Book Review: The Ugly Underneath by Carlos Rodriguez

 

Listen to Special Episode 180, my exclusive interview with Carlos Rodriguez 

Reading The Ugly Underneath opened my eyes to a side of criminal investigation rarely explored in true crime: the lasting trauma carried by the investigators and prosecutors who pursue those who prey on children. Rodriguez does not simply recount cases; he reveals the emotional aftermath that follows the people tasked with confronting humanity’s darkest corners.

Law enforcement's mental wellness is rarely discussed, yet Carlos Rodriguez bravely breaks the silence, addressing it with courage, candor, and compassion. Drawing from 25 years with the Washington State Patrol, Rodriguez blends professional experience with deeply personal motivation: he entered the field after a drunk driving accident killed a family member, driven by the desire to save lives. What he never expected was that many of the lives he would fight to protect would belong to toddlers, children, and teenagers pulled into the horrific shadows of child exploitation.

The Ugly Underneath is difficult, emotional, and profoundly authentic, written in a way that makes an unfamiliar and uncomfortable subject immediately relatable. Rodriguez asks readers to look beyond the headlines and consider the exhausting, mentally damaging toll this work takes on law enforcement members who must witness the horrors of trafficking and sexual abuse, then return home expected to function as spouses, parents, and neighbors. Too often, that pain is locked away, surfacing as withdrawal, drinking, isolation, or the slow deterioration of family life.

As the host of the Murder Shelf Book Club podcast, I have read an enormous collection of true crime books, yet none has covered this topic with the same raw honesty, urgency, and compassion. Carlos Rodriguez is starting vital conversations across the country—and, truly, around the world—about the unseen wounds carried by those who investigate crimes against children. I highly recommend The Ugly Underneath for its incredible insight, its humanity, and its willingness to confront a painful subject we all need to understand, especially parents, adults, caregivers, and teachers.

 

Book Review: Killer in the House by Kathryn Canavan

 

Listen to Jill's series on Killer in the House
Ep 173, 175, 177 and 179!

Killer in the House: Ten Days of Terror in Pennsylvania by Kathryn Canavan is a book I consumed in hours, not days. From the first page, I was captivated by this immersive, haunting, meticulously reported true-crime account, swept into the life of a young reporter covering one of the worst killing sprees in Pennsylvania history. Canavan’s writing is vivid and immediate, balancing journalistic precision with the emotional pull of a story that forever altered a quiet suburban community.

Killer in the House: Ten Days of Terror in Pennsylvania is a gripping, atmospheric, and deeply engrossing account of the horrific 1976 murder of the Abt family in suburban Philadelphia. What sets this book apart is Canavan’s rare vantage point: she was not writing from a comfortable distance, but as a young reporter covering the case as it unfolded. That firsthand perspective gives the book urgency, texture, and authenticity. She transports readers to the street where the crimes occurred, making the Abt family, their neighbors, the investigators, and the frightened community feel painfully real. I especially appreciated the cultural details that, while not always directly tied to the crime, create a fascinating portrait of the 1970s world and help explain why fear spread so quickly through a neighborhood that had once felt safe.

Though the story of what happened that day is unimaginably grim, Canavan balances the darkness with a deeply humanizing voice, honoring the victims while showing how the investigation unfolded under the era's limitations. Her pacing is taut and suspenseful, especially when she recounts her own high-stakes experiences as a reporter on the scene. The book also offers a thoughtful look at old-fashioned police work: without DNA analysis, cell phones, surveillance video, or today’s instant communication, investigators relied on interviews, intuition, persistence, and painstaking legwork. That context makes the resolution even more impressive. As an avid true crime reader, I highly recommend this chilling, compassionate, and expertly constructed account of one of the region’s most notorious crimes.

Book Review: A Monster in Mount Pleasant by CJ Williams

 

It is 1978 in the quaint, idyllic town of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, a lovely place to raise a family and a low-risk community where there hadn’t been a murder since 1944. Then, within six months, three brutal murders shattered that sense of safety, leaving the town reeling. When a local teenager was arrested, it was as shocking as the crimes themselves. Author CJ Williams explores the twisting road to justice with a compelling, clear-eyed true crime narrative and a unique perspective: he was a teenager living in Mount Pleasant during these crimes, and he knew those who lost their lives, their families, and the perpetrator. The author paints a robust, compassionate portrait of the victims and their roles in their families, honoring their memories in a way that is both respectful and deeply moving.


