The Smiley Face Killer

Killer Shorts: Murderers Among Us

by Stacy Green

Is somebody out there . . . waiting?

College student Christopher Jenkins disappeared on Halloween night 2002 after being kicked out of the Lone Tree Bar and Grill in downtown Minneapolis by two off-duty cops.

He never made it home.

Christopher was found four months later in the Mississippi River, frozen in ice, hands folded across his chest.

Since 1997, more than 40 young men, spanning 11 states from New York to Minnesota, have mysteriously drowned.

Local and federal law enforcement officially list the deaths as accidents, but when two retired New York police detectives trace each victim's point of entry into the water, they discover spray-painted smiley faces near at least a dozen locations. Eerie coincidence? Or a killer's calling card?

Young men continue to disappear and emerge in the river weeks and months later. Now, the question where will the Smiley Face Killer strike next?

This gripping true crime short story examines the evidence in the alleged Smiley Face Killer cases.

Short Creative Non Fiction

25 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 18, 2017

About the author

Stacy Green is the author of the Lucy Kendall thriller series and the Delta Crossroads mystery trilogy. ALL GOOD DEEDS (Lucy Kendall #1) won a bronze medal for mystery and thriller at the 2015 IPPY Awards. TIN GOD (Delta Crossroads #1) was runner-up for best mystery/thriller at the 2013 Kindle Book Awards.

Stacy has a love of thrillers and crime fiction, and she is always looking for the next dark and twisted novel to enjoy. She started her career in journalism before becoming a stay at home mother and rediscovering her love of writing. She lives in Iowa with her husband and daughter and their three spoiled fur babies.

She is currently working on a new crime fiction series and is represented by Italia Gandolfo of Gandolfo, Helin and Fountain Literary Management for literary and dramatic rights.

Website: stacygreenauthor.com
Facebook www.Facebook.com/StacyGreenAuthor
Twitter: @StacyGreen26

Reviews

[Cheryl (Super Slump) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Incredibly short story surrounding the urban legend of The Smiley Face Killer and the supposition that it is based in fact. Although the author supplied footnoted and references, I was left undecided as to the veracity of the claims.
The few chapters that there were, were written from the viewpoint of the killers and how they abducted the real life victims.(It has been claimed that The Smiley Face Killer is in fact a group of killers working together as opposed to just one perpetrator) It felt more like a starting point for a fiction novel rather than a claim that the killers and the case have merit. In fact author Stacy Green has admitted that the urban legend/possible killers was what she based her forthcoming novel on, and as such it came across as a gratuitous plug for her new novel. At least half the novella was "fluffed" with blurbs and cover shots of the author's previous works and other author's works from the same publisher.
As a novella it felt poorly researched and could have done with more about other purported victims with a timeline of offences and creditable examples of people who believe in the claims. (Sorry conspiracy theorists websites and armchair detectives from a Facebook page don't cut it.)
An altogether disappointing foray from author Stacy Green, who I know is capable of far better.

[Pat Welte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick read but interesting if you like True Crime.

[Pernette · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Smiley Face Killer: Killer Shorts: Murderers Among Us was very interesting to me. First of all the concept of someone being "out there" and can kill at any time is enough to set your nerves on edge. I had not heard of the Smiley Face Killer. I am not sure why they do not think that alt least some of the murders are connected and have not put more investigative time into these killings. Very interesting read and a lot of research sited.

[Jo Ann Reinhold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love these Killer Shorts by Stacy Green! Quick reads that make you think!

[Tommy Mann · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve heard of the Smiley-Faced Killers before. It’s an interesting theory. Sadly, the author ruins the book by opening the first chapter with racist and sexist remarks directed against the victim. Very disappointing.