Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime and start saving today with fast, free delivery

Kindle
$8.99

Available instantly

Audiobook
$0.00
with membership trial

Hardcover
$18.96

Mass Market Paperback
$8.99

$8.99

Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns

FREE delivery Saturday, May 17 to Nashville 37217 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35

Or Prime members get FREE delivery Wednesday, May 14.

Only 14 left in stock (more on the way).

$$8.99 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details

Enhancements you chose aren't available for this seller. Details

${cardName} not available for the seller you chose

${cardName} unavailable for quantities greater than ${maxQuantity}.

Ships from

Amazon.com

Sold by

Amazon.com

Returns

30-day refund/replacement

Payment

Secure transaction

Add a gift receipt for easy returns

$8.36

Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns

Book is in good condition and may include underlining highlighting and minimal wear. The book can also include From the library of labels. May not contain miscellaneous items toys dvds etc. . We offer 100% money back guarantee and 24 7 customer service. Free 2-day shipping with Amazon Prime! Book is in good condition and may include underlining highlighting and minimal wear. The book can also include From the library of labels. May not contain miscellaneous items toys dvds etc. . We offer 100% money back guarantee and 24 7 customer service. Free 2-day shipping with Amazon Prime! See less

FREE delivery Saturday, May 17 to Nashville 37217 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35

Or Prime members get FREE delivery Tomorrow, May 13.

Only 2 left in stock - order soon.

$$8.99 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details

Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.

Enhancements you chose aren't available for this seller. Details

${cardName} not available for the seller you chose

${cardName} unavailable for quantities greater than ${maxQuantity}.

Sold by Zoom Books Company and Fulfilled by Amazon.

Other sellers on Amazon

New & Used (44) from $6.24 & FREE Shipping

Image Unavailable

Image not available for
Color:

To view this video download Flash Player

Follow the author

Kathryn Casey

Follow

She Wanted It All: A True Story of Sex, Murder, and a Texas Millionaire (Avon True Crime) Mass Market Paperback – March 29, 2005

by Kathryn Casey (Author)

1,528 ratings

See all formats and editions

{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$8.99","priceAmount":8.99,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"8","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"99","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"csgB9te2F1CgoqPvMS6eIAWL1WVFBhuOHFKlXaebI%2BYBT0GVjR2A9j%2BXc%2BqOVzpXhCBL3Uwte70L24uEx5kDi3NAGwz6I70ZMI%2BBdMlp0sRJSyo2Xc1zzDFF0SdDTzyMYPHDLzx9SIA%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$8.36","priceAmount":8.36,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"8","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"36","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"csgB9te2F1CgoqPvMS6eIAWL1WVFBhuOKF%2BQ6aP2rqYJg%2BsoAOu6q8sZObIJRs6MN42mpH%2Bcof4PkQj52Sjzo38W%2FkqPCRyL3Ww87x5XibBRamPDXrxR%2FnPILGYyiKj1w71dS6SLzJnxUqEti3yBF%2BxUpJ2BiRAGLgl%2F%2Bd%2BA23hhGyNKT7wuRbzYEZOoL6S9","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

Trophy wife Celeste Beard wasn't satisfied with a luxurious lifestyle and her rich Austin media mogul husband's devotion -- so she took his life!

The wife:
She wanted everything, but her husband stood in the way.

The lesbian lover:
A love-struck, middle-aged woman with a history of mental illness, she would do anything to set Celeste free.

The beauty salon receptionist:
Celeste hired her to tie up the loose ends ... in a second conspiracy to commit murder.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Casey is a true crime great: fascinating cases, extensive research, beautifully told." --NYT bestselling author Gregg Olsen

From the Back Cover

Trophy wife Celeste Beard wasn't satisfied with a luxurious lifestyle and her rich Austin media mogul husband's devotion -- so she took his life!

The wife:
She wanted everything, but her husband stood in the way.

The lesbian lover:
A love-struck, middle-aged woman with a history of mental illness, she would do anything to set Celeste free.

The beauty salon receptionist:
Celeste hired her to tie up the loose ends ... in a second conspiracy to commit murder.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ William Morrow Paperbacks (March 29, 2005)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 464 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0060567643
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0060567644
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.19 x 1.18 x 6.75 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #258,261 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #110 in Serial Killers True Accounts
- #144 in Crime & Criminal Biographies
- #1,076 in Murder & Mayhem True Accounts

Customer Reviews:
1,528 ratings

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Videos

Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video!

Upload your video

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.

Kathryn Casey

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.

Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

An award-winning journalist and a critically acclaimed bestselling author, Kathryn Casey has written eleven true crime books and is the creator of the Sarah Armstrong and Clara Jefferies mystery series. Her books have been Literary and Mystery Guild selections, and DEADLY LITTLE SECRETS was made into a Lifetime movie. Her first novel, SINGULARITY, was named a Best Crime Novel Debut by Booklist, and Library Journal chose THE KILLING STORM for its annual list of Best Mysteries. Elle Magazine picked DIE, MY LOVE as one of the ten best thrillers and crime books written by a woman. True crime matriarch Ann Rule praised Casey as "one of the best," and #1 NY Times bestselling author Gregg Olsen has called Casey "a true crime great." As a journalist, Casey has written more than a hundred national magazine articles and pieces for The Washington Post, the Boston Globe, and the Houston Chronicle. Based on her work for her book DELIVER US, Casey appeared in all three episodes of the Netflix limited series “Crime Scene: The Texas Killing Fields.” A frequent public speaker, she's been featured on dozens of television and radio programs and podcasts, including The Today Show, Good Morning America, 20/20, 48 Hours, Oprah, Investigation Discovery, the Travel Channel and other venues.

Customer reviews

1,528 global ratings

How customer reviews and ratings work

Review this product

Write a customer review

Customers say

Customers find this true crime book engaging and well-written, with excellent background information and a fast-paced narrative that's hard to put down. The story receives mixed reactions, with some finding it fascinating while others describe it as sad. The character development and pacing also receive mixed reviews, with some praising the author's insight while others find the narrative slow-moving.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more

Readability True crime story Writing quality Research quality Difficulty to put down Character development Heartbreaking story Pacing

94 customers mention "Readability"94 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as an excellent and engrossing page-turner, with one customer noting it kept them reading until the end.

"...I enjoyed the book for what it is worth and feel Kathryn Casey is a fine writer of true crime and will buy and read her work again. sp" Read more

"...Five Stars. Great read!" Read more

"...The back cover teases but likewise divulges little of importance. Well done!..." Read more

"...Did they ever get a dime? In any case, a decent read overall." Read more

90 customers mention "True crime story"74 positive16 negative

Customers love this true crime story, describing it as an amazing account of a twisted tale that's more compelling than fiction.

"I highly recommend this book. Kathryn Casey has written a true crime story that rivals Ann Rule's, "A Stranger Beside Me."..." Read more

"...the book for what it is worth and feel Kathryn Casey is a fine writer of true crime and will buy and read her work again. sp" Read more

"Kathryn Casey has written a superb narrative about the shocking Austin, Texas murder of Texas millionaire Steve Beard...." Read more

"...There is little suspense in SWA, since the killing occurs just inside the front cover-before the standard acknowledgements and prologue!..." Read more

67 customers mention "Writing quality"60 positive7 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, finding it well-written and very readable, with one customer noting that the author provides great detail without being overly descriptive.

"...I found the book fairly well written and thankfully-most thankfully-the reader is not bombarded by ridiculously descriptive tomes about someones '..." Read more

"...A talented writer, Ms. Casey vividly, yet economically, describes the twisted events in this case...." Read more

"Kathryn Casey puts all she has into a story. It reads as though it is fiction!..." Read more

"...as is sometimes happily the case, the book is an excellent read, rich in details and background information pertaining to all the characters in this..." Read more

27 customers mention "Research quality"27 positive0 negative

Customers praise the research quality of the book, noting it is filled with excellent background information.

"...case, the book is an excellent read, rich in details and background information pertaining to all the characters in this story which quickly changed..." Read more

"...Well written& researched." Read more

"...Just a thought. This book was extremely intriguing and well researched, loved it...." Read more

"...However, it is a good study and worth the read." Read more

11 customers mention "Difficulty to put down"8 positive3 negative

Customers find the book hard to put down and not hard to follow.

"...Casey's book "She Wanted It All" is a page turner and hard to put down...." Read more

"...The writer takes you through all the steps and lays out the story in plan detail...." Read more

"...Once I started it, very hard to put down." Read more

"This was a true crime story that was hard to put down. What an exciting book!..." Read more

27 customers mention "Character development"18 positive9 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the character development in the book, with some appreciating the great insight into the characters, while others describe them as the most evil women.

""She Wanted It All" represents another success for Kathryn Casey...." Read more

"...Celeste is truly a very sick and very frightening woman...." Read more

"...her style of writing, she draws you in and has great insight into the characters in her books!..." Read more

"...The main character is unique is her ability to attract and motivate other people to do her bidding...." Read more

17 customers mention "Heartbreaking story"9 positive8 negative

Customers have mixed reactions to the book's emotional content, with some finding it heart-breaking and very sad, while others describe it as boring.

"...Casey is one of my favorite authors, she gets into your emotions." Read more

"...This woman was truely manipulative in every way. Cold hearted to say the least." Read more

"...I found it fascinating and horrific at the same time, delving into the mind of a person like the main character...." Read more

"...I wouldn't recommend to anyone because it is enormously discouraging to any normal human being. I hope to never hear about Celeste again...." Read more

10 customers mention "Pacing"3 positive7 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book, with some finding it fast-paced while others note it can be slow at times.

