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Crossing the Line with M. William Phelps

Advertise on podcast: Crossing the Line with M. William Phelps

Rating
★★★★☆
4.2
from
3545 reviews
This podcast has
233 episodes
Language
English
Explicit
Yes
Date created
2021/10/04
Latest episode
2026/09/30
Average duration
38 min.
Release period
6 days

Description

Crossing the Line is a true crime podcast revealing cases of the missing and murdered, told start-to-finish each week. Using the campfire storytelling style that made Paper Ghosts a #1 hit on the charts, host M. William Phelps connects deeply with families touched by violent crime - he understands them, because he is one of them. Having gone through the murder of his own pregnant sister-in-law, Phelps brings not only his personal experience, but also 20-plus years of investigative journalism into the worlds of these stories. Follow and subscribe to Crossing the Line for a weekly dose of murder, mayhem and madness. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Check latest episodes from Crossing the Line with M. William Phelps podcast


EP191 | The D.C. Mansion Murders: The Savopoulos Family Tragedy
2026/09/30
In 2015, a mother, her son and housekeeper are at home one afternoon inside the Savopoulos mansion situated along a swanky street in suburban Washington DC. A man enters the home through a back door. Hours later, a call is made by the husband, Savvas, asking his assistant to deliver $40,000 dollars in cash. Then the house is set on fire. For exclusive content, sign up for your free Patreon account here. Leave a five-star review of this show, please. ;-) Order Phelps's latest book, THEY CAME FOR BLOOD, book 1 in a three-book Tom Callahan Western series from Hatcreek, an imprint within the Roan & Weatherford Publishing enterprise.   "...A fine gritty western with an unanticipated twist. Phelps's prose, dialogue, and accurate descriptions of the frontier takes readers back to the old west and all the brutality that went with it. With a nod to the authors who established the western genre, Phelps finds new, unexplored trails for his fans to enjoy." -Reavis Z. Wortham, New York Times Bestselling Author of Comancheria "M. William Phelps hits like a Winchester to the gut. They Came for Blood is brutal, relentless, and carved from the hard timber of the Old West. Callahan's hunt for truth and redemption kept me turning pages long after sundown." -Anthony Wood, Will Rogers Medallion-Winning Author of Land of the Blind "They Came for Blood packs a punch like a belly full of lead. Twists sizzling like hot lightning turn the plot faster'n a barrel racer. A definite must read." -D.N. Sample, Author of Cold Powder Vengeance Visit www.crossingtheline.biz to contact investigative journalist and host M. William Phelps, get more information about the show, updates to cases, and more.  And don't forget to subscribe to Phelps's #1 Apple Podcast hit PAPER GHOSTS, now in its 5th season, "The Texas Teen Murders," wherever you get your favorite shows. M. William Phelps is the New York Times best-selling author of 46 nonfiction books and winner of the Excellence in (Investigative) Journalism Award from the Society of Professional Journalists. Phelps has written for numerous publications1, including the Providence Journal, Connecticut Magazine and Hartford Courant. Diversifying his talents, Phelps consulted on the first season of the hit Showtime cable television series Dexter and has executive produced and starred in over 350 hours of true crime television. All of which gives him a confluence of expertise and experience to bring to true crime fanatics. Phelps grew up in East Hartford, Connecticut, and now splits his time between Tolland County and N. Stonington, CT. In July 2017, he published his definitive, 10-year project about Happy Face Killer, Keith Hunter Jesperson, DANGEROUS GROUND: My Friendship with a Serial Killer. **For mental health assistance or to get help, please visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness NAMI website or call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), text "HelpLine" to 62640, or email [email protected]** Washington D.C., Woodland Drive NW,  Savvas, Amy, Philip Savopoulos, Veralicia "Vera" Figueroa, Daron Wint, murder, cold case, true crime, true crime podcast
SHORT CUTS EP20 | The Snow Ghost Mystery—Missing in the Sierra: The Yuba Five
2026/09/25
It's 1978. Five friends head out to a basketball game together—and disappear into the California night. As details and clues begin to emerge in the weeks and months that follow, four of the men are found—but the bizarre story behind it all makes no sense. Welcome to a bonus feature here on the Crossing the Line feed. I come across all sorts of stories while researching books, TV series, and my iHeartMedia podcast, Paper Ghosts, in addition to the ideas you send me. A lot of them grab hold of me emotionally—especially the victims' stories and the ordeal their families go through. A good number of the cases, for myriad reasons, don't fit into the model for a more complete CTL episode. So I wanted to create a sub platform to showcase some of those stories, as well. That said, thank you for supporting Crossing the Line, which has allowed me to produce this new expansion of the brand … Once or twice per month, maybe more, I'll present a 15 to 20 minute episode, covering murder and missing person cases, and other interesting crimes I think you'll want to hear about—but maybe more importantly, cases that give us a deeper understanding of the crimes and scumbags who commit them. Sign up for your free Patreon account here, where I'll be streaming "live," and posting other content you cannot find anywhere else. Visit www.crossingtheline.biz to contact investigative journalist and host M. William Phelps, get more information about the show, updates to cases, and more.  And don't forget to subscribe to Phelps's #1 hit podcast PAPER GHOSTS, now in its fourth season, wherever you get your favorite shows. M. William Phelps is the New York Times best-selling author of 50 nonfiction books and winner of the Excellence in (Investigative) Journalism Award from the Society of Professional Journalists. Phelps has written for numerous publications1, including the Providence Journal, Connecticut Magazine and Hartford Courant. Diversifying his talents, Phelps consulted on the first season of the hit Showtime cable television series Dexter and has executive produced and starred in over 350 hours of true crime television. All of which gives him a confluence of expertise and experience to bring to true crime fanatics. "Yuba County Five, "Yuba City 5, Gary Mathias, Ted Weiher, Jack Madruga, Bill Sterling, Jackie Huett, 1969 Mercury Montego, "Plumas National Forest", "Chico", "Yuba City"
