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THE CONFESSIONS OF AN AMERICAN BLACK WIDOW
The author of Abandoned Prayers stuns readers with this account of Sharon Lynn Nelson. A beautiful, charming woman, she seemed to be the perfect wife. But Sharon couldn't get enough -- enough sex, enough money, or enough of her rugged lover, Gary Adams. Only a few years after leaving her first husband to marry handsome Perry Nelson, she convinced Gary to kill Perry to cash in on his insurance policy. But not until Sharon's third husband, Glen Harrelson, died in a house fire, did this lethally seductive black widow finally get snared in her own twisted web.
280 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1998
6248 people are currently reading
5474 people want to read
About the author
Gregg Olsen
114 books6,932 followersThroughout his career, Gregg Olsen has demonstrated an ability to create a detailed narrative that offers readers fascinating insights into the lives of people caught in extraordinary circumstances.
A #1 New York Times bestselling author, Olsen has written ten nonfiction books, ten novels, and contributed a short story to a collection edited by Lee Child.
The award-winning author has been a guest on dozens of national and local television shows, including educational programs for the History Channel, Learning Channel, and Discovery Channel. He has also appeared on Good Morning America, The Early Show, The Today Show, FOX News; CNN, Anderson Cooper 360, MSNBC, Entertainment Tonight, CBS 48 Hours, Oxygen’s Snapped, Court TV’s Crier Live, Inside Edition, Extra, Access Hollywood, and A&E’s Biography.
In addition to television and radio appearances, the award-winning author has been featured in Redbook, USA Today, People, Salon magazine, Seattle Times, Los Angeles Times and the New York Post.
The Deep Dark was named Idaho Book of the Year by the ILA and Starvation Heights was honored by Washington’s Secretary of State for the book’s contribution to Washington state history and culture.
Olsen, a Seattle native, lives in Olalla, Washington with his wife and Suri (a mini dachshund so spoiled she wears a sweater).
A #1 New York Times bestselling author, Olsen has written ten nonfiction books, ten novels, and contributed a short story to a collection edited by Lee Child.
The award-winning author has been a guest on dozens of national and local television shows, including educational programs for the History Channel, Learning Channel, and Discovery Channel. He has also appeared on Good Morning America, The Early Show, The Today Show, FOX News; CNN, Anderson Cooper 360, MSNBC, Entertainment Tonight, CBS 48 Hours, Oxygen’s Snapped, Court TV’s Crier Live, Inside Edition, Extra, Access Hollywood, and A&E’s Biography.
In addition to television and radio appearances, the award-winning author has been featured in Redbook, USA Today, People, Salon magazine, Seattle Times, Los Angeles Times and the New York Post.
The Deep Dark was named Idaho Book of the Year by the ILA and Starvation Heights was honored by Washington’s Secretary of State for the book’s contribution to Washington state history and culture.
Olsen, a Seattle native, lives in Olalla, Washington with his wife and Suri (a mini dachshund so spoiled she wears a sweater).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 574 reviews
July 1, 2023
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.
Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for providing me with the opportunity to listen to and review this ARC.
June 23, 2023
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
Thank you to Bookouture Audio, Thread Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
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
Thank you to Bookouture Audio, Thread Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
July 18, 2023
This true crime read explores the marriages of Sharon Nelson, a woman who went through multiple marriages and husbands before the law realized their deaths may be suspicious. The book begins with a list of people and a small sentence about their role in the story. The tale then begins near the end of Sharon’s third marriage, and then bounces around throughout her story. Some chapters begin with quotes from people relating to Sharon and the events surrounding her, which I quite liked.
I mostly enjoyed the author’s writing style. It was descriptive and evocative, making this story easy to read. However, the tone of some of the comments included were off putting or judgmental and it was difficult to tell if the author was quoting someone or making the comments himself. One example included stating that a woman who went through hardships was hardworking and frugal enough to stay off welfare (the implications there are quite judgmental). There were also many instances where the discussion relating to Sharon’s way of dressing and flirting came across as condemnatory. But as this was an audiobook, it was difficult to tell if the author was referencing what her peers thought at the time or stating his own opinion.
