Kathryn Casey

“Kathryn Casey is one of the best true crime writers today.” —Ann Rule With true crime classics like Descent into Hell and Die My Love, author Kathryn Casey has peered into the darkest corners of the Lone Star State, shedding a fascinating, chilling light on a series of notorious Texas murders. In Shattered, she explores in riveting detail an infamous Houston area crime: the brutal slaying of a young mother and her unborn child by the person closest to them. Bestselling author Carlton Stowers numbers Kathryn Casey “among the elite of true crime writers,” and Shattered—a shocking true story of blood, rage, and betrayal—will only enhance her reputation as one of the best of the best.

The True Story of a Mother's Love, a Husband's Betrayal, and a Cold-Blooded Texas Murder

Shattered

Critically acclaimed author Kathryn Casey delivers a riveting account of the brutal murders of young women in the I-45/Texas Killing Fields Over a three-decade span, more than twenty women—many teenagers—died mysteriously in the small towns bordering Interstate 45, a fifty-mile stretch of highway running from Houston to Galveston. The victims were strangled, shot, or savagely beaten. Six met their demise in pairs. They had one thing in common: being in the wrong place at the wrong time. The day she vanished, Colette Wilson waited for her mother after band practice. Best friends Debbie Ackerman and Maria Johnson loved to surf and were last seen hitchhiking. Laura Kate Smither dreamed of becoming a ballerina and disappeared just weeks before her thirteenth birthday. In this harrowing true crime exposition, award-winning journalist Kathryn Casey tracks these tragic cases, investigates the evidence, interviews the suspects, and pulls back the cloak of secrecy in search of elusive answers.

Three Decades of Murder and Redemption in the Infamous I-45/Texas Killing Fields

Deliver Us

She didn’t notice the corn stalks shiver a few feet to her right. By the time she looked up, the man towered above her. In a single movement he wrapped one thick hand around her waist, the other he clamped over her mouth, muffling her screams. Detective Clara Jefferies has spent years running from her childhood in Alber, Utah. But when she hears that her baby sister Delilah has disappeared, she knows that the peaceful community will be shattered, her family vulnerable, and that that she must face up to her past and go home. Clara returns to find that her mother, Ardeth, has isolated her family by moving to the edge of town, in the shadow of the mountains. Ardeth refuses to talk to the police and won’t let Clara through the front door, believing she and her sister-wives can protect their own. But Clara knows better than anyone that her mother isn’t always capable of protecting her children. When Clara finds out that two more girls have disappeared, all last seen around the cornfields near her family’s home, she realizes it’s not just Delilah who’s in danger. And then she gets a call that a body has been found… Clara will have to dig deep into the town’s secrets if she’s going to find Delilah. But that will mean confronting the reason she left. And as she gets closer to Delilah, she might be putting her more at risk… Gripping and spine-chilling, readers will love Detective Clara Jefferies, reading The Fallen Girls deep into the night. Fans of Kendra Elliot, Lisa Regan and Melinda Leigh won’t stop turning the pages of this unforgettable new series from bestselling and award-winning author Kathryn Casey. What readers are saying about The Fallen Girls: “WOW, WOW, WOW, WOW!... Kathryn Casey has written an amazing book… I cannot wait to pick up where this novel left off! You will not be able to put this book down - fabulous!” NetGalley reviewer, 5 stars “I could not put it down! I rarely give a book 5 stars and can't put it down but this one deserves it!... I read it in three days only because my iPad was running out of battery so I couldn't read it sooner. This was the first book I have ever read by Kathryn Casey and I can't wait to read more!” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars “I absolutely LOVED this book… The book jumps right into the story and catches your attention from page one and holds it throughout.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars “I loved this book!!... It’s absolutely brilliant… A compulsive read.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars “I was absorbed in the story from page one until the explosive and exciting ending… Intense and heart-pounding… I’m excited to read more in this series, and I want more!” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars “I was sucked in from page one and couldn’t put it down… I am very much looking forward to the next book in the series!... A cracking read.” Bonnie’s Book Talk, 5 stars “Wow… Kept me interested from page one. I didn't want the book to finish. Brilliant mystery… Can’t wait to read more by this author.” NetGalley reviewer, 5 stars “An addictive read, entirely enthralled with the book within the first twenty pages… Looking most forward to the next book in the series!” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars “The start of a new series and I can't wait to read more… This book kept me reading late into the night I HAD TO KNOW THE TRUTH. Full of tension and suspense.” Goodreads reviewer “First I’ve read by this author and it will not be the last. I thoroughly enjoyed this book from beginning to end. It had a great storyline that kept you guessing until the end. Could not put this one down.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars “An amazing start to a new series… Suspenseful from beginning to end… full of twists and turns… I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys mysteries and thrillers. I cannot wait to see what comes next in this series.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