EP190 | Kouri Richins: The Moscow Mule Killer & (True Crime) Author
2026/09/23
A man is found unconscious, cold to touch, without a pulse, inside his home one early morning. His grieving widow writes a children's book to help their kids deal with the pain. But a year after his death, law enforcement has some rather shocking news to announce. For exclusive content, sign up for your free Patreon account here. Leave a five-star review of this show, please. ;-) Order Phelps's latest book, THEY CAME FOR BLOOD, book 1 in a three-book Tom Callahan Western series from Hatcreek, an imprint within the Roan & Weatherford Publishing enterprise.   "...A fine gritty western with an unanticipated twist. Phelps's prose, dialogue, and accurate descriptions of the frontier takes readers back to the old west and all the brutality that went with it. With a nod to the authors who established the western genre, Phelps finds new, unexplored trails for his fans to enjoy." -Reavis Z. Wortham, New York Times Bestselling Author of Comancheria "M. William Phelps hits like a Winchester to the gut. They Came for Blood is brutal, relentless, and carved from the hard timber of the Old West. Callahan's hunt for truth and redemption kept me turning pages long after sundown." -Anthony Wood, Will Rogers Medallion-Winning Author of Land of the Blind "They Came for Blood packs a punch like a belly full of lead. Twists sizzling like hot lightning turn the plot faster'n a barrel racer. A definite must read." -D.N. Sample, Author of Cold Powder Vengeance Visit www.crossingtheline.biz to contact investigative journalist and host M. William Phelps, get more information about the show, updates to cases, and more.  And don't forget to subscribe to Phelps's #1 Apple Podcast hit PAPER GHOSTS, now in its 5th season, "The Texas Teen Murders," wherever you get your favorite shows. M. William Phelps is the New York Times best-selling author of 46 nonfiction books and winner of the Excellence in (Investigative) Journalism Award from the Society of Professional Journalists. Phelps has written for numerous publications1, including the Providence Journal, Connecticut Magazine and Hartford Courant. Diversifying his talents, Phelps consulted on the first season of the hit Showtime cable television series Dexter and has executive produced and starred in over 350 hours of true crime television. All of which gives him a confluence of expertise and experience to bring to true crime fanatics. Phelps grew up in East Hartford, Connecticut, and now splits his time between Tolland County and N. Stonington, CT. In July 2017, he published his definitive, 10-year project about Happy Face Killer, Keith Hunter Jesperson, DANGEROUS GROUND: My Friendship with a Serial Killer. For mental health assistance or to get help, please visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness NAMI website or call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), text "HelpLine" to 62640, or email [email protected]
EP189 | Broken Cane: The Murder of Paul Allen
2026/09/16
A man in Maine goes missing during a chilly day in December and his ex-wife seems to think she knows what happened to him. Or … maybe she's simply trying to deflect an investigation, which now includes … helicopters, search dogs, and blood in the snow. #PeterBathgate #PeterBathgateII #PaulAllenMurder #HallowellMurder #AugustaMaineCrime True Crime Murder True Crime Podcast true crime podcast / best true crime podcasts real crime podcasts investigative journalism / investigative true crime crime stories / true story crime serial killer podcast murder mystery / mystery podcasts For exclusive content, sign up for your free Patreon account here. Leave a five-star review of this show, please. ;-) Order Phelps's latest book, THEY CAME FOR BLOOD, book 1 in a three-book Tom Callahan Western series from Hatcreek, an imprint within the Roan & Weatherford Publishing enterprise.   "...A fine gritty western with an unanticipated twist. Phelps's prose, dialogue, and accurate descriptions of the frontier takes readers back to the old west and all the brutality that went with it. With a nod to the authors who established the western genre, Phelps finds new, unexplored trails for his fans to enjoy." -Reavis Z. Wortham, New York Times Bestselling Author of Comancheria "M. William Phelps hits like a Winchester to the gut. They Came for Blood is brutal, relentless, and carved from the hard timber of the Old West. Callahan's hunt for truth and redemption kept me turning pages long after sundown." -Anthony Wood, Will Rogers Medallion-Winning Author of Land of the Blind "They Came for Blood packs a punch like a belly full of lead. Twists sizzling like hot lightning turn the plot faster'n a barrel racer. A definite must read." -D.N. Sample, Author of Cold Powder Vengeance Visit www.crossingtheline.biz to contact investigative journalist and host M. William Phelps, get more information about the show, updates to cases, and more.  And don't forget to subscribe to Phelps's #1 Apple Podcast hit PAPER GHOSTS, now in its 5th season, "The Texas Teen Murders," wherever you get your favorite shows. M. William Phelps is the New York Times best-selling author of 46 nonfiction books and winner of the Excellence in (Investigative) Journalism Award from the Society of Professional Journalists. Phelps has written for numerous publications1, including the Providence Journal, Connecticut Magazine and Hartford Courant. Diversifying his talents, Phelps consulted on the first season of the hit Showtime cable television series Dexter and has executive produced and starred in over 350 hours of true crime television. All of which gives him a confluence of expertise and experience to bring to true crime fanatics. Phelps grew up in East Hartford, Connecticut, and now splits his time between Tolland County and N. Stonington, CT. In July 2017, he published his definitive, 10-year project about Happy Face Killer, Keith Hunter Jesperson, DANGEROUS GROUND: My Friendship with a Serial Killer. **For mental health assistance or to get help, please visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness NAMI website or call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), text "HelpLine" to 62640, or email [email protected]**
