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Deadly Secrets
The double life of a hardworking wife and mother leads to murder in this true-crime story by the New York Times bestselling author of I'll Be Watching You.In the lovely town of Pleasant Valley in upstate New York, the maple trees were ablaze with fall's blood-red color. The air was crisp. And a woman named Susan Fassett left her weekly choir practice at a church—when a killer emerged from the shadows and mercilessly gunned her down . . .Stunned, the police immediately suspected Susan Fassett's husband and surrounded his home. They couldn't have been more wrong. Susan Fassett had been living a secret life, entangled in a passionate web of dominance, lesbian sex, betrayal—and a depraved plan for murder. After detectives untangled a web of secrets and corruption hidden in plain sight, the town of Pleasant Valley would be rocked again when a shocking trial exposed the whole sordid truth . . .Praise for M. William Phelps“One of America's finest true-crime writers.” —Vincent Bugliosi, New York Times bestselling author of Helter Skelter“Phelps is the Harlan Coben of real-life thrillers.” —Allison Brennan, New York Times bestselling author of Tell No LiesWith sixteen pages of shocking photos
369 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2009
287 people are currently reading
549 people want to read
About the author
M. William Phelps
88 books1,164 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 53 reviews
May 7, 2022
Edit: I changed my rating from 3 to 4 stars as, after a bit of a lull, I ended up really enjoying it. Initially, I didn’t feel as invested in this particular case as I have been in some others. However, I enjoy this author’s true crime books as he paints a vivid and whole picture that kind of ‘takes you there’ and gives you a feel for the case. This case is the murder of a mother in a small town. It was twisty with some unsavoury characters and bizarre chain of events. Reading his books often feels like watching a binge-worthy crime documentary. I enjoy sinking my teeth into the twisty and less familiar cases that I’ve never previously heard of.
June 10, 2016
:: 4 Pretty Little Stars ::
Genre: True Crime
This is a very well written, thoughtful, and intriguing true crime novel. M. William Phelps is a wonderful true crime author- probably my second favorite in this genre after Ann Rule. Readers can tell that he does his homework on these cases as he is able to provide us with ample and true information that have derived from the crimes he writes about. Overall, I really enjoyed this one. The author uses care when describing the victims, and shows us the true minds of killers. Fans of this genre certainly want to read books by Phelps and I plan on continuing with more in the near future. Fans of Investigation Discovery (ID), and those 20/20 shows that detail crime cases should definitely pick up books in this genre. They are so addicting!
Genre: True Crime
This is a very well written, thoughtful, and intriguing true crime novel. M. William Phelps is a wonderful true crime author- probably my second favorite in this genre after Ann Rule. Readers can tell that he does his homework on these cases as he is able to provide us with ample and true information that have derived from the crimes he writes about. Overall, I really enjoyed this one. The author uses care when describing the victims, and shows us the true minds of killers. Fans of this genre certainly want to read books by Phelps and I plan on continuing with more in the near future. Fans of Investigation Discovery (ID), and those 20/20 shows that detail crime cases should definitely pick up books in this genre. They are so addicting!
September 10, 2018
Fred Andros was an influential town servant with some sort of charisma that allowed him to carry on affairs with multiple women while he is wheeling & dealing (and stealing). As his legal woes are coming upon him, he convinces a woman he is having an affair with to murder another woman he had been sleeping with. This woman, Dawn, was also sleeping with the woman at his request. The author is great at researching the background to the crime and giving insight into what happened and why. The story is incredibly sad and the book a sad and insightful read.
February 8, 2021
I find Phelps falls in to the "quantity vs quality" category of authors. I would rather read one great book from an author than a dozen ok ones.. I didn't find this book very interesting, I think just because there was a threesome and lesbian sex he thought it was a scandalous story (and kept bringing it up). I feel bad for the husband and children of Susan, how they were treated initially by police and then to have all these nasty details about her brought up after her death.
July 14, 2021
The author brings you in on every detail of this twisted story and keeps your interest. I have read Phelps in the past, and have to say this is one of his better books!
August 2, 2022
The truth can definitely be stranger than fiction, and this case is one of those times… Susan Fassett murder in 1999
November 15, 2025
4stars
March 2, 2013
This was more of a pleasure to read of this author's books than previous ones as it didn't hop about as much backwards and forwards in time each chapter as much and nor did it have as many mistakes so I'm guessing had a different editor ?
It was about a woman leaving choir practice one night in Pleasant Valley, ironically, who's gunned down. She had a LOT of secrets she kept from people (very successfully, I must say, cos' it seems nobody had a bad word to say about her even when all was revealed) as did the murderers involved.
