As always with true crime, it never ceases to amaze me how cold blooded and manipulative people can be.I thoroughly enjoyed this gripping audiobook involving lies and murder. This factual account of Sharon, her use of sex to steal rich men from their wives and families and eventually plan their demise was fascinating, albeit a little predictable. The psychology behind this black widow’s behaviour kept me fully invested. It was a bit confusing at times with the different timelines. I prefer a linear account when it comes to true crime. The narrator brought this story to life with her compelling performance. Absolutely recommend this book to readers interested in this genre.

5 stars

The synopsis hooked me and then the story pulled me in-I had a hard time setting this book down!

This is a true story about a woman named Sharon Nelson and her predilection for collecting men in her web of deception and manipulation. The tempo of this story begins at a steady clip, but as the tale progresses Sharon's lies and exploitation of people increases, and so did the pace of my turning of the pages! I found myself asking: how did this woman hold so much power over the men in her life? There are insinuations that it was her sexual prowess, but that alone could only have gone so far.

This story did leave me with more questions than answers, but I learned a lot about a crime duo whom I had never heard of before. I would be very interested in a follow up story, from a psychological perspective, regarding how Sharon-and several other infamous black widow's-so deftly committed crimes and ruined lives without being found out until they had done irrevocable damage.

If you are interested in true crime and enjoy a narrative approach to your nonfiction, this might be a book you would enjoy.

I read and reviewed an advanced eARC of this book thanks to Threads via NetGalley. All honest opinions are my own.

This author writes just like Ann Rule did. His story are true and compelling. They hold your interest until the end.

Loved this book. Great job Gregg. You never disappoint your readers.

American Black Widow by Gregg Olsen 3.5 ⭐ rounded up

American Black Widow is the story of Sharon Nelson the "American black Widow" a ministers wife who beguiled a boyfriend to kill two of her husbands.

This book was so shocking at how shamelessly this woman flaunted her lovers, discarded children, and accumulated wealth with ease. I found it fascinating how some people could meet her and immediately see her for who she was, while other seemingly intelligent men could so easily be seduced and willing to throw their whole lives away for this beautiful woman.

I would have liked to see this story unfold from start to finish, as I felt the ending was rather abrupt the way it was laid out, But it is an unbelievable story that will have you hooked to the very end.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC for my honest review.

I wanted to like this so much. I even listened to the audiobook but I couldn’t get into it and was bored. As a true crime junkie I’m disappointed.

I was quite disappointed with American Black Widow by Gregg Olsen. In my opinion, it lacked the quality I expected from the author. I found the crude language to be excessive and unnecessary.

Despite its flaws, I have to admit that the subject matter was intriguing. Learning about the heinous acts committed by these individuals was both disturbing and captivating. As a fan of true crime, I was hoping for a more skillful execution.

Overall, American Black Widow did not live up to its potential and fell short in terms of writing quality and storytelling technique.

The characters are interesting and the plot kept me hooked. I would definitely recommend this book. Thank you to Gregg Olsen, NetGalley and Thread Books for the ARC of this book

If you like true crime and Gregg Olsen’s other books, you will enjoy this one. Sharon Nelson is cold-blooded, evil, and manipulative. I couldn’t put this one down!

Sharon Nelson is a minister's wife who seduces most men she comes in contact with. This leads her down a path with two dead husbands and her as the prime suspect. This true story is almost unbelievable in how Sharon was able to keep these men coming back to her when she was clearly troubled. This is my favorite Gregg Olsen to date. The writing is excellent and very well-paced. The story is very engaging and well-told.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thread Books for the ARC of American Black Widow.

This is about Sharon, a preachers wife turned murderer among other things. It tells the story of how she met everyone and convinced her lover to help her. It is a good book, well written, but just isn’t my favorite by this author. 3.5 stars because the writing and research were down very well.

Preacher’s Wife, Killer…
The complete and updated true story of Sharon Nelson - once a preacher’s wife and then a killer - and her crimes which took place in a quiet Colorado town. It is a tale that shook small town America and resonated everywhere as she became The Black Widow. With sleight of hand the author paints a detailed and credible picture of the the main players in this real life drama, the families concerned, the husbands and of Sharon herself. An account which is as unsettling as it is compelling and immersive. This is a much anticipated update of the author’s original book ‘Bitch on Wheels’/ ‘Confessions of an American Black Widow’ and should the reader have read the original book, as I have, this updated edition is certainly still more than well worth a visit. True crime aficionados should not be disappointed

Gregg Olsen has done it again with his spellbinding true crime writing. He captures the evil of a black widow with breathtaking detail. The book will leave you in stunned disbelief at the cruelty of the American Black Widow. The book is this year's must read! Thank you to NetGalley.

