{{Short description|American crime writer and investigative journalist (born 1967)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}} {{Infobox writer <!-- for more information see :Template:Infobox writer/doc --> | name = M. William Phelps | image = | imagesize = | caption = | birth_name = Mathew William Phelps | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1967|2|1}} | birth_place = Hartford, Connecticut, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | occupation = {{flatlist| * Investigative journalist * TV presenter * author *podcaster }} | period = 2000–present | genre = Nonfiction crime, history | subject = Murder, serial killers, history | notableworks = ''Paper Ghosts'', ''Crossing the Line with M. William Phelps'' | influences = | influenced = | awards = 2013 Excellence in Journalism—2015 Investigative Journalism Award | signature = | website = {{URL|http://www.mwilliamphelps.com/}} }}
'''Mathew William Phelps''' (born February 1, 1967) is an American crime writer and investigative journalist, podcaster, and TV presenter.
== Career == Phelps is the author of 39 fact-based nonfiction (true crime) books, two thrillers, and four history books, including co-authoring ''Failures of the Presidents'' with Thomas J. Craughwell.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://historynewsnetwork.org/article/55759|title=Failures of the Presidents: JFK's Bay of Pigs Disaster|work=History News Network}}</ref> Phelps has written for ''The Providence Journal'', the ''Hartford Courant'' and the ''New London Day'', and consulted on the first season of the Showtime cable television series ''Dexter''.<ref name="Serial Killer">{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUS42949247920120125|title='Silence of the Lambs' for Real: 'Dark Minds' Uses a Serial Killer to Catch Serial Killers|publisher=Reuters}}</ref>
After his book ''Murder in the Heartland'' was released, Phelps went on ''Good Morning America'' to talk about the 2004 murder of Bobbie Jo Stinnett covered in his book about convicted killer Lisa Marie Montgomery.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/LegalCenter/story?id=2045047|title=Cut from the Womb: Family of Defendant in Gruesome Slaying Speaks Out|author=Good Morning America|publisher=ABC News}}</ref>
Beginning in January 2012, he produced and hosted with criminal profiler John Kelly the Investigation Discovery series ''Dark Minds'', which airs on the Investigation Discovery channel.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.courant.com/2012/01/22/connecticut-true-crime-author-to-star-in-reality-show-2/|title=Connecticut True-Crime Author M. William Phelps to Star in Reality Show|work=tribunedigital-thecourant}}</ref><ref name=Levine>{{cite news|last1=Levine|first1=Stuart|title=Cabler delves into 'Dark Minds'|url=https://variety.com/2011/tv/news/cabler-delves-into-dark-minds-1118040583/|accessdate=April 20, 2015|publisher=Variety|date=July 28, 2011}}</ref><ref name=Lowry>{{cite news|last1=Lowry|first1=Brian|title=Investigation Discovery Finds Its Hannibal Lecter|url=https://variety.com/2012/voices/opinion/investigation-discovery-finds-its-hannibal-lecter-1200572483/|accessdate=April 20, 2015|publisher=Variety|date=January 20, 2012}}</ref> The series features unsolved serial murders.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_25661381/dark-minds-profile-aurora-serial-murder-cases|title='Dark Minds' to profile four Aurora murder cases|work=denverpost.com}}</ref> When Phelps' book ''The Killing Kind'' was released in June 2014, ''Publishers Weekly'' wrote, "Fans of the author's Discovery TV series, 'Dark Minds,' will be rewarded."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-61773-445-8|title=Nonfiction Book Review: The Killing Kind by M. William Phelps. Kensington, $25 (416p) ISBN 978-1-61773-445-8|author=|date=|work=PublishersWeekly.com}}</ref>
He was featured in ''Writers Digest'' with his debut true-crime book ''Perfect Poison'' in 2003 and again with the release of his eighth book, ''I'll be Watching You'', in 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.writersdigest.com/writing-articles/by-writing-goal/get-published-sell-my-work/m-william-phelps-expanded-interview|title=M. William Phelps Expanded Interview|first=Jessica|last=Strawser|date=|work=WritersDigest.com}}</ref>
The ''New York Post'' in a February 2012 review called Phelps' book ''Never See Them Again'', about Texas killer Christine Paolilla, a "riveting new book" that "examines one of the most horrific murders in recent American history."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2012/02/26/psycho-17-year-old-shot-beat-classmates-to-death/|title='Psycho' 17-year-old shot, beat classmates to death - New York Post|work=New York Post}}</ref> ''Kirkus Reviews'' called it a "thorough account of a quadruple murder in a Houston suburb in 2003."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/m-william-phelps/never-see-them-again/|title=NEVER SEE THEM AGAIN|author=M. William Phelps|date=|work=Kirkus Reviews}}</ref>
Phelps' book ''Nathan Hale: The Life and Death of America's First Spy'' was listed as number 14 on ''The New York Times'' bestseller list in e-book nonfiction the week of May 11, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2014-05-11/e-book-nonfiction/list.html|title=Best Sellers - EBook Nonfiction|author=|date=|work=NYTimes.com}}</ref> ''Twilight'' actor Peter Facinelli in June 2014 acquired movie rights for his ''Nathan Hale'' book.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/peter-facinelli-nathan-hale-movie-1201253606/|title=Peter Facinelli to Adapt Nathan Hale Movie|first=Dave|last=McNary|work=Variety}}</ref>