There were several instances of lurid and unnecessarily graphic sex scenes included. These details weren’t necessary and were only included for gratuitous reasons. The work also didn’t try to get into the psychology of Sharon at all. The way she acted was difficult to believe and was often downright silly for someone trying to get away with crimes, which made me want to know what motivated her and drove her, or why she thought the way she did. Other than a brief foray into her childhood and early issues with her parents, this topic wasn’t tackled. Maybe it wouldn’t have changed anything, but I couldn’t help but wonder how her portrayal would have been different if a woman had written this, if there would have been less a focus on the sex and physicality of Sharon and more a focus on the psychology behind Sharon.
This work also vilified Sharon for her sexual activities, but not the men who chose to cheat with her, or the man who was portrayed as being okay with her black widow tendencies (and even helping her with the murders!). It honestly felt like the author chose to portray every man in Sharon’s life as a saint that she had to come along and destroy or drag down. I think the fact that this book was originally titled “Bitch on Wheels” goes to show how much effort the author put into exploring the entirety of the story.
While I do enjoy true crime, I really can’t recommend this one. The author’s approach is just too problematic on many different levels. My thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I mostly enjoyed the author’s writing style. It was descriptive and evocative, making this story easy to read. However, the tone of some of the comments included were off putting or judgmental and it was difficult to tell if the author was quoting someone or making the comments himself. One example included stating that a woman who went through hardships was hardworking and frugal enough to stay off welfare (the implications there are quite judgmental). There were also many instances where the discussion relating to Sharon’s way of dressing and flirting came across as condemnatory. But as this was an audiobook, it was difficult to tell if the author was referencing what her peers thought at the time or stating his own opinion.
There were several instances of lurid and unnecessarily graphic sex scenes included. These details weren’t necessary and were only included for gratuitous reasons. The work also didn’t try to get into the psychology of Sharon at all. The way she acted was difficult to believe and was often downright silly for someone trying to get away with crimes, which made me want to know what motivated her and drove her, or why she thought the way she did. Other than a brief foray into her childhood and early issues with her parents, this topic wasn’t tackled. Maybe it wouldn’t have changed anything, but I couldn’t help but wonder how her portrayal would have been different if a woman had written this, if there would have been less a focus on the sex and physicality of Sharon and more a focus on the psychology behind Sharon.
This work also vilified Sharon for her sexual activities, but not the men who chose to cheat with her, or the man who was portrayed as being okay with her black widow tendencies (and even helping her with the murders!). It honestly felt like the author chose to portray every man in Sharon’s life as a saint that she had to come along and destroy or drag down. I think the fact that this book was originally titled “Bitch on Wheels” goes to show how much effort the author put into exploring the entirety of the story.
While I do enjoy true crime, I really can’t recommend this one. The author’s approach is just too problematic on many different levels. My thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
June 25, 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.
January 2, 2018
I enjoyed reading this true crime by Gregg Olsen again under its new title as my memory has taken a turn for the worse beca8se of health problems since this book was first published as "Confessions of an American Black Widow" back in 1998. So it's been almost like reading a brand new story about Sharon Nelson and the double murder case. There did seem to be a bit of a blur between the cases in the early part of the book that didn't make sense. The rest was great, other than the picture section at the end is a disappointment, too small and no captions. This was an amazing story otherwise, one that's hard to believe that is real as it goes on. With a seemingly heartless nympho woman who keeps using her looks and wiles to play men for fools and destroying families along the way. She just brazenly gets away with things and just keeps doing it over and over with no end in sight. A compelling read to see how it turns out.
April 6, 2021
I enjoy Gregg Olsen immensely. His writing is superb. But there is something in this story that's just missing. I can't really put my finger on it. Other than that, another great true crime read. 'Bitch on Wheels' is so very fitting for Sharon Nelson.
July 3, 2024
Gregg Olsen is an excellent true crime author. He writes his books in such a way that readers feel like they are part of the case. I think this is super important when writing a true crime because it sucks readers in and they become invested. This is the true account of the Black Widow murderer. She killed 2 of her husbands for what seems like a payout although she never DIRECTLY admitted to this. It's intriguing, engaging, and hard to put down. I hope the author continues to publish more true crime books and/or republish his older books.
