Incredible first review of Reclaiming Lives (second edition):                                                            “This version had it all – humor, drama, frustration, sadness, ups and down, and most importantly, hope. I appreciate the plea at the end to get involved, as well as the on-going message about the travesties of wrongful convictions. As one who has experienced this maddening trauma, it is refreshing to hear a voice from an “average” (as she refers to herself) person advocating for awareness and change of our not-so-perfect criminal justice system. That is really how change will occur, as history shows.” — Lynn M.

This…from one of the six men:                                                                                                               “I have been consistently sharing  both copies of your first book and now the new edition copy with the inmates here. There are always people leaving and new people arriving, so you have a continuous flow of fresh fans. Indeed, you are quite popular here!”  

Most profound, philosophical review…                                                                                            “I’m reading Reclaiming Lives right now while having lunch. I met you at the Books and Beer Pop Up stand at Summit Brewery. I’m only on page 26 but something interesting is happening. I read a chapter or a couple of pages and put the book down. I soak in and really think about what you wrote. The people and the events being pictured in my mind. This is not a book I’m going to fly through. This is a book I will experience life through. Thank you Joan.”   — William 

My deepest gratitude for these…                                                                                                    “This book should be mandatory reading for anyone involved in criminal investigations with life or death consequences. I know this case very well and the players in it. I know of people’s thoughts in the area on both sides. I was so shocked at the conduct of the police and so incredibly disappointed at the prosecutors who presented the case in spite of such glaring issues. In a hurry to catch a killer(s) and close a case, they incorrectly catch a good guy(s). In all honesty, I don’t believe any of the Monfils 6 were involved. The one thing I am sure about is that there’s no way ANY of these guys got anything that any ethical prosecutor or judge could remotely call a fair trial, and I am glad that 5 were finally released. The one remaining was denied parole in 2022. His name is Kutska. The fight is not finished. I can’t praise this book enough. It shows how people often neglect empirical evidence in favor of pre-conceived notions of potential motivations or personal relationships.”   — Diane  

“What struck me most about Joan’s story was her sheer determination to free six wrongfully convicted men. Her willingness to face public scrutiny, sacrifice, defeat after defeat, and moreover, her ability to empathize with families of both the victim and the victims of a wrongful conviction, struck at my heart. It’s this sort of story that inspires me and keeps me fighting, knowing that there are people out there who are fighting on behalf of the wrongfully convicted. I recommend this read for anyone who is seeking to get an understanding of the criminal justice system from someone who is not jaded by their own personal experiences as a defendant, but rather an objective perspective, an observation, of just how it is America’s criminal justice system has failed us as a society. The reader will definitely come away with an understanding of just how it is innocent people are wrongfully convicted.”   — Ivan

“Well-written and thorough, I was amazed at the determination and perseverance of the author and her partners in this most noble endeavor. Reading this book helped me understand something of what it takes to “move mountains” so to speak, when it comes to fighting an uphill battle in our justice system. I learned a great deal.”   — Nadia

“Reading your book now. It’s very informative. I have to read a bit, stop to ponder and then read more. I have wanted to strangle the bad actors already! I’ll get through it, I know, but, I just wanted to let you know how this book gets to me, especially considering the things I already know about wrongful convictions through friends who have been there.”   — Shelby 

“I received ‘Reclaiming Lives’ Thursday afternoon and finished it last night. What can I say; Great! Super! Wow! Truly a force is very strong within you. I once told you that a wise man once told me, that Angels appear to us in the form of other human beings, and that you are just such an Angel. Well Joan, you have certainly re-enforced that truth. What a story of determination, focused persistence, and undeterred strength of character. This experience over the past eight or nine years is an example of what one person can accomplish when they are driven by that passion for justice. A ‘Beacon of Light’ filling the ‘Dark Void of Deceit’ – Bravo!”   — Anonymous

