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If Looks Could Kill
On a day like any other in Akron, Ohio, in a parking lot like so many across America, a black-clad motorcyclist rode up to an occupied vehicle and fired a gun—and didn’t miss. The shock rippling through the community led to former beauty queen Cynthia George, a respected church member and devoted mother. Married to a wealthy businessman, she seemed to lead a charmed life. But did her beauty mask a heart cold enough to kill? M. William Phelps, award-winning master of the non-fiction thriller, updates this gripping saga of illicit love and murder with startling, unforgettable new insights.
Praise for M. William Phelps
Host of Investigation Discovery’s Dark Minds
"Phelps ratchets up the dramatic tension."—Stephen Singular
"Phelps exposes long-hidden secrets and reveals disquieting truths."—Kathryn Casey
Includes 16 Pages Of Photos
Praise for M. William Phelps
Host of Investigation Discovery’s Dark Minds
"Phelps ratchets up the dramatic tension."—Stephen Singular
"Phelps exposes long-hidden secrets and reveals disquieting truths."—Kathryn Casey
Includes 16 Pages Of Photos
480 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2008
728 people are currently reading
781 people want to read
About the author
M. William Phelps
88 books1,157 followersCrime, murder and serial killer expert, creator/producer/writer and former host of the Investigation Discovery series DARK MINDS, acclaimed, award-winning investigative journalist M. William Phelps is the New York Times best-selling author of 30 books and winner of the 2013 Excellence in (Investigative) Journalism Award and the 2008 New England Book Festival Award. A highly sought-after pundit, Phelps has made over 100 media-related television appearances: Early Show, The Today Show, The View, Fox & Friends, truTV, Discovery Channel, Fox News Channel, Good Morning America, TLC, BIO, History, Oxygen, OWN, on top of over 100 additional media appearances: USA Radio Network, Catholic Radio, Mancow, Wall Street Journal Radio, Zac Daniel, Ave Maria Radio, Catholic Channel, EWTN Radio, ABC News Radio, and many more.
Phelps is also a member of the Multidisciplinary Collaborative on Sexual Crime and Violence (MCSCV), also known as the Atypical Homicide Research Group (AHRG) at Northeastern University, maintained by NU alumni Enzo Yaksic.
Phelps is one of the regular and recurring experts frequently appearing on two long-running series, Deadly Women and Snapped. Radio America calls Phelps “the nation’s leading authority on the mind of the female murderer,” and TV Rage says, “M. William Phelps dares to tread where few others will: into the mind of a killer.” A respected journalist, beyond his book writing Phelps has written for numerous publications—including the Providence Journal, Connecticut Magazine and Hartford Courant—and consulted on the first season of the hit Showtime cable television series Dexter.
Phelps grew up in East Hartford, CT, moved to Vernon, CT, at age 12, where he lived for 25 years. He now lives in a reclusive Connecticut farming community north of Hartford.
Beyond crime, Phelps has also written several history books, including the acclaimed, New York Times bestselling NATHAN HALE: The Life and Death of America’s First Spy, THE DEVIL’S ROOMING HOUSE, THE DEVIL’S RIGHT HAND, MURDER, NEW ENGLAND, and more.
Phelps is also a member of the Multidisciplinary Collaborative on Sexual Crime and Violence (MCSCV), also known as the Atypical Homicide Research Group (AHRG) at Northeastern University, maintained by NU alumni Enzo Yaksic.
Phelps is one of the regular and recurring experts frequently appearing on two long-running series, Deadly Women and Snapped. Radio America calls Phelps “the nation’s leading authority on the mind of the female murderer,” and TV Rage says, “M. William Phelps dares to tread where few others will: into the mind of a killer.” A respected journalist, beyond his book writing Phelps has written for numerous publications—including the Providence Journal, Connecticut Magazine and Hartford Courant—and consulted on the first season of the hit Showtime cable television series Dexter.
Phelps grew up in East Hartford, CT, moved to Vernon, CT, at age 12, where he lived for 25 years. He now lives in a reclusive Connecticut farming community north of Hartford.