"The books starts out slowly but GROWS on you. (Only a few blasphemies, a major plus in today's world.) Id give it a 3 and a half...." Read more

"...Great book, even is it was a little drawn out." Read more

"..."She Wanted It All" moves along at a swift pace and doesn't bog itself down in the smaller details as some police procedurals do...." Read more

"This book was like a slow motion multi-car collision. I hated it, but couldn't turn away...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews. Please reload the page.

Shanna McQueen
Wow - What a Great Read!
Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2007
Verified Purchase

I highly recommend this book. Kathryn Casey has written a true crime story that rivals Ann Rule's, "A Stranger Beside Me." I have a few comments about Celeste. As a practicing psychotherapist, I can state that she meets the criteria for three separate personality disorders, including Borderline Personality Disorder, Histrionic Personality Disorder, and Narcissistic Personality Disorder. All of these diagnoses were used to describe Celeste at one time or another by different psychiatrists and psychologists noted in the book. Celeste is truly a very sick and very frightening woman.

I was approximately half-way through this book when I recalled a long forgotten prison interview with Celeste that aired on a prime time news program. At the time, I did not know who Celeste Beard was or what the details were surrounding her murder conviction. What I do remember is that Celeste proclaimed her innocence and addmitted to the interviewer that she had not had any contact with either of her two daughters since her arrest and conviction. When asked how she felt about her daughters, Celeste stated she certainly hoped their feelings would one day change as she loved her girls. Then, without so much as a second thought, she launched into the most vitriolic and frightening verbal deluge I have ever heard. She stated that her daughters fabricated lies about her and "turned on her." I do not remember her exact words so much as I remember how I felt when Celeste was denigrating her daughters. I have three daughters of my own... and I felt my blood run cold! I felt afraid. I now understand why Kristina and Jennifer were ready to go into hiding had their mother been aquitted. I truly believe she may have orchestrated their deaths as well.

I also have a few observations about Steve. It is interesting that he believed women his own age only wanted contact with him because he was wealthy, but overlooked this deficit in Celeste. It is also interesting that while many individuals, male and female alike, felt an immediate and visceral dislike for Celeste, Steve apparently felt nothing of the sort. Celeste was an attractive woman and said the words Steve wanted to hear; so, he dismissed her inappropriate and selfish behavior time and time again. While I feel immensely sorry for Steve and felt he in no way deserved to be murdered, it behooves us all to remember that we all have choices. He had a responsibility to protect himself and his family and ultimately ignored his better judgment. Who allows a woman, attractive or not, to come between him and his children? Steve had all the information he needed to make an informed decision about Celeste and ignored common sense. Instead, he allowed himself to wallow over and over in the seductive promises of a vengeful, evil woman. This reminds me of a simple lesson I have heard: Hurt me once, shame on you. Hurt me twice, shame on me.

Read more

11 people found this helpful

Helpful

Report
Just the Facts.
By chance
Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2010
Verified Purchase
I happened to come across this book by accident on a dreadful Thanksgiving afternoon in which many American men find themselves. Being somewhere I didn't want to be, eating food I didn't really like, with people I didn't really know and finally the worst no TV. I saw the paperback and it didn't ring a bell until later it dawned on me that this was one of the cases in Dr. Robi Ludwig book "Until death do us part". This book examined different cases with difference themes and this case fell under the title of the "Transference killer" The good doctor gave a long and somewhat in depth look at Celeste Beard's case without much detail as is normally the case in books that deal mainly in psychopathology and not titillating plots. I found the book fairly well written and thankfully-most thankfully-the reader is not bombarded by ridiculously descriptive tomes about someones 'seductive' lips or various comparisons of human body parts to an ocean or a meadow. I did expect some kind of candy coating and wasn't disappointed as our gal Celeste is anything but pretty and sexy. I'm not that old yet. That is no problem as long as it is not a pattern in order to liven up a boring plot.

This case is somewhat difficult to believe in it's scope as anyone involved in law enforcement can see so many things that just make no sense at all. I can believe this story involves the most dysfunctional family in the history of the human race. What I can't believe is a woman who has admitted to shooting a defenseless old man as he slept, had 4 suicide attempts and has spent more than half of her adult life in various mental institutions would be released on a simple $2500 check on a $25,000 bond. Granted, I am not up on Texas law but have been involved in many bond cases in Tennessee. Here the lowest bond in a case as this would be at least $250,000, more than likely three times that and it would be a property bond. In other words someone would be ask to put up their house for this woman to get released. Also, I am being ask to accept that the entire law enforcement structure in Austin from prosecuting attorneys to homicide detectives are absolute idiots. I am not going to accept the fact that they were "intimidated" by this woman and the money involved. It sounds like this case is being compared to jon benet Ramsey which is just downright stupid. To John and Patsy Ramsey our poor boy Steve is homeless-we are talking about a few million dollars tied up in 2 different trusts -the Ramsey's had hundreds of millions and owned practically the whole town of Bolder. Absolute nonsense.

