Author Discusses a Hometown Crime

By Brenda Thomson, Community Relations Coordinator

March 7, 2007

Where were you in 1973?  Many Casper residents remember a crime committed against two young girls in autumn of that year.  Author Ron Franscell certainly remembers it, as he was the girls’ next-door-neighbor at the time. 

Franscell’s recently-released book “FALL: The Rape and Murder of Innocence in a Small Town” provides a detailed view of the crime and its effects, not only on family and friends of the victims, but on the town of Casper itself. 

Natrona County Public Library is pleased to announce that Casper residents will have the opportunity this Saturday to discuss the book and the incident with the author.

Several book talks and signings have been held since the book’s release.   At each one Franscell noticed that “nearly every person who came to the signing table had something to say, and not just ‘thank you for the book.’ They...had a story to tell.”   According to Franscell, this event will be the first opportunity for in-depth discussion of the book with the community.

Several library patrons have expressed interest in discussing the book, according the library’s circulation staff.  Public Services Librarian Kate Mutch said, “Many patrons seem to appreciate how the book shows the bigger picture of how a crime does not just affect the intended victims, but reaches out into the community, and even into the future."

Another staff member reported that after reading the book some patrons have driven out to see the bridge where the crime occurred.  Still others have said they know people who are mentioned in the book, making the story even more interesting.  “Many people were affected by it.   We’ve heard many comments about the book,” said Mutch.

In addition to affecting the people of Casper who remember the crime, “FALL” has been well-received all over the country, not only as an example of the true-crime genre, but as a moving experience for people who have never visited Casper, Wyoming.  “I received an email from a person in Tenessee who had just finished the book, and now wants to visit Casper because he feels like he has ‘lived there,’” Franscell said.

Franscell’s presentation at the library will offer an opportunity for community members to learn more about the author’s perspective, and to discuss their own experiences. “I think there will be a lot of questions, as well as a lot of people with emotional personal experiences.  I wouldn’t want to stifle any of that,” Franscell remarked.

The discussion will take place at NCPL on Saturday March 10, beginning at 7:00 pm at the library.  Franscell plans to give an overview of what has transpired since the book’s publication, followed by a question and answer session.

The event is free and open to the public, and light refreshments will be provided.  Signed copies of Franscell’s book will be available for purchase. To put a copy of the book on reserve at the library or to learn more about the event, call 237-4935 ext 2.

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