Lethal Guardian

Author M. William Phelps writes the mouth-dropping, mind-boggling tale of the Carpenters and the Clintons, described perfectly within as modern "Hatfields and McCoys." This well written story is the twisted actions of two attorneys, most specifically Beth Ann Carpenter, who would do anything for love and custody of Beth Ann's niece, Rebecca, respectively. And to accomplish their goals, they seek out low life criminals who will do anything for money to fund their criminal lifestyles. I found this book to be one of the best true crime stories I have read. It has everything an avid true crime reader loves including dirty little secrets, sordid affairs and kinky sex, devoted parents, and thrill of the chase. Five stars to this top author and his exceptional true crime book!

Lethal Guardian was an exceptionally well researched and satisfying read. Buzz Clinton was an imperfect man trying to get on the right track in life, who married Kim Carpenter, a young woman who had a vindictive and manipulative family. She brought with her a young daughter whom Buzz wanted to adopt and raise as his own. The Carpenters resented Buzz and fought hard to get legal custody of the daughter. Buzz never backed down, and though the Carpenters did what they could to mar Buzz's character, the legal system found Buzz and Kim to be competent parents. In an effort to remove his new family from the hatefulness and manipulation of Kim's parents and sister, Buzz was preparing to move to Arizona. This didn't sit well with Kim's sister, Beth Ann, who had started her own campaign to get rid of Buzz. Beth Ann used her feminine wiles with both her boyfriend and her boss and anyone else she thought might be useful. Her boss, Haiman Clein, completely smitten with Beth Ann, was a lawyer who not only represented a drug dealer, but was also a heavy cocaine user himself. Beth Ann was able to convince Haiman to find someone to kill Buzz. Hard to believe, but the story gets even better and more complicated. I won't go further into the tale, but Phelps does an excellent job of sorting out all the details and people mixed up in Beth Ann's web. In the end, I felt like everyone got what they deserved. My one question is about what happened with Kim and her children. The Clinton's did all they could to accommodate her and their grandchildren after Buzz's death, but I wasn't clear on what Kim chose to do with her life. I applaud the Clinton's for their strength throughout the long ordeal that finally put those involved in Buzz's murder away.

Lethal Guardian is one of the most fascinating true crime accounts I've ever read (and I've read alot). Mr. Phelps' writing skills are impeccable and he has the credentials and reputation to back it up. I highly recommend this book.

To Anson "Buzz" Clinton, wife Kim's family must have seemed more like "outlaws" than "in laws." Never allowing Kim and Buzz a moment's peace, Mr. & Mrs. Carpenter and eldest daughter Beth Ann were hell bent on gaining custody of Kim's daughter, Rebecca. They were equally obsessed in their desire to prevent Kim from marrying Buzz, a former exotic-dancer-turned-nurse's aide who was desperately trying to turn his life around and become a responsible man his family could be proud of. Clinton's parents and siblings loved him dearly, and had no doubt Buzz would succeed in making something special of his life. Kim Carpenter's family, however, begged to disagree. Deeming Kim an unfit mother and Buzz an unsuitable mate, Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter and daughter Beth Ann insisted to anyone who would listen that Rebecca would be far better off with them. Manipulating circumstances, shamelessly using (and hurting!) people who might assist them in their cause, and very often turning the truth into "anything but," the Carpenter's plotted and schemed to no avail. Ultimately, the courts disagreed with attorney Beth Ann's arguments for custody, and sent Rebecca home to Kim and Buzz. Unable to accept the thought of Rebecca living in a happy family unit that didn't include HER, Beth Ann took matters into her own hands. Utilizing her good looks, legal talents, and some positively lethal feminine wiles, Beth Ann coerced married-with-four-children lover/boss Haiman Clein into doing the unthinkable. Convincing Clein the only way Rebecca would be "safe" from "abusive" Buzz and "incompetent" Kim was Buzz's untimely death, Clein set out in search of a hit man to make this dream come true for the legal protege he had fallen head over heels for. The end result is a terrible tragedy for so many--all to ensure that Beth Ann and family met their selfish desires at others expense. Phelps should be credited for digging far deeper into a complex story than many an author would have. It would have been only too easy for Phelps to brand "hitman" Mark Depres and his misfit coterie of friends, or attorney Haiman Clein, as the villains here and be done with it. Instead, Phelps painstakingly researched the intricacies of this case and discovered "wheels within wheels" to expose the true villain--Beth Ann herself (and more than likely her parents, though they have not been prosecuted to date). I highly recommend this true crime tour de force--you will find that putting this book down will no doubt prove as much of a challenge as it had to have been to research it. Five stars to Phelps!

HiI happened to pick up your book, "Lethal Guardian" the other day. You did a fabulous job with the telling of this story. The details and the depth of your book pulled me into the story right away. In fact, I liked it so much I went to the store today and bought your first book, "Perfect Poison." I usually only read Anne Rule's books as far as true crime goes. I was delighted to discover another worthy writer, like yourself, in this genre. I just wanted to encourage you to continue with your writing. You have been given a gift! Now, go take on the day.... :-)