Photo courtesy of Alcatraz East Crime Museum
In a poll by online research group YouGov, half of Americans say they enjoy reading true crime content. Alcatraz East Crime Museum invites anyone who wants to dive into the topic to their monthly Crime Museum Book Club, held online in a Facebook group. The book club is free and open to anyone in the world who would like to join. A new true crime title is picked each month, and members can participate in the discussion that follows reading it.
“We have over 1,000 people in the online Crime Museum Book Club, and it’s great,” says Ally Pennington, artifacts and programs manager at Alcatraz East Crime Museum. “If you want to read some great crime books and share your thoughts on them, this is the place to be.”
A new book selection is made at the beginning of each month. Group members can discuss the book pick, crime history, those impacted by the crimes, and more. There are good discussions on the topic that take place each month. The group’s insightful discussions center on America’s true crime history, survivor stories, law enforcement, investigations, and more.
Upcoming books for the first three months of 2024 include:
- January: The Delphi Murders: The Quest to Find the “Man on the Bridge” by Nic Edwards with Brian Whitney
- February: The Blood of Emmett Till by Timothy B. Tyson
- March: King Richard: Nixon and Watergate – An American Tragedy by Michael Dobbs
The YouGov poll also revealed that reading true crime gives people a better understanding of the justice system, makes people more safety-conscious, helps people better empathize with crime victims, helps people understand criminals and their motivations, and helps solve cold cases.
“We also want to remind people of our great group program opportunities,” added Lauren Mack, sales manager at Alcatraz East Crime Museum. “Whether you have a homeschool group, scout troop, school group, or other group that would like to get together, we can help you create a great experience at a discounted rate.”
Homeschool groups can visit Alcatraz East Crime Museum for only $12 plus tax per person. Those with groups of at least 10 people or more will get a discounted rate of $10 per person, plus tax, with advanced registration. Groups can request a scavenger hunt to make their experience more interactive. A homeschool ID or proof of homeschooling must be presented to get the group rates. To get more information, visit the website at: https://www.alcatrazeast.com/homeschool-days/
Any group with 15 or more people can qualify for a discounted rate with advanced registration. The museum offers an excellent opportunity for visitors of all ages and introduces young minds to fields such as law enforcement, forensic science, and more. It also encourages students to consider careers in legal fields. To get a discounted field trip, complete the online form and allow up to 72 hours for confirmation.
The museum features over 100 exhibits, with many famous items on display, including Ted Bundy’s famous Beetle and the white Bronco from the O.J. Simpson chase. They also hold a biennial art contest that puts graffiti in the spotlight. This top museum is open at 10 a.m. daily. The last tickets are sold 60 minutes before closing. These interactive experiences are available for an additional fee for birthday parties, school groups, scouts, team building, or other special events. For more information about tickets, discounts, temporary exhibits, and all the museum offers, visit the site: https://www.alcatrazeast.com.
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.
Photo courtesy of Alcatraz East Crime Museum
