Green River Killer: A True Detective Story

Jeff Jensen

Graphic Novel: true crime

Release Date: September 28, 2011

The story of one of America’s most notorious killers is revealed in this true-crime comic unlike any other!

Throughout the 1980s, the highest priority of Seattle-area police was the apprehension of the Green River Killer, the man responsible for the murders of dozens of women. In 1990, with the body count numbering at least forty-eight, the case was put in the hands of a single detective, Tom Jensen. After twenty years, when the killer was finally captured with the help of DNA technology, Jensen spent 180 days interviewing Gary Leon Ridgway in an effort to learn his most closely held secrets–an epic confrontation with evil that proved as disturbing and surreal as can be imagined.

Written by Jensen’s own son, acclaimed entertainment writer Jeff Jensen, Green River Killer: A True Detective Story presents the ultimate insider’s account of America’s most prolific serial killer.

Let me preface this review by saying that I don’t “get” graphic novels, particularly non-fiction graphic novels.  I do understand where they could be useful in explaining complicated matters to children, but I don’t understand why anyone else would choose a graphic novel over a traditionally formatted book.  They are just not my thing.

That said, I truly enjoyed this book.  In fact, I enjoyed it so much that I am going to give the entire genre another try.

The story begins with a brief flashback to give us a sense of the depravity of the Green River Killer, Gary Ridgway.  Moving quickly, the story then jumps to the early life of Detective Tom Jensen, demonstrating his sense of duty to keep lawbreakers off the streets, as well as his deep commitment to family.

Weaving across the decades, the story follows Jensen as his team first identifies a possible serial killer is on the loose, through mounds of evidence and false leads, finally resting suspicion on Ridgway.  At that point, the real story is just getting started. Once identified as the only really viable suspect, they must then gather enough evidence and/or a confession to put Ridgway away for life.  Sprinkled with vignettes from Jensen’s personal life, we are reminded that he is an ordinary man who has been tasked with an extraordinary burden.

We are reminded of the passing years through the subtle aging of the characters in the graphics (wonderfully rendered by Jonathan Case) and the introduction of new technology, new babies and the loss of old friends.

I enjoyed that the graphics do not seem to fight the story for your attention.  They work hand in hand together to tell a creepy and compelling tale.

My verdict:  Read it!  Even if you are not a fan of graphic novels, this one is worth a second look- especially for True Crime aficionados.  However, I don’t recommend reading it right before bed in a strange place.

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