"In the quiet town of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, the idyllic calm of 1978 was shattered by a series of brutal murders. Karol Beavers, a vivacious high school junior, and her mother, Clementine, became the unsuspecting victims of a heinous act of violence that left the community reeling. For six months, the case went cold, fear gripping a town unaccustomed to locking its doors. Then, another shocking murder occurred, tying the threads of horror together. A Monster in Mount Pleasant delves into the unraveling of this dark chapter. Drawing from years of meticulous research, the story reveals not just the pursuit of justice, but the profound emotional scars left behind. From the shattered dreams of a bright young girl to the lifelong grief of families torn apart, this book captures the deep humanity behind the headlines. This compelling narrative is told through the eyes of a classmate of Karol--and the murderer. Now a federal judge, the author unearthed the societal cracks that shaped both the victims and the perpetrator. It's a haunting journey into a community forever changed by tragedy, where resilience and the quest for truth stand as testaments to those lost too soon."-- Provided by publisher.

Murder at the Beavers -- My hometown murders -- Mount Pleasant then -- The Beavers -- Max's disastrous discovery -- The Seagers -- The initial investigation -- "The mood here is dark, somber" -- The Iris Restaurant -- Susan Wheelock -- Murder at the Iris -- Monte charged -- Monte's great escape -- Beavers' murder investigation (continued) -- Prosecution and suppression -- Round two -- Monte on trial -- The appeal -- Monte's retrial -- Epilogue.