Hell’s Half-Acre

Jessica’s Epilogue #4: Hell’s Half-Acre, The Untold Story of the Benders, America’s First Serial Killer Family by Susan Jonusas

Susan Jonusas’, Hell’s Half Acre: The Untold Story of the Benders, A Serial Killer Family on the American Frontier, is the murderous story of America’s first known serial killer family. The Benders were pioneers of the American Frontier having settled themselves in Labette County, Kansas during the midst of West Ward Expansion after the Civil War. Soon, what appears as your normal, everyday, family of homesteaders transforms into countless missing victims and blood stained cellar floors.

I’m truly in a spot of indifference on this book and I struggle to get my thoughts out. I promised honesty and authenticity so, here is my formal review.  

My initial emotions and hopes for this book stood on the line for true crime, I wanted this to be like your every-day true crime podcast, diving deep into the story of this slaughter house; however, I found myself getting lost in some of the historical details. For transparency, I’m considering that possibly, too many characters (within victim story lines) were introduced. This really bogged me down. Although it was fascinating to see the nation come together in a national manhunt for the Bender family, likely the first of its kind given the severity of circumstances and number of victims, it was also during this portion of the book that I just blanked out on the information being relayed.

What is fascinating about this headline and the theoretical stories behind it, is that the we still live in a world that is forced to theorize the story. Who were the Benders, how in the world did this family get away with killing this way? What happened to them? Perhaps those answers will forever be hidden deep in the mysteries of the American frontier.

To be my own devil’s advocate in my review, I was listening to this audio-book and wondered if I would have had less distractions and the opportunity to be fully invested had I physically read this one.

Quick Review:

Writing Style: Informational, simple and complex at times

Characters: Giving a voice to the victims is important, I would have liked to have learned more of each of the Bender family.

Plot Structure: It was initially intriguing as I was looking for a true-crime non-fiction, this part of the book left me satisfied.

Pacing and Tone: Started off with great pacing, then it slowed. It was difficult to stay engaged through all the historical information and investigate struggles.

Overall, I’m a little disappointed, I initially learned of the Benders while listening to a podcast that outlined their story and I was hoping for a little more in-depth information. Hell’s Half Acre follows the very mysterious and evil family. It’s the untold story of countless victims and how the nation’s manhunt expanded across multiple states and jurisdictions in hopes to find justice for those who were brought down by the Bender family.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys history or reading about serial killers; however, if you require fast pacing, this book may not be for you.

2.5 out of 5 stars for me.