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.
Chip Queen
I can't stop raving about this app β it's like having a personal library in my pocket. This app's support for various formats has made my audiobook collection even more diverse and exciting. π‘ Enriching my daily routines with wisdom and wonder β thank you, this app! π±π Easy access to chapters and silky-smooth playback. Love it! The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
Alpha
This app's library is a treasure trove β I'm always discovering new favorites. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve 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! I was thoroughly impressed by this audiobook. The combination of engaging content and skilled narration made my daily commute something to look forward to. The narrator's timing and intonation were spot-on, enhancing rather than distracting from the material. Definitely worth a credit!
Domino
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly enhanced my audio quality. ListenBook has revolutionized how I consume content. It's like having a personal library in my pocket. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking. Great for fans of this genre! The pacing, narration, and production quality were all excellent. It felt like a movie playing in my mind. Iβll be checking out more from this narrator for sure.
Reno Monarch
Tone adjustment is an innovative touch that adds a personal connection to the audiobook narration. It's like having a custom reading experience. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Onion King
I've never been so entertained while doing household chores β this app is a lifesaver! π± My secret to staying well-read β this app ensures that I'm never without a book, no matter where I am! ππ±
Bazooka Har-de-har
I've become addicted to this app β in the best possible way! This app is perfect for audiobook lovers. The interface is beautiful and easy to navigate. The voice boost feature is amazing. It makes every word crystal clear. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
Gold Bentley
πΌ Making work hours enjoyable β audiobooks turn my tasks into learning opportunities and moments of joy. π»π Efficiency and ease combined β this app is a must-have for book lovers.
Freaky Ratbuster
The ability to download audio from network devices directly within ListenBook is incredibly convenient. π Elevating my reading routine β this app's functionality is the key to unlocking new worlds of storytelling. ππ ListenBook has made my daily commutes enjoyable. No more boredom!
Blistered Outlaw
This app has turned my long walks into delightful literary adventures. The diverse range of narrators adds a new layer of depth to each story. πΆββοΈπ Staying entertained during leisurely walks β audiobooks make outdoor time delightful! πΆββοΈπ§ ποΈ Basking in the sun with an audiobook β relaxation meets storytelling paradise! βοΈπ
Junkyard Dog
ListenBook has turned my everyday moments into extraordinary journeys of imagination. π Elevating my reading routine β this app's functionality is the key to unlocking new worlds of storytelling. ππ As an audiobook enthusiast, this app is a dream come true. Its compatibility with various formats and easy navigation make it my ultimate reading companion. ππ§ ListenBook is a game-changer for audiobook lovers. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureβitβs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app! An absolutely stellar production from start to finish! The narrator's command of pacing and tone was masterful, knowing exactly when to speed up for excitement or slow down for dramatic effect. The audio quality was pristine with no distracting mouth sounds or uneven volume.
Pearl Girl
ποΈ Elevating grocery shopping to a whole new level β audiobooks make it an adventure! ππ Automatic metadata extraction keeps my library organized. It's a time-saver! ListenBook has elevated my learning experience. I'm retaining more information than ever. The interface is sleek and modern. It's a pleasure to navigate and use the app. The app is so reliable. Iβve never had any issues with it.
DZE
As an audiobook aficionado, this app is a dream come true. Its support for various formats and effortless navigation make it my perfect reading companion. ππ§ The interface is beautiful and functional. ListenBook is my go-to app for audiobooks.
VisionVoyager
π Transforming laundry time into a journey through fantastic stories β thank you, this app! ππ Audiobook joy made simple β this app's ease of use is a true marvel.
Cool Law Topping
I can't imagine my daily routine without ListenBook's intuitive layout and easy-to-access controls. Tone adjustment is such an innovative feature. It adds a personal touch to narration. Bookmarks are a must-have for any audiobook lover. They help me stay organized and engaged.
ZenaCake
I've rediscovered the joy of reading through the convenience of audiobooks. ListenBook's beautiful layout and quick access to chapters make every listening session a pleasure.
London Fox
This app has brought back the joy of reading, no matter how busy I am. I'm amazed at how this app has seamlessly integrated reading into my daily rhythm. I've never experienced such silky-smooth playback even with high-quality FLAC files.
General Finish
It's like having a personal library that fits in my pocket β truly amazing! Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's functionality is truly impressive. The statistics feature in ListenBook adds an element of self-awareness to my audiobook consumption. Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a delightful way to share the joy of storytelling with friends and family. It fosters connections and conversations.
Berry Succubus
Audiobooks have become a cherished part of my daily life, all thanks to this app. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback options are essential for my audiobook enjoyment and study.
Frosty
The captivating narrators make each story come alive in a unique way. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats has made it my go-to app for all audio content. ListenBook Pro's unlimited audiobook length is a dream come true for those epic tales. It's like having a personal audiobook library in your pocket. The audio quality is superb. ListenBook enhances my audiobook experience.
Scarlet Mary
ListenBook's focus on quality and user experience has made it my go-to app for audiobooks and educational content. ListenBook's statistics feature is both enlightening and motivating. It's incredible to see the time I've invested in learning through audiobooks. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
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