Targeted

A Deputy, Her Love Affairs, a Brutal Murder

By: M. William Phelps

Narrated by: Kevin Pierce

Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

"A gripping, no-holds-barred work of investigative journalism." (Steve Jackson, New York Times best-selling author of Bogeyman and No Stone Unturned)

When her missing boyfriend is found murdered, his body encased in cement inside a watering trough and dumped in a cattle field, a local sheriff's deputy is arrested and charged with his murder. But as New York Times best-selling author and investigative journalist M. William Phelps digs in, the truth leads to questions about her guilt.

In his first full-length, original true-crime audiobook for WildBlue Press, Phelps delivers a hard-hitting, unique experience, immersing listeners in the life of the first female deputy in Oglethorpe County, Georgia, who claims a sexual harassment suit she filed against the sheriff led to a murder charge. Is Tracy Fortson guilty or innocent? Listen and decide.

©2017 WildBlue Press (P)2018 WildBlue Press

Pleasantly Surprised

It’s not that I went into “Targeted; A Deputy, Her Love Affairs, a Brutal Murder” with low expectations but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is non-fiction that reads like a novel. A suspenseful tale well-written and perfectly narrated.

I don’t want to get into retelling the tale for fear that I won’t do it justice. Suffice it to say, this is an excellent audiobook. ‘Nuff said.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Good

Good narration, interesting, good detail, enjoyable overall. I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys the intricasies of an investigation.

Did She or Didn't She . . .

This book is totally a WHODUNNIT and really had me going back and forth! Oh yea, she did it! No, wait. Maybe not. Naaa, she's crazy, she did it. I think. I still don't know! Talk about the bloody finger of guilt pointing directly at someone. There seemed to be PLENTY of evidence. Like lots. Almost TOO obvious. The only thing missing was a big red X on her front door.

Is it possible to tick off a bunch of fellow cops to the point that they all get together to set you up? Of course, but that is also a popular claim/strategy that an accused person often uses as well - especially when the cards are overwhelmingly stacked against you, and you have no other defense. Nearly every murderer on death row will tell you they didnt do it, or they were framed.

I'm sure that conspiracy theorists will LOVE sinking their teeth into this one! It definitely makes you think about what COULD happen if the police DID target you. What can you do? Scary thought. I like that this book does NOT give you a final *case closed* answer, leaving it up to you to argue the hell out of it with someone. And I'm sure you will. Lol.

Kevin Pierce will always be, hands down my MOST favorite narrator within the True Crime genre. He nails it every time. He can read a coloring book and make it sound awesome. :)

I was gifted this audiobook at no cost to me in exchange for an honest opinion. This was good, and had me on that guilty-not guilty rollercoaster ride for sure!

Will we ever know?

This case was fascinating. Kudos to Phelps for looking at both sides objectively and not assuming everything can be trusted. As always, Kevin Pierce is superb. I could listen to him read a phone book.

Undecided

When I saw this book I jumped at the chance to listen to it for two reasons: 1) Kevin Pierce is one of my favorite narrators; 2) I've watched 2-3 true crime shows about this case and I was curious to see if there might be new information in the book. As for the first reason, I was not disappointed; Pierce's narration was excellent, as usual. When it comes to the actual book, I'm on the fence. It's clear the author has done his research and, after a minor rant, Phelps does a good job telling the story and laying out the facts of the case in a way that pulls the reader in for more. However, there were several times throughout the book it seemed the author wasn't sure which direction to lean and, IMO, it came across rather wishy washy. I also didn't like the author's "soap box" at the beginning of the book, and then again toward the end of the book. I received a review copy at my request and voluntarily reviewed.

GOOD BOOK !

There are many things I would like to say and even some more questions in my mind regarding this case. This book, has a very different uniqueness, about it that really grabbed me. I think M. Williams Phelps,did a really ! good job with this book. I felt and still do like this may not be resolved yet at least not in my mind. I realize that as a jurist, you don't get all the detail through the trial as the gallery" if, you will", does, so there is still room thus far in my mind for reasonable doubt.... I plan to reread this again soon I had some distractions going on during this first audible listening. However ( Beyond a Reasonable Doubt ?) I'm not sure, if I had been on that jury.... I love your style Mr Phelps. Kevin Pierce, you are such a excellent narrator !!! I love it when you do the narration. I wish you could do all, I realize that's not possible, however, I wish you could do more of M. William Phelps true crime...... and more. Laurie B Nelson I'm looking forward to more of his books !

Riverting True Crime Story

In "Targeted," M. William Phelps presents the engaging true story of a former deputy sheriff who was ultimately convicted of malice murder of her boyfriend and sentenced to life in prison. Tracy Fortson, who exchanged e-mails with the author, maintained her innocence, and claims she was framed. Phelps lays out the evidence, and allows the reader/listener to judge the case for themselves. He also allows Fortson to tell her side of the story, and documents her appeals for a new trial. Does Fortson deserve to spend the rest of her life behind bars? You will be led to draw your own conclusion.

Kevin Pierce always delivers

I was lucky enough not to know a thing of this crime so I didn't know the outcome. I can see both sides of this trial, although I believe she is innocent.

Riveting

A riveting true crime case. Even after finishing the book I don't know if she did it or was framed.
M William Phelps does a thorough job of documenting the case.
If your interested in true crime then this case is a must read.
The narration is clear and easy to listen to.
I received a free copy of this audio book at my own request, and voluntarily leave this review.

Completely Unbiased, an earnest search TRUTH

I will admit that I avoided this newest title from MWP, despite being a longtime fan of his work. I mistakenly thought this was going to be an attempt to make me believe that an entire multi-jurisdictional state DOJ murdered a man in order to get revenge on the defendant for a harrassment case for unemployment compensation. I had seen, and read some details of this case beforehand.

However, my faith is Mr. Phelps is renewed after reading this book. As in all his books, MWP investigates each fact, and contention objectively, and reports both sides of this story. After reading this book, my opinion of Miss Fortson's guilt has not changed. However, I now see that there were some mistakes made, as has been the case in many, many crimes. To error is to be human, but there is nothing to suggest the investigation was botched. Unless you believe the conspiracy, it just doesn't make logical sense. Tracy will die in prison, because she will never admit her guilt to a parole board. I understand her hypothetical POV but the fact is, she IS a convicted murder....twice over!

What really makes me sick, is that she did this unspeakable act, and still continues to be the ultimate narcissist. She is so important, that the entire Oglethorpe Co. Sheriff's office put their livelihoods, their honor, and their freedom in order to pull off a frame-up job because of an unemployment comp case, and in addition, the GBI, DA office, and several citizens and medical professionals decided to get on the band wagon, and perjure themselves as well, all for the sake of putting poor, unassuming, naive Tracy Fortson in jail for a murder that was committed by someone else, anyone else but her....

If you believe that, after reading this book, I have some beachfront property to sell you in Florida...

Great investigative journalism Mr Phelps! Keep up the good fight!