A true crime account that rocked bucolic central Minnesota, Pain in Paynesville, walks readers through the author’s experiences in the 1980s as a serial predator stalked boys in his hometown, two abductions, and a murder that would remain unsolved for almost 30 years.

The waves of pain and trauma caused by personal crimes cascade through families, friends, and communities. The toll and costs are too often hidden, unrecognized and repeated. Kris Bertelsen’s courageous sharing of his personal journey offers a firsthand account of his experiences and observations in the aftermath of devastating crimes and the limitations of our societal institutions to offer answers and needed assistance—even when individuals in those institutions are so often caring and dedicated professionals. During the time span recounted during “Pain in Paynesville”, I’ve witnessed firsthand a growing recognition and an expanding emphasis on improving communications and services to those impacted by crimes. We are hopefully getting better- but still have such a long way to go. Dr. Bertelsen’s insights and experiences offer opportunities for reflection and discussion as we all try to close that distance from where we were to where we would hope to be.

~Chris Boeckers, Federal law enforcement agent, Retired