Customer Reviews

Buried Memories

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was a Juror when Betty Beets was tried for the murder of Jimmy Don Beets.

This book is the first accurate account I've read -- as I understand the story from the evidence presented at trial. The author obviously did extensive research (unlike the more sensational media reports). The book is a fast read and manages to tell about the murder without being unnecessarily gruesome or sensational.

I had a friend save newspapers during the trial. When it was over and I had an opportunity to read the accounts, I was very unhappy with the way the trial was reported -- nothing inaccurate, just important legal points left out of the account.

I was extremely upset by the media accounts of the trial in the weeks before the execution. Again, important legal points left out of the account.

This book includes those important details that lead the reader through the trial as it was presented to the jury. The participants were well described and the evidence accurately portrayed (to the best of my memory). It would be entertaining if it wasn't a true story.

This is a book that once opened, stays that way until the end.

The story of Betty Lou Beets, the Texas Black Widow was a thrilling and interesting book. No detail was left untold, and the author seemed to describle the Black Widow for who she truly was, a cold-hearted killer. The chilling story of how she conspired to kill her husbands Jimmy Don Beets and Wayne Barker, each buried in a sleeping bag captures the readers attention from the very beginning. It is truly a book that you cannot put down. I reccommend this book for every fan of trhe true crime genre.

A dead husband in the Wishing Well, another under the Shed out yonder. What attracted these guys to the poisonous web of Betty Lou Dunevant Branson Lane Threlkeld Barker Beets? (Kinda reminds one of Ray Wiley Hubbard & Jerry Jeff Walker's Betty Lou Thelma Liz, eh?) She either attempted to or did kill 4/5 of her husbands, until G.W. and the State of Texas put a final end to her. Here's a piquant possible explanation of the Texas Black Widow's allure - offered up by a law enforcement pursuer: "A dog in the hunt don't know he's got fleas."

I read a lot of True Crime and I am happy to have encountered this author. She spins a good and balanced True Tale and her words don't get in the way. It's an addictive account (like the tabloids at the checkout, only accurately researched and reported) of one Malevolent Mama.

The lingering horror of the Betty Beets case isn't what's suggested on the cover of this solid true crime book ("the Texas Black Widow") or what at first seems the main theme in the narrative (her warped relationships with men) ... it's what Betty Beets did to her own children, how she treated them, how she recruited them into her crimes, then turned around and coldly blamed them when she was caught. This book is better than average. It grew on me as I read it. It would've grown on me even more if Pence had explored the issues between Betty Beets & her children even further, but it was good even as it was & that no doubt would be very difficult to get at.

This is an arresting account of the Texas black widow, Betty Lou Beets, who became the second woman to be executed in that state since the Civil War. Then Texas Governor George W. Bush declined to intervene after the Texas Pardons and Parole Board denied her a stay of execution. So, after being tried, convicted of capital murder, and sentenced to death by lethal injection in 1985, this black widow, after a nearly fifteen year reprieve, finally got her just desserts in February 2000, when her sentence was finally executed.

The book chronicles the remorseless Ms. Beets' sorry and wasted life as a wife and mother. She wasn't much of either, even though she had five children and a total of five husbands. She tried to kill four of her five husbands and actually succeeded in killing two of them quite cold-bloodedly, burying them in her backyard. To add insult to injury, she involved her poor children in her deadly schemes, turning upon them in the final analysis.

This is a well-researched book, which draws heavily from court records and trial transcripts, as well as from the recollections of those who were involved in the investigation of the case, those who knew both the deceased, and those who knew Betty Lou Beets. The author has penned a very good true crime book that also contains sixteen pages of black and white photographs. Told in straightforward, narrative prose, this book is sure to engage all those who enjoy the true crime genre.

I love Irene Pence all of her books are fabulous . Ann Rule has always been my favorite true crime writer but I think Irene Pence is in first place now. She truly is excellent.
All true crime fans need to read all of her books!

I picked up "Buried Memories" because I remembered the case about Betty Beets and thought it would be interesting. It more than kept my attention. It was really hard to put down. I just find it hard to believe that this woman could believe she could pull off these blatant murders and get away with it. I see that the author Irene Pence has written several other true crime books and I will want to read these, too, because I found this book very descriptive with the characters well-researched and believable.

This book will make you wonder how a woman could do such cold,calculating murders and envolve her own children. Betty Could have done well for herself with her looks and personality as a young woman, but greed and a heart of steel led her down a different path. HARD TO PUT DOWN. P. Charlton

This book would provide great material for a soapie - it has a bit of everything woven into the storyline. Betty Lou Beets was a true patriach, and manipulated even her closest family members to achieve her goals. To the very end she cries innocent, and I was both fascinated and horrified by her apparent ability to maintain this facade.
There are endless pressures of everyday life facing people in this rapidly changing society, without the added complication of a mother like Betty Beets. Regardless of her own crimes and whether they considered her guilty or innocent, her children would have been subjected to years of heartache and sorrow as a result of their mother's actions.
Obviously this does not contain a 'happy ending' fellow readers, or we most likely wouldn't find this book categorised as true crime.
An attempt was made to declare Betty innocent on the grounds of instability and years of abuse of various types. What a terrifying precedent would be set - this would have been a perfect part for Betty it seems - yes I did commit murder, but I have been treated badly in the past and am only a poor, defenceless woman!
Don't read this late at night guys!

I was browsing through the bookstore when I came across this book.I am SO glad I bought it. Betty Lou Betts was Definatly one of those Black Widows that you just cant believe.The Author Did a Wonderful job telling this story.I enjoy books that tell about the murderer and wondered what in the world made this woman tick.
Crazy? I think she was Crazy like a Fox!
I look forward to reading more books by this author..
Thanks Ms.Pence..Keep em Coming!