An absolutely unputdownable and gripping crime thriller

The Fallen Girls

Hero, Husband, Father . . . Monster? In Creekstone, Texas, a small, quiet suburb of Houston, football was king . . . and David Temple was a prince. A former high school and college gridiron star-turned-coach, he had a fairy-tale marriage to bright, vivacious Belinda Lucas, a teacher at the local high school who was so warm and popular her colleagues called her "The Sunshine Girl." The fairy tale ended savagely on January 11, 1999, when Belinda's lifeless body was discovered in a closet. Her skull had been shattered by a shotgun blast at close range. She was eight months pregnant. There was no damning evidence directly linking the brutal murder to husband David, who stood by emotionless and dry-eyed as police searched the crime scene. But a dogged eight-year investigation would expose a shocking history of cruelty and domination, infidelity and rage—ultimately resulting in an epic courtroom battle for the ages—as the scandalous truth was revealed about love betrayed and innocent lives . . . shattered.

BOOKLIST: picked SINGULARITY, as one of the Best Crime Novel Debuts of the year! An incredible honor! Vanity Fair: SINGULARITY is a recommended read in the magazine's HOT TYPE section! "Lt. Sarah Armstrong balances the challenges of being the Texas Rangers' lone criminal profiler and a single mom in the riveting fiction debut from true-crime journalist Casey (A Descent into Hell).... Casey's solid research, smooth plotting and sensitive depiction of Sarah's relationship with her grieving daughter lift what could've been standard serial-killer fare into poignant, exciting family drama." Publisher's Weekly, a starred review. "An impressive fiction debut for true crime author Casey (She Wanted It All, 2005), whose memorable heroine has brains, moxie, and heart. Happily for readers, this is the first in a series," wrote Allison Block for Booklist in another starred review. "Casey is clearly talented and has the makings of a robust and long-lasting series character," the Baltimore Sun "Not since Patricia Cornwell's 'Postmortem' has a crime author crafted such a stellar series debut. Kathryn Casey hits the right notes in her first novel, 'Singularity, ' a thriller with an insider's insight into the minds of psychopaths...think of [Sarah] Armstrong as a blending of Alex Cross and Kay Scarpetta, a tough cookie balancing her new role as a widow. Casey finds sympathy and strength in the female Texas Ranger as she struggles with sexism and politics at the heart of this crime," the Tampa Tribune "The nuts-and-bolts of profiling - looking for patterns, digging for similar murders, identifying the signs of pleasure killing - is given gratifying play: The two profilers' probing of a small community in the Big Thicket with a long-ago matching murder is compelling. The string of murders that later unfold is also vivid, with the victims given poignant depth... Casey keeps a steady momentum building to the end," the Houston Chronicle "Casey has a deft touch with dialogue and character development," the Cleveland Plain Dealer "There's a new Ranger in town and she's profiler Sarah Armstrong...Let's hope she'll be around for a good long while...a harrowing debut," says C.J. Box, author of BLUE HEAVEN and BLOOD TRAIL Deadly Pleasures magazine ranks SINGULARITY as one of the Best First Novels of the year. "SINGULARITY starts on a high note and never lets up. Kudos to Kathryn Casey for her creation of Sarah Armstrong, a complex and memorable character sure to appeal to all readers. SINGULARITY is a bright new star in the mystery genre," says Jessica Speart, author of UNSAFE HARBOR, RESTLESS WATER, AND BORDER PREY "Speaking as a former cop, I'd work a case with Texas Ranger Sarah Armstrong any day. She's a smart and savvy investigator, definitely a force to be reckoned with. More importantly, Casey delivers a strong and chilling novel, proving that she can write fiction with the same compelling authority in which she pens true crime," Robin Burcell, author of COLD CASE, FATAL TRUTH and DEADLY LEGACY The Plot: The call comes in on a Friday afternoon, a bizarre double murder in Galveston, in a multimillion-dollar beach house. Local police hold the scene, moving nothing, until Texas Ranger Sarah Armstrong arrives. Even crime photos won't do these bloody murders justice. They're like nothing Armstrong has ever encountered as the Ranger's lone criminal profiler. Thus begins a whirlwind investigation into a string of murders that propels Armstrong across Texas, from a Fort Worth mansion to Texas' Rio Grande Valley, from a San Antonio barrio to the piney woods of the Big Thicket, and into the epicenter of Houston high society. Still reeling from a loss that fractured her family, Sarah Armstrong soon finds her world spinning out of control and everything she holds dear threatened, even her very life.

