Perfect Poison: A Female Serial Killer's Deadly Medicine

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.

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!!!

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.

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 !!!!!