Beyond crime, Phelps has also written several history books, including the acclaimed, New York Times bestselling NATHAN HALE: The Life and Death of America’s First Spy, THE DEVIL’S ROOMING HOUSE, THE DEVIL’S RIGHT HAND, MURDER, NEW ENGLAND, and more.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
August 1, 2021
The second half of this book saves it. That's where it picks up speed and becomes difficult to put down. Before that, it crawls along at a snail's pace, detailing every lead the cops chased, every form they filled out, every discussion they had.
As much as I adored her, Ann Rule's single-case books fell into some of the same traps, which makes me wonder if there's editors out there going, "No, we must know where all the cops went to high school and how they met their wives! It's of the utmost importance that we know what sports they played as kids, and how they look, and whether or not they're Irish. Wait--what did they eat that day?"
At least Phelps skips the ever-popular courtroom transcript, and just provides the most salient information from both trials.
I'll never understand the obsession with the women's looks and ages (does being a third runner up in one Miss Ohio competition really equate to "beauty queen"?), or the terrible, grainy photos, which were mostly far-away views of houses and cops sitting at their desks. Also, according to Phelps, "looking your age" in your fifties apparently means you're a haggard shrew with your "formerly porcelain skin hanging in wrinkles." Nice.
As much as I adored her, Ann Rule's single-case books fell into some of the same traps, which makes me wonder if there's editors out there going, "No, we must know where all the cops went to high school and how they met their wives! It's of the utmost importance that we know what sports they played as kids, and how they look, and whether or not they're Irish. Wait--what did they eat that day?"
At least Phelps skips the ever-popular courtroom transcript, and just provides the most salient information from both trials.
I'll never understand the obsession with the women's looks and ages (does being a third runner up in one Miss Ohio competition really equate to "beauty queen"?), or the terrible, grainy photos, which were mostly far-away views of houses and cops sitting at their desks. Also, according to Phelps, "looking your age" in your fifties apparently means you're a haggard shrew with your "formerly porcelain skin hanging in wrinkles." Nice.
December 23, 2016
Finished this one a few days ago and I am sometimes very critical of this author but I must say with this book the writing is definitely not bad.
I also like that he writes it in the way it happened. No big spoilers.
Alas I still cannot give it more than 3 stars but that is because the characters were all so unlikeable that after a while I did not care anymore who did it.
I did like that he wrote this in the way the investigation was going. very slow and with so many candidates who could be the one who did it. I see this is an older book of his (2008). I hope he will find a more interesting case and writes like he did in this book. Then it will be great.
I also like that he writes it in the way it happened. No big spoilers.
Alas I still cannot give it more than 3 stars but that is because the characters were all so unlikeable that after a while I did not care anymore who did it.
I did like that he wrote this in the way the investigation was going. very slow and with so many candidates who could be the one who did it. I see this is an older book of his (2008). I hope he will find a more interesting case and writes like he did in this book. Then it will be great.
January 31, 2022
This book went on and on and on…
I love real crime and I was really excited when I found this one I thought it would be really entertaining. However this book could’ve been written in 100 pages instead of 479. I almost gave up on it a numerous times but I wanted to see how it ended. I feel like I completely wasted my time on this book I don’t think I’ll ever read one by this author again.
I love real crime and I was really excited when I found this one I thought it would be really entertaining. However this book could’ve been written in 100 pages instead of 479. I almost gave up on it a numerous times but I wanted to see how it ended. I feel like I completely wasted my time on this book I don’t think I’ll ever read one by this author again.
May 14, 2016
I liked this book! You can tell that Phelps puts a lot of time and effort into researching and writinf these books and it shows. I've read my fair share of true crime books and Phelps is by far my favorite author in this genre.
This book was a page turner for me, and the case had more than a few twists and turns that were unexpected. I would definitely recommend this book to others and plan on giving it to my grandmother to read, as she loves this genre as well.
This book was a page turner for me, and the case had more than a few twists and turns that were unexpected. I would definitely recommend this book to others and plan on giving it to my grandmother to read, as she loves this genre as well.
February 26, 2021
Great read
I like true crime, so I really liked this book. It had many details and painted the picture very clearly.
