Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for this audio ARC!

This book follows the life of Sharon Nelson, who is currently incarcerated for murdering two of her previous husbands. The beginning of this book took place in the 1970s, and her first husband was a preacher for a Seventh Day Advent Church.

This book is previously published under two names, "Confessions of an American Black Widow" and "Bitch on Wheels." I did not know this before picking this book up - the second one would have probably stopped me from wanting to read it. It was first published in 1998, and it shows.

I ended up DNFing this book about 30% in because it just felt very sexist and puritanical. Odd to say, when talking about a true crime book, but it felt like the reasons we were supposed to dislike Sharon was not because of the pain she caused but because she made Choices that Were Not Ladylike. I had not even gotten to a point where we were discussing the murder - it was more about how she was cheating on her husband. The difference between how the author (a man) discussed Sharon's cheating versus the man's cheating was distinct, and it just put a bad taste in my mouth. Plus, it was written in a way that felt like I could have picked this book off of my grandmother's true crime bookshelf. My mother has read this author's work and finds it enjoyable, but I personally had to put it down.

This is the second book I’ve read from Gregg Olsen and was exceptionally grateful to have the chance to listen to this audiobook.

This book follows the chilling true story of Sharon Nelson, a minister’s wife, then a doctor’s wife and finally a fireman’s wife. Two of her husbands end up dead and this is explored in this well researched and eloquently written book! I would highly recommend this book to any fan of true crime as it’s unputdownable!

Follow the thrilling story of Sharon as she works her way through men, using her feminine charms to get whatever she most desires, even at the cost of killing a few men here and there.

The only slight critique I would have is that I wish the book followed a the timeline as the book progressed. There were a few sections where it would flip back and forth between different timelines/after she married certain people then it would flip back to before she’d met them.

Overall, super pleased I got to read this one as an arc and will be recommending it to any true crime junkie.

Sharon was married to a minister, then to a doctor, then to a firefighter. She had pretend husbands, lovers, and flings. She had so many affairs that I doubt she even knows the total number. The one thing all her husbands had in common was an untimely death.

American Black Widow is the perfect comparison to the kind of person Sharon Nelson is. This is the true story of a manipulative woman who went after any man she wanted without pause. What she wanted, we got, and she recycled men like the weekly newspaper. She was constantly luring men into her web with sex appeal. I would suggest you might want to get a pen & paper handy- especially if you listen to the audio version- because keeping all the people involved straight can get confusing at times unless you have a solid idea. At the very beginning of the story, they list out all the key characters and what their roles are, I am glad I wrote them down to follow along with.

While I am very interested in true crime, I had not heard of Sharon Nelson until the discovery of this book. Gregg Olsen does a fantastic job at researching the people he writes about and making you want to know more. This book was originally published back in 1998 & is now being released on audio.

What I think infuriated me the most was how these men were so in awe of her and so in love that they would allow her to ruin each of their lives, but I could not stop listening. The timelines can be tricky- it does hop around a little here and there, which is another reason you need to have clarity on the key people so as not to be confused. Overall, I really enjoyed this story and thought the narrator also did a terrific job.

Thank you to #Netgalley & the publishers for the free audio arc in exchange for my honest review.

This audiobook is done very well. I love the way Gregg Olsen can tell us a true crime story. The narration was done very good as well. I never feel like it’s a nonfiction book.

American Black Widow is the perfect description for this woman. Among many other descriptions that could include, manipulator, abuser, greedy, murderer, and sex addict to name a few. Sharon is something else, as I listened to all the ways she uses people and neglects her family, I could help but wonder if she shouldn’t have gotten some counseling clear back in the when she first got married to the preacher. It seems she had a lot of emotional and mental issues.

I know the world was a very different place 50 years ago, and todays technology make alot of this impossible but it was so interesting to go on this journey of evidence and road to justice.

God bless their families as this may open more feelings, I hope this helps the children heal.

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. The narration is very well done.

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

This was the "true" story of a woman who has not one, not two, but THREE of her husbands murdered for life insurance payout. I was so excited to dive into this one.

Unfortunately, it didn't read like a true account, but instead like a sensationalized account that was grasping at straws to be sensational. This would have made a great 1hour podcast episode or TV show, but not a 10.5 hour audiobook. It's just everyone saying the same things over and over and over again with no real progression or hunt or inkling of what's happening here.

The story is tragic, for sure, but this was the book equivalent of making the murderer out to be the cool and alluring one, and not doing much in the way of showing the true victims here. It just felt like very gross gossip.

I hate giving something one star, but this one just can't compel me to do anything more. It seems that may be a trend, as well, since this one has been published numerous times with different covers and titles based on what I've seen online after reading. Bummer!

As much as I really enjoyed reading this story I feel like something fell flat. I got a little confused and couldn't determine who was talking at times. Other than that it was a good read.