“I’ve never yelled out loud while reading a book before. This story is engaging and makes me so angry! But you’ve done a great job of writing it for people like me who don’t understand this issue. It also feels like I’m watching a movie.”   — Mark

“I encourage everyone to read Reclaiming Lives: Pursuing Justice for Six Innocent Men. More than just interesting, it’ll tear you up inside knowing the truth behind this case.”      — Lynn

“I found your book to be a page-turner. Picked it up one night when I was tired and didn’t expect to stay up late. Well! I finished the book in the 2nd sitting. It took precedence over finishing Michelle Obama’s book ‘Becoming’.”   — Julie

“An excellent read and a powerful story about overcoming fears, to bring attention to the cause of wrongful convictions. Joan Treppa’s first hand account tells the story of an outsider who became involved and has since been a leading voice to those wrongfully convicted and their families. The main story of this book revolves around the high profile Wisconsin case involving the death of a paper mill worker and the subsequent convictions of six of that workers’ co-workers. Since then, many questions continue to arise as to the legitimacy of the convictions. Treppa explains how she became involved in the plight of six innocent men, given the readers a step-by-step, if you will, account, that transformed her from a person wracked with childhood bullying, to an individual breaking free from her past with self confidence, knowledge, and a determination to help those falsely taken away by the justice system . I would also highly recommend reading a related book in regards to the specific case, entitled The Monfils Conspiracy, authored by Denis Gullickson and John Gaie.”  — Toby 

“Those of us who read know that books carry emotions. Emotions that affect us as readers and make us feel the story being told. Then there are those books with stories that are more than just stories. They are real and tug at the heart, mind and soul and cause the reader to think about things deeper. This book did that for me in that it was so real and so vivid that I couldn’t just fly through the book. I had to read a chapter or two and then put the book down. Think about what I just read and sort through the emotions and questions that I had going through my head. I ended up saying one word sentences while reading this book. Some good and some bad. I’ve met the author a couple of times and heard from her about the parties in the book. I’ve had her answer some of my questions. It happened that after reading the book I got to meet her again. And it was a pleasure to say the least. I still can’t believe what I’ve read. But years ago I read something that holds true to this day. It’s not a good thing and it doesn’t pertain to everybody. “Humans are destructive by nature.” Powerful words but some people take it to the extreme and ruin things for those who don’t deserve it. Joan is a strong, brave, courageous and warm-hearted author and person. I want nothing more than all these men to be free to live their lives. I’ll keep watch for the time being to find out.”    — William 

“Reclaiming Lives is a story about how the author, Joan Treppa, became involved in movement to bring awareness to the innocence of six men in prison for murder. And the fight to get them exonerated. The book follows Joan’s journey from her first hearing about the Monfils case (as it’s widely known now) up to when the book was finished. It’s a journey that runs the gamut of emotions for the reader (and author) and it’s easy to share the highs and lows of Joan’s journey. It’s also a very personal journey for the author and looking inward to realize why this case means so much to her. The book is just as much memoir as a wake-up call to all about wrongful convictions and how easy it can happen. I encourage all readers that have bulletproof beliefs about our justice system (on one side or the other) to read this book along with the details of the Monfils case.”     — Shaun

“Being made aware of the current political status it is easily understandable the hoops the Police Dept. and Det. Randy Winkler jumped through and the manufactured story they presented to convict these innocent men. The GB Press Gazette was complicit by their taunting and one sided coverage. Don’t let them off the hook either!”  — Marge

“It’s sad to see that our judicial system is so blind to truth. Each one of these men grew up in a time when saying the pledge of allegiance was commonplace in school. I bet they never imagined that “liberty and justice for all” would be so elusive for them!”  — Karen