I like true crime, so I really liked this book. It had many details and painted the picture very clearly.
March 16, 2019
Really well done NF piece. Balanced, well researched and reader friendly. I read it for a reading challenge to read something set in your town, and as such can count 3 degrees of separation between myself and this case through work and friendships. Very good read.
October 15, 2011
Amazing story, M. William Phelps proves again how good an author he is from doing the research to writing the book. The characters involved in the story are incredible. Jeff Zack lived a questionable life and found trouble that brought him to his death. Cindy George is the mastermind behind the murder trying to hide a nasty secret. Zaffino the all braun mental midget who is too stupid to realize he is being used. And lastly, Christine Todaro one brave woman that helped police capture the killer and bring to justice. The book is like all other books by Mr. Phelps, easy to read and follow and hard to put down, well written.
March 6, 2021
2.5 stars. Very well researched and fairly balanced. However, the author may have included TOO many details as it got kinda repetitive and boring. Also not really sure why some cuss words were censored and some weren't (sometimes even the same ones!)
February 16, 2011
I had never heard of this case until I picked up this book. The outcome of the case is jaw dropping that's all I can say
August 18, 2013
how cindy got away with it , I cant believe...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 20, 2015
This book was well researched and the case well portrayed. It is depressing to think of what the Zack family went through. This is a great read of the true crime genre.
December 5, 2020
This Summary/Review was copied from other sources and is used only as a reminder of what the book was about for my personal interest. Any Personal Notations are for my recollection only.
**
A well-written true crime novel. The author does a great job of laying out the facts and details of the case as the police and district attorneys make their case. I don't believe for one minute that Cynthia George didn't have something to do with the murder of Jeff Zack - she's a manipulative and narcissist who got everything she wanted - including getting away with murder.
**
Amazing story, M. William Phelps proves again how good an author he is from doing the research to writing the book. The characters involved in the story are incredible. Jeff Zack lived a questionable life and found trouble that brought him to his death. Cindy George is the mastermind behind the murder trying to hide a nasty secret. Zaffino the all braun mental midget who is too stupid to realize he is being used. And lastly, Christine Todaro one brave woman that helped police capture the killer and bring to justice. The book is like all other books by Mr. Phelps, easy to read and follow and hard to put down, well written
**
**
A well-written true crime novel. The author does a great job of laying out the facts and details of the case as the police and district attorneys make their case. I don't believe for one minute that Cynthia George didn't have something to do with the murder of Jeff Zack - she's a manipulative and narcissist who got everything she wanted - including getting away with murder.
**
Amazing story, M. William Phelps proves again how good an author he is from doing the research to writing the book. The characters involved in the story are incredible. Jeff Zack lived a questionable life and found trouble that brought him to his death. Cindy George is the mastermind behind the murder trying to hide a nasty secret. Zaffino the all braun mental midget who is too stupid to realize he is being used. And lastly, Christine Todaro one brave woman that helped police capture the killer and bring to justice. The book is like all other books by Mr. Phelps, easy to read and follow and hard to put down, well written
**
June 30, 2021
Great story!
I only have a couple of criticisms, and they certainly aren't bad enough to keep a person from reading the book.
This author does not understand colloquial expressions and gets them wrong. For example, when describing someone who does not care, he writes, "He could care less". That's not what he's trying to say. If you could care less, that means you care. The correct expression is, "He couldn't care less". That means he cares so little that he couldn't care any less than he already does.
Another distraction is his conflating of words that creates compound words that do not exist in English. For example he writes "Away" when he means " A way". They have completely different meanings, and he does it several times in the book. I'm very surprised that his publisher's copy editors never caught these recurring problems.
That said, the way he weaves a story and introduces characters is excellent and he moves the story forward with finesse, keeping the reader engrossed and unable to put the book down until it's complete.
I will be reading more of his true crime!
I only have a couple of criticisms, and they certainly aren't bad enough to keep a person from reading the book.
This author does not understand colloquial expressions and gets them wrong. For example, when describing someone who does not care, he writes, "He could care less". That's not what he's trying to say. If you could care less, that means you care. The correct expression is, "He couldn't care less". That means he cares so little that he couldn't care any less than he already does.
