Download or read book Hell s Half Acre written by Susan Jonusas and published by Penguin. This book was released on 2022-03-01 with total page 369 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: One of NPR's "Books We Love" New York Times Book Review's "The Best True Crime of 2022" "Rich in historical perspective and graced by novelistic touches, grips the reader from first to last.”—Wall Street Journal A suspense filled tale of murder on the American frontier—shedding new light on a family of serial killers in Kansas, whose horrifying crimes gripped the attention of a nation still reeling from war. In 1873 the people of Labette County, Kansas made a grisly discovery. Buried by a trailside cabin beneath an orchard of young apple trees were the remains of countless bodies. Below the cabin itself was a cellar stained with blood. The Benders, the family of four who once resided on the property were nowhere to be found. The discovery sent the local community and national newspapers into a frenzy that continued for decades, sparking an epic manhunt for the Benders. The idea that a family of seemingly respectable homesteaders—one among the thousands relocating farther west in search of land and opportunity after the Civil War—were capable of operating "a human slaughter pen" appalled and fascinated the nation. But who the Benders really were, why they committed such a vicious killing spree and whether justice ever caught up to them is a mystery that remains unsolved to this day. Set against the backdrop of postbellum America, Hell’s Half-Acre explores the environment capable of allowing such horrors to take place. Drawing on extensive original archival material, Susan Jonusas introduces us to a fascinating cast of characters, many of whom have been previously missing from the story. Among them are the families of the victims, the hapless detectives who lost the trail, and the fugitives that helped the murderers escape. Hell’s Half-Acre is a journey into the turbulent heart of nineteenth century America, a place where modernity stalks across the landscape, violently displacing existing populations and building new ones. It is a world where folklore can quickly become fact and an entire family of criminals can slip through a community’s fingers, only to reappear in the most unexpected of places.

Download or read book Hell s Half Acre written by William W. Johnstone and published by Pinnacle Books. This book was released on 2017-01-31 with total page 268 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this Western series debut,Fort Worth is the deadliest place on the Texas frontier. Good thing the new sheriff isn’t afraid to die—or kill. “Stay the hell out of Fort Worth.” Those were the last words uttered by the boomtown’s last sheriff. Rail-thin and half starved, desperate cowpuncher Jess Casey ignores the travel advice. Instead, Casey not only enters Fort Worth, he takes the dead man’s job. Now it’s up to him to keep the peace in a body-riddled slice of heaven known as Hell’s Half Acre—home of notorious outlaws like Kurt Koenig and his merciless gang. For Koenig, the only good lawman is a dead one, and he puts a pretty price on Casey’s head. For Casey, that means war. Against him are the frontier’s fastest draw and a host of murderous triggers. On his side are decades of rock-hard Texas living, a couple of ne’er-do-well deputies, and the good sense to do all his talking behind the barrel of a fast-blazing gun . . .

Download or read book Hell s Half Acre written by Richard F. Selcer and published by TCU Press. This book was released on 1991 with total page 388 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Includes material on Luke Short, Bat Masterson, Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, Sam Bass, and Butch Cassiday.

Download or read book Hell s Acre written by Lilith Saintcrow and published by Bell Bridge Books. This book was released on 2024-10-30 with total page 352 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: New Rome perches upon the shores of the Thamis River, and in its soot-stained depths a teeming mass of humanity lives under the iron fist of an Empire that never fell to Vandals or Christianity. In the shadows, assassins congregate and secret societies bloom—the Priory, dedicated to worship of the criminal Dead God, and the Hellions, thieves and murderers whose aim is mere freedom. Or so they say. Gemma Dove arrives in New Rome with a small independence and a burning desire: to gain revenge upon those who murdered her parents and drove her beloved aunt to a premature death. The city is a dangerous place, but Gemma has her own secret skills and isn't afraid to use them. She longs to complete her vengeance and return to her safe, beautiful estate across the Channel, but fate has other ideas. His name for now is Avery Black, but they call him the Rook. The young Hellion has sunk himself in vice and treachery, and he knows there's more to Miss Dove than meets the eye. He also knows she's playing a dangerous game, one which will end in her death—unless he takes a hand in matters. It might even be connected to his own vengeance against the Priory, but that's fast becoming a secondary consideration. Under soot-stained skies and flickering gaslamps, from the crowd of thieves and gin-soaked tenements to the glittering whirl of Society, plans, treachery, and counter-betrayal are afoot. Gemma and Avery can deal the Priory a stinging defeat, but that ancient organization has its own plans for Miss Dove, and the Rook might be her only defense… Praise for the author: "Lilith Saintcrow is a master at world building. And her imagination is endless. I can't wait to see what's next."—Cheryl B, Goodreads reviewer of Sons of Ymre: Erik "This writer cannot write a bad book. Her unique writing style literally has me tasting her words and slavering for more. This book better be a series—that's all I'm saying."—Craig Bethel, Amazon reviewer of Sons of Ymre: Erik. "Saintcrow writes stories that are almost always nonstop action from beginning to end. Her women are kick-ass strong, her men ruggedly handsome and dedicated to the women they serve. It isn't a bad combination at all."—CJ Reading of The Watcher Series. About the Author: Lilith Saintcrow lives in Vancouver, Washington, with her children, dogs, cat, a library for wayward texts, and assorted other strays.