EP188 | The Closet Murder of Aspen Socialite Nancy Pfister: A True Crime Like No Other
2026/09/09
A Colorado ski resort town. A rich heiress. A personal assistant. A doctor and his wife. All of their lives collide, one of them goes missing, and fingers are pointed at the others. What actually happens is straight out of a 1980s horror film. For exclusive content, sign up for your free Patreon account here. Leave a five-star review of this show, please. ;-) Order Phelps's latest book, THEY CAME FOR BLOOD, book 1 in a three-book Tom Callahan Western series from Hatcreek, an imprint within the Roan & Weatherford Publishing enterprise.   "...A fine gritty western with an unanticipated twist. Phelps's prose, dialogue, and accurate descriptions of the frontier takes readers back to the old west and all the brutality that went with it. With a nod to the authors who established the western genre, Phelps finds new, unexplored trails for his fans to enjoy." -Reavis Z. Wortham, New York Times Bestselling Author of Comancheria "M. William Phelps hits like a Winchester to the gut. They Came for Blood is brutal, relentless, and carved from the hard timber of the Old West. Callahan's hunt for truth and redemption kept me turning pages long after sundown." -Anthony Wood, Will Rogers Medallion-Winning Author of Land of the Blind "They Came for Blood packs a punch like a belly full of lead. Twists sizzling like hot lightning turn the plot faster'n a barrel racer. A definite must read." -D.N. Sample, Author of Cold Powder Vengeance Visit www.crossingtheline.biz to contact investigative journalist and host M. William Phelps, get more information about the show, updates to cases, and more.  And don't forget to subscribe to Phelps's #1 Apple Podcast hit PAPER GHOSTS, now in its 5th season, "The Texas Teen Murders," wherever you get your favorite shows. M. William Phelps is the New York Times best-selling author of 46 nonfiction books and winner of the Excellence in (Investigative) Journalism Award from the Society of Professional Journalists. Phelps has written for numerous publications1, including the Providence Journal, Connecticut Magazine and Hartford Courant. Diversifying his talents, Phelps consulted on the first season of the hit Showtime cable television series Dexter and has executive produced and starred in over 350 hours of true crime television. All of which gives him a confluence of expertise and experience to bring to true crime fanatics. Phelps grew up in East Hartford, Connecticut, and now splits his time between Tolland County and N. Stonington, CT. In July 2017, he published his definitive, 10-year project about Happy Face Killer, Keith Hunter Jesperson, DANGEROUS GROUND: My Friendship with a Serial Killer. **For mental health assistance or to get help, please visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness NAMI website or call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), text "HelpLine" to 62640, or email [email protected]**
EP187 | The Mother's Tomb: Jerri Roby and John Gaither
2026/09/02
When a 42-year-old Mississippi man vanishes from his home, his family in California begin receiving strange letters and phone calls claiming he has left the country to meet a woman in the Philippines. Then the story changes course as they are told he is in a Mexican jail. Behind the bizarre stories and reassuring updates, however, is a trip to a local building supply store and a chilling discovery. For exclusive content, sign up for your free Patreon account here. Leave a five-star review of this show, please. ;-) Order Phelps's latest book, THEY CAME FOR BLOOD, book 1 in a three-book Tom Callahan Western series from Hatcreek, an imprint within the Roan & Weatherford Publishing enterprise.   "...A fine gritty western with an unanticipated twist. Phelps's prose, dialogue, and accurate descriptions of the frontier takes readers back to the old west and all the brutality that went with it. With a nod to the authors who established the western genre, Phelps finds new, unexplored trails for his fans to enjoy." -Reavis Z. Wortham, New York Times Bestselling Author of Comancheria "M. William Phelps hits like a Winchester to the gut. They Came for Blood is brutal, relentless, and carved from the hard timber of the Old West. Callahan's hunt for truth and redemption kept me turning pages long after sundown." -Anthony Wood, Will Rogers Medallion-Winning Author of Land of the Blind "They Came for Blood packs a punch like a belly full of lead. Twists sizzling like hot lightning turn the plot faster'n a barrel racer. A definite must read." -D.N. Sample, Author of Cold Powder Vengeance Visit www.crossingtheline.biz to contact investigative journalist and host M. William Phelps, get more information about the show, updates to cases, and more.  And don't forget to subscribe to Phelps's #1 Apple Podcast hit PAPER GHOSTS, now in its 5th season, "The Texas Teen Murders," wherever you get your favorite shows. M. William Phelps is the New York Times best-selling author of 46 nonfiction books and winner of the Excellence in (Investigative) Journalism Award from the Society of Professional Journalists. Phelps has written for numerous publications1, including the Providence Journal, Connecticut Magazine and Hartford Courant. Diversifying his talents, Phelps consulted on the first season of the hit Showtime cable television series Dexter and has executive produced and starred in over 350 hours of true crime television. All of which gives him a confluence of expertise and experience to bring to true crime fanatics. Phelps grew up in East Hartford, Connecticut, and now splits his time between Tolland County and N. Stonington, CT. In July 2017, he published his definitive, 10-year project about Happy Face Killer, Keith Hunter Jesperson, DANGEROUS GROUND: My Friendship with a Serial Killer. **For mental health assistance or to get help, please visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness NAMI website or call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), text "HelpLine" to 62640, or email [email protected]**
