The Fortune Hunter

Name: The Fortune Hunter
Brand: Tantor Audio
Availability: InStock
Author: Suzy Spencer
ISBN: 9798765043820

Author: Suzy Spencer

Narrator: Emily Pike Stewart

Unabridged: 16 hr 16 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 01/31/2023

Categories: Nonfiction, Family & Relationships, Abuse

Synopsis

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.

About Suzy Spencer

New York Times bestselling author Suzy Spencer wrote the controversial true crime book Wasted, a 1999 Violet Crown Book Award finalist, as well as Wages of Sin. Suzy 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.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Vanessa Cook on December 06, 2019

Okay book The story was interesting in itself, but the book did seem to go on too long without enough substance to keep me engaged. I never felt I was immersed in the story, but rather was reading a high level account of what happened, with a lot of trial coverage. One thing about the book I very much......more

Goodreads review by Amanda on November 18, 2021

Really fascinating case that I hadn’t heard of. The book was well researched and thorough but falls into the common true crime trap of going through each individual day of a trial in too much detail.......more

Goodreads review by Alison Draper on April 22, 2022

Interesting book This is one of the best books I have read regarding the true crime genre. It really made me think and I honestly can't make my mind up or make a definite conclusion about who is the most guilty. I am expecting more answers to be revealed over time. Fascinating.......more

Goodreads review by Brenda on December 12, 2021

MissFortune An unusual style of writing carries throughout this book, juxtaposing the facts of the situation involved (as stated in the individual testimonies of trial witnesses during the case) alongside related journal-style comments by the accused wife.......more

Goodreads review by Bruce Pancio on December 06, 2021

too long The story could have been told in 250 pages. The book bounced back and forth from the trial to events before the trial. Very repetitive......more