Oh, What a June!
- Avree Clark
- Jun 29
- 7 min read
June 2026 Update
It has been quite a month! Filled with ups and downs, highs and lows.
I started the first two weeks of the month a little roughly—contracting the dreaded coronavirus on June 1. Bluck! But while I was laid up feeling terrible, I began following along on Justin (of Recycled Percussion) and Kris's "Keep Pushing" 160-mile journey from Vermont to Maine on day 4 of their 7-day trek—proceeding to follow along the remainder of days. They helped keep things in perspective for me, and I look forward to receiving the sweatshirt to commemorate the occasion. I took a screenshot during the live of the official new design unveiling:
On June 15 my ARC (advanced review copies) went live on BookSirens. It's my first time using a professional ARC site to handle distribution of my book, All Manner of Evil: The Unmasking of H. H. Holmes, to early readers . . . and though I'm not getting many requests in these first two weeks, I did just have one BookSiren user leave me a GLOWING 5-STAR REVIEW on Goodreads!!
I am beyond thrilled because this reader, Gregory, truly understood and captured what it is I am trying to achieve in telling the story of H. H. Holmes as I have. I want to share the final paragraph from the thoughtful, lengthy review:
"The story deserves a five star rating. This is true because the story is grounded, intellectually provoking, and a gripping historical thriller. If you are irritated with sensational Hollywood tropes, this is the book for you. The author offers a fresh experience for true crime, history, and mystery enthusiasts. The story does not glorify the serial killer a so called genius but focuses on the reality of the brutalness of his crime. The story becomes an intense 19th century police procedural indefatigably tracks a cross continent manhunt. The author ensures the names and memories of his victims are memorialized for posterity. Enjoy!"
To read the entire review, click the side arrow to expand.
The author's, Avree Kelly Clark, purpose in writing this story, "All Manner of Evil." was to demystify the myth of the super villian. She wanted to reveal to her readers the true human cost of the consequences of America's first serial killer. The author contended the news coverage of a serial killer was sensationalized to the point of forgetting who the victim's were and the psychological effects on their loved ones. Even though the killer had a voice, the victims lost theirs throughout the coverage. Besides bringing to light the victims' voices, she wanted to honor the relentless and exhausting casework of Det. Geyer. Unfortunately, in the end, his own health was sacrificed to bring the killer to justice.
Her central argument was the reality of H.H. Holmes, the serial killer, was more engaging than the myth. The myth was how there was a massive nameless body count which reduced the historical event to a grotesque horror but untrue in every way. The truth was there were nine victims which centered on the Pitezel family. She brought genuine emotional investment to the story. She transformed the case from the sensational writing of yellow journalism into a deeply moving, suspenseful story about survival,betrayal, and ultimate justice. The true story was more intriguing and horrifying than what was reported in the news. The history of the case presented a masterful picture of human psychology, historical gist, and investigative suspense.
The plot of the story was a cross country psychological nightmare. The focus of the story was the final year of Holmes' killing spree. The story tracked his flight across North America and his attempt to elude capture. The first act was the fraud and his flight which occurred in 1884. The second act was a continent spanning manhunt for Holmes in 1895. The third act was the discovery of the bodies and his being brought to justice. The moral of the story was true evil does not that true evil does not always wear a montrous mask. Evil wore a mask that was charming and a full smile. It was defeated by a required relentlessness to bring forth justice and truth.
The story deserves a five star rating. This is true because the story is grounded, intellectually provoking, and a gripping historical thriller. If you are irritated with sensational Hollywood tropes, this is the book for you. The author offers a fresh experience for true crime, history, and mystery enthusiasts. The story does not glorify the serial killer a so called genius but focuses on the reality of the brutalness of his crime. The story becomes an intense 19th century police procedural indefatigably tracks a cross continent manhunt. The author ensures the names and memories of his victims are memorialized for posterity. Enjoy!