SHORT CUTS EP19 | The Ghost Burglar Killer: Bernard Welsh and his True Crimes
2026/08/28
How does one man escape from prison not once, but twice—stay out on the run, start a family and raise three kids … all while continuing to commit crimes—including … murder. Welcome to a bonus feature here on the Crossing the Line feed. I come across all sorts of stories while researching books, TV series, and my iHeartMedia podcast, Paper Ghosts, in addition to the ideas you send me. A lot of them grab hold of me emotionally—especially the victims' stories and the ordeal their families go through. A good number of the cases, for myriad reasons, don't fit into the model for a more complete CTL episode. So I wanted to create a sub platform to showcase some of those stories, as well. That said, thank you for supporting Crossing the Line, which has allowed me to produce this new expansion of the brand … Once or twice per month, maybe more, I'll present a 15 to 20 minute episode, covering murder and missing person cases, and other interesting crimes I think you'll want to hear about—but maybe more importantly, cases that give us a deeper understanding of the crimes and scumbags who commit them. Sign up for your free Patreon account here, where I'll be streaming "live," and posting other content you cannot find anywhere else. Visit www.crossingtheline.biz to contact investigative journalist and host M. William Phelps, get more information about the show, updates to cases, and more.  And don't forget to subscribe to Phelps's #1 hit podcast PAPER GHOSTS, now in its fourth season, wherever you get your favorite shows. M. William Phelps is the New York Times best-selling author of 50 nonfiction books and winner of the Excellence in (Investigative) Journalism Award from the Society of Professional Journalists. Phelps has written for numerous publications1, including the Providence Journal, Connecticut Magazine and Hartford Courant. Diversifying his talents, Phelps consulted on the first season of the hit Showtime cable television series Dexter and has executive produced and starred in over 350 hours of true crime television. All of which gives him a confluence of expertise and experience to bring to true crime fanatics.
EP186 | The Witch Doctor Murder Trial: The Dark Obsessions of Larry Millete
2026/08/26
You've made the decision to divorce your husband of 20 years. He's incensed and turns to witchdoctors on the dark web to put a hex on you. Your lover's wife just had a baby—and then you find out that you are also pregnant with his child. Then, without warning, you disappear. Maya Millete updates, Larry Millete verdict, Chula Vista missing mom, San Diego true crime, Millete family mystery, Premeditated murder trials For exclusive content, sign up for your free Patreon account here. Leave a five-star review of this show, please. ;-) Order Phelps's latest book, THEY CAME FOR BLOOD, book 1 in a three-book Tom Callahan Western series from Hatcreek, an imprint within the Roan & Weatherford Publishing enterprise.   "...A fine gritty western with an unanticipated twist. Phelps's prose, dialogue, and accurate descriptions of the frontier takes readers back to the old west and all the brutality that went with it. With a nod to the authors who established the western genre, Phelps finds new, unexplored trails for his fans to enjoy." -Reavis Z. Wortham, New York Times Bestselling Author of Comancheria "M. William Phelps hits like a Winchester to the gut. They Came for Blood is brutal, relentless, and carved from the hard timber of the Old West. Callahan's hunt for truth and redemption kept me turning pages long after sundown." -Anthony Wood, Will Rogers Medallion-Winning Author of Land of the Blind "They Came for Blood packs a punch like a belly full of lead. Twists sizzling like hot lightning turn the plot faster'n a barrel racer. A definite must read." -D.N. Sample, Author of Cold Powder Vengeance Visit www.crossingtheline.biz to contact investigative journalist and host M. William Phelps, get more information about the show, updates to cases, and more.  And don't forget to subscribe to Phelps's #1 Apple Podcast hit PAPER GHOSTS, now in its 5th season, "The Texas Teen Murders," wherever you get your favorite shows. M. William Phelps is the New York Times best-selling author of 46 nonfiction books and winner of the Excellence in (Investigative) Journalism Award from the Society of Professional Journalists. Phelps has written for numerous publications1, including the Providence Journal, Connecticut Magazine and Hartford Courant. Diversifying his talents, Phelps consulted on the first season of the hit Showtime cable television series Dexter and has executive produced and starred in over 350 hours of true crime television. All of which gives him a confluence of expertise and experience to bring to true crime fanatics. Phelps grew up in East Hartford, Connecticut, and now splits his time between Tolland County and N. Stonington, CT. In July 2017, he published his definitive, 10-year project about Happy Face Killer, Keith Hunter Jesperson, DANGEROUS GROUND: My Friendship with a Serial Killer. **For mental health assistance or to get help, please visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness NAMI website or call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), text "HelpLine" to 62640, or email [email protected]**
EP185 | Fatal Rejection - The Talk Show, Secret Admirer Murder: Jenny Jones, Scott Amedure and Jonathon Schmitz
2026/08/19