Singularity

JUDGE. JURY. EXECUTIONER. On a cold January morning, the killer executed Assistant District Attorney Mark Hasse in broad daylight. Eight shots fired a block from the Kaufman County Courthouse. Two months later, a massacre. The day before Easter, the couple slept. Bunnies, eggs, a flower centerpiece gracing the table. Death rang their doorbell and filled the air with the rat-a-tat-tat of an assault weapon discharging round after round into their bodies. Eric Williams and his wife, Kim, celebrated the murders with grilled steaks. Their crimes covered front pages around the world, many saying the killer placed a target square on the back of law enforcement. Williams planned to exact revenge on all those who had wronged him, one at a time. Throughout the spring of 2013, Williams sowed terror through a small Texas town, and a quest for vengeance turned to deadly obsession. His intention? To keep killing, until someone found a way to stop him.

The Kaufman County Prosecutor Murders

In Plain Sight

A man of God . . . driven by the evil To his parishioners, minister Matt Baker seemed a pious and good man. To his wife, Kari, he was a devoted husband and caring father. Always sunny and vivacious, Kari never questioned their frequent relocations from one small Texas Baptist church to another. Even when tragedy struck, Kari remained strong—until one day, inexplicably, she took her own life. To friends and family, Kari's suicide made no sense—and they struggled with questions they couldn't answer. Why couldn't Matt hold a job with any one church? Why did he cut off all contact with Kari's devastated parents soon after her death? And who was the blond companion he began appearing with just days after the funeral? But it would take a team of investigators and dogged determination to bring Matt Baker's dark secrets to light—revealing a shocking history of lies, infidelity, cruelty, and sexual obsession that may have led a serial predator cloaked in God's word to commit murder.

The Minister, His Mistress, and a Heartless Texas Murder

Deadly Little Secrets

A Novel

Angel Falls

Murder I Write

The day before Halloween 2004 was the last day on Earth for respected, well-liked college professor Fred Jablin. That morning, a neighbor discovered his body lying in a pool of blood in the driveway of Jablin's Virginia home. Police immediately turned their attentions to the victim's ex-wife, Piper, a petite, pretty Texas lawyer who had lost a bitter custody battle and would do anything to get her kids back. But Piper was in Houston, one thousand miles away, at the time of the slaying and couldn't possibly have been the killer . . . could she? So began an investigation into one of the most bizarre cases Virginia and Texas law enforcement agencies had ever encountered: a twisted conspiracy of lies, rage, paranoia, manipulation, and savage murder that would ensnare an entire family—including two lethally close look-alike sisters—and reveal the shocking depravities possible when a dangerously disordered mind slips into madness.

