Morbid Curiosity Book Club
"Hell's Half-Acre" by Susan Jonusas
2026-07-13 19:00:00
2026-07-13 20:00:00
America/Chicago
Morbid Curiosity Book Club
This book club is not for the faint of heart. Come at your own risk as we discuss the darker side of books. This month we discuss "Hell's Half-Acre". Email kkriley@tscpl.org for a copy of the book.
Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library - Anton Room 202
Monday, July 13
7:00pm - 8:00pm
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2026-07-13 19:00:00
2026-07-13 20:00:00
America/Chicago
Morbid Curiosity Book Club
This book club is not for the faint of heart. Come at your own risk as we discuss the darker side of books. This month we discuss "Hell's Half-Acre". Email kkriley@tscpl.org for a copy of the book.
Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library - Anton Room 202
Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library
Anton Room 202This book club is not for the faint of heart. Come at your own risk as we discuss the darker side of books. This month we discuss "Hell's Half-Acre". Email kkriley@tscpl.org for a copy of the book.
Morbid curiosity, or an interest in unpleasant things, is a human reaction captivating individuals across the nation. True crime media consumption, ranging from books to podcasts to documentaries, has grown rapidly in popularity and this book club leans into that. We may also touch on topics of cults, the paranormal and dark history as we explore the dangerous and more frightening side of the library's collection.
This month we will discuss Hell's Half-Acre: The Untold Story of the Benders, A Serial Killer Family on the American Frontier by Susan Jonusas. 1873, Labette County, Kansas. A seemingly respectable family of homesteaders is revealed to instead be a family of serial killers. The discovery would send everyone in a frenzy and a manhunt would ensue to try and find that family that seemed to have vanished without a trace after committing shockingly evil murders.
Email kkriley@tscpl.org for questions or to obtain a copy of the book.
AGE GROUP: | Adults |
EVENT TYPE: | Books/Authors/Writing |
Topeka and Shawnee County Public Library
Hours
About the branch
Our mission is sparking curiosity and connecting our community through literacy and learning. The library features the Alice C. Sabatini Gallery, the Millennium Café, Chandler Booktique (bookstore and gift shop), free meeting rooms, computer training and free Wi-Fi access. The library has a collection of more than 414,000 books and serves more than 81,000 registered borrowers. Bookmobiles make 23 stops Monday-Saturday across Shawnee County. The website tscpl.org serves customers’ needs 24/7. The library offers state-of-the art technology, youth programs that encourage learning and reading, adult learning programs, online learning tools, events, and reference and research tools.