“How in God’s name can anyone believe not one of the six would have pointed his finger at the others to save himself if they were all guilty? How can anyone believe, through all these years, not one of the “guilty” would not have spoken the words to anyone. Not a single sound or utterance of guilt. The phantom kinship the prosecutor, John Zakowski and lead investigator, Randy Winkler spoke about would put the FBI, CIA and mafia to shame. The odds are astronomically against every one of these men continuing to proclaim their innocence while knowing it has kept them behind bars, away from every person they love. Remaining truthful has come at a high cost.”  — Joan VH

“This book is not only an amazing story of how Joan became involved in this case but it’s also in easy to read format, which I really like. The strengths these men have to have are explained so well that your heart goes out to every single one of them and their family members. Joan explains how being at the wrong place at the wrong time can really change your life forever. This book will make you want to do your own research and most likely get you to want to read the other book that goes into depth about all the facts of this case. That book is called The Monfils Conspiracy. Joan has a heart of gold and you can feel her frustration and determination in every page you turn. If you wonder why a woman would take such an interest in a case she didn’t know anything about at one point, this book will explain why. It’ll also leave you thinking, How could something like this have happened? How could this have gone so wrong? How are they still incarcerated? And so many more questions that still need to be answered.”  — Tricia

“Joan Treppa’s book, Reclaiming Lives, gives her thoughtful insight surrounding the wrongful conviction of six innocent men. It was interesting to hear Joan discuss the facts and flaws in the Green Bay case surrounding the death of Tom Monfils. I also recommend reading, The Monfils Conspiracy: The Conviction of Six Innocent Men. How could this really happen? Why? Read the books. Hopefully, one day these men will be set free.”  — Lynn

“Your book presentation was more than interesting. Your emotion when describing you and Johnny bringing boxes of documentation you accumulated to the MN law firm and having them take on the case said it all. It was obvious how much this case, demand for the truth, and giving hope that someday that truth will exonerate these men means to you.”   — Lynn

“Something has got to give sooner than later! Someone in the judicial system has to look at this and realize there’s been a miscarriage of justice!”  — Jenn

“My current read by Joan Treppa–Inspired.”  — Pastor Robert

“I read your book and I thought to myself, you did Winkler’s job, but correctly…..You nailed it!”  — Kirt

“I will never forget working with more than a dozen Texas exonerees who were brothers. All of us, Joan Treppa, who do innocence work, believe in the need for criminal justice reform. Bravo for your work to free innocent men & for writing about it!”   — Joyce King

“Could not put it down! Well written! The author did a masterful job of showing how the pain in her own past became a catalyst for righting the injustice in the lives of others.”     — Amazon customer

This message is from a dear friend and former classmate who tragically passed away in 2018:

“Hi Joan,

I just finished your book. It’s the first book I have read in probably 17 years and my first impression is WOW!! First of all, I cannot believe the raw deal these six men got. I know our system is flawed but not as totally corruptible as what was allowed to happen in GB. What is it with mid-Wisconsin with these cases where people are railroaded by the system, i.e. The Monfils case and the Avery case? Does this happen elsewhere with such frequency? 

Secondly but most importantly is your taking on the task of seeing these men find justice and your resolve and tenacity in completing the task! Knowing somewhat of where you come from, if someone had told me someday you would be an author I would probably have dismissed it, knowing what a shy and quiet person you were. But now finding your voice through such a noble cause is very refreshing and I applaud your commitment to these men and their families and I wish you well in this endeavor. I only wish I had your ability to commit so totally to a cause. 

You have created another believer in me as I sort of remember the case. But it happened when I was working on the Lakes so I never really paid attention and all but forgot about it. My wife who lived in GB at the time barely remembered it (as have many) till I started following you and your progress and reading about the sham investigation. The travesty brought on by it is repugnant and should be to any American who discovers it!

I believe your book is just the tip of the iceberg in waking up public interest and hopefully you can get a major network to join your fight and spread the word creating a broader groundswell of interest. I believe that through persistence, you and fellow Truth Seekers will prevail. I only pray that it comes soon for these men and their families!”

Sincerely,
A Very Proud Friend
Brian Berghefer  (1958 – 2018)