This book was an interesting true crime story. It makes you wonder how this could even happen. A big thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

I love true crime! I can't believe how horrible Sharon was and what she was able to get away with! This book was a little too long for me and jumped around to different time frames, which made it hard to follow at times. I have read one other book by Gregg Olsen and it kept my interest more than American Black Widow did.
I definitely would still recommend this book, especially if you are a true crime fan!

Gregg Olsen writes true crime like no other and his newest book does not disappoint, bringing the wild infamous story of Sharon Nelson into the mainstream. In a style that is Olsen’s own, he brings the reader through Nelson’s life of wild escapades, multiple marriages, the husbands age ultimately murdered, the investigations & her conviction. Engrossing & full of rich details & first account interviews, American Black Widow is a must read for all true crime fans

American Black Widow by Gregg Olsen is a gripping and chilling account of a real-life crime that will leave readers both captivated and horrified. Drawing inspiration from true events, Olsen weaves together a narrative that keeps you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.

The book centers around the haunting story of a seemingly ordinary preacher's wife who transforms into a calculating and deadly killer. Olsen investigates the psyche of this woman, exposing the darkness that lurks beneath her seemingly perfect facade. Olsen expertly captures the reader's imagination, taking us on a journey of suspense, deception, and the depths of human evil.

Olsen's meticulous investigation and interviews provide readers with a comprehensive and authentic portrayal of the events. The narrative is peppered with shocking revelations, twists, and turns that constantly challenge one's assumptions about the characters and their motivations.

Olsen's writing style is fluid and engaging, painting vivid pictures of the crime scenes and the inner turmoil of the characters. The pacing of the story is well-executed, building tension with each chapter and keeping readers guessing about what will happen next. Olsen's ability to maintain suspense throughout the book is evidence of his skill as a storyteller.

American Black Widow is not just a mere retelling of a crime; it also offers insightful commentary on the complexities of human nature. Olsen explores the dynamics of relationships, the impact of trust, betrayal, and manipulation on individuals caught in a web of deceit. This analysis adds depth to the narrative, making it more than just a thrilling true crime story.

American Black Widow is a captivating and spine-chilling read for fans of suspenseful mysteries. Olsen's ability to recreate the harrowing true story of a preacher's wife turned killer is commendable, and his attention to detail and research adds depth. This book is a compelling exploration of human darkness and the lengths some individuals are willing to go to satisfy their sinister desires.

This is one of them books. Once you start you don’t want to stop until you are done. Sharon uses her assets and her charm to get what she wants. Regardless of who gets hurt in the process.

As a true crime fan, I always enjoy a good read like this. It wasn’t the worst, it wasn’t the best, but it kept my interest and was very easy to get through quickly.

Sharon Fuller should have been happy with the life she was given. However, nothing was good enough for Sharon. She wanted more. She wanted excitement, and she wanted as much money as she could get her hands on.

As a preacher's wife, she was finding that life was not fulfilling. After they transfer to a new congregation, she begins looking for her next victim, I mean husband. Although still married, she begins an affair with a doctor, one who happens to be an elder in their church. When the money runs out, and things start to unravel, Sharon convinces a lover to murder her husband.
When she remarries, she quickly finds that the match is not good - and it is not going to last. If she hopes to get any insurance money, this husband is going to have to have an accident - and soon.

Oh my goodness, this book. I hated this woman - her manipulations and the many families that she tore apart. She was working to have a better life than what she grew up in, but she ruined many lives along the way. Nothing was off limits, and she lived by no rules. The detectives who are looking into the death of her last husband are convinced that she is guilty of much more - and they had no idea what they were fixing to walk into.

It was an interesting read. As much as Sharon irked me, I could not put this book down. It was a fabulous book, with a very interesting array of characters.

Thank you NetGalley and Thread Books for a complimentary copy of this book! American Black Widow is a True Crime novel about a minister’s wife, Sharon Fuller Nelson Harrelson. It begins in the late 1970’s Colorado. Her first minister husband, Mike, luckily, isn’t one of her victims. But her next two husbands, Perry & Glenn, die under mysterious circumstances. You will see how Sharon was a charming, but greedy, manipulative, sex-crazed woman!!! She divorced her first husband, Minister Mike Fuller. She marries Perry Nelson, an Optometrist. His body is later found near a body of water. Her third husband, Glenn Harrelson is a fire fighter. Ironically, his remains are found with two bullet holes and his body badly burned. You will see throughout all her marriages, Sharon carried on with other men. For anyone who loves a good True Crime novel, this is not one to miss!!! Available July 13, 2023!