Customer Reviews

Perfect Poison: A Female Serial Killer's Deadly Medicine

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If this is M. William Phelps's first book, I cannot believe it. With short chapters of 4-6 pages, the book reads so easy you've devoured 10 chapters without even realizing it. Serial killing nurse Kristen Gilbert is so carefully examined and explained by Phelps, with the most important and intuative details dropped throughout the narrative here and there, before you know it, you feel like you've walked beside nurse Gilbert her entire life without her knowing. The investigation portion of the book is written better than anything Ann Rule or Joe McGuinnis has even penned. I have read true crime for decades. If there is anyone deserving of the Edgar Award this coming year, it is Phelps. Perfect Poison is true crime not at its best, but at its finest, like it was back in the day--written by a journalist so in tune with his subject and observant of detail it was a disappointment that this book had to end. I could have read it forever.

Way to go Mr. Phelps! I will be first in line for anything you write in the future.

It has been said that "a book is not a book until a reader actually reads it." These reviews prove to me that the theory holds a bit of truth.

I would like to thank each and every reader who has been so gracious as to purchase my book and write your kind thoughts about it here on Amazon. I am humbled by your keen sense of awareness and love for true crime as a genre. Thank you so much for giving PERFECT POISON a chance! I hope all of you feel the same way about my future books . . . and that I can continue to deliver the quality work you, as consumers, so much deserve in today's market.

All my best, M. William Phelps

I picked this book up at the CVS because I was looking for something to read and I love "true crime" stories.

I could not put it down. Great read. Very in-depth study of a "bad seed"...a person just born evil, Kristen Gilbert.

This woman traumatized everyone who came into contact with her, and I am glad she is locked away permanently.

One of the best true crime books I've ever read. The author does an outstanding job of informing the reader on how this killer's mind worked. A true page turner. Not knowing anything about this crime, I was curious what this book was about. I'm glad I read it. She probabbly could be the nations worst serial killer. What a nut !!
Ann Rule step aside, you now have competition. Can't wait for the author's next book.

AS SOMEONE WHO FOLLOWED THIS TRIAL VERY CLOSELY I WAS AMAZED AT THE ATTENTION TO DETAILS AS WELL AS THE EASY TO READ STYLE OF MR. PHELPS. READING HIM IS MUCH LIKE READING ANN RULE. ANY TRUE CRIME FAN WOULD BE REMISS TO PASS THIS ONE UP !!!!!

I'm always looking for a book that I just can't put down. I found one. This is an amazing account of something that occurred in my own back yard. Being from the area, I loved reading the book and being able to say, "I know where that is! I've been there! I know that person!" Aside from my personal attachment to the story, it's a great read for ANYONE interested in true crime, the human psyche and medical/forensic/investigative work. One of the most successful female serial killers of all time, the story of Kristen Gilbert will send a chill down your spine. It's almost unbelievable to think that someone like her could be living right next door to you. Well written, exceptionally investigated, a definite page-turner.

This book is an intelligent read to say the least! It is fact-filled and provides the reader with a great picture of life on Ward C. It is clear that the author conducted an A-1 investigation into all aspects of this incredible case. The reader sees an amazing transformation in Gilbert from soccer mom to serial killer. M. William Phelps delves into the how and why behind Gilbert's murderous actions. He also focuses on the unbelievable fact of just how long her heinousnous continued under the blind eye of many staff members at the VAMC. This real-life story could be turned into a movie as it was filled with detail. Phelps' uses the words and thoughts of characters to allow the reader to "come right in," so to speak. Additionally, his use of short chapters makes the book flow quite easily. From Gilbert's adulterous affair to stalking others to killing patient after patient, the reader wants (and Phelps gives) more and more! A MUST READ!!!

My wife showed me this book and said, "You've got to read this -It's about happenings in my home town." I was skeptical as our reading tastes are very different plus I secretly thought her interest was the home town connection. However with her nursing background and mine in criminal justice this book was an ideal match. I picked up "Perfect Poison" and couldn't put it down, reading the entire book in one setting. The in depth research is logical and extensive. The author provides insights in the activites and the mind of the killer that will intrigue the reader. Moreover, the sequence of events is easy to follow and provides a graphic image of the pain and suffering for the victims and secondary victims. This book held my interest throughout the reading. I'm indebted to my wife and brother-in-law for recommending this book and thus providing a quality reading experience.

It's been a while since I read this, but the story interested me because I work in one of the hospitals where Dr. Michael Swango wreaked his havoc.

This is the story of a nurse who was having an affair with a security guard who showed up when patients coded, so if he was working, she would make patients code so she could see him. There's more to the story but that's the basis of it.

All evidence indicated that the guard was not in on it.

This book is vastly superior to his more recent "Murder in the Heartland", probably because it wasn't rushed into publication.

This is a very detailed profile of a female serial killer. The female serial killer is a nurse. After you read this you will never want to go to a hospital again. You won't be able to put this one down.