Poisoned Love

by Carlton Smith

Kathy Augustine was a controversial two-term Nevada State Controller. In 2003, her husband Chuck died of an apparent stroke. Only a month later, she married Chaz Higgs, an ER nurse who, it was later revealed, had attended to her late husband just before his death. Three years later, fifty-year-old Kathy died after a heart attack—the result, her family and friends believed, of a stressful political campaign. But when an autopsy of Kathy's body revealed no signs of heart disease, investigators dug deeper into Kathy's case…only to find the presence of a powerful, paralyzing emergency-room drug in Kathy's system. A jury would later charge Nurse Chaz with murder in the first degree. But could Kathy's first husband also have been the victim of Chaz's treachery? And just how much did Kathy know? This is the shocking true story of a family torn apart by lies, medical crime, and POISONED LOVE.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime

316 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 26, 2008

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

The true crime genre varies significantly from the mystery genre in that there generally is no mystery: you know who committed the crime. This book is different. Smith leads readers through the arguments made in the conviction of Chaz Higgs, but the more I read, the more I was convinced he wasn't wholly convinced that Higgs was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Smith seems to use the afterword to try to bolster the idea that Higgs was guilty, but this even seems flimsy.

Like many others have noted, the prose did get bogged down a bit in the description of the trial, but it's worth a read as a book that makes you think more than most true crime: is there actually some doubt?

[Nadia · Rating 3 out of 5]

quick read, a lot of interesting information that wasn't in the forensic files episode. Doesn't sugar coat Kathy at all.

[SouthWestZippy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Taken from back of the book. "Kathy Augustine was a controversial two-term Nevada State Controller. In 2003, her husband, Chuck, died of an apparent stroke. Only a month later, she married Chaz Higgs, an ER nurse who, it was later revealed, had attended to her late husband just before his death." Three years later Kathy died of a heart attack, but did not have heart problems. A lot going on in this fascinating story. Friend, family and coworkers all have their suspicions. When the presence of a powerful, paralyzing, emergency room dug shows up during an inspection of Kathy's body it deepens their suspicions on Chaz's role with the death of Kathy. Kathy is no angel and there are suspicions of her role with the death of her husband Chuck. Parts of the book are repetitive but overall a good read.

[Ginnie Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beginning of this novel was absolutely gripping. It read like a fast paced movie plot. As the victim you are supposed to feel bad for Kathy Augustine. But I couldn't believe that such a person could even be real and so hateful. It seemed that her and that piece of work Chaz Higgs deserved each other. It made it really hard to feel sympathy. I did feel for her family though and as stated in the trial "The price of being a bitch is not death". Mr. Smith's writing style seemed to dry out and weaken once it reached the part of the trial However. I wanted a little more research on the forensic end of things as that field really fascinates me.

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written with facts

A story of twist and turns but the author keeps the reader moving along in an interesting and informative manner. Perhaps too many details for some readers but personally I want "facts" so long as they are not presented in a convoluted and tedious way. Carlton Smith brings the protagonists to life and keeps the reader engaged. I highly recommend this book to all who are interested in or mystified by the horrors of what some human are capable of doing.

Some readers (or one reader) questioned Chaz Higg's guilt......... HUH??? I can't fathom how one could question this jerk's guilt..........he's guilty as sin!

[Julie Smitj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book. Learned alot about politics and medicine combined!

[Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disturbing

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to give this book a 3.5 but there is no halves. Its not his writing style but I hate politics so this book didn't tickle my fancy.