May 28, 2025
For a true crime book it wasn’t my favorite. I just think there were so many unnecessary details. Like don’t get me wrong I love when there’s no questions left unanswered, but oh my god I did not need the details of her sex life. Like it took me out so much it made me think the author was like perverted in a way. The case itself was crazy and I liked the reporting but I think it could’ve been a good 100 pages shorter and it would’ve been so much better.
June 10, 2019
I am partial to true crime and I have a problem not finishing a book I start. But this was hands down one of the worst true crime books I have ever read. The book was extremely misogynistic. This was a fascinating story about two sociopaths that came into contact with each other with disastrous consequences. But instead, the author chose to focus just on Sharon and her sex life (and how she dressed, moved, everything). Let's start with the title: Bitch on Wheels (really). The original title was much better. The slut shaming was unbelievable. Clearly Sharon was a narcissistic sociopath who was not a nice person, but almost the entire dialogue centered around her having the audacity of enjoying sex. All of the men she slept with were portrayed as innocent victims. All of the married men she slept with made conscious decisions to cheat on their spouses. None of the victims deserved to die. That is not what I am saying. Nobody deserves what happened to these men. They were the victims of TWO evil, sociopathic people who just wanted money. The author had terrible "inner dialogue" that he tried to attribute to the men in Sharon's life and it was ridiculous. I prefer authors like Ann Rule who stick to facts and are very compassionate. I guess the older I get, the less tolerance I have for blatant misogyny.
July 3, 2023
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.
Thank you to #BookoutureAudio and #NetGalley for an advanced audiobook.
Thank you to #BookoutureAudio and #NetGalley for an advanced audiobook.
January 21, 2025
C'était siiiiiii long pour rien
August 21, 2023
SYNOPSIS:
- Sharon was raised in very religious family. Her parents pressure into a marriage at a young age that she’s not interested in from day one.
- Sharon marries a few different men, and two of her husbands die. Sharon and an accomplice confessed to the crimes, and the book is about her & her husbands.
MY THOUGHTS
- The author spends quite a bit of time slut-shaming. He focuses on how Sharon dresses, who Sharon sleeps with, how Sharon moves, how Sharon’s body looked, etc. At the same time, the author depicts her male lovers as victims, despite willingly sleeping with Sharon & enjoying sex with Sharon. Super misogynistic.
- Likewise, the author even describes Sharon’s male accomplice as a great guy under Sharon’s spell.
- Obviously, no one should have died, but the author doesn’t offer any insights into the crime. It’s almost laughable. Every character is written in a good light, except Sharon. She feels cartoonish.
- I am not convinced this was a story that needed to be told, at least not by this author.
- I would have been more interested in a story about Sharon’s accomplice, Gary. Gary wouldn’t even leave his wife for Sharon, and he was the one who got his hands dirty. He is the more psychologically interesting human to analyze.
- I don’t care about Sharon’s sex life. Even if she slept with 1,000 men, who cares? That doesn’t impact if she’s a good or bad person. Also, given her extremely religious upbringing, her sex life is the most understandable thing about her.
- The title?! When I was approved by Netgalley to read this, it was titled Confessions of an American Black Widow. But, I did some googling & apparently, it was previously titled: “Bitch on Wheels” — what?!?!
- I wasn’t a fan of the formatting/structure of the book. It jumps around a lot, and doesn’t flow well.
TL;DR: ⭐️⭐️Very misogynistic writing.
Thanks to Threads Books and Netgalley for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
- Sharon was raised in very religious family. Her parents pressure into a marriage at a young age that she’s not interested in from day one.
- Sharon marries a few different men, and two of her husbands die. Sharon and an accomplice confessed to the crimes, and the book is about her & her husbands.
MY THOUGHTS
- The author spends quite a bit of time slut-shaming. He focuses on how Sharon dresses, who Sharon sleeps with, how Sharon moves, how Sharon’s body looked, etc. At the same time, the author depicts her male lovers as victims, despite willingly sleeping with Sharon & enjoying sex with Sharon. Super misogynistic.
- Likewise, the author even describes Sharon’s male accomplice as a great guy under Sharon’s spell.