As a federal judge and former prosecutor, Williams brings meticulous research, seasoned insight, and an impressive command of jurisprudence to the story. This is not a whodunnit; instead, Williams aptly explains the intricacies of the judicial process, making the legal twists as gripping as the crimes themselves. His respect for civil protections is clear, as are the legal missteps that entangled the case for decades. While the wheels of justice roll slowly, we understand each painstaking detail, which brings true satisfaction when we turn the last page.


As the host of the Murder Shelf Book Club Podcast, I read many true crime books, and I found A Monster in Mount Pleasant exceptional. Williams recounts these little-known cases with respect, dignity, and remarkable narrative control, creating a true crime story that is thorough, absorbing, and genuinely appreciated by readers who value both humanity and legal precision. I highly recommend it for any true crime enthusiast, thoughtful reader, or book club group looking for a powerful, well-researched discussion.




In Episodes 181, 183, and 185, I featured this book, and I interviewed CJ Williams in Ep 187. Check them out!




https://linktr.ee/murdershelfbookclub

Ep 181: Iowan Scotcheroos Recipe! A Monster in Mt. Pleasant Part 1

 

IOWAN SCOTCHEROOS RECIPE!

Thank you, Darvin Graham, for your recipe! 

Darvin Graham's Scotcheroos from the Des Moines Register 

Ingredients

Base: 

6 cups Rice Krispies cereal
1 cup white granulated pure cane sugar
1⅓ cups light corn syrup
1⅓ cups creamy peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping: 

1¾ cups Ghirardelli milk chocolate chips
1¾ cups butterscotch chips (store brand)
1 cup Ghirardelli Bittersweet 60% Cacao baking chips
1 cup butterscotch chips (from the same store brand as above)
1 tablespoon coconut oil (divided — ½ tbsp for each bowl of chips)
Instructions

Setting time: Overnight preferred, or at least 2 hours refrigerated

Step 1: Toast the Rice Krispies

Preheat oven to 400°F. Spread Rice Krispies evenly across a baking sheet and toast for 11 minutes, or until medium golden brown. Watch carefully to avoid burning. Set aside in a large mixing bowl.

Step 2: Prepare the syrup base

Measure all base ingredients before turning on the stove. In a large saucepan, combine sugar and corn syrup over low to medium heat. Stir constantly for 5-10 minutes until the mixture is smooth and glossy. Do NOT let it boil. At the first sign of bubbling, remove from heat and stir in peanut butter and vanilla. Return briefly to low heat if needed.

Once fully smooth and combined, pour over toasted Rice Krispies and fold until fully coated. It may look dry at first — trust the process.

Step 3: Set the base

Press the mixture gently into a greased 9x13-inch pan. Avoid packing too tightly. Use the back of a spatula to create shallow divots across the top to allow room for the topping to settle in.

Step 4: Melt the toppings

In two separate microwave-safe bowls: 

Bowl 1 (light topping): 1¾ cups milk chocolate chips + 1¾ cups butterscotch chips + ½ tbsp coconut oil

Bowl 2 (dark topping): 1 cup bittersweet chocolate chips + 1 cup butterscotch chips + ½ tbsp coconut oil

Microwave each in 15-second bursts, stirring between each burst until smooth. Avoid overheating.

Step 5: Assemble and marble the topping

Spread the light topping evenly over the base. Tap the pan firmly on the counter to release air and help topping settle into the divots. Drop spoonfuls of the dark topping across the surface. Use the back of a spoon to gently swirl into a marbled effect. Do not over-mix.

For a final touch, drag a butter knife in diagonal lines, opposite your swirl direction, every 2 inches.

Step 6: Let the bars set

Let bars sit at room temperature overnight or refrigerate for 2-3 hours.

Once firm, cut into squares and serve.



