•Gregg Olsen’s latest, American Black Widow, details the life of Sharon Nelson. Sharon was a minister’s wife turned black widow; killing two of her three husbands.

•While I enjoyed this book, I felt as though some details made the book unnecessarily long.

•Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the ARC of American Black Widow. This will hit the shelves on July 13, 2023.

Black Widow indeed! What a woman Sharon Nelson was where a number of labels would apply, murderer, sex siren, hypersexual, cunning, and out for any man who was in her path.

She was married to a puritanical minister and certainly wasn't the image of the wife of a religious leader. Provocative, Sharon would dress in skin tight clothes, and showed a definitive sexual nature to all she did, sleeping with a number of men who she was attracted to. Her charms put her into the path of Perry Nelson, a local married optometrist. Both their marriages end and Sharon and Perry soon marry, but their wedded bliss soon end in tragedy as Perry's body is found at the bottom of a canyon. Soon Sharon receives a substantial payout from insurance, and is on her way to capturing another man in her perverted web of sex and supposed nirvana.

Next up on Sharon's list is Garry Harrelson, a firefighter, who dies in a fire bearing two bullet holes in his head. The police wonder if this was pure coincidence but start to suspect more sinister happenings.

Sharon was disliked by most women, but men found her alluring and most could not keep their eyes and hands off of her.

I was totally immersed in the story, one I had not heard of as I was taken into the Colorado town where this all started. Sharon definitely had the "it" factor and it drove men crazy.

Later the police were able to bring her and her lover once again doing her bidding, to trial where they were convicted and sent to serve life sentences. Sharon did die in prison, but one had to wonder how many black widows there are that weave the same web of destruction for the men in their sight.

Thank you to Gregg Nelson, Bookouture, and NetGalley for the ability to listen to this fascinating tale of greed, sex, and murder. It was already published under different titles but this edition will be out in July of 2023.

American Black Widow

I would first like to extend my gratitude to Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for providing an advanced copy of "American Black Widow" by Gregg Olsen, an enthralling addition to the true crime genre.

The story, set largely in the 1980s, focuses on the unscrupulous and formidable Sharon, a character who consistently stands out as a puzzling enigma. Olsen brilliantly captures her complex persona, which is captivating and disturbing in equal measures. One can't help but be amazed by the alarming naivety of the men drawn into her web, a point that truly stood out for me as I navigated through the book. Their level of gullibility and lack of insight lends an unexpected layer of depth to this true crime tale, igniting questions about human nature and our susceptibility to manipulation.

Olsen's pacing is a strong point, keeping the narrative engaging and free from any dull moments. The suspense is maintained effectively throughout, and even though the narrative may induce a sense of frustration towards the characters, it does an excellent job of keeping the reader hooked.

Nevertheless, I couldn't help but feel sympathy for the innocent lives entangled in Sharon's web of deceit, particularly the children and the parents of the naive men who became her victims. Their suffering is a reminder of the real-life consequences of such manipulative behaviors.

All in all, "American Black Widow" offers a deep and intriguing dive into the life and crimes of a true black widow. Olsen's storytelling skill makes for a riveting read, despite the exasperating naivety displayed by several characters. A solid choice for true crime aficionados looking for a mix of intrigue, suspense, and human psychology.

Sharon Nelson, sexpot extraordinaire, convinced/sexed her lover Gary Adams to kill two of her husbands, optometrist Perry Nelson and fireman Glenn Harrelson. Women mistrusted her, most men adored her, and Sharon didn't care as she collected her dead husband's life insurance. She wasn't much into make-up, but she flirted shamelessly, and often dressed inappropriately.

I had not heard of Sharon Nelson prior to reading this book. Her story is fascinating and even more fascinating is how easily she manipulated and took over the lives of the men she was involved with. Sharon had a skill of getting men wrapped around her finger. People were either drawn to her or uneasy in her presence. Sharon began as a preacher's wife and soon became a black widow.

I enjoyed Gregg Olsen's books and jumped at the chance to read this book. I have always been fascinated by what motivates people and how some can be easily manipulated and controlled. Although I enjoyed this book, it was not my favorite book by him. I would have enjoyed a more straightforward timeline in this book, the police investigation, etc. I enjoyed reading about Sharon and how she got her lover to do her bidding. But I do feel that there were a lot of unanswered questions, again in terms of the investigation, etc. Plus, I found this book to be slow in parts.

I had both the book and audiobook versions of this book. This made for an immersive reading experience. While reading and listening, I thought this would make a good true crime docuseries (if it hasn't been made into one already).

Fascinating true crime about a woman responsible for the death of two of her husbands.

3.5 stars