You're invited on a national television show under the pretense that someone you know has a crush on you. You get to the show and feel ambushed by the host revealing who it is. Three days later, your admirer has been murdered, and police are looking to you for the answers. For exclusive content, sign up for your free Patreon account here. Leave a five-star review of this show, please. ;-) Order Phelps's latest book, THEY CAME FOR BLOOD, book 1 in a three-book Tom Callahan Western series from Hatcreek, an imprint within the Roan & Weatherford Publishing enterprise.   "...A fine gritty western with an unanticipated twist. Phelps's prose, dialogue, and accurate descriptions of the frontier takes readers back to the old west and all the brutality that went with it. With a nod to the authors who established the western genre, Phelps finds new, unexplored trails for his fans to enjoy." -Reavis Z. Wortham, New York Times Bestselling Author of Comancheria "M. William Phelps hits like a Winchester to the gut. They Came for Blood is brutal, relentless, and carved from the hard timber of the Old West. Callahan's hunt for truth and redemption kept me turning pages long after sundown." -Anthony Wood, Will Rogers Medallion-Winning Author of Land of the Blind "They Came for Blood packs a punch like a belly full of lead. Twists sizzling like hot lightning turn the plot faster'n a barrel racer. A definite must read." -D.N. Sample, Author of Cold Powder Vengeance Visit www.crossingtheline.biz to contact investigative journalist and host M. William Phelps, get more information about the show, updates to cases, and more.  And don't forget to subscribe to Phelps's #1 Apple Podcast hit PAPER GHOSTS, now in its 5th season, "The Texas Teen Murders," wherever you get your favorite shows. M. William Phelps is the New York Times best-selling author of 46 nonfiction books and winner of the Excellence in (Investigative) Journalism Award from the Society of Professional Journalists. Phelps has written for numerous publications1, including the Providence Journal, Connecticut Magazine and Hartford Courant. Diversifying his talents, Phelps consulted on the first season of the hit Showtime cable television series Dexter and has executive produced and starred in over 350 hours of true crime television. All of which gives him a confluence of expertise and experience to bring to true crime fanatics. Phelps grew up in East Hartford, Connecticut, and now splits his time between Tolland County and N. Stonington, CT. In July 2017, he published his definitive, 10-year project about Happy Face Killer, Keith Hunter Jesperson, DANGEROUS GROUND: My Friendship with a Serial Killer.
EP184 | Shattered Trust: The Alfred "Chad" McMurray Murder Case
2026/08/12
A young man is found bound and shot through the head inside his home. Police look to the streets of Broward County, Florida for the answer … a dozen years pass and they don't have a clue. Better yet … the notion that their killer has been … the entire time … right underneath their nose. For exclusive content, sign up for your free Patreon account here. Leave a five-star review of this show, please. ;-) Order Phelps's latest book, THEY CAME FOR BLOOD, book 1 in a three-book Tom Callahan Western series from Hatcreek, an imprint within the Roan & Weatherford Publishing enterprise.   "...A fine gritty western with an unanticipated twist. Phelps's prose, dialogue, and accurate descriptions of the frontier takes readers back to the old west and all the brutality that went with it. With a nod to the authors who established the western genre, Phelps finds new, unexplored trails for his fans to enjoy." -Reavis Z. Wortham, New York Times Bestselling Author of Comancheria "M. William Phelps hits like a Winchester to the gut. They Came for Blood is brutal, relentless, and carved from the hard timber of the Old West. Callahan's hunt for truth and redemption kept me turning pages long after sundown." -Anthony Wood, Will Rogers Medallion-Winning Author of Land of the Blind "They Came for Blood packs a punch like a belly full of lead. Twists sizzling like hot lightning turn the plot faster'n a barrel racer. A definite must read." -D.N. Sample, Author of Cold Powder Vengeance Visit www.crossingtheline.biz to contact investigative journalist and host M. William Phelps, get more information about the show, updates to cases, and more.  And don't forget to subscribe to Phelps's #1 Apple Podcast hit PAPER GHOSTS, now in its 5th season, "The Texas Teen Murders," wherever you get your favorite shows. M. William Phelps is the New York Times best-selling author of 46 nonfiction books and winner of the Excellence in (Investigative) Journalism Award from the Society of Professional Journalists. Phelps has written for numerous publications1, including the Providence Journal, Connecticut Magazine and Hartford Courant. Diversifying his talents, Phelps consulted on the first season of the hit Showtime cable television series Dexter and has executive produced and starred in over 350 hours of true crime television. All of which gives him a confluence of expertise and experience to bring to true crime fanatics. Phelps grew up in East Hartford, Connecticut, and now splits his time between Tolland County and N. Stonington, CT. In July 2017, he published his definitive, 10-year project about Happy Face Killer, Keith Hunter Jesperson, DANGEROUS GROUND: My Friendship with a Serial Killer. **For mental health assistance or to get help, please visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness NAMI website or call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), text "HelpLine" to 62640, or email [email protected]**
EP183 | Jade Benning and Blaise Taylor: A Poisoned Drink, An NFL Scout Arrested, and Her Last Words
2026/08/05
