Beautifully Cruel

&quote;Phelps is the Harlan Coben of real-life thrillers.&quote; -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 facade 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. &quote;Phelps dares to tread where few others will: into the mind of a killer.&quote; -TV Rage &quote;Phelps is the king of true crime.&quote; --Lynda Hirsch, Creators Syndicate columnist &quote;One of our most engaging crime journalists.&quote; -Dr. Katherine Ramsland &quote;Phelps treads dangerous ground like an Amazon jungle guide-fearless, compassionate, insightful.&quote; -Geoff Fitzpatrick, Executive Producer of Dark Minds &quote;Anything by Phelps is an eye-opening experience.&quote; -Suspense Magazine INCLUDES 16 PAGES OF DRAMATIC PHOTOS