Download or read book Hell s Half Acre written by Will Christopher Baer and published by MacAdam/Cage Publishing. This book was released on 2004 with total page 376 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Short-story writer and novelist Baer goes for the gory in this follow-up to "Kiss Me, Judas" and "Penny Dreadful." Phineas Poe stumbles his way to San Francisco in search of ex-lover Jude who is under the spell of a wealthy sociopath, who's helping her play out a revenge fantasy.

Download or read book A Half Acre of Hell written by Avis D. Schorer and published by . This book was released on 2000 with total page 288 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Hell s Half Acre written by Nicholas Nicastro and published by HarperCollins. This book was released on 2015-11-10 with total page 309 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Welcome to the bloody end of bleeding Kansas… Based on true events, this unforgettable novel tells the story of the Bloody Benders, a family of grifters and thieves running an isolated feed store on the Kansas plains, boarding travelers along the Great Osage Trail. Beautiful Kate Bender was mysterious and well-versed in the dark arts; Ma and Pa were quiet and foreboding, speaking in guttural tones; and young John Bender was thought to be insane. On land soaked with the blood of conflict, the Benders made their home. And one by one, prairie travelers began to disappear… Rooted in history, this is a vivid tale of the Benders’ origins, and how they became some of the most horrific figures in early post-Civil War America. This gruesome Western thriller is perfect for lovers of Sweeney Todd, and fans of John Harwood and Sarah Raynes.

Download or read book Hell s Forty Acres written by Gordon D. Shirreffs and published by Fawcett. This book was released on 1987 with total page 244 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The creator of Lee Kershaw, Manhunter, now writes a wild western of one man'sobsession with silver.

Download or read book Cold Blooded written by William W. Johnstone and published by Pinnacle Books. This book was released on 2017-04-25 with total page 272 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: USA Today bestselling author: A sheriff fights back when terror takes over his Texas town . . . Bestselling Western writers William W. Johnstone and J.A. Johnstone introduce lawman Jess Casey, a rode-hard, stubborn Texas cowboy with a knack for laying down the law—with a very fast gun . . . One day to live. Seven days to die. Sheriff Jess Carey and his oddball band of sidekicks have pulled off the impossible, taming Hell's Half Acre, the most lawless town in Texas, infamous for murder, mayhem, prostitution, and every random act of bloodshed imaginable. Now the no-good politicians in Austin have decided it's cheaper to dump hordes of criminals on Jess Carey's town than to hang 'em. In one dreadful week it seems as if the gates of Hell have burst open. Freed outlaws, gunslingers, bandits, rapists, desperados, drifters, and miscreants are roaming Hell's Half Acre—and Jess and his deputies are running out of bullets fast. As the fighting rages, some ruthless, powerful men see their chance to kill Sheriff Jess Carey and take the town for their own . . .

Download or read book From Hell s Half Acre to the Moon written by Ernest Pullen and published by . This book was released on 2020 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "About: C.E. Pullen His father, was Charles Eugene (Gene) Pullen, Sr., a sculptor whose works are on display at Pebble Hill Plantation in Thomasville, Georgia and The Little White House in Warm Springs. His mother, Lula Moncrief Reichert, a gifted musician, played the piano, guitar, banjo, and mandolin. Inheriting the talents of both parents, each encouraged the development of C.E.'s abilities. Some of his early years were spent in a community on the Georgia-Florida state line, known as "Hell's Half Acre." As a teenager, he lost his right eye to a failed prank. The accident left him unable to complete high school or enter the service in World War II. C.E. joined the Civil Service instead and entered a tool and die-maker apprenticeship at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida. Pullen never regarded himself as handicapped by the loss of his eye. In the 50s and 60s, he worked for Perkin Elmer Corporation. Named the company's number one Senior Model Maker, Pullen was the builder for projects in collaboration with MIT and NASA. Such specialized projects included a spectrometer launched in space for stellar analysis and prototypes for the lunar LASER retroreflectors used for measuring distance precisely. Apollo astronauts permanently positioned the equipment on the Moon's surface to refine the scientific measurement from earth to the surface to an accuracy of +/- 3 inches. His musical career began as a child regularly playing banjo on the radio. Pullen's musical abilities allowed him to perform with many of the Grand Ole Opry greats. He became friends with numerous professional musicians, and for some was their preferred choice when repairs were required on their instruments. Pullen designed and built his one-of-a-kind banjo. He was a featured Georgian in Oglethorpe's Dream, published by the Georgia Department of Industry, Trade, and Tourism in 2001. The Georgia Country Music Hall of Fame inducted C.E. Pullen in 2017"--Back cover

Download or read book Wicked Albuquerque written by Cody Polston and published by Arcadia Publishing. This book was released on 2017 with total page 1 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Albuquerque's early lawless reputation rivaled that of Dodge City and Tombstone. Its red-light district was known as Hell's Half Acre. Brothel owner Lizzy McGrath once had a local church demolished to build her new bordello. Milt Yarberry, the town's first marshal, was hanged for murder. And the controversial Elfego Baca, who had the gall to face Pancho Villa, survived a thirty-six-hour gunfight unscathed. Author Cody Polston presents the tales of those who slipped through the cracks of morality.

