In this chilling true-crime thriller by New York Times bestselling journalist M. William Phelps, a woman’s mysterious death in upstate New York plunges her family into a nightmare of backstabbing and vengeance . . . In July 2015, Mary Yoder returned home from the chiropractic center that she operated with her husband, Bill, complaining that she felt unwell. Mary, health-conscious and vibrant, was … was suddenly vomiting, sweating, and weak. Doctors in the ER and ICU were baffled as to the cause of her rapidly progressing illness. Her loved ones—including Bill and their children, Adam, Tamryn, and Liana—gathered in shock to say goodbye. In the weeks that followed Mary’s death, the grief-stricken family received startling news from the medical examiner: Mary had been deliberately poisoned. The lethal substance was colchicine, a chemical used to treat gout but extremely toxic if not taken as prescribed. Mary did not have gout. Another bombshell followed when the local sheriff’s office received a claim that Adam Yoder had poisoned his mother. But Adam was not the only person of interest in the case. Pretty and popular Kaitlyn Conley, Adam’s ex-girlfriend, worked at the Yoders’ clinic. She’d even been at Mary’s bedside during those last terrible hours. Still, some spoke of her talent for manipulation and a history of bizarre, rage-fueled behavior against anyone who dared to reject her. Had Kaitlyn and Adam conspired to kill Mary Yoder, or was the killer someone else entirely? In another twist, accusations were hurled at Bill Yoder himself, ricocheting blame in still another direction . . . Renowned investigative journalist M. William Phelps details this incredible story piece by piece, revealing a heartless plan of revenge—a scheme that would tear a family apart, divide a community, and result in two gripping, high-profile trials.
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A true story where the author writes with his opinion dominated. Those who disagree with him are foolish. Right.
I finished the book out of respect for Mary, and her friends and patients that loved her.
The takeaway listen to your instincts, and if the hairs on your arms stands up pay attention. Don’t make excuses.
M. William Phelps Investigates a Poisoning death in “We Thought We Knew You.” I enjoyed interviewing the author on Charlotte Readers Podcast.
Thank you to NetGalley, Kensington Books and the author for the chance to read this book for a fair and honest review.
When Mary Yoder came home from work ill, no one expected her to be so sick, so fast. Mary and her husband Bill ran a well known chiropractic clinic and shared the work. The Yoder’s son Adam, had asked his parents to hire his girlfriend to work as office manager and she stayed on even after several breakups. When Mary was taken to the emergency room with what was thought to be a virus no one expected her to to become critical and then die so quickly. Doctors were baffled as to the cause because none of the tests gave an answer. After the autopsy and some very detailed tests with poison control, Mary’s family were told she had been poisoned. Who could have poisoned her? And why? She was popular and well liked by patients and staff alike.
What will follow is a tale of a narcissist who can’t let go and plots the ultimate revenge, attempting to frame family members for the death of Mary. A detailed account of a strange story that kept me reading until I had finished the book. Mr. Phelps detailed account of this story was compelling and interesting as you try to figure out why anyone would do this to another person.
Love this author!!
I received a complimentary print copy of this book from the publisher and Bookish First Impressions in exchange for an unbiased review.
This is the first true crime book I’ve read by this author but won’t be the last. He has a unique manner of presenting all the facts from every perspective. It is obvious that extensive research has been done to write such a compelling book.
As Mark Twain is noted for stating: “Truth is stranger than fiction, but it is because Fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities; Truth isn’t.”
Since this is true crime there really are no “spoilers” as the case has been followed and reported by the media outlets. I will add my review regarding my personal comments and opinions.
The author goes to great lengths to make the story about the victim Mary Yoder and not the sensationalized media attention or conspiracy theories. I admire the presentation of the facts and evidence as they are and not what some would like them to be. Just because people “can’t imagine” someone being capable of such heinous acts doesn’t mean she didn’t commit them!
