I'd Kill For You

by M. William Phelps

After her mother's untimely death, Clara Schwartz became distant, withdrawn. Her father, a renowned DNA researcher, lived in a farmhouse outside Leesburg, Virginia, where in December 2001, he was fatally stabbed by what seemed to be a ninja-style sword. Police arrested Kyle Hulbert, a troubled teen--and aspiring vampire. Kyle was Clara's friend, one of a circle obsessed with role-playing games.

Drawing on exclusive interviews with the killer, bestselling author M. William Phelps reveals a frightening subculture, the tragic collision of two young people's dark worlds, and its deadly consequences.

Includes 16 Pages Of Dramatic Photos

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime

496 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published February 24, 2015

About the author

Crime, 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.

Reviews

[Misty Marie Harms · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two troubled teenagers headed on a collision course of destruction. Clara Schwartz manipulated Kyle into killing her father, no doubt. However Kyle could have said no like other guys before him did. Also Phelps putting all Gen Xer's together as entitled rubbed me the wrong way. I am Gen X and I do not have that attitude. Did anyone consider Clara needed serious therapy after her mother's death? Clearly she was acting out and doing attention seeking behavior. I feel like her mother died and it was just swept under the rug. Phelps did his usual good job putting all the facts together in a well written book. Lay off the Gen Xer's we are not all bad 🤷‍♀️

🐱🐱🐱

[BAM doesn’t answer to her real name · Rating 2 out of 5]

This author disappointed me again. It took me a sec to figure out what he was talking about. Without spoiling anything he said someone pulled out a “lance set”. He meant a LANCET.
This book is pitiful. I’m not knocking on the psychosis. I’ve never dealt or taught anyone with the same diagnosis except maybe a kindergartner one year. I will never forget him and to this day I wonder how he’s doing as a young adult. He was one of the cutest yet one of the most truly disturbed children I had ever seen. He could at 5 vividly describe his dreams and they were vicious. A Catholic school and we needed safety take down measures for a five year old. And he never recognized pain to himself or his classmates. Both petrifying and pitiful.

[Elle G. Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short Review: This has been sitting on my kindle for a while now so I decided to take the plunge and read it. Overall, I really liked it. True Crime novels are very interesting to me and I think M. William Phelps is one of the best TC writers out there. I have been slowly going through all his books- some are total hits while others are misses. This one was a hit for me although my one qualm is that it's a bit too long. Some of the stuff is redundant and had he skipped writing the same things over and over again he could have gotten away with a shorter book with the same great content.

This one revolves are a set of teens and young adults who commit murder against one of their fathers. It's a dark and gritty story that certainly makes you think about mental illness. If you are a true crime aficionado like me, this is a must have.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hard to put down but that's with all his books!!!

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

How do you review a book written about your own cousin-in-law? Yes, Clara Jane is my cousin by marriage. My aunt and uncle are the only ones that ever believed Clara's side of the story. After reading the book, despite the author's obvious bias, I have to conclude, based on the evidence as presented, that yes Clara is guilty. I think it likely that Clara has been manipulating my aunt and uncle all this time, just as she manipulated all of her friends. My aunt goes and sees Clara in prison every week, from what I understand. (not sure if my uncle goes every time, though he is Clara's uncle, Robert's brother). I have no problem with that, as an act of Christian charity. What is really sad is the alienation of them from the rest of the Schwartz family. It's like they lost two brothers, not just one.

While the writing was fine, I do take away a star due to the author's bias. This is the first book I've read by him, so maybe it's SOP for him to allow his own opinions to bleed through. Even so, it was a fairly comprehensive description of the events and the investigation. Now, after all these years, I have no more doubts about whether Clara should be in prison. I don't know why the judge didn't just give her life, though. There's no parole for her, so she'll be like 68 years old when she gets out. Wow.

[Violet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Brilliant Read

As with all the other books I’ve read of Mr Phelps this is an engrossing read into the mindsets of those accused & ultimately found guilty of murder. But this book also delves a little into the thought processes of those we would consider to be mentally ill, how that illness can be, for lack of a better word ‘hijacked’ by others for their own ulterior motives. How culpable can someone be if they are not of a sound mind, if those around them know what strings to pull in order to achieve their own agendas ? It’s a line of thought that will be left with me long after I’ve turned the final page of this book.

[Toby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now THIS was a book I was in the right mood for! Almost 400 pages and I finished it in less than 3 work days (which is pretty quick given that weekends are when I get the most of my reading done). Yay, true crime.

My only complaint is that in the final two chapters of the book, Phelps did not appear as knowledgeable about mental illness as I would have liked. Nor did he seem to that rehabilitation is possible for murderers, although it’s been shown that it can be possible (dependent upon the person, the crime committed, and the severity of mental illness if there are any diagnoses).

[Dixie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have always looked forward to a new book from M.William Phelps, but this one was a major disappointment. Too much focus on dialogue between the two main characters (where the manipulation was going on)...50 pages or more could have easily been cut out. More than the usual editorial comments. The second half was better than the first. I really like this author, but not this book.

[Kitty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book up at a grocery store and am surprisingly super excited to read this. I'm going to force myself to finish The Last Werewolf first, since that is for a school project...*sigh*

[Sandra Laymon · Rating 2 out of 5]

B-O-R-I-N-G!!

