I’m always amazed by the people I meet, especially when I participate in book events in Minnesota.

Some of the 45 books being sold at the book fair

On Saturday, April 20, I was among forty-five local authors at the Northtown Mall Book Fair in Blaine, MN. I assert that these types of events are definitely about quality over quantity. Crowds are often light and I seldom sell that many books. However, I choose to partake in them because I can always count on engaging in deep discussions with folks who live in Minnesota who have some close tie to either this case or to the legal system. Underscoring the relevancy by connecting the dots…it’s what I do. And this past Saturday was no different.

Rope and Weight around Tom Monfils’ neck

Paper Pulp Vat where body was found

Visiting the five guys in prison    

A guy stepped up to my table to look at the (above) series of photos. His first utterance was, “Why does this all seem so familiar to me?”

I shared details of the case and he looked at me in disbelief. “I’m from Green Bay and my Dad worked at a paper mill! Which mill was this?”

After determining that his Dad had worked at a different mill, I asked, “Do you remember what his general opinion was of what happened at James River?” He stated that everyone in the industry knew it wasn’t murder, which is the same feedback I receive on a frequent basis.

“I need to get a few of your books to pass around.”  He then left.

A woman soon approached. She studied the array of photos. “What’s all this?”

After a brief discussion she shared that she’s a lawyer and expressed her dismay of the outcome in this case. Turns out, she is aware of who our Minneapolis attorney, Steve Kaplan, is. In fact, her face revealed a sense of respect for the man.

When I summarized the contents of the book “and all of the crazy things we tried to do” to find legal assistance for the convicted men, she was in awe. Her analogical take was that most folks who learn of various situations typically fail to take action beyond a brief acknowledgement of how tragic it is. She was “impressed” with how involved I had become for the sake of strangers.

I’m deeply touched and humbled when folks tell me that I have no idea the lives I’ve touched or how I’ve contributed to the healing of others. They say, “You are a blessing to many!”

The conversations such as the ones I have at these events seem to indicate this. And my response is always the same; that this experience of being an advocate has greatly touched and healed my soul as well.