It is obvious that Kaitlyn “Katie” Conley is a person with deep rooted psychological issues. An example of a sociopath with whom we should all take note as there are many people in world just like her. The conniving and manipulative mastermind of those people should not be underscored.
Another appalling aspect was that regarding Dateline and their coverage of the case. I don’t recall whether I watched that episode. The author is respectful but does share information that he received from several reliable sources. As much as we hope that media presentation will be accurate we must always remember that people are human. The human spirit is strong and wants to believe the best of people and shun the possibility of such evil. The most difficult task is to put all feelings aside and examine facts without emotion or judgment. I believe that M William Phelps possess that ability.
This is a true crime story that is gripping and keeps you at the edge of your seat. It is about Dr. Mary Yoder’s murder. The investigation of what killed her and who did it. Mary was loved by all of her patients and everyone had only good things to say about her. She had no enemies. The on and off relationship of the son and the ex-girlfriend. The ex-girlfriend Katie Conley working for the Yoders in their private practice. Katie’s sick obsession. It is tragic how this poor woman died. The description of the timeline before she died to the detectives questioning the suspects is well put throughout the book. This book is well detailed and informative. It is a page turner and fast paced. Usually, I do not read true crime stories but with this one I am glad that I did. The style of the storyline grabbed my attention and kept me interested. I could not put this book down.
I received this book for an honest review. Thank you @bookishfirst
This is a true crime story full of family drama. It is full of secrets, betrayal, deception and murder. It starts with a woman coming home from work feeling sick. She is a wife, mother and partner in the family business. Once in the hospital her condition takes a drastic turn for the worse and none of the doctors understand why. Within a short time she is dead and the questions by the family begin as to what killed her. She appeared to be a healthy woman full of life to all who knew her. When the family relationships are investigated further they begin to see the twisted relationship that has existed for years between the son Adam and his then ex-girlfriend Kaitlyn.
This real life case was built on a lot of computer forensics. Computers and cell phones both held the most evidence. The time line of the story does jump around a lot. It starts with Mary coming home sick, then gives the family history, and then the trial. I enjoyed the book.
I won a copy of this book from BookishFirst.
If you eat up true crime anything as much as I do then you know who M. William Phelps is. Either from TV, books or podcasts. For me it’s from tv ( and the podcast Paper Ghosts which you MUST listen to) as some years ago I switched from reading true crime to watching it. So this is actually my first Phelps book and I went in super excited. I know that sounds horrible because this book means someone got murdered but if you love true crime you know what I mean…BUT I DIGRESS.
I didn’t know about this particular case so it was good going in with zero details. Mary Yoder was a very healthy and vibrant woman who died painfully from something that should have never been in her system. Now comes the who and the why. Who could possibly harbor any ill will for a woman that everybody seemingly likes/love?
Not really surprising to me but Phelps can write true crime just as well as he can talk about it on tv. As it goes with these kinds of books, the less said the better. Just know that I found it to be well written and well researched. The details are there without it reading as boring or confusing but he also knows how to write about the people well. The victim, the killer, everyone else around them. It’s not just about the crime. He does the footwork and gets to know everyone involved. I have zero regrets using my Bookish First points to claim this book.
We Thought We Knew You is a fascinating and disturbing true story of the murder of Mary Yoder.
Mary was such a bright light who died a horrendous death so Katy her son’s former girlfriend could get the perfect revenge on her son Adam.
M. William Phelps does an amazing job taking you through the investigation, the trials and the aftermath.
There is no doubt Katy was guilty from the beginning and it bogles my mind how a few of her victims sisters could support her. This was your sister she poisoned .
How the Yoder family held their heads up high as they were treated to badly by Katy’s followers made me wonder if the supporters were just as psychotic as Katy , they certainly felt entitled.
This is Mary Yoder’s story , one of justice, one that never should have happened and it is told so well by Mr. Phelps.
It is the story of Adam and Bill Yoder. I admire you both.
