Book description
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.
Upper D3ckR
The quality of the audio is top-notch, making the experience truly immersive. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction ensures that my listening experience remains clear and enjoyable.
Wolf Tribune
ListenBook is a must-have for audiobook enthusiasts. It's reliable, versatile, and a pleasure to use. The app is perfect for people with visual impairments. It’s so easy to navigate. I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Reno Monarch
📚 Ironing has become a joy with audiobooks – wrinkles are no match for these captivating stories! 👗🎧 Book groups are a thoughtful addition. I can group related titles for easy access. The app is so intuitive. I didn’t even need to read the instructions. ListenBook is the ultimate audiobook player. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history feature—it’s so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Daffy Girl
ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. This app's sleek design and effortless navigation have made my audiobook journey a true delight. Adjusting the narrator's voice tone is a fun way to personalize the listening experience. ListenBook's attention to detail is commendable. Every aspect of the app is well-crafted. ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use.
Baby Spell
🏃♀️📖 Running with purpose – this app keeps my mind engaged as I conquer my fitness goals! 🏃♀️📚 ListenBook is a must-have for any audiobook enthusiast. It's reliable, efficient, and a pleasure to use.
Slacker Cat
I love that I can enjoy audiobooks while cooking elaborate meals in the kitchen. This app has rekindled my love for literature, and I'm spreading the word to everyone I know. The basic audio filters are a game-changer. Adjusting playback speed is a breeze. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to introduce them to captivating stories. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate, making it a joy to use. Five stars!
Tangerine
I've become a more empathetic listener thanks to the emotional depth of audiobooks. Navigating audiobooks seamlessly – this app's design is top-notch. ListenBook's easy sharing options make it a breeze to introduce friends to my favorite audiobooks. Sharing is caring!
NecroBull
If you love stories but have a busy schedule, this app is your solution! I can't get enough of this app's versatile features – from playback speed to bookmarking, it's all there. ListenBook's integration with AirDrop and sharing options makes it simple to spread the joy of storytelling. Not bad, but not amazing either. The narrator’s voice was pleasant, though some parts felt a bit rushed. The story had its moments, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it over similar titles in the genre.
Swan Mustang
I'm constantly amazed by the vast selection – there's always something new to discover. ListenBook has brought a whole new level of convenience and enjoyment to my audiobook experience.
Bones
Looping playback is my favorite feature. It's perfect for revisiting complex content. Automatic artwork and metadata extraction keep my audiobook library organized and visually appealing.
Blackfire
The voice actors are incredible – they make the characters come alive. I've found my new favorite way to relax – cuddled up with an audiobook. This app is a must-have for any book lover on the go – it's my daily companion. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a playful addition that lets me tweak the audiobook experience. The app is so versatile. It works with all my audiobook formats.
NexusNavigator
ListenBook's user-friendly design and compatibility with different formats have made it my go-to app. This app's compatibility with different devices ensures that I can enjoy my audiobooks anywhere, anytime. This app has turned even the most ordinary moments into reading sessions. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch is seamless. I can now enjoy my favorite audiobooks during commutes and workouts. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature.
Feral Filly
Bravo to the creators of this app – they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. 📚👏 Audiobook lovers, you need this app in your life. The innovative features, from audio filters to compatibility, enhance my reading journey. 🎉🎧 ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is an innovative way to make each audiobook unique.
Bug Fire
I'm addicted to this app's ability to seamlessly blend books into my life. Effortless and enriching – that's how I'd describe my experience with this app. Its smooth interface and thoughtful features have set the bar high for audiobook enjoyment. 📱📖 I never thought I'd find an app that supports such a wide range of audiobook formats. ListenBook is a true gem! Auto-rewind is a very handy feature. Excellent app.
Freaky Ratbuster
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a fantastic way to spread the joy. ListenBook has turned my ordinary moments into extraordinary adventures through stories. Gone are the days of straining my eyes to read – this app lets me 'read' with my ears, anywhere, anytime. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is such a fun way to spread joy. The intuitive chapter navigation and quick access to controls make my audiobook experience seamless.
Saturnalia
💪 Achieving double wins – workouts become invigorating with stories to fuel my motivation! 💪🎧 Decent narration, predictable story. The voice actor did a good job, but the plot followed a familiar formula. If you’re looking for something new and groundbreaking, this might not be it.
Carrot Joker
Effortless audiobook exploration – this app's functionality is remarkable. Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice adds a layer of personalization that I never knew I needed.
StorySculptor
🎧 Carrying a world of literature in my headphones – this app's convenience is truly remarkable. 📚💫 📚 Accessing my favorite authors and genres is a breeze with this app's user-friendly functionality. 📱🎧 The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
Screwtape
The narrators have a way of bringing characters to life – it's a unique experience. The chapters feature on ListenBook enhances my audiobook exploration – it's like flipping through pages. WiFi downloads save a lot of time. Great feature!
Sleepwalker
I'm impressed by the extensive statistics feature, allowing me to track my audiobook consumption over time. The ability to play various audio formats without conversion is very convenient. ListenBook is a great app. Perfect for my daily walks. The story was engaging enough to keep me motivated to exercise but not so complex that I got lost in thought. Great production quality too.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience