The Happy Face Murderer

I went into *The Happy Face Murderer* expecting another grisly parade of true crime tropes, but Jack Smith’s book defies expectations by focusing on the *psychology* of predation, not the spectacle. Charles D. Baker’s narration is the secret weapon here—his delivery is so natural and unadorned that I forgot I was listening to an audiobook. Baker doesn’t overact; he lets the words do the work, which makes the occasional flashes of the killer’s chilling calm even more unsettling. That said, the audiobook’s abrupt jumps between timelines occasionally left me disoriented, as if Smith was rushing to fit too much into too little time. The most haunting moment comes when Smith recounts the killer’s casual confession over coffee, delivered with Baker’s voice taking on a flat, almost bored tone—perfect for exposing the chasm between a man’s self-image and his crimes. The book’s strongest asset is its refusal to sensationalize; Smith treats the subject like a scientist studying a specimen, not a tabloid reporter chasing clicks. If you’re tired of true crime that prioritizes shock over substance, this is a refreshing (if harrowing) alternative. My only gripe? The lack of deeper exploration into the victims’ families—Smith keeps them in the periphery, which feels like a missed opportunity to fully humanize the tragedy. Still, *The Happy Face Murderer* is a standout in a crowded genre, and Baker’s narration elevates it to near-essential listening.