Alcatraz East Crime Museum, located in Pigeon Forge, is offering a free crime-focused book club and also starting the year with a new John Wayne Gacy artifact
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (December 27, 2022) – Alcatraz East Crime Museum invites crime enthusiasts to join their free monthly book club. Each month, a crime-themed book is selected and discussed among the group. Membership is open to the public, and there is no participation fee.
The book club is offered on Facebook, where people can request to join the group. The book club focuses on American true crime history, the history of law enforcement, and survivor stories. The goal is to engage readers in an insightful discussion while encouraging people to learn more about these issues. The new book selection is posted at the beginning of each month.
The first three book picks of 2023 include:
- January: The Killer Across the Table: Unlocking the Secrets of Serial Killers and Predators with the FBI’s Original Mindhunter by John E. Douglas and Mark Olshaker
- February: Bind, Torture, Kill: The Inside Story of BTK, The Serial Killer Next Door by Roy Wenzl, Tim Potter, L. Kelly, and Hurst Laviana
- March: The Gardner Heist: The True Story of the World’s Largest Unsolved Art Theft by Ulrich Boser
“We always have new and interesting things to explore and learn about,” says Ally Pennington, artifacts and programs manager at Alcatraz East Crime Museum, “With our book club, you can keep the discussion and learning going all year long, right from home.”
Many people enjoy reading books and feel it improves their quality of life. They may be surprised to learn that it may also extend their life. According to research published in the journal Social Science & Medicine, those who read regularly tend to live an average of two years longer.
The museum is also announcing the addition of convicted serial killer John Wayne Gacy’s trial suit to the Consequences of Crime gallery. The suit will be on display alongside other artifacts from his trial. Gacy was convicted of killing 33 young men and boys. He was known as “The Killer Clown” because he had clown alter-egos named “Patches” and “Pogo.” Timothy McCoy, age 16, was Gacy’s first known victim in 1972.
“We have some exciting things going on right now at the museum, and we’d love for people to stop by,” adds Pennington, “There are several ways for people to expand their true crime knowledge, including becoming a book club member.”
With over 100 temporary and permanent exhibits that are crime-related, Alcatraz East Crime Museum focuses on the history of crime, crime scene investigation, consequences of crime, crime-fighting, counterfeit crimes, pop culture, and more. There are numerous popular items on display for people to see, including the famous white Bronco from the O.J. Simpson chase and Ted Bundy’s famous Beetle.
Alcatraz East Crime Museum has updated its board of crime experts, which includes Derwin Bradley, a retired master police officer, James R. Knight, a crime writer, Robin Maynard, a certified crime scene investigator in Florida, Derek Newport, a law enforcement veteran who was with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for 20 years, and Judge Belvin Perry, Jr., who presided in the notorious case against Casey Anthony, among others.
This top museum is open at 10 am daily. The last tickets are sold 60 minutes before closing. These interactive experiences are available for birthday parties, school groups, scouts, team building, or other special events for an additional fee. For more information about tickets, discounts, and all the museum offers, visit the site: https://www.alcatrazeast.com.
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About Alcatraz East
Alcatraz East is the most arresting crime museum in the United States. Guests of all ages can encounter a unique journey into the history of American crime, crime-solving, and our justice system. Through interactive exhibits and original artifacts, Alcatraz East is an entertaining and educational experience for all ages – so much fun it’s a crime! This family attraction is located at The Island’s entrance, 2757 Parkway, Pigeon Forge, TN. The last ticket is sold 60 minutes before closing. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit: www.alcatrazeast.com.
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