Paramedics respond to a pregnant woman's apartment in Nashville and find her unconscious, on her bed, near death.  The man inside the home, Blaise Taylor, who had called 911, seems confused and acting strange. Three lives are at stake. One connected to the NFL, the other a local chef the community adores—the third, a baby not yet born.   For exclusive content, sign up for your free Patreon account here. X - @mwilliamphelps Connect with Phelps on Facebook! Leave a five-star review of this show, please. ;-) Order Phelps's latest book, THEY CAME FOR BLOOD, book 1 in a three-book Tom Callahan Western series from Hatcreek, an imprint within the Roan & Weatherford Publishing enterprise.   "...A fine gritty western with an unanticipated twist. Phelps's prose, dialogue, and accurate descriptions of the frontier takes readers back to the old west and all the brutality that went with it. With a nod to the authors who established the western genre, Phelps finds new, unexplored trails for his fans to enjoy." -Reavis Z. Wortham, New York Times Bestselling Author of Comancheria "M. William Phelps hits like a Winchester to the gut. They Came for Blood is brutal, relentless, and carved from the hard timber of the Old West. Callahan's hunt for truth and redemption kept me turning pages long after sundown." -Anthony Wood, Will Rogers Medallion-Winning Author of Land of the Blind "They Came for Blood packs a punch like a belly full of lead. Twists sizzling like hot lightning turn the plot faster'n a barrel racer. A definite must read." -D.N. Sample, Author of Cold Powder Vengeance Visit www.crossingtheline.biz to contact investigative journalist and host M. William Phelps, get more information about the show, updates to cases, and more.  And don't forget to subscribe to Phelps's #1 Apple Podcast hit PAPER GHOSTS, now in its 5th season, "The Texas Teen Murders," wherever you get your favorite shows. M. William Phelps is the New York Times best-selling author of 46 nonfiction books and winner of the Excellence in (Investigative) Journalism Award from the Society of Professional Journalists. Phelps has written for numerous publications1, including the Providence Journal, Connecticut Magazine and Hartford Courant. Diversifying his talents, Phelps consulted on the first season of the hit Showtime cable television series Dexter and has executive produced and starred in over 350 hours of true crime television. All of which gives him a confluence of expertise and experience to bring to true crime fanatics. Phelps grew up in East Hartford, Connecticut, and now splits his time between Tolland County and N. Stonington, CT. In July 2017, he published his definitive, 10-year project about Happy Face Killer, Keith Hunter Jesperson, DANGEROUS GROUND: My Friendship with a Serial Killer. **For mental health assistance or to get help, please visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness NAMI website or call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), text "HelpLine" to 62640, or email [email protected]**
SHORT CUTS EP18 | The Max Headroom Incident: The Unsolved TV Hijack of 1987
2026/07/31
Episode Description | You are watching your local TV sports news one night when the screen suddenly goes fuzzy and this odd character comes onto the screen, says nothing, then disappears. The TV station you are watching has been hijacked. Later that same night, it happens again … but this time, the hacker has some rather interesting information to share and a strange fetish-like scenario to act out on live television. Welcome to a bonus feature here on the Crossing the Line feed. I come across all sorts of stories while researching books, TV series, and my iHeartMedia podcast, Paper Ghosts, in addition to the ideas you send me. A lot of them grab hold of me emotionally—especially the victims' stories and the ordeal their families go through. A good number of the cases, for myriad reasons, don't fit into the model for a more complete CTL episode. So I wanted to create a sub platform to showcase some of those stories, as well. That said, thank you for supporting Crossing the Line, which has allowed me to produce this new expansion of the brand … Once or twice per month, maybe more, I'll present a 15 to 20 minute episode, covering murder and missing person cases, and other interesting crimes I think you'll want to hear about—but maybe more importantly, cases that give us a deeper understanding of the crimes and scumbags who commit them. Sign up for your free Patreon account here, where I'll be streaming "live," and posting other content you cannot find anywhere else. Visit www.crossingtheline.biz to contact investigative journalist and host M. William Phelps, get more information about the show, updates to cases, and more.  Leave a five-star review of this show, please. ;-) Order Phelps's latest book, THEY CAME FOR BLOOD, book 1 in a three-book Tom Callahan Western series from Hatcreek, an imprint within the Roan & Weatherford Publishing enterprise.   "...A fine gritty western with an unanticipated twist. Phelps's prose, dialogue, and accurate descriptions of the frontier takes readers back to the old west and all the brutality that went with it. With a nod to the authors who established the western genre, Phelps finds new, unexplored trails for his fans to enjoy." -Reavis Z. Wortham, New York Times Bestselling Author of Comancheria "M. William Phelps hits like a Winchester to the gut. They Came for Blood is brutal, relentless, and carved from the hard timber of the Old West. Callahan's hunt for truth and redemption kept me turning pages long after sundown." -Anthony Wood, Will Rogers Medallion-Winning Author of Land of the Blind "They Came for Blood packs a punch like a belly full of lead. Twists sizzling like hot lightning turn the plot faster'n a barrel racer. A definite must read." -D.N. Sample, Author of Cold Powder Vengeance Visit www.crossingtheline.biz to contact investigative journalist and host M. William Phelps, get more information about the show, updates to cases, and more.  And don't forget to subscribe to Phelps's #1 hit podcast PAPER GHOSTS, now in its fourth season, wherever you get your favorite shows. M. William Phelps is the New York Times best-selling author of 50 nonfiction books and winner of the Excellence in (Investigative) Journalism Award from the Society of Professional Journalists. Phelps has written for numerous publications1, including the Providence Journal, Connecticut Magazine and Hartford Courant. Diversifying his talents, Phelps consulted on the first season of the hit Showtime cable television series Dexter and has executive produced and starred in over 350 hours of true crime television. All of which gives him a confluence of expertise and experience to bring to true crime fanatics.
