New from Kansas City Star Books

Ali Was Here – the story of the Ali Kemp murder, the hunt for her killer, and how the Kemp family has dealt with the grief.

"[Roger Kemp, Ali’s father] hasn’t allowed himself to be re-victimized. He hasn’t taken his pain out on himself or his family. Instead, he’s turned his hurt and anger into something positive and helpful to others."

- John Walsh, “America’s Most Wanted”

Ali Kemp, a 19-year-old college student, was home in Leawood, Kansas, an affluent suburb of Kansas City, for the summer.

She worked at a private neighborhood pool, and on the afternoon of June 18, 2002, was beaten to death by a stranger in the pool’s pump room.

There were no witnesses. It took nearly three years to track down her killer, Benjamin Appleby.

Ali Was Here: A Promising Life. A Brutal Murder. Justice, and a Legacy of Hope by James Kirkpatrick Davis, is the detailed story of:

• Ali’s brutal murder;
• The hunt for Appleby - unprecedented in scope in Kansas City history – and his conviction;
• And the surprising and extraordinary good things that came out of the case.

Royalties from this book will be donated to the Ali Kemp Education Foundation (T.A.K.E.).