My gratitude goes out to my publisher for this amazingly crafted Press Release. I can only surmise that it can and will open doors…
PRESS RELEASE (Kirk House Publishers) For Immediate Release
NEW EDITION OF GROUNDBREAKING BOOK “RECLAIMING LIVES” SHINES A SPOTLIGHT ON JUSTICE DENIED
Burnsville, MN – June 9, 2025 — In a compelling blend of true crime and social justice advocacy, Reclaiming Lives, Third Edition: Pursuing Justice for Six Innocent Men by Joan Treppa delivers a searing indictment of wrongful convictions—and the extraordinary effort it takes to overturn them.
The book revisits the tragic 1992 death of Tom Monfils, a paper mill worker in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The high-profile trial that followed ended with six men—the “Monfils Six”—being convicted of murder. But the case was fraught with inconsistencies and unanswered questions. Years later, a determined Minnesota woman with no legal background took notice—and refused to look away.
Treppa’s journey began in 2009 when she uncovered new, disturbing information about the case. Her quest for justice brought her into direct contact with the families of the accused and a retired crime scene expert, ultimately spurring a fresh investigation.
“Reclaiming Lives” is more than a true crime narrative; it’s a call to action. Through detailed storytelling and personal insight, Treppa illustrates the staggering challenges of overturning wrongful convictions, even in the face of compelling new evidence. Her writing breaks
down legal complexities and exposes systemic flaws, offering readers a deeply human story of perseverance, hope, and transformation.
“Reclaiming Lives teaches the reader why it is not only critical to prevent wrongful convictions from occurring in the first instance, but also why the criminal justice system must be far more willing than it has often been to correct these injustices after they are shown to have
occurred,” says Steven Z. Kaplan, former post-conviction counsel for Keith Kutska, one of the Monfils Six.
Joan Treppa is a writer and social justice advocate living in the suburbs of Minneapolis. A survivor of childhood bullying, she found her voice in speaking up for the voiceless. Her motto, “Nothing about me truly matters unless I matter to others,” has driven her advocacy work. The first edition of Reclaiming Lives earned three national independent book awards and continues to resonate with readers and reformers alike.
Reclaiming Lives, Third Edition: Pursuing Justice for Six Innocent Men is available now in
paperback through Kirk House Publishers and major booksellers
For media inquiries, review copies, or interview requests, please contact:
Ann Aubitz at Kirk House Publishers
1250 E 115th Street Burnsville, MN 55337
612-781-2815 | ann@kirkhousepublishers.com | www.kirkhousepublishers.com