EP182 | The Killer on Probation: Michael Reese & Joyce Grayson
2026/07/29
A woman heads out one morning to do her work as a visiting home healthcare nurse. Later that afternoon, her employer cannot find her. Reported missing, police begin searching … and find the house where she was headed to empty. Then a break in the case … as an intuitive officer discovers her vehicle parked a mile away from her original destination. Host M. William Phelps finds the case the cause for some rage about the probation system in Connecticut. For exclusive content, sign up for your free Patreon account here. Leave a five-star review of this show, please. ;-) Order Phelps's latest book, THEY CAME FOR BLOOD, book 1 in a three-book Tom Callahan Western series from Hatcreek, an imprint within the Roan & Weatherford Publishing enterprise.   "...A fine gritty western with an unanticipated twist. Phelps's prose, dialogue, and accurate descriptions of the frontier takes readers back to the old west and all the brutality that went with it. With a nod to the authors who established the western genre, Phelps finds new, unexplored trails for his fans to enjoy." -Reavis Z. Wortham, New York Times Bestselling Author of Comancheria "M. William Phelps hits like a Winchester to the gut. They Came for Blood is brutal, relentless, and carved from the hard timber of the Old West. Callahan's hunt for truth and redemption kept me turning pages long after sundown." -Anthony Wood, Will Rogers Medallion-Winning Author of Land of the Blind "They Came for Blood packs a punch like a belly full of lead. Twists sizzling like hot lightning turn the plot faster'n a barrel racer. A definite must read." -D.N. Sample, Author of Cold Powder Vengeance Visit www.crossingtheline.biz to contact investigative journalist and host M. William Phelps, get more information about the show, updates to cases, and more.  And don't forget to subscribe to Phelps's #1 Apple Podcast hit PAPER GHOSTS, now in its 5th season, "The Texas Teen Murders," wherever you get your favorite shows. M. William Phelps is the New York Times best-selling author of 46 nonfiction books and winner of the Excellence in (Investigative) Journalism Award from the Society of Professional Journalists. Phelps has written for numerous publications1, including the Providence Journal, Connecticut Magazine and Hartford Courant. Diversifying his talents, Phelps consulted on the first season of the hit Showtime cable television series Dexter and has executive produced and starred in over 350 hours of true crime television. All of which gives him a confluence of expertise and experience to bring to true crime fanatics. Phelps grew up in East Hartford, Connecticut, and now splits his time between Tolland County and N. Stonington, CT. In July 2017, he published his definitive, 10-year project about Happy Face Killer, Keith Hunter Jesperson, DANGEROUS GROUND: My Friendship with a Serial Killer. **For mental health assistance or to get help, please visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness NAMI website or call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), text "HelpLine" to 62640, or email [email protected]**
EP181 | 'Touch Me and Find Out …' - The Austin Metcalf, Karmelo Anthony Case: Murder or Self-Defense?
2026/07/22
How does a rather straightforward murder case, in which there is no question who the perpetrator is, become a polarizing, high-profile media event, dividing a community and pitting neighbors against one another? Social media and the internet, of course! Here, in Frisco, Texas, a high school track meet starts out as innocent as any other youth-sports event. When it starts raining, the athletes head for cover. Which is when the horrific murder of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf by 17-year-old Karmelo Anthony is witnessed by countless high school kids. For exclusive content, sign up for your free Patreon account here. Leave a five-star review of this show, please. ;-) Order Phelps's latest book, THEY CAME FOR BLOOD, book 1 in a three-book Tom Callahan Western series from Hatcreek, an imprint within the Roan & Weatherford Publishing enterprise.   "...A fine gritty western with an unanticipated twist. Phelps's prose, dialogue, and accurate descriptions of the frontier takes readers back to the old west and all the brutality that went with it. With a nod to the authors who established the western genre, Phelps finds new, unexplored trails for his fans to enjoy." -Reavis Z. Wortham, New York Times Bestselling Author of Comancheria "M. William Phelps hits like a Winchester to the gut. They Came for Blood is brutal, relentless, and carved from the hard timber of the Old West. Callahan's hunt for truth and redemption kept me turning pages long after sundown." -Anthony Wood, Will Rogers Medallion-Winning Author of Land of the Blind "They Came for Blood packs a punch like a belly full of lead. Twists sizzling like hot lightning turn the plot faster'n a barrel racer. A definite must read." -D.N. Sample, Author of Cold Powder Vengeance Visit www.crossingtheline.biz to contact investigative journalist and host M. William Phelps, get more information about the show, updates to cases, and more.  And don't forget to subscribe to Phelps's #1 Apple Podcast hit PAPER GHOSTS, now in its 5th season, "The Texas Teen Murders," wherever you get your favorite shows. M. William Phelps is the New York Times best-selling author of 46 nonfiction books and winner of the Excellence in (Investigative) Journalism Award from the Society of Professional Journalists. Phelps has written for numerous publications1, including the Providence Journal, Connecticut Magazine and Hartford Courant. Diversifying his talents, Phelps consulted on the first season of the hit Showtime cable television series Dexter and has executive produced and starred in over 350 hours of true crime television. All of which gives him a confluence of expertise and experience to bring to true crime fanatics. Phelps grew up in East Hartford, Connecticut, and now splits his time between Tolland County and N. Stonington, CT. In July 2017, he published his definitive, 10-year project about Happy Face Killer, Keith Hunter Jesperson, DANGEROUS GROUND: My Friendship with a Serial Killer. **For mental health assistance or to get help, please visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness NAMI website or call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), text "HelpLine" to 62640, or email [email protected]**
EP180 | The Body Buried Under Newton Avenue & Ghost of Chollas Creek—The True Crime of A Serial Killer Set Free
2026/07/15
A random stop by a San Diego police officer in 2025 opens a murder investigation—which ultimately leads to a search underneath a local home once rented by a local man, Dwight William Rhone. But that is only the beginning … as investigators begin to think they have uncovered the burial ground of a prolific serial killer.   For exclusive content, sign up for your free Patreon account here. Leave a five-star review of this show, please. ;-) Order Phelps's latest book, THEY CAME FOR BLOOD, book 1 in a three-book Tom Callahan Western series from Hatcreek, an imprint within the Roan & Weatherford Publishing enterprise.   "...A fine gritty western with an unanticipated twist. Phelps's prose, dialogue, and accurate descriptions of the frontier takes readers back to the old west and all the brutality that went with it. With a nod to the authors who established the western genre, Phelps finds new, unexplored trails for his fans to enjoy." -Reavis Z. Wortham, New York Times Bestselling Author of Comancheria "M. William Phelps hits like a Winchester to the gut. They Came for Blood is brutal, relentless, and carved from the hard timber of the Old West. Callahan's hunt for truth and redemption kept me turning pages long after sundown." -Anthony Wood, Will Rogers Medallion-Winning Author of Land of the Blind "They Came for Blood packs a punch like a belly full of lead. Twists sizzling like hot lightning turn the plot faster'n a barrel racer. A definite must read." -D.N. Sample, Author of Cold Powder Vengeance Visit www.crossingtheline.biz to contact investigative journalist and host M. William Phelps, get more information about the show, updates to cases, and more.  And don't forget to subscribe to Phelps's #1 Apple Podcast hit PAPER GHOSTS, now in its 5th season, "The Texas Teen Murders," wherever you get your favorite shows. M. William Phelps is the New York Times best-selling author of 46 nonfiction books and winner of the Excellence in (Investigative) Journalism Award from the Society of Professional Journalists. Phelps has written for numerous publications1, including the Providence Journal, Connecticut Magazine and Hartford Courant. Diversifying his talents, Phelps consulted on the first season of the hit Showtime cable television series Dexter and has executive produced and starred in over 350 hours of true crime television. All of which gives him a confluence of expertise and experience to bring to true crime fanatics. Phelps grew up in East Hartford, Connecticut, and now splits his time between Tolland County and N. Stonington, CT. In July 2017, he published his definitive, 10-year project about Happy Face Killer, Keith Hunter Jesperson, DANGEROUS GROUND: My Friendship with a Serial Killer. **For mental health assistance or to get help, please visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness NAMI website or call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), text "HelpLine" to 62640, or email [email protected]**

Podcast reviews

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4.2 out of 5
3545 reviews
★★★★★
KC Idaho 2026/09/16
My number 1 fave true crime podcast!
So many reasons: Voice – not a fast talker, not a "you know" every other sentence, steady and rich voice. Honest – Phelps isn't making it up as he goe...
★★★★★
Augustgirl23 2026/08/30
Informative & Clever
He spotlights unique cases with dark humor and wit while still paying respect to the victims. My husband and I thoroughly enjoy new episodes each week...
★★★★★
Uslayme2021 2026/08/27
Great story telling
True Crime Brewery podcast often references M. William Phelps as Dick’s favorite true crime author. Glad they did bc when I looked him up, I found he ...
★★★★★
Viddie Wheeler 2026/08/26
Big Fan!
I love this podcast. I also really loved Paper Ghosts and hope for something like it in the near future!!!!!
★★★★★
search anywhere us 2026/08/26
Relatable and Real
Mr. Phelps tells the story on an even playing field and from shared community values. He does the research and creates a hometown dialogue. Listening ...
★★★★★
Music Seeker 2010 2026/08/22
The Best in True Crime
I find Phelps to be the perfect podcaster for true crime. He's not just about telling a story, but also has the necessary ability to call out those wh...
★★★★★
BabEDRN 2026/08/09
Love it.
I first started listening to Paper Ghosts and then came over to Crossing the Line. And I absolutely love it and I love M William Phelps. It is quite a...
★★★☆☆
Judy Broom 2026/07/27
Top Notch 👌
Such a good narrative voice. My new favorite.
★★★★★
Noel In The OC 2026/07/27
Truth Seeker
Mr. Phelps has this amazing ability to help you visualize everyone he’s having a discussion with. He is the perfect balance in his interview interview...
★★★★★
csmaynes 2026/07/24
Great Podcast
M. William Phelps is one of my favorite true crime podcasters ( and true crime author!) he delivers great content every week and I look forward to his...
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