Customer Reviews

Death Trap

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Jessica McCord was a woman who got what she wanted, when she wanted it. Even if it was having someone murdered.

Following four years of a marriage and two children, Alan Bates knew he could no longer make a life with Jessica. She was emotionally unstable, prone to temper tantrums, and having an affair; the latter being what gave Alan the courage to finally file for divorce.

What seemed to be an amicable divorce turned into a bitter, nasty child custody dispute.
At least from Jessica's point of view.

And there was only one way to guarantee she wouldn't lose her children or that monthly child support check: Murder.

Death Trap is a 400+ page true crime that's emotional roller coaster from beginning to end. While I have enjoyed all of M. William Phelps' books, I personally believe this is his best one yet.

This story will hit home for most everyone, as there is a Jessica McCord in all of our lives. And for those who have ever been involved in any type of child custody, you'll walk away chilled to the bone.

This is the first work I've read by this author and I really enjoyed his voice. I've read quite a few "true crime" works (admittedly mostly Ann Rule, but several others as well), and found his narrative very engaging. Many times, books like this can bog down and end up being very dry, but I didn't find that the case here.

The only real aspect that bothered me just a little bit is that I feel he slightly overdid the seeming saintliness of the victims. It seems to me that very few people, or at least their behavior, in a situation such as this are as perfectly reasonable as described. But by the same token, the perpetrators were truly creepy and that seemed almost underdone - maybe because it would have been nearly unbelievable otherwise. So I excuse both. Altogether a reasonably balanced look at an *extremely* cold-blooded crime.

I enjoyed the style and pace of this book and have already started another of his works. He uses a conversational tone that rings true and keeps the interest level up. Definitely worth a try if you haven't read this author before - I'm glad I found it. I look forward to my next read courtesy of Mr. Phelps.

Unlike his previous books, this book by M. William Phelps is a boring read. The author's story jumps around a lot and adds tiny, boring details to an otherwise good story. Also, the little comments that are made that are not necessary in the telling of the story. Very distracting. Very disappointing book.

This M.William Phelps book was impossible to follow. Story-line was all over the place making it difficult to read.Author tells the chain of events in a jumbled & confusing manner... Mr Phelps takes reader back and forth over marriages, children,employment,police interviews etc...UGH Story has no flow I began to skip thru the disorder just to reach the end of the book ....where the chronology of the crime is told in about 6 pages.
This is a very heartbreaking tale of a vicious divorce between a man who loves his children & the mother whose hatred of her ex escaltes to murder
Mr Phelps does a jumbled job of telling the story.
.

I have read many books by this author, M. William Phelps, and again, was very touched by this tragic story. What happened to this wonderful man, and later, his sweet and lovely second wife, was unconscionable. I wish there were a way to express to both the Bates and Klugh families that their loved ones were portrayed as admirable, good people in this book, and it is such a tragedy that A. Bates met his first wife at all.

Non-stop reading from cover to cover.

I read a lot of books, including true crime, but I have never read a book that gave me the chills the way this did. This book is about good versus evil. Alan Bates loved his children, and they were his first priority. Jessica Mc Cord, willingly and knowingly used her children as pawns. Terra Bates was willing to stand behind her husband, as he attempted to do what was in the best interest of his children. I am left with a feeling that our court system played a large role in the deaths of 2 wonderful people, Alan and Terra Bates. The courts gave Jessica too many chances to right wrongs, and by doing so, she continually was in the driver's seat. Jeff Mc Cord was a man who had sworn to protect and defend, yet he failed. Jeff's stupidity is astonishing. Jessica used everyone in her life. Some people are incapable of love, and I fully believe Jessica Mc Cord is one such person. This is a very interesting book, yet one of the saddest book's I have ever read.

The book "Death Trap" by M. William Phelps is the story of an ex-wife who can't let go. Her name is Jessica McCord and she is a manipulative and angry woman who uses her children as pawns in a constant visitation battle with her ex-husband, a newly remarried Alan Bates. As can be expected in a true crime book, a crime was committed. In this case, two murders. It's a sad story. The book paints Alan Bates as a really nice guy (which he was) who loves his new wife and is trying to get on with his life and attempting to develop a stronger relationship with his kids. On the other hand, the books portrays Jessica as the evil ex-wife (which she is). I find it almost unbelievable that Jessica's new husband agree to participate in the murders. I liked the book immensely. I would recommend it to true crime readers. It's not the best but it is above average.

You will never be disapointed by anything this author writes. This is a great book.It will shock you that someone can be so selfish. The book reads like fiction because you would never believe someone could do something so vicious.
If you are a true crime fan run to the store and buy this book......great read!!

I read a lot of true crime and this is a good true crime book. Excellent background on the characters, easy to move from chapter to chapter. Mr. Phelps writes a lot of true crime and this is one of his very best books to date. Kind of made me wish I hadn't read it already so I could buy it and read it again.

Just finished this truly disturbing and gripping tale. This book was so easy to read and impossible to put down. Phelps is truly one of the best authors and I continue to read each new release. I also LOVED the hidden little secret that the last 17 pages included in the hard cover edition are edible. Not only a great read.....but a delicious one at that. BRILLIANT....... simply BRILLIANT!