When Jimmy Don Beets went missing in 1983, Henderson County citizens turned out in droves to help search for the widely admired retired Dallas fireman. As the investigation continued, mounting evidence revealed that Beets's own wife, Betty Lou, murdered him while he slept and buried him in the bottom of a wishing well on their property. When another body was found under the garage, evidence supported the theory that she also murdered her previous husband, Doyle Wayne Barker, in a similar fashion. Her own children's testimonies supported the evidence, and Betty was arrested, found guilty, and sentenced to death by lethal injection, becoming only the second woman in Texas to be executed since the 19th century. George Newbern delivers the twisted and dark story of Betty Lou Beets's life using subtle changes in tone and inflection for multiple characters. Good pacing allows listeners to follow along effortlessly and become emotionally invested in this tragic story. VERDICT A solid listen for true crime fans and those interested in local Texas history.—JoAnn Funderburk, South Garland Branch Lib., TX
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