This is my first book of his I have read, it wont be my last and I am off to check out his podcasts.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington books for the allowing me the privilege to read and review We Thought We Knew You.
Oh my gosh this author had me from the very beginning. I was so pulled into this book that I couldn’t put it down. First time reading this author but definitely will not be the last. It starts out with Mary and Bill owning their own Chiropractic office and their son Adam worked as their office manager. Adam was going to college and he was getting overwhelmed so he asked his parents if they would let his girlfriend Katie work there part time. They did like Katie and did decide to hire her. They spent lots of family time together. Then all of a sudden Adam said Katie would not be attending anymore family gatherings.
Katie and Adam had a very volatile relationship. They were on and off for the most part of their time together. Katie was manipulated Adam constantly, she knew what buttons to push. And for the most part it worked. As Adam was preparing for his exams Katie talked him into taking some Brain supplement to help him stay focused. Adam only took two of them and became really sick. They thought he just had a stomach bug? Then a very short time later Mary ends up violently sick. She was so sick she ended up in the hospital. She started rebounding but then crashed at least eight times and then she was gone.
Of course they always suspect the husband and then whomever may benefit from the death. The detective lead you around every turn in the road and doesn’t leave any leaf unturned.
I am not going to spoil this for anyone but I highly recommend you grab this book and your favorite beverage and get started. You will not be disappointed!
I received an ARC for free from BookIsh, and I am leaving an honest review voluntarily! The
What a fantastic read that captivated me from the very first page. Bill and Mary Yoder have a very successful Chiropractic Clinic in the state of New York. Both of the Yoders are very popular with their patients and love serving the people. One day, Mary comes home from work sick with vomiting and diarrhea. The next day Bill takes her to the emergency room and she is admitted. Doctors are puzzled about Mary’s symptoms and sudden deterioration and Mary soon dies. It was discovered that Mary died of a Colchicine ingestion, but where did it come from and how did she get it?? This book explores all the possibilities of who would have wanted Mary gone, where and how the drug came from, as well as the subsequent trials. True Crime author, M. William Phelps, did a superb job with this very puzzling case and he is one of my favorite authors.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC of this very interesting read in exchange for an honest review.
If you love true crime and love an Author that writes a thorough and detailed novel on the gritty and chilling details of a cold blooded killer, than this book and Author is for you. This is not my first rodeo with Author Phelps; in fact Phelps has been my go to Author when it comes to true crime dealing with serial killers and all true crime. Getting to the core of the story. He is also the creator of the series DARK MINDS on the Investigation ID channel. This is a book and Author that true crime junkies cannot miss.
*****
Mary & Bill Yoder met when they were young and married, had children and opened a chiropractic practice together. Married for over thirty years they were still deeply in love. They were looking forward to retirement and an upcoming month long vacation getaway.
They had three children, Lianna, Adam and Tammy. Their son Adam worked for the practice and got his girlfriend, Kaitlyn a job there and she even stayed on when he left. Things seemed to be ideal in this perfect family. That is until one day the completely healthy Mary got ill suddenly at work and died with 2 days with no explanation.
There was an anonymous letter received at the police department saying that her death was not an accident. This led to further investigation into the case and poison control experts finding toxic poison in her system. She was in fact murdered. But who would want to murder Mary? That’s where the stories are told and motives are given and her husband, her son Adam and even his now ex-girlfriend are suspects. You won’t believe what you find out and who did it. I definitely recommend this as a must read.
Before reading this, I had not heard about the case or the people involved so I went in completely blind! This is a chilling true crime about the murder of Mary Yoder, a chiropractor in Utica, NY. Her sudden illness and passing came as a shock, weeks after the medical examiner discovered Mary was poisoned! The suspect, Katie Conley, is Mary’s son Adam’s ex girlfriend. Katie orchestrated this for revenge, to get back at Adam for breaking off their relationship. Crazy!! The was fast paced, gripping & suspenseful! Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for a gifted copy. This is my honest review.