On June 16, I learned of a car accident that killed a former classmate of mine, from the graduating class of 2005 at Pembroke Academy, that had occurred on the evening of the 15th. I did not receive confirmation that it was our Matthew Allen until the evening of the 17th—which happened to be after such time that I had spent the afternoon with my event planner, Jillian of The Vendor Edit, visiting the Gilmanton Year-Round Library to strategize launch day's events happening on Saturday, August 1, and also visiting the former Mudgett homestead where Holmes grew up. It was such stunning weather this day!
Texas Visitors!
All month long I had been waiting for June 19 for when my brother Brad's family would arrive from Texas (after many days traveling from Texas to NH to stop and visit various famous sites and friends and family along the way)! I had not seen my big brother since 2018 and hadn't seen my sister-in-law, Mandy, since 2012. I had NEVER before hugged my nearly 13 y/o niece, though we've been FaceTiming all her life.
During their five-day stay with us, one of our most favorite adventures was in taking advantage of a rainy day to hit some New Hampshire book shops, starting our day in Bradford, NH, to visit the Lakeside Bookshop—where we absolutely made out! We may or may not have needed the owner to provide us boxes to carry our haul out to the truck. ;)
I was on a mission to find as many books as I could about John and Abigail Adams—a passion subject of mine—that I haven't already read. Mainly looking for correspondence, which I found in spades! On the way back downstairs, I selected three books on the Salem witch trials—another passion subject. I'm definitely a New England girl, for I can't resist books on stone walls, Independence, and Salem.
The owner of the Lakeside Bookshop was so kind and helpful! Another passion subject of mine is Titanic, and the owner found two copies of The Commutator at a great price. He was also very kind to sell me a very expensive book at half price because of all the business we brought him that day. I'll never forget Mark's kindness. I already look forward to returning to browse their vast two stories of over 80,000 volumes. Visit the website HERE.
We next went over to the Old Number 6 Book Depot in Henniker, NH, and we scored some finds there as well!
I had fun climbing the ladder to access the three books I ended up taking home. One of which is the oldest find of the day—Familial Letters of John Adams and His Wife—published in 1875 by Charles Francis Adams (son of John Quincy Adams).
With all of us happy with our finds, it was all smiles as we headed out to the final shop—BAM Books in Concord.
Unloading all our books on my kitchen table, we had 63 books between us!! My brother was very successful in finding Clancy at all three places, Mandy getting herself lots of King and Rice, and I got Adams, Salem, and Titanic books. I also got my Eric a copy of Masters of the Air since we loved the Apple program!
On June 26 the giveaway items I ordered for my book launch party—happening on August 1 at the Gilmanton Year-Round Library—arrived, which consists of my three favorite reading accessories: my coveted lap pillow that holds a book, ereader, and iphone; my ebook page turner, and a neck reading light with numerous light settings. I'm also giving away three copies of my first book—all for a total value of $136! There's still a few more days to RSVP by July 1 HERE. Even if you don't manage to RSVP in time, I will have some extra copies available and you can still attend to join in the fun and festivities!
This morning, June 29, I started reading Dearest Friend: A Life of Abigail Adams by Lynn Withey (published in 1981) and I'm loving it so far! I just love a hazy morning sun streaming onto the page while I read, since this is the time of year I ALWAYS make time for books surrounding our nation's founding.
What will I be up to in July?
Seeing as my book will be "unofficially" launching on August 1 in Gilmanton, New Hampshire, I have just finished the final read through of All Manner of Evil to order author copies July 2. Then the book goes live to the public on August 4—two days before I turn FORTY on August 6!! My goal being to be a twice-published author before I turn 40!! ;)
July will be a CRAZY month for me! In addition to focusing on book promotion, I will be getting busy designing my new author presentation to unveil on August 1, as well as prioritizing my freelance copy editing work. I need to continue reaching out to local libraries to plan my autumn book tour, and I will be at the Mall of NH on Saturday, July 25 for a huge Christmas in July Local Author Festival from 12-4pm. Sometime soon, I will also will be listening to the audiobook recording of Malice Aforethought that's in production RIGHT NOW!
I do hope to be able to share a blogpost each week or two this coming month. So until next time . . .
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