M. William Phelps Books In Order

Publication Order of True Crime Books

M. William Phelps
M. William Phelps is an American true-crime, a historical writer, and an award-winning investigative journalist. A murder, crime, and serial killer expert, Phelps is the former host of DARK MINDS.

He’s written several best-selling crime novels and appeared in hundreds of television shows. Phelps also regularly appears in Snapped and Deadly Women, and he is regarded as an expert on female murderers’ minds. The East Hartford born writer currently lives in a small community in Connecticut with his wife and kids.

Because You Loved Me
Because You Loved Me tells the story of Jeanne Dominico’s, a mother whose life was cut short by the people she lived to protect. When Jeanne’s fiancé came to see, he found her body on the floor with over forty stab wounds. Her head had been beaten with a blunt instrument, and the scene was nothing but gruesome.

So, who killed Jeanne, and why?
Jeanne was a single mother of two. To support her children, she worked three jobs while trying to ensure they made the best out of their life. However, her life wasn’t easy. Aside from the bills, her two teenagers were not easy to handle. Her son Drew was already hanging with the wrong crowd.

Nicole, Jeanne’s fourteen-year-old daughter, was in love with eighteen-year-old Billy Sullivan. The two teenagers met online, and when it was clear that they were serious about their relationship, they met at Jeanne’s home. One look at Billy and Jeanne’s instincts told her that he was trouble.

The concerned mother thought that Billy would hurt her daughter, but little did she know that it is her life that was in danger.

Billy had psychological trouble, and misfortunes in the family had aggravated the situation. The young man was controlling and obsessive, and it was clear that he had such a hold over Nicole. The couple wanted to start living together, and when Nicole’s mother opposed, the teenagers planned to eliminate her. While Nicole didn’t hold the knife used to kill her mother, she was well aware of what was happening, and she even called to confirm if her boyfriend had completed their mission.

Nicole’s stunning confession followed a sensational trial that saw the two teenage lovers sent behind bars. Her infatuation with Billy was understandable, but people were shocked that she was ready to eliminate her mother in order to live with Billy. Was this a case of daddy issue, or did Nicole also have psychological problems? The author also takes a look at Billy’s parents and his upbringing. All Billy knew was dysfunction as his father was a physically abusive drunk, and the teenager had attempted suicide a few times. He had also been taken to several psychiatric hospitals.

Because You Loved Me is an astonishing story of love, betrayal, and mental health. It is even shocking that this is something that happened. Aside from giving all the details surrounding Jeanne’s murder and the subsequent trial, the author also includes shocking photos of the sad events. The author tells this story in such a way that the reader gets emotionally invested. When you may have never known Jeanne, you get to see her as a person who was trying to do the best for her children only to die such a senseless death. If you a true crime fan, you will love this book.

Murder in the Heartland
Murder in the Heartland tells the story of Bobbie Jo Stinnett and Lisa Montgomery. In December 2004, Bobbie was murdered, and the baby she was carrying in her womb taken away from her. Many miles away, Lisa turns up with a newborn claiming that the child was hers. Those who know have their doubts since no one saw Lisa pregnant, and everything makes sense when the police start to unravel the mystery behind Bobbie’s death. So how is it that Lisa has a baby, and Bobbie’s unborn child is missing from the crime scene?

Lucy was divorced from her husband, Carl Boman, and he was granted custody of the children. Theirs had not been an easy marriage, but from the details that emerge, it is clear that Lucy had already put her family through a lot. All of her actions show that she cared little about how others felt, and it is heartbreaking that she chose to take another woman’s life to have her baby. Lucy’s ex-husband talked about the sacrifices he had made for the family only to catch his wife lying, engaging in various unbecoming acts. When you think about it, who would leave a woman dying and go to parade a stolen baby as hers?
The author also shows how Bobbie’s family and community grieve after her death. This story was harrowing and, at the same time, sad. It is unbelievable that someone would go to the extent of killing another woman just to have her baby. Aside from the innocent life lost, both Bonnie and Lisa’s families were greatly affected by this case. The author learned a lot about Lisa from her ex-husband and her mother. Lucy had shown lying and manipulation patterns, and all this could be associated with her dysfunctional upbringing. Is there something that could have been done to save Lucy’s situation before things got this far? Was it okay that Lucy’s mother and ex-husband let her roam the streets when they knew how damaged she was?

Murder in Heartland is a straightforward account of the senseless killing of Bobbie in the hands of a woman who wanted her baby. While this case captured the headlines, it still sounds unbelievable to most who read this book. It is disturbing that such disturbed souls live amongst us, and they can act on their psychotic impulses whenever they want. This book was published before the case was concluded and didn’t include the confession that Lucy made much later. The story is captivating, nonetheless, and it the good thing is that it gives a good background on all the people involved. If you are curious to see murder stories unfold in real life, this book is ideal.