It was well researched although there weren't any interviews done with the "other side" it seems, Fred's family or friends, although I'd expect the author to struggle with tracing anyone who was bosom buddies with this guy so that maybe explains it and I've answered my own question.
I wondered about the photographs mentioned in the very first chapter and wondered if they were found cos' that was a big part of the story for me and nothing was said.
I liked what her son Jason told the author in the final line of the book. He seemed a lovely lad. And it never said whether he and Sarah remained together, either.....loose ends.
There was a recurring mistake that annoyed me-gage being used instead of gauge. Also lover's quarrel which I'm pretty sure should read lovers' quarrel although it was misused so often I'm questioning myself. Also insuring should be ensuring.
All in all, I enjoyed it and would recommend it and read more by him.
It was about a woman leaving choir practice one night in Pleasant Valley, ironically, who's gunned down. She had a LOT of secrets she kept from people (very successfully, I must say, cos' it seems nobody had a bad word to say about her even when all was revealed) as did the murderers involved.
It was well researched although there weren't any interviews done with the "other side" it seems, Fred's family or friends, although I'd expect the author to struggle with tracing anyone who was bosom buddies with this guy so that maybe explains it and I've answered my own question.
I wondered about the photographs mentioned in the very first chapter and wondered if they were found cos' that was a big part of the story for me and nothing was said.
I liked what her son Jason told the author in the final line of the book. He seemed a lovely lad. And it never said whether he and Sarah remained together, either.....loose ends.
There was a recurring mistake that annoyed me-gage being used instead of gauge. Also lover's quarrel which I'm pretty sure should read lovers' quarrel although it was misused so often I'm questioning myself. Also insuring should be ensuring.
All in all, I enjoyed it and would recommend it and read more by him.
January 26, 2016
Loved this book!! I think I liked it a little extra because it happened around where I live.
October 23, 2017
Couldn't read much!
I love true crime books, the factual ones, not ones that make up thoughts and dialogue that couldn't be known about.
I love true crime books, the factual ones, not ones that make up thoughts and dialogue that couldn't be known about.
March 27, 2022
There just has to be more to this story--was Fred Andros inexplicably great in the sack? Phelps describes Andros as repulsive but magnetic, but only tells us about the magnetism instead of illustrating it. Phelps explanation of why one mistress would actually shoot the other woman for Fred is not clearly explained. I just don't buy the idea that Dawn Silvernail was scared he would do harm to her children. If Andros truly had connections to hitmen, why wouldn't he have dispensed them to murder Susan Fassett? And why, on earth, did he want Fassett dead--had she truly rejected him? Evidence proved she had slept with Andros hours before her murder. A fascinating and bizzare case--but this book leaves too many questions unanswered.
April 12, 2019
Compassionote and empathetic storytelling
Some have complained about Phelps being too detailed and repetitive. I see this criticism but I would suggest the book only needs about 10% cut.
For most of the book, this true crime story plods along like most. Interesting and compelling but also occasionally dry and a touch overly detailed. However, at the end, and especially the epilogue, Phelps adds a personal touch that is thoughtful and touching and wraps the story with a true human element. Strong 4 stars.
Some have complained about Phelps being too detailed and repetitive. I see this criticism but I would suggest the book only needs about 10% cut.
For most of the book, this true crime story plods along like most. Interesting and compelling but also occasionally dry and a touch overly detailed. However, at the end, and especially the epilogue, Phelps adds a personal touch that is thoughtful and touching and wraps the story with a true human element. Strong 4 stars.
July 16, 2022
Very Good
The author did a very thorough job of concisely leading the reader through a lot of crime and trial details.
I liked the fact that his chapters were short; and not overloaded with minute details just to pad the book. It allowed the reader to process the information, instead of feeling bogged down.
His account of all the key figures were fully developed in my opinion.
A job well done in providing a balanced narrative to a very heinous crime.
Interesting reading, good writing style and a job well done.
The author did a very thorough job of concisely leading the reader through a lot of crime and trial details.
I liked the fact that his chapters were short; and not overloaded with minute details just to pad the book. It allowed the reader to process the information, instead of feeling bogged down.
His account of all the key figures were fully developed in my opinion.
A job well done in providing a balanced narrative to a very heinous crime.
Interesting reading, good writing style and a job well done.
February 6, 2018
I’m on a true crime kick right now and find that many of these type of books are mostly a recounting of court transcripts. This one didn’t cover much of the courtroom but it did cover the crime and investigation thoroughly.
