If you’ve read, DIXIE’S LAST STAND: Was it Murder or Self-Defense? wildbluepress.com/dixie you’re familiar with Harlan, Iowa. It’s the county seat of Shelby County, Iowa.
It’s the home of the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office. It’s the location of the jail that once held domestic violence abuser Scott Shanahan. It’s the same jail that later held his wife, Dixie, once she was charged with killing Scott and hiding his body in their home for more than a year.
Shelby County Courthouse, Harlan, Iowa
(Photo courtesy of The Harlan Newspapers)
Harlan has a beautiful downtown square that is anchored by its magnificent county courthouse, made of limestone. The courthouse is where Dixie’s famous murder trial occurred that I covered in 2004 as a journalist for the Omaha newspaper. It was also the site of Dixie’s sentencing hearing.
On August 6, I will be returning to Harlan, Iowa. I’ve agreed to do two book presentations and book-signing events at the Harlan Community Public Library. One event is set for 2 p.m. My other talk will take place in the evening. Library staff across the region have told me that DIXIE’S LAST STAND has been a popular hit since it came out on #Kindle in January. Momentum for the book recently spiked with the paperback release in mid April.
Gene Cavenaugh and Mark Hervey
I always prefer to give my presentations in towns and communities where peoples’ lives were directly connected to one of my book. The turnout is often huge as well. I fully expect to meet up with people who knew both Dixie and Scott rather intimately, possibly officials with the sheriff’s office and the courthouse staff — maybe even one or two of the jurors. Lots of people in Harlan, Iowa had integral roles in this high-profile murder case that still stirs strong public debate across Iowa to this very day.
DIXIE’S LAST STAND will be available in audiobook in early February 2015
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