Calling all True Crime lovers!! American Black Widow is for you! The story centers around Sharon Nelson Harrelson, who has no problem attracting men. She scoots around with her frosted hair and her figure-hugging clothes. Male eyes can't get enough of her! Unfortunately, her three husbands hit some bad luck after they married her. Greg Olsen puts together the pieces of the puzzle with expert precision. This book is so good that it reads like fiction. The narration is superb.

I’m a true crime addict. I hate to say that I enjoy listening/reading/watching things about murder but I think it helps motivate me to stay strong and alert.

I’ve read a couple other Gregg Olsen books and was immediately intrigued for this one. I was excited to listen to the audiobook too because I love getting a chance to read while working or doing other tasks.

When I see the words true crime and Gregg Olsen it’s a say no more situation. I already know I’ll enjoy it and be entertained. His writing is easy to follow and lets the story unfold perfectly. The pace is a great addition to the story telling.

American Black Widow made me sick at times. I wanted to scream at these men who kept falling victim to her evil ways. I googled Sharon to see just how beautiful this woman could possibly be to bring the downfall of so many men. I don’t get it! But I guess it’s the “special sauce” her lover Gary mentioned.

I highly recommend American Black Widow is you enjoy true crime. It’s like listening to a very detailed podcast! Thank you NetGalley, Gregg Olsen and Thread Publishing for the opportunity. I have written this review voluntarily.

American black widdow is a wonderfully written and very well researched book. The real people come to life on the pages.
Not so much a who done it as a how and why they did it.
If this book was written as a work of fiction I would give it 2 stars for being so far fetched as to be unbelievable. But they say fact can be stranger than fiction and It is intact the shocking true crime story of the American black widdow.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Another good true crime book by Olsen. I also read the written version as well.
As always well researched and interesting.
Narrator did great.

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 Nelson, 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.

Thank you to #BookoutureAudio and #NetGalley for an advanced audiobook.

Black Widow is a the story of Sharon. A manipulator with a requirement for the finer things in life. A lifestyle she cannot afford by herself.

It spans the marriages to three husbands, one divorced, one missing and one dead!

Gregg Olsen takes you into Sharon’s life, her dreams and aspirations and how she’ll do anything to get what she wants.

I very much enjoyed this listen. The narrator was excellent.

This is the true story of Sharon Nelson Harrelson, who uses her girlie-parts to lure men into her web of destruction. It's the 3rd book of Gregg Olsen's Dangerous Women series. The moral of this story (and my favorite line of the book)... "Don't underestimate the power of pussy."

I'm giving this a 3.5 star rating. It's a great listen for any true crime aficionado. The story is intriguing and the narration is well-done. I found the writing to be a bit too dramatic at times which then made it feel like I was watching a TV dramatization which, in turn, made me want to keep watching... er, listening. I must say, though, I could've done without hearing about her "sauce' and some other unnecessary details.

Thank you to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for allowing me early access to the audiobook version of this previously released publication..

When trouble in the form of a preachers wife comes to town no one is safe. This is the true crime story of a preachers wife, her affairs and the murder of two of her husbands. But did she do it? Was it one of her lovers? Great narration, kept my attention.

I love all of Gregg Olsen's true story books! So i was super excited to see that this one came out. The story kept me interested from the beginning. Sher is wow just so much and the fact that she got away with all that for so long, I just cant believe it. All those kids and families lives affected just hurts my heart. This story was very well researched and you can tell the author put alot of time in making sure to get all sides to the story. My biggest issue was the jumping back and forth in time and not always knowing when that was. So sometimes I felt confused especially because with an audiobook i cant just go look back and try and figure it out.
The narrator was very good. She spoke well and clearly and at a good pace.

Sadly, this wasn’t a book for me. I thought this was a new release but learned that this book has been published multiple times with different titles. It was difficult to follow with a large number of people/names to keep up with. I appreciated the list of names at the beginning but that’s hard to reference when listening on the audio version.

Black Widow is a gripping title that aptly describes Sharon. With three husbands - one divorced, one missing and one deceased - and lingering suspicions surrounding her involvement. Sharon's story is inspired by true events of notorious Sharon Lynn Douglas Neilson. Gregg Olsen delves into the events leading up to each failed marriage. Sharon was working to have a better life than what she grew up in, but she ruined many lives along the way and its questionable how she got away with acting like she did especially while she was the ministers wife. Although the story occasionally jumps timelines, causing slight confusion, overall, it was an engaging listen. The skilled narrator effectively maintained the pace, even during slower moments.

Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for providing me with the opportunity to listen to and review this ARC.

Not for me unfortunately. Felt like the story was a bit messy and all over the place with an insane amount of characters . Is supposed to be a true story but it reads like an over sensationalised fiction story. Some bits were tense and interesting but ultimately not for me. Thanks for the arc

Sorry to say, this didn’t work for me. I felt like I was listening to an extended news report on a slow news day. There wasn’t anything to build any intrigue or suspense and I didn’t feel a connection to any of the people involved.

A true, but not very exciting story about a sex-crazed, money hungry woman, with big boobs, who kills a couple of her husbands in order to claim the life insurance pay out.

1.5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review.