Sad case of two women who were trying to please a man who only cared about himself. He was able to manipulate each of them into acts that ultimately caused the death of one and prison for the other.
Sad case of two women who were trying to please a man who only cared about himself. He was able to manipulate each of them into acts that ultimately caused the death of one and prison for the other.
February 16, 2021
Well done!
I was not sure I would like this book because I was already familiar with the case from television shows. However, Mr. Phelps brought more life to the people involved, more detail to their stories, and more insight into what really happened, than any of the shows. His writing style is perfect for the story he tells.
I was not sure I would like this book because I was already familiar with the case from television shows. However, Mr. Phelps brought more life to the people involved, more detail to their stories, and more insight into what really happened, than any of the shows. His writing style is perfect for the story he tells.
July 5, 2021
I love true crime….I’ll start with that. Was this book bad? No. Was it great? No
The story is fair. However it felt like it went on forever. If you like true crime with no psychological info….which many people do! This is a good book for YOU. For me this wasn’t the best choice.
The authors research though is very detailed and honest.
The story is fair. However it felt like it went on forever. If you like true crime with no psychological info….which many people do! This is a good book for YOU. For me this wasn’t the best choice.
The authors research though is very detailed and honest.
October 21, 2021
Riveting
A well told account of selfishness, greed, and lust. The events catapulted into a heinous and heartbreaking story. The lives effected by this tragedy were many. I especially was very saddened by Jason, the victims son. What a courageous young man. Peace to all of those involved. Evil is real and present.
A well told account of selfishness, greed, and lust. The events catapulted into a heinous and heartbreaking story. The lives effected by this tragedy were many. I especially was very saddened by Jason, the victims son. What a courageous young man. Peace to all of those involved. Evil is real and present.
February 21, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. It's an older true crime case. The murderer is identified early on so you get to follow the investigation knowing who did it - fascinating! This book definitely supports the notion that real life is more crazy than fiction.
August 9, 2021
Tragic Crime And Murder
This exacting and well researched book is compassionately told by the author, yet tells the whole story. Read how this death effected an entire community. Touching story.
This exacting and well researched book is compassionately told by the author, yet tells the whole story. Read how this death effected an entire community. Touching story.
June 17, 2022
Very good!!
Such a crazy story. People make decisions for many reasons and often they are bad. This was written in such a way you feel it unfold slowly. This is my second book by M. William Phelps I'll read more.
Such a crazy story. People make decisions for many reasons and often they are bad. This was written in such a way you feel it unfold slowly. This is my second book by M. William Phelps I'll read more.
November 20, 2022
Very well told!!! Hooked!!!
This was a very well told story. I couldn't put it down. It kept me on my toes. Very respectful to the families. Going to find another book by this author!
This was a very well told story. I couldn't put it down. It kept me on my toes. Very respectful to the families. Going to find another book by this author!
September 15, 2023
Yawn! I usually enjoy Phelps’ true stories based on details from documented research. This one was excellent but really bogged down with the trial. Too much repetition and minute details. Phelps
commented several times about the jury going to sleep or bored. I felt that I was on the jury.
commented several times about the jury going to sleep or bored. I felt that I was on the jury.
October 15, 2023
gripping
Mr Phelps has a unique way of drawing the reader into the story. I felt the emotions from Dawn and Jason. This book a good reminder how a mastermind murder can Occur anywhere to anyone.
Mr Phelps has a unique way of drawing the reader into the story. I felt the emotions from Dawn and Jason. This book a good reminder how a mastermind murder can Occur anywhere to anyone.
February 19, 2024
Wow!! Could not put this down.
Extraordinary true story of what a master manipulator is capable of. Prayers for all of the families involved.
Well written. Excellent!!
Carol Howell
Danville VA
Extraordinary true story of what a master manipulator is capable of. Prayers for all of the families involved.
Well written. Excellent!!
Carol Howell
Danville VA
April 22, 2018
Love the books and the way William Phelps delivers his true crime books
May 28, 2019
I was hooked from page 1. A local to me true crime story.
September 29, 2019
My favorite crime writer.
April 10, 2020
Another true crime thriller.
April 9, 2021
An interesting read. Well written and researched.
June 19, 2021
In depth telling of a sad story
The author does a thorough job of this incident. Well written though disturbing narrative of some seriously confused people. Sad.
The author does a thorough job of this incident. Well written though disturbing narrative of some seriously confused people. Sad.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews