I'll Be Watching You

by M. William Phelps

The true-crime story of Edwin Snelgrove, an American serial killer who wanted to out-kill Ted Bundy, from the New York Times bestselling author.

In September 2001, Carmen Rodriguez, a beautiful thirty-two-year-old Hartford mother of four, went missing. At first police were stymied . . . until a killer's crucial mistake led investigators down a long, dark road of cold, calculated murder . . .

In 1987, single mother Mary Ellen Renard was strangled, repeatedly stabbed, and left for dead in her New Jersey apartment. Her vicious assailant had already killed once . . . and would kill again. But unlike the fiend's other victims, Mary Ellen lived to tell the tale . . .

Clean-cut, popular and on the fast track at a multinational computer firm, Rutgers grad Edwin “Ned” Snelgrove shocked friends and colleagues with a plea bargain for Renard's brutal attack—and the heinous 1983 murder of college girlfriend Karen Osmun. Vowing never to be caught again, Ned spent his time in prison obsessively studying the violent career of his idol Ted Bundy . . . then was released ten years early for good behavior . . .

Unflinching and brilliantly researched, this is an exclusive tour into the twisted mind of an all-American killer . . . and a state attorney's tireless efforts to lock him away forever.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime, Biography, Mystery, Adult

320 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2008

About the author

Crime, 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.

Reviews

[Misty Marie Harms · Rating 3 out of 5]

A deep dive into psychopath's, Edwin “Ned” Snelgrove, mind. Ed shocked everyone by pleading guilty to attacking Mary Renard and the 1983 murder of college girlfriend Karen Osmun. While in prison, he was obsessed with Ted Bundy and became his idol. Phelps corresponded with the killer for months to get inside his mind. Phelps was jumping all over the place in this one. It made it a pain to keep up with what was going on. Decent read if you can figure out the timelines quickly.

[Bettye McKee · Rating 5 out of 5]

New ground to cover

I think true crime readers are sick to death of Bundy, Gacy, Dahmer and the like. We're always on the lookout for fresh material, and this book provides it in spades.

Edwin Gales Snelgrove, Jr. Never heard of him? Neither had I. Mr. Phelps brought him to the front of the room and told me all about him. Ned claims he has experienced sexual fantasies of topless women, unconscious and at his mercy, as far back as the third or fourth grade. Friends, that would be at age 8 or 9. This is difficult for me to believe.

Whatever the truth, we know that in his adulthood, he carried out attacks that conformed to these same fantasies. Bundy is mentioned frequently in the book because Ned tried to pattern himself after his hero, Ted Bundy. Although he was incarcerated for 11 years (of a 20-year sentence), he started killing again when he was released.

This book is well-written, well-researched and reads like a novel. I recommend it to other true crime fans who are ready for something different.

10

[Bonnie Kernene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, another great book by M. William Phelps! I have never failed to enjoy a book by him, and this was no exception. It is about Ned Snelgrove and the murders he committed. He was truly on the way to being a full blown serial killer, but thank goodness he was caught. Mr. Snelgrove is truly one sexually sadistic sociopath. After all, he believed that everyone was against him and that there was no evidence against him, he was right and everyone else was wrong, etc. I thought that this book was very well researched and written. I highly recommend this book. It is a great read.

[Lynda Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't as good as another I have by this author but only because there were so many errors. It luckily held my interest enough to overlook them !!
It features a serial killer who in no way had made it onto my radar before-one Edwin(Ned)Snelgrove. The author mused he'd not been spoken about in the same breath as the Bundys or Dahmers of this world and wondered at it. He was a real prize.......and in no way EVER apologised for his crimes. It defies belief he was let loose by the justice system, despite being warned, and he killed again, probably more than the once he was incarcerated and tried for.
It also shocked me how many books about Ted Bundy he got to read in prison. I wouldn't have expected those to be available. A lot who came into contact with Ned said how intelligent he was. I'd beg to differ there as he managed to get caught both instances !! Can't be that bright !!
Now these errors. Most were missed apostrophe in words such as singles or visitors then a girl was called Diana and then changed to Dianna. Annoyances nevertheless that should be corrected.
A point in the book when one of the girls was found was really touching in what Peter Mareck, the guy who found her, said to her.......that had me sobbing.
This book did jump around a lot with no good reason. Another reviewer mentioned this too. It lent nothing to the story to be bouncing around back 'n' forth like this.
All in all, I persevered as I wanted to know what happened to him !!

[Read With Chey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just enjoy the way this author researches and writes true crime - the narrator is what makes the audiobooks a good listen. I don’t like the way the author structured the timeline of this book though, it wasn’t a clear timeline and it confused me at some points the way it jumped around.

[Emily Nelson · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Quotation marks?" Plenty. Serial Killer? STRANGE TITLE.

I've read a few of Mr. Phelps books in the past years... And I was hoping he would NOT repeat his annoying habit of putting certain words or phrases in quotation marks when there is absolutely no reason to do this. Sound petty? Perhaps. However, if you like to read, or write, no matter what the subject matter, you look to the established authors as those who may be depended upon NOT to repeat unnecessary, annoying habits. You also should expect good syntax, sentence structure, spelling, and lastly, AN INTERESTING SUBJECT!
That's right, readers! A boring murderer. Don't get me wrong, I feel that even though he's a terrible, nasty person, reading about his life is about as interesting as watching paint dry,
Yes, he has a funny nerdy name. Yes, he's very smart. No, he's not THAT smart. Snelgrove basically admits to one attempted murder at the beginning of the book, and, as some strange part of an even stranger plea bargain, he admits he murdered his ex girlfriend a few years before. I could NEVER figure out this arrangement... unless it was because he was given less prison time if he admitted he murdered his first victim?? I do NOT know.
As it turns out, by some whacky, twisted, blink and you miss it coincidence, Ned gets RELEASED, (not paroled, RELEASED, after serving only eleven years of a forty year sentence. What?? Moving on......
Ned gets a job as a "frozen foods specialist" after his release. Sound like a boring job? It is.
After authoring eight books, Mr. Phelps, please listen. The phrase "they could care less" incorrect. It's "they COULDN'T care less." If they could care less, it means they DO care. * **sigh***
Moving on, we are introduced to Carmen Rodriguez, a member of a large family from Puerto Rico. She's Ned's final victim. She is something of an enigma; she hates to work, loves to drink, loves to marry men old enough to be her grandfather, and other ordinary/strange things... I guess it's all in how you look at it.
I do need to back up here. Ned Snelgrove's modus .operandi is grabbing a woman (preferably someone he knows), ripping off only their blouse and bra, posing them, and staring at their breasts while trying to strangle them to death. Ned's not a big guy, so this proves troublesome. Luckily for him, there are knives. The gurgling animal like sounds a woman may have the temerity to make while being strangled just really turn Ned off. So does any "yellow goop" that may dribble down their chins.
The paragraph above is Ned's deal. That's it. No rape, no torture, nothing else at all. Ned looks at bare breasted women who are either unconscious or dead, does his thing AWAY from the body, and that, my friend, is that.
The author keeps insisting that Ned's idol is Ted Bundy. I would imagine that's because Ned, like millions of other people, reads lots of books about Bundy and owns a copy of the TV movie about Bundy. Mark Harmon played Bundy, a poor choice, imo. However, as horrible as he was, Bundy was good looking and charming, Ned isn't, Bundy did things no one had read about before, Ned doesn't, Bundy was the master of ruses and disguises, Ned's not the master of much at all, Bundy led authorities all over the country on wild goose chases, Ned never did, Bundy was clever, Ned isnt, Bundy had girlfriends, Ned DID have ONE, but she broke up with her so he killed her, Bundy did the most sickening, disgusting, macabre things to his victims post mortem, Ned doesn't, Bundy was a necrophiliac, Ned wasn't,...oh I could go on and on. And I have. Ned Snelgrove's and Ted Bundy have about as much in common as John Wayne Gacy and Mr. Peepers, if Mr. Peepers liked large breasts and was an amateur strangler. FINALLY, thanks to many hours of boring routine police work, house searches, car searches, land searches, forensics, Ned is finally brought to trial for the murder of Carmen Rodriguez.
The trial itself was incredibly boring. There were NOT going to be any " Ah ha! " moments here, trust me.
I'll sum up this review by channeling Mr. Phelps.
If you "like to read" about bizarre "serial killers" , this "poorly titled" book is "not for you." There's a "reason" Ned Snelgrove's name doesn't resonate with many people. He's " very boring. " And so is this book.

[Jim Corbiere · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished reading " I'll Be Watching You " by M. William Phelps. This is the first novel I have read by Mr. Phelps. I used to watch him on the show " Dark Minds " and had to pick up a couple of his books. I am usually a little leery about authors I haven't read but I am glad did.
This book was very well written and very detailed. It is true crime, so in other words, non fiction. Mr. Phelps has an interesting writing style that I do like. I don't know if his voice is the same in all of his novels but not many authors really change it. Reading it felt like I was sitting down having a conversation with him. My mind would come up with a question and it seems he anticipated it and answered it.

Edwin " Ned " Snelgrove seemed like a nice guy. He was popular, clean cut, fun. Ned had a dark side though. After getting away with murdering his college girlfriend Ned felt great. He enjoyed killing. He liked having a woman helpless and being in control of her life. After being arrested for attempting another murder Ned is put in prison for too short of a time. He walks the streets of the Hartford area once again. He finds another victim, someone he thinks isn't important enough for the police to waste time on...but his victim's family know he did it. Ned Snelgrove is a sick man with a massive ego, a superiority complex, and a hatred for women. Will he get away with murder again?

[Lorie · Rating 4 out of 5]

As usual, Phelps

does it again, even though, I realized after the fact, this was an earlier book of his. This guy, Edwin "Ned" what a piece of garbage. At first, I felt sorry for his parents, it appeared that his father had acknowledged that his son was sick, but then for both parents to blatantly lie in court, specifically about the styrofoam heads, I guess that answers some of the questions one might have concerning Ned's formative years.

I'd like to have those questions Phelps posed to him by letter answered too! In response he claimed he'd already answered, if only Phelps had paid attention, yeah right, like Ned would answer any question with a direct answer, honestly ... he wouldn't recognize honesty, it's not a part of a psychopaths personality, oh wait, he's missing that too.

Difficult story, I imagine, to cover, so much information. Great job.

[Dorrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Read!

I was a little hesitant to get this book, I had never heard of this case and the book seemed so long. I just wasn't sure. Once again Phelps proves that his books are always worth the read. This case was a little confusing at times, there are many people involved even though there are not many victims. Phelps takes you through in a way that is easy too follow, he gives you details to help you get to know each victim. He explains the court proceedings in simple laymen terms. I like the fact that Phelps shares with us the behind the scenes stuff, he talks about meeting with the victims, going to the prisons and getting to know the families.

[Dina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This non-fiction account of a sexual killer, from a seasoned true crime writer, was involving from the first chapter. His story and the story of his victims, their families and the woman who fought back was incredibly intriguing. If you like real crime stories, you won't want to miss this one. Yes, it's 500 pages, but reads quick, full of details about the trials and the killer's own words and interviews.

[Geoff Cummings · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is true crime at it's very best, and you'll be on tenter hooks with your heart in your mouth as the shocking tale unfolds. it's as if you're there, feeling every emotion. what a brilliant piece of writing this is!!

[Fishface · Rating 3 out of 5]

An engrossing, infuriating, dreadful story that moves right along, except when I'm brought up short by one of the author's sentence fragments or dangling modifiers.

[Bill reilly · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a letter from prison, our subject wrote that he felt a spiritual connection with Ted Bundy. He read every book available on the man and watched the Mark Harmon TV mini-series. He would learn from the killer's mistakes. Leave no evidence, like maps and pamphlets of the motel. He vowed that he would be "better than Bundy."
Edwin Snelgrove, Jr. would be the east coast version of Ted, who plied his trade, or "hobby," as Ed termed it on the west coast. Hartford, Connecticut was where he picked up his final victim, but an assault on a woman in New Jersey resulted in his first arrest. Mary Ellen Renard had survived two bad marriages and met Ed at a bar. At her apartment he choked and stabbed her and, being a good Catholic woman, she recited the "Our Father" and "Hail Mary." She scratched his eyes and he escaped through a window. Like his hero, he used his real name and was easily caught. So much for learning from the master's mistakes.
The last victim, Carmen Rodriguez, is given the longest bio and it is quite entertaining. She was first married at fifteen and at twenty-four married a man of sixty-five in Puerto Rico. His name was Jesus. Unfortunately, he failed to save his young spouse. After giving birth to several children, the party girl had the misfortune of crossing paths with Ned at a bar in Connecticut. Adios Amiga as another one bites the dust. A Tarzan tattoo was found her decaying corpse.
In a moment of karmic justice, a Puerto Rican judge named Carmen Espinosa was assigned the court case. One of her rulings allowed letters sent by Edwin to a friend from prison to be entered into testimony. She disallowed Ed's video copy of "The Deliberate Stranger." The letters made numerous references to Ted Bundy and his methods.
With no physical evidence, Ned was convicted and continued to claim his innocence in letters to the author. Although a bit too long, I'll Be Watching You is a good read.

[Kirsten Schlewitz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Poorly represented, annoyingly written

Wow, I wish women would enter the true crime writing world like they've done in podcasting -- then I wouldn't be stuck suffering through Phelps' pretentious writing, outdated references, and antiquated terminology (yes, these words weren't appropriate at time of publication, yet he can't bring himself to spell out "f**k").

The book sells itself on being about a "serial killer" emulating Bundy, yet he's been convicted of two murders, and the four women he attacked all knew him. He also writes multiple times that Bundy went to bars to scout his victims -- how can one be a prominent crime writer and think this? It may have been a connection the prosecution was striving for, but it doesn't need repeating.

Finally, he mentions witnesses seeing other cars and other people down the isolated road where a body is found, but never returns to these statements, yet fires off angry accusations at the defendant for his denials of his guilt. He says there's a hair in the stapler (weird) that belongs to the accused in the text, but in the photos, it says it belongs to neither the victim or the accused -- while getting on his high horse when the defendant states there was evidence of someone else on the scene. Yeah, he's likely guilty, but there were weaknesses, so at least acknowledge them.

[Ellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took a minute to get into the cadence of this book-I could tell before I even looked it up that this was from earlier in Phelps career-however, as I adjusted to the sort of odd pattern of separating each chapter into parts, Phelps' usual polished journalism and respect came out. I continually find myself returning to his work because I have not encountered another true crime author who truly does their best to ensure every aspect of a victim's life is highlighted. This book wasn't so much about Ned Snellgrove, the murderer, but about Karen, Mary Ellen and Carmen. I felt like I came to know each of these women-their lives were the full story here, Snellgrove was just a piece of it-and I think that would bother his nasty, narcissistic self. I also appreciate deeply that, as always, Phelps treats those suffering from the disease of addiction, those in poverty, those who a lot of people would view as "lesser" with the extensive respect that every human life deserves. I'll return to his works again, but this one is going to sit heavy with me for a long time-and I thank him for showing his readers who these women were and how important they are.

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just can't get enough of Phelps' writing. Details are just soo vivid it's like I'm right there through his entire investigation along side him in the background. I've never heard of this serial killer before & after reading this it actually STUNS me this is the first time I'm coming across this monster's name. I've been a true crime junkie for almost 20 years and read, listened, watched many documentaries and stories & not once have I heard about this creature (I can't even call it a human). WHY?!

[Anita Rust · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!!

Id recommend this book too anyone who can't get enough true killers . I've read a "lot" off books on all off the famous ones some even twice none as good as this,for someone I've never heard of before this killer scared even me,and Phelps writes it in a way that just keeps you coming back for more i hated to pout my book down and counted the minutes till i could continue reading. I loved it,loved it,loved it!

[Ronnie Cramer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A strange and disturbing case (three cases actually). I don't know how I missed this one when it came out; I probably confused it with I'LL TAKE CARE OF YOU by Caitlin Rother and thought I'd already read it. At any rate, I'm glad I finally got around to it.

[Carol Rowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ned has a large ego and of course he knows how to outsmart the police, or so he thinks. Partly due to continued pressure from the families of his victims this case gets settled, but not for many years. Ned's mental health was never addressed while a teen or for many years following that age, and was severely missed as a continuing factor by the police, attorneys, courts, and correction system. He's clever, but by following his idol, Ted Bundy, his ego overtakes his caution and begins the downward spiral that puts him behind bars, where he clearly belongs for life.

[Holly Cathcart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the books written by Mr. Phelps. He pulls no punches. I respect this. I've purchased 12 of his books now and look forward to many more.

Would recommend these books to any true crime buff. I especially enjoyed his book about Heather Strong. I thought he showed her as a person.

[Elizabeth Westra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A man with no conscience

I found this book disturbing but interesting. Seeing into the mind of a serial killer was chilling. It was also chilling to realize that someone like this looked and acted like anyone else on the street. He was charming and well educated. He had most people fooled. This author knew him well and showed him as he really was.

[Jayme Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an engrossing read.

I found this book to be very well written and a great read. What works on a person's mind that turns their ever waking thoughts so evil? Puzzles me every time I read a true crime book. Mr. Phelps gives a little peek into the mind of Ned and it ain't pretty.

[Teresa A. Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Until this book I never heard of Bed Snelgrave. True to form Mr. Phelps gives us readers a passionate view of a killer who is where he needs to be...behind bars the rest of his life.

[falon Broussard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Hard to believe someone would be inspired to kill someone by another killer such as Ted Bundy and think that sneilgrove could do it better than red Bundy and not need up like ted Bundy did and still get caught just like him.

[Suzanne Lopes · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn’t really like this book at all. It kept repeating over and over the same thing. The author was very long winded explaining the situation and the evidence. I probably will not read this book again.

[Calvin Dyke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Depressing

To realize that there are such twisted evil people out there is depressing. Kudos to Mr. Phelps for his telling of the story and expressing the human emotions of the family members.

[Mark E Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read from Mr. Phelps.

Chilling story about an absolute monster. Well researched and well written. As a retired cop I am all too aware that such people are out there, but it always amazes and scares me to get inside their heads a bit.

[Heather Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing read!!

This piece was absolutely amazing. I will definitely read more books by the author. I wish this book didn’t end the way it did, and detailed more of after the hearing as far as Ned goes.

[Cody Woolsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book

Well written and researched. Kept me on the edge of my seat. I am heart broken for the families who have lost loved ones to this monster.

[Katherine M · Rating 5 out of 5]

True crime at its best.

Beautifully written with respect to the victims and their families. Once again Phelps delivers a well rounded view on true crime.