- Obviously, no one should have died, but the author doesn’t offer any insights into the crime. It’s almost laughable. Every character is written in a good light, except Sharon. She feels cartoonish.
- I am not convinced this was a story that needed to be told, at least not by this author.
- I would have been more interested in a story about Sharon’s accomplice, Gary. Gary wouldn’t even leave his wife for Sharon, and he was the one who got his hands dirty. He is the more psychologically interesting human to analyze.
- I don’t care about Sharon’s sex life. Even if she slept with 1,000 men, who cares? That doesn’t impact if she’s a good or bad person. Also, given her extremely religious upbringing, her sex life is the most understandable thing about her.
- The title?! When I was approved by Netgalley to read this, it was titled Confessions of an American Black Widow. But, I did some googling & apparently, it was previously titled: “Bitch on Wheels” — what?!?!
- I wasn’t a fan of the formatting/structure of the book. It jumps around a lot, and doesn’t flow well.
TL;DR: ⭐️⭐️Very misogynistic writing.
Thanks to Threads Books and Netgalley for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 12, 2024
True crime is always good when dramatised. The American accent adds to the emersion. I like the way the story is nonlinear and we are given info about the history of the main characters interwoven into the story. Once the confession was done the ending was bish bash done. This did disappoint me as I would have liked to have heard more about the trial etc. However I oi appreciate this is a long story and this may have been a choice to keep the liatener engaged.
I enjoyed the narrator but at times felt tge atory could have benefitted from multiple narrators to enhance the characters.
I loved this audio. Thank you so much to net gallery and the publisher for my arc. Highly recommended 5 atars
I enjoyed the narrator but at times felt tge atory could have benefitted from multiple narrators to enhance the characters.
I loved this audio. Thank you so much to net gallery and the publisher for my arc. Highly recommended 5 atars
July 6, 2023
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.
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.
March 6, 2017
Update March 6 2017: The book I just finished is called Bitch on Wheels. So pissed off that this book is sold under a new name. It feels to me that readers are being duped when authors or their publishers change the name. So yes they managed to dupe me into buying this book twice.
Then reviewing this book I hated the jumping in time. I always try not to read the prologue because I like not to know (and yes I had forgotten this story totally. had no idea I had already read it which is not a compliment to the book I'd say)
With this book I could not read it in chronological order how hard I tried.
On Thursday, December 27, 2007 I wrote about this book.
8 out of 10
Interesting book but this one might be my least favorite of all the greg Olsen books I have read.
Not because of the way he writes but more of how the story was told.
I prefer to read a book in the way it happened. Not as Mr Olsen did in this book, you get information that she has remarried while you are still reading about her first marriage.
Then reviewing this book I hated the jumping in time. I always try not to read the prologue because I like not to know (and yes I had forgotten this story totally. had no idea I had already read it which is not a compliment to the book I'd say)
With this book I could not read it in chronological order how hard I tried.
On Thursday, December 27, 2007 I wrote about this book.
8 out of 10
Interesting book but this one might be my least favorite of all the greg Olsen books I have read.
Not because of the way he writes but more of how the story was told.
I prefer to read a book in the way it happened. Not as Mr Olsen did in this book, you get information that she has remarried while you are still reading about her first marriage.
July 10, 2023
An unfortunate tale for the men in Sharon Nelson’s life. Sharon grew up in an extremely religious home and marries a minister who somewhere along the way she decides she can’t be faithful to and has much more fun with a rebellious spirit. Book describes her clothing, walk and talk very well and you truly visualize the seductive black widow in your mind. Very detailed descriptions of her extramarital affairs with numerous men, to me focused heavy on the sexual aspects more than the murders.
Thanks to Netgalley for my electronic advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
Thanks to Netgalley for my electronic advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
July 18, 2023
American Black Widow tells the true story of Sharon Nelson, the minister’s wife whose two husbands mysteriously ended up dead. This is the perfect book for the readers who enjoy true crime and slow narration: the author Gregg Olsen explores each relationship that Sharon had and delves into the events leading up to the suspicious end of each marriage.