Another distraction is his conflating of words that creates compound words that do not exist in English. For example he writes "Away" when he means " A way". They have completely different meanings, and he does it several times in the book. I'm very surprised that his publisher's copy editors never caught these recurring problems.
That said, the way he weaves a story and introduces characters is excellent and he moves the story forward with finesse, keeping the reader engrossed and unable to put the book down until it's complete.
I will be reading more of his true crime!
June 6, 2023
The second half of the book was far better than the first.
I have read a few books by this author, and I've noticed that he tends to go into WAY too much detail at times. It's particularly noticeable here, since this book is about 100 pages longer than it really needed to be.
I read a lot of true crime, and I'm sorry but I really don't care to know all about the background of the police officers who worked on this or any other case. I don't care where they grew up, where they went to school, or how they met their wives. I care about reading the facts of the case at hand, and how the police officers managed to crack the case.
Anyway, onto the content. I had previously seen this case profiled on Snapped, so I wanted to know more since Snapped often leaves out key details on the short episodes. For one thing, I think to call Cindy George a beauty queen is a major misnomer, since she was never a beauty queen. The case itself was interesting enough, but I could have done without the length of the book.
I have read a few books by this author, and I've noticed that he tends to go into WAY too much detail at times. It's particularly noticeable here, since this book is about 100 pages longer than it really needed to be.
I read a lot of true crime, and I'm sorry but I really don't care to know all about the background of the police officers who worked on this or any other case. I don't care where they grew up, where they went to school, or how they met their wives. I care about reading the facts of the case at hand, and how the police officers managed to crack the case.
Anyway, onto the content. I had previously seen this case profiled on Snapped, so I wanted to know more since Snapped often leaves out key details on the short episodes. For one thing, I think to call Cindy George a beauty queen is a major misnomer, since she was never a beauty queen. The case itself was interesting enough, but I could have done without the length of the book.
December 30, 2022
I finished it, but good grief it was too long. There was entirely too much minutia that had nothing to with this case. I didn’t care about the detectives long careers. I didn’t care about the other cases the detectives may or may not have been working. I also didn’t need the background of some of the witnesses of the murder. It made no sense that I had gone more than half of the book before the murderer was even mentioned. Once the book got to that part, it seemed to move a bit faster. At least, for a while. We got more unnecessary minutia.
I’m truly not sure I want to read any of the other true crime books by this author. Obviously the editors at Oxygen Network know how to cut his wordiness so that it’s not so dull. Live and learn 🤷🏽♀️
I’m truly not sure I want to read any of the other true crime books by this author. Obviously the editors at Oxygen Network know how to cut his wordiness so that it’s not so dull. Live and learn 🤷🏽♀️
December 31, 2023
"I was sad for him, because he decided to throw his life down the toilet.... He was too stupid to realize that he was totally used by [a woman] for one purpose and one purpose only— to get rid of a problem that looked like it would never go away and that problem was Jeff Zack and his claim to his daughter."
I enjoy reading true crime occasionally and this case was definitely interesting, one where in my opinion only one of the two people responsible for this senseless murder has been held accountable. Unfortunately this book suffers from a common problem found in true crime accounts, it's probably about one hundred pages too long, there us quite a lot of minutiae that adds nothing to the story.
I enjoy reading true crime occasionally and this case was definitely interesting, one where in my opinion only one of the two people responsible for this senseless murder has been held accountable. Unfortunately this book suffers from a common problem found in true crime accounts, it's probably about one hundred pages too long, there us quite a lot of minutiae that adds nothing to the story.
September 2, 2022
I am from Cleveland and lived there when this happened, I vaguely remembering it being covered but I didn’t really pay attention at the time. Of course If you understand Cleveland and Akron are close in miles but worlds away from each in other aspects. I almost didn’t read the book because I thought I know about this but I went ahead because usually the more in-depth coverage tells you a lot more and this did.
Based on local coverage and from what people I know that live in that area, it is generally accepted in the community that she is guilty but people with money get away with a lot.
