The Fortune Hunter
Oct 2015 · Diversion Books
4.4star
5 reviewsreport
Ebook
426
Pages
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About this ebook
The New York Times–bestselling true crime author reveals the full story of murder and deception behind the Lifetime movie Secrets of a Gold Digger Killer.
Texas millionaire Steven Beard, Jr. fell hard for Celeste Martinez, a waitress less than half his age. She served the seventy-year-old widow his nightly cocktail—along with sexual favors—at a country club in Austin. After they married, Steven gave her cars, homes, jewelry, and designer clothes. But Celeste wanted more.
Claiming she had depression, Celeste checked into a psychiatric facility, where she met and seduced fellow patient Tracey Tarlton. Celeste soon convinced Tracey that the only way they could be together would be to kill Steve.
One early morning in October, Steve awoke to a shotgun blast to his gut. Tracey was arrested but refused to implicate Celeste . . . until she learned the truth about her lover. In a sordid trial that featured the antics of famed Texas defense attorney Dick DeGuerin, the depths of Celeste’s lies were revealed in a tale of lust, betrayal, and regret.
This new edition of The Fortune Hunter has been updated throughout.
“A brilliantly crafted and endlessly compelling true crime thriller, Spencer is among the best of the best.” —Edgar Award–winning author Burl Barer
Texas millionaire Steven Beard, Jr. fell hard for Celeste Martinez, a waitress less than half his age. She served the seventy-year-old widow his nightly cocktail—along with sexual favors—at a country club in Austin. After they married, Steven gave her cars, homes, jewelry, and designer clothes. But Celeste wanted more.
Claiming she had depression, Celeste checked into a psychiatric facility, where she met and seduced fellow patient Tracey Tarlton. Celeste soon convinced Tracey that the only way they could be together would be to kill Steve.
One early morning in October, Steve awoke to a shotgun blast to his gut. Tracey was arrested but refused to implicate Celeste . . . until she learned the truth about her lover. In a sordid trial that featured the antics of famed Texas defense attorney Dick DeGuerin, the depths of Celeste’s lies were revealed in a tale of lust, betrayal, and regret.
This new edition of The Fortune Hunter has been updated throughout.
“A brilliantly crafted and endlessly compelling true crime thriller, Spencer is among the best of the best.” —Edgar Award–winning author Burl Barer
Ratings and reviews
4.4
5 reviews
Eddie Gallo
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August 22, 2016
A good read although fairly predictable overall. Certainly up with some of the better researched true crime books I have read. Can recommend.
Mary Smith
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March 25, 2023
very interesting
CollPick And Isabee
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June 6, 2016
Excellent
About the author
New York Times bestselling author Suzy Spencer wrote the controversial true crime book Wasted, a 1999 Violet Crown Book Award finalist, as well as Breaking Point, the story of the Andrea Yates trial. Spencer is the recipient of two Chilton Editorial Awards and a three-time semi-finalist in the Pirate's Alley Faulkner Awards. She holds a Masters of Professional Writing and a Masters of Business Administration, both from the University of Southern California. She lives in Texas.
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