I love true crime, so I expected to love American Black Widow: unfortunately this was not the case. Sharon always had the goal to have a better life, and to reach her goal she used her beauty and attractiveness to lure men into her bed and manipulate them into doing whatever she wanted, including murder. It is obviously essential to understand that she was a master manipulator, and not the person "holding the gun", however I wish the author spent a bit more time showing us the cruel side of Sharon, and less time her sexy side. I swear half of the book is just people talking about how hot she was and how men simply fell for her, despite them being married! There's also some subtle-not-so-subtle judgement on her being such a man-eater, and no judgement at all on the married men who actually cheated on their wives to be with her. All I am saying is... there are no saints here, but the story could have had more layers and way more psychological depth.
And finally... where is the resolution of this case? Where is the police investigation? Why spending so much time talking about her sexual appetite, and not about the CRIME? I don't know.
American Black Widow has a lot of potential, but sadly it doesn't fully deliver.
The narrator of the audiobook, Karen Peakes, did a great job and it was a pleasure to listen to her.
* This book was originally published as Confessions of an American Black Widow and Bitch on Wheels (in 1998).
* I'd like to thank Gregg Olsen, Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for providing this ALC in exchange for my honest review. * American Black Widow is out on July 13th, 2023.
I love true crime, so I expected to love American Black Widow: unfortunately this was not the case. Sharon always had the goal to have a better life, and to reach her goal she used her beauty and attractiveness to lure men into her bed and manipulate them into doing whatever she wanted, including murder. It is obviously essential to understand that she was a master manipulator, and not the person "holding the gun", however I wish the author spent a bit more time showing us the cruel side of Sharon, and less time her sexy side. I swear half of the book is just people talking about how hot she was and how men simply fell for her, despite them being married! There's also some subtle-not-so-subtle judgement on her being such a man-eater, and no judgement at all on the married men who actually cheated on their wives to be with her. All I am saying is... there are no saints here, but the story could have had more layers and way more psychological depth.
And finally... where is the resolution of this case? Where is the police investigation? Why spending so much time talking about her sexual appetite, and not about the CRIME? I don't know.
American Black Widow has a lot of potential, but sadly it doesn't fully deliver.
The narrator of the audiobook, Karen Peakes, did a great job and it was a pleasure to listen to her.
* This book was originally published as Confessions of an American Black Widow and Bitch on Wheels (in 1998).
* I'd like to thank Gregg Olsen, Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for providing this ALC in exchange for my honest review. * American Black Widow is out on July 13th, 2023.
June 30, 2023
This book is a rerelease of an earlier book. The book has no updates, no pictures, no “where are they now?”, no nothing. It wasn’t very well written the first time around, and this changed nothing.
Mr. Olsen has a field day with his thesaurus in this one. Sharon Nelson was horrible. She had two of her husbands killed. Got it. I don’t want or need to read every imaginable variation of the word slut. I swear like a sailor, so it’s not the language or anything like that. It’s the constant descriptions of what a whore she was that takes the place of actual information. There’s no real depth to this book. It seems like he spoke to people, but not as many as he needed to to write a book. This reads like an awful Lifetime movie. Maybe his other books are better, but if this is any indication, I don’t think I’ll be reading them.
By the way, Sharon died in prison and Gary is still locked up.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Mr. Olsen has a field day with his thesaurus in this one. Sharon Nelson was horrible. She had two of her husbands killed. Got it. I don’t want or need to read every imaginable variation of the word slut. I swear like a sailor, so it’s not the language or anything like that. It’s the constant descriptions of what a whore she was that takes the place of actual information. There’s no real depth to this book. It seems like he spoke to people, but not as many as he needed to to write a book. This reads like an awful Lifetime movie. Maybe his other books are better, but if this is any indication, I don’t think I’ll be reading them.
By the way, Sharon died in prison and Gary is still locked up.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
July 15, 2023
First I would like to thank Gregg Olsen, Bookouture publishing, and NetGalley for my ARC.
I want to preface this with the fact I am a fan of Gregg's work.
I found American Black Widow to easily be one of the worst books I've ever read. While it was a relatively short book with just about 300 pages, it took me forever to read. Half of the book was just repeating the same lines, the same conversations over and over. Regardless of the fact they may have taken place several times over the years, the writing was just a large practice in redundancies. I wanted to stop several times. The ending did nothing to excuse the lackluster contents of the previous pages. I do not blame Gregg for the bounty of names involved in this story and how easily they get mixed up, nor do I blame him for the outcome. The story writing itself just did not do it for me.
