I’ll be discussing “Goodbye, Butterfly: Murder, faith and forgiveness in a small Kansas town” with the Emporia Recreation Center Recreational Readers club from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6.

In addition, I’ll sign books, which I’ll have for purchase. Folks can also purchase the book at Middle Ground Books & Gifts in Emporia. If you already have a copy, bring it and I’ll sign it.

The book began as a capstone assignment when I was a graduate student at Washburn University. Released in September 2024, “GB” was a hot new release on Amazon, including a stint as the top-ranked Midwest history book, and all of the copies at the TSCPL were checked out/on hold for nearly a year straight. It is on its third print.

On Oct. 19, 1991, the small town of Dover, Kansas, and the Keller family were forever changed. Brenda Keller, the 12-year-old daughter of the town’s pastor, was abducted, raped and murdered by a man who should have been behind bars. Through unimaginable sadness, the Keller family pushed forward relying heavily on their faith to live full lives dedicated to honoring their daughter.