I have read many other books authored by William Phelps and I enjoyed them but this is not one of them. The actual event that the book was written about did not occur until HALFWAY through the book! The entire first half was devoted to the kids that planned and carried out the murder. I should have put it down long before the end but I kept thinking SOMETHING has to happen here. The trial was skipped through so quickly I hardly knew it had happened. Would I recommend it to others? Never! Don't waste your money or your time. It's awful!

[Tabitha Rohm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an awesome book. It was truly a page turner. The chapters are really short and it is really easy to read. I love when Phelps adds some of his own personal opinion to his books and he did just that in this book. At the end, he gives you some real food for thought. I will have this book on my mind for quite some time I am sure.

[Kathleen Riggs · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd Kill For You A book about mental illness.
This has been sitting on my kindle for a while now, so I decided to read it. Overall, I enjoyed the book but have been far more engaged in other books by Phelps. The book is about a set of teens and young adults who commit murder against one of their fathers.
Michael Phelps books always give background to both the victim and the perpetrators It is a dark and gritty story that certainly makes you think about mental illness.

[Riann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was excellent! I love how relatable it is. It's written like a thriller and is very well researched. M. William Very well done. Phelps spoke to Kyle Hulbert which shows with the level of detail into Kyle's thought processes. Very well done.

[Donna Humble · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent account of the crime and trial but, I found the writing to be very dry and a but boring.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better ones by this author.

[Tan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bo. Ring. Way too much detail on the mental processes of some pretty shallow thinkers.

[Mitesh Patel · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of those crazy murders that make you think WTF. The book while good is ted bit heavy in narrating the bizarre world of some of the characters. I really liked the analysis of the author on what remedial actions may be taken to stop such horrific incidences. Ok book

[Marnie Z · Rating 3 out of 5]

rounded up from 2.5*, interesting story but drags on quite a bit

[Mary Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely needed a good edit. Very repetitive. I remember the crime and thus brought in more information about it.

[Purva Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read enough that it counts. I'm a fan of this writer, but it seems like he just couldn't get a handle on telling this story. Lost interest.

[Sparklin C Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

From rpg the Underworld to the actual deed. Poor Kyle never saw what Clara was saying was all to deceive him. That is until he kills her dad. Then all bets are off each man for himself.

[Kathleen Chartier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't really peak my interest... Was kinda slow and boring... Sad though that the Dad died due to a crazy daughter and her insane boyfriend... Glad it's done...

[Jlsimon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have scathingly scolded authors at times for writing a crime book and then heaping to much pity on the perpetrator. Frankly I have less sympathy for a killer than I do for the individuals that were left in their wake, the families of their victims. I don't care how poor your are, or how bad your childhood, you have choices. You have the ability to decide to make a change. This book though, is different.

M. William Phelps is one of the true crime greats because he never looses sight of the victim. He never forgets in his research and efforts to show the whole picture who the real victims are. I applaud his work. That said, his portrayal of Kyle Holbert hurts my heart a little. Due to Kyle's multiple psychological issues, and the fact that he was dumped into a world he did not know how to deal with goes a long way to explaining how he could have been manipulated by Clara Schwartz. One can say that Phelps does not argue that Kyle is blameless, and I agree that he is responsible for his acts, I do feel pity for Kyle.

There is last thing I wish to say about the content of this case. Justice was not served fully. I do not believe Clara should have gotten a lighter sentence than Kyle. She is as guilty and in my opinion more guilty than Kyle. I do believe the other players were punished more severely than their participation warranted. So why did Clara get off with less than her deserts? I guess we will never know. It doesn't sound like the family was feeling forgiving enough to pay off someone for favorable treatment, so why?

I would recommend this book to individuals that enjoy a case study on youthful offenders. I would also recommend this book to individuals looking for case studies on group dynamics, and internet roll play.

As always, another very well written work by M. William Phelps.

[Shawna Brooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

First off, I don't normally read non-fiction, but this one sounded so interesting I knew I had to attempt it. I was not disappointed. The author wrote it in a way where it read like easy fiction. It was fascinating realizing the macabre things that people are capable of, and the way the twisted mind could work. Definitely an enjoyable read!

[Shelly Wolfe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great true crime book, it's sad to see a young girl take advantage of a young guy that cleRly has problems separating fantasy from reality. Prime example of someone being a puppet and someone else pulling the strings...

[Ronnie Cramer · Rating 2 out of 5]

This true crime chronicle delves deeply into the fantasy world of the teenage culprits, and that just didn't interest me. The best part of the book was the Closing Remarks section, where author Phelps admitted he grew tired of their whining and self-pity.

[Marsmannix · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found it hard to follow what with all the role playing stuff. I did not like the book relying heavily on information from the murderer, without ever resolving if he was faking his mental illness all these years.

[Sheila Cohen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I live in the DC area so I remember the events that this book covers. I haven't read this author before but the account came across as very biased and I didn't really enjoy the book all that much.

[Chanii · Rating 2 out of 5]

So the murderers were teenagers. Is that why the writing is so adolescent?

This book should have been 300 pages long, instead of 400.

[june3 · Rating 2 out of 5]

An interesting story presented in an exceedingly dull and unnecessarily drawn-out fashion.
Others have remarked on this, I will see if I can find another of Mr. Phelps' books for comparison.