I want to preface this with the fact I am a fan of Gregg's work.
I found American Black Widow to easily be one of the worst books I've ever read. While it was a relatively short book with just about 300 pages, it took me forever to read. Half of the book was just repeating the same lines, the same conversations over and over. Regardless of the fact they may have taken place several times over the years, the writing was just a large practice in redundancies. I wanted to stop several times. The ending did nothing to excuse the lackluster contents of the previous pages. I do not blame Gregg for the bounty of names involved in this story and how easily they get mixed up, nor do I blame him for the outcome. The story writing itself just did not do it for me.
May 6, 2020
P
According to this author, Sharon is a bitch, a whore, home wrecker, adultress, yada yada yada. However her husbands and lovers were all nice guys, great guys, friendly, well liked, great family men and dads. The man who murdered her two husband's? He was a great guy too! Sharon lured him, seduced him, bewitched him. Apparently she moved into a town of saintly men. Then corrupted them against their will.
According to this author, Sharon is a bitch, a whore, home wrecker, adultress, yada yada yada. However her husbands and lovers were all nice guys, great guys, friendly, well liked, great family men and dads. The man who murdered her two husband's? He was a great guy too! Sharon lured him, seduced him, bewitched him. Apparently she moved into a town of saintly men. Then corrupted them against their will.
June 13, 2023
Are you a true crime fan? Gregg Olsen is your guy! I feel like I’m watching a Netflix documentary when I read his work, and I love every moment of it. The details aren’t so overwhelming that I can’t keep up, but I feel like I get the full scope of the story. I’d definitely recommend this book if you’re looking for a true crime “how did the person get away with this?!” story.
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ebook.
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ebook.
July 13, 2015
The writing was great, the story was fascinating but I did not like the arrangement of the story line. I like the beginning, middle and end to be just that.
June 29, 2023
American Black Widow by Gregg Olsen was an intriguing, unputdownable read. This is a chilling true story of Sharon Lynn Douglas Neilson was a minister's wife, a doctor's wife, a fireman’s wife, and murders two of them.
The book is professionally researched and written.
Sharon married her first husband Mike Fuller, a preacher who adores her. She quickly became bored of being married, and goes on to have an affair with Perry Nelson. Perry was also married at the time of the affair. Both Sharon and Perry end their marriages and decide to marry one another. Once married to Perry Nelson an Optometrist, Sharon begins to have multiple affairs again. After Perry’s car was found without his body, Sharon wanted the death to be ruled an accident. Which it was, Sharron quickly moves on and marries for a third time. She marries firefighter dispatcher Glen Harrelson. When his charred remains are discovered with two bullet holes in his skull after being married to Sharon for six months. The police start to investigate this tragedy and realize Sharon is more involved with his death than they had initially thought. This leads the investigators to re-open the case of her second husband Perry’s death as well.
Gregg Olsen has an amazing gift of making these characters come to life and makes you feel like you are living in the moment with them. This book is a nail-biting true crime book which once you pick up, you cannot put it down because you need to know what happens next.
I had the honor of reading this ARC thanks to Netgalley, the Author, Gregg Olsen, and the publisher, Thread Books.
The book is professionally researched and written.
Sharon married her first husband Mike Fuller, a preacher who adores her. She quickly became bored of being married, and goes on to have an affair with Perry Nelson. Perry was also married at the time of the affair. Both Sharon and Perry end their marriages and decide to marry one another. Once married to Perry Nelson an Optometrist, Sharon begins to have multiple affairs again. After Perry’s car was found without his body, Sharon wanted the death to be ruled an accident. Which it was, Sharron quickly moves on and marries for a third time. She marries firefighter dispatcher Glen Harrelson. When his charred remains are discovered with two bullet holes in his skull after being married to Sharon for six months. The police start to investigate this tragedy and realize Sharon is more involved with his death than they had initially thought. This leads the investigators to re-open the case of her second husband Perry’s death as well.
