A Poisoned Passion: A Young Mother, Her War Hero Husband, and the Marriage That Ended in Murder

Wendi Davidson had only been married five short months when her husband, Michael Severance, was murdered. Right before his body was discovered in a stock tank on Terrell Sheen's 7777 Ranch, Wendi confessed to her brother Marshall that she had found Michael already dead and moved his body in a state of panic. Why was she panicked? She thought a member of her close family had killed him and she was trying to protect him/her. Military investigators and San Angelo, Texas law enforcement disagreed. In Diane Fanning's lastest release A Poisoned Passion, readers are taken down the chaotic and disturbing path that led Wendi Davidson to become a killer; from her secluded childhood, to her promiscuous young adulthood, and up until just before Michael took his last breath. A Poisoned Passion invites readers into the lives of Wendi's parents, Judy and Lloyd; a couple who defines the word "insanity." Even as a seasoned true crime reader, Fanning's writing of this case evoked emotions toward the Davidsons that teettered on the edge of rage, while eliciting the sympathy for Les Severance (Michael's father) that he was much denied in West Texas. A Poisedon Passion is a definite must reader for true crime genre fans. If you skip this one, you'll miss out on one of the best books of 2009.

I agree with the previous reviewer that Diane Fanning has become an excellent true crime author. I couldn't put A Poisoned Passion down! She is so right on target about Wendi, the vet from hell! I usually HATE the trial section of true crime books, but would have loved a trial in this one! I would love to see prosecutors get Wendi or Judy on the stand! Her mother, Judy, is as bad, maybe worse than Wendi. Hope that I'm not spoiling the book for anyone by telling this fact, but you'll have to read it to find out why she had no real trial. I appreciated the Air Force investigators pushing the investigation, and wonder if the small town police would have pursued Mike's disappearance as vigourously, if not for them! I would love to find out who the father of Tristan (and maybe Shane???)is and Wendi's comment on this subject near the end really sent my suspicious mind into overdrive! Don't pass this one up!

To begin this review I have to confess I really like Diane Fanning's true crime books. Unlike a lot of other true crime writers, Ms. Fanning does not merely spit out research she's done on a particular case. She's a talented writer which makes reading her work an interesting experience. That said, in this book, A Poisoned Passion, she gives us regular folk - a veterinarian married to an Air Force Sergeant, who get married, begin a life together. Sounds very small town, but believe me, once you get to know 'regular' vet Wendi Davidson you will see the end of poor Sgt. Severance's days rushing at you. Wendi, you see, is not what she seems. Actually she seems to be one of those dreaded 'borderline personality disordered' individuals, who simply can't have enough drama in her life. Poor Mike Severance becomes her victim only months after they marry. Ms. Fanning's handling of this sad tale is very well done. I won't write here what this small town vet does to her husband before and after his death, but I will say if you like true crime you will be satisfied by the way the material is handled. Yes, it's grisly, but not so that it can't be read. I know I will be looking at my own vet a little differently after reading this. A good story, well told. I know Ms. Fanning is at work on a book about the Casey Anthony case, which is one I have been following. There are going to be a lot of books written about this case. I know Diane Fanning's will rise to the top of the pile. I have already pre-ordered it.