The Fortune Hunter

By Suzy Spencer

Book Overview

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.

• Format: MP3 CD
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0CDB3XH9Y
• ISBN13: 9798212369824
• Release Date: January 2023
• Publisher: Tantor Audio

Customer Reviews

Excellent Book - A "Must Read" for True Crime Fans

The Fortune Hunter by Suzy Spencer is an accurate detailed account of a malicious murder brought about by a greedy, selfish wife persuading her lesbian lover to commit the crime. It is well researched, well written, and merits reading by all true crime fans. You will find it well worth your time.

Fortune Hunter hits target

Suzy Spencer once again proves that she knows how to write a true crime novel. I highly recommend that you buy this book if you like stories that keep you turning each page and hating it when the phone rings and interrupts your guilty pleasure. It would be hard to make up a story that has all the twists and turns that this one has and it's all true! What I enjoyed most about the book is the in-depth analysis of Celeste's world. Congratulations, Ms. Spencer, for writing a tale well told.

Gripping

Suzy Spencer is an incredible writer. Every page comes alive in this gripping tale of life on Lexus Lane. As in "Breaking Point" and "Wasted" the author does not merely describe a scene or report it; she puts you right inside the house and in the mind of both the victim and the murderer with equal parts of compassion for both. Spencer's style is so alive that one feels their life will never be quite the same after reading one of her books. Like Truman Capote, she is a master of the form and a brilliant storyteller. I don't know when I have seen a complex structure work so well as it does in "The Fortune Hunter."

Very Compelling Tale

Hats off to Suzy Spencer for a very well written, and complex story. A steady read through the eyes of a neutral storyteller!

Nicely written

I thought the book was well written. I wondered however if Ms. Spencer had changed her opinion of "Celeste" after meeting her. I recall seeing the author on a documentary focusing on this case. Ms. Spencer remarked that this was the first time she found herself fearing the person "Celeste" she was writing about. All and all the book kept my interest leaving me feeling not afraid of "Celeste" but, disgusted by her calculated cruel hearted actions. Having it all and losing it all. The ultimate pitfall of pure greed she fell into caused such hurt and pain to so many innocents, (the Beard family), including her own children. This story sings out the praise,(Money is the root of all evil)