A True Story of Revenge, Murder, and Two Texas Sisters

Die, My Love

Bright, attractive, and both from good families, University of Texas college student Colton Pitonyak and vibrant redhead Jennifer Cave had the world at their beckoning. Cave, an ex-cheerleader, had just landed an exciting new job, while a big-money scholarship to UT's prestigious business school lured Pitonyak to Austin. Yet the former altar boy had a dark, unpredictable streak, one that ensnared him in the perilous underworld of drugs and guns. When Jennifer failed to show up for work on August 18, 2005, her mother became frightened. Sharon Cave's search led to Colton's West Campus apartment, where Jennifer's family discovered a scene worthy of the grisliest horror movie. Meanwhile, Colton Pitonyak was nowhere to be found. A Descent Into Hell is the gripping true story of one of the most brutal slayings in UT history—and the wild "Bonnie and Clyde-like" flight from justice of a cold-blooded young killer and his would-be girlfriend, who claimed that her unquestioning allegiance to Pitonyak was "just the way I roll."

The True Story of an Altar Boy, a Cheerleader, and a Twisted Texas Murder

A Descent Into Hell

She tried to tell her friends. She even went to the police. No one would believe her--and now she was dead. Problems had always followed Susan White, but when she remarried and moved to Houston's posh suburbs, she thought the past was behind her--until she met a deputy sheriff named Kent McGowen who would soon become her worst nightmare. McGowen was an aggressive cop with a spotty record. When Susan rebuffed his advances, she claimed he stalked and harassed her, using her troubled teenage son as bait. And then, in an act of arrogance and revenge, he made good on his threats, setting her up for the kill. In A Warrant to Kill, Kathryn Casey meticulously pieces together the tragic shards of the case to create a riveting story of vengeance, fear, and justice--of the terrifying power a badge can have in the wrong hands.

A True Story of Obsession, Lies and a Killer Cop

A Warrant to Kill

She could hear nothing but the sound of her own heartbeat. It was dark and the rough ground scraped against her as she tried to move. Being alone was strange to her-she was so used to her big family, to the noise, the warmth, but the last thing she wanted was for the woman to return... When Detective Clara Jefferies returned home to Alber, Utah, she knew it would take a long time to convince the closed community to trust her. So she is surprised to be called to private land up in the mountains, until she hears that the bones of a young girl have been found. And hidden in the dark depths of the grave are the remains of a baby too... Digging into the town's missing persons files, Clara is shocked to discover that pregnant girls have been going missing for years. And when she spots Ash Crawford, the first cop on the scene, praying over the bodies, she begins to suspect that he knows more about the victim than he's letting on. With Crawford staying silent, and the identity of the girl still unknown, Clara's only choice is to visit every family living on the mountaintop, desperate to find what they might be hiding. But doing so means facing the man she was once bound to, and the tall iron gates of the ranch she ran away from all those years ago. Then another pregnant girl is reported missing, and Clara ramps up her search, racing to find her alive. But can she uncover the town's dark secrets in time to save both the girl and her unborn child? A heart-pounding crime thriller that twists and turns like a rollercoaster, leaving you on the edge of your seat. Readers of Lisa Regan, Linda Castillo and Kendra Elliot will be completely addicted. What readers are saying about Kathryn Casey: "WOW, WOW, WOW, WOW!... Kathryn Casey has written an amazing book... I cannot wait to pick up where this novel left off! You will not be able to put this book down-fabulous!" NetGalley reviewer, 5 stars "I could not put it down! I rarely give a book 5 stars and can't put it down but this one deserves it!... I read it in three days only because my iPad was running out of battery so I couldn't read it sooner. This was the first book I have ever read by Kathryn Casey and I can't wait to read more!" Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars "I absolutely LOVED this book... The book jumps right into the story and catches your attention from page one and holds it throughout." Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars "I loved this book!!... It's absolutely brilliant... A compulsive read." Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars "I was absorbed in the story from page one until the explosive and exciting ending... Intense and heart-pounding... I'm excited to read more in this series, and I want more!" Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars "I was sucked in from page one and couldn't put it down... I am very much looking forward to the next book in the series!... A cracking read." Bonnie's Book Talk, 5 stars "Wow... Kept me interested from page one. I didn't want the book to finish. Brilliant mystery... Can't wait to read more by this author." NetGalley reviewer, 5 stars

A Pulse-pounding Crime Thriller Packed Full of Suspense

The Blessed Bones

Trophy wife Celeste Beard wasn't satisfied with a luxurious lifestyle and her rich Austin media mogul husband's devotion -- so she took his life! The wife: She wanted everything, but her husband stood in the way. The lesbian lover: A love-struck, middle-aged woman with a history of mental illness, she would do anything to set Celeste free. The beauty salon receptionist: Celeste hired her to tie up the loose ends ... in a second conspiracy to commit murder.