Gregg Olsen has an amazing gift of making these characters come to life and makes you feel like you are living in the moment with them. This book is a nail-biting true crime book which once you pick up, you cannot put it down because you need to know what happens next.
I had the honor of reading this ARC thanks to Netgalley, the Author, Gregg Olsen, and the publisher, Thread Books.
July 11, 2023
Despite being true crime, I felt like this read more like a novel for me in the way that the facts and details were doled out. This was chronologically written and, although, at times, I got the various men confused, I was fascinated by how it all played out. The writing (other than the boyfriends) was easy to follow and kept me engaged in the story and all the drama. I would have liked to know more about who she really was (maybe interviews with her) but otherwise, this was like a soap opera with all the juicy gossip.
I received a copy from #NetGalley and #BookOutureAudio for an honest review
I received a copy from #NetGalley and #BookOutureAudio for an honest review
August 8, 2023
Narrated by Karen Peakes ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Beautiful soothing voice
Book by Gregg Olsen ⭐⭐⭐
You can tell from the beginning that a great deal of research went into putting this together. In that regards 5 stars for that.
I kept asking myself throughout this book, if Sharon's parents had not forced her into such a loveless marriage would she have ended up with a different outcome or would she still have ended on this path as a killer and manipulator?
Beautiful soothing voice
Book by Gregg Olsen ⭐⭐⭐
You can tell from the beginning that a great deal of research went into putting this together. In that regards 5 stars for that.
I kept asking myself throughout this book, if Sharon's parents had not forced her into such a loveless marriage would she have ended up with a different outcome or would she still have ended on this path as a killer and manipulator?
November 28, 2023
pretty good, definitely entertaining but it started to drag towards the end. it just started getting really repetitive idk it was interesting tho
July 25, 2023
Sharon Lynn Douglas Fuller Nelson Harrelson was a woman most men found attractive and exciting, while women tended to dislike her, feeling she was looking for a man, any man, preferably one with money. "Sharon wore her hair long, her dresses tight, her blouses unbuttoned one notch lower than a woman in her position likely should. [...] Sharon Fuller sauntered like a woman who held no doubt that all men watched her every move."
Sharon married a preacher, a doctor and a fireman, killing two of them and leaving a wide swath of destruction behind her. She alienated children from their fathers, wrung almost the last dollar from anyone involved with her, convinced a man (twice) to murder for her, and almost got away with it.
Where this book really shines is in all the very salacious details. We get a pretty good breakdown on Sharon's marriages, numerous lovers, a laundry list of various illegal activities, etc. And it's a pretty engrossing tale which definitely holds your interest.
However, we never really get any insight into her psyche - Sharon is the queen of the self-serving statement, and given that she pled guilty to the murders of her second and third husbands, there was no trial, no expert witnesses to analyze her. We are left with Sharon's protestations (paraphrased by Olsen) that "she didn't do anything wrong. Not a damn thing. This was a free country. She was an American, for God's sake. She was misunderstood. She made bad choices, but she wasn't a murderer."
After 370 pages of endless details and second-hand observations, without a thorough analysis, the story reads like a regurgitation of facts with little insight. IMHO. 3 stars.
I received an ARC from the Publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Visit my new blog "I Love True Crime Books"
Sharon married a preacher, a doctor and a fireman, killing two of them and leaving a wide swath of destruction behind her. She alienated children from their fathers, wrung almost the last dollar from anyone involved with her, convinced a man (twice) to murder for her, and almost got away with it.
Where this book really shines is in all the very salacious details. We get a pretty good breakdown on Sharon's marriages, numerous lovers, a laundry list of various illegal activities, etc. And it's a pretty engrossing tale which definitely holds your interest.
However, we never really get any insight into her psyche - Sharon is the queen of the self-serving statement, and given that she pled guilty to the murders of her second and third husbands, there was no trial, no expert witnesses to analyze her. We are left with Sharon's protestations (paraphrased by Olsen) that "she didn't do anything wrong. Not a damn thing. This was a free country. She was an American, for God's sake. She was misunderstood. She made bad choices, but she wasn't a murderer."
After 370 pages of endless details and second-hand observations, without a thorough analysis, the story reads like a regurgitation of facts with little insight. IMHO. 3 stars.
