Beautifully Cruel

“Phelps is the Harlan Coben of real-life thrillers.” —Allison Brennan   Iowa housewife Tracey Pittman Roberts seemed to have it all: natural beauty, three loving children, and a fairy tale second marriage to a wealthy businessman. But beneath the happy façade was a woman who used lies, manipulation, sex, ugly allegations, blackmail—and even murder—to serve her own selfish ends.   On December 13, 2001, police rushed to Tracey’s home after a shooting left her vulnerable young neighbor dead. Tracey claimed it was an act of self-defense. Nine gunshot wounds—and a decades-long trail of extortion, fabrication, fraud, and intimidation—said otherwise. Ten years after the crime, Tracey’s case finally went to trial in an explosive courtroom showdown. In a searing exploration of the criminal mind, bestselling investigative journalist M. William Phelps traces the saga of a psychopath who hid in plain sight—until her wicked ways caught up with her.    “Phelps dares to tread where few others will: into the mind of a killer.” —TV Rage    “Phelps is the king of true crime.”  --Lynda Hirsch, Creators Syndicate columnist    “One of our most engaging crime journalists.” —Dr. Katherine Ramsland   “Phelps treads dangerous ground like an Amazon jungle guide—fearless, compassionate, insightful.”  —Geoff Fitzpatrick, Executive Producer of Dark Minds   “Anything by Phelps is an eye-opening experience.” —Suspense Magazine    INCLUDES 16 PAGES OF DRAMATIC PHOTOS