A True Story of Sex, Murder, and a Texas Millionaire

She Wanted It All

Ann Rule says, "Kathryn Casey is one of the best true crime writers today"—high praise indeed from the author of a host of nonfiction New York Times bestsellers including Green River and The Stranger Beside Me, the story of serial killer Ted Bundy. With Deadly Little Secrets, Casey once again explores the dark side of the Lone Star State, offering a riveting true story of a murderous Texas preacher responsible for the cold-blooded slaying of the mother of his children. Meticulously researched and spellbindingly told, Deadly Little Secrets pulls back the curtain on the horrific crimes of a supposed man of God who was more devoted to the Devil, and it demonstrates why such true crime luminaries as Edgar® Award winner Carleton Stowers and Gregg Olsen are confirmed Kathryn Casey fans. And don't miss Kathryn Casey's latest book, Deliver Us, a riveting account of the brutal murders of young women in the I-45/Texas Killing Fields.

Three empty chairs lazily rocked in the breeze, surrounded by scattered children’s toys. In the yard, there were mounds of earth. Graves. Only big enough for children… When Detective Clara Jefferies is called to a ranch just outside of Alber, Utah, she’s sickened to find two innocent young children murdered alongside their mothers. Their father, Jacob Johansson, has been rushed to hospital where he fights for his life. Blissfully unaware, his two-month-old son Jeremy has been left untouched in his crib. In the eyes of the community Jacob is the perfect, devout husband, seemingly living a peaceful, happy life. But Clara is certain that the crime is personal: one of Jacob’s wives was killed differently, her lips painted after she died. Soon, Clara discovers photos of her in Jacob’s best friend’s trailer, and her flower necklace underneath the bed. When witnesses, including Clara’s own mother, refuse to speak about the case, it becomes clear that loyalty to the community is more important than finding a killer at large. The people of Alber will never trust Clara; she may have returned home but they will always see her as the girl who abandoned her family. And yet Clara won’t give up. She is sure that Jacob and baby Jeremy are still at risk, and the longer the secretive town stands in the way of her solving this case, the more danger they’re in… Impossible to put down, Her Final Prayer is perfect for readers of Lisa Regan, Melinda Leigh and Kendra Elliot. You’ll race through the pages until the final heart-pounding twist. What readers are saying about Her Final Prayer: “Amazing. Outstanding. WOWZA! None of these adjectives do Her Final Prayer by Kathryn Casey justice. You will not want to put this book down... heaven knows, I sure didn't… It's simply perfect.” NetGalley reviewer, 5 stars “This was the first book I have ever read by Kathryn Casey and I can't wait to read more. It’s absolutely brilliant. I was sucked in from page one and couldn’t put it down.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars “So good! Absolutely love this series and so excited to read more. This is definitely on my list of favorite series to read and follow. Well-written. Love the characters. Love the story… Highly recommend!!!!” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars “The author has shown she knows how to keep her readers captivated before and guess what… She does it again!... Incredibly good book.” B is for Book Review, 5 stars “Absolutely brilliant. From start to finish I was hooked. I can't wait for the next one. I would highly recommend it is put on everyone's to-be-read list.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars “A fast-paced thrill ride… draws you in… I am fully invested in these characters now. I can't wait for the next book!” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars “I love this series… The mystery is engrossing and took me by surprise at the reveal… Completely sucks you in. I had to read this in one sitting. I can't wait for more!” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars “Well I just loved this book it was everything I hoped it would be and a whole lot more… Really grabbed me… I just hope the next one in the series won’t be too long in coming!!” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