== Personal life ==
Phelps is divorced and a father. Phelps' sister-in-law was murdered in 1996, and the killer was never found.<ref name="Serial Killer"/> He now resides in Tolland County, Connecticut.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/author.aspx/24990 |title=Kensington Publishing Co. - M. William Phelps|publisher=Kensingtonbooks.com |date= |accessdate=April 11, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theday.com/article/20120131/ENT03/301319982|title=The Day - Book Beat: 'Generation Dead' hits the big-time, and more - News from southeastern Connecticut|author=|date=|work=The Day}}</ref>
== Published works ==
=== True crime ===
* ''Perfect Poison'' (2003) * ''Lethal Guardian'' (2004) * ''Every Move You Make'' (2005) * ''Murder in the Heartland'' (2006)<ref name=ABCNews>{{cite news|title=Excerpt: 'Murder in the Heartland'|url=https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Books/story?id=2041630|accessdate=April 20, 2015|publisher=ABC|date=June 7, 2006}}</ref><ref name=Summers>{{cite news|last1=Summers|first1=Chris|title=The women who kill for babies|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/6990419.stm|access-date=April 20, 2015|publisher=BBC|date=October 27, 2007}}</ref> * ''Sleep in Heavenly Peace'' (2007) * ''Because You Loved Me'' (2008) * ''If Looks Could Kill'' (2008) * ''I'll Be Watching You'' (2008) * ''Cruel Death'' (2009) * ''Deadly Secrets'' (2009) * ''Death Trap'' (2010) * ''Kill For Me'' (2010) * ''The Devil's Rooming House'' (2010)<ref name=Leavenworth>{{cite news|last1=Leavenworth|first1=Jessica|title='Devil's Rooming House' Examines 'Arsenic And Old Lace' Killings (Interview)|url=https://www.courant.com/2010/03/21/devils-rooming-house-examines-arsenic-and-old-lace-killings/|access-date=April 20, 2015|publisher=Hartford Courant|date=March 21, 2010}}</ref><ref name=Yamato>{{cite news|last1=Yamato|first1=Jen|title=Peter Facinelli's A7SLE Films Options Female Serial Killer Tome 'The Devil's Rooming House'|url=https://deadline.com/2013/11/peter-facinelli-devils-rooming-house-amy-archer-gilligan-arsenic-old-lace-639381/|accessdate=April 20, 2015|publisher=Deadline Hollywood|date=November 19, 2013}}</ref> * ''Love Her To Death'' (2011) * ''Too Young to Kill'' (2011) * ''Never See Them Again'' (2012) * ''Bad Girls'' (2013) * ''Kiss of the She-Devil'' (2013) * ''Obsessed'' (2014) * ''The Killing Kind'' (2014) * ''One Breath Away'' (2015) * ''To Love And To Kill'' (2015) * ''I'd Kill For You'' (2015) * ''If You Only Knew'' (2016) * ''Don't Tell A Soul'' (2017) * ''Targeted'' (2017) * ''Dangerous Ground'' (2017) * ''Beautifully Cruel'' (2017) * ''Where Monsters Hide'' (2019) * ''We Thought We Knew You'' (2020)
=== History ===
* ''Failures of the Presidents: From the Whiskey Rebellion and War of 1812 to the Bay of Pigs and War in Iraq'' (2008) With Thomas J. Caughwell * ''Nathan Hale: The Life and Death of America's First Spy'' (2008)<ref name=BestsellerList>{{cite news|title=Bestsellers (E-Book, nonfiction)|url=https://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2014-05-11/e-book-nonfiction/list.html|accessdate=April 20, 2015|work=New York Times|date=May 11, 2014}}</ref><ref name=McClintock>{{cite news|last1=McClintock|first1=Pamela|title=Warner spy tale a Hale bio film|url=https://variety.com/2007/film/news/warner-spy-tale-a-hale-bio-film-2-1117961660/|accessdate=April 20, 2015|publisher=Variety|date=March 22, 2007}}</ref><ref name=McNary>{{cite news|last1=McNary|first1=Dave|title='Twilight' Actor Peter Facinelli Working on Nathan Hale Movie|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/peter-facinelli-nathan-hale-movie-1201253606/|accessdate=April 20, 2015|publisher=Variety|date=June 30, 2014}}</ref> * ''The Devil's Right Hand: The Tragic Story of the Colt Family Curse'' (2011) * ''Crimes of the Presidents'' (2013)
== Awards ==
* 2014: Society of Professional Journalists' Connecticut chapter, 2nd place, Investigative Reporting<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.connecticutmag.com/Blog/Connecticut-Today/May-2014/Connecticut-Magazine-Wins-22-Awards-from-the-CT-Society-of-Professional-Journalists/|title=Connecticut Magazine Wins 23 Awards from the CT Society of Professional Journalists|work=connecticutmag.com}}</ref> * 2008: New England Book Festival Award for ''I'll Be Watching You''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://newenglandbookfestival.com/winners2008.htm|title=New England Book Festival|work=newenglandbookfestival.com}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist|30em}}
== External links == * {{Official website|http://www.mwilliamphelps.com/|Author's official website}} * [http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/author.aspx/24990 Kensington Books' Author Bio] * [http://www.crimerant.com Crime Rant] * {{IMDb name|2606979}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Phelps, M. William}} Category:Living people Category:21st-century American novelists Category:American male novelists Category:American mystery writers Category:American non-fiction crime writers Category:Novelists from Connecticut Category:1968 births Category:21st-century American male writers Category:21st-century American non-fiction writers Category:American male non-fiction writers