I received an ARC from the Publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Visit my new blog "I Love True Crime Books"
August 17, 2023
I am a big true crime fan and Gregg Olsen is one of my favorite in this genre!
The amount of research Gregg Olsen does when he writes his books is mind blowing to me. I read If You Tell by Gregg in 2020 & was so blown away at how much he had to learn about these crimes before making the stories comes to life.
This book has a lot of characters and while we learn a lot about the crimes, this book is very detailed when it comes to characters as well! Make sure to pay attention because although there is a lot of detail, it all comes full circle and all that detail helps build the story and create insight into the people involved in these crimes.
4 ⭐️
**When reviewing a non-fiction book I feel that it is important to rate the book on the writing style, flow & how the book made me feel rather than the story/content matter itself.
✨Big thank you to NetGalley Gregg Olsen for the eARC of this one. I love Gregg so much, I bought my own copy.
-American Black Widow is out NOW!
The amount of research Gregg Olsen does when he writes his books is mind blowing to me. I read If You Tell by Gregg in 2020 & was so blown away at how much he had to learn about these crimes before making the stories comes to life.
This book has a lot of characters and while we learn a lot about the crimes, this book is very detailed when it comes to characters as well! Make sure to pay attention because although there is a lot of detail, it all comes full circle and all that detail helps build the story and create insight into the people involved in these crimes.
4 ⭐️
**When reviewing a non-fiction book I feel that it is important to rate the book on the writing style, flow & how the book made me feel rather than the story/content matter itself.
✨Big thank you to NetGalley Gregg Olsen for the eARC of this one. I love Gregg so much, I bought my own copy.
-American Black Widow is out NOW!
April 20, 2025
4 stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟
This was a great true crime book!
I was in the mood for some crazy real life drama, to match what is currently going on in the world, and this one definitely didn't disappoint.
It's so wild to me how manipulative and manipulated the human mind can be.
You get:
• True Crime
• US Based
• Murder
• Manipulation
• Infidelity
• Small Town
• Insurance Fraud
I recommend this one. Available on KU, ebook, and paperback.
This was a great true crime book!
I was in the mood for some crazy real life drama, to match what is currently going on in the world, and this one definitely didn't disappoint.
It's so wild to me how manipulative and manipulated the human mind can be.
You get:
• True Crime
• US Based
• Murder
• Manipulation
• Infidelity
• Small Town
• Insurance Fraud
I recommend this one. Available on KU, ebook, and paperback.
March 3, 2017
This book was originally published in 1998 under the title “Confessions of an American Black Widow”, it was re-released in 2013 as an e-book with the title “Bitch on Wheels”. I have the 1998 version in paperback, the 2013 version as an ebook, mainly because I didn’t realize they were the same book. M. William Phelps wrote a foreword for the ebook version, a fact I find appropriate since I was reading his book at the same time I was reading this.
We come into the story at the death of Sharon Nelson’s third husband, we then go back in time to her first husband, who Sharon didn’t kill, apparently she decided it was better if her exes were dead. She had her lover kill husband number 2 and 3, while at the same time keeping his as her lover. He didn’t seem to want to marry Sharon, of course that would have meant leaving his wife.
Gregg Olsen does his usual stellar job. His in dept recounting of the lives of the people involved makes one feel like they know them, yet his detailed reported doesn’t drag and is his style of writing is very readable. Gregg Olsen could re-write the phone book and I would read it. Well maybe not. My only complaint was the order the account was told was rather confusing, we kept going back and forth in time. Still a worthwhile read.
We come into the story at the death of Sharon Nelson’s third husband, we then go back in time to her first husband, who Sharon didn’t kill, apparently she decided it was better if her exes were dead. She had her lover kill husband number 2 and 3, while at the same time keeping his as her lover. He didn’t seem to want to marry Sharon, of course that would have meant leaving his wife.
Gregg Olsen does his usual stellar job. His in dept recounting of the lives of the people involved makes one feel like they know them, yet his detailed reported doesn’t drag and is his style of writing is very readable. Gregg Olsen could re-write the phone book and I would read it. Well maybe not. My only complaint was the order the account was told was rather confusing, we kept going back and forth in time. Still a worthwhile read.
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