“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