CONTRIBUTED PHOTO Dr. Edgar Epperly, author of the true crime book “Fiend Incarnate: Villisca Iowa Axe Murders of 1912” will appear at the Marshalltown Public Library for a presentation and book signing at 2 p.m. on Oct. 2.

Dr. Edgar Epperly, author of the true crime book “Fiend Incarnate: Villisca Iowa Axe Murders of 1912” will appear at the Marshalltown Public Library for a presentation and book signing at 2 p.m. on Oct. 2.

Sometime during the night of June 10, 1912, a person or persons unknown bludgeoned to death Josiah B. Moore, his wife Sara, their children Herman, Katherine, Boyd and Paul, and two overnight guests, Lena and Ina Stillinger. The sensational crime in Villisca led to nearly 10 years of investigations and trials. The small Southwest Iowa town split over the guilt or innocence of a local businessman and state senator. A traveling minister from England with a history of window-peeping was charged and tried. Investigators and reporters across the country speculated that the axe murders were the work of an early serial killer. Similar crimes had been committed in Colorado Springs, Colorado; Ellsworth, Kansas; and Monmouth, Illinois.

“Fiend Incarnate” is a companion to the award-winning documentary feature film “Villisca: Living With a Mystery.”

Epperly has been researching the 1912 Villisca axe murders for more than 60 years. He has written dozens of articles and blog entries and appeared on CourtTV and other radio and television programs. He is a popular guest speaker at colleges, universities, historical societies, museums, libraries and book stores. He resides in Decorah. Epperly’s research journey was the subject of the award-winning short documentary film “AXMAN.”

Books will be for sale for $25 and can be signed by the author after the presentation. Cash or check will be accepted as forms of payment. For more information, call the library’s Information Desk at 641-754-5738, ext. 4.