Dead Wrong
Last Call books are all mailed out, and the Little Falls opening was a blast! 
Last Call sales have been amazing! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! People have kindly spread the word, as along with the rush for Last Call, I sold 30 of the trilogies the first 2 days I had them. The trilogy is all 3 books, signed, shrink wrapped, and bound with crime scene tape. It sells for $40, tax is included.
Upcoming Events:
October 12, 2019 Signing books at the Twin Cities Book Festival at the Minnesota Fairgrounds from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.October 17, 2019 Speaking on my latest thriller, Last Call at the Bierstube in Hastings at 6:30 p.m. The Bierstube is located at 109 11th Street West, Hastings, Minnesota.
The Roundhouse Brewery is hosting my Brainerd opening of Last Call on Saturday, October 19, 2019 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. I’ll speak at 5:00 about writing True Crime mysteries and you can get questions answered about forensic psychology. Get there early. There will be a good crowd! The Roundhouse Brewery is located at 1551 Northern Pacific Rd, Brainerd, Minnesota. It is located at the old trainyard in downtown Brainerd. This will be a great time and with a title like Last Call, it only seems fitting. Stop in and have a cold beverage. Book cover model, Elise Yates, will be dressed as she is on the cover and will be available for pictures with attendees. 
The Beaver Island Brewing Company is hosting my St. Cloud opening of Last Call on Monday, October 21, 2019. I’ll speak from 6:00 to 7:00 about writing True Crime mysteries and you can get questions answered about forensic psychology. Get there early (It opens at 5:00). There will be a good crowd! Beaver Island Brewing Company is located at 216, 6th Avenue South, St. Cloud. It is right off of division close to the exits to St. Cloud State. This is going to be a blast and there is no cost. Stop in and have a cold beverage. With a cover of Last Call by bar, and the back of the book featuring a young woman by the river, Beaver Island is the perfect location! (The Beaver Islands are the islands in the Mississippi river through St. Cloud.)Saturday, October 26, 2019. Signing books at Barnes and Noble in St. Cloud, from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. Barnes and Noble is located at 3940 Division Street, St Cloud, Minnesota, 56301October 28, 2019, at 4:00 p.m. presenting on the newest thriller, Last Call at Northern Lakes Senior Living center in Baxter. Frank will be speaking from 4:00 to 5:00 and will be signing books after. This is a free event open to the public! Northern Lakes is located at 8186 Excelsior Road, Baxter, Minnesota.November 1, 2019, speaking on the writing of true crime novels and the latest thriller, Last Call at the King Library and San Jose State University Library from 12:00 to 1:30 at 150 East San Fernando Street, San Jose, California.
Dead to Rights -- 17 years later
Weimar, California is a town of 209 people, with a general store and one stop light. On January 7, 1991, two people were murdered by a resident, and it took 17 years to solve.
A friend of Jackie Barton’s, Deborah Sander, goes to Jackie’s house to return money Jackie had borrowed her. There is no answer, but the curtains moved. It felt wrong, so she went home to get her husband and Jackie’s brother, William Voyles. The doors are locked, and there is no evidence of a break-in. William climbs in the back window and screams, “Oh my God!” The bloody scene is described as “inhuman.” {I have to make a quick remark on Deb’s great decision to leave and get help. People too often allow their brain to over-ride their instincts. When a rabbit sees a wolf, it doesn’t stop and think, “Well this one’s never hurt me before.” People do that all the time, when their gut is telling them it’s a bad situation.}
Hugh “Cleve” Gresham had been shot in the head, while lying in bed (likely sleeping). The powder burn on the skin suggested the gun was placed against his head. Jackie had been sexually assaulted and shot multiple times. “It Goes Down Good,” was written on the wall with soap. The reason for this has never been understood. People described Jackie as a great friend, and Cleve as, not bad, but a little harder to get to know.
Suspects: (One of these men is the killer.)
Chainsaw Charlie had a heated argument with Cleve the previous week. Charlie showed no emotion when discussing the murders. Charlie stated he was mad at Cleve, because Cleve wouldn’t get up and jump his car. Charlie’s alibi is that he was with 3 women, but he didn’t know their last names. He was released, even though they couldn’t confirm his alibi, because they had nothing to hold him on.
Mexican Joe (Ex-boyfriend). A local paralegal indicated Jackie had contacted her about receiving a no-contact order against her ex-boyfriend one week before her death. Jackie had said Mexican Joe told her if he caught her with anyone, he’d kill her. Jackie decided to take the situation into her own hands, instead of going through court. {Wise or Unwise?} Jackie had a neighbor people didn’t mess with. He was a tough and angry character. Jackie asked Joe Foster to go to her ex and tell him to back off. Joe talked to him, and the harassment ended. Problem solved. Mexican Joe was out of state when the murder occurred.
Joe Foster had a history of violent behavior. He reported he was home with his wife on the night of the murders, and his wife confirmed the alibi.