Recipe for award-winning Scotcheroos 

Yield: 1 (9x13-inch) pan, approx. 18 bars
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: About 20 minutes, plus cooling time

Equipment 

9x13-inch baking pan
Large saucepan
Large heatproof mixing bowl
Spatula
Baking sheet
2 microwave-safe bowls
Measuring cups & spoons, including 2 large metal spoons
Butter knife

CHATEAU ST. MICHLLE GERWURZTRAMINER, Columbia Valley, Washington State

Chateau St Michelle Wine 2024 from WineMadeEasy.com  for $12.99! 

Ep 181, 183, 185, & 187: A Monster in Mount Pleasant: A Story of Murders and Justice by CJ Williams

 

A MONSTER IN MOUNT PLEASANT BY

 CJ WILLIAMS

Episodes 181, 183, 185 and 187!

 ~Listen to Jill's trilogy! ~

Buy A Monster in Mount Pleasant on AMAZON 

and Genius Books 

Map Iowa and Indiana

Map 2: Location of Mount Pleasant, Iowa

MUSIC OF THE TIMES!

The Beatles Greatest Hits 2025 (1962-1970)

Mama's and the Papa's (1965-1968)

 Hot Child in the City by Nick Gilders (1978 hit song!)

Soundtrack from Grease (1978)! 

Aerosmith's Toys in the Attic 
(Monte Seager's the music cassette found in the Iris Motel room #26)

Monte Seager Yearbook Photo 1978 

The Beavers Home 

Clementine and Max Beavers

Karol Beavers 1975

De Moines Register, Nov. 3, 1978

Crime Scene: Beavers Kitchen - October 30, 1978

Des Moines Tribune, Oct. 31, 1978

Sue Wheelock and prom date, 1965

Sue Wheelock 

April 16, 1979

Monte Seager Mug Shot

Monte Seager Mug Shot 

Monte's first prison: Iowa State Penitentiary 

The new Iowa State Penitentiary 

Find-a-Grave- Clemetine A Beavers and Karol E. Beavers

Find-A-Grave Susan Jane Wheelock, 1979

The Gazette Nov 7, 1978

The Gazette April 12, 1983

Weather in Mt Pleasant, Iowa October 28-31, 1978

SOURCES

Ben Kiefer and Samantha McIntosh, Judge pens book about the murderer in his hometown, 'A Monster in Mount Pleasant', Iowa Public Radio, Oct 28, 2025.

CJ Williams, A Monster in Mount Pleasant: A Story of Murders and Justice, Feb 18, 2025.

Courtney Crowder, The supremacy of the scotcheroo: Explaining Iowa's love affir with the sweet treat, Des Moines Register, March 2, 2017.

Courtney Crowder, This recipe makes the best Scotcheroos in Iowa, as awarded by State Fair Judges, Des Moines Register, Sept 24, 2025.

Elle Wignall, Iowans are fierce about our favorite foods. Here are 8 famously Iowan dishes to try, The Des Moines Register.com, Dec. 23, 2021.

Henry County, Iowa, Weather Data, October 20, 1978, Detroit Free Press, July 11, 2026.

Kenny Hall, Watering Wee: How to Water Cannabis and When to Do It Right, Sensiweed.com, March 25, 2026.

Max Beaver Obituary, Olson-Yoder Funeral Home and Crematory, 2016.

Nick Gilder, HOT CHILD IN THE CITY, YouTube.com, June 2026. 

Seager Guilty, Southeast Iowa Union, Sept. 20, 2018.

October 28-31, 1978, Digital Archive of Southeast Iowa, Community/History Archive.com, July 7, 2026. 

State vs Seager, Justia US Law.com, Nov. 23, 1983.

State vs Seager, Case law, FindLaw.com, 1997.

WINE, DINE & DEATH- A Little Theatre Fundraiser in Walla Walla Washington ~ Oct 10, 2026!

 

OCTOBER 10, 2026 - FUNDRAISER FOR THE LITTLE THEATER OF WALLA WALLA

Jill's Donation: A merch bag: MSBC tote, coasters, bookmarks, 6 books, wine cups and bookshelf lantern decor!  

