will Find You, then you know what to expect with Killer Triggers. If you don’t know Joe Kenda, where have you been? Please, go binge the show and read his first book right now!

Killer Triggers covers an assortment of cases Kenda worked. He shares memories of the investigations and outcome, interspersed with some personal anecdotes.

I listened to Killer Triggers on audio, which was a fun experience because he narrates the book himself. He has a matter-of-fact, almost dry way of speaking as he recounts cases he worked, then suddenly he tosses in a humorous aside that always feels unexpected and so totally incongruous given his serious tone. I really enjoyed the glimpse into this lighter side of his personality.

A great read or listen for established fans or anyone interested in the career of a homicide detective.

Absolutely fantastic listen. Kenda is such a great narrator and story-teller. Definitely the perfect people for people who enjoy true crime or memoirs.

There is only one person who could have narrated this book and that is Lieutenant Kenda. This book is just an extension of his amazing shows and cases. It is his manner of speaking and the “Kendaisms” as I tell people. The cases were interesting and I could definitely handle plenty more of his books! Now off to binge the shows!

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this audiobook provided by NetGalley.

Lt. Joe Kenda is a retired homicide detective/commander of the major crimes unit for the Colorado Springs Police Department. His true-crime documentary series on ID channel ran for 9 seasons. I watched the show and loved the way he told stories. I knew I needed to read his books! He narrates his audiobooks so I was very excited to read the book in this way. In Killer Triggers, Kenda talks about many different cases and examines the reason they led to murder. I recommend this book (especially the audiobook version) to anyone who is interested in true crime or is a fan of the show. The way the stories are told and all the extra details make for a fascinating read.

Thank you Netgalley and Blackstone Audiobooks for this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Available: March 9 2021

I received a spot of this book through netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I love Joe Kenda and have watched Homicide Hunter over and over. I immediately jumped at the chance to listen to this audio book when I first saw it because of who it was and I wanted to listen to more of his stories.

That all being said it was a little jumbled for me. Maybe it was the jumping around or the side notes that caused me to have a harder time following the cases, but it was a little off putting.

Still it’s Joe Kenda and who doesn’t love the voice and the funny quips he makes about the offenders?

I would still recommend this book as it gives a little more insight into the man behind the badge.

Well my, my, my.

As a fan of Joe Kenda's television show on Investigation Discovery, I leapt at the chance to listen to him read his memoirs. I was not disappointed.

In Killer Triggers, retired Lieutenant Joe Kenda recalls several of his most memorable cases while working as a homicide detective in Colorado Springs. He starts each story with the “trigger” for the murder and retells the entire experience of solving the crime -- from the time he gets the call until after the killer is locked safely behind bars.

But not every story is like an episode of Homicide Hunter. In this format, Kenda is able to go into much more detail about the investigation, techniques used, his feelings about the case, and even a few amusing asides. There’s a long passage extolling the skills of police dogs and an amusing side story about the time one of them got loose. He later goes in depth about the emotional toll being a homicide detective took on his health and family life, making this a well-balanced true crime memoir.

These stories are true crime, but there is time to talk about the effect of the murders on the surviving family members. This author has no trouble reminding the reader that these are real people who have endured real horrors and he treads the line between sensationalism and compassion.

However, I did find that since Kenda explores his opinions and feelings during each case, his generational bias is showing. He flirts with outdated morals and societal norms which rub this 21st-century reader the wrong way.

I listened to the audiobook version of this book and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m sure it’s a great title on paper, but as a fan of Homicide Hunter, the narration made it that much better. I don’t normally mention profanity in my reviews, but other fans may be startled to hear their favorite detective drop an f-bomb.

I highly recommend the audiobook version of Killer Triggers to any fan of the true crime genre, especially those who recognize the author from his television show. Joe Kenda’s style is direct, deadpan, opinionated, and dripping with gravitas.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I love true crime and love Joe Kenda. I love hearing his stories about crimes he’s solved over decades of being a Detective in Colorado. I enjoyed the background concepts he shared, like when he talked about how he would play aloof in the interview room and ask the perpetrator odd questions just to get them at ease. Overall, I recommend this to anyone who loves Homicide Hunter or enjoy listening to multiple true crimes (basically this isn’t a book about just one crime).