Based on local coverage and from what people I know that live in that area, it is generally accepted in the community that she is guilty but people with money get away with a lot.
April 1, 2023
Money talks in this Akron Ohio murder case
This intriguing true crime account is a tangled web of lies, betrayal, deception, and broken lives. Why couldn't the principal actors just let go of each other? Why embark on a dangerous affair in the first place? The prosecution made a concerted effort, presented piece by agonizing piece. I read this book on my Amazon Kindle Fire HD 10 tablet, streaming via Kindle Unlimited.
This intriguing true crime account is a tangled web of lies, betrayal, deception, and broken lives. Why couldn't the principal actors just let go of each other? Why embark on a dangerous affair in the first place? The prosecution made a concerted effort, presented piece by agonizing piece. I read this book on my Amazon Kindle Fire HD 10 tablet, streaming via Kindle Unlimited.
July 21, 2017
A well-written true crime novel. The author does a great job of laying out the facts and details of the case as the police and district attorneys make their case. I don't believe for one minute that Cynthia George didn't have something to do with the murder of Jeff Zack - she's a manipulative and narcissist who got everything she wanted - including getting away with murder.
October 18, 2021
This is a hard true crime book to review. Because there are just so many loose threads....did Cindy George order her lover to kill her ex lover? Was there any HARD evidence other then phone calls and the affair.
I thought that the author did a great job combing through the files and talking to all those involved who would speak to him.
Just so many lingering questions.
I thought that the author did a great job combing through the files and talking to all those involved who would speak to him.
Just so many lingering questions.
November 11, 2021
I have seen this guy on TV and naturally wondered what his writing is like. I liked his writing style as he gave context on why the investigation and prosecution went as they did.
And I think that it once shows how local power and money can sway outcomes from expectations, and in this case, the truth.
And I think that it once shows how local power and money can sway outcomes from expectations, and in this case, the truth.
April 1, 2023
total waste of my time
Oh my goodness. This book was boring. Why write about this crime when there are so many more interesting stories to write about. I kept thinking that there was going to be this interesting twist. It never came. Just pages upon pages of boring non essential story lines that amounted to nothing. This was a total waste of my time.
Oh my goodness. This book was boring. Why write about this crime when there are so many more interesting stories to write about. I kept thinking that there was going to be this interesting twist. It never came. Just pages upon pages of boring non essential story lines that amounted to nothing. This was a total waste of my time.
August 11, 2021
Keeps your interest
Very well researched book.but not tedious. Characters are engaging with some unbelievable sections which boggle the mind I never read author before but on par of Ann Rule
Very well researched book.but not tedious. Characters are engaging with some unbelievable sections which boggle the mind I never read author before but on par of Ann Rule
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August 15, 2021Usual good job away
I get tickled when I find a recurrent autocorrect in an otherwise literate author's work. See if you count 6 away that clearly, in a way, are clearly one space short of correct meaning.
I get tickled when I find a recurrent autocorrect in an otherwise literate author's work. See if you count 6 away that clearly, in a way, are clearly one space short of correct meaning.
December 30, 2022
Very good true crime story
Im from Akron Ohio , know the story and location well but loved learning new details. Kept me hooked to the very end. As they say truth is stranger than fiction. If you like true crime stories you e will love this
Im from Akron Ohio , know the story and location well but loved learning new details. Kept me hooked to the very end. As they say truth is stranger than fiction. If you like true crime stories you e will love this
January 20, 2023
It wasn't bad but a bit forgettable. The usual Phelps formula, but the characters in this one were just not very engaging. I don't regret reading it but I finished it last week and am already having a hard time remembering the details.
February 22, 2024
This is based on a real case. You can watch it on the ID. I had to watch the episode after I finished the book. It really made all things come to life. It was a long book but kept me hanging on after reading each chapter.
June 26, 2017
great read
October 25, 2018
Pretty Good Read
Interesting story, but some parts of the investigation and trials is drawn out a bit too much. Took awhile to get through
Interesting story, but some parts of the investigation and trials is drawn out a bit too much. Took awhile to get through
August 15, 2019
Interesting story. Not particularly well written or well read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews