Death Trap

M. William Phelps

Mar 2013 · Pinnacle Books

About this eBook

The true-crime story of a bitter divorcée and the murder of her ex and his new wife, by the New York Times bestselling author of Cruel Death.

It started when Alan Bates and his new wife arrived at his ex's house to pick up his two daughters for a weekend visit. Then two charred bodies were found in a burned-out car on a lonely Georgia road . . . and investigators pieced together a shattering story of a vicious divorce, a spurned woman's bitter rage, and a thirst for revenge that led to cruel, unflinching murder. Updating this gripping true-life thriller with shocking new details, M. William Phelps uncovers the cold heart of an unthinkable crime.

Praise for Death Trap

“A chilling tale of a sociopathic wife and mother willing to sacrifice all those around her to satisfy her boundless narcissism . . . A compelling journey . . . . Fair warning: for three days I did little else but read this book.” —Harry N. MacLean, New York Times bestselling author of In Broad Daylight

Perfect for readers of Anne Rule and Kathryn Casey

Includes sixteen pages of dramatic photos

Ratings and reviews

This book's borders on ridiculous. The story is scattered and doesnt flow or mesh. The author is overly dramatic and what is with the ridiculous useless observations in brackets (). And the questions that clearly come from the author, in a sarcastic (never answered) dialogue. This book has not done the families justice. Who places the case/victim photos AFTER their OWN acknowledgements at the end of a book.

True crime by m William Phelps. I may be interested in buying this book but that option isn't on my tablet. How can I find out how much it costs

Another top true crime book by arguably one of the best true crime authors today. Phelps painstaking and exacting research into the crime is evident as he tells the story of a truly horrific double murder. This story is almost unbelievable yet at the same time one wonders if early warning signs that might have shown what was to come were simply missed. Highly recommend this book and any of this authors other true crime stories.

About the author

New York Times bestselling, award-winning investigative journalist, executive producer and serial killer expert M. William Phelps is the author of more than forty nonfiction books and has made over 300 television appearances. He created, produced and hosted the series Dark Minds and is one of the stars of Deadly Women and Oxygen’s Snapped, Killer Couples, andREELZ’s Sex, Lies, and Murder. Radio America calls him “the nation’s leading authority on the mind of the female murderer.” His iHeartRadio investigative podcast, Paper Ghosts: The Five, which he wrote, directed, and executive produced, debuted in 2020 and soared to #1 in popularity. Touched by tragedy himself through the unsolved murder of his sister-in-law, Phelps is able to enter the hearts and minds of his subjects like no one else. He lives in Connecticut and can be reached at his website, www.mwilliamphelps.com.