Anyway, enough about a story that I will never believe as it is presented. I do believe our gal Celeste got what she deserved and why the case was used as an example of the transferal killer. That part, or comparison, is indeed interesting and with the long lecture by Dr. Ludwig this entire case begins to make more sense. Also, our good doctor made the comment that parts of the case file are "unvalidated" I couldn't agree more.

I enjoyed the book for what it is worth and feel Kathryn Casey is a fine writer of true crime and will buy and read her work again.

sp

Read more

7 people found this helpful

Helpful

Report
Jonster
Top True Crime Saga
Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2017
Verified Purchase
Kathryn Casey has written a superb narrative about the shocking Austin, Texas murder of Texas millionaire Steve Beard. A talented writer, Ms. Casey vividly, yet economically, describes the twisted events in this case. And this book, in my opinion, stands out as one of the best of its type, reminiscent of the late writer, Ann Rule.

The True Crime genre is popular because the average person wants to try and understand what it is inside an individual that could drive them to callously end another's life. In Celeste Beard's case, perhaps these books, which she obsessively read herself, served more as "how-to" manuals. She apparently thought that the easiest way to rid herself of an inconvenient husband was to find someone to do it for her. And Beard, though not a stunning beauty, never seemed to lack "assistants" ready to do her bidding. In Tracy Tarlton, Beard thought she found someone who would kill for her, and she immediately began grooming her as her own personal assassin. After all, Ms. Tarlton had a history of mental illness and before long found herself in love and willing to do anything for the woman who would eventually betray her.

"She Wanted It All" moves along at a swift pace and doesn't bog itself down in the smaller details as some police procedurals do. Ms. Casey has a gift for making the reader see the motives behind, and understand the personalities of, the people she writes about. After finishing it, I feel almost a sense of mourning for Steve Beard, a good man who fell for the dubious charms of a heartless psychopath. Five Stars. Great read!

Read more

7 people found this helpful

Helpful

Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English

Lash
Must read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 7, 2022
Verified Purchase

A great book by a great true crime author highly recommend

Read more
Report
lori
True story of a very greedy person
Reviewed in Canada on January 31, 2025
Verified Purchase
Sadly a true story

Read more
Report
Duncan McKenzie
An absolutely riveting book by a brilliant writer.
Reviewed in Australia on September 29, 2023
Verified Purchase
This sad and horrific tale has been superbly written. It is full of detail but flows beautifully. It is one of the best true crime books I have read

Read more
Report
victoria
Comment tromper tout le monde tout le temps
Reviewed in France on December 21, 2013
Verified Purchase
Histoire ahurissante mais véridique d'une dénommée Céleste qui pourrit la vie de tous ceux qui l'approchent, manipule la police, les médecins, les services sociaux et la justice, sans oublier ses maris, ses amants et enfin ses propres enfants.

C'est passionnant et très bien documenté, comme savent le faire les anglo-saxons.

Read more
Report
Translate review to English
Wombat
A terrific insight into a heartless
Reviewed in Australia on August 30, 2014
Verified Purchase
A terrific insight into a heartless, self-centred, money hungry woman. Nothing and no-one would get between her and her much senior husbands' millions.

Read more
Report

See more reviews

Amazon Prime includes:

Follow the author

She Wanted It All: A True Story of Sex, Murder, and a Texas Millionaire (Avon True Crime) Mass Market Paperback – March 29, 2005

Purchase options and add-ons

Frequently bought together

Customers who viewed this item also viewed

Editorial Reviews

Review

From the Back Cover

About the Author

Product details

Videos

About the author

Kathryn Casey

Customer reviews

Review this product

Customers say

Select to learn more

Images in this review

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews. Please reload the page.

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow - What a Great Read!

4.0 out of 5 stars By chance

5.0 out of 5 stars Top True Crime Saga

Top reviews from other countries

5.0 out of 5 stars Must read

5.0 out of 5 stars True story of a very greedy person

5.0 out of 5 stars An absolutely riveting book by a brilliant writer.

4.0 out of 5 stars Comment tromper tout le monde tout le temps

4.0 out of 5 stars A terrific insight into a heartless

Wow - What a Great Read!

By chance

Top True Crime Saga

Must read

True story of a very greedy person

An absolutely riveting book by a brilliant writer.

Comment tromper tout le monde tout le temps

A terrific insight into a heartless