I wasn’t going to read Williams’ book about the horrendous murder of three women in Mt. Pleasant back in the late 70’s. Why? To be honest, I was envious. I wanted to be Mt. Pleasant’s, Author-in-Residence. Petty, I know. But, needing another book to read, I caved and pulled up Williams’ book on Kindle. Also available on Amazon or Burlington by the Book.

I was immediately captivated by the book, like my eyes were in quicksand, and couldn’t put the book down until I turned the last page. I read the book in one day, and I’m not a fast reader. Then I read it a second time (the ultimate compliment to any author), and was glad I did. The details of the prosecution of this murderer, that took over 20 years–the appeals and retrials–were fascinating. I was impressed by the legal expertise of our Henry County Attorney, with the assistance of the state, and of Williams’ dogged research into the grizzly facts of this wanton murderer, and of Williams’ writing ability. After all, he is a federal judge, with a degree in Law, not a Writer’s Workshop graduate.

The book affected me for days. I would catch myself thinking about it at the oddest times, like church, or getting ready for bed and making sure the doors were locked, as if that would do any good. We are all so vulnerable, and the book made me aware of it. If someone targets us, or even if it’s a random act, there is very little we can do to prevent it.

Having lived in Mt. Pleasant since 1995, I know a lot of the people mentioned in the book like, retired school teachers Marilyn Vincent and Claudia Streeter, former Police Officer Bob Griffiths, Police Chief Lyle Murray, former County Attorney Mike Reipe, Historian Pat White and, of course, Retired State Representative and Restaurant Owner Dave Heaton and his wife Carmen. I hope the book gains notoriety in places other than Mt. Pleasant and SE Iowa. It reminds me a lot of Truman Capote’s, “In Cold Blood,” although, I might say, “The Monster in Mt. Pleasant” is better written. How’s that for a recommendation?

I hope CJ Williams reads this. He might. He grew up in Mt. Pleasant and now lives in Mt. Vernon and is a federal judge. He is a facts man. Contrary to Capote, who drifts into fictionalized prose to describe feelings of say the victims and perpetrator, Williams basically states what happened and leaves it at that, like Sergeant Friday, “Just the facts, Ma’am.” I find this writing style refreshing. For example, when Dave Heaton, owner of the Iris Restaurant, discovers the female bartender dead in a pool of blood, the book describes what Heaton did: called an ambulance, called the police, directed the police. There is no talk about any mental anguish that Heaton no doubt put himself through in the days following, like feeling responsible for the safety of his employees. Should he keep the restaurant open? Could this happen again?

Contrary to what we might like to believe, that we live in a sleepy town where not much happens, a similar book could be written about the high school Spanish teacher in Fairfield, Nohema Graber, being clubbed to death by two students. Then there’s the disappearance of Mt. Pleasant’s Elizabeth Syperda and subsequent trial of her estranged husband. Don’t forget the Bentler family of Bentonsport–two parents and three children shot to death by the son in 2006. Mayor Edward King was murdered during a Mt. Pleasant City Council meeting in 1986. There was also a strange dynamite explosion at a Mt. Pleasant bank in 1975 that scattered body parts for blocks. Rumor had it that it was organized crime.

CJ Williams grew up in Mt. Pleasant and knew the perpetrator and victims. He is now the Chief District Judge for the Northern District of Iowa. He was always intrigued by the murders and wanted to root out the story. Being a Judge and former prosecutor, he knew where and how to find court documents and police reports, and who to talk to. His research and writing are stellar. I hope he has another book in him.

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Have a good story? Call or text Curt Swarm in Mt. Pleasant at 319-217-0526 or email him at curtswarm@yahoo.com. Curt is available for public speaking.