Rick Pilgrim. A wealthy individual who was frequently seen talking to Jackie. Rick states his close friendship with Jackie was completely platonic. His alibi was that he was home taking care of his ill wife. Rick is asked to take a polygraph, but on the day of the polygraph, he disappears. His wife files a missing person’s report. The next day, a neighboring county contacts investigators. Rick took a turn at a high rate of speed and died in a car accident. Was it suicide? Did he know something? Rick’s DNA is tested. It doesn’t match the killer.
The case goes cold for 17 years. In 2008, the county is awarded a cold-case grant, and the case is reopened. (Investigators are taught that often the killer’s name is already in the cold case file.) The case is reopened, but the subsequent interviews result in no new information.
A CODIS Hit!
Proposition 69 in California allows prisons to finally DNA test incarcerated prisoners. (They were looking for the Golden State Killer at the time.) In 2008, a perfect DNA match finally occurs in the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). Sheriff's detectives find the match, Joseph Victor Foster, at Soledad State Prison, where he was serving time for kidnapping and raping a family member. He now faces two counts of murder in Placer County for the deaths of Jacqueline Barton, 33, and Hugh Cleveland Gresham, 37, in 1991.
The investigators return to speak to Joe’s wife. She stated she lied because she was afraid Joe would kill her. She now admits Joe left that night, and when he returned, he burned his clothes.
A deal with the devil: When Jackie asked Joe to be a “Badass,” and scare off her ex-husband, she didn’t realize that he felt entitled. Joe believed he owed her and if she wasn’t going to willingly submit, he’d take it. The evidence indicates Joe entered the neighbor’s home. Shot Cleve. Raped Jackie. Brutally murdered her. Joe denies the offense, even though the DNA has him dead to rights for both the rape and murder. Joe pleads guilty to avoid the death penalty.
It’s interesting that for 17 years, in a town of 209 people, a man got away with murder. While Mrs. Foster could have helped resolve this much earlier, imagine the fear she lived with. It’s a lesson on the importance of talking to our neighbors, so terrible people are delt with before they kill people.
On the brighter side. I have incredible banners made by Froggy’s Signs in Little Falls. The stands I bought are designed for inside. I set them outside during my opening and I was so busy signing books I didn’t realize it got windy and they busted. I went to Froggy’s and told them, “This was my fault. I’m not looking for any handouts. I just need a quick solution as I have major events each of the next 5 weeks.” They thanked me for my business and gave me 2 new stands at no cost. Thank you Kari, and the folks at Froggy’s!
Thanks for listening,
Frank
I’m still putting a playlist to put together as I’m setting up for presentations on Last Call. I like Gladys Knight. This is a great song for Last Call, when you think of someone being held hostage: “I’ve really got to use my imagination, to think of good reasons, to keep on keepin on. I’ve got to make the best of, a bad situation…”
Last Call sales have been amazing! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! People have kindly spread the word, as along with the rush for Last Call, I sold 30 of the trilogies the first 2 days I had them. The trilogy is all 3 books, signed, shrink wrapped, and bound with crime scene tape. It sells for $40, tax is included.Upcoming Events:
October 12, 2019 Signing books at the Twin Cities Book Festival at the Minnesota Fairgrounds from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.October 17, 2019 Speaking on my latest thriller, Last Call at the Bierstube in Hastings at 6:30 p.m. The Bierstube is located at 109 11th Street West, Hastings, Minnesota.
The Roundhouse Brewery is hosting my Brainerd opening of Last Call on Saturday, October 19, 2019 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. I’ll speak at 5:00 about writing True Crime mysteries and you can get questions answered about forensic psychology. Get there early. There will be a good crowd! The Roundhouse Brewery is located at 1551 Northern Pacific Rd, Brainerd, Minnesota. It is located at the old trainyard in downtown Brainerd. This will be a great time and with a title like Last Call, it only seems fitting. Stop in and have a cold beverage. Book cover model, Elise Yates, will be dressed as she is on the cover and will be available for pictures with attendees. The Beaver Island Brewing Company is hosting my St. Cloud opening of Last Call on Monday, October 21, 2019. I’ll speak from 6:00 to 7:00 about writing True Crime mysteries and you can get questions answered about forensic psychology. Get there early (It opens at 5:00). There will be a good crowd! Beaver Island Brewing Company is located at 216, 6th Avenue South, St. Cloud. It is right off of division close to the exits to St. Cloud State. This is going to be a blast and there is no cost. Stop in and have a cold beverage. With a cover of Last Call by bar, and the back of the book featuring a young woman by the river, Beaver Island is the perfect location! (The Beaver Islands are the islands in the Mississippi river through St. Cloud.)Saturday, October 26, 2019. Signing books at Barnes and Noble in St. Cloud, from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. Barnes and Noble is located at 3940 Division Street, St Cloud, Minnesota, 56301October 28, 2019, at 4:00 p.m. presenting on the newest thriller, Last Call at Northern Lakes Senior Living center in Baxter. Frank will be speaking from 4:00 to 5:00 and will be signing books after. This is a free event open to the public! Northern Lakes is located at 8186 Excelsior Road, Baxter, Minnesota.November 1, 2019, speaking on the writing of true crime novels and the latest thriller, Last Call at the King Library and San Jose State University Library from 12:00 to 1:30 at 150 East San Fernando Street, San Jose, California. Dead to Rights -- 17 years later
Weimar, California is a town of 209 people, with a general store and one stop light. On January 7, 1991, two people were murdered by a resident, and it took 17 years to solve.