For those whom love true crime and learning about forensics, this is the book for you. Joe Kenda is able to write about his experiences in a very understandable manner. This book gives great insight into the criminals that roamed our nightmares.

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!

Are you familiar with Joe Kenda? You might know him from his show Homicide Hunter or the first season of the podcast Detective. He’s a retired homicide detective who had a long career solving many murders.

In Killer Triggers, he talks to us about a number of cases and how they were solved. If you are interested in true crime or watch murder mystery shows - I think you’ll be very interested to hear these stories.

Joe Kenda is also an interesting guy with a very specific voice who doesn’t hold back on how he feels - whether it’s calling a criminal an idiot or sharing his opinions on tv news anchors. I highly recommend reading this as the audiobook so you can hear the stories directly from Kenda. I also appreciated that he included some stories about what it’s been like since he retired and had the tv show - sometimes being recognized by fans.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the advance listening copy.

** I received an ARC in exchange for an honezt review.”
I love Lt Kenda’s straightforward eay of discussing police work and his career. He doesnt overdramitize or exagerate. He doesnt try to make everything PC. Listening to him tell me the stories, majes it even better.
This book does repeat one case he discussed in his prior book. This didn’t impact my enjoyment of the book.
If you are a fan of a procedural and true crime, thus book might be for you.

I just thoroughly enjoyed this book. I have watched Homicide Hunters and loved it, so it was a no-brainer to request this book.
Obviously, murder and homicides are heavy topics. Kenda is able to tell his stories with tasteful humor and bluntness. To be honest, he does at times seem a little full of himself, but I expected that since that is how the show is too.
Each case he explains, has a trigger (money, revenge etc) that he says at the beginning of the chapter. I could picture each case in my head as an episode of Homicide Hunters and it was made better by the fact that Joe Kenda himself narrated it.
Kenda's writing style was great, I found myself laughing out loud several times a chapter because he called the suspects "frick and frack" or how one of the canines didn't like anyone except him.
If you enjoy all those true crime shows out there and want to step into true crime books, or are looking for another one to add to your collection, I definitely recommend this one.

Anyone familiar with true crime shows knows Kenda. He’s a laid back, laconic guy whose “aw shucks”attitude hids a mind like a steel trap. If someone I love is ever murdered, I’d want Kenda on the case. His book examines the many reasons seemingly normal people commit murder, be it love, lust, money or jealousy, all murders have their roots in these causes. A solid true crime book that reassures us that there are still good guys like Kenda out there, trying to balance the scales of justice

My, my, my..
Our favorite homicide detective has written another great book. To cap it off he narrates this audible version himself. Normally self narrated usually offerings fall short of the mark. This is one of the very few that is the exception. The familiar voice from his television show is a natural fit.

The book itself is entertaining and captivating.
I was given an advanced copy for review purposes. I thank the author, publisher, and NetGalley.

This is a Non-Fiction True Crime book. I have watch every season of Joe Kenda TV show, and I loved it so much. I also was very sad to hear the last season would be the last season. I had to pick up this book. I listen to the audiobook, and the narrator was Joe Kenda which is makes the book come to life. I have to say you should listen to the audiobook of this book. I love how real Joe Kenda is, and I feel really bad for that boy that took his daughter out. If you love True crime books you should check this book out, and you should really think about the audiobook of this book. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Blackstone Publishing) or author (Joe Kenda) via NetGalley, so I can give honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that. This book is schedule to be release on March 9-2021.

“The message has to be sent that if you commit a crime there has to be punishment.” ~Benigno Aquino III

Joe Kenda’s Killer Triggers was great as an audiobook. He narrates it himself and did a great job. I’ve watched him on ID over the years and enjoyed his show. This was a more in-depth view of some of his experiences in a more personal telling. He starts each chapter with what he believes was the trigger to the crime. I especially liked the last chapter because JK shares how the TV show affected him and what he’s doing now.
I highly recommend this if you love true crime podcasts.
Thank you Blackstone Publishing via Netgalley for this audiobook. I’ve voluntarily given my honest review.


To be fair I bailed, so maybe it gets better. I recommend this for fans of the show Cops, and I don't mean that as a compliment. The implicit racism in this book was too much to stomach for very long.

Absolutely loved this.
Let's face it anything with Joe kenda is going to be a hit.
I love his wit, his bluntness.
Listened to this while walking my dogs in a morning, chuckling to myself.