Download or read book At Hell s Gate written by Claude Anshin Thomas and published by Shambhala Publications. This book was released on 2006-01-10 with total page 196 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this raw and moving memoir, Claude Thomas describes his service in Vietnam, his subsequent emotional collapse, and his remarkable journey toward healing. At Hell's Gate is not only a gripping coming-of-age story but a spiritual travelogue from the horrors of combat to the discovery of inner peace—a journey that inspired Thomas to become a Zen monk and peace activist who travels to war-scarred regions around the world. "Everyone has their Vietnam," Thomas writes. "Everyone has their own experience of violence, calamity, or trauma." With simplicity and power, this book offers timeless teachings on how we can all find healing, and it presents practical guidance on how mindfulness and compassion can transform our lives. This expanded edition features: • Discussion questions for reading groups • A new afterword by the author reflecting on how the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are affecting soldiers—and offering advice on how to help returning soldiers to cope with their combat experiences

Download or read book Forty Acres written by Dwayne Smith and published by Simon and Schuster. This book was released on 2014-07 with total page 384 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "A thriller about a Black society with a secret"--

Download or read book Hell s Half Acre written by David Finch and published by Heritage House Publishing Co. This book was released on 2005 with total page 212 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Hell's Half Acre is the story of the people who lived and worked in Turner Valley, western Canada's first commercial oilfield, located southwest of Calgary. Beginning in 1914, the oil fields attracted thousands of workers from across North America to the drilling rigs, processing plants, and the pipeline crews that dug the first trenches. In addition to the beginnings of an oil industry, Turner Valley provided Alberta with a rich historical legacy of epic proportions, along with a cast of very colourful characters. Drawing on contemporary accounts and dozens of interviews with Turner Valley pioneers, as well as probing the vast visual history of archival photographs, David Finch captures the life and times of an exciting era in Alberta history. Imagine natural gas flares so plentiful and powerful that night turned into day and the glowing sky could be seen from Calgary. The smell of sour gas and its deadly effects were a constant danger, as were the primitive work conditions associated with the early years of oil exploration. But on the workers toiled, constructing massive drilling rigs out of huge timbers, working day and night in a relentless search for black gold. The Second World War brought an unprecedented level of urgency and tension to Turner Valley when the national treasure became a military target. These were fascinating times, and in Hell's Half Acre the people, the companies, the booms and the busts are all revealed in entertaining detail.

Download or read book Heaven Hell Or Houston written by Thom Erb and published by . This book was released on 2015-01-02 with total page 184 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: After a less than successful "easy" stint as the Governor's security detail, the volatile, alcoholic Texas Ranger Jay McCutcheon wants nothing more than to get home to his wife and baby and save his marriage. He thinks the only thing standing between him and his family is five hundred rain-soaked miles of dark pavement. But he's dead wrong. Isandro Dianira has just broken out of prison. He's been possessed by an evil voice that has spoken to him since childhood. With his gang-banger thugs, he leaves a bloody trail on his way to Mexico. But before leaving the country, he needs to kill McCutcheon, the pig that put him in the pen. As the two men unknowingly race toward each other, a powerful rainstorm is heading westward, and along with it, a zombie virus that's causing the dead to rise. Stacy-Jo, a street-tough teenage girl from New York is about to get in some serious trouble, when she meets McCutcheon, who winds up saving her hide from a nasty situation. Together, they hit the road and wind up at a roadside diner, where brutal violence will unfold and the undead will feed.

Download or read book Cold as Hell written by Rhett C. Bruno and published by Black Badge. This book was released on 2023-03-07 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In the West, there are worse things to fear than bandits and outlaws. Demons. Monsters. Witches. James Crowley's sacred duty as a Black Badge is to hunt them down and send them packing, banish them from the mortal realm for good. He didn't choose this life. No. He didn't choose life at all. Shot dead in a gunfight many years ago, now he's stuck in purgatory, serving the whims of the White Throne to avoid falling to Hell. Not quite undead, though not alive either, the best he can hope for is to work off his penance and fade away. This time, the White Throne has sent him to investigate a strange bank robbery in Lonely Hill. An outlaw with the ability to conjure ice has frozen and shattered open the bank vault and is now on a spree, robbing the region for all it's worth. In his quest to track down the ice-wielder and suss out which demon is behind granting a mortal such power, Crowley finds himself face-to-face with hellish beasts, shapeshifters, and, worse ... temptation. But the truth behind the attacks is worse than he ever imagined ... The Witcher meets The Dresden Files in this weird Western series by the Audible number one bestselling duo behind Dead Acre.

Download or read book Phineas Poe written by Will Christopher Baer and published by Macadam Cage Pub. This book was released on 2005 with total page 856 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Following the success of the three novels in the Phineas Poe series, MacAdam/Cage releases the omnibus edition. The trilogy includes "Kiss Me Judas, Penny Dreadful," and "Hell's Half Acre."