~You like? BID! The auction is virtual too!~

I am delighted to be participating in the 2026 Wine, Dine, and Death Fundraiser in Walla Walla, Washington, the evening of October 10th. Wine, Dine & Death is The Little Theatre of Walla Walla's signature annual fundraising event featuring a silent auction, a seated dinner, local wine, and an interactive murder-mystery performance starring our talented actors. This entertaining evening supports our year-round programming and community outreach efforts.
My merch specialist, Jan, has created a merch bag that will be auctioned off during the live and virtual silent auction. Imagine all the true crime goodies that we've included! YES, signed books are included! 

FEEL FREE TO PARTICIPATE FROM AFAR! 

I AM! IT IS ALSO VIRTUAL!

"Round Three awaits, and the plot has thickened nicely.

On Saturday, October 10, 2026, The Little Theatre of Walla Walla once again transforms Whitman’s Reid Center into a stage where secrets breathe and suspects sip cabernet with suspicious enthusiasm.

This year, the mystery turns a literary page. Think towering tales, notorious authors, and threads of Walla Walla history stitched into the storyline like a well-placed clue. The setting remains as charming as ever. The crime is entirely new.

Your evening includes:

• Exceptional local wines that swirl with character
• A gourmet multi-course dinner worthy of a dramatic monologue
• Two rounds of silent auction intrigue
• A paddle raise where generosity takes center stage

It is elegance with an alibi. Suspense with a sommelier. A night where every bid fuels the spotlight and every glass poured supports the stories still waiting to be told.

Mark your calendar. Polish your detective skills. And prepare for an evening where the only thing richer than the wine is the plot."

ALL PROCEEDS GO TO SUPPORT THE LITTLE THEATER OF WALLA WALLA!

The Little Theatre of Walla Walla has brought live theatre to our valley for over 80 years, enriching generations of audiences and volunteers. Each year, we produce four main stage shows, offer summer children’s programming, and host workshops that foster creativity and community for all ages and experience levels.

In addition to our own productions, The Little Theatre proudly supports the larger arts ecosystem throughout the Walla Walla Valley. We regularly share equipment, props, costumes, and volunteer support with fellow schools and organizations—including Whitman College, Walla Walla University, Walla Walla Catholic Schools, Wa-Hi, Sweet Adelines, Choral Society, College Place High School, Walla Walla Adventist School, and the Walla Walla Summer Theater. This spirit of collaboration ensures that creativity can flourish across our region and reinforces our commitment to being a true community resource.

Thanks to the generous support of partners like you, our theatre continues to thrive as a cultural cornerstone in Walla Walla.

https://www.ltww.org/wine-dine-death-fundraiser

Tickets & Pricing

How much do tickets cost?

Individual tickets: $125.00 each


Full tables (8 guests): $1,000.00 each

Where can I purchase tickets? Tickets can be purchased at www.ltww.org .

What's included with my ticket? Your ticket includes dinner, wine service, participation in the silent auction, and the interactive murder mystery performance.

Special Ep 180: The Ugly Underneath By Carlos Rodriquez

 

Listen to Special Episode 180: The Ugly Underneath 

Buy The Ugly Underneath: Navigating the Emotional Toll of Investigating Crimes Against Children  on AMAZON, and Barnes and Noble!

SOURCE

Alex Hern, Crime involving child abuse imagery are up by a quarter in UK, says NSPCC, The Guardian, March 1, 2024. 

Carlos Rodriguez, The Ugly Underneath: Navigating the Emotional Toll of Investigating Crimes Against Children, March 2026.

Gabby Killet, Kenner police chief warns parents about apps allegedly used by child predators, FOX8.com, August 20, 2926. 

Georgia sheriff warns child predators they will be 'social media famous', WSBT.com, August 23, 2026. 

Kimberly Querry-Thompson, Officials: 38 people charge in child predator operations in Oklahoma, OKFox5.com, August 24, 2026. 

Sonia Ahmed, Child predators arrest after Liberty sting operation, River Reporter, August 25, 2026.

Tamara Scott, Child exploitation operation ends with 14 arrested, 68 charges filed in multi-agency takedown in North Carolina, ABCNews.com, August 20, 2026.

The Ugly Underneath.com by Carlos Rodriguez.