A friend of Jackie Barton’s, Deborah Sander, goes to Jackie’s house to return money Jackie had borrowed her. There is no answer, but the curtains moved. It felt wrong, so she went home to get her husband and Jackie’s brother, William Voyles. The doors are locked, and there is no evidence of a break-in. William climbs in the back window and screams, “Oh my God!” The bloody scene is described as “inhuman.” {I have to make a quick remark on Deb’s great decision to leave and get help. People too often allow their brain to over-ride their instincts. When a rabbit sees a wolf, it doesn’t stop and think, “Well this one’s never hurt me before.” People do that all the time, when their gut is telling them it’s a bad situation.}
Hugh “Cleve” Gresham had been shot in the head, while lying in bed (likely sleeping). The powder burn on the skin suggested the gun was placed against his head. Jackie had been sexually assaulted and shot multiple times. “It Goes Down Good,” was written on the wall with soap. The reason for this has never been understood. People described Jackie as a great friend, and Cleve as, not bad, but a little harder to get to know.
Suspects: (One of these men is the killer.)
Chainsaw Charlie had a heated argument with Cleve the previous week. Charlie showed no emotion when discussing the murders. Charlie stated he was mad at Cleve, because Cleve wouldn’t get up and jump his car. Charlie’s alibi is that he was with 3 women, but he didn’t know their last names. He was released, even though they couldn’t confirm his alibi, because they had nothing to hold him on.
Mexican Joe (Ex-boyfriend). A local paralegal indicated Jackie had contacted her about receiving a no-contact order against her ex-boyfriend one week before her death. Jackie had said Mexican Joe told her if he caught her with anyone, he’d kill her. Jackie decided to take the situation into her own hands, instead of going through court. {Wise or Unwise?} Jackie had a neighbor people didn’t mess with. He was a tough and angry character. Jackie asked Joe Foster to go to her ex and tell him to back off. Joe talked to him, and the harassment ended. Problem solved. Mexican Joe was out of state when the murder occurred.
Joe Foster had a history of violent behavior. He reported he was home with his wife on the night of the murders, and his wife confirmed the alibi.
Rick Pilgrim. A wealthy individual who was frequently seen talking to Jackie. Rick states his close friendship with Jackie was completely platonic. His alibi was that he was home taking care of his ill wife. Rick is asked to take a polygraph, but on the day of the polygraph, he disappears. His wife files a missing person’s report. The next day, a neighboring county contacts investigators. Rick took a turn at a high rate of speed and died in a car accident. Was it suicide? Did he know something? Rick’s DNA is tested. It doesn’t match the killer.
The case goes cold for 17 years. In 2008, the county is awarded a cold-case grant, and the case is reopened. (Investigators are taught that often the killer’s name is already in the cold case file.) The case is reopened, but the subsequent interviews result in no new information.
A CODIS Hit!
Proposition 69 in California allows prisons to finally DNA test incarcerated prisoners. (They were looking for the Golden State Killer at the time.) In 2008, a perfect DNA match finally occurs in the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). Sheriff's detectives find the match, Joseph Victor Foster, at Soledad State Prison, where he was serving time for kidnapping and raping a family member. He now faces two counts of murder in Placer County for the deaths of Jacqueline Barton, 33, and Hugh Cleveland Gresham, 37, in 1991.
The investigators return to speak to Joe’s wife. She stated she lied because she was afraid Joe would kill her. She now admits Joe left that night, and when he returned, he burned his clothes.
A deal with the devil: When Jackie asked Joe to be a “Badass,” and scare off her ex-husband, she didn’t realize that he felt entitled. Joe believed he owed her and if she wasn’t going to willingly submit, he’d take it. The evidence indicates Joe entered the neighbor’s home. Shot Cleve. Raped Jackie. Brutally murdered her. Joe denies the offense, even though the DNA has him dead to rights for both the rape and murder. Joe pleads guilty to avoid the death penalty.
It’s interesting that for 17 years, in a town of 209 people, a man got away with murder. While Mrs. Foster could have helped resolve this much earlier, imagine the fear she lived with. It’s a lesson on the importance of talking to our neighbors, so terrible people are delt with before they kill people.
On the brighter side. I have incredible banners made by Froggy’s Signs in Little Falls. The stands I bought are designed for inside. I set them outside during my opening and I was so busy signing books I didn’t realize it got windy and they busted. I went to Froggy’s and told them, “This was my fault. I’m not looking for any handouts. I just need a quick solution as I have major events each of the next 5 weeks.” They thanked me for my business and gave me 2 new stands at no cost. Thank you Kari, and the folks at Froggy’s!
Thanks for listening,Frank
I’m still putting a playlist to put together as I’m setting up for presentations on Last Call. I like Gladys Knight. This is a great song for Last Call, when you think of someone being held hostage: “I’ve really got to use my imagination, to think of good reasons, to keep on keepin on. I’ve got to make the best of, a bad situation…”
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