A Poisoned Passion

A Young Mother, her War Hero Husband, and the Marriage that Ended in Murder (St. Martin's True Crime Library)

By: Diane Fanning

Narrated by: Shelby Lewis

Length: 8 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's Summary

Michael Severance survived five tours of duty with the Air Force in the war torn Middle East. But he could not survive five months of marriage to Wendi Davidson.

Wendi, a young veterinarian in the isolated city of San Angelo, Texas, decided the solution to her problem was to give her husband a lethal injection.

About the author: Diane Fanning is the author of the Edgar Award finalist Written in Blood: A True Story of Murder and a Deadly 16-Year-Old Secret That Tore a Family Apart. Her other works of true crime include the bestseller Mommy's Little Girl, The Pastor's Wife, Gone Forever, and Through the Window. She is also the author of the Lucinda Pierce Mysteries: The Trophy Exchange, Punish the Deed, Mistaken Identity, Twisted Reason, and False Front. She has been featured on 48 Hours, 20/20, Court TV, the Today show, and the Discovery Channel, and has been interviewed on dozens of radio stations coast to coast. Her books are sold throughout the English-speaking world, including the UK and Australia, and there are more than half a million copies in print. Before becoming a writer, Fanning worked in advertising, and she earned more than 70 Addy Awards.

©2009 Diane Fanning (P)2012 Diane Fanning

Critic Reviews

"It's the naiveté of the people who plot the 'perfect murder' who keep you in the business of writing fascinating books about their mistakes and keep people like me rushing to the bookstores to read the books." (Michael Stone, M.D., forensic psychiatrist, Columbia University)

Fanning picks another loser narrator.

I must say I have no idea whether POISONED is a good story or not. The sing-song narrator, Shelby Lewis, seems to have taken singing lessons instead of speaking proper tone to fit the story. Tried several times to listen but couldn't get past the narrator. Pay attention, Fanning, to whom you're hiring. Listen to this narrator and you'll instantly understand my comments.

A Poisoned Passion

What made the experience of listening to A Poisoned Passion the most enjoyable?

The narrator did a good job. I read true crime books a lot and this wasn't one of my top 10 but I definatly enjoyed the read.

What did you like best about this story?

Diane Fanning is one of my favorite authors. She does a great job of delivering the facts of the case in True Crime books.

What does Shelby Lewis bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Shelby Lewis did a good job narrating the book. I am able to listen on my one hour commute to and from work.

exceptional narration

gripping, sad story, well told and exceptionally well narrated. it's very discouraging to see the political machinations that keep Justice from being served

Great Listen

This story started out slow and boring. Turns into a real edge of your seat story as the story develops. Narrator gets better as the story progresses.

Great read.

Some people complained about the narrator in previous reviews. I so disagree. She was easy to listen to. Amazing storyline. This woman/husband killer leaves you angry. Author takes you through the family history, crime and incarceration of this woman. I would recommend reading this book.

Great narrater!

Very good listen! I thought the narrater was excellent! The husband killer Wendy Davidson should rot in jail but sadly will be out soon. Huge injustice for husbands family!! They should have been awarded custody of there murdered sons baby! Justice system, cps failed them miserably big time! Sad!!!
Wendy Davidson and her whole family are a bunch of losers who will never take responsibility for anything in there lives! It's apparent in this book! I don't understand people like this? Bad genes I guess!
My condolences to Micheal Severances family.

Shocking true story

An animal mad vet who would never put an animal down if she could possibly save it uses her considerable knowledge and skill to "euthanize" her husband of a few months because her bitter mother did not like him? Wendi Davidson had a history of latching onto a man and either getting pregnant of pretending to be so. Her mother had a history of never liking any man that Wendi hooked up with.

The book is very well read by Shelby Lewis. She manages to portray all the characters with such interest she keeps you hooked.