A totally gripping and heart-stopping crime thriller

Her Final Prayer

She could hear nothing but the sound of her own heartbeat. It was dark and the rough ground scraped against her as she tried to move. Being alone was strange to her—she was so used to her big family, to the noise, the warmth, but the last thing she wanted was for the woman to return… When Detective Clara Jefferies returned home to Alber, Utah, she knew it would take a long time to convince the closed community to trust her. So she is surprised to be called to private land up in the mountains, until she hears that the bones of a young girl have been found. And hidden in the dark depths of the grave are the remains of a baby too… Digging into the town’s missing persons files, Clara is shocked to discover that pregnant girls have been going missing for years. And when she spots Ash Crawford, the first cop on the scene, praying over the bodies, she begins to suspect that he knows more about the victim than he’s letting on. With Crawford staying silent, and the identity of the girl still unknown, Clara’s only choice is to visit every family living on the mountaintop, desperate to find what they might be hiding. But doing so means facing the man she was once bound to, and the tall iron gates of the ranch she ran away from all those years ago. Then another pregnant girl is reported missing, and Clara ramps up her search, racing to find her alive. But can she uncover the town’s dark secrets in time to save both the girl and her unborn child? A heart-pounding crime thriller that twists and turns like a rollercoaster, leaving you on the edge of your seat. Readers of Lisa Regan, Linda Castillo and Kendra Elliot will be completely addicted. What readers are saying about The Blessed Bones: “Absolutely nail-biting stuff!! From page one I was gripped. Full of twists and turns and the unexpected. Fast-paced from start to finish. Definitely worth five stars.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars “CLARA JEFFERIES ROCKS!… This series keeps getting better and better.” NetGalley reviewer, 5 stars “If you haven't read the Detective Clara Jefferies series yet you are missing out! I have loved every single book so far in this series!… Had me flipping pages from the start… you can't help but want to keep reading… I can't say enough great things about this book and this series!! Don't miss out you will want to read!!!” NetGalley reviewer “Another awesome instalment of the Clara Jefferies story! I absolutely love this protagonist, the setting, the case… just love it all!” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars “Love this series.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars “Another emotional rollercoaster of a case… this one draws you in. The mystery is full of tension. I didn't see the reveal coming…The end left me on pins and needles. I can't wait for the next book!” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars “Kept me captivated the whole time.” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars “Thrilling, suspenseful and very entertaining… the pace is perfect. I will definitely go back and read the other books in the series. I highly recommend this book.” Goodreads reviewer “Best one in the series! This just keeps getting better as the characters evolve. Can’t wait for the next one!” Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

A pulse-pounding crime thriller packed full of suspense

Sleeping with a monster At first, Linda Bergstrom's marriage to her husband James was idyllic. They were young and in love; he was about to enter the Navy and she was eager to start a family. But it wasn't long before the dream exploded. James became abusive and violent, prone to sudden bursts of anger, long silences, and unexplained disappearances. But Linda vowed to hold on, despite the pain and fear . . . and her disturbing suspicions about her husband's secret life. Then, not long after their move to Houston, Texas, she made a terrifying discovery: James's hidden cache containing duct tape, a ski mask, and handcuffs. No longer could Linda Bergstrom deny the hideous truth. The man she lived with, the man she married for love, was a dangerous psychopath. And there was no escape and nowhere to run. Because no one—not her friends, the Navy, or the police—would believe her.

The True Story of a Texas Woman's Marriage to a Dangerous Psychopath

Evil Beside Her

A WALKING NIGHTMARE—IN SIZE-NINE STILETTOS . . . The officer responding to a 911 call at one of Houston’s hippest high-rises expected the worst. After all, domestic violence situations can be unpredictable. But nothing could’ve prepared him for what he found: a beautiful woman drenched in blood . . . an older man lying dead on the floor . . . and a cobalt blue suede stiletto with tufts of white hair stuck to its five-and-a-half-inch heel. With her stunning looks, magnetic personality, and erratic behavior, Ana Trujillo had a notorious reputation on the downtown Houston scene. She spoke often of occult powers, though few knew how deeply she believed such boasts. Stefan Andersson was a gentle soul, a Swedish transplant with a good career and trusted friends, who was desperate to find someone special. Theirs is a story of obsession, madness, and tragedy. Because once Stefan fell head over heels for Ana, he was under her control—and he didn’t have a chance in hell.

Kathryn Casey

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