CJ Williams Author Event: "Monster in Mount Pleasant"

Judge C.J. Williams will be at the library to discuss his book, "A Monster in Mount Pleasant: A Story of Murders and Justice" on Sunday, March 29 at 2:00pm. 

In the quiet town of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, the idyllic calm of 1978 was shattered by a series of brutal murders. Karol Beavers, a vivacious high school junior, and her mother, Clementine, became the unsuspecting victims of a heinous act of violence that left the community reeling. For six months, the case went cold, fear gripping a town unaccustomed to locking its doors. Then, another shocking murder occurred, tying the threads of horror together.

A Monster in Mount Pleasant delves into the unraveling of this dark chapter. Drawing from years of meticulous research, the story reveals not just the pursuit of justice, but the profound emotional scars left behind. From the shattered dreams of a bright young girl to the lifelong grief of families torn apart, this book captures the deep humanity behind the headlines.

This compelling narrative is told through the eyes of a classmate of Karol—and the murderer. Now a federal judge, the author unearthed the societal cracks that shaped both the victims and the perpetrator. It’s a haunting journey into a community forever changed by tragedy, where resilience and the quest for truth stand as testaments to those lost too soon.

Charles “CJ” Williams grew up in Mount Pleasant, Iowa. He earned his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Iowa. CJ has served as a law clerk to a federal judge, a prosecutor for the United States Department of Justice, and in private practice at a large Kansas City law firm. In 2016, he became a United States Magistrate Judge. In 2018, the President nominated him and the Senate confirmed his appointment as a United States District Court Judge. He has published two legal textbooks, two books for practicing lawyers, and a book of stories about cases he prosecuted. He has taught as an adjunct law professor for more than 20 years and authored almost 20 academic legal articles. A Monster in Mount Pleasant is his first true crime book. 

Beaverdale Books will have books for sale after the presentation.